Chelsea v Liverpool
Sunday, 27 February 05, 12:00 PM · Comments (18)
No matter which way you look at it events have conspired against us in our last two matches. Ignore rival fans' and biased hacks' subjective bile; most just want to see a 'wounded' Chelsea in 'crisis' suffer further. Nobody seems to want to look at the facts objectively: we lost to Newcastle in the FA Cup because of a poor decision by Jose Mourinho to send on 3 substitutes at half-time (I'm not saying we would have won, but we struck the bar and performed admirably with 10-men for 44 minutes); and we stifled Barcelona, Europe's best attacking team, for nearly an hour - not forgetting scoring an away goal - until their twelfth man, referee Anders Frisk, sent off Didier Drogba. Even then we only conceded two goals, and have a fine chance of progressing to the next round. If that constitutes a crisis then I'm a Dutchman. (I'm not.)
In contrast Liverpool have suddenly become England's best team by beating an average German side - Bayer Leverkusen are a shadow of the team they were 3 or 4 years ago - at home in the Champions League. Everybody seems to have forgotten their recent dire and inept performances against the likes of Birmingham and Southampton, and the fact that they're 25 points behind us in the Premiership. But the city of Liverpool's second team are definitely going to drive the final nail into Chelsea's coffin if certain sections of the media are to be believed.
Complete and utter tosh. Yes, it's a one-off Cup final match in which anything can happen. But anyone reading some of this week's press would think we're Millwall travelling to Cardiff to face Man United and not England's best team this season -- scored 50 goals and conceded only 8 in 27 games played in the world's toughest league -- taking on a team 4 places and 25 points below us in the table. On paper we should win this easily.
The obvious thing to say here is that it's imperative we don't let our recent defeats affect us. Personally I don't think they will; Mourinho's performance in Friday's pre-match press conference highlighted just how much confidence there still is in the Blues camp.
"Maybe the mood has changed but not the confidence or the motivation," he said. "Nobody likes to lose, especially people who are not used to it. Because our results are normally good, when you lose a game you don't smile so much. It happened after Man City, after Porto and it happened now after Newcastle -- but the confidence is the same."
The two best midfield players in England confront each other in this match. Frank Lampard will be taking on his future team-mate, Steven Gerrard, in what could prove the decisive battle; both players have the ability to turn a game with one pass or shot.
Apart from long-term absentees Arjen Robben, Scott Parker and Robert Huth, the only player doubtful for today's game is William Gallas, who won the race to play against Barcelona after straining a groin muscle against Newcastle. He aggrevated the injury in Spain and may not recover in time.
If he does play the only decision Mourinho has to make is whether to stick with the line-up that started in Spain and play Joe Cole, or give Eidur Gudjohnson a chance. Personally I'd like to see Joe Cole given another opportunity; he's already scored twice against Liverpool this season, in both 1-0 Premiership wins.
Score prediction: Who knows? It's a one-off game and anything could happen. Liverpool are confident after their mid-week win over Bayer Leverkusen and will welcome the return of two good players in Fernando Morientes and Steven Gerrard. But we're by far the better team, even without the likes of Arjen Robben. However the way things are going for us at the moment, you never know what's going to happen. It'll be a tight match, but I'm sure we'll win Jose Mourinho's and Roman Abramovich's first English Cup final.
*Related links:*
* Cash blow for Jose * Tactical masters fight for glory * Benitez v Mourinho * He used to clean Chelsea's toilets but Terry hopes to flush away Liverpool * Foreigners vindicate devalued final * The biggest surprise is this match suddenly matters * Why Gerrard did not sign for Chelsea * Cole burns with blue ambition * Cameo kid ready for his biggest break * Mourinho must beware bonfire of the eulogies * Mourinho will find way to add silver lining
h3. Chelsea 3 - 2 Liverpool (AET) · Match Reports
I'm too inebriated to give my initial thoughts on a great victory... but what a game, what a team and what a manager!
Okay, it's the morning after the night before and I'm feeling somewhat delicate after imbibing copious amounts of the League Cup sponsor's product. My head is pounding so it would be nice if everyone around me took Jose's advice and shushed...
If you watched the match you'll know all too well what happened. If you didn't there are numerous links to match reports below.
