Premier League: Newcastle United 0 - 2 Chelsea [Updated by Tony Glover]
Saturday, 04 April 09, 11:29 AM · Comments (115)
Updated Sunday, 05 April 09, 10:11 AM by Tony Glover
Match reports
The Observer, Paul Wilson: "What a surprise this was. Not that Alan Shearer failed to have an instant galvanising effect on the Newcastle players – no one actually believes he is capable of miracles – but that the famous Geordie crowd did not manage much of a response to the return of a favourite son."
Sunday Telegraph, Rory Smith: "The second coming briefly, brightly burned away the gloom which had shrouded St James’ Park ever since Kevin Keegan’s road to Damascus moment last year. Paeans to Shearer’s passion and iron will greeted the prodigal’s return. Limp defeat to a sub-par Chelsea proved that belief alone will not be enough."
Sunday Times, Jonathan Northcroft: "THE Messiah moment came and went at around half past four. With a triangular passing move of sudden quality - far better than anything they managed during the rest of the afternoon - Newcastle played Michael Owen into a scoring position and his shot cannoned off Alex, struck John Mikel Obi, and dropped beyond Petr Cech."
Independent on Sunday, Michael Walker: "His head shaking, the swear words tumbling forth, his body taut with repressed anger as he surely wondered about the decision he made last Monday, Alan Shearer endured his introduction to the brutal trade of football management yesterday. Looking emasculated as his beloved Newcastle United crumbled before his eyes, Shearer was as powerless as any of his predecessors to prevent one of Newcastle's essential characteristics – dismal defending – from kicking in. Chelsea won with too much to spare."
Official Chelsea FC Website: "That sound from the north-east is the Shearer bubble deflating as second-half goals from Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda claimed the precious points."
The goals
56' Lampard 0-1
65' Malouda 0-2
The preamble
A beautiful sunny day, a whole squad away on international duty, the recent memory of a bitter defeat to Spurs and the return of a Geordie Messiah (just how many do they have up there?)... all begging the question of which Chelsea would turn up. Well the permanent pessimists with our worry line etched foreheads needn’t have worried. Just as in Europe, when everyone’s having their fiestas and ferias there’s always a sour-face party pooper in the form of lager soaked Brits ready to ruin the party, along came the poker faces of South West London, as if defending the honour of our recently departed agent, Dennis Wise, to bring the Barcode Party to a crashing close.
Standard good, bad and ugly fayre today on the basis of having watched the game on Sky.
The good
- Frank Lampard. Or to give him his official title, Super Frankie Lampard. Utterly magnificent, scored a great opportunist goal and should have had another two. We should have won by five with Kalou and Anelka opting to miss at least two golden opportunities where it would have been easier to score.
- Salomon Kalou. Yep, another good game for Kalou whose work rate has increased dramatically this season and perhaps adding to the mystery of his recent spell on the bench.
- Branislav Ivanovic. Standing in at right-back he once again showed great composure in the tackle and with the passing. I honestly do see another Carvalho here and his concentration levels are so intense it's almost frightening.
- The performance. Professional and calm. Like the Gaviscon firemen we came to the raging fire and applied a cool white coating of measured football, controlling the game from the start, grinding through an unspectacular first half before smothering the barcodes in the second.
- Steve Harper. Give them credit they do seem to know a good goalkeeper when they see one and having lived in Given’s shadow for some time Harper does seem to be coming to the fore. He stopped it being at least four goals. It’s a shame his defence is so accident prone.
- Florent Malouda. Hold it... I might need a lie down in a darkened room. Nope, I’m definitely not ill. Malouda had a GOOD game. Not great, but definitely GOOD, capped with a very well taken goal. It’s about time.
- Rob Styles. Yep, maybe I am ill then. A referee in the ‘good’ section - but he seemed to have a good rapport with the players, and although he made mistakes (who doesn’t?), notably Frank's booking and Owen's disallowed goal he at least applied consistency. He’s my ‘local’ ref and drinks at a local pub I frequent... maybe he deserves a pint.
The bad
- John Mikel Obi. Oh dear. Oh very dear. His recent demotion to the bench seems to have knocked the wind from his sails and restored his ability to tackle clumsily. Let’s hope it’s a blip.
- There is a temptation to put Coloccini in here as he made a terrible error of judgement for the first goal, or even Newcastle in general but that seems a bit unfair. He doesn’t look a bad player and they don’t look a bad team, just an unfortunate, until now, mismanaged basket case. I think Shearer looks the part and the crowd certainly love him but I fear time has just run out for them and they are now one of my tips for relegation. That would be sad in my view because a Premier League without Newcastle, despite the monochrome nature of the aesthetics, would mean a less colourful division.
- Peter Lovenkrands injury. An innocuous looking clash with Malouda led to him being taken off with an oxygen mask on. Never a good sign. I hope he’s OK.
- Mark’s seating position. He must have needed oxygen and crampons to reach that lofty position. Was it something you said?
The ugly
- Nothing from this game but... the spectre of Liverpool winning the Premier League after yet another injury time winner should be enough to give all of you nightmares.
