Chelsea (A) Match Thread *sponsored by Coles Choc ices*

[E. Andrew]

Fwiw I think Fed's msitake on the 4th goal was not necessarily coming up for the corner, but not immediately legging it back when it went nowhere near him. The ball was half cleared, and he stayed in the penalty area.

^^^ This tbf

However, if we're going to blame anyone, i'd blame the reading player that failed to challange Torres as he broke with it. Shoulda taken a card for the team

Watched Federici throughout not expecting much from the corner. It came within reach of a possible rebound, but not header, and yes he certainly should have been legging it back faster.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

I thought Ivanovic avoided a ban, because the CS is considered a pre-season friendly.

Discussed on ESPN that he served the 3 match ban in the reserve league. They were laughing with incredulation that Chelsea had got away with it

[Simon's Church]

How was the 4th goal allowed to stand?? 1 Reading player between the goal and the ball, which was definitely played forwards. That's Offside too...there must be two players.

Most awful refereeing team in history!?!

errrrr this ^^^^ ?

Wasn't Ivanovic behind Hazard?

[Stooper]

How was the 4th goal allowed to stand?? 1 Reading player between the goal and the ball, which was definitely played forwards. That's Offside too...there must be two players.

Most awful refereeing team in history!?!

[RoyalBlue]

How was the 4th goal allowed to stand?? 1 Reading player between the goal and the ball, which was definitely played forwards. That's Offside too...there must be two players.

Most awful refereeing team in history!?!

Thats actually an excellent point.

Because he received the ball in his own half?

[Simon's Church]

Thank f*ck you aren't our manager.

And well bottled out of the challenge. You imply he has made numerous howlers and is a liability only to then concentrate on just two games from his whole career at the club.

Yeah I'm sure McDermott is thrilled with Federici's form, you don't think 2 howlers in 2 games is enough for people to question how he's then?

Bet McDermott doesn't drop him though. Unlike you he realises that two mistakes don't turn a fantastic keeper into a poor one and, unlike you, has the intelligence to realise that ripping him to shreds and/or dropping him will make matters worse. Rest assured Feds is the type of individual who will be beating himself to pieces over this, without any assistance from ignorant morons!

I haven't said to drop him though And I doubt he reads this list tbh.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

How was the 4th goal allowed to stand?? 1 Reading player between the goal and the ball, which was definitely played forwards. That's Offside too...there must be two players.

Most awful refereeing team in history!?!

errrrr this ^^^^ ?

Wasn't Ivanovic behind Hazard?

Would want to look at it again, but my rubbish memory is saying it was forward. Happy to be wrong though

[Pool and Darts]

How was the 4th goal allowed to stand?? 1 Reading player between the goal and the ball, which was definitely played forwards. That's Offside too...there must be two players.

Most awful refereeing team in history!?!

errrrr this ^^^^ ?

because he was behind the ball and therefore onside.

Torres, defo offside though. God I hate cheatski.

[John Madejski's Wallet]

How was the 4th goal allowed to stand?? 1 Reading player between the goal and the ball, which was definitely played forwards. That's Offside too...there must be two players.

Most awful refereeing team in history!?!

Thats actually an excellent point.

Because he received the ball in his own half?

Ivanovic?

[John Madejski's Wallet]

How was the 4th goal allowed to stand?? 1 Reading player between the goal and the ball, which was definitely played forwards. That's Offside too...there must be two players.

Most awful refereeing team in history!?!

errrrr this ^^^^ ?

because he was behind the ball and therefore onside.

Torres, defo offside though. God I hate cheatski.

In that case my memory is indeed crap

[rhroyal]

We're all getting carried away because tonight we deserved something and we didn't get it because of Feds and the linesman. However, 4 big positives to be taken from our first 2 games in my view:

1) Team spirit and drive that took us up remains. New signings have not upset the wagon.

2) Guthrie can keep the ball and he is creative. Great piece of play to almost play in Jobi late on is an example.

3) McCleary looks quick, skillful and capable of delivering an end product. Along with Kebe and McAnuff, he will help us create chances.

4) The Pog looked like a massive handful tonight; never stopped working, held the ball well, out battled Terry and took his header brilliantly.

We've seen enough from the opening 2 games to suggest we can survive. Once Feds gets over his jitters, or we drop him, we'll be looking solid at the back too.

[RoyalBlue]

How was the 4th goal allowed to stand?? 1 Reading player between the goal and the ball, which was definitely played forwards. That's Offside too...there must be two players.

Most awful refereeing team in history!?!

errrrr this ^^^^ ?

Wasn't Ivanovic behind Hazard?

Yep, that's the reason!

[NTRoyal]

How was the 4th goal allowed to stand?? 1 Reading player between the goal and the ball, which was definitely played forwards. That's Offside too...there must be two players.

Most awful refereeing team in history!?!

errrrr this ^^^^ ?

because he was behind the ball and therefore onside.

Torres, defo offside though. God I hate cheatski.

I don't think that matters. I think there still has to be two defenders. This needs more attention.

[glass half full]

Chelsea will win the Premier League this time.

Why?

Because it is their turn as a 'big' team to have all dodgy decisions go their way.

I hope that the assistant referee has his game fully assessed.

[creative_username_1]

RattLOLed!!!

[RoyalBlue]

I thought Ivanovic avoided a ban, because the CS is considered a pre-season friendly.

Discussed on ESPN that he served the 3 match ban in the reserve league. They were laughing with incredulation that Chelsea had got away with it

Therefore we should consider challenging that. Would be poetic justice if they now lose the points for fielding an ineligible player.

[Man Friday]

I think there still has to be two defenders.

Wrong.

[RoyalBlue]

errrrr this ^^^^ ?

because he was behind the ball and therefore onside.

Torres, defo offside though. God I hate cheatski.

I don't think that matters. I think there still has to be two defenders, I'm quite sure it's still offside. This needs more attention.

Oh dear, please stop digging. Check out the laws of the game thoroughly and then re-enter the debate.

[windermere_royal]

you could argue that Torres is level with the ball in that picture, its close.

[Pool and Darts]

[quote="NTRoyal]

I don't think that matters. I think there still has to be two defenders, I'm quite sure it's still offside. This needs more attention.[/quote]

Offside position

It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position.

A player is in an offside position if:
•he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent

A player is not in an offside position if:
•he is in his own half of the field of play or
•he is level with the second-last opponent or
•he is level with the last two opponents