Liverfools Outplay Us

If he wasn't aware before, Antonio Conte will know now that he faces a difficult assignment trying to revive the fortunes of Chelsea football team. There was always a suspicion that the August clean sweep was a false dawn because of the quality of the opposition, or indeed the lack of it. However, now in September, the wheels have started to come off for the Blues bandwagon. We failed once again to overcome Swansea, and for the second year in succession, we lost at home to Liverfools. With four goals conceded in the last week, it is obvious where the real problem lies, and not even the presence of two defensive midfielders appears to be much of a barrier. Our highly rated goalkeeper is even less of a barrier

Not even yet another goal from the red-hot Costa could rescue us this time. Can we cope without the injured Terry? Is Luiz an adequate replacement? Well, we will have a cup match against a presumably under-strength Leicester where we might atone for this setback. The cups seem to represent our best chance of progress this season, because at least we might see some fresh faces thrown into the fray. At present Conte is relying on the same personnel from two years ago, whilst our competitors have all rung the changes. We have bought almost nobody who will impact upon the first team. Alonso appears to be cover. Luiz is cover. Batshuayi is another bench sitter. Only Kante has been thrust straight into the first team, meaning a demotion for the creative Fabregas.

Conte has plenty to chew over. Now we will see what he is really made of.

On a happier note, on this day exactly fifty years ago, Chelsea stuffed Aston Villa at their ground six-two. Bobby Tambling scored five. We led four-nil at half time. Big Hateley scored one of their goals. He would join us several weeks later. 

CHELSEA 1 Liverpool 2 halftime: 0-2

CHELSEA goal scorer: Costa

CHELSEA team: Courtois; Azpilicueta; Luiz; Matic; Willian; Cahill; Kante; Ivanovic; Oscar; Hazard; Costa. Used substitutes: Fabregas; Moses; Pedro

CHELSEA leading scorers:

Costa five goals

Batshuayi three goals

Hazard two goals (including one penalty)

Moses two goals

Willian one goal