Player ratings (out of 10 and from the default score of 6 with marks added or subtracted for being good or bad)
- Petr Cech – 7/10 – Had barely anything to do but seemed to control the box well and no flapping at crosses today.
- Branislav Ivanovic – 7.5/10 – Super performance and his lack of regular matches is mystifying. Carvalho-esque.
- John Terry – 7.5/10 – Just carrying on from where he left off...
- Ashley Cole – 7/10 – Consistent and saved us a from conceding a goal... which was... err... a goal.
- Alex – 7/10 – Commanding in the air and composed overall.
- Frank Lampard – 9/10 – Wonderful.
- John Mikel Obi – 6/10 – Seemed to be trying to prove a point a little too forcefully.
- Salomon Kalou – 8/10 – Clearly improving and can justifiably be a bit miffed at being dropped recently.
- Florent Malouda – 7.5/10 – That’s his highest rating ever from any of us I think. A little too late to start playing well and will still leave in my view.
- Michael Essien – 7/10 – Survived an early scare but subdued compared to his recent games. Still a huge bonus to have on the pitch.
- Nicolas Anelka – 7/10 – Quietish performance but did well for the first goal. His substitution was Hiddink keeping him ready for the midweek game I can’t bear to mention.
- Franco Di Santo (sub for Anelka) – 7/10 – Has he beefed up a bit? Needs a goal.
- Michael Ballack (sub for Essien) – 7/10 – Came on and did yet another calm job. Also should have scored.
- Overall team performance – 8/10 – Gaviscon and on and on...
Man of the Match
Super Frankie Lampard. Marvellous.
Final thoughts
As I say, this is based on watching the game on Football First whilst nursing a niggly hangover. I said Newcastle were rubbish and we’d win 2-0. I was right on one thing, the score. The first half was fairly equal and Newcastle seemed to edge the midfield. Nil-nil was looking the most likely outcome by half time. The difference is the top teams can find another gear and that’s what we did. We got the rewards for patience and discipline. Newcastle found out in the second half that they’d been in top gear all along. They aren’t rubbish though. They are distinctly average and looking at the team they should be vying with Spurs and West Ham rather than looking down the barrel of the relegation gun. But that’s what mismanagement does for you, from the top right down. Fair play to Ashley he is trying to rectify it, but Joe Kinnear is not, and never was, the man for them. Shearer may plan to do a Gus Hiddink and return to his former post but I think that Ashley will do whatever it takes to keep him and Dowie on, relegation or not.
The spectre of Liverpool now looms large over us and whatever we might think, they are playing like a team destined for trophies. Last minute ground out victories are the hallmark of such teams and despite this win I still feel Manchester United will have to win all their games to keep Liverpool at bay.
However there is one huge influence on the destination of the title this year. Our friends in North London, Arsenal have to play all of the top three in the remaining games of the season. They have Liverpool and Manchester United away, and us at home. It’s worth noting their recent return to form as well which seems to have cemented the usual suspects in the top four. Arsenal are more than capable of beating all three sides and so the title destination still seems more open than it did a few weeks back.
I’d rather see United do a hat trick of Premier league titles than see Liverpool lift it. As for us, we’ve a few big games ourselves to come. Not least of all the first of the nightmare games against this resurgent Liverpool.
It’s time to don the tin hats folks.
Keep the Blue Flag Flying High!
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by Tony Glover
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115 Comments · Add yours
Solid performance by the Chelsea Blue today. The referee did almost every thing he could to ruin the match though. Booking Lampard for diving when he was clearly fouled by Butt and he was just 10 yards away too. The ball crossed the line as well but happy days for us one more goal difference wouldn't hurt. Keep the blue flag flying.
Lovely stuff. Not sure about the view from Mark's seat though... And well called TG!
Shearer has one hell of a job on his hands there; can't see where the points will come from other than one or two games. Good return to form for us after Spurs though.
"Lovely stuff. Not sure about the view from Mark's seat though... And well called TG!"
Looks like Mark was still flying in on a late arrival to the airport.
But yes good result, keeps the pressure on those reds above us.
How many more games are those Scouse Scum going to win in the 93rd minute???
It was a good win, but we didn't look dominant until the second half. I know that a lot of us have wondered about why Ivanovic and Mikel have been out of the first team recently. It may just have been lack of match experience, but both were pretty horrible today. Passes to nowhere, or someone in black and white, beaten repeatedly, and (in Mikel's case) some really stupid tackles. Even Essien didn't seem his old self: poor first touches, losing the ball.
Pity about the last minute goal against Fulham. Liverpool will believe they can beat anyone when we go to Anfield next week.
It must be the highest seat I've ever sat in. By the time I'd climbed the 7 flights of stairs I felt match fit. Plenty of good banter to wind up the Geordies.
Reply to Chris:
Agree that Mikel was a bit off today, but Ivanovic was fantastic, great in the tackle, hard working and his passing was as good as anyone's in our side. I really think he's got everything that Carvalho has. Top marks to Lamps as well for a second half display that if it was Stevie-Me would have had the press/pundits wetting their collective y-fronts....
