We got our payments deferred for 9 months last season, to collect a Premier League and a League Cup trophy, but now it’s all coming due, and with interest. Chelsea or Porto, one will be out.
Advertisement
His first-half appraisal, continuing as Chelsea’s “false nine”, is unlikely to have been glowing. Both sides had enough chances to take the lead in the game. The ball was fed through to Junior Stanislas, but he was unable to capitalise despite having just the goalkeeper to beat. Fortunately for Hazard, Gary Cahill blocked.
Shortly afterwards, Courtois was forced into a diving save to deny Joshua King.
The club from London have only scored 17 times in the league campaign and the performances in the attack haven’t been mesmerising either.
But where do you think Chelsea will finish this season?
While their Premier League struggles are evident, the west Londoners remain on track to qualify for the Champions League knockout round heading into their final Group G game against Porto.
“We started the season with this squad and we have to do better”. But Costa was out of the starting XI for a second straight game.
Was second-half improvement down to Diego Costa? The Cherries huddled round Howe and assistant Jason Tindall at any lengthy break in play and enacted the game plan perfectly.
“I think it is a clear handball and penalty with the score at 0-0”. Substitute Radamel Falcao cancels out Bakary Sako’s opener with his first Chelsea goal in the 79 minute, only for Ward to notch the victor two minutes later. We didn’t score against Stoke or Tottenham.
On that play most of the Oilers were living in the Red Light Zone, that space in the defensive end where you’re not covering the man with the puck and not covering anyone else. They were more than ready for that and they did very well.
On the goal, Mourinho added: “If it was offside it is another episode that goes against us, but I did not see it”.
“Scoring goals is a lot about individuals”, said Mourinho. “You can imagine now after this defeat at home”. That’s not the problem. “So if our objective is to fight for top four then you have to think now about finishing top six”.
Howe, in contrast, was understandably delighted.
“If you score that many goals you’re going to get missed at whatever club you’re at”, his dad said.
“But the players have come in and worked hard for the next game and tried to improve themselves”.
Advertisement
Aston Villa’s under-pressure manager Remi Garde is still awaiting his first win with the bottom club, who at least earned some comfort in a 1-1 draw at Southampton. Mourinho was scathing in his criticism of some of his players, although he insisted he was not disappointed with the performance, only the result. “There were question marks about our defending, but we have answered those questions today”. “Every setback they’ve had, they’ve bounced back”.
