AVB has the worst start by ANY Blues boss under Abramovich
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Chelsea 3 Arsenal 5: Terry the fall-guy as sloppy Blues hit skid row
Agony: John Terry looks on after his slip let Robin van Persie through to score the fourth
John Terry's slip and fall face-first into the turf as Robin van Persie stole Arsenal's fourth goal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday symbolised the misery of a traumatic week in the life of the England captain.
Only the FA have the power to decide if Terry will ever stand tall again, as they investigate an accusation - denied by Terry - that he racially abused Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand seven days ago.
But another investigation, if less demanding in its remit, will involve Terry. After their skipper - who else? - had given Chelsea a 2-1 lead moments before half-time, a pall of gloom descended over the corner of the ground accommodating Arsenal's travelling supporters.
Having been humiliated at Old Trafford by Manchester United and beaten at home by Liverpool, there was a suspicion that another afternoon in the company of one of the country's most consistent football clubs would pass without reward.
Instead, Chelsea's defence developed a fragility that would never have been countenanced by the Portuguese manager who ran this club before the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas. Jose Mourinho took umbrage at losing one goal at Stamford Bridge … in a month of Sundays.
Early miss: Chelsea fans taunt Robin van Persie for a miss in front of goal
Even if we eliminate blame for Arsenal's fifth, when Van Persie completed a memorable hat-trick deep into injury-time, Terry had long since looked bewildered as all sense of organisation crumbled around him.
Of course, there is a nobility in Villas-Boas's determination to allow Chelsea to play with freedom, to attack on instinct, yet there is also a recklessness to this policy that could stop them mounting a serious challenge for the Premier League title.
Worse, it could leave them excessively vulnerable once the Champions League reaches the knockout stages. Chelsea's Russian oligarch proprietor, Roman Abramovich, takes unkindly to such failure.
Arsenal's win was deserved even if they had some fortune during an unconvincing opening period.
Inevitably, Terry's reaction to a week of questioning, and stern-faced meetings with lawyers and advisers as he has dealt with the most serious of all the controversies that have punctuated his career, would command attention at Stamford Bridge.
Villas-Boas had wrapped a fraternal arm around Terry, a man only four years younger than him, all week. The manager even went as Terry the fall-guy as Van Persie so ruthless as Arsenal turn more heat on Blues captain far as dedicating Chelsea's Carling Cup win at Everton to his 30-yea-rold captain as the furore around Terry's language at Loftus Road refused to die down.
When Terry led Chelsea out yesterday, he held the hand of a young, white mascot, while being flanked on his other side by another youthful mascot of mixed race. In case there was any ambiguity in Chelsea's defence of their beleaguered captain, Terry's portrait, in his best statesman-like pose, was on the cover of the match programme. And in the corner of the Matthew Harding Stand a hand-crafted flag was unfurled, briefly. It read: 'JT is not a racist'.
Against this backdrop of support, no one could have guessed the way Chelsea and Terry's afternoon would deteriorate after Frank Lampard headed them in front in the 14th minute. His astute finish, from a smartly delivered cross by Juan Mata, will pass into the annals of club history as Chelsea's 6,000th League goal.
But Arsenal's fleet-footed football brought them a worthy equaliser in the 36th minute. A pass from Aaron Ramsey invited Gervinho to place a square ball for Van Persie to stroke into an empty net as Petr Cech advanced from his line.
Then came the moment for which Terry might have prayed all week. When Lampard drove a 45th-minute corner into the area, Terry brushed aside Per Mertesacker to score with a low shot inside Wojciech Szczesny's right-hand post.
In front of Arsenal's fans, Terry vanished from sight as Chelsea's players rushed to his side, as though hurtling to a scene of an accident, to shower him with affection.
He trotted back in front of Chelsea fans in the East Stand thumping a fist against the badge on his shirt. For this short, sharp interlude he was again a prince of all he surveyed. But the fates were not smiling on him.
