Champions League: Liverpool 1 - 1 Chelsea

Oh my aching sides...

Just about deserved something from the game I'd say; we'll have to be far better next week though. Avram, you have the luck of the devil about you - and long may it continue.

I must go and put the furniture in my living room back into its usual place and clean the beer off the walls.

John Arne Riise, oooh aaaah, I wannaaaaaaaaa knooooow, how you scored that goal...

7 for Drogba, what game was I watching :P

I am trying to remember him doing anything useful that entire game except falling over?

Malouda probably deserves (just) a 6, he managed to win us some corners and had a few shots. Even so he needs to improve drastically to hold his position. If this was 3 years ago Duff and Robben would now be moving in to the spaces left wide open by JC and Malouda.

Competition for places feels like it has gone now, we need to clear out the team and sign some quality players in their mid 20s. It is a shame it is so late in the season, because I think a few games on the bench would do Drogba a world of good.

I have to confess I didn't see the game -- and I won't be able to make the return leg either. But from what I'm hearing we were rubbish but got a fantastic slice of luck. I'll take it. I'll take the stuff we've been serving up all year at home, too: a clumsy, nerve-wracking, jammy 1-0 will be just fine (especially as it won't be my nerves being wracked 'cos I can't go). Essien should make a big difference.

Right, I should shut up and leave the forum to people who actually watched the game.

OK I THINK ive calmed down now, Yeah we didnt dominate the game BUT there was a period of play in the first 10 minutes where we were firmly in control, Joey Cole has a good chance to score a simular oppurtunity to the one he slotted home against Everton in the CC, Drogba wasnt brilliant however I dont feel that the blame should be all put on him because he was isolated for most of the game and didnt get a touch of the ball unless we were going forward and shortly after he was surrounded by dirty scousers, Lampsy was decent, his passing was accurate and he wasnt completely anonymous unlike Stevie S*ithead, As for Ballack he was like the glue that stuck the team together, many of you proberbly think that should be Makeleles job but with him being 35 (I think) and Essien being suspended Ballack rightly helped him out which was the only option really considering that he is much better defensively than Lamps, Joe Cole wasnt brilliant but we expect tight games when we travel to Shitfield and he was definetly singeled out by Aurelio in the main parts of the game

As for their goal I thought that SuperFranky was to blame, Why didnt he just clear it? I KNOW thats what Essien would have done but we ended up gifting a goal to Dirk “Headless Chicken” Kuyt (It was a gift because of Mascheranos scuffed pass and Makas defensive mistake), From then on they had few chances, My credit must go to Petr who made a brilliant saves from Liverpools captain/wanker and that diving girl Torres, Now onto what made me laugh my ass off for 1 hour
Riise blimey that was so comical I was in disbelief, You couldve been forgiven for thinking he was paid to do it, Seeing Phil Thompsons reaction on SSN also brought a smile to my face, Carragher looked like his house had been burgled that was just so funny I couldnt even explain it, We may have been “Lucky” but LUCK is a reward for hard work and we certainly gave plenty of that tonight

I see many of you warning us that “Its not over” and all that but I feel we have reason to be confident for 3 reasons firstly the own goal has clearly devastated Fat Rafas players and this will surely result in a drop in form 2. Our home record 80 or something like that unbeaten at home and I dont see them beating us there 3. We havent conceded to Liverscum at home in over 700 minutes of football

Also this “Luck” or “Sneaky Win” can only give us more confidence heading into the game with Man-Ure, COME ON MESSI, COME ON CHELSEA WHAT THE HELL COME ON AVRAM, THANK YOU RIISE AND KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH!!!!! :)

Mark

Impressed that you got a report out this quickly and acheived a much greater degree of coherence than Mr McCarra. He reads like a man who has sat staring at the OED and Rogets Thesaurus, only to realise there are no words in there to express just how upset he is, just how unfair football is and just how much he wants the Poo to triumph.

I thought we started well and was pleased to see we didn't let them build up a head of steam and get an early goal. When they finally got going it was more our mistakes than their creativity that produced the chances.

For the first 15 minutes of the second half we seemed completely lost. After JC was taken off we suddenly strung some passes together (not that the 2 incidents were necessarily related.) We had a decent 15 to 20 minutes, begging the question why we couldn't deal with the press by moving the ball quickly and moving into space at other points in the game?

Other questions arising:

1. Liverpools continuous fouling when we were getting forward. Yes we got the free kicks but they broke it all up and were never threatened with cards for persistent fouling.

2. Our lack of threat from corners and dead ball situations. Got to improve.

The positives:

1. The away goal

2. The manner of the away goal

3. Thinking about the away goal again

4. Listening to Radio 5 Scouse going apoplectic at the unfairness of it all. They were laying into Chelsea and accused us of everything except child murder. They made a big thing of John Terry's fouls while failing to mention Liverpools tactic of taking down a man whenever he went past them. Great fun. Good to know that the Beeb remains unbiased.

5. Phil Thompson on Sky when the goal went in. You can hear the rest of the studio pissing themselves as he throws the cans down on the desk.

It might still all go tits up but if we weren't going to win with style that was about the best you could hope for.

At least I can go to work and just laugh at all the poo fans.

I'm sorry to talk so little about the football but these 2 games are about all the sh** we have had to put up with, particularly from the media and their mythmaking and I'm going to enjoy it while I can....

I go to sleep the sleep of the righteous

I bid you all good night

I thought Paulo was good, delivered some good balls into the box and Ashley got forward and made alot of tackles too, SURELY they deserve more than 3?????

I thought we played well for the 1st 20 minutes and took the sting out of the game. After that though, we were guilty of sitting back too deep and allowing them to come onto us.

Frank was badly at fault for the goal (having said that I didn't think he was as bad as the Aussie commentators suggested, and certainly no worse than Stevie Me)and we never really threatened much in the second half.

Malouda was much better than he has been in the past, but unfortunately Joey was missing in action. Drogba did win everything in the air, but failed to control anything at all, with the ball bouncing off his body continually. His falling down was laughable at times, but he did make the defenders work.

Defence was fairly solid, and roughing up Torres and Kuyt was clearly part of the plan. Shame about the caution for JT... means he will be on edge for the 2nd leg, and you can be sure than Liverpool will make more of that, than we did out of targeting Gerrard and Carra for bookings. Also like Paolo Ferreira at right back. He is a defender first, and can provide support to the attack when required.

Petr was in blinding form tonight. I too hate the big hoof, but as a shot stopper, he is absolutely 2nd to none.

As for the referee.... He certainly seemed to like us, however, as a rule I would far rather see referees let the game flow, like he did, rather than pull out the whistle and cards at every opportunity. You can be sure the 2nd leg won't flow in the same way.

And lastly, a word on Avram..... I was cursing when he brought on a striker with 5-10 to go, but again, credit to him as it was Kalou and Anelka that were involved for the goal. Well Done mate.... Enjoy your moment, but remember we have been this close before. The job still isn't done.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Funniest own goal EVER!

SBS pundits in mourning post-match, thoroughly depressed.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

I wonder which god Avram was praying too to get that slice of luck in the last seconds of the game ... and in front of the Kop too... absolutely priceless to see the looks on the scousers faces at the end. I could not stop laughing and thumping the table for a good 10 minutes. Never has a draw felt so much like a win...

As for the game well mostly crap really. Neither team 'deserve' to be in this position but that is the nature of this competition, so now it is our turn to take advantage of the situation and march onto Moscow. And god forbid if we win then our worst nightmare may come true and AG gets another year to mess up the team.

Of course he did bring on Kalou for Code and it was Kalou's cross which invited Riise's neat header into the roof of the net, but Anelka on for Ballack?!? when we needed to maintain a solid midfield for the last 10 minutes, where is the logic in that substitution.

Of course I will glady take a win next week and then look forward to Chelsea playing in the last game of the season... and I can sit back tomorrow and enjoy the Man U Barcelona game which in all honestly should be a much better game to watch.

The dream is still going...just KTBFFH

#9

Buddha? Do footballing dieties have names?

Good confident start to the first half then a return to that lack of incisiveness that seems to have featured too often in recent matches. The second half was almost the opposite with having to weather the storm as they pressed for that crucial second, but as they began to sit back a bit and/or began to tire I could see us nicking a goal if one of the few chances that were created during the match were taken.

It wasn't a great performance, mostly a lack of finesse and focus, with their goal coming from a quickly taken free kick and sloppy defending, but the crucial thing was getting that bit of luck that usually falls their way. I don't know whether Riise knew that Anelka was behind him, but the own goal couldn't have happened to a nicer bloodnut. It's looking good for the return leg, but on this showing I can't see us beating Manu in a final, however after Saturday's match one of the sides will have a psychological edge.

Finally I think this match was proof that it is AG's luck rather than judgement that the dream is still alive, the substitutions were more obvious than inspired. Don't want to piss on the fireworks just retain some perspective, mine still being that the motivational/tactical guidance is lacking. To see the look on the scousers faces thinking that they were robbed was hilarious though.

@ David

Your assuming Man U will beat Barca, I am not so sure... Man U are showing some signs of weakness and their back four may struggle if Barca's front four fire. I would not be surprised to see Barca go through to play us in the final...thats assuming we manage to beat Liverpool at SB next week.

Equally hilarious was watching AG 'dance' around the touchline like a lumbering rhino trying to breakdance. The word buffoon springs to mind...

The next 2 games at the bridge will definitely define our season. I just hope whatever happens that AG is quietly moved upstairs and we get a manager who can inspire and motivate the team to play the sort of football us fans and apparantely our owner craves.

I would defy anyone to say they are enjoying the football at the moment, the wins yes but the style definitely no.

How funny is this article (and the comments that follow):

LINK

Do you reckon Paul Doyle wrote it with the intention of winding the 'Mickies' up.

I don't think he could possibly have put more of a Chelsea spin on things!

@PTG

Yes I think they will go through, unless Barca suddenly hit top form over the two legs, but even Barca will be a struggle for us to beat if we don't suddenly hit top form in a similar way.

I agree though, the next two games are key and at least the Bison will be back for the second leg next week. If we win either the CL or by some fluke the Prem I'll celebrate like everyone else and applaud the team, but somehow it'll seem like a hollow victory considering what has transpired this season on and off the field.

Either way I hope AG moves upstairs, I'm ready to move on, accept this as a transitional year and see what happens next. Should be an interesting summer.

A very bad game for Chelsea but a very Good Luck for Chelsea. I think this year is Chelsea's year of Good Luck. Good Luck plays an important role in the history of football. The world cup, EURO competition, EPL, Champs League. Good Luck shows itself in MU's matches, Liverpool semifinal last year, Barcelona's win on Schalke and this year would be ours. No matter how good or how bad we play, Luck will play its important role to deny our opponents in getting goals or going away with a win. If this continues, why not we accept and welcome these Good Lucks and let Chelsea win it by Hook or by Crook because Luck will be with our side. JM or AG, without Luck, Chelsea would not win. So lets all accept this and just hope for CHelsea to win no matter what. We need Luck for MU to lose point in their remaining games in EPL, and at the same time, Chelsea will hope for Good Luck in advancing to the final of CL and also winning the EPL. Good Luck will also deny our opponents to miss all their clear chances in front of goals or maybe an own goal will help us through. We really hope Chelsea can play better than this, and at the same time we really hope Good Luck will be with us always until the end of the season.

ohh how i feel sorry for that lad drogba. with such poor quality service no wonder he looks so shit.The lucky one really confused us again with his choice of tactics.long balls to a man with no support for 70 minutes. There were patchs in that game were some players went missing except the defence. Ballack ,lampard suppose to have BMT but looked very out of shape.
Joe Cole liverpool marked that boy right onto the bench.Kalou sparks of quality.
Obi mikel deserves some game time the way the midfield is playing at the moment..

Hopefully the lucky one can steer us through to our first final but damn we dont deserve it.

Football was terrible from our side..few sparks of counter attacking genius only for a terrible finish .liverpool were the better side on the night.Lets hope that lampard and ballack will step up over the weekend so that we can be trail MAN USA properly

Grunt handed a huge slice of luck. Let's hope he doesnt f*** it all up.

Agree with the comments above in that Drogs was made to battle for long balls with very litle support for long periods - but, in his currnt mood, he seems intent on losing the ball regardless of whatever suport he might have.

I have to say I disagree completely with the Ferraira rating he made tons of defensive errors throughout the first 2/3s of the match and only seemed to steady himself at the end. The back four being caught out seemed more like a lack of communication than a lack of concentration or pace and that lack of communication I think can, not surprisingly, seen as a lack of good coaching.

'Fakes at Anfield tonight (Liverpool vs Chelsea)?
« on: Yesterday at 08:44:34 PM »

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just got a text off my brother (litmanen37) who is in the kop saying there are shit loads with fake tickets in there.

Said it is overcrowded and they haven't even got a seat, stood in the aisles (obviously they would stand anyway but that isn't the point).

