Sunday Derby Day!
Then there is the big one. Both Citeh and United are now all but guaranteed CL slots for next season. So, is this just about bragging rights today. No - the Derby is always about much more than that, isn't it. Spend your morning on the LOB, won't you?
posted by The Blue Devil @ 8:15 AM
418 Comments:
Here we go, lads. Jose Mourinho has made some fascinating changes for today. Didier Drogba comes in to replace the injured Diego Costa (sniff). He's also risking both Cesc and Matic who are both a yellow card away from suspension at a time when Chelski have Arsenal and United to play. Cesc will also play with a Phantom mask due to a facial injury. How soon before Joey Barton rattles into him?
Here are the team line-ups for this morning's match:
QPR (4-4-2): Green, Isla, Onuoha, Caulker, Hill, Phillips, Barton, Sandro, Henry, Austin, Zamora.
Subs: Traore, McCarthy, Kranjcar, Dunne, Hoilett, Grego-Cox, Comley.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Matic, Willian, Fabregas, Hazard, Drogba.
Subs: Cech, Luis, Zouma, Oscar, Mikel, Cuadrado, Brown.
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)
Good morning , Bob. I'm here to join you for Derby Day. First, what appears to be a dull West London Derby, followed by the Manc Derby.
They're off in an Evil West London Derby.
Morning, MUR - great to have you on board for this critical day in the season.
So, it's a beautiful London Day in what should be anything but a beautiful match
Cheers mate. It's great to be chatting with you today
Great atmosphere at Loftus Road this afternoon. This is in many ways the more important of the two matches today - at both ends of the table.
I read your post. The Manc Derby will also be significant because the winner is more likely to have an automatic CL slot while the loser is more likely to lock up the Arsene Wenger Trophy and an unwanted playoff match in August. A draw does not suit either team
How was your Saturday evening, mate? We took in a student production of the musical "Hair" with a couple of good friends.
It looks as if the only quality from QPR is going to come through bad boy Joey Barton. Clint Hill with a pedestrian lob into Courtois' arms.
That is true, especially QPR. Should they get an upset victory then they move out of the drop zone and will be replaced by Brucie's Boys.
It will be fascinating to see how Drogs gets on today. With the loss of Costa and Remy this week, Chelski are running out of strikers.
Oh - off the post!
It was a busy Saturday evening, cooking dinner, cleaning , and getting ready for the trip to the in-laws. Once the girls went to bed then I drank Montejo, a Mexican beer new to the U.S.
Some really ping pongy action right now. Chelski trying to settle it.
How was the play? I bet it was outstanding.
I'll have to look out for that new beer.
I think Matty Phillips can be a thorn in Chelsea's side. The former Tangerine has been a danger man since Chris Ramsey became the manager. Keep an eye on him.
Austin caught Courtois as he tried to run onto the through ball. Didn't seem malicious, though.
Should have been called as a backpass to Rob Green there - ref missed it.
They said that Chelsea have an eighteen year old striker on the bench. It could be dad and son.
I think it was. The refs are biased towards Chelsea.
Will do, mate. I have to admit I don't Phillips at all as a player.
Very tight at the bottom now, with Leicester having picked a second win on the trot.
Fred says that Sunderland must be called the Black Cats because they like to take cat naps. Is he correct?
It sure is . The Foxes could be safe at the end of the season.
I read on FB that you saw the play. I have always wanted to watch it. You must have liked the play, but not the name.
The QPR midfielders really snapping into the likes of Willian, Cesc and Hazard. They know the creative danger men.
Naughty by Matty Phillips on Azpi.
I tried not to take the title track on the show personally.
CSC picked out Matic well but the shot was blocked.
Matic has a shot blocked off a short free kick from the Phantom of the Opera.
Sorry mate. I was giving you a little stick.
Isla pumps a hopeful free kick into the box. QPR are playing prehistoric football here.
Cahill heads out a cross from Matty Phillips for a corner.
QPR and Villa did on Tuesday too. Ramires heads away the corner.
Fred is here for the action. He is still recovering from yet another home thrashing .
Ivanovic giving Drogba some stick. AH! The tension of a title run-in.
Well, if Fred didn't kip through every Sunderland match, the Black Cats not be relegation threatened. I blame him.
