Premier League: Chelsea 0 - 0 Everton
Wednesday, 22 April 09, 07:26 PM · Comments (82)
Match reports
The Guardian, Dominic Fifield: "Chelsea's title challenge may just have run aground at last. Talk of securing an unlikely treble, aired briefly and rather reluctantly by Guus Hiddink in the build-up to this occasion, was choked last night by a wonderfully rugged and committed Everton team to leave the hosts frustrated and forlorn. Manchester United perch six points clear of the Londoners this morning with a game still in hand. Even Hiddink's ability to eke the best from this squad may struggle to bridge that chasm."
Daily Telegraph, Jason Burt: "As a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup Final, it was Chelsea who forgot their glad rags. And their lines. A draw against Everton, the other victorious team in last weekend’s semi-finals, Wednesday night pretty much ended any pretensions, however faint, that they could win the Premier League title leaving them surely too far adrift of Manchester United.One trophy gone but still two to play for. However this was probably the worst performance they have delivered since Guus Hiddink’s arrival in February with the interim manager failing with that fabled golden touch even if Didier Drogba struck the bar with a powerful shot on the turn in injury-time."
The Times, Matt Hughes: "Guus Hiddink may be the ultimate managerial mercenary, but the well-travelled Dutchman is no miracle-worker. Chelsea’s interim manager has conjured a magic act of sorts in transforming a demoralised squad and keeping them fighting on three fronts, but even he conceded last night that the biggest domestic prize is now beyond them. At this stage of the season, Manchester United’s lead of six points over them — with a game in hand on both their main rivals — is less of a gap, more a yawning chasm."
The Independent, Mark Fleming: "The Chelsea juggernaut hit the Everton brick wall with a thud. David Moyes' team were probably the last side Chelsea wanted to meet after their epic endeavours of recent weeks. Few outfits work as hard for their points as Everton which was not good news for Treble-chasing Chelsea, contesting their sixth game in 18 days."
Official Chelsea FC Website: "A total of 180 league minutes between these two teams failed to produce a goal this season."
The preamble
A very brief report tonight as it's quite late and I’ve just got in the door after someone decided to turn the A3 into a computer game whereby the skill lies in negotiating lane closure and traffic filtering without losing your temper. Thank God I’ve got Planet Rock in the car to keep me somewhere near sane.
An average game which hopefully isn’t a portent for the FA Cup final. There were several valiant attempts to get the atmosphere stoked up to last Tuesday's levels but to be honest that was never going to happen and as the first half finished the whole game had taken on a distinctly ‘end of season’ feel.
That said we could and should be doing better than this at home and any new manager will have to try and get to the bottom of a pretty wretched home record littered with defeats (well two anyway) and draws against teams we should be beating on our own patch.
The good
- Alex. Magnificent tonight and did well against fellow Brazilian Jo, who missed a sitter on a rare breakthrough but was still a handful. Plenty of Brazilian on Brazilian action ensured some very close shaves. Groan.
- Florent Malouda. Wow. What a turn around. Superb ball control skills, cheeky passes, great crosses, wondrous little passes to feet, hard working and generally a big threat. What can I say? Maybe I’ll have to admit to being wrong... is that gulping noise the sound of pride being swallowed... we’ll see folks, we’ll see.
- Ashley Cole. The hardest working player this season. Never stops running and chasing and tackling and is in with a good shout for my Player of the Year vote.
- We didn’t lose. Which is small comfort I suppose for what I’d hoped would be a chance to close the gap not just on Manchester United, but also Liverpool after their slip last night. Still, although we gained no ground on them we never let Arsenal gain any on us.
- Tim Howard. Showed Cech how to command his box, pulled a wonder save from Kalou and showed just why Moyes has put so much faith in him.
- Everton. Moyes is a shrewd bastard and had a game plan that his team stuck to rigidly. They were all Makeleles at times, breaking down moves and being ugly, whilst relying on the break for chances. They could and should have scored on two or three occasions tonight. They also showed fantastic unity and spirit so soon after a strength sapping FA Cup semi-final. Pretty they ain’t. Effective... they most certainly are.
The not quite so good
- Michael Essien. Took two early knocks and never got into the game. His worst performance since his return and hopefully just a blip.
- Frank Lampard. Shooting boots left behind at Wembley methinks, despite one of the dullest ever ads shown at half time for his ‘hand crafted’ Adipure magic boots. An advert, it has to be said, that was so bad I was almost looking for a noose. By his standards a poor performance.
- The tactics. The last half an hour we were reduced to a hybrid of Wimbledon and Allardyce’s early Bolton. Long ball after long ball hoofed up to the Everton area for Lescott et al to pick off with childish ease at times. Even when the second ball came off we were guilty of overpassing fancy dan intricacy the likes of which failed so dismally under Scolari. In essence we played into Everton's hands.
The bad
- The officials. All three went from a common sense ‘let the game flow’ ethos into the three most pedantic flag waving and whistle blowing jobsworths seen for... ooooohhhhh... two or three games at least. Halsey himself must have been guilty of adding three minutes on through sheer fussiness. An Everton player took a few minutes to come off the pitch after pulling up and the second half was littered with stoppages. Time added on? Four minutes... four pathetic minutes. Not that we’d have done much with them anyway, but the principle still stands and the change in attitude and ethos was mystifying.
The ugly
- Phil Neville. Just marginally better looking than his brother Gary.
Player ratings
- Petr Cech – 7/10 – looked better tonight but still flappy on punches.
- Branislav Ivanovic – 7/10 – simple farm boy look belies steely resolve.
