Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Chelsea vs Arsenal

This is what we’ve been waiting for. A potentially momentous Gameweek in our seasons begins very shortly, as Chelsea face Arsenal at the Bridge in a fixture that offers plenty to the neutral and the committed Fantasy Football manager alike.

Eden Hazard’s owners will be clinging to the Belgian in hope that he can overcome the Gunners’ resistance to offer a decent points haul to justify selection ahead of a double Gameweek asset. Those holding Chelsea and Arsenal defenders will be seeking a more subdued encounter, fought in midfield, with little incident at either end. It’s one of many contrasts and conflicts ahead of us as Gameweek 31 unfolds in the coming days.

Once we know how this one falls, six more three o’clock kick-offs follow, with United’s visit to the Boleyn Ground in East London bringing the day to a close.

Our Twitter feed offers an insight into today’s teamsheets, while our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now open to allow for your real-time interaction throughout the day.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

2,034 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Southern Conference game for the ref next week

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  2. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Another goal conceded and it will be just a single gameweek for my Arsenal defence 🙁

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    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Just be thankful you haven't Gibbs

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      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Lol I have him in UFPL , still another game or decide to switch out ?

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    2. Manani
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      you are expecting them to get CS for chelsea's match??

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      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        2 points would have been something even

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  3. getfunky
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    benched hazard but i've got yaya, silva, nolan & gerrard in midfield

    i'd do it again

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    1. kitier katba
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      nice,,,

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    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      So far still not a bad decision. So far .....................

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      1. getfunky
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        well you dont know, that's the point, nolan could go & score twice against hull & end up with more.

        hindsight is something that should be put off till the end of the GW rather than 30 mins into the first game

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        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          That's it. Every week you get crowing after one or two games and it fades away as more games end. Against 10 though Im bricking it a little.
          Oh no another - No Haz though ty

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    3. 4-4-who?
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Me too. City have 3 more games than Chelsea (4 if you count the current match). #nobrainer

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  4. Manani
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    why can't football involve some technology in it like rugby or other sports?
    all they need is sky sports 1, not like it is expensive as well

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      All they need is eyes really.

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      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        it is kind of hard to see with such high speed to be fair

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    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah its totally ridiculous . Biggest game in world living in the past.

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    3. Kylos
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Wouldn't really help as it was a case of mistaken identity. The decision was clear cut.

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      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        not only that incident, but things like major penalty decision, or offside goals, red cards etc.

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  5. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Andre Marriner has reportedly congratulated Ramires for scoring the opener.

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  6. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Benched Suarez and Sturridge in UFPL 😎

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      You can't have?

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      1. Give The Todd Some Love
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Well I have

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        1. In Like Flynn.
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Any particular reason why Todd?

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          1. Give The Todd Some Love
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Forgot to change my team from last week, when Liverpool were playing on a Sunday 🙁

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            1. In Like Flynn.
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 13 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              Ouch, heart-felt sympathy.

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              1. Give The Todd Some Love
                • 12 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                Haha I'll live

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    2. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Forgot I was playing that again. 🙂

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  7. Kylos
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    #WengerOut

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  8. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    As I benched Hazard, I am hoping one of my players doesnt play, both games.

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I just hope mine all score more than whatever Haz gets.

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      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        +1

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    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Suarez?

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    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Why would you bench top scoring midfielder who is playing at home?

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      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Double gameweek blinkers.

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      2. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Cause he only had one game, & that was against a top team...

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        1. Manani
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          not if he is playing for chelsea at home.
          chelsea at home is gold

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          1. r0nh
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Well, my DGW players havent played yet.

            Still might score more than Hazard...

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    4. Grubby
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      well if hazard only gets 6 points and all your players play 2 games you will likely only lose 2 points.

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      1. Perthite
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        He won't get 6pts unless a yellow card is earnt.

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    5. Sess!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Keep off the pot.

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  9. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    c'mon Arsenal. I need you to score today!

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  10. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Just been confirmed red card will be transferred to the Ox Monday and he will be banned for 1 game, Gibbs free to play midweek.

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    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      I think Gibbs was happy to go off

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    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Tx.

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    3. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Bad luck for Gibbs owners as it can't be changed in FPL....

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  11. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    3-0 and vs 10 men
    Hazard off at HT plz!

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  12. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Chamberlain is having a nightmare out there.

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  13. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    beach volley match at the bridge 😆

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    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Plenty of Tits and Arses on view

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      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😆

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  14. Tommy J
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I benched Haz after a last minute change to get rid of Kos and Ki and bring in Mirallas and Nolan. I agreed with Mark's preamble and chose the option to chase my mini league-I know it was a big gamble but lets play out the dgw before people start judging whether it was the right decision or not. The other part of the gamble was to get rid of Yaya. I know it could be a huge gamble but I did it consciously after I slept on it and we will see on Wed how Yaya/Hax and Kos fair vs Nolan/Mirallas and Zab.......

