awful game of football, Palace were dreadful, but were the better side

0

I came to St Mary's with trepidation and low expectations but left absolutely elated! Having been at the same fixture almost a year ago when we lost 0-3 and it bucketed all day, both the weather and the result were a wonderful contrast. I think that winning 6 points from out last two fixtures meant that the pressure was off a little bit as we had halted the slump and turned things around and this allowed the players to be more confident and play with freedom. Having scored a great one on one goal at Palace the other day Manè showed lightning pace and great feet to score an even better one today (against a better keeper too). He seems to be an instinctive player as later in the game when he got into the box and had to think about what to do he left it too late and the momentum broke down. Still, overall a good performance from him and he was rewarded with a full 90 mins as a result. Our other attacking option Pellè had to do more defending than attacking in the end, and was very important at winning headers, holding up play and tracking back. I just hope he wasn't too disheartened about his lack of goal chances, he will get plenty more when we aren't playing the strongest team in the league. The team defended like lions in the second half and Yoshida, arguably this season's biggest improver had another very solid game game and Matty Targett did brilliantly on his debut. Schneiderlin took one for the team at with a second yellow at the end, but his presence throughout the game could be the reason why we drew with Chelsea but lost to City, with him and Wanyama matching Chelsea's physicality. Unlike City, Chelsea also managed to be dirty (committing 23 fouls to our 14) and diving at the same time (Fabregas) and bemoaned every decision that didn't go there way. We managed to keep Costa quiet but not Hazard who was their star player, luckily we learned from our mistake against City where our defenders were drawn to Ageuro like a moth leaving huge gaps for other players to fill and were much better organised, so credit also has to go to big RK who deservedly receive much love from the home fans. Fourth at New Year, what a start to the first half of the season!

2

Great result considering we were without two of our main defenders. Mane took his chance brilliantly without much praise from the Sky team. Shame about the sending off, we will need Morgan in the next few game. Targett very solid in his first start he would have been very harshly treated if a penalty had been given.
All hands to the pump in the second half but a tremendous team effort to share the points.
COYR

0

Very well organised defensively, Alderweirledis a class act, and Yohsida was top draw playing out of position. without two pacey full backs to push the game up the park we were under the cosh for long periods and often there wash't an out ball which didn't make for an entertaining game. A point against a very good team was well earned.

0

Awful game today, really need to beat Swansea now otherwise the Christmas/new year period a complete disaster. Can just write off the away games, the players attitude away from home just stinks, beaten before they start. Hopefully a few useful additions in the transfer window, could do worse than Carlton Cole, give Austin a target man to play off. Not much money available for old Arry to waste, so it is only likely to be other clubs rejects, but it would be good to see Townsend back on loan from Spurs. Finding it hard to get excited about seeing either Defoe or Robbie Keane in a QPR shirt.

0

To hold Chelsea to a draw requires every man in the team to play at their very best, and that is exactly what we did this afternoon. Until the equaliser I was beginning to believe that this was a game we could actually win, and until the sending off it was a game I didn't think we were going to lose, such was the commitment to defence. The last few minutes were pretty stressful it must be said but in the end, true grit won out. What a fantastic performance - the game of the season for me. Never have I been so pleased to see a scoring draw! Playing like this we stand a really good chance of beating Arsenal. Can't wait. (Oh and yes, Mane has continued to prove me wrong in previous comments - he really can do something useful when he gets hold of the ball in a good position).

2

Great result, the current Chelsea team are one of the best Prem teams I've ever seen.

0

That 2nd half seemed so long I thought we were in 2015 when it finished. Great result and great character shown from the whole team. Couldn't fault any one of them. It looks like they have their mojo back again. Can't wait for the Arsenal game now.

Well done to Mane. He took his goal well. It would have been easy to panic and blaze the ball over the bar. Pity he's heading off to the African cup now just when he's hitting a bit of form. Well done to Matty T also. Not an easy game to come in to and brought a bit of luck with him..

Overall, a gritty, determined effort with a lot of back bone. Well done lads.

0

Terrible performance and game.
One we could easily have lost.
Man of the Match for QPR was either Isla or Henry who were both stand outs.
Mile Jedinak of Palace would be a terrific signing for us as he is an excellent player. They will miss him for a month (as he will be captain of the Australian team in the Asian Cup) which is great news for us.
Barton was terrible again - he can't pass, is slow and his set pieces are a joke. He should not be good enough for our first team - never mind be the captain.
Vargas is playing so poorly compared to when he first got into the team.
Hopefully this transfer window we do our deals at the start of January not on the last day. We need some injection of quality amongst the dross that we have in our team/squad.

0

The referee was dreadful from start to finish (I gave him a 2 for turning up on time). It seems we are the dirtiest side in the league when I feel we are the most naïve, constantly getting caught by the diving and whining antics of the bigger clubs. As a result I have rated every Chelsea player that dived or made the most of any contact in order to get a free kick as a 3/10. There were 8 of them. We may have got lucky with the penalty shout but Fabregas was in the ref's face all day so he got what was coming to him.
As for Saints - we defended brilliantly except for the goal when people stood back from Hazard, the best player on the pitch on the day. All those in the back-line deserve great credit and Targett is a great prospect. Maya's first touch was good and Toby and the good Jose were as solid as ever. Mane is an enigmas... he can really turn it on and be breathtaking but his concentration drifts and he should be hassling the defenders a bit more. I felt for Pelle yesterday - he seemed a lonely figure with no one reading his nods even though he won most in the air.
All in all a terrific defensive display under intense pressure and our players did well to keep their cool when the Cheatski prima donnas were falling all around them at the slightest breath of air.

0