- John Terry – 7.5/10 – commanding and was unlucky not to score from a rare 30 yard thunderbolt he might consider showing us again.
- Ashley Cole – 8/5/10 – Busy busy bee. A job in the hive beckons upon reincarnation.
- Alex – 8.5/10 – simply marvellous and fully deserving of his place. Deserves to keep Carvalho at bay for now.
- Frank Lampard – 6/10 – not at the races. Not even at the starting tape.
- Michael Essien – 5/10 – the early knocks seemed to affect him. Bisonless.
- Michael Ballack - 7.5/10 – great for 75 minutes then conked out. Trabant-like.
- Florent Malouda – 9/10 – yep that’s a 9. Flowing, fluent, fiery, feisty and French.
- Nicolas Anelka – 7/10 – battled on the wing, but a winger he ain’t.
- Didier Drogba – 7/10 – suffered from piss-poor service. Unlucky not to score at the death.
- Di Santo (sub) – 6/10 – this is the future? Needs to start showing it then.
- Salomon Kalou (sub) – 7/10 – nearly scored but alas made a few poor decisions. Quelle surprise.
- John Mikel Obi (sub) – 7/10 – looked calm and slick. Guilty of the long ball but it was probably team orders.
- Overall team performance – 6/10 – Mediocre. Average. Dull. Vanilla. Beige. Yawn. Drab. Meh. Sans Epices.
Man of the Match
Could have been Ashley Cole. But for me, it was Malouda who was one of the few to light the place up tonight. I’m also desperate to show that any player can be redeemed in my eyes. Florent, my boy... take a bow.
Final thoughts
The story of this season and last season was really encapsulated in tonight’s game. The door is once again opened and we fail to walk through it. We gained nothing and lost nothing tonight unless anyone really expected we could overhaul Manchester United. I think we can now really say it’s over and play for second place or to consolidate third place. And that may not be a bad thing if we can get the FA Cup or the Champions league. Whatever anyone thinks we’re mightily better off than we’d have been had Scolari stayed. Most of us would have been happy four months ago to even entertain being so close to three trophies.
Tonight was possibly more typical of us this year than any other recent game. On our day we can look invincible, but we have too many of these ‘nearly’ days and they mostly seem to occur at home and this needs fixing next season. We must get the home belief and confidence back because it has cost us this year. A win here tonight, against Hull and Newcastle and the league would be looking a lot tighter.
A note on Everton here as well. They deserve the plaudits because they play to their strengths and seem to know their limitations. On another night with better finishing they could have scored three, maybe four and perhaps if they had got one we’d have reacted as we have done recently. We shouldn’t need to react though. Fair play to Moyes and his physical and dogged game ethos, which for me shows why he’s so inspirational to Everton and why other teams may be casting an envious eye in his direction should they suddenly find themselves managerless. I for one would be happy to give the man a chance to show what he could do with a truly decent squad and a decent budget.
Keep the Blue Flag Flying High!
Related links
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
82 Comments · Add yours
A fair report Tony.
Average sums it up well, as far as we were concerned, but I think Everton stuck to their task and were well worth a point.....
Agree almost entirely with your ratings...Frank's boots were on the wrong feet, but I thought Ballack stepped up and played quite well for most of the game.
Malouda and Cole continued their good form...Shame Ashley will miss the Barca game as they seem to be developing a good understanding.
Good to see Drogba being the one to instill urgency in the side in the last 15 mins.... Has to be said though that if he had managed it 2 months sooner, this league would already be stitched up!
A nice review of a very average game (can't believe i chose that crap over the Apprentice but hey that's what being a Chelsea fan is all about). We never really looked that interested and i hope they were saving themselves for the Nou Camp and not just having another sleepwalk at the opening of a game, shocked that there was no goal to react to and thus accepted the 0-0. I don't mind that we walked around for 90 minutes not really doing anything as we were never going to really challenge for the league and this way we should be fresh for Barca (another great win for them tonight by the way).
A few downsides though. Firsly Anelka. Sometimes he bursts into life yet on other occassions he looks half asleep. He also fails to track back which could prove costly against Barca's left wing which should have Henry and Iniesta (who likes to drift out there) doubling up on Ivanovic. Secondly we looked slow and lacking in ideas. This walking pace, lazy, long-ball football is fine for a meaningless league game but i worry that we'll be exposed on the massive Barca pitch where mobility and pace will be the key. I wish Kalou would also get a start as he needs a run to get into form and he does run all day which should help next week.
The biggest plus had to be Malouda. He may not beat anyone for pace but his left foot gives us much needed balance and with a right footed left back (Mancienne?) closing down Messi and Alves, Malouda should give us balance when attacking and he should also help to expose the space left behind on their right wing as Alves makes Bosingwa look like a world class player when it comes to defending.
All in all a very nothing game. I wonder what our attitude will be like when facing Zola and Clarkey?
Well what can you say about that? although we were far superior in the technical aspects, Everton will consider themselves unlucky to only take a point I think, having much better chances than us, excepting DD in injury time of course.
Everton are one of those teams that are wonderfully disciplined and play 100% to a man. I would hate to watch it week in week out in truth, as there is very little flair without the likes of Artetta and Yakubu, but they sure are effective and play a very traditional English style. Hats off to them in all honesty as they were understrength and deserved their point. Let's hope it's different at Wembley.
Yes a fair report Tony, they came with a game plan and adhered to it, and if Drogs had of scored at the death, it would have been unfair on them.
