26 12 2006 Everton, Newcastle and Wigan (a)
For the first time in many years I managed to miss 3 Chelsea games in succession. With work, family and girlfriend
commitments as well as awkward kick off times (cheers Sky, you wankers!) I had to give all these games a miss. And how
I regretted that I did.
Everton (a) always seems like a tough fixture. Chelsea fought back magnificently to win 3-2 but Jose mysteriously chose
to criticise Andrew/Andy Johnson despite us scoring 3 magnificent goals. Oh well, I am sure there is method to his
madness.
Newcastle (a) was a game where Chelsea looked always in control despite a lack of first choice players. Newcastle really
are a dire team and the game was truly awful. What made it hilarious viewing was hearing the Geordies shouting "cheat"
every time their useless players fouled a Chelsea one and gave away a needless free kick. I have no problem with
partisan fans. I wish we had more like it at the Bridge sometimes, but then again I would not like us to look like a bunch
of plonkers. I think the Newcastle fans will be embarrassed when they look at replays of alleged "cheating" from Chelsea.
If one of their players commits a foul then it is they who are cheating, not Chelsea! Perhaps their fans are hiding behind
this excuse in order to ignore their team's wider shortcomings.
Thirty minutes into the Wigan game I thought Chelsea were going to score seven. "Finally", I thought, "the team is
coming together and we are going to annihilate someone." After the exceptional Heskey (why does he always seem to
play well against us?) brought the game back to 2-2 I was thinking, "please no - don't make my Christmas even more
shit than it already is"!. When Robben scored my missus thought I was having a heart attack... the way matches have
been going recently I would not be surprised if I did end up with a quadruple bypass!
These games showed the strength and character Chelsea possesses. It also proves how unimportant money is if you
have no spirit, belief or fight. For once I am watching games that actually mean something - a home game against
Arsenal is just as important as an away tie to Wigan at this stage of the season, and long may it continue.