QPR 0 Chelsea 0

It’s not often that I attend a Chelsea match completely sober but it certainly helps to analyse the play better rather than rely on those in the pub afterwards to give their distorted view of the game.

Saturday was on odd occasion where events off the pitch overshadowed those on it – the media did not get any red cards or crowd violence to report and the biggest offence was Anton Ferdinand refusing to shake hands. Big deal. All it proves is that immaturity runs in the family and reflects more on him than the Chelsea players.

Chelsea dominated the first half. The referee was certainly not on our side and it already seems that some of Hazard’s ‘falls’ in the middle of the field are resulting in the referee not awarding him decisions in more important areas. The foul on him by the lively SWP was one of the most blatant penalties I have ever seen – the JT one should’ve been given too. If that foul had occurred anywhere else on the pitch it would have resulted in a free kick. Rules have to be tightened up in the penalty area as time after time we see players holding each other’s shirts with no action taken against them. It is not rugby.

Even without the two penalties Chelsea had two clear-cut chances to score in the first half. The first was from Hazard after brilliant work from the much maligned Ramires on the right (who is being played out of position). Fans seem to be giving Hazard some real support but the two chances he had to score in the game were not taken – for all his skill in midfield he really needs more consistency when through on goal. His shot near the end of the match that he skied over the bar was one where he was under no pressure and hit with his “wrong” foot.

Torres flattered to deceive again. Some brilliant fancy footwork here and there and when through on goal no result. I have no idea why Chelsea fans give him such support when there are players who appear hungrier waiting in the wings. Are we just too embarrassed to leave someone who cost £50 mio on the bench? His attitude of storming down the tunnel when substituted was simply disgraceful.

We should have had this game sewn up by half-time but in the second half you felt that both the fans and the players had given up. Although we have had a good start to the season I do fear how we will fare against better opposition – and I do not want to have a league season like last year when we did not finish in the top four.

Mata was missed (even though I still believe he is one-footed). Although the formation of the side looks solid, Ramires is not a winger on the right and neither is Bertrand on the left. Perhaps it is time to flood the midfield and use Ivanovic and Cole as attacking full backs? We do have Mikel to provide cover in his role as defensive midfielder.

Chelsea deserved to win but looked tired. There are some worrying signs and although on paper QPR do have some decent individual players this was a side we should have beaten. Not panicking quite yet but the upcoming fixture against Arsenal looks a real test.

Am looking forward to Juve and it is interesting to hear that key players were rested for them so they could be at full strength against us – wasn’t that what we were doing ten years ago? How times have changed! Come on Chelsea, we know we can do better.