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    1. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      You sold Yaya Toure? And benched Hazard?

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      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        As per the preamble I decided to get differentials to chase a 90 odd point lead(I was on wildcard)-let's wait and see.....

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        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I'd maybe stop reading the pre amble if that's the kinda decisions it prompts you to make.

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      2. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I've seen it all now.

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    2. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      That's risky and then there's just being stupid

      You are the latter I'm afraid...

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      1. Tommy J
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Shouldn't you hold off on that until the end of the dgw...very insulting.

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        1. Az
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          But obviously hazard toure and kos are better options this week than Nolan mirallas and zab .

          If the last three do actually do better it's a bloody miracle

          Poor poor decisions this week from you.

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          1. Tommy J
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            You can't say that yet....

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    3. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Listen guys I welcome your comments but I'm not totally crap at this game as you'll see from my history...we'll see-took a gamble-I still bet there won't be a lot in it....

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  15. copps
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    was the red a correct call? what did he do

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      the red card was correct, he sent off the wrong player

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He did a Suarez and turned goalkeeper for a split second.

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    3. beric
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Right call, wrong guy. Ox essentially forgot he wasn't in goal

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    4. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He was sent off for impersonating a player.

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    5. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      he made a very good save... with his hand

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  16. beric
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    You can hear some great sound bytes from the Chelsea fans

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    1. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Haha was quality.

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    2. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      'Sagna you're f**king shit!'

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    3. Qubit
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      My fav i heard was "Oi Stone! Stand up you short arse!" @ Steve Stone

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  17. Studgie G
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    hazard will go off at half time I reckon

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    1. Schwarzer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Why's that?

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      1. Studgie G
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        he needs a rest perfect time

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    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      70mins

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    3. beric
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nah, goal difference could be important

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    4. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Traditionally, all the players go off at HT.

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  18. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    To be fair to Mourinho, at least he doesn't mess around with his back four. An FPL safe haven.

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  19. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    I have no sympathy for Wenger.

    It was 2-0 when the penalty was rightfully awarded & Hazard scored the penalty regardless of which player was sent off.

    Wenger bought an injured squad player in January to bolster up league hopes...

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    1. Yome
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Go and support a better club if you can

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    2. 50shades of o'shea
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Kallstrom wasn't already injured. He got injured after he joined...

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      1. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Accoring to Wenger, they knew he had an injury

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      2. Billy Gilmore
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        He had an injury that didn't show up in the medical.

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      3. The Shadow
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        He failed his medical, but they went ahead with the signing anyway.

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      4. getfunky
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        he was already injured, wenger admitted as much

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    3. HNI
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      a 1000th game for arsene cudnt be any more telling can it ??

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  20. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal's team morale isn't really good. Gave up at Anfield, giving up now.

    While City on the other hand battled to a 0-2 win away with 10 men.

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    1. Manani
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      their passing is way off from the start.

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    2. stufail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Hull and Chelsea are slightly different levels.

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        so you are saying they are right in giving up?

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  21. CMIFLFC42
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    And they say chelsea are a second half team...

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  22. Schwarzer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    From twitter:
    Ref: "Gibbs, you're off!"
    Ox: "But ref, it was me!"
    Ref: "Shut up Walcott, get on with the game"

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    1. Namtab Nomolos
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      He just didn't want to have to write Ox's name in full.

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    2. Kylos
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Gibbs and Ox do look a bit alike. They both have same round face and similar skin tone and hair cut. It's does not mean it's racism.

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  23. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    boring :/

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  24. Kylos
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Can we just see the incident for what it really was. Cracking save by the OX.

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    1. 50shades of o'shea
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Shame it was going wide 😉

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    2. Woy of the Wovers
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Saved a goal-kick.

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  25. jas5sk - Youtube channel
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone considering a "Arsenal next team to score" punt?

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    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nice timing

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      1. jas5sk - Youtube channel
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        😆

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    2. Kylos
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Unless you think that Chelsea are not going to score again and no other team will score until Arsenal play Wednesday....sure.

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  26. HNI
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A memorable 1000th Game for the manager who believes in beautiful but no trophy hungry football 🙂

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  27. Give The Todd Some Love
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard into orbit

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  28. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    The first two goals were perfectly executed counter attacks.. My word

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  29. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hazard.... So close....

    To clearing the grandstand

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  30. Del Griffith
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    It was needless by Ox, as Haz shot was going wide. Just a reaction I guess

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