I've just watched the whole game live on Sky Sports Football First so if a report is needed I can do one tomorrow at some point...let me Nick if that's good enough.
Two points:
1- We DID look better on the second half but I got the feeling that it wasn't the usual crap-first-half-better-second-half syndrome we used to suffer under TOAD and TSSO, it was just that Guus read the game and made his mind.
2-Anybody noticed what Owen did to JT just before the break, how he pushed him towards Cech? Imagine, God forbid, that something had happened to any of them, or both, the ref claimed it was a fair challenge!! and on top of that, he smiled like the Pope to Owen giving him his blessings.
Errrrr, should we hope for a United lose today?
Reply to BlueMania:
Nope, The thought of Liverpool staying top makes me feel nauseous.
I've done a review and posted it to Nick.
Reply to ChelseaTony:
Thanx a lot :)
Reply to ChelseaTony:
Aye I agree Tony; the thought of Liverpool winning anything turns my stomach. The fact that they scored again deep into added time, sort of took the gloss of our win a bit.
Anyway onto our annual meeting with them on Wednesday, we still owe them as they're 2-1 up in the series.
Great review TG as always, thanks for your effort.
On an irrelevant note, I'm from Damascus - Syria so obviously English isn't my native language, may I ask something? what does the term from the Sunday Telegraph including Damascus mean? Thanks in advance.
Reply to BlueMania:
BlueMania - "Road to Damascus moment" is an experience which changes a person's whole life. See here: LINK+to+Damascus and here: LINK+to+damascus.html
---
The thought of Liverpool winning anything turns my stomach, too. I have a bad feeling about our upcoming games, which will be the 24th and 25th in five years. Is it any wonder we're all bored of playing them?
Damn it, the links didn't work properly. I quote:
"If someone has a great and sudden change in their ideas or beliefs, then this is a road to Damascus change, after the conversion of Saint Paul to Christianity while heading to Damascus to persecute Christians."
And:
"Road to Damascus (British & Australian formal)
A very important experience which changes your whole life e.g. It was this chance meeting in a bar in Portland that he would later describe as his road to Damascus. (British & Australian formal)"
Losing Ivanovic in the summer would be ridiculous IMO. I think it would be best to sideline or sell Ricky now as he's clearly not far from the knackers' yard. Great player, but after his season this year we can no longer rely on him to be in the first XI, and Alex still makes me vaguely uncomfortable every time I see him alongside JT.
Reply to chelseablog:
Amen to that, Nick - I'm heartily sick of playing them; win, lose or whatever. You hope for Barcelona, Real or Bayern in Europe; yet another rematch with Liverpool and their deathly dull football is frankly not even inspiring me to switch the TV on this week.
Reply to chelseablog:
Thanks, I really appreciate it, if you have any question about Arabic, you now know whom to ask ;)
Another 3 points achieved with minimal effort and little of the anxiety expressed on here beforehand materialising.
@Mark - great photo - reminds me of the view I had for one of our old Wembley Cup Finals when I was literally in the very back row of the top tier.
@KJII - surely Wednesday is a night for watching the Barca v Bayern game while taping our effort for some judicious fast forwarding scan for any brief moments of interest afterwards?
Reply to blueboydave:
Watch the Bayern game....record our game.....what a jolly splendid idea.
Well, having just seen the Mancs poo on the Poo's parade, the only question that keeps occurring in my head is this: What are we paying Arnusen for? If the Mancs can find 17 yr olds who can score goals like that on their debuts and in such circumstances, then why can't we?
Our lack of management continuity is crippling. No one oversees the gradual development of the playing staff, bringing youth in and then through. We all know how stale our first team has become. Unless something changes here, we will start to drop behind the Mancs and Poo, and eventually the Arse. I'm serious, I think its the biggest problem we have and why I think Hiddink should be kept in whatever capacity he can be after this season.
Reply to TheBear:
Well, MOTD answered this for me this morning!
They have won 5 games this season in time added on.
Reply to dannybrod:
Evening Danny
My thoughts exactly and when that 3rd goal went in I kept thinking....who's our 18 year old wunderkind? I guess we had a chance with Sinclair but again he's not deemed good enough, Di Santo hasn't scored yet despite rattling them in for the reserves and since Scolari left poor Stoch hasn't even had a sniff. Anyone else remeber how him and Di Santo turned the debacle at home to Stoke into a glorious victory?
Sorry but Gus has done nothing to help the situation but then as caretaker, why would he? His is very much a short term mission, hence the reliance on the experienced and in some cases aging players.
I believe he'll be back as DoF with Rijkaard or similar solely responsible for 1st team duties leaving Arnesen in place to scout the talent and perhaps this alleged Dutch guy from Ajax to introduce a similar system for us. it's still very much 'work in progress' and our academy is a long way behind Arsenal and United's but maybe from next season we can see some benefits.
@ Peregrine - controversial but possibly true...Carvalho has contributed virtually nothing this season through injuries and if Ivanovic is good enough themn he should get the slot and let Carvalho earn his place back. He's a fantastic player but I remember the fuss when Gallas was allowed to go but it looked good business in the end. I love Riccy...but maybe for him and a few of the players it's time to start thinking the unthinkable.
