Premiership: Chelsea 1-0 West Ham
Monday, 20 November 06, 09:57 AM · Comments (15)
Match reports
The Guardian, Jon Brodkin: "Chelsea beating West Ham did not even register on the Richter scale. Mourinho's players will need to raise their level in Bremen and Manchester but it felt as though they would have stepped up a gear had West Ham equalised Geremi's nicely curled free-kick."
Daily Telegraph, Clive Tyldesley: "Both of the title contenders have unfinished Champions League business to take care of before Sunday's showdown, but for once the greatest show on Planet Football is a bit of an unwanted distraction. While Chelsea's ultimate ambition is clearly to conquer Europe, the defence of their domestic title is the priority that focuses their minds totally on a weekly basis. Nobody wins Premiership matches with the same solid certainty that Chelsea do."
Sunday Telegraph, Patrick Barclay: "Alan Pardew was warmly greeted by Jose Mourinho as he emerged from the tunnel and complimented at the end and, while all that must have made a pleasant change from his treatment at the hands of Arsene Wenger a couple of weeks back, the West Ham manager would have preferred the three points his team took from Arsenal — or at least the single one that would not have greatly flattered their efforts here."
Official Chelsea FC Website, Paul Mason: "Essien’s incredible energy was there for all to see as West Ham collected a handful of yellow cards in an attempt to reduce his influence ”” all to no avail as he covered acres of pitch right up to the final whistle, unlucky not to have scored with a shot that hit woodwork."
Daily Mail, Neil Ashton: "Chelsea have been beaten just once in their last 17 games and there is a resilience about this team that separates them from the chasing pack. That much was made clear by the manner of their single-goal victory over West Ham. Mourinho's side have conceded just seven times in the Premiership and, although the floodgates failed to open after Geremi's superbly taken free-kick midway through the first half, Chelsea were always in command."
The Times, Matt Hughes: "It is a sign of José Mourinho's desperation to return to the top of the Premiership that he is talking up Chelsea’s chances of beating Manchester United on Sunday. The Chelsea manager is usually fastidious in his application of one of football’s oldest clichés, taking each game as it comes, but all rules have exceptions. As soon as the final whistle sounded against West Ham United on Saturday, Mourinho began his campaign to put pressure on the Premiership leaders, ignoring Wednesday’s Champions League visit to Werder Bremen to send a message to Old Trafford that the champions are coming to get them."
The good
- Three points. Not the most fluent performance of the season, but a win that remained just the right side of comfortable given the spirited display by Alan Pardew’s men.
- Geremi. In a team full of stars, one of the first purchases of the Abramovich era has quietly gone about his business without complaint for the last few years, generally fitting in comfortably when required. Defensively still not the greatest, but you have to be a fairly strong character to step up for a free kick with the likes of Drogba, Shevchenko and Lampard around, let alone to bury it with the sort of style that Gianfranco Zola used to display. The difference between one point and all three — well done that man.
- Ashley Cole. Slowly settling in after a fairly turbulent summer, he took a little while to warm to his battle with Carlos Tevez but eventually came off best in a tremendously engaging contest with the Argentine international. Potentially one of our most important players at Old Trafford next weekend.
- Fortress Stamford Bridge. Surely now one of the toughest grounds to visit as an away team in European football?
- Alan Pardew. A great deal of mutual respect between the West Ham boss and Mourinho was good to see and Pardew fielded a side which contained Chelsea’s threat admirably well, but not at the expense of some decent attacking play of their own, especially on the flanks. Another day may have seen them leave with a point. And anyone who annoys Arsene Wenger that much is alright in my book.
The bad
- Carlo. It feels wrong to single out such a loyal servant to the club, but we have been truly spoilt with Petr Cech between the sticks. Far too many nervous moments came from a lack of communication between 'keeper and defence. Sir Alex will have watched with interest and you would imagine that the instruction to pepper the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ with crosses will be issued in the Old Trafford dressing room next weekend.
- Our vunerability to teams that play with width. West Ham’s final ball was poor on Saturday but they often enjoyed far too much space on the flanks, especially with Konchesky and Etherington on the left. Allow Giggs and Evra the same next Sunday and we could well be in trouble.
The Michael Essien Man of the Match Award
Yes, again. Potentially one of the finest midfielders of his generation; sort the final ball out, add a few more goals and he’ll have everything. A joy to watch.
Final thoughts
A big week ahead. Bremen and Manchester United, the latter potentially a defining moment in our season and the destination of the league title. Fergie has commenced the verbal battle by suggesting that the referee needs to be strong. A master of understatement, as always.
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I've only seen the MOTD and Chelsea TV Online highlights, so can't really remark on the game as a whole.
But what I have noticed during the current campaign is Essien's improved shooting. Last season he peppered every stand in England with some awful efforts, but this season we're seeing the Essien who scored a hatful for Lyon.
