Chelsea looked like the far better side over the course of the 90 minutes tonight, but unfortunately, the same sort of poor finishing that's done them in so many times before was present again this evening. After Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas combined for a fantastic opening goal, the ghost of Fernando Torres combined to miss quality chance after quality chance. All of Fabregas, Didier Drogba, and Loic Remy had chances that were harder to miss than to bury, and somehow, none managed to put the tie to bed.
With the draw, Chelsea still sit in fairly good position as far as getting out of the group is concerned. It's still a weak group, and with the dropped points tonight, finishing with 12 points will now guarantee advancement to the knockout stage. Still, it's hard to think we shouldn't have come away with more.
Thoughts:
- I love that Jose Mourinho decided to rest Diego Costa ahead of Sunday's match with Manchester City. The last guy had his priorities so far out of whack that it's a very pleasant change.
- Filipe Luis looked very good going forward, didn't he? All of a sudden, Chelsea's third big summer signing doesn't look like he's going to be a bit-part player.
- Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard look like they've been playing together since birth. The combinations they've been playing lately have been spectacular.
- CSKA Moscow aren't a good side.
- With the form Willian showed today, I don't know how you possibly leave him out of Sunday's squad for Manchester City. I'd be pretty happy to see Mourinho simply slot Diego Costa into this same side.
- Cesc Fabregas is very, very good when Chelsea have the ball. Unfortunately, we're essentially playing with ten men when not in possession.
- I liked the Chelsea that were clinical in front of goal a lot more than these guys tonight.