Mikel is the man... with him in the middle, Cesc can string those passes better... even in rainy conditions, Cesc pulled off one of the passes of the season...

I'm still not convinced with the defending... we are lucky to get away with all the easy chances that Palace got... how many times Delaney was left unguard heading the ball? If I may recall correctly, twice or thrice... if all of those headers were to find the back of the net, it would be a different complexion to the game... Still shaky defending...

With Hiddink in charge he is still fielding Iva on RB... proves that Mou's tactic is right... only the players lost interest to play for him... well, let's move on and climb the mountain... this lil' pony needs to pick up speed.

Still no RLC and BABA, IVA is GH anak emas Same old formation and players.

Well a good win, good performance but that is what the performance we expect from them week in week out as BPL champion. Just that they stop playing for JM thus ended the club at relegation battle.

But credit to GH for fielding MIKEL, at the moment he seem to fit the team better, dunno why MATIC have gone so bad, he seem too eager to win back all the ball charging in needlessly leaving hole behind which he was suppose to cover the defender, MATIC also like to dribble forward so much often compare when he first arrive at CHELSEA, maybe inspired by YAYA TOURE. Meanwhile MIKEL did very well, he know his main role is to stay ahead of CB to protect them, he short pass (renown side pass back pass) and shielding the ball was very good from way before, just that sometimes he get lazy with his work rate.

FAB was also good yesterday but that is because CP did not assign someone to man mark him. Maybe HAZARD injury is a blessing indisguise ? With PEDRO we move the ball forward more quickly without HAZARD dwelling on the ball and slowing the attack.

Hope to see more MIKEL + FAB partnership.

This post has been edited by chitchat: Jan 4 2016, 10:16 AM

Missed the game. Btw it was a great away win. I guess we're officially back. Top 4 is still mathematical possible!

Would not say official yet but more like half what we used to be.

Costa plays differently under Mou and Hiddink
Mou wanted him to play wide
Hiddink pula wants him to be target man, stay in penalty box

so Costa can save stamina
and he scores and assists

Congratulations Chelsea on the win against Crystal Palace

Totally different team under Guus Hiddink

John Obi Mikel showed his worth as Chelsea won 3-0 at Crystal Palace

mikel was rated highly for yesterday match because the way he conduct himself and his natural gameplay suited the opponent that we met. hiddink especially said that mikel can bring balance to chelsea squad. because most of our opponent are using our last year tactic. high pressing, counter attack and short but direct passing.

mikel who is the type of player that can flourish when met with that type of opponent. with his high composure with the ball. he can shield the ball too with his body. and have a very accurate short passing. the one you need when you want to recycle possession. like what busquet does at barca.

i think him and oscar will be very important player in guus formation.

Mikel for captain

Obi Mikel and Fab

Hiddink on Mikel: "He doesn't do it in a very brutal way -- he's very, very elegant. What I like to see very much is not just a quality player but a player who can defend so smoothly. It's beautiful to see. He doesn't lose many balls, he's good in short passing. I don't expect and I don't ask him to make the decisive final pass. He can but no, we let the other players do that."

A total opposite of Matic. Matic is good, but as I always mention, he often overdo things. Keep it simple.

http://www.espnfcasia.com/chelsea/story/27...ance-to-chelsea

This post has been edited by dynames07: Jan 4 2016, 07:07 PM

Been a long time since feeling so satisfied after watching a match. Hope we can push on.

Attack looking good, midfield awesome. Defense still look bad tho, especially Zouma and Terry combination..Cahill n Zouma maybe quicker combo could be quicker n sharper in reactions, interesting to see how Hiddink picks after Cahill is fit.
Whatever happened to Djiloboji?

Chelsea and Serbia defender Branislav Ivanovic, 31, is a transfer target for AC Milan after being linked with rivals Inter Milan. (Daily Mirror)

Please sell him to Ac milan

doubt AC Milan will pay for him. maybe will sign him when his contract finish

Better that way, thankful to have Costa be a danger within the box than having a Benteke.

Bye bye relegation battle? Our team is quite capable but I wonder why Mou is "shoved off" by them. Mou's attitude? Mou's persistence? Or his tactics and some players just don't want to follow him any more.

Anyway, so far so good, Crystal Palace isn't a bogeyman any more.

CP isnt but alan padrew is. He ex Newcastle manager,for sure he know how to deal with us.but we are better last night. Really good performance by us

rafa benitez sacked confirm?

Benitez sacked? Mou homecoming 2.0? Lol.

If mou really go to Real, he will have new nickname. The always return one. Lol

Btw, nice to see articles and pundits giving Mikel credit for his not-too-flashy but effective style.

With the rise of Matic and box to box CM like Pogba, Vidal, Khedira, Kondogbia, Nainggolan, i thought it would have killed Mikel, the classic type of anchorman DMF. But suddenly playing with an energetic box to box (Matic) seems to be not working for us. Luckily we still have anchorman Mikel.

Reminds me of the old time Chelsea of Lamps, Makelele and Essien combo in CM. Best ever trio of CM imo. I think we can recreate it with Oscar, Mikel and Fab/Matic.

FSW sacked already from RM ? LMAO, they are only 4 points off the top spot...and people say Roman is ''trigger happy''

I hope Mou goes back to RM....he has unfinished business there.