He’s a running machine.
60 sprints in the game, more than any other player.
Pedro’s enthusiasm makes up for his lack of skill.
A strong boy, rugged and brave, with a point to prove.
Starting, Pedro gave Chelsea different options and made the team play at his pace.
I was impressed enough to go upstairs and have a bet in play on them to score the next goal.
Then I heard a shout from Jan.
“Penalty!”
“Who to?”
“West Brom!”
I was thinking, ” It’s taken me 70 seconds to lose that bet.”
Matic tripped McManaman but then James Morrison’s spot-kick hit the leg of Courtois and ricocheted over the bar. The Belgian’s lucky day and also mine.
Then Pedro played a one-two with Hazard and his shot was deflected off the heel of Jonas Olsen and flew inside the post for 0-1 in 19 minutes.
In 30, Pedro’s cross was actually a shot but Diego Costa stabbed in at the far post.
It was 0-2 until Irishman James McClean crossed to the far post, big Rondon hooked the ball back acrobatically and James Morrison smashed a shot past Courtois.
Chelsea looked far more lively, coherent and positive. About time! Recently Ivanovic, Fabregas and Costa have been 40% of what they were a year ago. Unrecognisable.
When Costa chested a ball down, Azpilicueta zipped in to score his first Premier League goal for 1-3.
In 54, John Terry was sent off for pulling back Rondon on the edge of the box as they chased a lovely pass from Chris Brunt. Cahill came on for Willian.
Five minutes later James Morrison scored a wicked header from a beautiful pacy cross by McManaman.
Later stages, Chelsea played keep-ball in the front left corner of the pitch.
My verdict was, “A good game of English football. Three weathers and five goals.”
By comparison, the first half of Everton v Manchester City was quite academic.
Then Raheem got the assist he needed after 60. His little pass allowed left back Kolarov the chance to fire a sharp shot between Tim Howard and his near post.
Loved that goal because I had two bets on it.
Loved it because Kolarov made a 70-yard Olympic sprint to overlap Raheem.
Next week on Match of the Day : Kolarov versus Bolt.
Man City will walk the title because they have more exceptional athletes than their rivals and superior organisation.
That’s why City have not conceded in three games but have scored 8 goals.
Football’s a game of running these days and maybe it always was.
Kompany was kolossal, as he was last week against Chelsea.
It’s nice to see Ross Barkley starting games and at last showing his skills and power.
Everton’s pressure was enough to win three corners in quick succession just after the hour. It was a pretty close contest but Lukaku’s runs are a bit one-dimensional. He sometimes needs to sprint, then check back and get it to feet.
With John Stones cruising at centreback, Everton were giving Citeh a game.
He’s a classy footballer. Without Stones, who knows what this game would have been like?
In 88, Nasri made it 2-0 after a one-two with Yaya Toure.
The fact that it took City that long to score again tells you how well Everton were playing and how close this game was. they need Baines or Oviedo on that left wide. Almost every football team needs width.
Excellent debut by Pedro.
Every team needs two or three running machines.
Pedro’s got bottle and a ton of Champions League experience and will never give you less than 7/10 on a wet night in Kiev or Belgrade.