[Paxi]

When's the last time we played that well? About five years?

Aston Villa imo. RvP volley.

 

[ThomasEmil]

Moving this here as I'm still learning my way around the forums.

My thoughts (for what they're worth). Please bear with me...

• Jones - exceeded my expectations. Solid in the middle, didn't get beat. All I could ask.
• Blind - the next cross he completes would be his first. Why is he the LH's side corner kick specialist is beyond me.
• Pogba - his individual skills and play making ability is like watching a point guard break your ankles and land your ass on the hardwood. I get a hard on when I think what he'd do going forward while Matic handles the dirty work.
• Matic - absolutely dominant, showed fantastic movement, dribbling and pace. Making a world of difference already. I think Carrick may as well start a knitting gig while on the bench.
• Mata - no frills football here. Couple brilliant passes a game and everything else is spoken for. Understand why he plays and why he's needed, just wished he was slightly more assertive (also understand that's not the player he is, so feck it).
• Mkhitaryan - not sure how to evaluate Mkhi. He does a lot of things well, particularly passing, and his work rate is fantastic. Seems to me he is a lot like a jack of all trades and master of none. He'll get more goals this year, but I prefer he continues with his mastery passing.
• Lukaku - man of the match. The Von Miller of the BPL. His mere presence in the box should make opposing center back's children run and hide in their closets.
• Rashford - as expected, great pace and individual skills in the final third. Once he tidies up his finishing skills, he'll in every right back's nightmares for years to come.

Top of the league motherfeckers. Time to crack a few open and enjoy this one.

Those are some expectations you have. Thought he played way above what could be expected.

 

[Nucks]

Its accurate. We knew that there are no teams remotely close to Madrid in the Premier League. Looks like we used it as a learning experience.

I'd argue it's the opposite.


Yes RM and Barcelona are better than anything in the Prem atm. However, top to bottom, the standard in the Prem is higher. Perhaps that isn't the right way to put it. Teams in the Prem setup not to lose. Teams in La Liga tend to have a go, and try to play with RM and Barca.

It's a bit disingenuous to say the standard of the Prem is lower. It's a bit like saying because Bayern Munich is probably stronger than the best teams in the Prem, that the Bundesliga is of a higher standard.

The Prem is harder to win than either league, because there are more teams that can realistically win it, and more teams that can realistically beat you. RM and Barca have really only each other to really fear, with Athletico sometimes throwing a monkey wrench in.

 

[Woodzy]

Matic had 89 touches of the ball ....incredible performance, what were Chelsea thinking?

It's because for two decades now the people responsible for running Chelsea Football Club seem to have the shortest memories on the planet (and I think that goes for the fans as well based on yesterday's 'support').

 

[Jim Beam]

It's early days but team spirit seems absolutely fantastic.

 

[Raoul]

I'd argue it's the opposite.


Yes RM and Barcelona are better than anything in the Prem atm. However, top to bottom, the standard in the Prem is higher. Perhaps that isn't the right way to put it. Teams in the Prem setup not to lose. Teams in La Liga tend to have a go, and try to play with RM and Barca.

It's a bit disingenuous to say the standard of the Prem is lower. It's a bit like saying because Bayern Munich is probably stronger than the best teams in the Prem, that the Bundesliga is of a higher standard.

The Prem is harder to win than either league, because there are more teams that can realistically win it, and more teams that can realistically beat you. RM and Barca have really only each other to really fear, with Athletico sometimes throwing a monkey wrench in.

Except that we're not talking about leagues here. We're talking about Real Madrid specifically vs any other Prem side. Noone is willing to argue that any of last year's top 6 are remotely as good as Madrid, who have won 3 out of the past 4 CLs.

 

[SamVimes]

4-0 hides our problems! We did well to get a relatively early goal and Lukaku has shown with his goals that maybe some of these tighter games will open up, as he is such a beast in attack.

The problem is our creativity against a tightly defended team is still sadly lacking. We will always get goals when a team is forced to attack us, but the biggest problem is getting that first goal or 2.

First half we struggled to have a quality impact. Second half was the result of West Ham having no choice, but to attack.

Overall positive and great for momentum and the fear factor for other teams, but we still need a creative killer edge.