If QPR get anything today, Gooner is going to start to dream.
Matty Phillips has a cross easily caught by Courtois.
The winner of the Manc Derby will too.
Too many Sunderland players have napped too often this season too. An Aging back four and a cumbersome striking partnership doesn't help matters.
How is that not a penalty as Hill wrestles Matic at that set piece?
They must practice long throws in Serbia as Ivanovic aimed for Matic , who was wrestled to the ground by Clint Hill as it went out for a goal kick.
Then the Prem sides wonder why they can't adjust to playing in the CL and EL where they don't let players get away with this nonsense.
Now Courtois is going long ball. QPR are having an effect on Chelsea's game for sure.
Fred is stretched out full length getting strokes. Despite the loss, he has been a good boy, so why not?
Chelski are trying to play their pretty little patterns but it's not really coming off.
They sure are. It's rare for Chelsea to take long throws.
Ramires volleys wide off a cross from Drogba.
The breakthrough might have to come from a set piece. Chelski have plenty of weapons even from the central defenders.
I think Chelsea will grind out a one goal victory as they have most of the season. It hasn't been pretty , but has been effective.
The QPR fans are giving JT plenty of stick today.
It sounds as if Arsenal did just that yesterday at Turf Moor.
That's expected, even though Anton Ferdinand isn't around any more. He's got previous with this ground.
Cahill tackles Zamora for a corner after a sliding tackle by JT.
Zamora nearly got onto that one - cleared out well by Cahill.
Matic heads out a cross from Karl Henry for another corner.
Oh - Sandro had a free header from that corner. The ball was a bit under him but he should have still put it on target.
Sandro heads over a great corner from Matty Phillips. It looks like Ramires got the last touch
The difference is that the Gunners dominated , but didn't put away their chances. Chelsea is not really dominating.
No love lost as Charlie Austin pushes down JT.
Not much in that challenge between Charlie Austin and Cahill.
That was definitely a foul by Ivanovic on Austin . Why did it take so long to make the call?
Courtois does well to push away a long range effort from Charlie Austin.
A lot of effort but not a lot of quality in this one, as the half wraps up.
Oh - Cesc had a chance from a bouncing ball that he should have been able to nod home.
A minute of stoppage time as Drogba misses the cross from Ivanovic and Fabs heads over.
Time for a refill of coffee?
It's 0-0 at the half of this West London Derby as struggling QPR have made it difficult for the league leaders.
The second is underway from Loftus Road.
Hey boys
I have been upstairs most of the morning and have already showered and ready for the day!
I am off for walkies right now so I will be back
Talk to you soon
Drogba did not look like the Drogba of old , but looked more like Old Drogba.
Cheers UWS. It will be a great occasion. I will go for walkies once this match ends.
I've just slid some sweet rolls in the oven as the second half is kicking off.
Matty Phillips is offside off pass from Charlie Austin.
Sounds tasty , mate. Welcome back.
I was about to welcome UWS but he's off again like the Scarlet Pimpernel. Crikey!
Talk about tasty: That cross from Matty Phillips needed a touch from Bobby Zamora.
I'm waiting till the end of this match for walkies. Shadow must go for quite a distance.
More handbags between Austin and Courtois now.
QPR have a free kick and that danger man. Matty Phillips is about to take. It's headed out and Clint Hill forces a save from Courtois. Why not? He scored his first career Prem goal at Villa Park in midweek. He's confident now.
A poor cross from Joey Barton, to the dismay of Charlie Austin.
According to the announcer, Matty Phillips has been capped by Scotland despite being born in Aylesbury.
The ball breaks to Drogba , who has a shot land in Row M. Lucky fan
Jose may want to add speed to the back four . There's a young defender that can really zoom back.
Jose has consulted Sesame Street as Oscar the Grouch is about to come on.
Ivanovic was trying to buy a booking for Barton there.
Joey Barton has a good point. Ivanovic was barely touched.
Oscar coming on now for Ramires.
A Brazi swap as Oscar is on for Ramires and Fab should move back to cover. An attacking move/
A really scrappy match now - Andre Marriner could help out matters by booking a few players.
