Cracking game can see Brighton are a class side but we held them well for 60 minutes and went behind to a mistake. Then the free kick unstoppable but was it a free kick? Ravel and Robbo did ok given the lack of game time but as a result we were a bit slow in the build ups.. did wince a bit to see 7 changes but given three games in 7 days and need to try out players can see why Ollie was shuffling the pack. The subs made big difference and Freeman has a lot of quality great corner for smith to climb above the Brighton defence for great goal bit unlucky not to get the equaliser given the pressure in last 15 mins. Good atmosphere in near full LR under the lights

0

Not too sure who was MOM. Yoshi for outstanding play and leadership of his defence or Forster who made some great saves towards the end or perhaps a good game by Clasie and a top rate strike to get the winner.

Well done CP for getting that team together, rotations earlier in the year meant that all newcomers were mentally and physically ready to start.

An outstanding performance by Saints for the majority of the game and I think that Maya gets the nod, what a great performance

3

Great win. Played the Baggies at their own game at times, but thoroughly deserved with some excellent passing, possession and movement.
Yes we virtually invited the Alamo for the last 15 mins with the somewhat lightweight subtitutions, but we held out with our 3rd and 4th choice central defenders, 3rd choice striker, 3rd and 4th choice central midfielders and 3 subs all way down the pecking order.
Back to the Vine to watch the National, where I had 1st place and a cheeky each way on Saint Are :-)

Good day indeed and looking forward to the run in

1

Also each way on Saint Are. Good day all round!

1

R

0

Two words for our defense Organized Chaos, that is all l have to say.

5

The only light at the end of the tunnel is that Ward-Prowse was subbed for the third time. Perhaps Puel will want to unload him to a Championship Club in the summer and replace him with a more effective player who can defend a bit and cause the opponents a bit of bother. Oh and get at least three defenders in.

6

I wa delighted with how things were going with half time seconds away - then JWP and the centre off our defence allowed another soft goal and that was that. You can't compete with the very best if you can't defend.

Other than the defending I thought we looked alright. Replace JWP with a bloke that can tackle + both CBs with better players and we would be doing alright in games like this. It is ESSENTIAL that only VVD goes in the summer. With the right replacements we could be looking good...

11

Issues with the defence, and problems with the amount of protection given to the defence. I imagine yoshida will come in for some stick, but our midfield let Chelsea through too much.

As a more general point, our lack of quality is most clearly shown against the top teams this season. Some of our starting eleven aren't quite up to the challenge in these games, which is a shame because we've previously given the top teams a hard time.

3

I was pleased to see that we didn't "park the bus" but take Chelsea on and contribute to an open game of football. Some of our passing and movement was attractive, but we also showed how far off the top premier clubs we still are. The defense was poor but if we still had VVD we would have been better organised. It's a pity we didn't give Caceres a run out to see what he is like. It's beginning to look as if he will only be used if our centre backs get injured which is a shame. I was pleased to see Boufal given a start, he has talent which has to be harnessed for the good of the team. There is still a gulf between us and the top but Puel has shown we can play good football at times , however there are areas that need to be strengthened.

4