We just scored four goals against a "tightly defended team" and you are moaning about creativity.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Chelsea away at Spurs(Wembley) next week, just make sure we win at Swansea and Conte might be in the depths of despair.

 

[horsechoker]

Chelsea away at Spurs(Wembley) next week, just make sure we win at Swansea and Conte might be in the depths of despair.

Do we want Spurs to smash Chelsea meaning they build confidence playing at Wembley or Spurs to lose and continue being shit there?

A draw mayn't be the worst result.

 

[Kostur]

I'm all smiles today, everybody played well imo, perhaps we could've had like two more but it's okay. I like the link that's being created by Lukaku and Mata. When they play more together and form a better partnership, they can bring us like over 40 goals combined in the league imo.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Do we want Spurs to smash Chelsea meaning they build confidence playing at Wembley or Spurs to lose and continue being shit there?

A draw mayn't be the worst result.

I know. A draw probably best. I am hoping Spurs are as bad at Wembley as usual and Chelsea are as woeful as yesterday, Cahill and Fabregas missing.

 

[AndyMUFC]

Brilliant way to start the season. That has to be the type of side that plays regularly in these sort of games. Full of power and pace and they couldn't handle it.

 

[Denis79]

Fantastic! Brilliant!

Lukaku doing what we bought him to do, Pogba showing his worth, Martial and Rashford amazing and Matic phenomenal! No one had a bad game. Buzzing!

 

[prtk0811]

Chelsea away at Spurs(Wembley) next week, just make sure we win at Swansea and Conte might be in the depths of despair.

And you were against matic signing mate

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Chelsea away at Spurs(Wembley) next week, just make sure we win at Swansea and Conte might be in the depths of despair.

Feel like Chelsea will have a field day there at Wembley. Tottenham won't have the dodgy small pitch to rely on. If Hazard were available they would smash them.

 

[Jacob]

I'm all smiles today, everybody played well imo, perhaps we could've had like two more but it's okay. I like the link that's being created by Lukaku and Mata. When they play more together and form a better partnership, they can bring us like over 40 goals combined in the league imo.

Too bad Mata won't play much

 

[Handsome Devil]

Double delight today:
1. Emphatic victory.
2. Reasonably sane match day thread - where were all the crazies?

 

[Borden]

First time in years, where it looked like our players actually enjoyed playing football.
Fantastic game, and impossible to pick MOTM.
Hope to see more of the same in the next couple matches.

This, a thousand times this. Great to see.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

And you were against matic signing mate

No I wasn't from what I can remember.

 

[vidic blood & sand]

Actually. Did LVG not lay the foundations for what we saw today?

Yep. He was the one that laid the fertiliser.

 

[Paul_Scholes18]

Hope we can keep up the energy even with CL games starting. Martial performing so well from the bench was extra good. We need all our attacking players contributing this season. Today everyone did apart from Lingard.

 

[Wumminator]

Never ever ever take a bag to Old Trafford

 

[prtk0811]

If only Chelsea sell us hazard , we'll be complete.

Thank them for Mata mourinho matic and releasing lukaku.

 

[Kostur]

Too bad Mata won't play much

Why so? It looks lik we'll play 4231 at home, probably 433 away.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Never ever ever take a bag to Old Trafford

They did say to allow time, bet some were sat in the pub and then moaned when it took time to get in.

 

[Borden]

You are reading too much into it. He was good, had control of the midfield with Matic, but on many occasions he could have played a smart pass to someone in a good position, but he was caught with the ball. The ball does move faster than the players and we would benefit immensely if he played the ball more often.

I agree he has some things he needs to iron out of his game (and if he does, he'll be probably the best CM in the world), but still, his contribution to this team is vital.

 

[DevilRed]

Hope we can keep up the energy even with CL games starting. Martial performing so well from the bench was extra good. We need all our attacking players contributing this season. Today everyone did apart from Lingard.

We've got good depth in our forwards/attacking players.

Even in midfield we have the choice to sit Herrera if we're going for a double fulcrum like today.

Lots of options for Mourinho. What could elevate us to the next level is if we sign a true out and out winger like Perisic. Thats not even to mention that Luke Shaw is yet to come back from injury.