Reply to blueboydave:
Totally agree. Can't wait to see Messi again as he's simply the best footballer on the planet. Messi, Eto'o, Henry, Xavi and Iniesta against Ribery and...um... Podolski will be a much better game than ours.
I'm already getting a little nervous, not so much bored but nervous. It's because we'll try really hard, put in an alright performance but in the end come unstuck at Anfield. Whether it be a last minunte Torres or Gerrard goal or a referee error, we hardly ever do well at Anfield and i fear more disappointment come Wednesday. That's why our 4-1 win up there in 2005 is still one of my favourite ever games. I feel that we have to score but with no Riise i just don't know who'll bang one in. Rafa's genius CL tactics will shut down our only two threats - Lamps and Didier - an then we'll be looking a little desperate. As long as we keep it tight then the second leg should still give us a great chance. It may be a little depressing but Liverpool, Anfield and the CL never add up well for us.
As for Newcastle, well it was routine and i'll enjoy seeing them in the Championship next season.
Agree with the sentiments on the lack of a wonderkid.
The way I see it, this Macheda kid is their new Danny Welbeck. We haven't even got a Welbeck yet. Di Santo's played a bit, but not shown the form he had in pre-season, where I felt he could be our secret weapon this year. Katuka was close to a break through before his injury, not sure who that leaves - Frank Nouble perhaps?
And I dont think I've ever been less bothered about a Chelsea game than I already am ahead of Wednesday. Anfield will be a cauldron; Lampard vs Alonso v5.0; Gerrard will do some calculated falling over; they'll score after 87 minutes.
Half the script is written already, it's just so uninspiring and unexciting. Maybe my usual pessimism is having a baring on that - I don't think we'll progress. They're playing like we did in the title seasons under Jose (boring, but regimented, performances, sneaking one-nils). We're playing like they did at the same time - some decent and unspectacular performances against routine opponents, but found lacking when it's really required.
Reply to blueboydave:
A good point; Bayern v Barca likely to be an infinitely more attractive spectacle (cue 8 goal thriller at Anfield).
Seem to recall my seat for the 2000 cup final against Villa was quite similar; back row of the ghastly old Wembley - standing up removed half of the pitch from view (given how dreadful the game was that may not have been such a bad thing though).
Continuity, continuity and continuity; the fact that Ferguson knew questions wouldn't be asked about his ability to do the job if Marchena had come on and done bugger all - what Chelsea manager in the Abramovich era could have made the same kind of change at such a critical time in a big game and not been questioned by the club, fans and the media?
Sorry, Macheda... poor bloke is on the back page of half the world's newspapers and I still can't spell his name right...
As wonderful as the goal was, I thought the substitution smacked a little bit of desperation.
The bench was pretty threadbare anyway so I suppose he had little choice. Andy Gray did mention in his commentary, that he couldn't see any real goal threat coming form the bench.
We've all seen wonderkids come and go, I think it's probably a tad to early for the press to be creaming their pants over this one.
I know they're not much good (are the Tots any better?), but it's a real pity we've already lost so much ground because a trip to the stripey ones with an unspectacular but safe 3 point return at this part of the season is what champions are made of, esp. with the Shearer factor to deal with.
Thought I'd work from home today and get my TV fixed: watched MOTD2 last night and as the manu game ended my set just tuned itself into the Manu TV broadcast network or whatever it's called.
Very strange, no punditry just gushing praise so I must've missed the other six goals that made it such an emphatic victory. It looked like they even got their TV crew onto the field of play for the extra time goal celebs.
And what was MoN going on about?
It states quite clearly in the FA rule book:-
Law 18.2.5 "Extra time of at least 5 minutes shall be allocated whenever a home team wearing red is about to lose points to the detriment of British Football and causing a threat to World Peace and Prosperity"
and also
Law 18.2.6 "Any person officiating during such loss of points and prestige shall find themselves acting as fourth official on Hackney Marshes if such still exists"
In football it is not over until it is over. Let's wait until after the match on wednessday, although to be sincere they are better than us at the moment.
Reply to blueboydave:
Thanks blueboydave
The worrying part is that I wasn't in the back row, but row 11 of the away section. There must have been 30-40 rows behind me. My flight home didn't reach this altitude.
Nice piece Tony…’cept that I thought the ref was going to Rob us in Style in the 1st half…couldn’t stop cursing him…he turned a different leaf in the 2nd half though.
Ivanovich is a very, very good defender….quick, focused and fine tackler. I don’t know what the club management’s plans are but this guy should not be sold!
As for the champs league, I’m already getting the jitters….the pool will likely play their high pressure, no-time-on–the-ball, fast tempo game that gets us struggling (given our slow build-up play)…whatever his plans are, Guus should include at least 1 wide player (Kalou/Quaresma) in his starting line-up to create an outlet for attack.
