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The beginning of something special?

A wholesome performance by Chelsea. Though Wycombe is not from the top draw, you can always take pride from the way we played in this game, given the circumstances. Credit to Wycombe. They played very well and when they were 2-0 down, they tried to put pressure on Chelsea but we prevailed with superior quality. And guys, is 4-4-2 the way to go for us? When we have Cech, Carvalho and Maka, dont you think 4-4-2 is more effective?

Shevchenko. How long I have been waiting to see this Shevchenko! He was the man of the match by some distance. His game looked very positive and from the moment go, something was telling me that he would score for sure. His game this match was very complete – he scored two goals, he created chances for others, he made smart runs, he beat the opposition players.

Even when he had scored the first two goals, Sheva was trying to set up goals for other instead using his super skills and going for the hattrick. I was hoping that he would get a hattrick, anyway, he has lot more to play. Thanks to Drogba, who was feeding and helping Sheva and did you have a look at Drogba’s celebration for Sheva’s goal?

In one of the runs where he created a golden chance for Lampard, he outmuscled the Wycombe right back before he cut it through for Lampard. That physical nudge and push is something new that I see in him for Chelsea. All these days, he was being robbed of the ball by physical tackles and he was looking at the referee. But in this match, he was ready to take on the game, in the English way! After the match, Jose sent a message through his press interview, that this is the work rate he expects from Sheva.

Jose said:

I demand commitment, effort, being aggressive, working and playing for the team, working with the ball, working without the ball – that’s what I demand. He did that, scored two goals, created some more. He was alive all the time while on the pitch. I think it’s a step forward in the direction of how we want him to play and perform on the pitch. The team is happy with him. It’s not just about me being happy with him. He will play the next game. If he can do the same thing against Nottingham [Forest], it’s definitely a step forward.

Drogba was superb this match, even if he did not score, he set up two. So, if Sheva does not score, if he plays a match like Drogba did today, I would be more than happy. I hope this is that defining match for Sheva this season and he carries on his confidence and show all why he cost a fortune (well, not for Roman!).

And special mention to Lampard’s first goal. I absolutely loved this goal. Intelligent long ball by Sheva and Lampard like always somehow gets into scoring positions. He takes the ball and beats the goalkeeper in the last possible moment and then beats the defender with another sublime touch and finishes off with incredible ease. For all this he is only a midfielder. He composure and skill during the one-on-one situation was outstanding. I would cherish this goal for long.


With Petr Cech and Carvalho in the team, I could see how much we have been missing them. Both of them command their areas and take quick decisions and also execute them in a no-nonsense manner. Especially Carvalho made defending look easy. You can see how many potential threats does he nullfies with his smart tackles. There was this well-timed hard tackle inside the box from Carvalho which you could not have expected from Essien or Paulo as the central defender (Can we play Liverpool again?).

Though Wycombe were trying to create chances, I never expected them to score, while Cech and Carvalho were there. Diarra started as the surprise right back and he did pretty well after his initial wobbles. Ashley was solid as ever. Ashley Cole is also one player, who I have started respecting and liking more and more.

We should get Terry back very soon or at least buy a specialist central defender. This concern is more because, we are limiting the Essien’s talents as a midfielder. I want Essien to move to central midfield where he just shuts the opposition out. He was fantastic this match and I can see how happy Jose will be to see that Essien is ready to play out of position and also to do well and not crib like some players. He has now played in left, right and centre midfield, right back and centre back so far in this season and he has done very well in all those areas. He must be Jose’s delight.

Our midfield did the job for us. Maka was supreme in his ball control. We did commit more than twice the number of fouls by Wycombe but in the process made sure that Wycombe can expect nothing more than some decent gate receipts from this match. Obi is the man (boy?) to watch. He improves every match and I write this in every post. He should be regular starter for us from now on. Ballack was not influential but was certainly trying his best. If Sheva improves his form, Ballack has to pick up too, otherwise he would be very poorly exposed, with Diarra coming up with a decent show.

This is a match that we should have won 6-0 or more. Anyway, no regrets. We were commanding in the pitch and we dictated the proceedings of the match. I wish Jose plays this same playing eleven for the FA Cup match against Nottingham. And guys, Captain John is back on 31-Jan for the Blackburn match!

Has normal service resumed?

[tags] Chelsea, Wycombe, Carling Cup, League Cup, Shevchenko, Sheva, Lampard, Jose Mourinho [/tags]

Thanks to gettyimages for the superb pic!