Four minutes after the interval a clever turn from Alex Song released Andre Santos down the left. The Brazilian full-back equalised without a defender in sight.
Perhaps Arsenal's one moment of luck occurred a minute later. Szczesny careered outside his penalty area and clattered into Ashley Cole. Nervously, Arsenal's goalkeeper waited to see the colour of the card referee Andre Marriner would brandish: yellow, as it transpired. Later, Szczesny admitted: 'I don't know why I stayed on the pitch.'
Sealed with a kiss: Van Persie celebrates his hat-trick in front of the Chelsea fans
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Originally posted by zocoss:
I think they were too eager to continue to pressure Arsenal and get the win right after just equalizing and forgot to concentrate on defending...
Committed the same mistake as Utd against City.
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Originally posted by Y_Shun:
High line problems lah...
Chelsea defence dont have the speed to play highline anymore...
Where's David Luiz? He's quite good imo.
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if chelsea loses again, AVB tenure at chelsea will be in question. roman is ruthless. he will not hesistate to replace AVB is chelsea is in danger of not qualifying for 4 place, never mind the championship.
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You let me down! Chelsea flops stunned as Villas-Boas holds training ground inquest
Feeling the pressure: Andre Villas-Boas was less than impressed with his side
Keeping count: Chelsea shipped five goals at Stamford Bridge
Contrast: John Terry looks glum (above) as Robin van Persie celebrates
Andre Villas-Boas accused his Chelsea flops of ‘broken promises’ in a furious training ground outburst on Sunday.
The Chelsea manager claimed his team had let him and the club down after they were beaten 5-3 at Stamford Bridge by Arsenal on Saturday.
The players arrived at their Cobham training centre on Sunday morning expecting their usual gentle, post-match warm down, but Villas-Boas put them through a tough workout after spending around 30 minutes in the changing rooms forcing home a number of points during a severe dressing down.
Villas-Boas is angry with the players for failing to carry out his tactical demands and not sticking to his game plan against the Gunners.
He also made it clear he expected the team to raise their standards against Genk in the Champions League on Tuesday and demanded another reaction at Blackburn on Saturday.
Chelsea, who have not kept a clean sheet for nine Barclays Premier League matches, have lost their last two in the League and are nine points behind leaders Manchester City.
Although Villas-Boas felt the side were unlucky to lose at Queens Park Rangers with nine men, he did not give his players any room for manoeuvre after they conceded five goals at home on Saturday.
Although Chelsea have a number of players willing to speak up in front of previous managers, Sportsmail has learned that they sat in stunned silence during Villas-Boas’ rant, delivered to them as a team rather than as individuals.
Sunday’s dressing down was the first time the new Portuguese manager has been critical of Chelsea’s players since he arrived at Stamford Bridge.
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Andre Villas-Boas has no case for his Chelsea defence
VULNERABLE ... Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas could soon be known as AVB4 — A Vulnerable Back FourUnder Villas-Boas, Chelsea have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine league games, their worst run for a decade.
Claudio Ranieri 18 games before he lost 3.
Mourinho an extraordinary 64.
Avram Grant was beaten in just twice of his first 32
Phil Scolari lost three of 21, four of 25 and was fired.
Carlo Ancelotti lost three of the opening 15 — and six in all — but still won the Double.
IF it goes on like this, he'll be known as AVB4 — A Vulnerable Back Four.
Andre Villas-Boas was bought in to brighten the place up and get Chelsea playing the attacking football Roman Abramovich craves.
Sadly, the stable door is not so much ajar as wide open with a galeforce wind whipping up off the Thames and blowing right through it.
There were always going to be unfavourable comparisons with Jose Mourinho if things went wrong for his Portuguese protege at Stamford Bridge.
And after the shambolic 5-3 defeat by Arsenal, the stats are growing increasingly grim. In 10 league games this term, Chelsea have conceded 15 goals — as many as Mourinho's team let in winning the title in the ENTIRE 2004-2005 campaign.
