Premiership review: Chelsea 2 - 2 Reading
Wednesday, 27 December 06, 02:29 PM · Comments (10)
Match reports
Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: "In the festive season of a thousand toasts, the poignant salute at Stamford Bridge yesterday was to absent friends. Chelsea would never have dropped two points had their commanding centre-half, John Terry, been present and the captain's imminent operation to shave a disc in his back cannot come soon enough. The champions' spine will be strengthened only when Terry's is."
The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "The rivalry with Manchester United may be no more than runner-up to the Premiership's most gripping struggle of all. Chelsea's battle with themselves could exercise a greater fascination still and yesterday they were unable to overcome the skittishness that has become so glaring. This time there was no winner at the very end, as there had been against Everton and Wigan, and the club are now four points adrift of United."
The Times, Alyson Rudd: "Chelsea have become the team most likely to provide last-minute thrills in the Barclays Premiership, but against Reading the excitement was more of the pantomime variety as the champions threw away the chance to put extra pressure on Manchester United. A comical own goal from Michael Essien in the 85th minute meant that Reading left Stamford Bridge with a draw and the title race looking more demanding than José Mourinho might have expected. “It’s not a drama,” the Chelsea manager said of being four points behind Manchester United."
The Independent, Glenn Moore: "There was certainly enough talent on the pitch for Chelsea to have won in some comfort, but both the collective deployment and individual performance were open to question. Andrei Shevchenko was again fielded out of position, on the left wing, where Graeme Murty easily shackled him until the Ukrainian was withdrawn before the hour. Salomon Kalou, on the other flank, glittered in patches, but too infrequently."
The good
- The first half. The sense of déà vu about these reports is becoming alarming. A goal up, good possession and Reading reduced to a policy of containment with not one shot on goal or even a corner to show for their endeavours.
- Didier Drogba. A magnificent performance at both ends of the pitch. In the absence of John Terry, one of the very few players who looks composed and positive when defending set pieces is our centre forward. And frankly, minus his goals and overall contribution we’d be mid-table UEFA Cup fodder this season.
- Dropping two points. Perverse though this may sound, but being four points adrift at the halfway stage is hardly a disaster. Two tricky games await before the twelfth night and you would hope that yesterday was enough of an alarm call to wake the players up.
- The reception for Stephen Hunt. Never before has a man hugged the touchline so diligently whilst warming up...
The bad
- Another abject second half performance. Football is all about opinions, but I’m at a loss to offer one on how Chelsea manage to go from sublime to ridiculous or vice-versa over the half time oranges.
- John Terry’s absence. Nine goals conceded in sixteen games with him in the side, six conceded in four without him and against teams that were nigh-on guaranteed as clean sheets in recent seasons. A player it is almost impossible to live without, but with surgery a possibility Mourinho and the team must start adapting and quickly.
- Errors. For the last two seasons, Chelsea’s strength has been how ruthless and clinical we have been at exploiting the mistakes and shortcomings of others. For a team that once looked so solid, recent games have been particularly alarming. Lampard and Wright-Phillips conceded possession cheaply yesterday — both of Reading’s equalisers were the result.
Man of the Match
Didier Drogba.
Final thoughts
For the last two seasons, Jose Mourinho has got everything he wanted at Christmas — maximum points. Yesterday’s result should be filed under disappointment rather than disaster, but the faults are there for all to see. Whether Reading’s second equaliser came simply as a result of pure pantomime and a dose of bad luck is debatable; the uncertainties that seem to haunt us in defence may have played their own part when the game should have been well beyond the reach of Coppell’s men. Mourinho must decide whether our current deficiencies are rectifiable by tactical shuffling or a trip to the January sales; the current situation is one of the more challenging he has faced during his short but glittering managerial career.
For now, Chelsea must forget about the team above. Ferguson’s men will drop points, without doubt but his current side has the perfect mix of experience, steel and flair to ensure that a draw or a loss will be followed by an emphatic win; United 2006-7 are no ‘Invincibles’ in that they are extremely unlikely to succumb to prolonged bouts of mental fragility and self-doubt. Closer to home, whilst Terry and Cech are big players to lose their absence should not be an excuse for allowing mid-table teams to dictate long periods of play, especially at Stamford Bridge.
Time for an old cliché about the wounded animal being the most dangerous? I think so. The attacking substitutions Mourinho has made in recent games when the going has been tougher than expected have worked wonders — the best method of defence? The talent is certainly there; it is time to forget reputations and ‘untouchables’ and remember that Chelsea at arguably the weakest we have seen them for over two seasons are still ten points better than the chasing pack.
The neighbours are over on Saturday; let’s make sure they leave with only a strategically inserted blue flag to remember their day by.
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Gleb, around this time last year, ManU were 15 points behind, most lost in the early part of the season. We are only adrift by 4. Sure we have a defensive problem. There is no Gallas, but even had he stayed, he would not be playing - he made that clear enough. Boularhouz played for a very tight defense last year so he cannot be that bad a player, especially as Hamburg are leaking goals this year. We needed a central defender, and he was probably the best we could get. As a stopgap, playing Ferreira there is not such a bad idea once he gets used to the centre of the park. He's quick, a competent defender, though it's a pity he is not a little taller.
I agree that some of last summer's transfers have not turned out quite as hoped. The infamous diamond seems to have been designed to cater for all the newbies. I doubt though that players like Ballack of Sheva are likely to be intimidated by anyone. Mikel, perhaps, but he is still a teenager and we are not going to see the best of him for some time yet. Kalou has certainly improved in the last few games, and my guess is that he's going to be some player in a year or two.