Besides Utd won last night, so even winning wouldn't have changed that much with regard them, our title challenge was slim anyway.
I still think we can finish second, because I feel Liverpool seem to have a little bit of panic about them, and will hopefully f**k up again somewhere.
A spot on review of the match Tony.
Guus is partly to blame as well. He should have mixed it up a bit last night. I was a little wary as soon as I saw the same starting line up as the Arsenal one. As half time neared, I was more assured of a draw than a win.
Anelka should not start period. I was quite amazed when he and Malouda broke on the counter and he decided to lob it over the Everton defenders rather than drill it across like in the Liverpool match. Well like Tony stated 'a winger he ain't'. We have Stoch and Quaresma and yet Guus thinks a 4-3-3 serves us better than say a 4-2-4 with 2 forwards being serviced by 2 actual wingers.
Essien really looks average with no one to mark or chase down. While I was happy that Ballack took the holding role, Essien and Lamps were just meh. I still think Lamps might be best in the holding role for now. He reads the game fantastically on breaks.
Mark Halsey gives us yet more proof of why he is one the EPL's glowing turds(even it it was for not awarding Everton a proper penalty).
Lastly Di Santo is crap and why he is picked over others as a sub is beyond me.
Pretty much agree with it all TG, other than an addition to the 'The not quite so good' would be to highlight the fact that Moyes was able to rest a few players who would normally be first choice and still get a result against our so-called best 11. Methinks any under-estimating of them ahead of the cup final would be stupid.
In the times he's been introduced, Quaresma has looked like our best wide man - no idea where he's gone.
While Florence has decided to hoist himself out of the 'plain shit' pot into the 'might be useful' one, Kalou seems content at maintaining our quota of 'plain shit' players. How it's possible to play wide left, on the opposite flank to the linesman, looking across the back line and still be offside is pure 9-year-old schoolboy stuff. The difference being 9 year-olds learn by the time they're 10. Kalou was offside more times in his 20-odd minutes than the rest of the team for 90. Yes, some of them were marginal, but most were just plain stupid. He's also started taking 'back-tracking' advice from Anelka, a few occasions last night Ashley got pulled out of position by Osman, the RB went past both and Kalou made a token effort to follow him. Not even sure I'd call it a jog. Brisk walk perhaps. I'll admit I'm not his biggest fan, but he hasn't looked like improving for 2 years and seems to me to be a little too average. About as useful as a fake vagina at a lesbian orgy.
It did come across as a bit 'end of season'. I had to wonder if the TV was on mute a few times but then realised had I been there I'd have been making the same (non-existant) level of noise.
Oh, and anyone else get the feeling we're launching a new home kit on 14th May? In only mention it because it seemed to be the only bloosy message on the advertising hoardings last night and it did my bloody head in. Still, it meant I didn't see much of Phil 'Skeletor' Neville......
Reply to Fiftee:
Bit harsh on Kalou, but I agree on a couple of the offsides.... It ain't that hard to stay onside when you have the whole pitch in front of you.
I also had forgotten about Quaresma... The onlyreason he has been left out must be to keepsome consistency ahead of the Barca games for which he isn't eligible.
I hope now Guus going to field some youth: Miroslav, Di Santo, Mancienne. At least they will be motivated, if not to win title, so to prove themselves.
Oh shit......
LINK
Carlo has been learning English.....From David Beckham!
Please let this be a wind up!
Reply to Greenlight:
Good grief. That's like learning Chinese from a takeaway menu.
Average game and an unsurprising result; don't think we were 100% after last week's rollercoaster ride. Good to see a clean sheet again, just a shame there was little to speak of at the other end. I might have a few quid on us winning the Cup Final in extra time - playing a game of containment against superior possession is a bit like playing Tetris; eventually something will give way. Do think that had Arteta and Yakubu been fit for the whole season, Everton would have long eclipsed Villa in the race for 5th and might have even had a sniff at fourth. Good side, not to be underestimated.
I missed last night due to resolving a virus on all my PC's - the first time I've missed a game when I had a ticket. Caught the last 15 minutes which may not have been fair reflection of the entire match but towards he end we seemed to be going for it.
Maybe this is a blessing in disguise? The chance of catching Utd is/was slim but whilst it was possible we had to keep going for it. Now it seems less likely can we rest the entire team that will play Barcelona on Tuesday?
great recap of the game!!!
I would give MOTM to Ashley cole thought. and I did think Cech did superb and made some wonderful saves. Essien was awful.
It was unfortunately we couldn’t play well and win at home but I never thought we had a shot at the league title so I am not that mad. Plus we gotta keep in mind Everton is no joke folks. I know some of the players were saying the EPL title was possible but it didn’t seam like they did believe in it. And if they did they sure didn’t show it.
Now that the Guus and the team truly given up on the league we can focus on what we actually have a shot on, the CL and FA.
I do not know why comments from harberdashers just come off me really annoying....
He said:
"I don't mind that we walked around for 90 minutes not really doing anything as we were never going to really challenge for the league and this way we should be fresh for Barca (another great win for them tonight by the way)".
Are we not glad we are not playing your beloved Mourinho's team because you would be rooting for a hammering for us eh?
Reply to Jose Musumba:
As trolling goes, that almost transcends the genre and moves into the arena of pure art.
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
You left the letter F off art
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
Clown, simply clown. Your, and some others around you, inability to accept any critique simply ridiculous! This defence mechanism, to call troll whoever do not agree with your position is preposterous!!! This blog started to look like swamp where four or five frogs getting together to tell each other how clever they are. Bunch of clowns, simply bunch of impotent clowns!!!
