I guess the scoreline was about as good as we could have wished for.
I was hoping for a performance more akin to Liverpool (a) than Man City (h) [or Chelsea (a) come to that] but as it transpired we were given a bit of both.
The sterility, passiveness and lack of resistance in last night’s first half was horribly reminiscent of the men vs boys lesson given to us by Pep Guardiola’s men a few weeks ago but, fair play to Smith’s men, the second half was infinitely better and more like the Anfield performance in the league.
Quite where that stirring second-half effort came from is not clear but I suspect Messrs Smith and Shakespeare may have said their half-time piece about effort and desire, while the personnel changes and the change in shape too played their part.
But, as ever, it was too little too late. It’s always best to play like that when it’s 0-0 rather than when the game is already effectively over.
And for Smith’s chosen XI to dish up such a gutless first-half effort in the wake of something equally supine on Saturday in a game deemed must-win was quite something.
The head coach will have to take his share of the responsibility with a flawed plan to go with a back-three and a decision to bench Milot Rachica, but none of the above can excuse conceding from the softest of set-pieces after just three minutes.
His final words before the players departed the dressing room were probably along the lines of ‘let’s not concede early on’ but clearly no one was listening.
Unfortunately, that set the tone for the following 42 minutes.
Mason Mount, among others, was afforded the freedom of Carrow Road. Meanwhile, Kenny pointed (a lot), Mathias sprayed passes into all four corners of the City Stand, Brandon and Max toiled to no effect whatsover, and the rest ambled around with the same intensity as the Snails of Joyland.
The only surprise is we went in at half-time only 2-0 down. Maybe we have the blackbird, who turned a back five into a back six, to thank.
But, fair play, the second-half was better. A flat back-four was better. Lukas Rupp for Mathias Normann was an improvement. The shape of the midfield was better and more effective for having Rupp and Rashica in it. And they found, from somewhere (possibly the toe of Shakey’s trainer), another gear.
Everything happened a yard quicker. Mount had company where once there were open spaces. Rashica committed Chelsea defenders by running at them. And we asked a few questions.
Martin Atkinson really shouldn’t have needed the weight of VAR to finally, reluctantly help him ascertain that Trevoh Chalobah’s handball was an offence worthy of a penalty, but he got there in the end, and it made for a few nervous moments for Abramovich’s Tuchel’s men.
That we weren’t quite good enough to make those good spells count was all too typical of our season, but – for now at least – this Chelsea team comprises of world-class players in every position and are world champions for a reason.
There was an inevitability about Havertz’ goal.
But it was a second-half performance that restored a little pride and, at least, didn’t further damage the team’s already flagging morale.
The fact remains however, we have now lost five Premier League games on the bounce at a time when we’re supposed to be fighting for our lives, and despite being offered several chances to get ourselves back in the mix as those around us flounder, we have made no headway whatsoever.
So, mathematically we’re still alive and kicking – and let’s cling to that for as long as we can – but the chances are running out and there’s precious little evidence to suggest we’re good enough to take them anyway.
All we can ask is that they keep trying, starting in Leeds on Sunday afternoon; the same Leeds who have lost their six games. *gulp*
You know the phrase. I’m not saying it for fear of jinxing it.
***
I didn’t really want to have to mention Chelsea’s fans but given that they spent the whole evening singing their former owner’s name, it’s almost impossible not to.
Lauding a man who brought you success beyond your wildest dreams is fine until you consider how that money was acquired in the first place and what’s it’s now being used to fund.
While their potential demise would delight most who are not Chelsea fans, I remain sceptical. The machinations of top-level football are such that, somehow, someone somewhere will get themslves what they consider a bargain and the billions will soon start flowing again through the King’s Road.
And off they’ll go again – just singing a different name.
I think it fair to say there are only two people still believing in the self funding model and I don’t think their motives align with the supporters.
You have forgotten all those that back her staying on at the club and the self financing model
I think they are now in the minority. You can only humiliate people for so long before enough is enough.
Attendances and season ticket sales will start to drop off because if it’s not competitive sport is not worth watching and with our squad I can’t see things improving in the championship!
ah well 10 games to go and still 4 points needed to go past the points total of two years ago..