A draw would put QPR one pint behind Brucey's lads and two points behind Fred's team.
Andre Marriner is sparse with the cards because Easter was last Sunday
Oscar gets away with a poor corner as it's cleared out for another by the first man. The next one is better as it goes through a crowd of players
Drogs gets the booking that was coming. I would imagine that the floodgates will open now.
Just as the Doc ordered. There is finally a booking as Drogba fouls Sandro from behind.
I still think Jose will be pleased with a 1-0 victory.
OH!!! Courtois superbly turns a shot from Matty Phillips around the post off a pass from Charlie Austin/
Have you been keeping an eye on Matty Phillips?
Courtois is keeping Chelski alive in this one.
High and wide by Sandro. Chelsea will let him shoot all day.
I have been - very lively. I agree with Graeme Le Saux, though. He should have buried that shot past Courtois.
Willian is just running into trouble - he should be pulled off. Chelski need a wide option.
Ever since Chris Ramsey took over, he's been their focal point. He didn't get much of a look in with Harry .
OUCH!!! Jones and Smalling start in the center of defense. I hope Citeh don't take advantage of that.
Great picture of Ivanovic getting stick from the home fans as he was taking a long throw. He seemed to enjoy it as there is not much distance between the fans and the pitch.
Bobby Zamora is booked for a foul from behind on Azpi. That's one booking a piece for each team. Each one has been for a foul from behind from a striker.
Sando is booked for a push on fellow Brazi, Oscar after horribly giving away possession in midfield.
JT has a header come off Sandro for a corner off a free kick from Zoro.
Joey Barton heads away the corner from Zoro.
Still - none of the threatened players booked.
Cuadrado coming on for the ineffectual Willian, just as the doc ordered.
Clint Hill is down after an awkward tumble. Jose continues to follow doctor's orders as Willian is replaced by Cuadrado.
Krnacjar is on for Sandro, who was just booked.
Matty Phillips wins a corner.
Austin with two bites at the cherry.
Charlie Austin has a shot blocked by Cahill off the corner from Matty Phillips then shoots straight at Courtois.
Junior Hoilett, the Canuck wildcard, is on for Bobby Zamora. who put in quite a shift
Hazard wins a Chelsea corner. Nothing comes of it.
Inside the last ten minutes now - Chelski are looking down the barrel of a loss of two points - Gooner will be delighted.
I am back with just over 5 minutes to go
I hope Chelsea don't steal this
Welcome back. It's been a brave and determined QPR performance.
Oh dear - from Clint Hill.
Welcome, mate - how's your leisurely.
We will be too. The winner of the next match should be in the thick of things too as we have trip to the Bridge next weekend.
GOAL! Cesc has stolen it! My oh my!
BUGGER!!!! ZORRO APPEARS TO HAVE WON IT LATE FOR CHELSEA.
bloody hell.. they have just stolen it!
The Masked Man wins it for the Blues
Terrible goal kick from Rob Green there set Chelski up on a plate. Sloppy stuff. Hazard set up Cesc beautifully and Cesc side footed home coolly.
0-1!
A huge goal at the top and bottom of the Prem. Chelsea will move back to 7 points up. QPR will stay in the drop zone.
This could have been a title race if Chelsea didn't score that
They still have to play United and Arsenal... it could have been close
What have QPR got in reserve - not a lot, I suspect.
Three minutes of stoppage time to be played.
The first time Hazard has been a threat and it pays dividends for Chelsea , who appear to have ground out another result. three minutes of stoppage time.
Mourinho's gamble with playing Cesc and Matic has paid off in spades today - both navigated the match without picking up a suspension and Cesc has scored what looks like the winner. He's coming off now.
I don't think there is enough time for QPR due to their lack of reserves.
Sports Update from yesterday
Many Clouds won the Grand National
Oxford crushed Cambridge in both the Men's and Women's Boat Race
Jordan Spieth has a four stroke lead going into the last day of the Masters
Richard Dunne on for Rangers - why?
Don't really care....
Zouma came on while old man, Richard Dunne is on for QPR , who are Dunne , at least for this match
I like how NBCSN have gone on the road this weekend
Turf Moor, Old Trafford and Anfield
Not a lot of travel but nice
How many points will Chelsea drop?