Ermmm....
... no, I won't try and explain, it'll just make me cross. (But at least have a look again at comment no. 13 and then ask yourself what it has to do with disagreeing with anyone, or indeed offering any sort of opinion or engaging in any sort of debate with other posts?)
Drat, I did it, now I'm cross.
Perhaps it's just the haze of end-of-term insouciance, but I actually thought last night was a good game, and I don't think we played that badly. If Drogs' late shot had gone in instead of hitting the bar I think we'd be reading a lot about how well the team was set up against difficult opposition, how good it was to get a clean sheet, the amount of possession we had and the level of comfort especially at the back of midfield (where Herr B had, I thought, an excellent game).
Actual man of the match was Yobo for me, but sine we're limited to home players I'd very much agree with the selection of Malouda. He was warmly applauded as he came off.
I think this was another game that illustrates an interesting fact about the season as a whole. Despite the tedious dominance of the Big Four, there's a noticeably smaller gap between us/them and the rest now, which is why ourselves, 'Poo and Arse have lost the league by drawing too many home games. I don't think we can treat home ties as gimme wins any more. Frustrating as it is after the José years of extraordinary home dominance, I suspect that in the long run we'll see this as a good thing, in terms of the excitement and competitiveness of the league.
Reply to Blue_MikeL:
Good grief; refer to comment 17, read this and then fuck off and don't be such a thick, clueless idiotic cunt.
The comment Habs made was thus:
"I don't mind that we walked around for 90 minutes not really doing anything as we were never going to really challenge for the league and this way we should be fresh for Barca (another great win for them tonight by the way)".
The conclusion that Musumba managed to extract from that was:
Are we not glad we are not playing your beloved Mourinho's team because you would be rooting for a hammering for us eh?
As you're obviously lacking in basic intelligence I'll explain; that has nothing to do with having a differing opinion, offering critique or presenting anything approaching reasoned debate, it's trolling and thus acting like a complete cunt - which is obviously why you're defending it as a kindred spirit. Now go away; seriously - you really need help.
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
Masterful. KJ and LTB have just provided wondrous model examples of
a.) shooting down in flames
b.) pissing on someone's fireworks
c.) knocking someone off their 'fucking perch' (copyright Sir Purplenose of Salford Quays)
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
Sometimes only the 'C' word will do :-)
God rest its offensive soul! I'm fully in the Freedom to use the C Word movement.
Reply to ChelseaTony:
Quite. And I've been very calm of late too...
Didn't know you were there last night squire - would have popped down and said hello (had I not been close to snoozing at half time...)
KaiserJonny_II, ChelseaTony, Clive and some others self proclaimed all knowing entities take a deep breath and then re evaluate your behaviour. Because you boundless stupidity is overhelming. Good bye....
Reply to Jose Musumba:
Erm...what?
Look forward to your next inspired response.
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
And thanks for that. Couldn't have put it any better myself.
Reply to Blue_MikeL:
Toodle pip.
"This blog started to look like swamp where four or five frogs getting together to tell each other how clever they are."
Not, I hope, a thinly veiled attack on the noble french speaking Cajun and Creole peoples of the Bayous and Prairies of South Louisiana?
A very sound summing up TG. I thought it wasn't a bad game. We certainly fell away after half time until the late surge.
Mystified why on several occasions Halsey, on seeing a Chelsea player fouled, hesitated, watched as the ball stayed in Chelsea possession, but in a situation where the player was pressurised or was going backwards, then waved advantage when a free kick would have been much better.
Then, when on one occasion the ball breaks from a foul tackle and lands behind the Everton midfield leaving three or four Chelsea players closing down on their back four he blows up..
Perhaps Everton fans may have seen him do the same to them, I don't know, but he had a very strange concept of advantage.
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
Toodle pip is typically used by the upper classes or in imitation of upper-class speakers.
Cheap imitator - how well it sums up your ridiculous behaviour.
Reply to Blue_MikeL:
I've made a point of ignoring the twat as of late, but as my name as been mentioned when I haven't even responded to him... well it's like a red rag to a bull.
Fuck off and good riddance, go and pollute the 606 boards, it's about your level.
LINK
Reply to Blue_MikeL:
You have to refer to Wikipedia for a response?
Dear me, you really aren't very good at this, are you?!
Bretheren,
Stroll with me through the "Grove of Calm" to "Less contentious corner" and abide there awhile and give thought to the following:
"Manchester United alone hit loyal fans with
season-ticket price increase"
LINK
OFT red card for Manchester United over season tickets
LINK
Not a really much meat in the articles but coupled with what you read about the Glazers way of running their businesses added to depth of their debt repayments it's not surprising.
The fears expressed by United fans at the time of the takeover (and I suppose we have to admit they do have a few proper fans knocking about the place) are proving well founded.
Think of the sort of money they would have made in recent years if they weren't a debt vehicle. On second thoughts don't.
Reply to Blue_MikeL:
The problem lies with you I'm afraid in your mindless defence of Musumba. What Musumba did was take a comment from Habs and follow it up with some totally non-related conclusion. This is called a non-sequitur (literally 'it does not follow' )
LINK(logic)
So, in the absence of any rational debate or valid argument whereby the conclusion follows on from the premises it would appear that Musumba's ill published comments are nonsensical and designed to be nothing more than inflammatory. Hence the perfectly rational and valid conclusion that he is acting in the 'modus operandii' of the internet troll.
