19 03 2006 Fulham 1 Chelsea 1. Er I mean 0.
After a very disappointing first half where Jose took off two right wingers - SWP and Cole - changing the team to a
4-1-3-2 formation, I thought the writing was on the wall and we would lose.
However, Chelsea rallied in the second half and scored a goal which was deserved. Fulham players surrounded the
referee and complained. Despite the fact that the linesman had not waved his flag for any offence, after a short
discussion between the men in black the goal was disallowed. Chelsea recently were charged by the FA for pressurising
the referee after a tackle on Makelele at West Brom. I wonder if the same will happen to the wellington boot brigade. In
the post match comments, the linesman stated he was "convinced" there had been a handball. So he hadn't actually
seen it then!
The last time I saw a Chelsea goal disallowed in such circumstances was against Oldham in the FA Cup in 1999. The ref
only disallowed the strike when pressured by the Oldham players. An Oldham fan threw a burger at the lino, but was let
off by the police because he said he had ordered a veggie burger, and threw the meat burger served to him out of
disgust.... at the ref!
Chelsea had sixteen corners which they made nothing out of, and Chelsea's attitude in the first half let them down. We
did not deserve three points today, but a draw would have been the fairer result. To give Fulham credit, they hustled
and harried us and seemed to have a much better attitude than the Chelsea team.
In the dying seconds Gallas was sent off. That is the fourth player gone in the last couple of months or so. I would not go
so far as to say that the wheels have fallen off the wagon, but we are going through a bad patch. Even Jose is making
some "Stinkerman" decisions - not helped when we have several key players suspended or injured - but that's what we
have a big squad for!
At the final whistle Fulham fans invaded the pitch and many goaded the Chelsea fans. The stewarding was inept and
Chelsea fans easily retaliated, especially when one bright spark decided to moon right in front of the travelling hoardes.
Fulham fans ran back with their tail between their legs as a few hundred Chelsea chased them back to their stands.
All in all a disappointing day, and let's hope we find our feet before the FA Cup game against the zebras on Wednesday.
Even though we are top of the league and in the quarters of the FA Cup, something is missing and I have not enjoyed
Chelsea's last few performances.
4-1-3-2 formation, I thought the writing was on the wall and we would lose.
However, Chelsea rallied in the second half and scored a goal which was deserved. Fulham players surrounded the
referee and complained. Despite the fact that the linesman had not waved his flag for any offence, after a short
discussion between the men in black the goal was disallowed. Chelsea recently were charged by the FA for pressurising
the referee after a tackle on Makelele at West Brom. I wonder if the same will happen to the wellington boot brigade. In
the post match comments, the linesman stated he was "convinced" there had been a handball. So he hadn't actually
seen it then!
The last time I saw a Chelsea goal disallowed in such circumstances was against Oldham in the FA Cup in 1999. The ref
only disallowed the strike when pressured by the Oldham players. An Oldham fan threw a burger at the lino, but was let
off by the police because he said he had ordered a veggie burger, and threw the meat burger served to him out of
disgust.... at the ref!
Chelsea had sixteen corners which they made nothing out of, and Chelsea's attitude in the first half let them down. We
did not deserve three points today, but a draw would have been the fairer result. To give Fulham credit, they hustled
and harried us and seemed to have a much better attitude than the Chelsea team.
In the dying seconds Gallas was sent off. That is the fourth player gone in the last couple of months or so. I would not go
so far as to say that the wheels have fallen off the wagon, but we are going through a bad patch. Even Jose is making
some "Stinkerman" decisions - not helped when we have several key players suspended or injured - but that's what we
have a big squad for!
At the final whistle Fulham fans invaded the pitch and many goaded the Chelsea fans. The stewarding was inept and
Chelsea fans easily retaliated, especially when one bright spark decided to moon right in front of the travelling hoardes.
Fulham fans ran back with their tail between their legs as a few hundred Chelsea chased them back to their stands.
All in all a disappointing day, and let's hope we find our feet before the FA Cup game against the zebras on Wednesday.
Even though we are top of the league and in the quarters of the FA Cup, something is missing and I have not enjoyed
Chelsea's last few performances.