The problem is certainly defensive, though it would be nice to consistently score more goals. I am hoping that Joe Cole gets fit again soon for he is a great creator.
I understand your rant - I had one a couple of weeks ago when watching the Bolton game - but we have several really good players sidelined at the moment, and no team can hope to handle that unscathed. Let's face it, the team has not been playing well, but has shown that they can, and when they play well, they can beat anyone. As Jonathan said, ManU only have to drop 6 points relative to us and we are champions. We dropped more than that against them over the second half of last season, and we were playing pretty well at times. This season is far from over.
But let's face it, if we come in second, it's not a disaster. In the two seasons Mourinho has been in charge, we have come to expect perfection - a compliment to the levels that he himself sets and attains. A reality check is perhaps in order.
Gleb you are right on all your points except one. No way for the thoughts of Mourhino going, kindly throw away the idea. we need to support the team.
as you said, we are playing with 11 individual and not as a team. the reason is quite clear, we are playing with a new formation and players who have not performed to their best as desired by mourhino.
we have to manage this problem now and hope we can solve during the january window. Ballack, mikel, boulharouz, shevchenko have not being able to uphold the steel chelsea was made off before, such that at 1-0, it was hard to come back against us.
But hey, there are more positives to this and being second will only help us to be more focussed. There is still plenty of time to change the tide BUT WE NEED TO KEEP THE SUPPORT FLOWING. WE HAVE A PART TO PLAY ALSO
Well after the previous 3 games with our late rescuing of 5 points, I guess this result was waiting to happen. Having said that, if we'd won 2-1 without that bizarre own goal, would we have all been quite so critical? Especially given the side we put out, with the injuries currently in place. You could argue we deserved to win, given we had more possession and chances, but second half we lacked any sort of rhythm.
At least nobody (as if we care!) can call us boring anymore! And if we do come back to win the title then it will be one of the classic seasons. I still think we will be champions come May, and I look forward to the extra jubilation knowing we were challenged much more seriously this year.
Next match, let us please not play Sheva on the left wing. Please play Essien on the right wing, Robben on the left, Maka and Lamps in the centre, and Sheva and Drogs up front. If we're worried about playing 4-4-2 then don't - we have trouble with the right back position, so fuck-it - let's just not bother with one - play 3 at the back instead ffs! Stick Essien as another central player and put Kalou on the right. We should get right stuck in to Fulham - they are not exactly fearsome going forward. A good win will boost morale. Let's face it, with our players and a bit more commitment and team ethic we should be battering some of these teams.
And all this paper talk about £18M for Micah Richards? Good player, but really, £18M?? Come on. We could pick up someone solid as a fill in for Terry - like Matthew Upson, or Dawson for a fraction of that. Or can we not bring back Glen Johnson?
Come on boys, keep entertaining us, but we could do without the inevitable upcoming heart-attack if you don't start winning games slightly earlier in the match!
Felt so sorry for Shevchenko on Saturday. He seemed to look to the bench (for reassurance?) every thirty seconds. He looks completely lost to me.
£18M sounds disturbing, really. I hope Kenyon and the Mafia have learnt a lesson by now, get players at least on loan with an option not to buy(in big font.).
I have to say for once I agree with JM, put Drogba at fullback, we seem to be conceding some easy crosses which the Drog could easy deal with. I had that idea before.
I agree Upson, Dawson could do the job for us.
Drogba at fullback?!
Ranieri would be proud of that one
10 Comments · Add yours
Sound points as per usual. It also occurs to me that we have been incredibly lucky to suffer this alarming run of injuries and unaccountable loss of form (in which, as you say, basic principles seem to have been forgotten) while facing a series of opponents from the middle and lower reaches of the division. If we can keep it to 4 points by the end of the holiday period, then we will have done very well. It's going to mean two more hair-raising games mind you, but a bit of perspective is always a help.
Reminds me of how MU must have felt last season. Now we have switched places. They are an unbeatable machine and we are the hopeless pursuiers.
Anyway, I personally think it's Jose fault. We do not have a team this season. We have 11 players on the pitch who look like anything but a team, even a mediocre one. And it's evident that even a team with mediocre players but a TEAM nontheless is much stronger than 11 world-class players. I do think Jose has kind of intimidated our new players. Khalid is a wonderful defender. Maybe not the best, but definitely capable. Yet he's performances leave EVERYTHING to be desired. Same with the others. Ballack, Sheva, even Mikel for God's sake! They all need confidence and a sense of unity. Right now there is no unity. Especially without JT. It's even worse now.
I seriously think Jose shouldn't have made all those transfers. Last season, the season before we were a wonderful, astonishing team with true Chelsea players who seemed to fit into the team 100%. Duff, Cole, Drogs, Robben, Maka, Lamps, Terry, Carvalho, Cech, Ferreira, Billy Gallas... - maybe not the best of names, but it worked, goddamnit!
Oh, and we miss Gallas. What the hell were they thinking letting him go?
Anyway, rant over. I didn't know what to write at first, but all this came out naturally because that's how I feel. There is no Chelsea.
Either Mourinho does something about it, or, I'm sorry, he needs to go. He's overworked, he's out of ideas. He needed a challenge - he got one, but know Jose doesn't know what to do. He has 16 players who seem to be playing for anyone other than Chelsea.
Maybe Roman needs to say something?