You then follow this with an appeal to ridicule, as if this in some way strengthens your own assertions about people being 'clowns' or 'frogs', by alluding that KJ_II's use of a colloquial phrase of fond departure is in some way evidence of his expression of faux Upper Class superiority. The truth is you've now resorted to a different and totally unrelated logical fallacy in order to undermine his well formed reasons for criticising your response.
I, on the other hand, can't be arsed to get wound up by you and Musumba. With no evidence other than your blind evangelical pompous outbursts of faux-piety, I just happen to think you're a self righteous prick.
*Nick - apologies for the decline of my comments into thinly disguised abuse*
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
I sat elsewhere last night as one of our travelling crew couldn't make it and for purely logistical reasons it's easier and quicker to meet up at the car if we're all sat together.
Still the road planners who coned off great swathes of the A3 pretty much destroyed any quick getaway advantage.
The report itself was designed to be brief as I was asked to stand in for Mark last night. I didn't intend to portray it as a bad performance, hence the shift from Good/Bad/Ugly to Good/Not quite so good/Bad/Ugly standard format. Nick and I agreed that any report was better than none.
Overall, we were mediocre, as were Everton. Both side displayed flashes of their strengths but the finishing touches were distinctly so-so. Note Jo's tripping over his own feet when presented with what looked like a banker in the first half. This is why I hope it wasn't a preview of the Cup Final (Note - we lost the toss and will play in yellow at Wembley). We did have some good moments in both halves, but the last 10 minutes or so of the first half you could sense the frustration within the team at their inability to break Everton down. The only policy that seemed to work was by going round them down the wings and yet we persisted with cutting inside and trying the middle route. The second half was much of a muchness with Everton happy to play on the break and us in the end totally reliant on Route One stuff emanating from Cech in a retrospective of his bad old ways under Avram.
In a logic diagram it would be represented by the decision box of 'Is Drogba playing?' No - build from the back, Yes - hoof it up the park. Quite dispiriting for the watchers.
All in all, the players looked slightly out of sorts and off the pace. If he'd rested a few maybe the surprise factor could have done for Everton, however the same result and we'd have been jumping up and down accusing Lucky Guus of getting it wrong. An FA Cup, a CL and 2nd or 3rd and then prepare for next season. Not too bad really.
Sorry folks...its hidden away in my last diatribe.
We lost the toss and will wear our yellow kit at Wembley for the final.
Finally I see that the silly pups have finally spilt their milk...
Tantrums?
I offered my opinion on an idiots opinion and a flock of other idiots joined in...Cheap!
I remember reading not a while ago how some silly idiots had enjoyed a laugh at a young Arsenal support for throwing a tantrum for them losing the semi-final to us...
Still having a laugh???
Reply to Jose Musumba:
LOL You have the cheek to call us idiots.... I've probably forgotten more than you've learnt!
Reply to ChelseaTony:
Oh Jesus! I'm prepared to be corrected, but I'm struggling to think of a single game of any note we have won in a yellow kit in recent years!
Ooops I think I replied to the wrong post.
Reply to Jose Musumba:
Does anyone else struggle to make any sense at all out of what Musumba says?
Is English your first language, Jose?
Reply to ChelseaTony:
Tony, we are all Chelsea supporters and this is what unites all of us on this blogg. We can have different opinions, sometimes controversial, sometimes even ridiculous (to some ones opinion), but the most important thing is that we all love Chelsea, each in his way!!! I love this blogg. I have been on this blogg for about 3 plus years. Why? Because I found here people who ready to talk about football and to talk about the club. I remember Jose Musumba was writing game reviews and we were discussing it, yes we did not agree with all what he was saying, but we had a discussion!!! Nevertheless, recent tendency on this blogg is really frightening!!! There is a group of people who took a monopoly over the blogg and slaughtering anybody who dares to sound any different point of view!!! It is simply not right!!! I completely disagree with it!!! Think about it guys!!! Consider it as my soul cry or whatever you want, but I really mean every word I have said!
Reply to Blue_MikeL:
In which case, being entirely reasonable and clear on the point, please can you tell us how this comment:
"I don't mind that we walked around for 90 minutes not really doing anything as we were never going to really challenge for the league and this way we should be fresh for Barca (another great win for them tonight by the way)".
Getting this response:
Are we not glad we are not playing your beloved Mourinho's team because you would be rooting for a hammering for us eh?
Constitutes opinion, discussion, a differing point of view or any of the things that you claim to be so fiercely in favour of?
A straight answer would be nice, without your usual overblown nonsensical prevarication.
If Musumba had suggested why he disagreed with Habs's point, fair enough, but he was trolling and nothing more; when people post crap like that, they will get ripped into, and rightly so.
Bang on about your soul crying, how we're nasty bullies that have a monopoly all you like, but you're talking abject rubbish and you know it.
Moving on... yellow shirt; not good news, it has to be said. Just hope we're not wearing it in the Nou Camp.
I think we have the 'lucky' dressing room at Wembley though, don't we?
Reply to Blue_MikeL:
Most of us here believe in Geniocracy.
Reply to Blue_MikeL:
Differing opinions are fine as long as they are argued from a perspective of passion and backed up with reasoned argument...even if that's nothing more than a hunch. What Musumba does is come on here and call people 'idiots' etc and misquotes people in order to underpin a logical fallacy.
Trolling....whichever way you cut it. Your mistake, in my view, was to defend Musumba when in fact it would have been better to ignore him. Like I did.
Just a cursory glance through the articles and comments will tell you that adversarial debate is encouraged and welcomed from all flavours of fan. Being inflammatory for the sake of it however isn't.