Or better still, we could just get Avram to handle both legs of this quarter final tie…
Hmmmmm…….
sorry...Quaresma not an option, Kalou should start then
Alexis
I agree. We need to play with two widemen or else Didier won't really be that Into it. Malouda and Kalou would me My personal choice. If Malouda can Maintain his midweek performance, that is.
interesting is'nt it? Chelsesa go to Newcastle after all the hype surrounding this game and if i am honest, I thought like many that we would probably get a draw at most yet they pull off a great win by 2 goals and non conceded in a hothouse yet Man-u and Liverpool clinch late, very late goals showing how un domineering they really are yet they get all the headlines! And some stay say there is no media bias in favour of the Man-u, Liverpool and Arsenal? (though Wengers very long honeymoon is starting to run out it seems) not only does it make you sick but worse makes you feel apathetic to the whole thing which is probably what they want.
My enthusiasm for the forthcoming two games is at an all time low, I really feel quite indifferent which is strange. I know that will change come kick-off, but still I never really enjoy playing Poo, familiarity breeds contempt etc etc..
Perhaps we should add to our excitement, by having a guessing game, not on the score yellow cards and the likes. But to see how many times the commentary team/pundits use the words History/Historic. I'll go for fifteen :-)
Maybe I missed this late last week, but I had to laugh, even if he is one of our players :
"Drogba missed Saturday's win at Newcastle after picking up the injury by kicking the ground during shooting practice in training at Cobham last Thursday"
£100,000-odd a week buys some real talent......
I feel exactly like Clive, really quite deflated about the whole pointless exercise that is the current CL (course, I'll probably change my tune if we win).
Interesting statistic in the Times - Lampard has already - with seven games to go - CREATED more goal-scoring chances that any player has managed in the previous four seasons. He's created 117 (Gerard is second with 72). The previous best was Fabregas in 2006-7 with 116.
Reply to Clive:
Good idea for anyone stalwart enough to watch live with the sound turned up - but, for anyone going for my "watch Barca v Bayern and tape our game" idea we could guess how long it will take us to fast forward through our tapes without feeling we missed anything significant. I'd guess 25 minutes tops.
I fear that anything signficant that takes place at Anfield tomorrow night will fall firmly into the "Don't blink or you'll miss it..." category.
Did see that stat about Lampard; he really is the most under-appreciated (not by most of us, obviously) English footballer of the last decade or so, isn't he?
I wonder if he's too smart to go into management - he has the potential to be a very good one.
Reply to PeteW:
Agreed, far too smart but would probably make an excellent Director of Football (unlike most of those who actually hold the title).
The poo game's very weird, a case of twelve times bitten or whatever. Makes a change for us to be underdogs, too.
FM's also in the 'we luv frank' brigade btw
LINK
I do not know how many of read Russian. In case, if somebody does I can provide the link. Some Russian sources insist that deal with Ancelotti is almost there and he is the next Chelsea manager.
Well who needs Russians
LINK
Part the 1st
Greetings good citizens (“no don’t titter” as ol’ Frankie Howard would have said).
Important things first. It seems we are about to take another step away from the traditional values, which are so much part of our beloved game. For where East Stirling go the rest of football must surely follow…..
LINK
The Report – The Game
Well done Big T, you called it correctly. On Friday while I stood rabbit-like in the headlights of the oncoming skip lorry of Geordie expectation, you pulled me firmly onto the grass verge of self-belief and serenity.
That said, listening to the game unfold on Radio London, we seemed to turn in a first half performance very similar to that at Spurs. Any of that on Wednesday and it’ll all be over before we get to the Bridge.
So I think they caught you in a generous mood on the marks, particularly as I did sense that Alex was having a bit of a mare first half and the whole team took a while to get going, which might have cost us on another day.
By the way it took me a while to get to grips with your marking system. Do you think it could be clearer? I suppose if m****t didn’t complain it must be all right. ;-)
@ Mark, good photo. Is that the curvature of the earth I can see on the horizon?
The Champeens League
One doesn’t want to feel that we ever take a step back in the ongoing crusade for our beloved Blues, but I do wonder if the feelings being expressed about the coming CL games are some sort of self defence mechanism to ward off what we feel is upcoming pain and torture. Has the top hatted and moustachioed villain of UEFA tied us to the tracks of endless Liverpool encounters, there to await the oncoming express of footballing humiliation? Tune in for Wednesday’s gripping episode…..
Part the 2nd
Despair
Away from our own result it was a particularly maddening weekend. Twice having chewed on the bubble gum of hope and inflated it to an enormous sphere, I was left with a head covered in the pink, sticky detritus of disappointment.
On the radio, as Benayoun was subbed on, Graham Taylor pointed out that he was wearing number15, same as the 100-1 Grand National winner. “Good spot Graham,” I thought, “ but it’s just a coincidence nothing more…….”. Sigh. Oh dear.
Thankfully on Sunday, I had to go and stop the kids throwing garden soil all over each other so missed the final goal, having been repeatedly told by Radio 5’s finest that Manure’s bench was down to the bare bones and throwing on the kid was an act of desperation.
But both of ‘em scoring in injury time? Having tried hard to say good-bye to our title hopes after the Spurs debacle, it was cruel.
I can’t help feeling it has affected our mood going into Wednesday on the basis that there are seasons when the luck goes with you and some when it doesn’t. And guess which camp we’re in.