Obviously the media are desperately disappointed we won. Instead of praising a great performance they are focussing on Jose's response to Stevie Gerrard's first goal for the Blues and our apparent 'poor' disciplinary record. The Daily Mail and Sky Sports News have both taken it upon themselves to highlight our minor 'misdemeanors' this season.
"Kenn":http://www.chelseablog.com/article/311/#c001682 has rightly summed up all that is wrong with the English press. I haven't got anything more to add to his thoughts; I concur with all that he says.
I'm off to ingest a few ibuprofen and look for some sympathy.
The Independent ESPNSoccernet BBC Sport Sky Sports Official Chelsea FC Website Sporting Life The Times Daily Telegraph The Scotsman The Guardian Evening Standard Blue and White Army
*Related links:*
* Gerrard's calamity signals the beginning of the end * Benitez bemoans Liverpool's luck * Mourinho's dismissal mars his first Chelsea triumph * Gerrard's pain heightened by own goal and cup final defeat * Mourinho gives fans the finger * Mourinho blasts press after win * Reaction: Mourinho celebrates as he begins to deliver * Chelsea's huge boost * 'I'll fight media if they are not cool' * Mourinho's men steal the real glory * Gerrard has no need to feel guilty for his gaffe * 'For me it's unusual to be sent off by the police and not the referee' * Mourinho sent off by police but cup win silences Chelsea's critics * Gerrard's world falls apart on a night of pain * Lampard jokes over Gerrard woe * Drogba hauls Jose back out on the pitch * Mourinho may face inquiry by FA * Mourinho to escape FA charge * Mourinho has LMA backing * Chelsea answer critics with win * The end of Mourinho's honeymoon? * Mourinho left to brood as FA considers new charge * Defiant maybe, but was latest act of rebellion really so wrong? * New way Jose? * Mourinho is the focus for our jealousies * Memo to Mourinho: Don't adapt, we like you just the way you are * 'Jose's Unique And That's Why I Love Him'
h3. Jose Mourinho in the clear · Update
The Football Association will take no action against Jose Mourinho following his sending-off in Sunday's League Cup final.
"There will be no further action taken in respect of this matter," confirmed an FA statement.
*Related links:*
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What a great match! Loved every second of it. And you couldn’t have written the script… Gerrard scoring what’ll hopefully be the first of many goals for Chelsea. Lampard even joked with him after the game by saying ‘see you next season’! Class.
I notice that whenever things are going well for Chelsea this site’s comments diminish somewhat. But when things aren’t going so great – the Barca match for instance – people come out of the wordwork to give there two pence worth. Interesting, that! ;-)
You guys weren’t the only ones who were obviously annoyed at the press coverage last week; Mourinho also noticed it. His behaviour yesterday was superb – what other manager would walk in front of thousands of Scousers telling them and the press to shut up! Loved it. His performance in the post-match press conference was also great. What a man!
Now it’s just a case of tying the Premiership up – starting with thrashing Norwich on Saturday. Can’t wait.
Below is a response I sent to SkySports after listening to Paul Mccarthy slag off Mourinho, claiming he doesn’t believe him when he said his gesture was meant for the press. He went on to describe Mourinho in very uncharitable terms, with the obvious aim of trying to sow dissension in the Chelsea camp in order to undermine our challenge in other fronts. Yet, I wonder what he would say if I were to tell him that Mourinho’s so-called antics actually brought out the best in his players and fired them up to produce the next two goals that won the tie.
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Dear Presenters,
Isn’t it perfectly comfortable for Paul Mccarthy of The People to sit in SkySports studios and slag off Mourinho, claiming if he was a Chelsea player, by this morning, he would be disgruntled with the manager for taking the shine off their achievement by his antics that led to him being banished from the sidelines?
Well, Mccarthy has to wake up and smell the leather. Mourinho has said his gesture is meant for the press and yes, it is for the press; whether Mccarthy and his claque of hacks choose to believe him or not, we Chelsea fans, players and the club management care less! Let’s repeat this, Mourinho’s gesture is for Mccarthy and his brood of vipers and every Chelsea fan around the world joins Mourinho in saying it: Shhhhh!
