Here in Thailand, I switched off at half time, knowing that if it was Palace v Big Boy, I shouldn't have bothered in the first place. The gap is too great - the opposition players are too good individually and in team play. Let's be honest, but we were totally outplayed and dominated. It was another exercise in damage limitation, more like the Alamo. The pre-season friendlies when we retained the ball, moved, passed well, dealt with the opposition 'press', created and scored - all counted for absolutely nothing here.I can't really understand why it's so particularly poor with Palace. Other lesser teams still lose, but at least are able to make it look like a contest! Not a criticism of Vieira or the team - just a statement of fact that money means the big teams are, usually, in a different world.

No I think both the long range goals were unstoppable - the third hit the post - and the second goal was hit hard and he could only reach but not hold.

Wasn't the Alamo an heroic last stand that was doomed to failure, rather than damage limitation?

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)

I wouldn’t be writing off the team or any individuals on the back of one game. Chelsea are in the same but a different league to us. They had 300m worth of footballers either out or on the bench, they had two current England fullbacks resting. We had four academy players. It’s essentially One of the worlds best teams playing a minnow. As Brian and others said it’s meaningless.
Mind you watching it, the commentary and the ref still gave me the absolute irrits!

Andersen looks class and is captain material. The young kid (Rak-S) coming on is an unpolished diamond, but Ayew, Schlupp, and Mateta hopefully all start on the bench when we are "entertaining" Brentford. Gallagher on for that one!

When we look at our team sheet yesterday we can actually be pleased that is was only 3 nil and it was also slightly pleasing that Chelsea created very few clear chances.

Our midfield 4 yesterday was diabolical to put it mildly. Ayew and Schlupp can be decent on their day but unfortunately for us their day wasn’t yesterday. McCarthur has hardly played football in a year and that showed yesterday which left Jairo chase shadows for 75 minutes.

I know it is very early but Mateta looks absolutely woeful. It may be confidence but I am praying we don’t keep him.

2 of the only positives for me yesterday was Anderson and Guehi. I think we have an excellent partnership in the making.

Our starting 11 and subs bench was as bad as we will see all season and worse that what Roy had to contend with. Let’s pray we have more signings on the way,