No Red Whine
Thursday, 27 January 05, 03:11 PM · Comments (6)
Great result, great team performance... shame about the competition. Only kidding, although there is a small downside in that we will now have to play our league fixture against West Brom at the end of the season, giving the chasing duo an opportunity to get closer.
I'm sure everyone has already gorged themselves on countless match reports so I won't go into detail (they do make good reading). But make no mistake, United wanted to win that game big time, their fans wanted it, their manager wanted it and their players - most of whom had been telling the press how much damage they would inflict by beating us - definitely wanted it.
Jose Mourinho knew this and I'm sure United's resolve to turn us over played a major part in his decision to take no risks at all and select his strongest possible line-up, even to the extent of relegating poor old Carlo Cudicini to the bench. Mourinho definitely has something about him which disarms people: a perfect example came last night when he stood in the Old Trafford tunnel before the game and shook every United player by the hand. In effect that's exactly how Mourinho has handled Ferguson, he's shown great respect but at the same time made it very clear he's out to dislodge him.
The game was fascinating, there was very little between the teams, with interesting comparisons all over the pitch: Terry or Rio - who is the better defender? Robben or Ronaldo - who is the better young winger? Keane or Makelele - who is the better midfield general? Scholes or Lampard - who is the better goal scoring midfielder? Ferreira or Neville - who is the steadier full-back? I really enjoyed the match, not just because we won, and I was genuinely pleased to see that there were only two bookings. Generally this was a game played in a great spirit.
A few weeks ago I had taken the liberty of announcing Drogba was returning to form so I was pleased to see him play exceptionally well. Against Portsmouth he got a couple of goals and even though he didn't score last night his contribution was excellent, making one goal and very nearly setting up another. The other thing that struck me was how hard Robben and Duff work; they were up and down the pitch all night. I don't think you'll see Pires and Ljungberg or Ronaldo and Giggs covering and helping out defenders like that. The work ethic and team spirit that Mourinho has instilled is remarkable.
Almost as remarkable as the fact we gave away a clear penalty and Ferguson did not make a big deal out of it. The penalty wasn't given because Fortune reacted as if someone had driven a car into him; he launched himself theatrically up into the air, ordered a whiskey and peanuts from the stewardess, and then crashed back down to earth. I've no doubt Bridge clipped him but Fortune's over-the-top reaction denied him the penalty. Robben got the same lack of sympathy from the referee against Spurs.
Very few challenges inside the area are actually strong enough - or bad enough - to knock players completely off their feet, unless the goalkeeper goes right through someone. If a referee has reason to think you've dived you will not get the penalty, even if you have been clipped. Had Fortune stumbled instead of doing Cosmo the Human Cannonball he would have got the decision. Too bad. The fact that Ferguson brushed this incident aside in his post match interview is either a sign that his fire is dimming and he's suddenly become very sporting, or that he didn't want to kick off another war of words. Smart man Mourinho. I trust Ferguson enjoyed the wine.
*Related links:*
* Mourinho's clarity blurs Ferguson vision * Mourinho leaves romance for the rest
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I happened on a copy of the Daily Mail today. The headlines and reporting of the game is unbelievable! Chelsea did not win. Manure lost. I know the paper was never much of a paper, but it sunk even lower today in my estimation.
Much has been made of how well Robben, JT and Lamps are playing, but I think last night summed up just how good the unsung players are in our squad. Two in particular deserve mentioning.
William Gallas – I feel Gallas is without a doubt one of our best performers. The only Frenchmen I’ve ever seen to fly into tackles, (and I mean fly…. none of this Vieira nonsense.) and is 100% committed in everything he does. He was awesome last night, and has been the whole season. Who else feels that Carvahlo may not walk back into the side? He’s far more comfortable at centre-half and the JT/Gallas partnership is awesome.
Paulo Ferreira – I remember at the beginning of the season people were rubishing him off, saying he was a waste of money. Oh how they were wrong. A Chelsea fan or not, he is without a doubt the best right back in the premiership.
I’m not sure about a quadruple, but who knows? If we beat Barcelona…. that makes us the team to beat…. right?
– jsteps
I’m afraid we don’t get Carling Cup coverage down here but you’re so right about Paulo Ferreira jsteps I wish we could clone him and put him on the left too!
You lot are happier than Hugh Hefner when Viagra was approved.
6 Comments · Add yours
As some newspaper stated wasnt only a game that was won last night by Chelsea. Was 18 years of semi-finals of M. U. beeing unbeat. That has to worth a little extra for Chelsea, because with that “tiny” diffrence they are becoming a worldwide club.
Not bad for who hasnt won the championship in 50 years ;)
With admiration,
Luis Lopes from Portugal.
Agree with most points, Blingo – but I cannot concur with you on the penalty shout. It was no way a ‘clear’ penalty – even numerous replays showed that Bridge hardly brushed the side of Fortune’s boot. Yes, in this era when penalties are awarded for exhaling too forcefully in an opponent’s direction, Bridge was lucky. But I have to say the ref got the decision spot on. The ‘pundits’ on ITV’s highlights show also thought it wasn’t a penalty. And I believe Alex Ferguson didn’t say anything about it because he also thought it wasn’t a penalty. I’m sure he would’ve been blathering like a man possessed if he genuinely thought his team had been robbed of a penalty!