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26 04 2008 Chelsea 2 Manchester United 1
What a difference a little bit of luck makes. Finally, Chelsea got the rub of the green against Liverpool when Riise scored
that magnificent own goal at Anfield in midweek. It was a wonder Liverpool did not ask UEFA to replay the match citing
their left back for being offside or some other ridiculous excuse. Beneathus even had the audacity to moan at the
referee because the goal was scored 6 seconds over injury time seemingly forgetting a far more contentious incident a
few years ago when a ball didn't even cross the line!
So come Saturday there was a feeling that I had not had for nearly a year at ahead of a Chelsea match - I was actually
REALLY looking forward to a game. Despite having (as Time Out describes him) a "potato" as a manager, we finally had
that atmosphere, emotion and optimism that had been absent for a long while. This game restored my faith in Chelsea.
Chelsea produced their most outstanding performance of the season, and even an uncharacteristic mistake from
Carvalho could not deny the club and fans a deserved victory. From the outset it was obvious Chelsea were aiming for
the win, and Manchester United were set for a draw. No Ronaldo in the starting line-up either! Happy days. The
increasingly annoying Drogba beautifully set up the reliable Ballack for a pinpoint header in the corner - what a
turnaround for the German this season. A real shame that he received a booking having wanted to replace his shirt with
one that had poor Lampard's late mother's name on it. This game was for you Frank, Chelsea fans love you and are
with you mate!
After the break United dominated - it seemed almost as if Avram had ordered the Chelsea side to defend while the Reds
had received the hairdryer treatment from Sir Alex. Then came the moment that could have ended our season -
Carvalho passing straight to Rooney who finished well despite being injured. What followed was some of the most
disgraceful behaviour I have seen from a team which wrongfully carries so much respect. Arguing every decision;
blocking Chelsea from taking free kicks; countless time wasting (even Van Der Saar of all people feigned that he had
been kicked in the stomach by Joe Cole, only to jump up two seconds later when the referee didn't award him a free
kick). The media portray United as a club that can do no wrong, but surely yesterday's game, apparently watched by a
billion people put that myth to bed.
Chelsea should have already earned a penalty for handball before the linesman gave us one for a second offence. How
United can complain I will never know, and the disgraceful, petty reaction of the United players when it was given made
me wonder if they were completely losing the plot. Hargreaves, Giggs et al surrounding the referee and linesman,
Slivestre picking up divots of earth and throwing them in Ballack's direction before the penalty was taken, and Van Der
Saar deservedly booked to try and "professionally" put the player off. And what a magnificent penalty it was! It was very
strange that United stopped playacting and time wasting when they were 2-1 down. Ferdinand completely lost it and had
to be restrained for some disgraceful behaviour towards the end which puts to bed the theory that he should be England
captain - it was a certain Mr John Terry who had to calm him down. I hope the FA throw the book at Ferguson's side, as
Chelsea have been punished in the past for far less.
How their manager can complain about such an obvious penalty is beyond me, but he seems to have a short memory -
at Old Trafford Mikel was sent off for only a one-footed challenge; once Chelsea were down to ten men, United scored a
minute after the allotted injury time in the first half and Saha dived to earn a penalty! Come on Fergie, you look pathetic.
Then followed more stories in the media of Ferdinand kicking a female steward (very brave you moron!) and an
altercation with groundstaff when United players were asked to leave a certain part of the pitch during their warmdown.
Thankfully, Sky Sports News has not shirked this news as it usually does and has replayed all these incidents on
Sunday.
It is all good news for Chelsea who finally look confident - the fans, too were magnificent yesterday with an atmosphere
reminiscent of cup ties in yesteryear when we were the underdogs. It is not often that we stay in the stadium for ten
minutes after the match bouncing in unison to One Step Beyond, the sun shining and genuine elation from all Chelsea
supporters.
It is still unlikely we will win the league - Newcastle seem to be a bogey side away from home, and last season Bolton
killed our chances of winning the league by drawing with us at Stamford Bridge (with Phil Neville helping his brother out
at Everton vs Man Utd). What is certain is that those mighty Reds that the media froth and eulogise over still cannot
comprehensively beat the top sides, and they are feeling the pressure immensely despite all the experience and
maturity we are consistently told they possess.
In any case, well done Avram - I hope this puts a smile on your face as you have taken all the negativity about you very
well. Most Chelsea fans including myself are not convinced you are our long term replacement as manager, but under
you things could be a lot, lot worse. Special praise too for Ashley Cole and Michael Ballack who were world class.
Thumbs down to Didier Drogba who is really losing the plot with his terrible attitude despite being a magnificently
talented player.
The gloom that has been on Chelsea fans' shoulders for the last few months has been lifted in the space of four days.