In fact, the five shipped against Arsenal was just one less than the six surrendered in all 19 home league games that season.
In terms of league defeats — three in the first 10 games — it's the worst start by ANY Blues boss under Abramovich.
It took Claudio Ranieri 18 games before he lost three. It took Mourinho an extraordinary 64. Yes, SIXTY-FOUR.
Avram Grant was beaten in just two of his first 32 — including his first at Old Trafford — and still vacated his post.
Phil Scolari lost three of 21, four of 25 and was fired. And, finally, Carlo Ancelotti. He lost three of the opening 15 — and six in all — but still won the Double.
Even in his second season, there was only one defeat in the first 10 though this would rise to four in 14 and six in 21. And we all know what happened there.
Under Villas-Boas, Chelsea have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine league games, their worst run for a decade.
OK, we know statistics don't tell the whole story but there is some damning evidence here.
We also know a young manager should be given time. Even Abramovich, with his notoriously itchy trigger-finger, must appreciate this.
Yet Chelsea fans trooping disconsolately away from Stamford Bridge on Saturday must be seriously concerned.
Incredibly, their own defence was as poor after the break as Arsenal's had been before it.
And this is taking into account the lumbering, out of position Per Mertesacker — at fault for both of Chelsea's opening two goals — and Andre Santos, who for 45 minutes gave one of the poorest full-back displays seen this season.
And yet after half-time Chelsea turned into a carbon copy of their north London rivals.
Sure, Arsene Wenger's side are quick on the break and have Robin van Persie in the form of his life.
But it was still a shock to see how easily unhinged the Chelsea back four became, as slow on the turn as waxworks, a veritable defensive chamber of horrors.
Then, again, this has been creeping up on them. Jose Bosingwa is as good going forward as Santos appeared after the break.
But he is as equally a liability when it comes to positional play — totally exposed by Arsenal's Brazilian full-back for the Gunners' second equaliser.
And then we come to the heart of the problem — central defence.
Under Mourinho, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho formed a near impenetrable barrier.
Carvalho allowed Terry to play, covered for him and the England skipper did the same.
Terry, of course, is now five years older. But he is not helped by a lack of a regular partner.
Alex isn't rated by Villas- Boas and could well be sold in January while David Luiz, despite a great touch and easy, languid movement going forward, is another with defensive weak link.
To discover this after forking out £21million is a high price to pay.
Which leaves Branislav Ivanovic. Athletic, powerful, he is the best of the three though too similar to Terry and, like his captain, susceptible to a quick-turning player as we saw when both were left for dead by Theo Walcott for Arsenal's third.
Only now are people realising just what an accomplished defender Carvalho was.
And, finally, Petr Cech. To be beaten three times at your near post is a worrying sign of increasing vulnerability.
As was Chelsea's lack of midfield bite and another anonymous showing from the allegedly revitalised Fernando Torres.
That this was also, supposedly, Chelsea's best side leaves AVB4 with much work to do.
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Originally posted by zocoss:
Andre Villas-Boas has no case for his Chelsea defence
STEVEN HOWARD - Chief sports writer
VULNERABLE ... Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas could soon be known as AVB4 — A Vulnerable Back FourUnder Villas-Boas, Chelsea have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine league games, their worst run for a decade.
AVB lost 3 in the first 10 games — is the worst start by ANY Blues boss under Abramovich.
Claudio Ranieri 18 games before he lost 3.
Mourinho an extraordinary 64.
Avram Grant was beaten in just twice of his first 32
Phil Scolari lost three of 21, four of 25 and was fired.
Carlo Ancelotti lost three of the opening 15 — and six in all — but still won the Double.
IF it goes on like this, he'll be known as AVB4 — A Vulnerable Back Four.