Stewards going mental. Supposedly they reckon a few thousand with the overcrowding there is at the minute.

He also said the fake tickets which he must have seen off somebody are identical. '

Found the above on a Liverpool message board about fake tickets in the 'Krap End' last night. Do those stupid fuckin twats never learn! Heysel, Hillsborough, Athens..... If you don't have a ticket for the game, don't fucking go.... Otherwise, don't expect sympathy when your shellsuited brothers hurt themselves.

I expect that our shrill friends from Merseyside will be turning up at the Bridge next week with a fair compliment of fake tickets. Still, we know that they're such committed supporters, take fifty thousand to every match, get in by hook or by crook, blah, blah, blah.

Luck had nothing to do with it,;-) Riise's goal had obviously been worked on in training after all it's not the first time he's scored from a similar position, Luton Town in the FA cup this year springs to mind.

One foot in Moscow, lets hope AG can get the tactics/luck right in the second leg, because we won't have a better chance than this. I did say a while back we could fluke this competition, but frankly not one of us will give a shit if we do.

I also watched Phil Thompson's reaction to the equaliser on Sly Sports later in the evening, I think it's about time they had people who are less partisan on that panel, he's such a wanker, I'm so glad the other panel members pissed themselves laughing at him.

As far as the scousers turning up at the bridge with possible fake tickets, I reckon RA should invite his country men's riot police to come over to twat them just in case they don't get the opportunity in Moscow, which we all hope they don't.

Interesting things about facts...

When we lost to Man U back in September for AG's first game in charge we were seventh in the league. We have since played in the League cup final (big deal I here you cry) are currently 2nd in the league with still an outside chance to win and 90 mins away from the CL final. Did any of us think back then when Jose departed that we would be in the position we are now ?

Of course the facts don't tell the whole story and I remain an ardent critic of AG's management prowess and our football style but all the same I don't think many true chelsea fans would swap our position with Arsenal's just to watch sexy football....

Whatever happens in the next week I still want to see a new manager and new blood in the team but for a season of consolidation after Jose's departure, the club hasn't too badly and for us fans we still have something to cheer about this late in the season...

We need to make this fortunate away goal count next week. Or else we will end up with nothing and feel even more pain. Dangerous tendency to play the contain game i feel. We need to play an even and balance game both in attack and defence. At least if we can hit them on the counter, we can give them something to worry about when they want to attack us or maybe think abit longer before making the move.

This is what I posted 24 hours ago :

"Tonight, dull 1 - 1 all the way. Us taking the lead with a Kalou-less deflected cross creeping over the line in the first half, then AG making a few bizarre substitutions and us trying to sit on the lead for the second half, and eventually conceding from a needless free-kick given away by one of the usual suspects (Riccy / Maka / JOM)."

Not a bad prediction I say. Correct score-line, guessed (kind of) how our goal would come about and also who would be involved in the 'Pool scoring. (2 5 13 14 39 47 this Saturday if anyone's interested....)

Didn't (thankfully) watch much of the game as I was at a meeting for my football club, but I could tell from the cheering the score at half time and by the Scouse-style whingeing and bleating that we'd equalised at the death. And this was in Norwich.

Having watched it at warp-speed this morning via the wonders of Sky+ I have to say Joe Cole was disappointing again, as were both full backs. Makalele should definitely be let go at the end of the season - I'm not sure exactly what he was trying to do ???

The decision to stick with Malouda seemed a strange one as he's been largely anonymous all season, and Kalou has been better. And so it proved last night.

I refrained from any sort of gloating last night. I'd have (just) taken the 1 - 0, so 1 - 1 is a good result based on how ridiculously crap we were (again). Play like that next week and it'll be a struggle, but play like that against ManU or Barca in the final and it could be embarrassing. A lot of work to be done.

Well, well well….invincible Anfield! Not so much now!
By the way Grant got M City shirt on him instead of usual black one, did you see that? That must be the key!
Ok, sorry… Let’s enjoy, hope and not talk about JM-AG for the next 10 days please!
C’mon Chels, take that chance boys! YOU CAN DO IT

Pool supporter - Guardian's blog

---------------
Please stop blaming the ref. 4 minutes isn't unusually long.
What a day for Torres to be off his game. Any other day and we would've been 3-0 up, but Torres's clumsy touch on the day meant that he squandered 2 clear chances to score. On the other hand, Chelsea could've scored a few as well. Although the manner of the goal is cruel, the result isn't completely unfair, because despite Liverpool having the better of the chances, overall the match was fairly even. One thing we have going for us is on Saturday Chelsea have ManU while we have Birmingham--at least we can rest some starters.
--------------

Seconds before our equaliser, I was just willing for the match to end. At that moment, I would have taken 1-0 considering how Liverpool had the better chances. That said, it was credit to us for persevering and I think we were due some good luck.

Also, what did you all make of ITV's commentary? I thought it was quite annoying how every time Drogba went down (and admittedly, he did go down a lot), they jumped down his throat, yet it was completely OK for Torres to lie on the floor and cry and that was him "injured." I listened to 606 on the radio after and that was even worse, taking a pop at Chelsea for everything and making it sound as if Liverpool had played like some footballing giants and all we'd done was cheat all match. The anti-JT bias was sickening.

Anyway, an away goal. When Riise headed into his own net, I just couldn't stop laughing. It felt so... surreal. And possibly undeserved. But I don't care a bit, I'll take it!

Here's a written quote from Tubby on last night's game, can you just imagine the headlines if it was JM that said the same thing. No wait we don't have to imagine we know, Benitez is just as much a bad loser as any other top manager, he seems to have forgotten some favourable refereeing decisions against the Arse. And he's also a classless twat, Fuck Off Liverpoo!


"Rafael Benítez accused the referee Konrad Plautz of bias and poor timekeeping last night after John Arne Riise's stoppage-time own-goal cost Liverpool a precious lead in their Champions League semi-final first leg with Chelsea. The Liverpool manager criticised the award of four minutes' injury-time and a display from Plautz that, he claimed, had favoured Chelsea throughout.

The disgruntled Spaniard said: "It's difficult to understand. There were 94 or 95 minutes and every decision went against us. All the corners, free-kicks and fouls. But, in the end, it was an own-goal. It's not the first time. We knew before the game it was going to be difficult [with this referee]. Against Marseille it was more or less the same. You can't blame the referee for the own-goal at the end but the time? One minute in the first half, four in the second. It's difficult to explain."

Benítez also had cause to bemoan the referee for a push by Ashley Cole on the goalscorer Dirk Kuyt inside the Chelsea penalty area, an offence that went unpunished by Plautz. "The first four fouls against us were for pushing," he added. "I saw one of their players pushing with two hands in the penalty area and nothing given. I've seen too many things tonight but I don't want to say too much."

Stop me if you've heard this but Riise was pulled over by the traffic police on the M6 last night.

Apparently he was heading in the wrong direction.......

I'll get my coat

Frankly, wiping the smug look off that fat bastard Benitez's face will be reward enough if we don't win anything this season.

already a classic

LINK

Hilarious.

Ref wasn;t great - i didn't think it was a free kick that led to their goal and carragher was lucky to avoid a booking for continual fouling. Drogba did okay, it was a thankless task as he had no support from midfield until late on. Lampard looked rusty but improved as the game went on and played some excellent passes, but was 99% responsible for their goal (which, remember, came against the run of play). Carvalho and Terry were great - lots of little snidey fouls on Torres as well, which seems to have wound up the mickeys. Not sure why Malouda started ahead of Kalou and Joe Cole is due a big game soon. Be interesting to see what Grant does with Essien next week.

Couple of early goals at the Bridge should do it.

I'm sure it will be that simple.

Again, can't understand why he puts on Anelka with 5 minutes to go. What's with the playing of Malouda? He sure as hell doesn't deserve a place in the team based on form. Joe Cole was anonymous and I was terrified every time Maka got the ball.
We didn't deserve a draw but I cackled like a hag at the end. It was nothing less than Liverpool and their fans deserved.
Of course, we're not out of the woods yet...could you imagine if they ended our unbeaten run at home? That would be worse than if Man U could have won the title there.
All in all, can't help feeling that with no one to reinforce the discipline and mentality of the Mourinho era, it is fading slightly with each game we play. Any manager worth his salt would have seen that as a quality and tried to maintain it.
As Anelka was coming on, Grant stood next to him with a tiny, grotty piece of blue notepaper and was saying something to him while tapping the paper with a pencil. Anelka kept nodding - so were we supposed to believe that Grant was delivering a last minute killer tactical ploy? I reckon he was just showing Nic the list of all the clubs that want the AG Juggernaut...

@Bluetone (30)

What does Thompson actually shout - can't quite work it out?

FOOTBALL is one weird game.

Frankly, wiping the smug look off that fat bastard Benitez’s face will be reward enough if we don’t win anything this season.

Abso bloody lutely, would love nothing more than to see him fuck off back to Spain.

He also could get a job for Ford with his constant reference to one of their cars, he always goes on about focus this focus that.

33. Jonathan Dyer · 10:41 AM · 23rd April

JD, sounds unbelievable but no speakers on my machine. certainly his body language tells enough.

Clive,

I thought he had tourettes, as it always sounds like he is saying 'f*ck us' to me.

Fifty

Yes it does a bit, but I can't type in a Spanish accent. :-)

And I'm going to be controversial here, I think I prefer AG be in charge than that idiot. Just going to wash my mouth out with soap!!!

I'd take Barry Fry to manage us over Benitez.

with hindsight

were we that worse than them? was our equalizer that undeserved?
up to kuyt's goal, things were much in the balance and we'd had the first significant spell of possession for the good part of 20 mins, with Joey missing a chance more or less like Torres would do shortly afterwards.

after kuyt's goal (itself a combination of comical mistakes and luck) and the break they certainly gave us a torrid time, but:
1) they could play on the counter, which makes it easier on the eye
2) the last 20 games we have been playing football they have been playing softball

with the storm weathered we took control back, but still playing like you do when you're a goal behind, hardly an eye-catcher (which i concede we seldom are).

As lucky messy and comical as our goal was, anyway SK managed to put in a dangerous cross in very hard circumstances and for that alone i wouldn't bill it as undeserved

I’d take Barry Fry to manage us over Benitez.

That's taking it too far, you must still be drunk JD, but on second thoughts Barry Fry mmmm not too far fetched!

40. Jonathan Dyer · 11:08 AM · 23rd April

I’d take Barry Fry to manage us over Benitez.


is there a chance? :)

>Blue Bayou

Love that line "I go to sleep the sleep of the righteous"...explained how i felt last night after the game... and i woke up feeling HIGH...

I think the guys had a good game, ANTfield is not a ground for the faint hearted especially on CL nights as many a big team would tell you. We showed we meant business right from the start and that made the scousers to show some respect. I wish JC had taken that 1st chance he had, very unlike him not to convert such. And AG showed balls with his line up and subs...good thing it all paid off.

We kept applying the pressure and it paid off...If DD and Anelka werent breathing down those red necks in the box, Riise would have been calmer in dealing with Kalou's cross, so we can actually say we worked hard for the result and got the luck/draw we deserved like Lamps and AG have said.

Hope barca give manure enough to worry about between this night and their return leg next week...enough to shake their confidence by lunchtime on saturday...my head says the attack line of manure would be too strong for the defence of barca, but then....this is football!

Always Blue!

MOTM P Cech, with carvalho very closed, what a CD this guy is, the way he reads the game is exquisite, I wish the toad and the bully could read it as well.
Italian press says that the toad and cheslea are the luckiest team in CL, and again they did not deserve to draw, well something that we all know about.

45. Marco · 11:34 AM · 23rd April

Italian press says that the toad and cheslea are the luckiest team in CL, and again they did not deserve to draw, well something that we all know about.

i read the italian press too. che vadano a fare in culo.

@ Alex

This does not make much sense. Just been reading down this blog and I can not explain how not one mention of AG in the negative. How easily swayable...


McCarra = Wanker and Wanker = McCarra

Oops sorry

>Jose

Lafs... maybe the pessimists are beginning to learn that the best thing to do is fight their genes by enjoying the ride and waiting till the very end, before passing any verdict!

I know you really feel good...cant say the same for some of these 'anti-grant' acolytes who want him out at all cost...

Gosh!...how i wish we can do the double

Alex and Jose - maybe we're too busy enjoying a great result to be bothered with petty point scoring? You should try it one day.

I loved Avram's genius last night - bringing that ginger striker on and disguising him in a Liverpool kit - the man is a legend and I hope he stays for ever and ever.

Been doing a bit of Liverpool blog browsing to see what sort of whining those scallies have been up to. But this bit of unbelievable self righteous crap really beggars belief, we all know they're deluded, but this really takes the biscuit.


"I tell you what makes LFC great… Us. The people. The proper people. And good on you lads for not slagging JAR and pissing all over the team. If we were Arsenal, Chelsea or Man U fans, you can bet your bottom lip, this comment page would be filled with bile, hatred, whingeing and excuses.

