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How close can you get? One inch wider in the last 5 seconds?

That’s why we’re Champions! How many times would the team conceding the first goal of the match in the 80th minute will look like winning the match? Especially the opponent is a ‘top team’ (for clarity, I’m talking about Arsenal here) still challenging for the title. and any neutral fans (read Man Utd fans) watching this match would clearly know what the Chelsea team is made of. It was a fantastic match which showcased the ‘Never Say Die’ spirit of Chelsea.

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Throughout the match Chelsea did not allow Arsenal to play their natural game and won the ball from the midfield too often. While Arsenal did attack in the first half none of them were real chances as such. Most of these attacks were aborted by our midfielders or cleared by our defence with ease. Chelsea were never genuinely troubled. Drogba was fouled inside the box and even with the lenient of referees, that must have been a clear penalty. Arsenal’s luck with referees continues and Jen ‘rogue’ Lehmann should have been red carded, but Arsenal’s lucky luck with the referees still continued.

Robben and Shaun were introduced and they made such an impact in the game, that I could realise what sacrifice Jose makes by playing Sheva in 4-4-2. I would like to see Chelsea in 4-3-3 with Robben and Shaun/J.Cole starting with Drogba in the centre. If there is an impact player who cange really change a match, it can be none other than Robben. Man, he was live wire and Arsenal just couldnt keep him silent. Throughout the match Arsenal looked like they would be content with a point and did not press too much for a win, which was a shame for ‘title contender’.

Jose said:

But for me it was a bit of a surprise for a team who are 18 points behind the leaders to come here not to win just to go with a draw it almost says we don’t want to win the Premiership, we just want to make a positive result at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea hit the woodwork on numerous occasions and had the Arsenal hearts thumping quite too often. Nearing the 80th minute, Hilario committed a rare error in his positioning and that resulted in a goal for Arsenal. Anybdy who thought that the match was over for Chelsea did not know about the spirit of Chelsea (ask Barca!). Arsenal must have been ruing the fact that they had to score the first goal of the match. Chelsea’s reaction to the Arsenal goal was brilliant. As a champion team, they could not accept a team like Arsenal coming to Stamford Bridge and winning! After that moment, there was raid and raid from Chelsea and Lehmann was the busiest man for the last 15 minutes or so.

A beautiful attack by Chelsea in 84th minute, had Essien blast a 35-yard stunner, very well set up by Lampard. It was a fantastic strike which swerved out and curved in just enough to beat the rogue goal keeper. It was great to see Jose celebrating as if he struck the goal! After this moment the last 10 minutes must have been Arsene Whinger longest 10 minutes this season.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1lv8Ng3Bkc[/video]

The moment Chelsea equalised, I was sure that we would win, even if there was only one minute left. Arsenal players, coach and supporters must have been praying for a draw and well, those were answered. Chelsea had almost half a dozen chances to win in the last 5 – 10 minutes. Jose is yet to be beaten in a home league match for the last 4 years!

Quick questions & answers:

After the final whistle of Man Utd vs Chelsea match, which manager must have felt relieved? Sir Alex

After the final whistle of Man Utd vs Arsenal match, which manager must have felt relieved? Arsene Whinger

After the final whistle of Chelsea vs Arsenal match, which manager must have felt relieved? Arsene Whinger

This tells you all!

Anyone thinking that the title race is over is mistaken. May be, that’s very well true for North London. But in the West, we still have more than half of the season to go and lot more to see. With this kind of spirit, Chelsea would win the title, without doubt.

[tags] Chelsea, Arsenal, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Alex Ferguson, Essien, Hilario, Lampard, Stamford Bridge [/tags]