While there are plenty of footballing reasons why we are where we are, apart from Owens “goal”, the finish against Stoke, oh and Wigan, not much has gone our way…..
I never understand why players don't just give the ball to the opposition to kick the ball out when their player's down.
That way you just take the throw yourselves and do wtf you like with it.
Probably some smart arse would just take the ball and score though; another bright idea stuffed.
Ancelotti maybe the most PL type manager in Italy and could possibly do the bizz for us, but if he couldn't rebuild his own team after 8 years, how long is he gonna take to fix ours?
Has to be said that Benayoun actually looks more like your average Grand National winner than most, but I'm sure that is just coincidence (or an accident of birth).
If this Ancelotti chase is for real, is it not apparent to those doing the chasing that the guy has shown absolutely zero ambition to leave Italy at any point during his 30 plus year career in football as a player and a coach? Does that not ring the tiniest of alarm bells with anyone?
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
But he's got a fairly impressive CV.
[Speaking of bells ringing...]
Reply to fansincethesixties:
A recruitment consultant told me that my CV was quite impressive the other day - maybe I should pitch it in to Kenyon...?
*cough*
And I always thought CV was code for Sly C**t.
Fraid mine's not as impressive as Carlos, but then:
I do speak English,
I also know the PL pretty well,
I've seen Chelsea play quite a few times too.
Maybe my CV's not so bad after all.
I know we are all feeling miserable bemoaning our bad luck as MU and L scored injury time winners, but we've had our fair share this year (didn't Frank have at least 2?). Pessimistically, MU's run in only has Arsenal as a potential 3 points droppped - so the premiership is nearly theirs. Optimistically, they've had 3 bad games in a row (5 if you include the 2 Inter matches) and there's no reason (I did say optimistically) that won't continue. Because it's MU who I hate, managed by SAF who I hate even more, then despite my irritation with L fans and Benitez, I was happy enough when Benayoun scored his goal. I know, heresy to some on this blog, but what is the point of L losing, taking the pressure off MU, who would than canter to the premiership. Surely as a Chelsea fan, knowing that MU have to lose 2 games, we want a situation where there is an unbearable amopunt of poressure on MU? And hopefully L will revert to form towards the end of the season by dropping 3 or 4 points along the way
By the way, have we lost Lolli to another blog - we're missing a voice of reason (sorry BlueBayou, Tony, Jonathan et al but reason was never your forte...)
Reply to ZOneAndOnly:
Yes, Lolli's presence has been sorely missed in the times of Managerial Upheaval.
I believe (looking at her Facebook profile) that our dear Lolli has found solace and distraction in the arms of a young beau who, looking at his photo has a touch of the young William Bragg Esq about him. I expect they're skipping hand in hand through a birdsong filled meadow carving their names into trees as I write.
As for tomorrow - I want to enter European competitions in order to pit ourselves against European clubs...the best from Spain, Italy, Germany etc....not a team that hasn't been the best in England for 20 years that's less than 200 miles up the road. Its dull and despite last years festival I believe lightning doesn't metaphorically strike twice, hence a dull pair of games settled by a penalty shoot out which means we're doomed.
As for the Ancelotti story borrowed by the Daily Torygraph from the Daily Facist, there's always a pinko subversive commie response to that
LINK
Frankly both sound like bollocks to me.
Reply to ChelseaTony:
That all sounds very Barbera Cartland Esq.
Unless of course Tony; you are Barbera Cartland.
And yes agree on our upcoming ties with the Poo, it could just as well be the semi final of the Carling Cup. With the music at the start of the game the only clue we're playing in Europe.
Reply to Clive:
Maybe that explains my obsession with bright pink clothes and excessive white foundation .....
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
Surely not........ I thought the 'chalkboards' showed what a wanker Frank was?!
Nice result from Porto tonight..... Means Utd have to win against Porto in Portugal now, a feat never performed by an English side.
Great result by Porto, it was a little boring in some parts (not that I think ours is gonna be better tomorrow) but a goal in the 89th minute to be conceded by the Mancs is very amusing.
I'll sleep happily tonight, talking of which, gotta go to bed, can't even open my eyes (sorry for the typos)
Good night all you Blues
If we don't win the CL, My next hope would be Porto! I'm Really taking a liking to that Fernando Dude. It wouldn't surprise me if he was bought by a bigger club next year.
Maybe A Ballack Replacement?
All of this manager talk is nonsense. Haven't you all heard? Sven is available!
I wish I had seen the game rather than MOTD. Malouda did in fact not look worthless.
Oh come on Greenlight, I thought I proved through the chalkboards that Lampard was really good! :)
Couldn't be happier right now after the Man U game. Man U looked tired, ponderous, and devoid of solid defending without Rio. I sensed that the referee let a bit more rough stuff go relative to your average CL match, so things could get very ugly in Porto if the fouls are called tightly.
Quite frankly, Man U didn't deserve to tie, let alone win. Sneaking a goal off of a backpass is a very astute play, but it doesn't get you into "we deserved to win" territory.
The weight of the quintuple is growing it seems.