Yes. Of course I am gutted, just like all of you. But I refuse to slag my team or my players for one moment’s madness.

I still haven’t seen the goal again. I’ve got Sly Sports on and Talk Shite, so I soon will. But from what I can drunkenly remember is Malouda out by the corner flag. Masch and Arbeloa bearing down on him. Malouda still whipping a ball in, when he should have been clattered, and JAR shitting himself because Anelka was behind him. So, it’s 1-1 at half time.

I still believe we can win this. Yes. We. Us. the people. Can win this. They will stop us bringing our flags into the ground. They will give out their little plassie flags. They will play the PA as loud as they can to try and drown us out, but they can’t shut us up. And we can win this.

I’m proud to be a Liverpudlian. I am proud to be a koppite. I am proud of Dirk Kuyt trying to stay on his feet no matter what.

I would be ashamed to be a Chav. How disgraceful were they? How can you support a man like Drogba? Slagging off his club, team mates and manager all season. Rolling on the floor like he’d been shot everytime he couldn’t get to the ball. Crying like a 12 year old girl, and then having the nerve to run to the fans at the end of the game. The man is an absolute disgrace.
How can you support a man like Terry? Kicking people and moaning constantly.

But I am not Maureenio. I am not a Chav. I will support my team, as I always have, even if we go out next week. I will not boo my lads, like they do. I will sing Walk On with hope in my heart no matter what happens."

Yes. We can still do this, because we are the people."

Comment by Fat Scouser

He appears to have missed out the point about warring Yankee owners washing their dirty linen in public and bickering like a couple of kids.

"I would be ashamed to be a Chav. How disgraceful were they? How can you support a man like Drogba? Slagging off his club, team mates and manager all season" - sadly he may have a point , and this goes for some so called Chelsea (or shall I say JM)fans as well...

Can't agree with giving Cech an '8'. Sure, he made some saves to keep us in it - but nothing so good that you can overlook just how bad he looks on corners. Honestly, the replays from behind the goal showed just how indecisive he has become in this situation. One of his better saves came from a botched attempt to claim the corner, so I'm sorry - I'm not having an '8'! Nevertheless, I have some confidence that he'll get back to his old self next season.....

Also, I can't agree with a '6' for Ferreira. I was happy to see him start, as it gave our defense (at least on paper) the air of tried & tested. However, Babel ripped him to shreads at will, so quite frankly I look forward to Essien starting there against United & the scum next week, and getting a proper right back before next season. As much as I like Beletti when he's playing well, he looks dreadful defensively when his confidence isn't quite there.....

Can't shake off the feeling that we'll come unstuck in the next two games - not beating United could knock the lads before the second leg..... Oh well, at least it's exciting (unlike most of this season).... C'mon ChelSEA!

@ Mark

Good on you for the comprehensive description of the match. The description, however, is one of the few things that were good about this match.

@ Clive

Yes, they are deranged. I bet they don't have the same 'love and affection' for Pennant.

@ Jiko

I think he has served the club / last manager well and it wouldn't be wrong to expect only a few good games from him. Its sad, but Drogba is the play, earn and move on types. One cannot persecute him for that.

@ Jonathan Dyer

Avram Ghoul !! The sudden sulks of genius !!

Bottom line : Carvalho is probably the best player on the pitch right now. Essein comes on this weekend and at the Bridge against the Organ Brigade.

Cheers, all.

Thanks for that Clive, that's fabulous. "We are the people." Magnificent.

I suppose if your club anthem is a risibly mawkish and tear-jerking piece of Broadway pap, then you probably find that sort of sentimental self-pleasuring hard to resist. They say you can go blind if you indulge in it too much, though ...

I try and maintain a civil tone when posting, but I'm getting a little tired of being told that my (low) opinion of Average is shallow/dishonest/disloyal, every time he gets a decent result.

Liverpoo were pretty crummy, we were worse, we got a huge slice of luck, we're happy. It's a bit early to do any sort of gloating, though, isn't it?

Clive,

Thanks for letting me have an insight into the workings of a Scouse mind :

"And good on you lads for not slagging JAR and pissing all over the team" - so well done for no-one slagging of one of our own

to

"How can you support a man like Drogba? Slagging off his club, team mates and manager all season" - you'd have to slag him off because you can't support him and stand up for him.

Genius. Pure, thick-as-shit, genius.

There's a guy somewhere on the web who does this cracking parodies of Liverpool fans - will dig out a few examples. 'Fat Scouser' has the tone down to a T though...

Emma, I quite agree about the commentator bias towards Liverpool. It stems from the fact they all grew up with the scousers being the top team and we are seen as spoiling the party. It is so bad I have to admit that I can only watch our games against them with the sound turned off. Weird but true. You get to focus on the football more though. It's no great loss to miss out on the atmosphere when you can save yourself getting annoyed at the idiots who are payed to talks rubbish all through a game. When Rise scored all I saw was the net shake and it was a long few seconds before I realised what had happened. I soon turned the sound on then. It was worth it to see a gutted Andy Townsend (sadly, an ex-Blue who seems to hate us) and Mark Hughes unable to keep the smile off his face. Hughes supported us a boy and was a great player for us at the end of his career. I hope he manages us one day and think he has the talent to.

Now did we get away with murder or didnt we?

@49. Jonathan Dyer · 12:17 PM · 23rd April
hahahahah very good

I agree with most Avram Grant OUT, even if he wins, so what? chelsea is not winning with football, but with far too much luck, no tactics, no decent football, just nothing.
And AG had the audacity to compare his management to the JM's one, so what again one own goal, in so many, but I still think liverpool may surprise AG, been a fan and supporter since the times of Alan Hudsons and Peter Osgoods amongst others, never seen chelsea with so many brilliant players and playing so amateurish football, there is no doubt in my mind that chelsea was far more convincing, and playing better football last year than now.
The only diifference last year we never had the amount of luck that this year brings.
Example put it out of CL by Liverpool with a ghost goal, this year advantage chelsea, with an own goal.
Now for all the fans of that backstabber, is this luck or is this luck.
Did you guys saw how Rafa motivated his players to go for the seconf goal, during the game, constantly moving from one side to the other gesticulating etc etc ,in contrast that wanker AG always sit his big arse, and when moves an eye lid takes it as proof of stamina.

Here he is after the Barnsley result.

An eerie paralysis has settled like a fog across the city of Liverpool this morning. Bicycles, upon which kids performed wheelies around shopping malls just yesterday morning lie abandoned this morning. No whistled melody plays on the lips of the milkman as he does his rounds. The lead on the church roof remains strangely unstolen, Jimmy Tarbuck and Tom O' Connor, for once in their lives, have only completely unfunny observations to make. At TV rental shop windows, hushed folk gather around in the hope of updates on our manager, who surely faces a fight for his life over the next several days. At Anfield, fans form a long, patient queue, waiting to leave floral tributes at the point where the tragedy occurred, just 25 yards from the hallowed Kop End. One, spelled out in red and white roses, reads simply “BARNSLEY??” This is a city united in grief, under the world spotlight, a city wondering to itself; did John Lennon of The Beatles die for this? George Harrison? Stuart Sutcliffe?

This is as a time for mourning, and for lessons to be learned from the dreadful events of what will be known as 16/2. And the first lesson that needs to be learned is by the friggin' Barnsley players, in how to read. In case they didn't notice, there's a sign above your heads as you come out of the dressing room that reads “THIS IS ANFIELD”. It's supposed to put the fear of Yosser Hughes into you. You don't ignore that sign, you quail and genuflect. Then you go out and lie down as Liverpool Football Club walk tall, with passion and pride in their hearts and guts in their bellies, all over you.

It was quite obvious the way Barnsley played that they had completely the wrong attitude. No respect for their betters, or for the sacred turf they charged around on like kids misbehaving in church. How can you play like that, desecrating the memory of great players like Tommy Lawrence, Tommy Smith, Emlyn Hughes and Jimmy Carter with every last-ditch clearance, slide tackle and friggin' 25 yard screamer? How can you do that in front of the Kop, where surging fans would sing Freddie & The Dreamers songs and piss in each other pockets? That was the community spirit we had back then – every man a toilet for his neighbour. There were no inside lavs back in the 60s, remember – when you need to go, you knocked on the door of feller in the next house along, he'd let you in, and you'd go in his overcoat pocket. And you'd do the same for him. Great days. Talk of the “romance of the Cup” rings sick and hollow this morning. To people who say that, I say – Myra Hindley and Ian Brady. Was that romantic? It was not. Neither was this. Cilla Black has quite literally been laid prostrate and defecated upon from a height of 30 metres once more and forced to crawl around eating the plop that didn't land directly in her mouth. Cilla. Our Cilla. Well, I hope you're happy.

But we are Liverpool. Over the next few days, the watching world will see an example of how a city copes with adversity, its citizens united, never walking alone, standing together, showing solidarity in their grief, except for the Everton scum, the city of Liverpool, together in unison as one.

There is a time for grieving but also a time for bitter recrimination. So, as of this morning, I am organising a city-wide boycott of all Barnsley products. Coal. Clogs. Michael Parkinson autobiographies. Barnsley shall feel the wrath of the people of Liverpool where it hurts. I'm also organising a Barnsley Appeal Fund. I'm hoping Marji Clark will agree to sing a few songs at a big show I'm planning, maybe get Paul McCartney to write one of them oratorios of his, in honour and memory of the Heroes who Fell At the Fifth, or reunite the cast of Bread to record a rousing version of “You'll Never Walk Alone”. 'Cos, you see, I've realised, if there's one thing we can learn from the tragedy that was 16/2, it's that we, Liverpool Football Club, need to buy more players. Stevie, Jamie, Stevie, they're great la's but they can't do it all by themselves. Maybe, in future, a tragedy like this could be averted if we threw more money at a bunch of players who turned out to be un-useless and totally succeeded in gelling. That, and appoint Ricky Tomlinson as team manager. Passion! Heart! . . .

A few of us in the interval of last night game discussed that with AG luck we could pull a good result, but no players reckon AG or TC at all, and it will be an exodus this summer if he stays.
Or maybe one of our team players scores an own goal, LOL, you never know.
No doubt AG will claim the credit on the result,we played shit really.

Here he is after Arsenal.

They say there's only two teams in Liverpool – the one Rafa Benitez picks one week, then the one he picks the next. Well, this was the one he picked last night, and we walked tall in the shirt. There's been some memorable nights in Anfield, especially in the 90s – there was Racing Boys of Berne in 1996 (0-0), FC Lederhosen, 1997 (0-0), St. Ponce, 1998 (0-0), matches which brought the blood rushing to the acne on your forehead, pulsating results which summoned up all the passion you think of when you hear the words “Liverpool, Wednesday, November.” But this was special, this. This was a night that made you realise just how much Liverpool is Liverpool and how much everywhere that isn't Liverpool isn't, how much Steven Gerrard is Steven Gerrard and how much you down south aren't. “Liverpool, Liverpool, we walk tall/You are not, so you walk small.”

I remember me first trip down to London, me, on the Wally Arnold in 1987 to see them play Arsenal in that Milk Cola Final. As we were going down towards Wembley Way, there were these Arsenal fans, right, waving little bunches of paper at us with the numbers “5” and “10” on them. We all turned to each other and said, what the frig's all that about? It was only a couple of years later when I saw Degsy Hatton in WH Smiths hand over one of them that this was London money. Well, I'm telling you, after tonight's performance, I reckon Jamie Carragher deserves to be awarded one of those bits of number ten London paper – and if it were up to me, he'd get one every year of his life till the day he dies, a Red through and through. We look after our own. Other players tackle. Not good enough. Not good enough for Liverpool Football Club. Jamie TAAACCCCHHHHKKKLLLEEES. He slides on his backside through his own saliva to save the day. For Cilla. For Margi. For Carla. For Liverpool Football Club. We wear the shirt.

There were eleven players on that pitch last night. Pride. Passion. Heart. Commitment. Guts. Honesty (Experience, 65 min). The Shirt. Spittle. The spirit of Stan Boardman. Gerrard. Carragher. All of them, especially the Shirt, were fit to wear the Shirt. They took John Lennon, George Harrison and Brookside from us but they cannot take away our Shirt. What does it represent, the Shirt? To me, to everyone who holds Liverpool Football Club dear, it represents one thing – and that is The Shirt. What Liverpool fan, when the see the Shirt cannot think of the word “Shirt”? Every letter in that hallowed word counts, every letter, like the Liverpool team, plays its part. Take away the “r” and what are you left with? Shit. Makes you think, eh? That tells you everything you need to know about The Shirt. Last night, we were Shirt and you know we were. Every Liverpool player, he's like a letter in that word. When we are on song, when we are Kings Of Wednesday Europe, we are Shirt. Except when we reach the final, then we are Shirkewell.