Andre Villas-Boas was bought in to brighten the place up and get Chelsea playing the attacking football Roman Abramovich craves.
Sadly, the stable door is not so much ajar as wide open with a galeforce wind whipping up off the Thames and blowing right through it.
There were always going to be unfavourable comparisons with Jose Mourinho if things went wrong for his Portuguese protege at Stamford Bridge.
And after the shambolic 5-3 defeat by Arsenal, the stats are growing increasingly grim. In 10 league games this term, Chelsea have conceded 15 goals — as many as Mourinho's team let in winning the title in the ENTIRE 2004-2005 campaign.
In fact, the five shipped against Arsenal was just one less than the six surrendered in all 19 home league games that season.
In terms of league defeats — three in the first 10 games — it's the worst start by ANY Blues boss under Abramovich.
It took Claudio Ranieri 18 games before he lost three. It took Mourinho an extraordinary 64. Yes, SIXTY-FOUR.
Avram Grant was beaten in just two of his first 32 — including his first at Old Trafford — and still vacated his post.
Phil Scolari lost three of 21, four of 25 and was fired. And, finally, Carlo Ancelotti. He lost three of the opening 15 — and six in all — but still won the Double.
Even in his second season, there was only one defeat in the first 10 though this would rise to four in 14 and six in 21. And we all know what happened there.
Under Villas-Boas, Chelsea have failed to keep a clean sheet in nine league games, their worst run for a decade.
OK, we know statistics don't tell the whole story but there is some damning evidence here.
We also know a young manager should be given time. Even Abramovich, with his notoriously itchy trigger-finger, must appreciate this.
Yet Chelsea fans trooping disconsolately away from Stamford Bridge on Saturday must be seriously concerned.
Incredibly, their own defence was as poor after the break as Arsenal's had been before it.
And this is taking into account the lumbering, out of position Per Mertesacker — at fault for both of Chelsea's opening two goals — and Andre Santos, who for 45 minutes gave one of the poorest full-back displays seen this season.
And yet after half-time Chelsea turned into a carbon copy of their north London rivals.
Sure, Arsene Wenger's side are quick on the break and have Robin van Persie in the form of his life.
But it was still a shock to see how easily unhinged the Chelsea back four became, as slow on the turn as waxworks, a veritable defensive chamber of horrors.
Then, again, this has been creeping up on them. Jose Bosingwa is as good going forward as Santos appeared after the break.
But he is as equally a liability when it comes to positional play — totally exposed by Arsenal's Brazilian full-back for the Gunners' second equaliser.
And then we come to the heart of the problem — central defence.
Under Mourinho, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho formed a near impenetrable barrier.
Carvalho allowed Terry to play, covered for him and the England skipper did the same.
Terry, of course, is now five years older. But he is not helped by a lack of a regular partner.
Alex isn't rated by Villas- Boas and could well be sold in January while David Luiz, despite a great touch and easy, languid movement going forward, is another with defensive weak link.
To discover this after forking out £21million is a high price to pay.
Which leaves Branislav Ivanovic. Athletic, powerful, he is the best of the three though too similar to Terry and, like his captain, susceptible to a quick-turning player as we saw when both were left for dead by Theo Walcott for Arsenal's third.
Only now are people realising just what an accomplished defender Carvalho was.
And, finally, Petr Cech. To be beaten three times at your near post is a worrying sign of increasing vulnerability.
As was Chelsea's lack of midfield bite and another anonymous showing from the allegedly revitalised Fernando Torres.
That this was also, supposedly, Chelsea's best side leaves AVB4 with much work to do.
So when he says he is also special, he meant losing more games than the previous managers?
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he should know a winning team is built on super defence, not attack.
you dont try to outscore your opponent in every game.
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Originally posted by dragg:
he should know a winning team is built on super defence, not attack.
you dont try to outscore your opponent in every game.
But more goals means more exciting games leh.
I wish there were more 5-4 or 6-3 scorelines.