Premier League: Newcastle United 0 - 2 Chelsea
Tuesday, 06 May 08, 01:01 AM · Comments (302)
Match reports
The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "Chelsea yet again paced themselves beautifully to stay in step with Manchester United. The reigning champions cannot exactly dread Sunday's trip to Wigan Athletic when a victory will secure the title on goal difference, but they will go there with a discomfiting sense of claustrophobia because of Avram Grant's team. Breathing space ceased to exist when Sir Alex Ferguson's squad lost at Stamford Bridge 10 days ago."
Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: "Cometh the hour, cometh the German: Ballack headed home his ninth of the season before Florent Malouda added a second. In all probability, United will need to win at Wigan, because Chelsea surely boast too much belief and firepower for Bolton."
The Times, Martin Samuel: "Set against Chelsea’s achievement in turning what many regarded as a foregone conclusion into something akin to Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty fighting to the death on Reichenbach Falls, Newcastle’s lap of thanks to the supporters for their continued indulgence in treating twelfth place as a big whoop seemed somewhat out of place. After Michael Owen, the Newcastle striker, was denied by John Terry’s clearance off the line in the 28th minute, Newcastle were outplayed in the second half once Chelsea’s players had life breathed into them by Avram Grant during the interval."
The Independent, Sam Wallace: "[Chelsea] are the shadow across Old Trafford. Their pursuit of Manchester United has been relentless and they will not be flicked aside to accommodate a convenient procession for Sir Alex Ferguson's would-be champions. If Chelsea told us one thing yesterday, it is that United will have to beat Wigan Athletic on Sunday to be sure of the title because these boys in blue are in no mood to capitulate until the very last moment of the season."
Official Chelsea FC Website: "Chelsea had won at Newcastle for the first time in the league since 2001. In doing so, we had guaranteed at least second place and automatic entry to next season's Champions League."
Black & White & Read All Over, Paul: "For 45 minutes, we not only contained Chelsea, but we had the better opportunities. The best falling to Owen who, after a strong run by Martins led to a scramble in the box, was presented with a golden opportunity to take the lead only for John Terry to clear off the line. At the other end, for all Chelsea were passing the ball well, Steve Harper was barely extended throughout the half."
The goals
61' Ballack 0-1 82' Malouda 0-2
The good
- Three points. I didn't expect it to be easy and Newcastle proved more than a match for us in the first half; Kevin Keegan was probably disappointed to go in level. Avram Grant made some brave decisions and rested both Frank Lampard, who has trained very little in the last fortnight, and Joe Cole, and started with Nicolas Anelka wide right. It looked like Grant's gamble would backfire as we rarely threatened Steve Harper's goal, whereas Newcastle created a number of scoring opportunities, the best falling to Michael Owen who was denied by John Terry's brilliant goal line clearance. Half time.
- The second half. We have looked vulnerable after the break in recent games, more so when leading. Not in this match. Grant didn't make any changes in personnel but he did move Anelka to a more central position alongside Didier Drogba. For 15 minutes up until Michael Ballack's opening goal, we dominated possession, reaching 78%. The trio of Ballack, Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi commanded midfield and it was only a matter of time before we scored. Drogba planted a free kick on Ballack's head, who nodded the ball almost unchallenged across Harper into the far corner of the net. Newcastle rallied briefly before Florent Malouda put the game beyond the Magpies in the 82nd minute. Job done.
- Our second goal. A thing of beauty. Essien to Ballack, Ballack to Frank Lampard (who replaced Anelka with half an hour remaining), Lampard to Malouda who finished well. It was Malouda's first goal since scoring against Birmingham on the opening day of the season.
- Michael Ballack. The German has been imperious lately. Scored his third season defining goal in as many games. I used to despise him when he was at Bayern Munich. (Remember his dive for a penalty in front of the Shed during a Champions League game in 2005?) How times have changed. He's close to being my favourite current player now.
- We've lost only
threesix (three League, one League Cup, one FA Cup, one Champions League) of 50 games under Grant. He hasn't wholly delivered the promised change in style, but it's hard to argue with a record like that.
The bad
- Lack of any goal threat in the first half. Newcastle defended well and we were limited to some abysmal shooting from distance. I was convinced that Grant's gamble was going to hand Manchester United the Premier League trophy on a plate, but credit where it's due, Grant - or whoever gave the half time team talk - roused the troops, switched the formation ever so slightly, and we looked like a team fighting for the title after the break.
- Possible injury to Ricardo Carvalho. Two horrible looking falls similar to the one which injured his hip at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season saw Carvalho substituted on 78 minutes. Hopefully the injury is not as serious this time. It's unclear what Terry was saying to Carvalho as the Portuguese left the pitch, but I'd guess that Terry was trying to persuade Carvalho to stay on at least until Alex was warmed up and ready to replace him. It showed just how much Terry cares.