This result, this represents, quite literally, the renaissance of a city. This reminds everyone what Liverpool is all about. We're supposed to be City Of Culture, right? Well, let's us be having some of them plum jobs, then. Instead of that Russell Davies writing Dr Who, get Carla Lane writing it. Get some of the fun back. “Dalek? I'll Dalek you in a minute!” “Cyberman! I'll Cyberman you in a minute!” We'd be falling about. Instead of that kecks bloke, Paxman, on friggin' Newsnight, get Cilla Black on the job. She'd asks the questions we all want asking of them politicians (“What's yer name and where d'yer come from?”). How's about Margi Clarke starring in a six-part telly drama about Queen Elizabeth I? With Michael Angelis as Sir Walter Raleigh and Tom O' Connor as court jester? (“Remember when you were a kid and your mam used to give you castor oil?”) See, we do stuff like this better. It's like tragedies. Look at that Shannon kid in Yorkshire. Crap! I tell you, if that'd been Liverpool . . . Walk tall! 'Ello! 'Ello! That night in Istanbul! The Shirt!

That was the community spirit we had back then – every man a toilet for his neighbour.

Superb.

To be fair, for every pro Scum shout from Tildseley(?, Beglin was countering with a more neutral or even pro Chelsea comment.

Isn't he supposed to be ex Scum?

Never watch Chelsea games with the commentary on - they all talk far too much bollocks and have their tongue up the arse of the establishment clubs. Can't even listen to the radio anymore in case that twat Alan Green is whinging away like the melodramatic, humourless and easily offended ignoramus that he is. Apparently he was on top form last night. I don't think many football fans would shed a tear if he got spotted at the Bridge on Wednesday and somebody decided to fill him in.

That's the best thing about watching via the net - if you're lucky, you get a foreign commentator so don't have to put up with the biased crap of our lot.

I try and maintain a civil tone when posting, but I’m getting a little tired of being told that my (low) opinion of Average is shallow/dishonest/disloyal, every time he gets a decent result.

@LTB
Every village has its idiot, we just happen to have a few of them, I sometimes think I've stumbled across the 606 boards with the WUM's on here.

Green surpassed himself last night - he sounded moments away from a coronary at points during the 6-0-6 hour. If it had been a 2 hour programme he'd have been stretchered out long before the end.

Strangely in a mathematical sense our options in terms of possible results are significantly less that they were at this stage last year.

In 2007 after winning 1-0 at home, where x is the number of goals scored by Liverpool our options were thus:

2007 Chelsea to go through if

y = x
y = x-1 (where x is = or > 2)
y = x+1

To penalties if

y = x-1 (where x = 1)

Chelsea go out if

y = x – 2

2008 Chelsea go through if

y = x (only where x = 0)
y = x+1

To penalties if (as good as gone if recent penalty shoot outs are anything to go by)

y = x (where x = 1)

Chelsea go out if

y = x (where x >1)

y = x – 2

y = x-1 (where x is = or > 2)



No I don’t know why I’ve been overlooked for a nobel prize either.

[Stunned silence]

You just don't get stuff like this on Football 365.

@ Blue Bayou No 68 - so when can we expect your clarification of the place of quantum physics and parallel universes in football results?

@71 Blueboydave

That'll be a while yet as I'm still trying to work out whether the woman in the bakers gave me the right change this morning

So if Lm-z/y= >M............mmmm I think she may have done me

"John Arne Riise! Ooh Aah! I wanna know-oooooooo- how you scored that goal!"

re: phil thompson

apparently he's berating Ian Payne coz he's laughing at Riise's masterpiece: PAYH-NEYH!

Bloody hell Bayou.

Makes Carol Vorderman on Countdown look positively innumerate.

Fantastic equation Blue Bayou but you omitted one vital piece of information which makes your findings flawed, and that is the Grant effect. Stephen Hawking is working on that very effect as I type, but experts reckon he'll find the answer to the universe life and everything before that, corner of the classroom with the dunces cap for you.

@ 72 Blue Bayou - what do you think of this suggestion:

Big Bang = RA buys CFC and spends shedloads of money leading to

Universe expands until Ranieri cocks up CL semi against Monaco causing

Timewarp 1 = TSO arrives and 3 years of unparalled (sorry) success ensues until ego clash with RA causes further ripple in space-time continuum leading to appointment of Average One who causes split in multiverse where:

Universe 1 = Lucky AG follows up League/FA Cup cock-ups with stunning flukey wins in Champions league v Barcelona when Messi gets sent off in first minute / Premiership as Man U lose 0-15 on last day of season condemning us to another season of mediocre football and mass exits of our best players or

Universe 2 = AG cocks up both competitions, RA sees sense at last and brings in a decent manager for next season.

@76 Clive - since we know the answer to life, the universe and everything is 42 where does that leave us?

Sorry, it must be the elation from Riise's moment of brilliance last night - I'm just going to lie down in a dark room now.....

Phil Thompson called Riise a "Wanker" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA big nosed bastard, That was the funniest own goal of all time and I almost died laughing! KTBFFH

Blimey. There's another Tuesday night wasted. Congrats and all that, chaps, but to a neutral - and yes, I know, in football everybody hates a neutral - it was shit on a stick (copyright Jorge Valdano) again.

I think you're through, though. Dos vadanya, Moskva!

Aw, come on SedentaryDave - you don't get to see own goals that good too often...

I've just listened to the Phil Thompson outburst again, and it sounds as if he said "Payne eee" obviously aimed at Ian Payne who must have been laughing more than the rest of the panel.

Indeed, it was a classic. Anybody remember that Willie Donachie one? Oops, showed me age there.

Home internationals as a guess? 'tis indeed some time ago now...!

We are of course the club to bring the finest exponent of the OG art to the world of football - the one and only Frank Sinclair...

- it was shit on a stick (copyright Jorge Valdano) again.


@Sedentarydave
Can't explain the shit but when you get sticks of this quality, how can it be waste of a Tuesday evening?

LINK

Do do we want ManU to win, lose or draw tonight.

I'd like them to lose 2-0 to ensure they have to play their best team next Tuesday which in turn increases the pressure on them for Saturday.

I think Barca will be easier in the final than ManU, assuming we get there.

Also I'd like Rooney to collide with Ronaldo so they both break their metatarsals and for Ferdinand to get a groin strain so that Fergie has to pull him off (to relieve the pain obviously).

A snifter on a stick! Now you're talking.

Liverpool cheat in a very real sense under Fat Benny. No domestic competitions to worry about for the last three months of the season. All their season long training and rotation schedules geared towards reaching a peak for the Champions League knock out stage. They field reserves against relegation fighting teams and completely distort the competitive nature of the Premiership for lesser clubs. They are odious beyond measure and yet are lauded constantly as the 'heart of English football'. They don't give a toss about English football and players like Stevie G and Carragher will never gain the medals they covet - Premiership Champions - because of it. Chelsea by comparison is as honest a club as you could hope for. Ploughing money back into the English game through paying top money for domestic players where possible (what other club can boast 6, yes 6, local born players in their first team squad: FL, JT, AC, JC, SWP and Sidwell) and competing in every competition, sometimes naively, to our own detriment at times. Yet we are always under attack from ignorant and bigoted pundits who essentially jealous of our resources and success. If we did what the scousers did we would be hounded for it. I have no quarrel with Liverpool fans and have known several down the years. I find scousers top people. And you cannot argue with the way theu support their team. It is the blinkered reporting that gets to me. I absolutely love it when we fuck them up. last night was the biggest treat since Drogs terrified them in that 4-1 at Anfield some years ago in the League.

I’d like them to lose 2-0 to ensure they have to play their best team next Tuesday which in turn increases the pressure on them for Saturday.

@Mark
I was thinking the very same thing earlier, but whatever the score tonight it has to keep them interested in fielding a strong side next week to possibly progress. Of course the perfect result would be for them to get knocked out next week and us to go through and face our old foes.

@Jose,
I simply tired to say how much I hate AG. Yesterday's game just proves one more time that he has not got a clue about football. Putting Anelka on the wing and moving Maulouda to the centre just one of those stupid things.

Barcelona really putting the boot in. Makes some of our rough-house tactics last night look positively restrained. No complaints here, just stick one on Ronaldo.

Do you know what is really starting to piss me off! Its not alex or jose. its not even avram.

Its the bullshit aka the british press.

We should have beaten liverpool in the first semi final. they were very lucky. the press say they are cup experts - if i remember rightly they stuck the team bus behind the ball.

we should have put the second semi final out of touch at stamford in the first leg but missed a host of chances to only take a 1-0 lead up to anfield. they apparently played a good game to win through despite riding their luck more than a dutch lady of the night!

we have one game with a little bit of luck - mainly a cracking game by cech and the press!! Ohhh Liverpool can beat the jinx, liverpool hard done by, chelsea very lucky, the ref was against liverpool.

LINK

there are many more!!

a very annoyed munkey!

So much for the entertaining football that people claim should be the final. It's just as dull as last night, but it's good to see Utd get the runaround to tire out their players.

Danny Broderick....."I find scousers top people."

Nurse!!!!!.....Nurse....Come Quick!!

Poor result for Utd in my opinion. There is a huge difference between nicking a goal away, and not getting one.

Barca are more than capable of sneaking a goal against Wes Orange, and the leaden-footed Rio, so I think that semi is now all to play for. Pleased to see Ronaldo failed to impress against another big team....Penalty was woeful.

Should mean that Utd now have to keep winning to get silverware this year. Of course, it will only be relevant if we can turn them over at the weekend, and given the way they defended tonight, that could be tough.

Pretty poor game. Nice patterns, but no heart.

We'd have been slated if we'd produced a performance as dour and defensive as United's, but they did it well. They're definitely stuttering, but we're hardly flying.

87. Danny Broderick · 6:10 PM · 23rd April

exactly my thoughts bout the scousers.
only thing to add: Wayne Bridge. it makes seven english players

93. Greenlight · 9:38 PM · 23rd April

second to none, SAF, when it comes to parking the bus......its gonna be tough alright

No doubt the press et al will be fawning over Manure's 'professional' display much as Parry/Gray were tonight. Only Souness seemed disappointed. They'll be describing how pretty the passing was, neatly glossing over insignificant facts like chances on goal, chances on target etc, which I reckon were less than our game. I have another description for that 105 minutes of my life.

Arse-gravy

With regards to Benitez resting players this weekend so that they're fresh for the game mid-week, it doesn't always work like that. Some players don't take to being rested very well and like to be involved in every game. Resting them disturbs their mojo.

Rotating his squad has worked so well in the league to date ...

Nick....

He is hardly the king of rotation, however when he does play the first team, they tend to perform quite well.

I think we are in the box seat, but my optimism of yesterday has now quickly ebbed away, and that nervy feeling that only comes from watching Chelsea snatch defeat from the jaws of victory so often in the past 30 years has returned!

Saw the first half of the Man Ure game last night but then went to bed, was sick to death of seeing Horse Face diving in the penalty area , then looking over to McFergie, hands on head, every time he didn't get one awarded. W****r!

Take it Barca didn't win then? FFS!! I watched them play Espanol (is that spelt right?) the other night and they were awesome! I said to my mate "Utd don't have a cat in hell's chance against this lot!" Should've bloody known! They're equal to the scousers on luck! Don't think Barca will win at Old Trafford..in fact, i'd bet money on it that they won't.

Did anyone see Tubby complaining on Tuesday night about the Ref and Linesmen being Anti-Scum? He was saying that they gave bad decisions and it's not the first time it's happened! I take it he's OBVIOUSLY not regarding the 2 games they played against Arsenal where the Ref turned a blind eye and let them get away with 2 penalties? Hypocrite!

Regarding the match on Tuesday, i don't think we played that bad. Especially the first half..maybe we were a bit lazy in the 2nd half though. One things for DEF, i have to say..IF we get to the final and play like that, we'll lose. It doesn't take a genius to work that one out.

And Frank wasn't the worst player either, that award goes to Malouda. Ok, he played a part in the Scum getting their goal but Maka was as much to blame..even Kalou gave the ball away with his first touch when he came on the pitch! I'd give Frank a 6-6.5 but no way a 5!! Think Joey played worse than him but he's had a crap couple of games..Tired maybe?
And he STILL didn't play for a full 90 minutes!!

Well done Chels xx

Bluetone, I meant we have six 'local' boys, Londoners. Wayne B was born in Southampton. Like they always go on about Gerrard and Carracher being 'local' scousers, and Scholes and Neville being 'local' Mancs, and their teams being real community teams playing for the city. Well, I repeat, we have 6, repeat 6, 'local' London-born players in our first team squad. Nothing can match that anywhere.

What I dont understand about last night is how Man U seem to be appointed by everyone as favourites.

Barca are just as likely to score as them, and anything Barca will get as an away goal is better.

Thought it was an o.k. game, two teams looking to attack each other. Barca will be better with Puyol back, but will certainly miss Messi if he's injured.