A bit slow on the comeback here, but bravo CT (though admit it - it took a while to fit all the big words in the right places, right ;-)?)
AGH57 - either this season or last we beat Pompey at Fratton Park in the yellow strip, I'm sure of it.
EDIT : Here you go : LINK
We have won at least once in yellow !!!!
Reply to ChelseaTony:
Anthology of the conflict: messages 13, 14, 15
Message 13 is just an opinion. Messages 14 and 15 are far from being an invitation to discussion.
Reply to Blue_MikeL:
You just look for arguments, don't you? That's just an opinion by the way!
Reply to Clive:
I do not want to argue, although I know that my words sound unconvincing, but anyway I insist on it. I will be the first one to slam any Apsenal, or Liverpool muppet coming to this board. However, I do believe that as a Chelsea supporters we should be more tolerant to each other. This all what I am trying to say. I understand that to keep everybody in peace is simply utopia, but to express more tolerance to each other would be a good idea. Otherwise we are alienating all those who love the club, but disagree with some of the opinions here. As I said already many times we are all supporting Chelsea!
KTBFFH
Jeez it's all got a bit fractious on here since I last looked yesterday morning - time to remember the "ignore the trolls till they get bored and go away" policy I think.
@BB - thanks for the links to the Mancs' season ticket policy above. I'd only seen a much shorter version which made no sense at all.
If I read these correctly they currently not only sell normal season tickets with compulsory additional purchase of all home cup ties [or you lose your season ticket] but they also sell 1-year seasons with no right to buy cup tickets at all. Hard to understand why they need to enforce cup ticket purchase given they supposedly sell-out virtually every game?
Not surprised they are hiking prices again next year. While the articles I've seen on their last year accounts all commented on how convoluted their finances are - the clear point was that despite their huge turnover their annual profit doesn't come close to covering the interest on the loans that the Glazers have saddled them with.
Finally - just heard Lamps phone up the James O'Brien show on LBC radio where he'd been getting stick over the treatment of his kids in the newspaper articles about his break-up with his girlfriend. Thought he came across really well and thoroughly deflated the presenter who can usually put down callers easily.
Reply to Fiftee:
I sort of meant any games of real note. The last one I can recall is the 1997 FA Cup Quarter Final against Portsmouth and that kit had quite a bit of blue in it as well. To me it all started with those awful yellow Autoglass kits, in my (albeit it may be selective and I'm not as young as I was) mind we always seem to struggle in the yellow kits.
Since 1984 (the last Le Coq Sportiff ones) they've always looked pretty ropey anyway.
There again, I am one of two Chelsea supporters I know who actually liked the Graphite/Tangerine away kit from the mid 90's. I always thought it looked pretty good, unless it was David Hopkin wearing it. Then, to be fair, through a combination of the kit, his ginger hair, very pale skin and tattoos that he looked liked he'd done himself, there was a bit of a clash going on.
Gotta love Lamps (well some of us do anyway) :
LINK
This is the full transcript of the conversation BBD mentions in #49.
Bloody good on him for giving his side of events.
What a c**t (the radio presenter that is). It must have taken a huge amount of self control not to lose it when having to speak to a f**kwit like that.
Brilliant stuff from Lamps.
Reply to blueboydave:
Not much football this week then, on or off the pitch.
Frank certainly demonstrated what we all already knew - that he is indeed an proper gent. Not many around these days, either.
That radio guy should also remind us that there's enough crap out there without introducing it onto this blog, so am in full agreement with your opening policy statement.
BTW.
Didn't see the match, chose instead to keep a Weds pass free for the barca return and wasn't expecting much from it anyway.
A bit surprised that we didn't rest a few of the first team.
If Guus thought that just playing a strong side would automatically generate three points, then it was a valuable lesson indeed.
Listen to Frank on the radio LINK
To quote my own favourite TV presenter who is supposed to be a parody but is in fact alarmingly true to life, Alan partridge....
Back of the net Frank, back of the net.
Bloody marvellous, and a joy to see someone stand up for himself without involving mealy mouthed PR's and lawyers.
Mr Lampard sir, you are a gent of the highest order.
And many thanks for the link Mark.
I don’t normally read the Sun, but followed a link on here yesterday and saw the story that sparked all this. I remember wondering at the time about how he felt about his girls as no mention was made of Frank having any contact with the children, which seemed curious. But I thought no more about as what right do I have to question the situation without knowing all the facts.
It’s difficult enough to know what the truth is with your own friends and family half the time. Then today there’s more.
What obviously exercised Frank was the distress being caused to members of his family and the implication that he had abandoned his children to live in circumstances inferior to his own.
So he rings the radio station and while sounding a little annoyed, speaks quite rationally, without swearing (which must have been difficult) while the odious presenter talks to him in that patronising and irritating manner.
What is the response of the Sun? They print a transcript under the title “Frank Lampard rant”. Fair enough, it is the Sun, they’re obviously out to get him and want to portray him as out of control.
What really gets my goat is that while looking up something else on the Guardian website I notice they have a story under the banner
Furious Frank Lampard abuses host on live radio show
• Lampard phones LBC host on air to rail against 'idiots like you'
LINK
Now at least the Sun prints a reasonably comprehensive transcript. This mob take selective quotes and omit the key part, which is that Lampard has regular contact with his children who stay with him 3 days a week and that his ex is herself far from happy with the reporting.
Now as I’ve said I don’t know the rights and wrongs of all that has gone on but this is shabby, partial reporting from the supposed quality press as well as the tabloid radio and print media. It is indicative of what goes on day in and day out and God help you if you’re not as articulate and well known as someone like Frank Lampard.