Player ratings
- Petr Cech: Made one important stop from Mark Viduka - 7/10.
- Paulo Ferreira: Was given a hard time by Obafemi Martins in the first half, otherwise a solid display - 6.5/10.
- Wayne Bridge: Lacking match sharpness - 6/10.
- John Terry: Solid, passionate. Looks close to his best - 7.5/10.
- Ricardo Carvalho: Still our best defender. Two heavy falls - 7.5/10.
- Michael Ballack: Another important goal. Ruled midfield second half - 8/10.
- Michael Essien: Seems to have limitless energy - 7.5/10.
- John Mikel Obi: Composed. Allowed Ballack and Essien more freedom - 7.5/10.
- Nicolas Anelka: Wasted on the wing first half. Only slightly better in a more central role second - 6/10.
- Florent Malouda: Improved second half. Some good dead ball deliveries and took his goal well - 7/10.
- Didier Drogba: Looked a bit tired. Good free kick - 6.5/10.
- Frank Lampard (sub): Calm and effective. Great pass for Malouda's goal - 6.5/10.
- Andriy Shevchenko (sub): Not enough time - 6/10.
- Alex (sub): Good defender to have on the bench - 6/10.
Man of the Match
Michael Ballack. If only he were a few years younger.
Final thoughts
Score 20 plus goals against Bolton Wanderers at the Bridge next weekend and the Premier League title is ours!
Seriously, at least we've taken it to the last day and given ourselves a chance of pinching the trophy from under Manchester United's noses.
It's well odds-on that goal difference will decide the destination of the title for the first time in Premier League history - but stranger things have happened. Better United's result at Wigan and it will be ours for the third time in four years.
Let's hope it's a classic end of season like 1989 and 1995.
Up the Latics!
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I only saw the second half which for the most part was complete domination by Chelsea and our midfield in particular. In that form we would beat any team including Man U on 21st.
It would be a surprise if Man U did drop points and of course beating Bolton is no certainty even at home. But the pressure is well and truly on Man U playing away not to give the title to us. Definitely squeaky bum time as if we don't win the title then pundits will still say well done Chelsea for pushing Man U to the last game, but if Man U don't win and we do then the knives will be out for Man U irrespective of what happens on the 21st.
Very intriguing weekend coming up. Whatever happens I take my hat to the team, the coaches and yes AG for providing us fans with some thrilling moments this season despite out frustrations earlier with the way the team were playing. You cannot fault the record and the results but most of all it is fantastic to see the passion and team spirit well and truly back. Winning helps of course but all credit to those involved.
If we do win the title then for me it will be sweetest victory of the 3 titles given the way we have battled to the very end and never gave up.
KTBFFH
Thanks for the report Nick!
Agree with every word
It appears it was Grant that screamed at the team in half time - maybe he is coming out of his skin at last
Anyway I'm on IV valium until next Sunday!!!! You just never know......
Nick, I believe we have lost 5 of 50 under AG.
CC Final, Barnsley and Fenerbache plus the two away league defeats!
Regardless.....great second half after a shaky first and a curious starting XI,
and Anelka on the wing again!!!!
Wouldn't it be lovely if Heskey scores the equaliser at death at JJB on Sunday?!?! And of course we get our obligatory league winning three points against Bolton with Lamps scoring the two to bring his total to 20!
One can only dream......
i posted this on the last blog, probably moments before this one was written, so i've cut and pasted it here. apologies to those who have read it already......
Allow me a minute or two to wipe the proverbial humble pie from my face.
I’m actually starting to quite warm to Avram grant.
There i said it.
Regardless of anything else, (with the possible exception of Wigan game) his results have been quite impressive. As much as i wanted him out, i think he deserves at least another year to mould things more to his style. After all, he did inherit someone else’s squad.
I think chelsea look a lot more composed/fluent/less eratic going forward under grant than they did under jose.. more stylish… sometimes.. am i really saying this?
wow.
Should i wash my mouth out with soap?
Ok, here is a question for all you protocol minded folks:
Will both the bridge and the jjb have the celebratory materials of the prospective premiership winning club? How does that work? If by some chance Manu loses points and we don't, will JT have a blue and white streamed trophy to lift?
@ Evan
The real trophy is heading to JJB and a replica with Blue tassles is going to SB. The Premier League have also taken the unprecedented step of minting 2 sets of winners medals. So whoever wins the title in Sunday, then the necessary baubles will be on offer for post match celebrations.
The only variation is that if we win then Man U have to ship the real trophy down to London for another year....
KTBFFH
302 Comments · Add yours
I must say that Avram got me, whatever the result of this season is...
Fly high, BLUE!!!
Fantastic game to watch, especially the second half, where it was an absolutely dominant midfield performance. I think Grant got the team selection spot on. Mikel was absolutely immense, and I'd say that Terry had to be challenging for Man-of-the-Match honours, the amount of belief and resilience he gives the team is amazing.