Man U didn't look great, theought it was a strange decision by Old Red Nose TM to play Ronaldo ahead of Tevez. Shame he missed than penalty. No, seriously. Let's hope it sends him into some manic depression today or tomorrow and he has to miss Saturday and Tuesday.

Wishful thinking eh.....

off the bbc gossip pages -

Chelsea could move for Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although his team-mate Mario Balotelli is being considered as an alternative.

Please dont let Zlatan come - if we got mario - we would be dangerous, imagine drogba mixed with torres and you arent far from the type of player this chap is.

Awesome

Please dont let Zlatan come - if we got mario - we would be dangerous, imagine drogba mixed with torres and you arent far from the type of player this chap is.

That means he will be falling over twice as much!

Ibrahimovic?

Arse-gravy.

Great to see Thomo lose it. What did he shout at the end?

Christ, not Ibrahimovic - they'll be suggesting Adriano next.

LOL clive - no Mario is an amazing centre forward - if memory serves me correctly i think he is only 19/20 - bluetone is that right?

For me i dont think there is another young forward with as much stature and composure in Europe.

Just read the terrible news about Super Frankie Lampard's mum passing away overnight...........

My thoughts are with you and your family Frank, at what must be a very difficult time.

Deepest sympathies.

"For me i dont think there is another young forward with as much stature and composure in Europe."

Heard about that bloke from Valencia. I hear he's pretty special ;)

Ibrahimovic - no-way. Was discussed in depth on the Times (I think) a few weeks ago as arguable THE most over-rated player in the World. And his wages are something like £150,000 grand a week.

Fifty - i dont think he comes into the young category - well in footballing terms anyhow.

Mario and Villa - now that would be a proposition.

107. Munkeyfeet · 10:02 AM · 24th April
>if memory serves me correctly i think he is only 19/20 - bluetone is that right?



since memory constantly fails to serve me correctly i've checked the wikipedia :)

Mario Balotelli Barwuah (born August 12, 1990 in Palermo) is a football striker currently part of Serie A side F.C. Internazionale Milano. apparently an outstanding prospect.

That said, i wouldn't be so confident Inter are letting him go. Also i'm not sure at all they want DD for good. they already have Ibr, Cruz, Crespo, Suazo and don't forget Adriano who seems to have found back his scoring feet

oh dear, just read Greenlight's on Lampo's mum. Very very sad.

how about a letter of condolescence from this blog, JD?

Just read about Frank's mum - poor guy; will put something together and send the club an e-mail from the blog to pass on.

My sincere deepest sympathies

it is horrible news.

JD - you should have the email format from my pat nevin approach.

she was only in her 50s - very tragic.

Blue - they have so many strikers but if jose goes he will take dd over with him. If we have £100m to spend - he is worth £25m of that or DD + 5/6m

at 18 you could have 10 years of excellence.

very very sad news indeed.
damn it she was in her 50's hardly an oild lady.

Very sad news,all our thoughts are with Frank and his family.

Oh that's awful. I just read it here. Awful.

Puts everything in perspective. Very sad, deepest sympathies to Frank and his family.

I am extremely saddened by this tragic news.

Please accept our family's deepest sympathies Lamps.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours during these trying times.

Very sad news indeed and all our thoughts go to Frank junior and senior and everyone in the Lampard family. And (for once) the club's PR has been superb around this along with their general reaction about somethings being more important.

JD - good call, something from the blog would be a nice touch for Lamps during a difficult time.

Just adding my condolences to the whole family but particularly to Frank and his dad who I remember as a player.

@JD 115 Good idea to send something in.

Saturday takes on a very sombre hue with this news. A chance for the fans to voice their feelings though.

My condolences to Frank and his family. Frank clearly made the correct call last week by putting family first as he could see how serious the situation was.

His mum was very young. Tomorrow my daughter is going to the funeral of one of the teenagers killed in the gap year trip in Ecuador since she was at the same school. Events like these should put football into the perspective of it's only a game and we shouldn't get too stressed or angry over football issues.

My most sincere condolances to Frank Lampard and his family.

R.I.P Pat Lampard.

My most sincere condolances to Frank Lampard and his family.
Guys, can you change colour of this website to black for a day or so?

@Jose
Do you want to apologise for this?! I think you should!!!
LINK#comment-20849

Afternoon all,

Will send something from the blog as a collective from home this evening, but the club has set up an online book of condolence should you wish to leave individual messages for Frank: link as follows (and if this doesn't work, Nick - could you do the honours please...)

cheers folks

LINK

This sums it all up about the role of Avram:

LINK

As for Lamps, our thoughts are all with you and your family. I for one on Saturday morning will be cheering your name for as long as my throat holds up and as a fan i hope all true chelsea supporters will roar the team to the CL win which we will dedicate to the Lampards.

As for you Musumba, what Mikel pointed out in his 128. MikeL · 3:49 PM · 24th April link, you are devoid of any class and even an apology will not change my thinking of you - you are dirt!

Condolences to frank and all his familly. I looked on 606 and there were a hell of a lot of United fans leaving kind messages. I suppose this is somehting inherited between the two clubs by the friendship between JM and Fergie and mutual respect between teams who try and win all of their Competitions. Also a lot of Arsenal fans too i noticed. Good stuff from true football supporters.

@ JD

Thankyou so much for setting up the link for condolence messages for Frank..i'm going to send a card to Chelsea FC for him as well tomorrow..

Times like this make you realise that football is JUST A GAME and the boys are just doing a job when they walk onto the pitch. Some people (a couple on here in the past weeks also) take the GAME far too seriously. If we lose a match..so what? It has no direct effect on your day to day life..you're not gonna be hung, drawn and quartered if Chelsea lose a match!!

Time for some people to put situations in perspective i think..

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FRANKIE..MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU ALL AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME..

Is there even the slightest chance that Lamps is playing this weekend? Its a pity that he's missing a big big game for us.

JANG

I seriously doubt it. Don't think he'll play the return leg against the Scum either..

Some things are more important than football..

Family is at the top of that list..

I'm going to do something unusual here and stick up for Jose Musumba!

He comes on here and offers an opinion which often rubs several up the wrong way, including me. That's fine and I'd hate this blog and it's contributors to end up being a bunch of sycophantic yes men....and women (Lolli, Emma, Lynn et al.......how could we forget you :-) ). However I think the stick he's taking for his comment on Lamps leaving the pitch is unfair and his comments being misconstrued as a dig at Lamps...as if in some way he was letting us down trivially.

I think Jose was saying that only something on the lines of a family death would stop him from playing. It seems the same applied to Frank. Jose was only asking for a follow up on why Frank had departed so suddenly and that's not unreasonable because at that point it hadn't become public knowledge about Pat Lampard's unfortunate illness. I think it would be unreasonable for Jose to apologise for simply asking the question and for stating a view that clearly seems to be the same as Franks himself.

I think Frank will be out on Saturday as he was very close to his Mum and I guess his dad and family will need his support as he will need theirs. I'd rather that than have someone out there who's not in the right frame of mind. I imagine football sits way down the Super Frank list of priorities right now. Quite right too.

I lost £790 today. On a Chelsea web site. Some sort of money pit called 'Season Ticket' renewal. We really are easy game aren't we?

@135 Well said!

Frank is a true Blue and the most honest player you could hope to see. He has his priorities right too! In his autobiography it is clear what an influence his mother had over him and how ashamed he felt when some of his off the field behaviour let her down. I've sent my condolences to the official club site and wish to register them here as well. I hope the boys get us the results this week that his mum would have wanted. Perhaps then Frank can return to win a couple of more medals in her name.

All set up for the game at The Bridge. I honestly thought a 1-0 deficit would have been too much for us to overcome! With the return leg being played not at Anfield this time we really needed to go into the second gan=me with our tails up. The 1-1 result will mean that momentum certainly is in our favour.

I'd rather not talk about the game. Let's not kid ourselves - we were really poor and got pretty much played off the park by a team that is not really that good. Liverpool have been battered by Man U this season, and yet we have been lucky to get anything from all three of our games so far. i expect better from our bunch of players. Avram is a lucky lucky man, but we will NEED to play better next week.

The return leg is going to be tough. Essien was a big miss on tuesday as we really lacked the bite in midfield against Mascherano. Get to Moscow and we'll go on to win though - i'm sure about that!

Hope Essien is going to be free from unessecary yellows anymore. We got out of jail without him in the first leg.

As Tony says -- I'm sure Jose Musumba is regretting his remark, which was badly phrased and a bit insensitive, but an unfortunate remark made in ignorance of the actual situation really doesn't mean that he's not as shocked by this as we all are.

"I would love a follow up on Lampard’s option to drop out of the team at this point in time…

Family emergency…only a death in the family would prevent me from playing for my team…"

I suppose it depends how you construe that remark - I'd stick up for him if I felt it was right to do so, but knowing Musumba and his ridiculous Lampard blind spot, I fear that it was just another thinly veiled dig at Frank and his level of commitment to the club. And obviously the comment ended with the usual "Out with... Lampard" - enough said.

Condolences to the Lampard family.

Reports this morning he wont be playing tomorrow or Wednesday.

As has been mentioned, things like this put football into perspective. It is just a game.

Sorry, but Musumba's comment was disgraceful. He was implying that Lampard was letting down the club for pulling out for what was just a 'family emergency' whereas if he had any sense, he'd have known that it would take something pretty fucking serious to stop Lampard playing for Chelsea. It showed a complete lack of appreciation for a footballer who has done a hell of a lot more for this club that somebody like Grant, who Musumba defends at the drop of a hat, and said a lot about the bloke's motivations.

Lampard's mother was seriously ill, we all knew that, and Musumba should have put aside his reservations about Lampard's ability for one minute, but couldn't resist having a petty pop.

He is a contrarian, a troll and a hypocrite.

Has anyone read Avrams latest article ??

You dont take me seriously because i come from a small country, Israel. UMMMM NO AVRAM ITS BECAUSE YOU ARE SHIT!

I have shown you can win a different way. YUP BY PURE LUCK - CLOSE YOUR EYES, PICK A SUB AND SEE IF IT WORKS!!

@144. Munkeyfeet · 1:54 PM · 25th April

LOL Quite right in the dressing room we all think the same lol
You guys can be sure its the players pride and professionalism that has kept chelsea wehere we are , nit because of AG.

@ Footy Player

Hmm.. the trouble is, you'll obviously not want to reveal your identity in the slightest, but that leaves us all wondering whether you have the inside knowledge that you proclaim, or whether you're just one of us playing a game.

Munkeyfeet - So you do not have to be a manager to manage Chelsea is that what you imply. Sounds like the people who say Chelsea bought success by buyng players! C’mon we all know AG has his limitations, and SOME luck but you need that in football sometimes.

@ 146. David · 2:35 PM · 25th April
the only games I play is footy David. I do not need to proclaim anything, as it happens I just know, thats all.
But i can tell you, the blogs are read by many players, and sometimes is the talk of the dressing room, lol, particularly a few bloggers, but obviously i am not going to say who I am u kidding?

@ Footy Player

As I said... It just keeps us guessing, without really knowing =)

And what I'd want to know is.. are you from the Chelsea dressing room, 'cause then we'd all have quite some insight aside from all the conjecture and media speculation, and if you're not, well then we're no closer to knowing what we'd all *really* like to know, but cheers anyway for the angle, keeps me wondering.

I was just thinking that there may be some way that you could authenticate your credibility without actually revealing who you are, if you can think of a way then please do because to know there is an actual 'deep throat' source would be very exciting. That's the beauty of the net, you never know whether the poster is a teenager, a pensioner or Peter Kenyon =)

Maybe one day I will reveal, not now.
But you guys are not far at all from the truth.
I for one read most blogs specially this one and bluechampions.

FOOTY PLAYER.

In that case - you take this message to the dressing room. Play your absolute bollocks off for the next 2 games and make us all proud.

Tell ze german from me he is a god damn legend no matter what lolli might say - and can i get him to sign my shirt :)

David - "deep throat" source - brilliant - not a phrase i would have used but excellent none the less.

You could authenticate by getting the lads to wear a t shirt under the shirt and when they score reveal "chelsea blog"

That would stop me thinking - good one - besides you seem to be too literate for a footy player LOL

you know everyone is entittled to their opinion - but bullshiters i don't like.

Do me a favour - no professional player would come on here and do the dirty on his manager - cheap shot!!

Jiko - seriously buddy - dont nit pick - i was having a joke for crying out loud - avram is shocking we all know this to link that to buying the league is rediculous - besides the team who spend the most generally win the league dont they.

I am not saying - well no fuck it - i am saying chelsea are managerless - i have 5 years champ manager under my belt and have won all the cups numerous times - i am more qualified than avram.

>Footy Player
Are you by chance Ben Haim...just wondering and laffing!

If he is alex then his comments are null and void - he is the epitomy of a chocolate tea pot.

I don't think Ben Haim can write one word in English LOL!

