21 10 2006 Chelsea 2 Portsmouth 1
Chelsea had 16 attempts on target in this game but nearly threw away 2 points in the dying minutes.
Overall it was a satisfying performance and yet again David James pulled a performance out of the top drawer. 6 or 7-0
would not have been a flattering scoreline and Portsmouth must be worried that the may have a slump a la Charlton
Athletic last season. Chelsea showed them to be a very mediocre side.
After a good win against Barca the worry was that Chelsea may suffer a slight hangover, and it seemed so for the first
10 minutes which Portsmouth dominated. That was it - Chelsea pummeled their goal for the rest of the game. Robben
frustrated. Brilliant runs were spoilt by shots straight at the keeper.
Finally Chelsea got the breakthrough. Shevchenko and then quickly Ballack scored to give Chelsea a well deserved
lead. We live in a bizarre footballing world where players can hospitalise goalkeepers and not receive a yellow card (or
even a free kick against them in Cudicini's case) and yet these two received cards for celebrating! Use some common
sense referees for Christ's sake.
Lampard and Essien dominated the midfield. It was good to see Joe Cole back although he didn't seem to be 100% fully
fit. Now that the ridiculous World Cup games are over perhaps we shall finally see some consistency in Chelsea's play.
Blackburn (a) in the League Cup on Wednesday is a big game for them. I am fed up with going up there so will give it a
miss... Sheffield Utd (a) should be a laugh as will be Barca (a).
The Old Trafford game against Manchester United seems to be an early Championship six pointer. They are in terrific
form so far.
Overall it was a satisfying performance and yet again David James pulled a performance out of the top drawer. 6 or 7-0
would not have been a flattering scoreline and Portsmouth must be worried that the may have a slump a la Charlton
Athletic last season. Chelsea showed them to be a very mediocre side.
After a good win against Barca the worry was that Chelsea may suffer a slight hangover, and it seemed so for the first
10 minutes which Portsmouth dominated. That was it - Chelsea pummeled their goal for the rest of the game. Robben
frustrated. Brilliant runs were spoilt by shots straight at the keeper.
Finally Chelsea got the breakthrough. Shevchenko and then quickly Ballack scored to give Chelsea a well deserved
lead. We live in a bizarre footballing world where players can hospitalise goalkeepers and not receive a yellow card (or
even a free kick against them in Cudicini's case) and yet these two received cards for celebrating! Use some common
sense referees for Christ's sake.
Lampard and Essien dominated the midfield. It was good to see Joe Cole back although he didn't seem to be 100% fully
fit. Now that the ridiculous World Cup games are over perhaps we shall finally see some consistency in Chelsea's play.
Blackburn (a) in the League Cup on Wednesday is a big game for them. I am fed up with going up there so will give it a
miss... Sheffield Utd (a) should be a laugh as will be Barca (a).
The Old Trafford game against Manchester United seems to be an early Championship six pointer. They are in terrific
form so far.
