17 09 2006 Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0
It's all about theory.
In theory, Chelsea did not deserve much out of the game. In theory, Sissoko should have been sent off in the first half
for two bookable offences. In theory, Sissoko should have gone for two bookables in the second half for yet another
petty incident having kicked the ball away after a free kick was awarded against him. Unfortunately Poll wasn't refereeing.
In theory, Ballack should have gone for stepping on an opposition player's knee. And he was the one who went in
practice.
That is all theory. The fact is that Chelsea played a mediocre first half and still won 1-0 against a team that boasts so
much history and yet cannot beat a team that has 10 men in their side for nearly half a match.
What mattered was that Drogba has continued his fantastic from and scored one of the greatest Chelsea goals out of
nothing at a crucial time towards the end of the first half that earned us three points in an important game.
The first half was fairly tedious. Chelsea's passing in midfield was woeful in the first half and Liverpool held their own
well. In the second half Chelsea looked far more solid until Ballack was harshly sent off for an innocuous stamp on the
less than saintly Sissoko. Yes, in theory it would have been a red: in this case it was very harsh. Still - as Hoddle always
told us, "things even up over the frutation of a season", and how wise that man was.
The referee, Mike Riley, must have had the Essien tackle on Hammann imprinted on his mind when he saw that and
decided he would even things up in his own manner.
It didn't matter. Liverpool, and their famous hysterical/historical support were quiet throughout the game despite having
to play nearly the majority of the match against ten men.
Chelsea won, and many nails were bitten. The red card gave Chelsea more drive and made the game more exciting
than it should have been. Arsenal's result against Man Ure will silence those who want a club "with tradition" to take
Chelsea's Premiership mantle from them.
So to next week. Fulham away. In the six bells and let's hope we see better than we did last season.
In theory, Chelsea did not deserve much out of the game. In theory, Sissoko should have been sent off in the first half
for two bookable offences. In theory, Sissoko should have gone for two bookables in the second half for yet another
petty incident having kicked the ball away after a free kick was awarded against him. Unfortunately Poll wasn't refereeing.
In theory, Ballack should have gone for stepping on an opposition player's knee. And he was the one who went in
practice.
That is all theory. The fact is that Chelsea played a mediocre first half and still won 1-0 against a team that boasts so
much history and yet cannot beat a team that has 10 men in their side for nearly half a match.
What mattered was that Drogba has continued his fantastic from and scored one of the greatest Chelsea goals out of
nothing at a crucial time towards the end of the first half that earned us three points in an important game.
The first half was fairly tedious. Chelsea's passing in midfield was woeful in the first half and Liverpool held their own
well. In the second half Chelsea looked far more solid until Ballack was harshly sent off for an innocuous stamp on the
less than saintly Sissoko. Yes, in theory it would have been a red: in this case it was very harsh. Still - as Hoddle always
told us, "things even up over the frutation of a season", and how wise that man was.
The referee, Mike Riley, must have had the Essien tackle on Hammann imprinted on his mind when he saw that and
decided he would even things up in his own manner.
It didn't matter. Liverpool, and their famous hysterical/historical support were quiet throughout the game despite having
to play nearly the majority of the match against ten men.
Chelsea won, and many nails were bitten. The red card gave Chelsea more drive and made the game more exciting
than it should have been. Arsenal's result against Man Ure will silence those who want a club "with tradition" to take
Chelsea's Premiership mantle from them.
So to next week. Fulham away. In the six bells and let's hope we see better than we did last season.