Chocolate teapot - love it!!!!

Well, tomorrow is the day!!! Hopefully I will be able to get drunk being happy, because otherwise I will have to get being being desperate and sad. As you all can guess I prefer former.
Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My deep analysis of the syntax in his posts suggests that he is not English, but is certainly literate, which must narrow it down just a little, but to be honest I don't want to know Footy Player's identity, I just want to know that he's real. Imagine that!

Oh Common! If the people who run this blog wanted - his IP address. location and the rest could be sniffed out in a minute. Whats the point?
Remember, sometime back there was this case about a mole in the club who leaks information? LOL!
Oh Btw, my obligatory guess is that footy player is Salomon Kalou.

Erm, proxy server?

in that case ravenous - footy player - stop pissing about on here, and practice your finishing!!

i think we should find out if he is real - i too dont wanna know who he is.

get the whole team to have "collars up" at the start og the game!

@ Tony

Thanks for trying to establish reason...

@ Peter

Pity you missed it...

To: Frank Lampard

As a Chelsea fan am going to feel bad that you will not be playing for the club this weekend against ManU, but as a person am saddened at your loss knowing how important you have become a big part of my life and how painful this moment must be for you.

To lose one so dear is one of the hardest thing that can ever happen to anyone, footballer, fan, even a Ref (well not mentioning they are always in black). I can not offer you much knowing well that I am just a "number" that you hear chant your name and boo you in equal measure, but the little I will give is in the way of a prayer.

I will say a prayer for your mum, your dad, your family but most importantly I will pray for strength to Frank Lampard that you may soar through this difficult period, to touch grace and peace, to believe where there exists saddness you will find courage to face every other day, to trap energies in your body that will uplift your thoughts at this time.

I lost my Dad five years back and it still is a burden felt everyday. I feel I want to say a thing or two to my dad only to realize he is not "physically" there. However, with time you accept the fact that you will not be seeing them ever again and be thankful for that part they played in your life as they will always be apart of our lives. The moments shared will always be treasured and the words from their lips will always be engraved in our hearts.

There is time to cry and a time to laugh,
a time to pain and a time to joy,
a time to mourn and a time to arise again.

AT this time we mourn with you and by God we will be there when you arise again...

May Her Soul Rest In Internal Peace!!!!

couple of names off the top of my head, who played the next games in hand after a major tragedy in family.

Aliou Cisse -played for Brum in 2002 after he lost almost all his family members in ferry incident.

Bacary Sagna - Brother died under mysterious circumstances. He played Milan, Chelsea in that week.

nothing to infer - just an observation.

@ 130. Habs · 5:40 PM · 24th April

You are one stupid toad

@ 141. Jonathan Dyer · 11:45 PM · 24th April

How old are you really? This is a time to mourn and you have the mind to... why am I even wasting my time...Did you have to wait for Frank's mum to die to become so enlightened you are so......

@ 143. Peter · 11:51 AM · 25th April

You my "friend" a silly "W...er" JD's comment applies to you.

To all those who devoid of brain matter to think logically...

I did make comments about Franks missing that game prior to comments about his mother's condition had reached any of us expect of course Mr. Know It All JD.

And to expalin my point...every game we are playing at this point is a final...

To further annoy those thin minded toads out here... I have no dislike for Lampard (does this help knowing you are going to think what you like...) but I do not like it when a player is playing below par...

For those of us who have been on this blog long enough and for us who have supported Chelsea way before Roman know that Lampard has not always been the most gifted player like Joe Cole or Micheal Carrick (from there west ham days)but he has always been a worker and if you have noticed his work rate had gone down.

I believe in hard work and presenting the best no matter the circumstances. Nothing less nothing low. I have realized that in pubs there is an age restriction because the ability of one to comprehend mature things is not always easy...no insult intended but probably a little self respect from some members will go miles in ensuring that the debates conducted do not always have to favour your beliefs for them to be opinions... I have endured insults from the likes of JD on this blog and I was willing to let them lie...but some of the comments on this blog are not only STUPID but honestly very unfortunate from persons who write on this blog.

What is Said is Said!!!

We could indeed find out who Footy Player is - maybe we already have... ;-)

All very contrite and meaningful Jose, I'm sure. And believe me, if I wanted to insult you, you'd know about it.

JD that is mean - come on is he real or is it bollocks - i want ze german to sign my shirt - as ze German - f**k signing it from ballack.

brilliant

Musumba - i can take you winding up the chaps on here - i will even admit it makes me laugh on occasion.

but going onto other sites and acting like a complete cock does us no favours. read this from gunnersblog:

167. Jose Musumba | March 21st, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I am a Chelsea fan an run by this blog all by accident. I am trying not to have a go but acting with a bit of concern.

Arsenal is the most loved team and yet I can not seem to stop dispising you lot. You do play “circus” football and yet I do not watch many of your matches. I have finally put my finger on it. As much as we are close to Fulham, we get along just fine well almost, then why you up north fellas. It is true we hate the totts more but we just can not stand you lot why????

In my view I think it boils down to the classless way you have handled affairs about us and not mention the egotistic approach you Manager seems to keep airing towards us.

I would love for you lot not to qualify for Europe…honestly but that is I guess asking too much but I would rather the mancs take it than seeing you touch a trophy for as long as wenger is your manager….Oh yes that is it…It is Mr. Wenger that has made us loathe you so with his silly Japanese originating slung and stupid remarks…Guess that is how much you loathe our Champion Mr. Mourinho. But hey at least he is bringing us the cups..I wonder what that old cow is doing now? Making Arsenal an Academy???

Hope you do not become the next Ajax…

Just a thought

168. Jose Musumba | March 29th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Grovelad is shitter than Ruralgoon, Pabz is a ugly bastard and ron is a daft twat who tosses off dan so i rule all you fuckers!!!!!!!

169. Jose Musumba | March 29th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Ronnie, i shagged your mum last night and she told me that you havent quite hit puberty yet

170. Jose Musumba | March 29th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
arsenal are shit!!!!!!!!!!!

@ 169. Munkeyfeet · 5:26 PM · 25th April

Please a little respect...I am not that low...

@ 169. Munkeyfeet · 5:26 PM · 25th April

But about Arsenal not winning any cups I do agree...

I may not be able to post again for a few days. My laptop is wireless but Avram has told me that it's not acceptable for my router cable to run through the shower window and into the back of the dressing room.

As soon as I can find a new way to connect I'll be back.

Well done Musumba, your speech in 165. Jose Musumba · 5:06 PM · 25th April is absolutely meaningless after reading your posts on Arsenal's blog. You probably think it's funny and it would have been if your jokes weren't representative of a 10 year old who had learnt a new swear word that day and just wanted to show it off. You make some really insightful points such as: 'Ronnie, i shagged your mum last night and she told me that you havent quite hit puberty yet.' and 'It is Mr. Wenger that has made us loathe you so with his silly Japanese originating slung and stupid remarks.'

Oh it is nice to finally have confirmation about how much of a hypocrite you are. I for one am baffled that you are willing to say: 'Guess that is how much you loathe our Champion Mr. Mourinho.' It was you wasn't it that have constantly criticised Mr. Mourinho for declining and being on a downward spiral with his results, and have told us all about how bad he was for Chelsea, and how he just wasn't Chelsea as you put it.

As for your letter to Lamps it seems strange that you are willing to show any heartfelt emotion, sympathy or empathy for him with your distinct lack of class. I think this sums it up coming from your won post:

'As a Chelsea fan am going to feel bad that you will not be playing for the club this weekend against ManU, and I am just a “number” that you hear chant your name and boo you in equal measure.' That's just what he wants to hear in this terrible time. A chelsea fan who likes to boo him as much as he praises him. I for one tomorrow will be CHEERING his name the whole game. Maybe you'll learn something, that Chelsea greats like Lamps don't deserve to be booed, especially by people as ignorant about football as you.

Your subsequent denials mean nothing as well as those posts seem to be classic musumba - the views of a twat.

KTBFFH (we're gonna do it tomorrow for Lamps)

I reckon all posters on this blog are Chelsea staff and I'm coming out and admitting.... Tonight Matthew I'm going to be Peter Kenyon!

Might as well 'fess up. I'm Frank Sinclair. Sorry for being so rubbish for so long, everyone, but hey, they paid me.

@ Footy Player - if you're genuine great! I don't want to know who you are, just happy you enjoy the read!

If you're not genuine ...great...it keeps the fun and guessing going, either way you're more than welcome.

I'm doing tomorrows review guys and had planned a preview today, but with turmoil at work that makes Chelsea look like paradise my mind has been in another existential phase. get this , I'm even going Guinness free tonight to make sure I have a clear head for tomorrow.

Serious this footie stuff innit?

LTB - I’m Frank Sinclair.

No you're not, impostor!

Quite looking forward to tomorrow, in a perverse sort of way. Silly bloody KO time though.

Just as I was going to drown in my misery, I could not believe what I saw. Seriously, I could not believe the ball had gone into the back of the net. I went nuts. It was amazing, really. And when I came back to my senses, it really was comical, the goal. I think we deserved it in the end. THAAANK YOOOUUU RIIIISSSEEE!!

To be honest, we were just about okay. I thought we started well but it went a bit awry after that. Our passing was sleek at times but we lacked that final ball. We werent clinical enough. We gave the ball away to much at times but thank god it did not harm us. Kuyt's goal was really annoying to watch. Lampard dilly-dallying in posession, Mascherano with the worst shot turned assist you would ever see, Makelele with a pathetic attempted clearance. It really could have been avoided. Liverpool started the second half really well and could have got a second. But we never gave up and got our just rewards.

Petr Cech was outstanding minus some fluffing at corners. Drogba had one of those sulky performances. Skrtel and Carragher really gave him no chance. Lampard, I dont know, maybe was not in the right state of mind. Joe Cole, really disappointing. Was really anonymous and fluffed at a really good chance. Ballack, again, tried hard, but I would like to see influence our play a bit more. Carvalho was absolutely world class. No nonsense defending from him. Terry was really good too but like you said, was caught for pace at times. Both our full backs, well, steady I would say. Ashley Cole though, kept giving the ball away, which really annoyed me. Malouda was, suprisingly, really good. And bravo to Kalou, he really pops up with all this crucial assists/goals when we need em.

I just so glad we got that away goal. We have a crucial advantage now and we will have to play a very controlled game at the Bridge. We have to not go too defensive or too attacking minded. We have to keep a clean sheet at all costs. I think we will go through. The prospect of us reaching the final of the Champions League really feels surreal to me. But I think we will do it. Hopefully...

United next and really, everybody's writing us off in this match eventhough we're at home. But like I've said before, you write us off at your own peril. The result from Anfield will really give us a boost I feel. I hope we perform to our best and if we do, we will definitely win this game. I think we will. Despite us still being outsiders for the title, I want us to push United hard. And who knows, they might slip up and we might still win it. Where there is life, there is hope. ;)

KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH PEOPLE

P.S.

I really feel for Frank and his family. It must be terrible losing a mother. I could never imagine the grief. I hope he gets through this extremely excruciating period of time. May his mother's soul rest in peace.

Can't the owner of the bl;og find out who is Footy player?
Maybe through the IP add one could find out.
Can you try TG?

@ TONY

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! You CAN'T do the bloody review ok? We always lose when you do a review...give it to JD or MARK or NICK, but not you, please!!!

I need to see my boys win tomorrow thankyou! Not only because the Prem should be back at the Bridge where it belongs but because i've got quite a hefty bet on us winning..

@ MUNKEY

Erm...i didn't say Ballack was rubbish! I just said he pales in comparison to the far more superior and gorgeous SuperFrank, that's all! He's only been playing well since his op last Christmas..before that he was shite, just as bad as (if not worse than) Sick Note Sheva-But let's not get on that subject!

I reckon FOOTY PLAYER is SWP or Joey..

Or could just be a blagger!!!

Exciting though!!

The title rests on tomorrow, so i'm hoping for a 1-0 Chels win..fasten your seatbelts guys..it's gonna be one hell of a ride!!

Up the Chels xxx

@ HABS

Here, here..i will also be cheering on SuperFrankie tomorrow...

God bless him...my heart goes out to the poor baby. I've lost 2 family members from the same illness myself and know exactly how he feels.

Come on Chels..do it for Lampsie!!!

Come on you Blues! Lets win it for Super Frank and his Mum eh? After an emotional week for him, victory over Man U and wiping that smile off Fergie's face would be the perfect tonic for his soul.

Cant imagine what Frank and his family must be going through. Have yet to lose a close family member, but she wasn't exactly the most elderly, which can only make it worse.

@ Lolli

Trust me Lolli, I promise it won't hurt.

I do say that to all the girls :-)

Fergie has been ranting about it not being fair that today's game is so close to the CL semis for them........ Shame , eh? I hope we turn the purple nosed wanker an even deeper shade tomorrow and really put them under pressure for the next few games. It would be great to see the 'Best Utd team ever' end the season with nothing!

