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28 10 2006 Sheffield United 0 Chelsea 2
Chelsea put in a fantastic performance today to come out worthy winners in a pretty one-sided affair.
We had gone up to Sheffield yesterday to sample some its nocturnal delights and were pleasantly surprised. Having
been to Hillsborough a few times before - but by car - I was quite ignorant of what central Sheffield would really be like.
In any case, it was not the hole that I expected it to be.
Hungover this morning we found a fantastic pub called the Rutland Arms and managed to sink a few pints in before
walking down to Bramall Lane.
Bramall Lane is a very strange stadium. It does not feel like there are 32,000 fans there. Executive boxes above where
fans sit? One set of gents toilets for over three thousand Chelsea fans? And £4 for a programme?
The atmosphere was very downbeat. It was almost as if the Blades fans felt as if a hammering was on the cards. A
ridiculous kick off time of 12.45 (thanks again Sky!) did not help either. Chelsea dominated possession in the first half
but failed to convert any chances in the early stages with only one striker up front. The home team were no mugs and
won a debatable penalty after a Drogba shoulder barge in the box. Hilario came to our rescue and saved brilliantly.
From that point on you felt there would only be one winner.
Lampard scored in the dying minutes of the first half with a terrific free-kick from 30 yards out - only seconds after
missing a sitter with his head that he hit straight at the 'keeper. He looks like he is back to top form at last.
Chelsea wrapped up the victory in the second half with Ballack scoring from a terrific Bridge cross. No Sheva, Ashely
Cole or Cannibal either. Kalou impressed when he came on for Drogba, but Joe Cole looked a little out of sorts after his
recent injury woes.
Highlights of the day:
1/. "You're just a fat Michael Jackson!" sung by Chelsea fans to a steward;
2/. Arriving back at Kings' Cross with all the Arsenal fans taking their trains back to wherever outside of London they live
after the game at Highbury. On the tube, a young lady wearing an Arsenal replica top was standing and reading the
book "Fever Pitch". You couldn't see a better reflection of what kind of fans Arsenal attract!
On to Barca - I am not confident of a Chelsea victory but we are going to have a good time!
We had gone up to Sheffield yesterday to sample some its nocturnal delights and were pleasantly surprised. Having
been to Hillsborough a few times before - but by car - I was quite ignorant of what central Sheffield would really be like.
In any case, it was not the hole that I expected it to be.
Hungover this morning we found a fantastic pub called the Rutland Arms and managed to sink a few pints in before
walking down to Bramall Lane.
Bramall Lane is a very strange stadium. It does not feel like there are 32,000 fans there. Executive boxes above where
fans sit? One set of gents toilets for over three thousand Chelsea fans? And £4 for a programme?
The atmosphere was very downbeat. It was almost as if the Blades fans felt as if a hammering was on the cards. A
ridiculous kick off time of 12.45 (thanks again Sky!) did not help either. Chelsea dominated possession in the first half
but failed to convert any chances in the early stages with only one striker up front. The home team were no mugs and
won a debatable penalty after a Drogba shoulder barge in the box. Hilario came to our rescue and saved brilliantly.
From that point on you felt there would only be one winner.
Lampard scored in the dying minutes of the first half with a terrific free-kick from 30 yards out - only seconds after
missing a sitter with his head that he hit straight at the 'keeper. He looks like he is back to top form at last.
Chelsea wrapped up the victory in the second half with Ballack scoring from a terrific Bridge cross. No Sheva, Ashely
Cole or Cannibal either. Kalou impressed when he came on for Drogba, but Joe Cole looked a little out of sorts after his
recent injury woes.
Highlights of the day:
1/. "You're just a fat Michael Jackson!" sung by Chelsea fans to a steward;
2/. Arriving back at Kings' Cross with all the Arsenal fans taking their trains back to wherever outside of London they live
after the game at Highbury. On the tube, a young lady wearing an Arsenal replica top was standing and reading the
book "Fever Pitch". You couldn't see a better reflection of what kind of fans Arsenal attract!
On to Barca - I am not confident of a Chelsea victory but we are going to have a good time!