I too have no excitement for the game tomorrow. Unfortunately I'll be in class for half of it. Not happy about that.
PeteW, I'd be much obliged if you'd post that article that you referenced in post #37. I can't seem to find it.
Reply to mike12:
Gorcouf.
Reply to Be_Champions:
He's On-loan at A.C Milan, And I'm not sure if we could prise him away. Fernando, on the other hand, Would be chaeper an easier to hijack from Porto.
He reminds me very much of a young Ballack, at Leverkausen; Composed, Strong in the tackle, and very tactically aware. If he was moved further up the pitch, He might do some serious damage.
Cheaper.
Not Chaeper. Sorry.
I'm going to watch Barca v Bayern tonight and Sky+ our game (other digital recording services are available) then watch it back at x12 or x30 to see both chances in the match. And Liverpools will be in the 94th minute....
All this talk of Ancelotti again is unsettling, I dont think he's the right man for the job. If it really isn't going to be Hiddink, then I'd prefer Riijkaard. Or Jose. Who am I kidding, I dont care who it is, as long as they're given time to mould their own squad and team.
The next one really could be the most important appointment for the club.
Well, tonight Hiddink plays his first serious match. Will he succeed where Scolari failed? Tonight we shall see. The fortunes played the part and now it appears that Hiddink will have to play all the teams from the Big Four. Liverpool, Arsenal and in case of success next to Man Utd. I am looking forward!!! Scolari's result was really miserable let's see what the Dutch Master can do.
True, this is Hiddink's real test now. But to use that old cliche: it is all about the players tonight. Really, tonight it is about how the team performs. Like we've all said before, there's very few of either Poo's or the Manc's first team we'd swap for players in ours. And our lot know it and they know that have seriously under performed in every match up against the top four this season. We've all sort of accepted that it was down to Scolari's ineptness in preparing them. And though that is true, it is not the whole story. Though we weren't always at full strength, some of our guys were sulking and went missing in action. They should have done better. Now we have the shape back and we are playing to our strengths rather than an idealistic philosophy, we ought to manage this. One - nil to us, Drogba to score.
Reply to dannybrod:
I agree with every word you have said.
KTBFFH
Not entirely sure we're going to beat them over two legs; slight advantage with us with the second leg at the Bridge, but Liverpool are the form team at present. Ultimately it will come down to who is sharpest when the chances (relatively few, you'd imagine) present themselves and unfortunately we're very much in second place in comparison to the Scousers right now.
Would feel more confident with a fit Carvalho instead of Alex (I presume that'll be the case - not seen any team news) and much depends on which Drogba turns up. Essien could play a part as well.
Still feeling entirely 'meh' about the whole thing though. Looking forward to Bayern v Barca!
So, in some sort of twisted reality, is the nominated ChelseaBlog match reporte writer for tonight already familiarising themselves with Bayerns sub goalkeeper ready for the report tomorrow?
"On Lampard creating more goal scoring chances..."
Don't you know that set-pieces also count as goal scoring chances?
Please let this be true
LINK
OK please let this happen is more appropriate! its tonight - the thought of it has melted my brain
24 hours and that's best you can do? Poor.
Meant for tossface @ 74, obviously.
I have a strangely warm feeling about tonights game.
Maybe it's the prospect of spending an evening in the pub, but more likely it's being unburdened by our lowered expectations, I'm able to just go along for the ride.
Porto proved that football teams can still play well and get good results in Europe and this is kinda Europe.
Anyway, I'm up for it and in a display of excellent preparation, the piggy bank's already been raided.
Since I'm not going tonight who's going to take responsibility for the fans eye view photo.
Obviously I'd like something tangible to discuss after the game and relative viewing angles / heights / distance to pitch etc. may be of more interest.
Reply to mike12:
"if we don't win the CL".... Oh, come on be serious..........Surely, even the most myopic optimists amongst us don't REALLY seriously believe we can win the champs league do they? Our best chance of silverware is the FA Cup.
This is real test for Hiddink ...
We did it last year, lets hope we can do it this year :)
KTBFFH
Reply to dubaiblue:
Call me an optimist by all means, not sure about the myopic bit though.
At the quarter final stage anyone left can win it and I certainly believe that we're just as capable of the CL as of the FA cup (just look at the teams left in each).
Given also that the two biggest threats will be beating each other up in Spain this evening there's no reason to think we can't go better than last year.
Now where did I put those specs?
Reply to dubaiblue:
Myopic???? To support your team and to believe we can win and I seriously believe we can called myopic these days???
We have good coach, good players, we have all the components to win!!! Switch off the TV mate and do not watch it even, why bother, if you do not believe we can win?
KTBFFH
Guus says we are going to attack.
Good man. He's obviously taken the same view as myself. Get 3-0 up before half time, kill off the tie, silence the crowd, allow us to concentrate on the league for a couple of weeks and give the kids a run out in the return.
Job done.
Now let's all embrace in a virtual hug in the center circle that is the interweb.
(Doctor, why is this jacket done up at the back, I can't get my arms loose?)