Oi Gary –
Leave the Joyland Snails out of it – when my two were toddlers they loved ’em.
Geriatric sloths on mogadon is far more acceptable 🙂
Gary,riding on the Snails is indeed a very intense experience especially if you happen to be 3 years old.Remember?
During our half time beer, my brother (whose seat was a block away from me) and I agreed that we would leave when it was 5-0. I fully expected that to happen at about 68 minutes. The fact that we both stayed to applaud the team off at the end was a surprise to both of us
I wrote that when premier league started that there likely is no need to get much points to avoid relegation. It looks like that and that is why clubs like Norwich and Watford have possibility to stay. Next game vs Leeds is of course important, but not decisive at all. Leeds sacked Bielsa and that is why they deserve to get relegated. Orta who build this with Bielsa, is a guy who went to meet Pukki long time a go personally because he didnt believe that such a young player could play in mens highest league anywhere. Orta worked during that time for Sevilla. Leeds is very shaky right now, good chance for Norwich to take points ans its going to happen that this time Leeds or Norwich or both are really going to get points. This is like your own minileague and this weekend in that league also Brentford or Burnley or both are going to get points too.
Norwich made tactically obvious and only right decision which meant more defensive starting lineup. Second half Chelsea started to sleep and their playing level dropped a lot, because of that they were forced to even substitute Kante to secure their win. Typical situation when a lot better team loose their interest of playing during the game. Teemu took penalty very well, both Mendy and Jorginho tried to provocate, but like always its time wasting against so experienced player. Chalobah was very good before he made his idiotic hand ball which resulted penalty. Teemu has now scored 8 goals. 12 goals is enough right now to be second best goal scorer this season. Lets say that top 10 place is possible.
I think the switch to a back four instead of three centre backs and two wing backs, plus the inclusion of Rashica made a hell of a difference. Lees Millou and Rupp seemed to have an instinctive knowledge of where each other would be, and their quick passing showed the management team where we need to go for the rest of the season. No more Chelsea super-star, please. Williams looked more comfortable as a full back making occasional forays into opposition territory, rather than being expected to continually bomb forward as a wing back. Max’s burst down the other side in the second half was something we haven’t seen in a long while, but a joy to behold.
I’m resigned to Championship football next season, but as I’ve said before, I won’t miss VAR – unless they introduce VARlite, which I hear rumours about. They know where they can stick that!
Ah Gary the nostalgia of The Snails of Joyland. I loved them as a kiddie as did my girls years later and now the grandchildren.
Which leads me on nicely to the snails on the pitch last night in the first half. But these were all in green and yellow.
I have to say I thought Chelsea were very good in that first half but we were dreadful.
The midfield were chasing shadows and as you say Gary thank god for Kenny’s pointing. But even with that it could have 4 or 5.
But come the second half what an improvement. Aarons and Williams went past their men at pace instead of continually getting so far and then turning back allowing Chelsea ( insert all our opposition here ) to get men back into position. This infuriates me.
Lees- Melou no longer looked like a man waiting for a bus as he did in the first half and sprayed some lovely passes both long and short. Rupp too was neat and tidy and helped speed the play up.
Kenny huffed and puffed but at least he kept pointing.
I really wonder how much worse our goals against column would be without Grant Hanley, I thought he was excellent all game.
I feel for Josh Sargent at the moment. He is not ready for this level yet. His body never seems to be set right to receive the ball and that is why it spins all over the place. I know how he feels I helped a mate out and played Division 1 Sunday League for Brooke a few times back in the eighties, I was totally out of my depth.
The penalty. With Stevie Wonder screaming penalty all the way from Los Angeles I was so pleased to see the extremely efficient way referee Martin Atkinson dealt with it. To be fair he may have been unsighted. Well Lee Hendrie on SKY wasn’t and said instantly that it was a clear penalty.
But it went to the VAR hub where a new referee M. Rmagoo was on duty. The incident was so difficult to decide he asked Atkinson to go pitchside to review the incident, Atkinson watched it 4-5 times giving the fourth official time to text the PLM to see if it would be allowed to award plucky little Norwich a stonewall penalty against the World Champions.
Yes was the reluctant answer !!!
