Chelsea v. Fulham

I feel like an awful fan, with all of the holiday stuff going on yesterday I didnt realize it was an early start! I slept through the whole thing! Will definitely be checking out the replay. Sounds like Dempsey came up huge again.

 

Re: Chealsea v. Fulham

My Boxing Day present to all is a little tune I like to call, "THERE'S ONLY ONE CLINT DEMPSEY, ONLY ONE......"

 

BTW, I couldn't care less about the scum's tactical errors. As for the Mighty Whites, except for Sa's pitiful finishing on a perfect cross from Kelly, and feeble holdup play, the rest of the lads did well at frustrating a "supposedly" superior side. The scum only scored at the beginning of the second half when Murphy forgot he was the holding mid. I thought the four in front of him did well to close down, and get behind the ball as much as possible. We looked a lot more determined today than our last "outing". A great run by Senderos, cross by Bryan just out of their keepers reach, and finish by CD who once again was in the right place at the right time. Watch the replay of him sliding in front of their Brazilian defender just as the ball arrives. You've heard of "IT", he's got it in buckets!
Sort of reminded me of another great American player with a knack for scoring big goals, Carlos Bocanegra equalizing late for the Whites at the 'bridge a while back.

 

Highlights -> http://www.socceroverthere.com/?p=7714

The only players with 6+ goals in each of the last 5 EPL seasons: Clint Dempsey, Frank Lampard, Robin Van Persie & Wayne Rooney.

 

Don, maybe it IS the black shorts! It's becoming increasingly obvious to me that as #23 goes, so goes Fulham FC. Considering Wednesday's result, anything away against one of the big 5/big money clubs is a bonus. Well done, let's get some momentum going now. COYW!

 

A peculiar squad selection and formation had me scratching my head early. Certainly a little tinkering was in order, though. And it worked.

Certainly most notable was the noticeable bump in effort from the entire squad. Dembele continues to impress; if that guy can find the scoring touch, he'll be lethal.

Wasn't totally impressed with Sa up top. Assuming BZ is out the door already, we really will need to bring someone in.

 

Well, Christmas IS the time for miracles, and I will gladly take the point.

I just looked at the subs for the game -- wow, that was a weak bench, with no firepower at all.

 

Totally agree, Heather, I meant no disrespect to you. I think the scum are possibly the most disfunctional team on the planet.
Something else to be happy about here at Christmastime!!!
Peace to all!!

 

Glad they got the point. Thought they played well at points, or maybe I was just comparing that to the Manure match. Glad to see Clint grab another one, seems you can always count on him against Chelski.

 

Impressive stat. Nice draw.

Again, happy holidays to FUSA!

COYW

 

I have to hold my hands up and say that I was fearing the worst before the game with our lineup and formation. In particular, I worried that we were a bit lightweight in the midfield. Luckily, Chelsea looked like they had too much Christmas pudding and the lads put in a solid shift to get us a precious point.
On a positive note, it is good to see Bryan Ruiz starting to settle into the pace and rhythm of life in the EPL although I would still like to see Martin Jol play him at striker. If I am not mistaken, he was a second striker-type player at Twente.

 

Very happy with the point. I only saw the second half so I'm not feeling as negative about the both teams play as some of you. I found the half I saw quite entertaining and will consider it a Christmas gift from the mighty Whites.

Dembele was absolutely superb, especially on defense. I'm tempted to agree with Don that he was MOM, but I'm going to give it to Stockdale. The young'un stayed resolute until the end, preventing the all too familiar last minute winner to steal our point. Well done by him.

Question? Have our last three goals been Ruiz-Dempsey combos? The CONCACAF boys can sure can read each other.

Also, despite the announcer calling Dempsey's goal a tap in, it was not. That was not an easy goal and he helped create it with his movement prior to the pass. Gotta love that boy Clint Dempsey

 

After watching the extended highlights on fulhamfc.com, I'm compelled to agree with you, Mo. Stockdale was sensational, especially after Clint's equalizer.

 

After celebrating last night's draw as though it were a win down the Bedford Arms, much of what I would have said immediately post match has already been commented except the following points:

1) Kerim Frei looked over-matched against Bosingwa from about the sixth minutes until the second half when his opposite tired and he started to get the better of him. We need a LBM type who can create opportunities off the wing so I would really enjoy seeing him get a fuller run in the side. You know it makes sense. We also need a song for Kerim Frei.

2) Senderos and Kelly were composed and I think both deserve starts at Norwich City. Although I was disappointed as anyone at replacing the "Thames barrier," it was Senderos's run that set up Ruiz's cross for Dempsey's equaliser.

3) The Home side played inexplicably deep against a single striker who I though played ineffectually for a #9. Romeou played well for the hosts from my viewpoint and had Drogba started, I doubt we would have drawn.

4) Stockdale's distribution needs to improve and as with Frei's and Bryan's defensive game, probably will. Most of his kicks and throws are to his right.

5) Annie from the Golden Lion supports the other lot! I saw her in the Fulham Mitre of all places enjoying a burger and a pre-match pint and carrying a small blue and white scarf in a brown paper sack. You will not see me back there, no matter her curry menu or autographed books from Edward Heath.

6) Celebrations in the lower Shed-end were as spirited as I saw during Europa 2010. Typically, it was Murphy who acknowledged us first and he promptly threw his shirt into the crowd. All the outfield players followed, including Orlando Sa. We walked out onto the Fulham Road well chuffed and drinking in our rivals' sheer despondency. It was delicious.

 

Shout out for HD's front page report and to everyone's posts, my better-half's birthday is the 26th and was too busy prepin' to realize it was the early match (checked at 8 pst only to see the final score ). From the highlights it was Senderos w/the great run and fantastic header to Bryan that set it up. Always a bit unfair to rip on a player who's time on the pitch is few and far between, but Sa has got to do better w/that perfect Kelly cross, speaking of whom....I have to publicly apologize to Stephen Kelly, he has been an unsung hero for the squad this term. Moose, Ruiz, and Demps are simply class (love that stat Lax!).