And is anybody else a tad worried about Boulahrouz? He's looked a bit shaky since his great performance marking Ronaldinho at the Bridge a few weeks back (I'm beginning to think Ronaldinho just had a crap game). He was poor during the Holland v. England game last week too.
He might be another Del Horno, a one-season wonder.
Nick, Boulahrouz looks solid enough in the middle. Been mugged many times on the right though since doing a job on the goofy invisible card brandisher.
Think we've got a slight prob on the right that whoever plays there keeps getting left one against two. Was happening to Geremi all game Saturday. Ashley was getting lots of help on the left from Robben of all people, who had a good game.
Geremi was even getting a bit of stick from people near me, though think was unfair to blame him. Think same thing happened to him in FA cup semi last year too. Makes you more sympathetic to Ferreira/Boula too.
Think Essien and Lampard have to share burden and get back and help RB. Essien seemed to be doing this on occasion but not Frank, who looked a bit tired on Saturday. Maybe the week off will do him good.
Will need to sort out to deal with Giggs/Ronaldo, but special one no doubt putting finishing touches to masterplan as we type.
I think we'll be fine in Bremen, and can pretty comfortably come away with a point.
United will be a problem unless we play 433, in my eyes; we need the extra man on each side to delay Ronaldo and Giggs. Robben and Joey Cole are probably the best options.
The formation's tried and tested: we've scored three goals against them with it twice over the past two seasons. The only problem is dropping a striker and midfielder to the bench.
Maka is incredibly valuable in these circumstances and so can't be dropped. Essien and Lampard speak for themselves. Therefore, I would have to say Ballack should stay on the bench.
Drogba is undroppable, so Shevchenko's out.
This is just what I'd do if I were manager, but TSO obviously knows much better than I. I hope he makes the right decisions, because we need these extremely valuable three points against our biggest rivals this season.
I thought Geremi had a great game, although I take the point about it being 2 vs 1 because of our lack of width on the right. If Geremi was getting stick then those people must be complete morons, everyone in my bit of the MHL thought he had done enough to stake right back as his place. Boula also played well, in fact he did make one howler but then Makelele made many more on Saturday. To be honest I thought Maka was the worst of our players and at times was jumping for the ball as if he was Nureyev without the balance or grace. Boula on the other hand seemed very comfortable in his role and despite one error looked in control every time he got the ball. I also agree that Frank looked a bit short of everything as well but maybe he was a bit lost without Ballack who does seem to bring out the best in Frank.
Essien was bloody marvellous as usual and deserved a goal from the shot that hit the bar...I think his piss poor shooting is a confidence thing and slowly but surely he's getting it back. For me the MOTM was Drogba again. Is there any part of the pitch he won't cover? Massive in helping the defence, and always a handful up front. Now the theatrics have gone he really is looking the real deal. As for Sunday, well Manure are playing well and to be honest unless we lift ourselves to the heights of Barscumola then I'll settle for a point and then do 'em at The Bridge.
Lastly...are the happy Hammers the most irritating bunch of away fans we get?
Chris, see where you're coming from but still suspect TSO will go with Barcelona-style line-up - ie Lamps, Ballack, Maka, Essien. Big question is over Sheva, who looked short of pace again on Saturday, though Drogs seems to like 4-4-2.
If I was Robben or Joe Cole, would be deeply miffed if I didn't get a start on Sunday.
Tony G, Maka was off his game but has been our best player for past two years IMHO so hope this is not first sign of age catching up. Think Jose planning to use him more sparingly, but sums up the idiocy of those French nonces making him play internationals.
Re: Geremi, agreed, people can be a tad ignorant at times (am in MHU).
Think we improved alot in second half when Essien started getting forward more, but this does leave RB exposed. And Maka having an off-day didn't help.
[quote comment="10574"]Nick, Boulahrouz looks solid enough in the middle. Been mugged many times on the right though since doing a job on the goofy invisible card brandisher.[/quote]
Maybe I'm being a bit harsh on him.
The acid test could be Sunday at Old Trafford; Carvalho's not guaranteed to be fit after twisting his ankle on Saturday.
15 Comments · Add yours
Essien was magnificent again on Saturday. He would be first on my team sheet these days, along with JT.
I agree that it was good to see Jose and Pardew getting on so well. Does anyone else think Jose said something to Pardew about whinging Wenger prior to kickoff? They seemed to have a good laugh about something.
Here's hoping for a good win and performace at Old Trafford on Sunday. We'll struggle to overhaul United if we should lose. It would certainly make for an interesting remainder of the season.
Nice website by the way.
Berks. Blue - reckon you might be right about the conversation between Jose and Pardew. Would like to have been a fly on the wall for that one...!