Now Dean Smith will crucify my sarcasm but how pathetic was all that. You only needed to look at Chalobah’s face to know it was a pen, who looked like our dear departed lovely sheltie dog Oscar when he had done something he knew was very, very naughty.
The trouble is taking this form and attitude into the Leeds game isn’t easy. It is easier to play without fear at 2-0 down but if we take the season as a whole we are now a lot more than 2-0 down so I hope the players realise this is our very last chance and go out there and have a real go.
But with Leeds United not winning a game since The Iceni was a tribe and not a Pub I really hope it is not a case of another Along Come Norwich moments please🤞
Finally, the Chelsea supporters chanting Abramovich’s name. I can understand the love, if that is the right word, they have for him. He has bankrolled them to win everything there is to win, and the truth is playing super football along the way.
But this is a kind of “football” thinking. That nothing else matters. Well it does, a lot more.
Bill Shankly famously said football is more important than life or death or in as many words, the tragedy of the Hillsborough disaster proved that to be complete nonsense.
This weekend Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk won’t be playing this week. They are turning their stadium into a shelter for refugee’s. Think on that for all their supporters and country men and women.
How close Abramovich is to Putin is irrelevant. He is seen rightly or wrongly as a ally of the Russian President.
But is football more important than shooting fleeing civilians, bombing maternity hospitals, using thermobaric weapons or cluster bombs against women and children. Not even close.
Chelsea supporters should look at themselves in the mirror this morning but they won’t because unless it is someone doing it too their wives, girlfriends or children it doesn’t matter.
Chelsea won. End of.
Michael Bailey was visibly upset last night on his Youtube match report and I can understand why he found it so hard to do his match report. 💛💙
Well said Tim. Well said.
I can’t replicate your emojis in this format but If I could I would.
Amen Tim,
Other than snails at Joyland (of which I know nothing) I agree with all you say.
I find it hard to believe that what’s happening in Ukraine can be brazenly answered with songs supporting an oligarch who apparently has links to a mass murderer, but that’s Chelsea fans for you I guess.
From the radio, later the extended highlights, the team threw everything into the second half, and did really well in so doing – alas the third goal was a killer blow. The rest of the season really does need to be approached like the second half now – as I said in another article this week, Blood and Thunder, and for all the games left if we are to stay up – starting at Leeds!
Alex B – I think Kabak is worth a deal if things are as you say!
Cheers guys,
COYYs !
Seems that Normann and Zimmerman didn’t turn up last night both have proved to be reliable players at city.
Zimmerman sadly got very poor reviews an average if 4 for his preformance.
Normann maybe has an excuse in that he is still trying to get match fit but again a poor showing with an average of 4.
Hodgson didn’t hold back last night when asked about his team he is quoted as saying we were crap.
The Leeds new man is finding out how hard the premiership is to survive in and long may it continue.
A Labour MP is saying that the sanctions being placed on Abramovich shouldn’t be placed on Chelsea, how do you separate one from the other
Zimmerman at least managed our only shot on target in the first half.
What’s your take on Kabak his parent club are screaming out for someone to take him as they can’t afford him back, one site said city could extend his loan fir next season and a much lower purchase price if we get promoted or offer Zimmerman in a swap deal
Hi Alex. I haven’t seen enough of Kabak to really form an opinion, though when he played a few games for your favourite club on the Mersey, the fans seemed to rate him. Gibson has some advantage in being left footed, but for me he’s far to indecisive on the ball. Zimmerman is right footed, so between him and Kabak, I’m not sure.
I like the self-funding model, and I’m not Michael, or Delia (John F).
I’m not a modern wokey-cokey hypocrite either (e.g. today’s article I’ll slam the money in football, while tomorrow’s will be a desperate pleas for rich owners).
Happy to write a free-lance opinion, if ever wanted.
MFW you do deserve the utmost respect though for successfully hosting balanced debate, not much else about. Genuinely, well done and thanks.
Hi Trev,
Tried to email but was pinged back as an invalid email address. Please could you confirm?
Gary
It’s telling me my email account has closed due to inactivity.
Could Tzolis’ contract suffer the same fate?
Is there a way I could email you from an address I do use please Gary? I’m not as brave as you for having an opinion in public these days and offering a right of recourse. Respect for that.
Hi Trev,
My email is gary@myfootballwriter.com