United H
Arsenal A
Leicester A
Palace H
Liverpool H
WBA A
Sunderland H
I agree. It's brilliant coverage.
It's been a nice touch but I would have liked it if they'd also shown up at the Grand National and Boat Race.
I think the title is pretty much decided.
Nice one, Bob.
Bugger.. they have won
Five or six, maybe?
One shot on target and one goal
Chelski have wrapped up a vital win.
Bob's being a plonker
It's over and Chelsea escape with 0-1 win at Loftus Road thanks to a late winner.
What do you think about United's side
Smalling in... better be better than at the Etihad
If Chelsea drop six points then they will still win the title. They need to drop more for anyone else to have a chance.
It's a pathetic centre of defense. We definitely need some signings in that area this summer.
If United don't do well in their next two games, Citeh and Chelsea... Liverpool could be right up our bum again
Of course, they won't be playing in the league next week cus of the Cup
It's not raining
It's Manchester crying
Five Live have had a few Manc fans from both sides
Here is the line up they came up with
De Gea
Kompany
Clichey
Zaba
DeMich
Silva
Herrera
Carrick
Milner
Aguerro
Rooney
Uh oh
Robbie Savage really thinks United are going to win!
I would have had Mata in for Milner
Speaking of Cricket
Did you see the famous Richie Benaud has died this week at the age of 84
Great memories of tuning into the BBC right after the school year ended and watched the Test Matches with Richie Benaud and Jim Laker
Bob used to record every ball! We used to play our own test match in the back yard of Forest Way
Teams out
Champions of England 24 times
United 20 Citeh 4
Liverpool 27
Liverpool 18
Everton 9
I'm back after some quick tree surgery for the start of the big one.
London 19
Arsenal 13
Chelsea 4
Spurs 2
We're off
COME ON MAN U
COME ON MAN U
COME ON MAN U
Citeh get us underway.
Hope the surgery went well
Strange - for a moment we had the "Carrick" v. "Mlner" watch on.
Bad pass by Felaini there
Knock it off
Who would ever have thought five years ago that I'd have the ladder and shears out on a Sunday morning!
Frantic start to this match. Milner has switched sides already.
Looked like a foul throw there by Valencia
He is pants
I'm back from a shower to view a shower in Manchester. What a surprise!
Navas slides the ball over by Smalling is able to clear it away.
Good to hear of your green thumb
Welcome back, mate - it is absolutely teeming down in Manchester this afternoon.
I second that. A sign that Spring is around the corner.
Holy Crap... Navas should have scored
all city right now
Come on United
Oh - Navas was in on goal there but Twilight stood up to him well.
It's it weird that it looks weird when a player is wearing black boots
Pressure by Ciuteh . Navas beat the offside trap from a long ball that forced De Gea to make a kick save then Smalling tackled Aguero for a corner that was cleared for another
Bloody Hell... it's like the beginning of the season
United are all over the place
Oh - another dangerous cross over and Yaya was teeing it up. Desperate defending by the home side.
Yaya had a shot blocked from a short corner as United are under the cosh
Aguerro taps it in
United are being ripped apart
Sorry, chaps. Aguero scores. It was coming.
The defending is so bad!!
GOAL !!! TOO EASY FOR CITEH AS THE UNITED DFENSE HAS BEEN TORN TO SHREDS DSOWN THE LEFT MILNER PLAYED IN SILVA AND AGUERO WAS IN TO TAP IN .
The ball from LUFC Academy to Silva made that one. Silva merely had to pick out Aguero once he's been found on that run.
It's really pathetic defending by United . I stated my concerns when I saw that Jones and Smalling were starting in the center of defense , What is LVG thinking?
United down to fourth in 8 minutes
I showered to watch this shower of a United side?
This display is the REAL United of recent seasons
That's why i have been so annoyed with this squad
Thanks Bob. Too bad that United are a shower too.
Now United just passing back to De Gea three times and then lose the ball inside their own half
Given it away again
JONES SUCKS
Jones concedes possession deep in his own half. SURPRISE SURPRISE!
Now Citeh have a free kick. A diagoinal free kick is cleared.
Maybe you should have stayed dirty? It's working for me this morning.
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