Reply to dubaiblue:
If Liverpool are like us in 04-05, Why can't we be like them in 04-05?=]
OK so predictions for tonight and the 2nd leg
I don't have a clue - could be virtually any result and all inbetween
Guus says we will be attacking so we are unlikely to be attacking
How about winning 1 - 0 today and 2 - 1 at home so 3 - 1 aggregate?
By the way Blue Mikel - you werte posting complete bollocks. Why can't youy support a side witrhout believing they're going to win every match - take WBA supporters for example.
And Bluebayou - v funny re jacket though I must say your posts read more informal than a tie and jacket sort of guy
Drogba... OOOO... Drogba.......
What the hell is going on with Franky???
OK, just checking I've not entered a parallel universe...
Where is this myopic eye doctor???!!!
KTBFFH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well this is a turn-up.
At this rate I might actually be able to enjoy the return leg, rather than sitting out the whole 120 minutes in a mephitic sweat of terror and misery like I did last year (even after we won).
And even if we're playing for the privilege of being destroyed by Barca, it'll be worth it.
Must try not to get hopes up. Any chance I could borrow the new blog jacket currently adorning Dr Bayou?
Reply to KaiserJonny_II:
Yes I'm afraid we have.
And to think Drogs could have scored four.
I'm sure this is all a dream and I'm going to wake up in the shower.
Great game Drog could score at least 4 goals, Franky made couple of strange mistakes. However, the hero of the game is Ivanovich!!!
KTBFFH
I think this sums up how I feel right now...
LINK
Also, if we sell him, Ivanovic just went way up in price...
Chelseaaaa"""""" Chelsea""""""
WOW......Wat a win......Ballack, Lamps, Ivan, Essien were fantastik....Wowww....
'I feel exactly like Clive, really quite deflated about the whole pointless exercise that is the current CL (course, I'll probably change my tune if we win).'
Request permission to change my tune...
Reply to PeteW:
Believe, all what you need to do is to BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!
whatever negative I ever said about Ivanovic, I take back!
Reply to PeteW:
No sorry Pete, form an orderly line behind me please,this could be a long queue.
'I dont know what to say really, its as if someone came into my house robbed me and then on the way out they pissed on everything.'
Comment from a Liverpool blog. Lovely job.
Haven't seen us play that well in a very long while....... Ivanovic was immense, even if you take out the 2 goals...We really cannot let him go, as he is xactly the type of player we need, if we are to look to the future.
And to those who chose to watch the Barca v Bayern game..... You really missed out!
Ha! We won! Sweet! Ivanovic to start at RB From now on?
Reply to PeteW:
Being a Scouser, he would know a fair bit about 'robbing', I suspect!
I love these special European nights at Anfield.
Lordy! That was unexpected. Best performance since Jose left?
And where the f*ck was Gerrard?
In Essien's pocket, that's where.
Eager to see what the papers say about that.
Our support was outstanding too.
I'm exhausted.
Reply to mike12:
we may need him to replace Terry in the second leg. And, to take nothing away from Ivanovic, Bosingwa gives us an attacking edge (apart from set-pieces) that we need.
On the "what the papers say" front, McCarra in the Grauniad uses the phrase "the excellent Malouda."
Not quite sure where one goes from that point.
Reply to Chris:
I think we will appeal to Terry's yellow. And also, Carvalho and Alex will be the ideal pairing methinks.
Reply to mike12:
Or rather, the Guus thinks.
'the excellent Malouda'
Now I know I'm definitely in that parallel universe.
Champions League? Meh.
*cough*
I'm next in the queue for that tune changing business...
Reply to Greenlight:
Really enjoyed the Barca game - and avoided seeing our score updates scrolling at the bottom of the screen after 1-0 during that - so I watched my tape of our game not knowing what was coming after the first goal. Pretty amazing stuff - I'll be transferring that to DVD tomorrow!
That tune changing queue must be stretching a long way by now.
Reply to BlueBayou:
People I hold up my hands. It was a dreadful mistake. Gypsy Rose always warned me to warm the pot before pouring in the tea. The heat of boiling water colliding with the chill of the porcelain affects the leaf and distorts the reading. What can I say? I misled the nation.
Regret of the evening
Not listening to Radio 5 as I went down the pub and watched it on the telly so missed hearing Lawrenson and Green weeping quietly.
Sneaky Laugh of the evening
The fact that Tim Lovejoy (possibly the wankiest Chlesea fan after David Mellor) is doing the phone in on Radio 5. To think of all those Poo fans wanting to ring in and moan but not wanting to listen to TL larging it. (I didn't listen of course)
But I'm a true Chelsea fan. I'm starting to imagine how it can all go wrong. However it's a night for luxuriating not just in the result but in the performance.
Proper football comment tomorrow. What a game to write the report on. Good luck to the fortunate scribe.
I'll take my coat now...it's that one at the back...the straitjacket
Bon soir!
Get ready for the home leg.......
I can hear Clive Tylesley now, pratting on about the Spirit of Istanbul.....Memory of Hillsborough.... I really hope we rub their noses in it at The Bridge!
Reply to Greenlight:
'pratting'...... Unfortunate typo, but perhaps appropriate!