Phil Thompson On Chelsea FC Loss: Porto Were By Far The Better Team

Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson has weighed in on Chelsea’s loss to Porto.

Ex-Liverpool defender and longtime Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson was reporting on Chelsea FC’s Champions League clash with Porto earlier tonight, and has since weighed in on the disappointing 2-1 defeat.

The Blues carried on their poor from following a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at the weekend as they slipped up on Jose Mourinho’s homecoming to the Estadio do Dragao. Thompson stated that despite a penalty shout that would have given Chelsea a chance to draw level, the club simply did not deserve any result.

"It should have been a penalty…But that would just be papering over the cracks because Porto were by far the better team."

This is a sentiment that many Blues fans would agree with. While the late handball claim was pretty black and white, earning a draw through a spot kick would have done nothing to help Chelsea’s current situation. Mourinho’s men failed to respond to his rallying cry and could have easily conceded three or four on the night.

Asmir Begovic was arguably the club’s best player but was again let down by a shocking/non-existent backline that left him exposed time and time again. In the attack, Eden Hazard was dropped but the team did not improve in any tangible manner.

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Although Porto’s winner came via a set-piece, a Portuguese victory was a just result. While the Chelsea of old would never concede from a dead ball situation, the side’s vulnerability in such circumstances exemplifies the dire state they currently find themselves in.

Too many individuals failed to put in performances of a sufficient level which resulted in the odd shining light being completely camouflaged, a fact that Thompson was keen to emphasise.

"Willian scored a good goal and he was their best player, while Costa also hit the bar. But there were so many poor players for Chelsea tonight, the legs have gone on Fabregas, so he cannot get anywhere near anyone, Pedro was dreadful, Ivanovic – if he plays again…. because he was shocking, Brahimi ran him ragged tonight."

Ivanovic was shocking yet again this evening. Before the game, no-one could quite understand why Mourinho had insisted on starting him. After about 20 mins, no-one could quite believe it. The Serbian had been given the captain’s armband but failed to lead by example. He was absolutely woeful. Ivanovic just looks like a shell of a man at the moment and it is hurting Chelsea severely.

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