Jose Musumba.....

Serious question, Is English your first language? I sometimes think that your comments get lost in translation.

Mourinho's comments about 'Ginger Frank Sinclair's'" OG at the Kop End:

"At this moment, I can laugh about it."

Of Riise's calamity in front of Kop end, he added: "It was in exactly the same goal, the same goal with that incredible - I love it - good crowd Liverpool has in the Kop.

"I think it's fair. They were lucky that time (in 2005), Liverpool, and Chelsea were lucky this time."

I had a feeling he would be having a laugh with us somewhere!

GREENLIGHT, Thats funny I thought the same, The only thing that could have been better than that own goal would be Joses reaction, Very upset about Franks mother and hoping we can win tommorow regardless but it wont give the players much confidence heading into the game with the Mancs and its a shame that this tragic loss happened on the back of the luckiest, funniest end to a game we couldve had

I don't know much about him, but how good is Ibrahimovic?

LINK

He would need to be seriously good to be worth Drogba AND 15 million quid! Or are we being mugged by the Italians again?

Would a repeat of this be too much to ask for?

LINK

Sorry to change the tone but I fear this will be the first of many.


"Tottenham have won the race to sign Croatia midfielder Luka Modric for a fee believed to be £15.8m (20m euros)."

@LYNN

Where did the news came from? Damn. Silva and Lahm - WE MUST GET THEM BOTH FAST!

@JANG


It's on the BBC,ITV and most other footie sites,I think because of the uncertainty surrounding who will be in charge next season,many more players will decide not to take the risk that AG will be leading us into battle.Do you blame them?

@LYNN

No, but im just disapointed that they couldnt wait awhile more. Now we have to aim for Lahm and Silva fast. But has the Modric deal been 100% confirmed?

@JANG

This is from the BBC web page


"The Carling Cup winners have agreed terms with the in-demand 22-year-old, fending off interest from Premier League rivals Newcastle.

The play-maker will leave Dinamo Zagreb for White Hart Lane this summer subject to passing a medical.

Modric must also obtain a work permit but that should be a formality as he is a regular in the Croatia national team."


I'll be amazed if we sign anything other than over the hill mercenaries or sub-standard squad players.The constant behind the scenes chaos will not attract any true quality players like Lahm,Silva etc.
Before long we will be scouring the Championship to make up our squad or being forced to play our talented reserves,which will halt their progress by being thrown into the first team too soon.

I'm starting to depress myself now,so I'd better shut up.

We have Ivanovic, Ashley and Ferreira, they can all play at left back, As for my targets I want Van Der Vaart and Gomez Thats IT!

Hopefully our line up next season

Cech

Ivanovic Riccy JT Ashley

Essien/Obi

Ze German
Lamps
Joey Cole VDV

Gomez/Anelka

Ok Guys on my way to SB.
Just read in Daily Xpress that the stick that AG has been having , mounts to racism, because he got the job through being a jew and a friend of the jewish owner.
Well I, yes I for one never thought that, always thought the Toad got the job on achievement and an impressive CV.
Also read that Chelsea emp[loyed a psychologist to prepare the thye chelsea players for the crucial time in CL and in the EPL.
Another proof that the toad, his a complete manager, very good at delegating.
Off I am .

Luca Modric is a player after my heart, one i would really have loved us to sign...he is quite young and would have brought the flair factor to our game big time!

Pity...

Here's hoping we get the 3 points against manure today...common lads, lets end this season on a HIGH!

Always Blue!

We still have Silva, Lahm, Dani Alves, Ribery and Villa up for grasp. Come on Roman and Arnesan, act fast and they could be ours!

Good luck to the lads for the game.

WHERES MUNKEY??????????????????????

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

i'm not sure i can survive this...............

1-0 and weve been the better side, still I cant help but think that McFergie will throw on Ronaldo and Tevez and AG will do something stupid like take off Joe Cole and bring on Makelele, Hopefully im wrong, COME ON YOU BLUES!!!

SHIT!!!

BALLACK, Hahahahaha just look at McFergies face

Theyve gifted Man-Ure 5 minutes of added time

Yeah!

Pure class with Pat Lampard's shirt,that means as much as beating Manure,it proves how much everyone loves Frank and wants him to stay.

Let's see if Manure get charged with failing to control their players and if JT gets more press by pulling players away than Ferdinand does for surrounding the ref,I'll be amazed.

A real gutsy performance by the boys,it will be tough on Wednesday after Liversum fielding their reserves today but on our day,we can beat ANYONE!!!!!

If this does not hand JT the armband for England then it's all BOLLOX!!!
They hyped this encounter in the press all week and JT won it hands down!
End of!!!

Pat Lampard had a big positive influence on this match, God bless her soul.

Well done lads, great display of pride and professionalism.
Off to celeberate!!!!!!!

CAREFREE..............

Well done lads. Im so proud of you all. Ballack played like the captain of Germany. Everyone was agressive and resilient. Lets not give Carvalho too much of the sticks eh? He's been our best player this season. We should be helping him to recover from that shocking error mentally.

And to wipe that smile of those Manure's faces, PRICELESS!

This is what Man-Ure assistant Carlos Queiroz said after the game

"How can the referee not see that Ballack has jumped on Ronaldo?
"It must be necessary for a player to bring a gun and shoot one of our men in the box for us to get a penalty." "The referee was five metres away from both penalty incidents but he gives only one penalty. "It is a hard to say what is going on with this game. I have to talk about some of the decisions in the last few weeks that have damaged this football club, "We are not in the FA Cup final because of a bad decision when we should have had a penalty against Portsmouth, "Against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday, there should have been three penalties but only one was given. Something is wrong with football."

Is this guy on crack? He wanted 3 penalties against Barcelona at the Nou Camp?
It just shows the complete lack of class that Man-Ure have, They would rather yap on about referees than congratulate the team that beat them

Ecstasy. Utter delirious joy. Take that, whinging smug glory-hunting gobby pillocks.

They'll still win the League (they will, I know they will, I'm not allowing myself to hope) but at least they won't have won it on our patch and they'll know that today they met a team far better than them. If we could play like we did in the first half all the time, or even most of the time, I wouldn't mind who was manager.

Absolutely fantastic atmosphere except for the fifteen minutes after half time when we came out toally flat. (Curious -- why would a team go into the dressing room playing like the best in Europe, and come out looking slow, tired, bored and stupid? Hmmmmm, I wonder.)

My sympathies to whoever has to pick man of the match.

I'm going now to stare gaze happily at everything.

Let's see if Capello means what he says,these are his words.


"I will choose based on their attitude on the pitch and their behaviour off the field as well.


"A captain must be a leader - he must lead by example and set an example and drag the team forward"

Well Fabio,was that an example of the attitude and leadership that you were looking for from Ferdinand?

Sore loosers. So only Man U can get lucky with penalties. Other teams cannot. So Carlos wants to pick all these small things eh? I think i have a list of those that went against Chelsea. Maybe we should send it to him by air mail. We won because we wanted it more and deserved to. Their so called 'best player' or 'best attacking team in Europe' scored a goal from a free gift! So thats who the best attack in Europe score their goals? Its really laughable. Take nothing away from the players today, a big performance like this was due. Just a matter of when it was coming. We got it today. I hope theres more.

I wouldnt be posting this if Queiroz wasnt so sore. Bad looser.

great atmosphere today - all i have to say is i love that bloody german. as soon as he stepped up i knew it was only going in one place...the back of the net.

sorry - i am well aware my opinion of ballack is nearing that of fifty's affection for villa but my word i dont care.

come on ze german.

Just back from the Bridge (via the odd public house or two).

A genuinely fantastic game of football; superb team performance and praise be, Grant called it perfectly with the subs and the tactics. Superb first half, very dodgy first 15 minutes of the second but a good reaction to their equaliser and an excellent result which was what we deserved.

Quieroz is off his rocker - think I might be right in saying that it is the first penalty awarded against them in the league this season? They are certainly creaking - no idea whether today will have any bearing on the title race (the smart money is still on them, and it makes the Wigan result even more heartbreaking) but that was the game of the season for me.

Ballack - awesome performance and how cool? The disinterested look on his face whilst that little twerp Silvestre tried to put him off before the penalty was priceless - it was like watching a toddler throwing Lego bricks at a armoured car.

@Lynn (211) - couldn't agree more; Ferdinand lost it completely today - the opposite of JT. And Evra tried to pick a fight with a bloke pushing a lawnmower, apparently...

Raise the roof on Wednesday now - a huge lift for both team and fans and if we play like that we'll be on the way to Moscow.

Munky - carry on all you like re Ballack - I was truly blown away by him today; exceptional.

Agree about JT's captaincy today. At one stage in the first half he went and actually pushed a couple of teammates *away* from the ref, so that he could talk to him himself.

Since he became captain of England I don't think he's covered himself in glory, and in some ways I sympathise with Capello pondering a change of captain, because on form this season I don't know if JT would be an automatic selection. But today he was back to his best, as player and as leader. I notice he didn't get involved in the Ballack-Drogba weirdness: I think he understood that there's a personality clash there which doesn't require an intervention.

Have a look at some of the comment from Man U fans here --

LINK

Mostly quite fair-minded, but amazing to see how many variants on "Fergie Out". If that kind of nuttiness transmits itself from the stands to the players, and they start getting nervous ... Oh dear, I swore I wouldn't let myself think it was possible.

The midfield three was perfect today. I wonder if Obi will play on Wednesday?

Oh, and agreed about JT's captaincy. He hasn't been at his best either as player or as leader since he became England captain, but today he was back to being incomparable in both roles. Great to see him pushing a couple of his own players away from the ref at once stage so he could talk to the ref himself, calmly. Great also to see Rio make an utter pr**k of himself as usual.

i don't think anyone was celebrating as much as mr carvalho when ballack slotted that penalty home.

interesting to see the interaction between ballack and drogba for the freekick.. anyone care to comment?

was very touched by the pat lampard top too. very classy..

dare to dream.. a very spent and content man i am

Rio hahahaha what a complete and utter TOOL, JT should be given permanent captaincy immediately, Queiroz has always been a sore loser whenever Man-Ure lose him and McFergie shout at the referees from the touchline and moan like babies after the ganes and then before the next game they say things like "There needs to be more respect for referees" hypocritical bastard, Whether or not Lamps plays on Wednesday I dont mind, its his decision and I dont think he should come back until he is totally prepared, I will still be confident because we have BALLACK, Hes been brilliant when weve needed him (Marking Stevie Shithead totally out the game in the CL) I dont know what to think as far as the title race is concerned, West Ham have a decent record against top teams (The Mancs in particular) so lets keep our fingers crossed even though many of you just want the season to be over so Grant can be axed, Im still excited about the prospect of the double REGARDLESS of whos in charge, Im expecting a good result against LiverPOO and hopefully we are on the way to Moscow, KTBFFH

Man-Ures players should be suspended or fined for how they acted towards the groundsmen, Evra pushed kept pushing them and stuck his tongue out, What a moron he behaves (and looks) like a immature child

Dylbo - re the Ballack / Drogba thing - just the standard "it's my turn..." stuff, all forgotten by the final whistle.

thought as much mr dyer.

what a night(aussie time) one of the quietest nights ive worked in my bar. a handful of people not paying attention and 3 chelsea fans going absolutely mental. couldnt have looked more out of place. couldnt have cared less. absolutely brilliant.

remarkable that possibly our most useless player, shevchenko, would have the presence of mind to clear off the line.

cant wait for stevie 'hokey pokey' gerrard to come to the bridge

you put your transfer in/
you take your transfer out
you put your transfer in and you shake it all about
you do the stevie gerrard and you fuck about
thats what he's all about!

come on you chelsea boys

OMG!!!! I'm STILL buzzing!!! What an amazing afternoon!! The atmosphere today at the Bridge was electric and i've had this stupid grin plastered across my face all afternoon..

Now THAT was the Chelsea i know and love so much and i hope we play like that against the Scum next week.
Ballack had a storming game today and his celebration, as LYNN says was pure class..i started crying!!

Only Riccy screwed up today but i'm SO happy that i've already forgiven him..I'll put it down to a lapse of concentration, although that's not what i was saying at the time!!

See McFergie saying that they should've got a penalty for Horse Face being "held around the throat by Ballack" (his words) in the area? He's moaning that they've had loads of bad decisions against them today. YAWWWNNNN!!! Why, just for once, can't he admit that his golden team were beaten by a far superior side today instead of coming up with the same story? He's the worst loser i've ever seen in my life..Total w****r!!!

Anyways, i love EVERYBODY today (even AG and Sheva)!!!!
Sending a *BIG HUG* to everyone here..

And an *EVEN BIGGER HUG* to my beautiful Chelsea boys..
Well done to you all.. you've done us proud! XxXxXxX

Sheva's clearance off the line today was as good as any goal he's scored. That was team spirit and sheer bloody mindedness at it's best from the boys. I now want the PL far more than the CL (although both would be good) just to wipe the grin of Sir Fucking Red Noses face.

