Chelsea v Liverpool: The One with the Guard of Honour

The desperate face of trying to keep up with Hazard

Although the official post-season tour begins in Thailand at the end of this month - it quite clearly began on Sunday afternoon. It’s difficult to fault all those tired legs for failing to keep their motivation up after winning but not yet receiving the trophy against Palace last weekend. But it doesn’t make for great viewing - for all you fans of ‘boring, boring Chelsea’ - now is your time to shine.

Of course, not having anything to play for does lend itself to a few relaxing afternoons out and the opportunity to watch some players that may not have got the chance otherwise. Ruben Loftus-Cheek being the most obvious example. He was given a brilliant reception by the home support AND the media who have loved his pass completion (100%). Loftus-Cheek’s performance was just what the media and Football Manager fan boys wanted. It’s all about possession for those crazy kids at the moment!

Hull vs Chelsea: The One That Took an Unexpected Turn

McGregor realising he's the third wheel

After Chelsea's unceremonious departure from Big Cup competition, they were left with just the league to focus all of their love and attention on. All future opponents would be quaking at the prospect at being steamrolled, right? Right. Chelsea being Chelsea were never going to make things easy on themselves or on the delicate constitutions of some of their supporters.

Last week’s league match followed 120 minutes of physical European competition and was against an opponent that were more than up to the task. Southampton have been a difficult side for just about everyone to face this season. Apologies for the forthcoming cliché here … but it was genuinely a good point. This week, Chelsea had 8 days to prepare to face the  relegation fodder that is Steve Bruce's Hull City Thunder Cats.

Liverpool vs Chelsea: The One Where Chelsea Forgot to Shoot

Luis explaining the importance of a headband for his 'look'

With Liverpool's exit from the Champions League a few seasons ago, supporters across the world were given a reprieve from watching them face Chelsea 60 odd times a season. But the League Cup* semi-final draw had other plans, it was feeling nostalgic for those days. Maybe it was the 'mind games', or the post-match 'banter' or the football that made you question what happened to the 90 minutes of your life that you'd never get back. Thankfully both sides have evolved beyond trying to bore the other into submission. More or less anyways.

After some pretty hapless performances from the home side as of late, it appears they saved all their vim and vigour up for last night's match. They started well and tested the re-instated Thibaut Courtois early and often. The partnership of John Obi Mikel and Nemanja Matic which had been so effective at Stoke looked sluggish or like they'd never met one another (they definitely have). Either way it left John Terry and Co. more exposed than usual. But it wasn't until the second half that there was any real damage to Chelsea's quest for another trip to Wembley.