Private Eye called Fleet Street, “The Street of Shame” . How aptly named
Can Guus put a photo of James O'Brien on the dressing room door in Barcelona?
Lamps is considered fair game for a pop by not just the media but, it seems other players - which explains the astonishing failure of the mostly braindead muppets to vote him onto the PFA shortlist. It's probably got to do with the fact he is educated, articulate and rich. But I also suspect it is because he plays for Chelsea. It is indeed a pleasure to hear him stand up for himself - and its not the first time. Martin Samuel told a wonderful story in the Times last year about being at a Football Writers Awards do when Frank, on his way back from the stage with his winners statuette, stopped at Samuels' table to chat. Alan Davies the so-called comedian was also sitting there and offered his congratulations but Frank, remembering an article Davies had written about him being fat etc (yawn), told him to f**k off and tore into him about his piece.
Chelsea as a whole club needs to stand up for itself more against lazy stereotyping. Up here in the frozen north I'm having to do it all the time, often against so-called intelligent people. Wankers tend to buy into all those myths about northern clubs being people's clubs etc as opposed to London clubs - which they see as somehow entirely supported by toffs who get driven to games by chauffeurs and the like.
which they see as somehow entirely supported by toffs who get driven to games by chauffeurs and the like.
@Danny
It's true; I get driven to matches by our friendly coach driver Steve. ;-)
Reply to Clive:
Ok, I'll tell James to take the weekend off for the next home game. Is it alright if I get the housekeeper to pack my prawn sandwiches?
Reply to Mark25:
Only Prawns Mark; I see the global financial crisis has hit you hard, it's always lobster and caviar in my sandwiches.
That's an extraordinary read.
I'm almost more upset now about the fact that The Sun is going to sell lots of copies based on that interview. In fact I'm upset that the hit counter on The Sun's website will go up because I read the transcript there.
Still, it's almost worth it to see the meejah idiot absolutely skewered, forced to apologise on air, and then left humiliated as his attempts at jokey phone-in-show mateyness are exposed for the pathetically shallow trivia they are. Given the contempt generally directed at footballers (probably with reason in most cases, to be fair) it'll be interesting to see how this story is spun. The rags will find some way to make it all Frank's fault, obviously, but you hope the more serious journalists will actually take a moment to sit up and think.
Good old Kay Burley - made James 'O Brien look like the utter cunt that he is.
LINK
Actaully looking around the newpaper sites the reporting is all using the word 'rant' and 'abuse' as if defending your dignity and honour is either, but the comments from football fans from all clubs are indeed very supportive of Franks, even the hammers.
I think its because most footy fans recognise the media for the circus it is. One only has to look on iPlayer at the supremely brilliant Charlie Brookers newswipe to see how easy it is to expose the stupidity and lowest common denominator ethos of a large percentage of the press.
Although started by a radio talk show, this whole episode has reminded me why I haven't regularly bought a newspaper for many years.
The follow ups were probably worse than the original: given a chance to put the record straight (and possibly gain some brownies over their radio competition) the journos just couldn't resist sensationalism and slanting things against Frank.
Going back to the earlier notion of different blogs getting together sometimes; there's obviously plenty of common ground among otherwise opposing supporters and that idea is even more appealing now.
Back to the footy:
The wham game always looked tricky, but after midweek it's taken on a really awkward appearance.
We can't afford to completely abandon the PL yet Tuesday's got to be top priority.
My guess is that we'd hoped for a result midweek so that the oldies could be rested before the biggie, but now that's less likely I wonder what plan b is.
Scene 1 Large Empty Church
(footsteps echo as a man walks down the aisle and steps into the confessional)
Priest (behind curtained grill): Yes my son?
BB (for it is he): Bless me Father for I have sinned it is 35 years since my last confession (blah blah)
Priest: Looks like I’m going to have to put a shift in here then
BB: No Father I’ve just the one thing on my mind today. I heard some unctuous bastard on the radio saying this to a man whose personal circumstances he knew next to nothing about but still saw fit to insult:
“For me if you’ve got little girls and this is going to sound awful, I have little girls of three and one, I can’t conceive of any circumstances in which I wouldn’t fight tooth and flipping nail to hold my family together.”
It mad me mad Father.
Priest: And what did you do?
BB: I fervently prayed that when he got home he opened the kitchen door to see the plumber and his missus making the beast with two backs.
Priest: That’s not a very Christian way of thinking is it my son?
BB: No Father, but I’m truly sorry.
Priest: Say 100 Hail Marys and 50 decades of the Rosary
BB: Righto Father
Gets up to leave, opens the confessional door with an echoing creak
Priest: Oh and BB
BB: Yes Father?
Priest: If you ever see the odious twat, give him a punch in the bracket for me, there’s a good lad.
Magnificent response from Lampard.....
He didn't have to get on the radio, but to doso with such control and in such an articulate manner shows the measure of the man.
He has had to put up with so much rubbish from media, opposition fans, England fans and even a few of our own trolls that I really hope this interview is enough to get a few of those people back in his corner.
Well done Lamps!
Just an attempt to switch focus slightly onto tomorrow's (and in a way Tuesday's) game: Bosingwa at LB against the Hammers. Good move by Guus? Bad?
In a way, I can see the logic for Tuesday. Ivanovic is worth his spot in the starting XI at the moment, and Alex's form is keeping him out of his preferred place in the centre. The large majority of us would say Ivanovic is more defensively sound than Bosingwa as a RB - the perfect option to face Henry.