 

[Mihai]

The pub just turned off the footie analysis for Ireland v Japan women's rugby

I was watching in an Irish pub in Fulham. There was just the video with the audio from that sport of theirs, can't even remember how it's called.

 

[carlosp]

4-0 hides our problems! We did well to get a relatively early goal and Lukaku has shown with his goals that maybe some of these tighter games will open up, as he is such a beast in attack.

The problem is our creativity against a tightly defended team is still sadly lacking. We will always get goals when a team is forced to attack us, but the biggest problem is getting that first goal or 2.

First half we struggled to have a quality impact. Second half was the result of West Ham having no choice, but to attack.

Overall positive and great for momentum and the fear factor for other teams, but we still need a creative killer edge.

Sorry, we didn't play Brighten and Hove Albion like City. We played WHU who are a good team. Last season we drew with WHU. So this is a very good performance compared to say, City yesterday and Spurs today.

 

[el3mel]

If only Chelsea sell us hazard , we'll be complete.

Thank them for Mata mourinho matic and releasing lukaku.

I don't know what we would have done without Chelsea standing with us. Our best friends in the league.

 

[fredriti]

Although he didn't have much to do, DeGea probably happiest player on the pitch. Too many times last year, Utd let up toward end of the game and gave up a cheap goal. This didn't happen today, which is a good thing. Kudos to the defense!

 

[wolvored]

Best we have played in he Premier for 4 years. Speed of attack mostly was superb. Matic and Pogba brilliant in midfield. Rashford and Lukaku very good in attack. Jones shaded Bailly as a strong defensive rock. All the others played very well as well. The main thing was the win, but it was also enjoyable to watch.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Matic was at the heart of everything both defence and attack. The word "Pivotal" is an understatement in regards to his contribution today. Long may it continue. Feel like Chelsea have dropped a right clanger there.

Honorable mentions to Rashford with Assists and getting very close to getting a goal or 2. Also for Martial whos the first touch for his goal was sublime considering the pace and spin it had on it when it was zipped into him.

 

[wolvored]

Hope we can keep up the energy even with CL games starting. Martial performing so well from the bench was extra good. We need all our attacking players contributing this season. Today everyone did apart from Lingard.

He was only on for 5 mins ffs

 

[prtk0811]

I don't know what we would have done without Chelsea standing with us. Our best friends in the league.

Imagine if they had not sacked mourinho.

 

[P-Nut]

We're gunna win the league.
We're gunna win the league.
And now you're gunna believe ussssss....
We're gunna win the league!

 

[Wumminator]

They did say to allow time, bet some were sat in the pub and then moaned when it took time to get in.

After the game I mean.

There's hundreds of people still waiting for theirs!

 

[Ainu]

4-0 hides our problems! We did well to get a relatively early goal and Lukaku has shown with his goals that maybe some of these tighter games will open up, as he is such a beast in attack.

The problem is our creativity against a tightly defended team is still sadly lacking. We will always get goals when a team is forced to attack us, but the biggest problem is getting that first goal or 2.

First half we struggled to have a quality impact. Second half was the result of West Ham having no choice, but to attack.

Overall positive and great for momentum and the fear factor for other teams, but we still need a creative killer edge.

Breaking down defensive sides is an issue for any team, unless you're fortunate enough to score in the first 10 minutes. As it was, we did enough to get ahead after 30 minutes and followed that up with a boat load of chances and complete dominance in all areas. Ideally I would like to see a bit more threat from out wide to stretch defences and a bit more variation in attack, but all things considered we looked like a side without any obvious weaknesses today.

 

[Eire Red United]

Can anyone tell me if Herrera was on the bench? Matic and Pogba played so well today that I did not realize Herrera was not on the pitch until late of first half.

Yeah he was named on the benxh. Hopefully we only play with a two man midfield in most games with 3 of Rashford, Mata, Martial and Mhiki starting

 

[el3mel]

Imagine if they had not sacked mourinho.

We would be in trouble but fortunately they knew we wanted a manager and decided to help us, just like now they saw us wanting a DMF so badly so they gave us their own. Very friendly club.