This result was not just important to keep our hopes alive of winning the league, but could also give us a psychological
advantage if (touch wood) we meet United in the final of the Champions' League.
that magnificent own goal at Anfield in midweek. It was a wonder Liverpool did not ask UEFA to replay the match citing
their left back for being offside or some other ridiculous excuse. Beneathus even had the audacity to moan at the
referee because the goal was scored 6 seconds over injury time seemingly forgetting a far more contentious incident a
few years ago when a ball didn't even cross the line!
So come Saturday there was a feeling that I had not had for nearly a year at ahead of a Chelsea match - I was actually
REALLY looking forward to a game. Despite having (as Time Out describes him) a "potato" as a manager, we finally had
that atmosphere, emotion and optimism that had been absent for a long while. This game restored my faith in Chelsea.
Chelsea produced their most outstanding performance of the season, and even an uncharacteristic mistake from
Carvalho could not deny the club and fans a deserved victory. From the outset it was obvious Chelsea were aiming for
the win, and Manchester United were set for a draw. No Ronaldo in the starting line-up either! Happy days. The
increasingly annoying Drogba beautifully set up the reliable Ballack for a pinpoint header in the corner - what a
turnaround for the German this season. A real shame that he received a booking having wanted to replace his shirt with
one that had poor Lampard's late mother's name on it. This game was for you Frank, Chelsea fans love you and are
with you mate!
After the break United dominated - it seemed almost as if Avram had ordered the Chelsea side to defend while the Reds
had received the hairdryer treatment from Sir Alex. Then came the moment that could have ended our season -
Carvalho passing straight to Rooney who finished well despite being injured. What followed was some of the most
disgraceful behaviour I have seen from a team which wrongfully carries so much respect. Arguing every decision;
blocking Chelsea from taking free kicks; countless time wasting (even Van Der Saar of all people feigned that he had
been kicked in the stomach by Joe Cole, only to jump up two seconds later when the referee didn't award him a free
kick). The media portray United as a club that can do no wrong, but surely yesterday's game, apparently watched by a
billion people put that myth to bed.
Chelsea should have already earned a penalty for handball before the linesman gave us one for a second offence. How
United can complain I will never know, and the disgraceful, petty reaction of the United players when it was given made
me wonder if they were completely losing the plot. Hargreaves, Giggs et al surrounding the referee and linesman,
Slivestre picking up divots of earth and throwing them in Ballack's direction before the penalty was taken, and Van Der
Saar deservedly booked to try and "professionally" put the player off. And what a magnificent penalty it was! It was very
strange that United stopped playacting and time wasting when they were 2-1 down. Ferdinand completely lost it and had
to be restrained for some disgraceful behaviour towards the end which puts to bed the theory that he should be England
captain - it was a certain Mr John Terry who had to calm him down. I hope the FA throw the book at Ferguson's side, as
Chelsea have been punished in the past for far less.
How their manager can complain about such an obvious penalty is beyond me, but he seems to have a short memory -
at Old Trafford Mikel was sent off for only a one-footed challenge; once Chelsea were down to ten men, United scored a
minute after the allotted injury time in the first half and Saha dived to earn a penalty! Come on Fergie, you look pathetic.
Then followed more stories in the media of Ferdinand kicking a female steward (very brave you moron!) and an
altercation with groundstaff when United players were asked to leave a certain part of the pitch during their warmdown.
Thankfully, Sky Sports News has not shirked this news as it usually does and has replayed all these incidents on
Sunday.
It is all good news for Chelsea who finally look confident - the fans, too were magnificent yesterday with an atmosphere
reminiscent of cup ties in yesteryear when we were the underdogs. It is not often that we stay in the stadium for ten
minutes after the match bouncing in unison to One Step Beyond, the sun shining and genuine elation from all Chelsea
supporters.
It is still unlikely we will win the league - Newcastle seem to be a bogey side away from home, and last season Bolton
killed our chances of winning the league by drawing with us at Stamford Bridge (with Phil Neville helping his brother out
at Everton vs Man Utd). What is certain is that those mighty Reds that the media froth and eulogise over still cannot
comprehensively beat the top sides, and they are feeling the pressure immensely despite all the experience and
maturity we are consistently told they possess.
In any case, well done Avram - I hope this puts a smile on your face as you have taken all the negativity about you very
well. Most Chelsea fans including myself are not convinced you are our long term replacement as manager, but under
you things could be a lot, lot worse. Special praise too for Ashley Cole and Michael Ballack who were world class.
Thumbs down to Didier Drogba who is really losing the plot with his terrible attitude despite being a magnificently
talented player.
The gloom that has been on Chelsea fans' shoulders for the last few months has been lifted in the space of four days.
This result was not just important to keep our hopes alive of winning the league, but could also give us a psychological
advantage if (touch wood) we meet United in the final of the Champions' League.