The idea of Bosingwa against Messi might frighten some, but, with consideration, it actually makes some sense. John Toshack raised the idea on ITV after the second leg against Liverpool that with Messi's inclination to cut inside, a right footed left back wouldn't be such a bad idea. I'd prefer an Ivanovic on both sides or even Carvalho there (who is injured AGAIN regardless), but oh well!
We also need to remember that Alves, a similar style of full back to Bosingwa, will be bombing forward at every opportunity to overlap with Messi. It's pretty likely we are not going to keep Barcelona out, but our defence is still strnger than theirs and they might be vulnerable on the counter. With Bosingwa and Malouda to run into the space that Alves leaves behind, hopefully we'll be able to catch a few chances on the break.
As for tomorrow, a win would be nice to keep up the momentum for the Nou Camp and maintain third place ahead of the Arse. For the first time in years, we're not in the title race at this stage of the season, so I wouldn't be too surprised if we rested a few players for midweek and played under a little less pressure. Hopefully, Di Santo and Mancienne will get a decent amount of playing time.
Am I the only one who thinks Barcelona have more worries than we do about the game on Tuesday? I know we're going to be short of Ashley. I know Messi is good. I know the other two forwards are not bad either. I know they have a top midfield general. But..they play the equivalent of West Brom every week. Their defence is untested in the real fire. When they look at videos of the Drog and Lamps and then see Essien bombing on, and then remember Chelsea are not exactly famous for lying down and being over-awed, don't you think they get a bit nervous? Also, with the first leg at home, don't you think the need to get goals in the bag for the second leg, coupled with the need to keep our forwards and midfielders out, is going to play a bit of havoc with their planning? I felt something before our Liverpool away leg, that we were better than many of us were giving us credit for. I sort of feel the same this time. Its to do with a burning desire in the players to retrieve what was lost last season, I think. Plus the fact that we really do have some big game players in the ranks, for whom opposition like this is what they live to compete against. I'll spend Tuesday night walking up and down my hallway with the occasional visit to the living room to look at the box. But I won't be that surprised if we pull off a decent result. I'm confident we'll score goals.
This afternoon is all about Boswinga winning his place for Tuesday. We don't need to win. And apart from their fans, it all feels a bit like a kickabout among friends.
I couldnt agree more Dannybrod.
I think it will be nerves aplenty from Barca..
The other thing is that they have Real Madrid away next weekend, after playing Valencia away tonight... After Real they have Villareal. Tough run there.. playing 2nd, 4th and 5th teams.. Will be interesting to see how the squad is managed for that stretch. Let's just hope for a late winner for Valencia tonight so no players can be rested for Tuesday.
That run of games would certainly be playing in the minds of Barca, especially for the 2nd leg. It is possible that they could be even on points with Real Madrid by then, having said that, they are a class team and i wouldnt be surprised if they won 2 or 3 nil tonight.
I don't know who was more shocked about the saved pentaly.. cech or me...
Any idea when his last saved penalty prior to today was?
Good result.
Cech saved a penalty? Blimey, wonders will never cease.
Wish he'd kept that bit of good luck for the inevitable Barca penalty next week though... :-)
Reply to Dylbo:
Against the winker in the CL final, but the last PL penalty save was against Blackburn a few years ago, I think.
Bloody Hell Spuds 2-0 up, what's the world coming to?
My my if you live long enough you see everything. Chech saving a penalty and Manure getting a dodgy one at OT just when they need it. .I thought it could never happen.
A timely reminder of the sort of shenanigans we will face again in Barca, with the ref having a think at half time as it were.
Well done to the chaps. Two games two clean sheets. Would be nice to make it 3 in a row.....
Sorry BB I just don't buy the fact the Utd get a dubious penalty at Old Trafford. Every penalty appeal they ask for is a nailed on, and every one against them is an incompetent mistake by the ref.
It's in the FA rule book in small print under some obscure sub section. I'm sure you could google it to find it.
@ChelseaTony
"When one begins feeling that they know it all it is actually then that they know nothing at all."
You my friend are caught in something you think you know all about and yet you are coming out sounding more like you actually do not know a thing about what is going on...
I will refresh your memory...
I opted to step off this blog awhile a go not because I loved Chelsea any less but I was offended by a post that had been placed on this blog that was short of being porn. I did not agree with the foul language used and my views were discarded.
During that time Harberdashers happened....This bloke kept taunting me back to the blog...I kept getting insult on insult from this bloke so i decided to come and see what material this chelsea fan had to offer...
All I have witnessed from this bloke was first Mourinho this and Mourinho that...and has since moved on to love lampard hate Alex...which honestly to being fair is boring and tasteless. I love the Nick's, Marks and your blogs because they offer room for opinion.
Do not get me wrong, I love Lampard and any other Chelsea player but only as long as they are doing it for Chelsea. I am that kind of fan who believes no one is bigger than the Chelsea "spirit". The club is above the individual at all times because we have seen them come and go.
I however pick on Lampard when he has a bad game because he influences our results so much. He is paid lots of money to deliver for the club.
I have been a Chelsea fan since 1990 in the year we had the likes of Kerry, Le Saux, Stevie and Frank Sinclar were playing for us. I have witnessed Chelsea heart ache after heart ache. I have seen the joys of the club and the ambitions grow with every year since Roman took over.
I do not think anyone should claim to be more of a Chelsea fan and claim other peoples views are inferior to theirs. I am not English (some idiots keep asking) and only use it on this blog as French is my first language.