But, while Mccarthy and his friends wait desperately for that disgruntlement they so much pray for within the Chelsea camp, would it be too much to ask them to borrow a leaf from the continental sporting press which support their own through thick and thin against outsiders? Mourinho has told you why English teams are underachieving in Europe; now we know that apart from fixture congestion and lack of proper FA support or encouragement, the English press is also part of the problem!
Anyway, when it’s all over, only one team will be singing in England and it’s not going to be the press!
Yours sincerely,
Kennedy Emetulu
Berkshire
I really do agree with Mark’s comments about people comments when we don’t do well. How about turning a new leaf and showing your pride like the way you present your disgruntled behaviour.
How about coming out and congratulating Kezman and Drogba like you never did? Well, I am a true Chelsea fan and have been one since 1995. I wasn’t attracted to Chelsea by Zola (like everyone else) but by people like Dennis Wise, Dan Petrescu and Casiraghi. Don’t get me wrong, I love Zola but you all come out when the going is well.
I would never want any one of you naysayers to ever be the manager of Chelsea? If I were to choose a supporter on this site for our motivational coach, it would have to go to Kenn Emetulu. What a dude? Thanks so much for your soothing words, when the going is not well like the past 2 events. Your comments were “believe, people”.
Congrats, to the lads and of course, the whole managerial staff for a great job on instilling confidence and a winning mentality in the team. As Paul Howard from Telegraph stated, the soul of Jose Mourinho is already instilled in this team that he could leave the game and the players took over for 39 minutes and won it for themselves and us, the fans. Once again, a big big HOORRAY!
In my humble opinion Kezman’s performance in the last quarter of the regular 90min as well as throughout the extra time was remarkable. Set aside the fatigue that was kicking in and the 3rd goal which was inevitable. He was hungry for goals and success. Just like anyone else which is actually the great part I believe. A fantastic night!
U.I – you state it was the likes of Wise, Petrescu and Casiraghi who attracted you to the club. Intersting, for me it was Bonetti, Houseman, Baldwin, Webb, Hutchinson, Hudson, Osgood, Tambling, Hinton , McCreadie, Cooke and Harris. Which means I’ve been there since 1970 when at 9 years old I found my calling for the team in Royal Blue as opposed to dull old white. In those years UI I have suffered the pain of nearly seeing the club go bankrupt in the early 70’s because of the East Stand and almost lose the ground because of Marler Estates. I’ve lived through relegations, one season almost into the old Division 3 (now League 1) – so don’t lecture me about my loyalty. As a full paying supporter I reserve the right to be both critical and praising of the team from players to manager to owner to fans. I think even handedness is something a lot of Chelsea fans can be proud of, especially those who contribute to this blog. Negativity is sometimes the result of overwhelming emotion and if you read my comments on Blingo’s last article you’ll see my point that as fans we are not used to this, especially us older ones. Our fear of failure is ingrained by years of comparative failure when compared to Manure, Scouse and Airline FC’s. So don’t mistake honest citique for negativity or disloyaly. I would rather people were honest than blindly following the leads of others loaded with sometimes unwarranted optimism. GJ
My comment about the number of comments on posts certainly wasn’t aimed at the ‘regulars’ around here – it was aimed at the occasional commenters who seem to take great delight in pissing on our fireworks, as it were. Not many of them seem to take the time to give any constructive criticism or praise for our performances. But I suppose that’s to be expected; it’s in the nature of all football supporters to rile rival fans! ;-)
18 Comments · Add yours
Congratulations, Chelsea!
One down, two more to go.
I should say, two down (Premiership is just a formality in my book) one to go.
The most tense 2 hours this year for me. However hats off to Carthorse today. I’ve been a huge critic of his this season, but today when he came on…he literally sparkled. A fantastic performance from him, and if he did that a bit more often I might even become a fan of his. Drogs goal was well taken, although it looked scrappy at first, when you see the replay it was well controlled under pressur from the defender. And at last Kezman gets a goal from open play and what a time to do it. Again congrats to him. I would question Cech for their second goal, because I’m 5’6” and I could have outjumped him. Why he remained rooted to the spot I’ll never know, but then he had made a world class save from Hamann earlier in the game, and had that gone in at 1-0 we’d have been dead and buried. After the week we’ve had I think we were due some good fortune. GJ