Oh and Mr Querioz you're a classless moaning wanker along with Rio the dickhead!
Fuck off Manure!!!

Looks like Rijkaard will be unemployed at the end of the season, Another 2-0 loss this time to Deportivo, If they dont beat Man-Ure then he will surely be axed

@ CLIVE

Phew!! That was a fair speech!!

Queiroz is just a arrogant moron who cant except defeat just like McFergie, The only time I remember them praising a team is when Real Madrid made them look amatuer at Old Trafford in 2003, I read that Barca wanted us to do them a favour and beat the Mancs well weve done our part lets hope they can do theirs although I dont think its gonna happen but still, CMON MESSI!!!

Phew!! That was a fair speech!!

@Lolli
I got carried away I'm going to lay down in a dark room, you can join me if you want. ;-)

I think it would be absolutely radical to sneak the Prem away from manu, then beat them in moscow for the CL. We had better do the job on Wed.

@ CLIVE

Yeah, ok..give me 5 minutes..i'm in a VERY good mood!!

@Lolli
You're a star, and my type of woman. :-)

@ CLIVE

Why thankyou sweetie pie..and you're my type of guy!! *wink wink* LOL

Today was probably the best i've felt in ages about a victory, although still not as great as seeing Carragher's face after Riise's world class finish (still can't get over that). We played at a great tempo, were creative and in the first half harried them and pressurised their every touch. One goal in the first half was the least we deserved and would have scored more if any of our front 3 performed. I think the lack of respect Fergie showed us with his teamsheet only fired us up more. There were positives everywhere today. The back four must be our first choice by a mile now, despite Ricky's error. The midfield 3 looked more mobile with Essien and Mikel in there and their energy and pace should be retained for Wednesday, although Avram has said Maka is his Euro specialist and Essien will be moved to RB which is an absolute waste. Ballack was world class today and his penalty was never in doubt (why can't he show the brits how to take them like germans?). He played like a leader and was looking to score with every attack. Him and Essien seem to have a good midfield combo at the moment. Great moment to dedicate the goal to Pat and Lamps would have loved that. One of the best things though must have been the crowd. Huge noise, always cheering Chelsea tackles and good passes and great booing of Ronaldo. Add to this world class defending from Cole and Sheva the day was as close to perfect as it could have been (well 10-0 and us going top would have surpassed it).

As for the negatives, there were very few. Ricky's error (he's saved us in so many games he was bound to make a cock up once). The attacking front 3 were below par. I've championed Kalou for ages and today his dribbling and pace was great. BUT, his passing was wayward and naive and he was regularly pushed off the ball. Today he looked a bit like Malouda and needs to toughen up and improve his passing. As for Drogba, well he did have a great assist but apart from that he never looked like scoring and his row with Ballack was childish. Then Joey. He nearly gave us the lead but his recent form has been pretty average and his crossing and corner taking is awful. Why doesn't HTC just practice crossing and set pieces for an hour? Utd's staff reaction was also pathetic. To go crying for penalties is rich from Fergie and Queerass, oops i mean Quieroz. Carrick obviously handballed it and for him to say that Ronaldo was manhandled was low. He was the one holding Ballack and anyway they didn't deserve or expect anything from the match judging from their team selection. The worse thing about Utd is their arrogance. Any decision given to us they argue (picture Rio going crazy after a foul is given against him after he tripped Mikel) and they expect to have a right to win every game. This was shown after the game with Patrice Evra rowing with our ground staff and the rest of the Utd squad nearly getting involved in a punch up with the rest of our staff (watch Sky Sports News).

One more negative i forgot was spurs signing modric for 15m. Firstly how did they find that money and also how are spurs able to poach players WE want. Despite recent results, the negative image Avram has across Europe is costing us players. If Villa goes to Liverpool, Van der Vaart go to Juve, and possibly Kaka going to Madrid, all over us then we've got a serious problem in attracting players.

We deserved the win today and after that we deserve the title. People say Utd's attacking football makes them worthy winners of the title and if we win it then we've stolen it. Well that's just bullshit isn't it. If pretty football is so great why have Arsenal won nothing in four years and why hasn't Utd's glorious attacking football wrapped up the title by now by beating the likes of Middlesbrough, Blackburn and us who everyone says plays rubbish football. We outplayed them today in every way including the quality of the football. We should reach Moscow because compared to this afternoon, Liverpool's football is shockingly bad, on a par with Bolton and i hope we can win everything for Lamps. He'll deserve two winners medals and add to that a lifetime contract alongside JT.

KTBFFH

Silva, Villa, Lahm, Van Der Vaart, Ribery, Huntelaar, Dani Alves and the list goes on. I wont be too disappointed if we get at least 2 of the list i have mentioned. That being said, its going to be difficult. Cant really blame Modric though. But today's result will only do Toady's reputation more good then bad. Perhaps some of those on the list could change their minds. And if Grunt does go, we may even see majority of them here at Stamford Bridge next season if the rumours of a 100m warchest is true.

Keep the blue flag flying high!

Quote from Quiroz on the TV Text (ceefax) pages; "It must be necessary for a player to bring a gun and shoot one of our men in the box for us to get a penalty"..

I mean..what kind of statement is that?! How many pens has Horse Face ALONE got this season i ask you?!

Pathetic, childish comment from a pathetic childish man!

Credit to AG, he'd never come out with a comment like that..

Lose with dignity you t**t!!!

“It must be necessary for a player to bring a gun and shoot one of our men in the box for us to get a penalty”

It sounds like a plan to me, no guessing who gets it first!

@ CLIVE

Shoot all of the buggers i say!! Let none survive!!!!

Good Lord..Did i just say that?!

Just got back...and a review to write.....Guinness lay off last night.......and Guinness lay on today.

I'm pissed beyond belief, the joys of being upnpaid, so review might be late, but boy life don't get much better ....watch this space

On Modric:

If you have the choice of playing for a sexy manager in London or a dour, ugly, daft manager in London, where do you go?

Sad to say, I would go with Ramos.

Time for some praise for Avram.

Whether it was a response to Pat Lampard's passing, or something else, we absolutely pissed all over them!!

Utd were not at the races today and for us not to have won would have been a complete injustice!

Still don't think we will win the title, but stranger things have happened!

@ Greenlight - bang on - we were fab today but I'm now too pissed to write a meaningful review...which means tomorrow sometime. Sorry Nick, JD...a little tardy I know...but what a bloody great day!

Not sure about the Modric thing - touted at 20m plus (as far as I recall) with us, Arsenal and Bayern all vying for him and then goes to Spurs for far less; Ramos is a good manager so that partly may explain the change of heart, but why the sudden drop in price?

Good manager or whatever I still think that Modric will regret going to Spuds, I doubt they will get in the CL any time soon, I think we WILL get Rafael Van Der Vaart for a few reasons, Juve may not even qualify for the CL, will they be able to splash say $30m on a new signing and will they back Ranieri with that amount of money after his signings from last year flopped? I doubt it, I reckon Bilyaletdinov And/or Van Der Vaart would be great signings and would bring more pace into our midfield

I just watched MOTD and CANT BELIEVE how Man-Ure and Ronaldo could claim that they should have had a penalty, Hell if anything the twat shouldve been yellow carded for grabbing Ze German like an obsessed male rapist

LOLLI, I posted Queerasses comments first. why dont you ever read my posts :)

HABS, I agree about Lamps hes done so much for Chelsea and he DESERVES a winners medal more than anyone else in the CL right now, Hope he signs a new contract SOON, or even better a lifetime contract to finally end the speculation about his future at SB

Worlds are weird...the whole world is weird.....this morning I thought dignity ruled, then at 12:44 I thought sanity ruled ....then I thought at 17:00 the pub ruled and then ....I was right....Guinness ruled and tomorrow we'll all be OK. We'll all be OK.

Because we're blue!

KTBFFH!

@ TRUE BLUE JOE

I didn't realise you'd already posted that comment from Queiroz otherwise i wouldn't of typed it..obviously CLIVE didn't notice you'd typed it either..

I apologise for obviously upsetting you. Didn't realise we were on a point scoring mission here though!!

@ TONY

Are you sure you've only been on the Guinness tonight?!!

As we're all waiting for Tony's report (sloppy Mr Glover, you're fired) ;-) I've turned my attention to Wednesday and Looserpoo and their blogs to see what their saying. So to carry on my serialisation of all things deluded, I wonder if this moron fan is frightened, arrogant or just plain stupid in his assessment of our game yesterday and upcoming fixture.

"Ok. so I watched the Man U-Chelsea game, well I thought Man-U were shit, and Chelsea no better.
.
We’ll see what type of Manager Grant is by Wednesday. If he’s a stop gap measure Dogba will be playing. If he’s there doing the job for good, he would not be gracing the field. He is a fucking disgrace and his biff with Ballack was disgraceful.
.
Also did anyone notice his acting/feigning injury when he smashed his knee into Vidics’ face. Oh the camera’s caught that one.
.
Watching them showed me anyway that it’s Chelsea who have the mountain to climb. It’s only getting bigger too".

Comment by gazmaninaus


PS This also from the BBC football gossip section, if true will have them scousers going apoplectic.

Jose Mourinho says he has been offered the manager's job at Liverpool by the Dubai International Capital group who want to buy the club. (Mail on Sunday)

Just watched the Sunday morning match of the day so I've finally seen the various penalty incidents on TV. It's hysterically funny that ol' Purple Nose and his BBC glove puppet Queiroz think they've been treated unjustly. I mean, sometimes managers have legitimate complaints -- our penalty up at Anfield was dodgy, Kalou's goal against Newcastle was laughably offside, etc etc -- but the way the Man U gang carried on you'd think this was a similar situation. Carrick's handball is a perfectly straightforward handball, and the Ballack v. Ronaldo thing is a penalty box tussle for position of the sort that happens four or five times a game.

My seven-year-olds are more mature and fair-minded than that lot. Pathetic.

If we play the way we did in that first half, our Scouse friends are going to get a bit of a shock. But it's a big "if".

Fifty & Tony
Here's something that might get your collective juices flowing ;-)

LINK

Morning people..........apologies for shovelling huge amounts of Guinness away last night...it was my daughters birthday.....thats the excuse and I'm sticking with that!

Honest :-)

Report on its way now through the lovely fug of a hangover ...........I feel like I had sex with Jennifer Aniston or similar last night such was the great feeling following the game .....so it's a good hangover!

So Arnesan and Roman werent sleeping. All the time has been channeled to David Villa. And we lost Modric...

Unless Frank goes, Modric would never have got a game. Frank's undroppable, Modric can't be the anchor, and the third midfielder would always be Ballack or Essien.

Lovely player and all, and a shame to miss out on him, but I think the club got that one right.

it's very stupid from the puppet Queiroz to say that they have been treated with injustice while that penalty was the first against Manure this season!!!!
so they only want to be awarded any decision but they want none against them.
they are such a bunch of tossers and i hope that they chock to death in front of Barcelona and west ham I'll be cheering for them from all my heart

Tubby is a fucking hypocrite, AG should do exactly the same for Torres and Stevie Me!

LINK

Tubby you bastard! As if your team is clean as white.

wooooohhhhhoooooooooo.....the whingers are back at it!!! comrades, we beat Man U hands down...i am on cloud nine....

Speaking as someone whose fashion sense is best described by the phrase ‘Looking like a sack of shit tied up queer’ I am perhaps not best qualified to talk but this picture is the key to the game.

LINK

For the true judge of all things sartorial, the first sight of the manager’s choice of shirt would have told them all they needed to know about how the game would pan out.

With the constant focus of the media - photographs and TV pictures from every angle- a manager’s first thought on seeing a bright sunny morning with the prospect of a warm day and an afternoon kick off ahead, will be – how do I deal with the exposition of my arm pits? Knowing that it is nigh on impossible to ensure that in the heat of battle the arms will not rise, how does one avoid exposing a lack of dryness under the arm when it will be too warm to keep one’s jacket on.

Was it Tacitus or Suetonius who wrote the immortal words:

“Usquequaque vultus ut ala of vestri gubernatio” (always look to the armpits of your leaders)

Assuming the occasion and your personal preference demands the shirt and jacket as opposed to the tracksuit option, your choice of shirt is key.

Fergie with years of experience on the touchline and determined to hold what he had, took no risks and went for the plain white option.

AG abandoned his usual black, which while attracting the heat would have ensured security when the arms had to be raised.

He goes for the blue option, a daring choice, but surely a hostage to fortune. It would seem as though he was determined to be positive, challenging, meeting the pressure head on. A definite change of mindset. Perhaps with his Middle Eastern background he was confident of how dry the pits might remain. A distinct advantage over Fergie, the son of a drizzly northern clime.

Look at that picture, no tell tale damp patch. A triumph.

Yes that’s yesterday’s game in a nutshell.