Chelsea have just put in a dire performance in the first 45 minutes against Crystal Palace.
They passed the ball slowly, barely created any space or got into the Palace box. The stats say that Chelsea did not produce even a single fraction of xG. It’s another totally unacceptable, lifeless, lethargic attacking showing that simply has to improve.
Chelsea created 0.00(xG) in the first 45 minutes against Crystal Palace. pic.twitter.com/viVrhVUAXe
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) February 12, 2024
We’re not quite sure how that number has been worked out though – Conor Gallagher scuffed an effort wide shortly before the break. It was shameful that that was our only effort – but surely it was worth more than 0.
If there’s not a vast improvement in the second half, Pochettino’s job will be right back on the line. There will be boos at full time, a tense press conference, days of speculation and even darker clouds if we lose to Man City this weekend.
We’re almost certain there will be changes at half time – there had better be.
“Unacceptable?” What a load of crap. We dominated the first half but for a bad giveaway by Madueke who then made no attempt to rectify his error. The only thing we lacked was the incisive run/pass in the final third — again, Madueke looked particularly uncommitted among the attacking the three. But on the whole, we played reasonably well. To trash our performance is just to be and obnoxious hater.