Chelsea keeps pace. Barely.
Chelsea escaped again today 3-2 on a 94th minute match-winner today against Wigan. I don't know what to make of them of late - they are not playing up to their potential and find themselves constantly needing late goals to win or equalize. Yet, they keep getting them. Is the conclusion, there is trouble looming with their continued patchy form? Or is this mark of a champion, a team who finds ways to win when not at their best?
Mourinho finally started Robben and played Essien again at right back. This formation makes them inifintely more dangerous - their posession % was way down, but the quality chances created were way up. They scored 2 goals and might easily have had 4 in the first half. There was so much more space and they attacked more fluidly today. I won't say I (and Boris) told you so, but Robben did have 2 assists to go along with the match winner in the 94th minute.
I will say the Blues look more vulnerable in back, but that may also have to do with Terry being injured. Boularohz after the heights of shutting down Ronaldinho seems more of a red card threat than anything right now.
I have seen oddsmakers giving as high as 65 to 1 on Frank Lampard to score the most goals in the EPL. I believe he has 6 right now, which is 4 behind Drogba, who has 10. I think there is a lot of value to this bet if Mourinho maintains this formation (or even better, drops Ballack for Joe Cole when he is fit), as Lampard benefits most when Chelsea plays with Robben (and or Joe Cole).
Lampard still is not at that insane level of form he maintained for almost 2 seasons - his little touches to free himself for a shot have been just a bit off. Even today he deked 2 defenders with a great fake shot, cutting it back to his (adequate) left foot for a great look from the top of the box. But he took another touch and the chance was gone. When he does shoot, however, he looks to be regaining his compass on shots (see the stunner v Everton). With PKs, direct kicks, and increased goals from open play, I would not be shocked to see him as the leading goalscorer at seasons end.
I think Drogba picked up a knock early- he seemed to be signalling for a sub in the 1st half and laboring for much of the game. If they do lose him to injury, Chelsea will be without their 3 most crucial players- Terry, Drogba, and Cech. And they weren't really playing well when all 3 were fit. And still they are oddsmakers' faves to win both England and the Champions League. Needless to say, this is a deep, talented squad.
I had been wondering who would be first to be loaned out - Kallou or Mikel. Kallou scored and looked a little more comfortable. Mikel, to be fair, came on late, but still looks lost out there. I'm betting on Mikel.
Inane comment of the match: The pundit in the 34th minute with Wigan down 2-0. "Wigan must score the next goal." Thanks for that.
I do not think Wigan will face a relegation battle this year, despite this rough patch they have been suffering through (and rough Christmas schedule they face). They play well for Paul Jewell and the squad always seems to play for each other. They dominated 50/50 balls today and always seem to do a lot of little things well.
Emile Heskey, whom we have seen little of since early in the season, had 2 goals and a fabulous game (I hate to admit it). He was a real menace up-front and provided a great target for his teammates. He also won the free kick that led to his vital goal to pull back to 2-1 at the end of 1st half.
Mourinho finally started Robben and played Essien again at right back. This formation makes them inifintely more dangerous - their posession % was way down, but the quality chances created were way up. They scored 2 goals and might easily have had 4 in the first half. There was so much more space and they attacked more fluidly today. I won't say I (and Boris) told you so, but Robben did have 2 assists to go along with the match winner in the 94th minute.
I will say the Blues look more vulnerable in back, but that may also have to do with Terry being injured. Boularohz after the heights of shutting down Ronaldinho seems more of a red card threat than anything right now.
I have seen oddsmakers giving as high as 65 to 1 on Frank Lampard to score the most goals in the EPL. I believe he has 6 right now, which is 4 behind Drogba, who has 10. I think there is a lot of value to this bet if Mourinho maintains this formation (or even better, drops Ballack for Joe Cole when he is fit), as Lampard benefits most when Chelsea plays with Robben (and or Joe Cole).
Lampard still is not at that insane level of form he maintained for almost 2 seasons - his little touches to free himself for a shot have been just a bit off. Even today he deked 2 defenders with a great fake shot, cutting it back to his (adequate) left foot for a great look from the top of the box. But he took another touch and the chance was gone. When he does shoot, however, he looks to be regaining his compass on shots (see the stunner v Everton). With PKs, direct kicks, and increased goals from open play, I would not be shocked to see him as the leading goalscorer at seasons end.
I think Drogba picked up a knock early- he seemed to be signalling for a sub in the 1st half and laboring for much of the game. If they do lose him to injury, Chelsea will be without their 3 most crucial players- Terry, Drogba, and Cech. And they weren't really playing well when all 3 were fit. And still they are oddsmakers' faves to win both England and the Champions League. Needless to say, this is a deep, talented squad.
I had been wondering who would be first to be loaned out - Kallou or Mikel. Kallou scored and looked a little more comfortable. Mikel, to be fair, came on late, but still looks lost out there. I'm betting on Mikel.
Inane comment of the match: The pundit in the 34th minute with Wigan down 2-0. "Wigan must score the next goal." Thanks for that.
I do not think Wigan will face a relegation battle this year, despite this rough patch they have been suffering through (and rough Christmas schedule they face). They play well for Paul Jewell and the squad always seems to play for each other. They dominated 50/50 balls today and always seem to do a lot of little things well.
Emile Heskey, whom we have seen little of since early in the season, had 2 goals and a fabulous game (I hate to admit it). He was a real menace up-front and provided a great target for his teammates. He also won the free kick that led to his vital goal to pull back to 2-1 at the end of 1st half.
posted by the idiot at 10:17 AM
1 Comments:
It will be interesting to see what Mourinho does now - a lot of the 2nd tier players (kallou, Mikel, Boularouzh, SW Philips) have not looked up to snuff and in their first close title race in a while, it is more fdifficult to work these guys in as any mistake that costs them 3 points could be ultimately what decides the champion this year.
Further, though I agree winning on an off day is a sign of a champ, the Reading draw shows that the odds catch up with you if you leave it late in a a lot of matches. Man U has had many more comfortable multiple goal wins and I think that augurs well for the Red Devils.
I have been quite impressed with Micah Richards, who is apparently a Chelsea transfer target, but he is more likely to fall into the Mikel, Kalou camp of guys for the future. It is a big ask for him to come in and play falwlessly in the back, which is pretty much what is needed with the injuries and the fact that their GK is only mediocre and a big step down from Petr Cech. I think Chelsea might regret focusing on buying Sheva in the summer and letting Canavarro and Zambrotta go to Spain. How much would they kill to have one of those guys right now?
Yeah, the Lampard call is mostly on value at the odds given - I certainly wouldn't pick him as top scorer if allowed to pick 1 player regardless of odds.
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