FA Cup, Matches - Written by BlueChampion on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 1:26 | 6,914 Views | 40 Comments | Add Comment
Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea: Take that!
That’s like Chelsea the Champions. Now Martin Jol can talk about why Jose Mourinho is the special one. We completely outplayed Spurs in every department of the game and I’d say, still this wasnt our best performance. Looks like we didnt need our best to put out Spurs who are in fantastic form. This season, we first lost to Spurs, then drew and now have beaten them. This positive progress is happening at a larger scale in this season for us. Even at the end of March, we would still be in all three competitions, having won the other. Elsewhere, Ronaldo’s another goal line theatrics got him another undeserved penalty through which Man Utd go through.
The game started briskly and both teams displayed a lot of energy and passion. Though Spurs had more of the ball in the first few minutes, the first half belonged to us, I should say. Cech was hardly tested. Most of their attacks were nullified in the flanks by Diarra and Cole. Diarra had a bigger share of the workload as most of the Spurs attack was through their left flank. The way he skinned Lennon time and again was pure pleasure to watch. For all those who were worried about the extra-attacking instincts of Diarra, he played very maturedly to show that he can play any role as suitbale for the team needs. While I’ve become a real fan of Diarra, I’d be happier if he stays away from those bookings. Drogba, sitting on 7 yellow cards already, picked up one more tonight thanks to a useless argument.
We played very confidently and positively and that showed in all our attacks. We were more free-flowing in our passes and movements and we looked more comfortable in 4-1-3-2 with flat attacking midfield. When we have wing backs like Diarra and Cole, there’s no reason why we should not continue with this alternative to our 4-4-2 diamond. Even we did not test Robinson much, but we were more threatening, given our quality and ability to produce goals from nowhere. On the other hand, a Spurs goal would come only from inside the box and and there were very unlikely to win in the air in that area.
The man who made the difference today was Mikel. He was absolutely fantastic. He played in the defensive midfield in the 4-1-3-2 formation. and he sincerely stuck to his boundaries. He made no surging runs and he ensured that he stayed away from the attacking third as much as possible. He was very sound in defence and he aborted a lot of Spurs attack with his timely interception or clearance. Our midfield truly dominated the game as Ballack and Shevchenko seemed to form a kind of partnership while as always Cole kept finding Drogba with praiseworthy accuracy. Lampard had a very routine game where he did his stuff and even he was little too defensive than usual.
As soon as the second half started, Spurs began to up their tempo and Cech had to pull off a couple of great saves in the first 10 minutes. Though he made them look easy with his anticipation and positioning, those were truly matchwinning saves. Then came the moment of Andriy Shevchenko. When SWP decided for once not to dribble his way through half a dozen players, he passed it nicely to his right. Sheva picked it up with pace and when he beat Malbranque to get inside the box, not many were expecting him to give it a shot. That was an incredible left footer from Andriy produced out of sheer quality and technique that had even Drogba stunned in front of the goal. Sheva could have got one more but for a bad call by the linesman. He was onside when Diarra fed him in a quick counterattack, which put him one-on-two and I was getting ready to celebrate. When do you think Sheva would score a hattrick for us?
Few weeks back, when he scored against Porto, I said that was his best Chelsea goal and then the goal against Sheffield last week was even better. And now, this one against Spurs is certainly his best goal for Chelsea. In the kind of form he has been showing, we can see even better goals this season. And yes, in the next seaon, he’s gonna set the Premiership on fire.
Frankly, when SWP started ahead of Robben, I thought it was blunder by Jose. Surprisingly, he played well and even got himself a great goal. Well, that proves that Jose know more football than me. Still he suffers from the ‘final-ball-syndrome’ while he takes his chances fairly well. But the big question is, can SWP be consistent? Introduced with 20 minutes to go, Robben was not much in action but he could have done better with the chance created for him by Drogba.
I’ve been waiting for Drogba’s 30th goal of the season. Now he has not scored in the last two matches but his contribution has been massive. Tonight, he selflessly created so many chances for others and his chested ball to SWP for the second goal is one of the best assists of this season. After the 75th minute, he started concentrating more on defence, something that has made him completely indispensable.
The penalty was unfortunate as Ricardo went for the ball and got a clean touch on the ball. But lanky Berbatov sensed the situation and got what he wanted. The taller strikers, when they fall, they fall in such a clumsy manner that creates the doubt in the minds of referee. I understand that Man Utd is checking Barbatov. Surely, he can be a very good company for Ronaldo. Our centre backs were solid in their task and should take the credit for some effective goalmouth clearances.
This is one of those games where most of our players did most of the things right. Very good collective and controlled performance from Chelsea but there can be only one MOTM. Who’s yours?
This game is a reassurance that we’re going to see very soon the Chelsea that won back-to-back titles. Now the stage is set for a Chelsea-Man Utd final. There’s nothing sweeter this season than beating Man Utd in the finals of FA Cup. Well, Champions league can be better but if only Man Utd progess till that stage.
Final words from Jose Mourinho:
The best team won, the best team played with concentration from the first minute, very solid defensively with very good control of possession and in that aspect John Mikel was key. Everything looks easy for him, the way he keeps possession of the ball. Shaun in the last two matches has been man of the match, and Sheva’s class arrived at the right moment with an unbelievable goal and after that the game was in complete control.
This is a step (to the final), a very difficult step, a very important one. Now we have a game against a team in Blackburn who fight every second of the game and we have to respect them, and we do. I hope we will be ready to win the semi-final because we very much want to win this competition. For me it is a special season already, better than others because of the problems we’ve had. Only this team, with this character could survive.
Finally, I thank Jose and the players for giving me this wonderful birthday gift!
40 Comments
2. cap123
omg omg omg i am so happy for both sheva and SWP, i’ve been rooting for both of them ( a bit longer for Shaun lol) ever since they joined, and there goes two fantastic goals from nowhere.
Poor Tottenham though, they really don’t deserve this after that 2nd half start. 63rd minute at the moment.
3. Johnarejr
“We can sink Chelsea” says Jenas. I read that article on the BBC’s website this morning. Oh well, everyone has to dream. The reality is Sheva and SWP are confident they can score. Darria has developed into a solid player. And with Cech JT healthy, an opponent should feel fortunate to get one goal. I still have my doubts about winning the Premiership. But, two more trophies this year is more than believeable.
4. Chris
Hey BC, you better eat your words about SWP. He’s starting to prove himself now: two goals in two games, alongside Shevchenko. Things are looking good for the end of the season!
Chris! I’m happy for SWP. When it comes to taking chances and hitting the target, he’s fared well recently. The real problem is in dribbling along and delivering the effective cross or killer pass. That’s where he’s been poor. Remember, his time is running out. Joe Cole will be back in the first week of April and our next match is on 31-Mar which means SWP has only ONE more match to impress and gain a first team place ahead of Robben or Joe.
6. Chels
This was a superb tactical victory for mourinho. his strategy was fantastic - diarra and mikel to play defensively. lamps and ballack not to attack too much. all balls go to sheva, drogba & swp. diarra and mikel to mark lennon. accurate long balls to drogba. swp not to play too much in the wings as such. overall, jose and chelsea outplayed martin jol and spurs. thoroughly deserved brilliant victory. btw diarra was magnificent. at this rate, he would become the best right back of the premiership very soon.
7. Chels
looks like sheva is running away with the MOTM in the polls! faily speaking, it should be between mikel and diarra.
8. Adonis
Amazing, amazing, amazing! Both goals were superb, with Drogba getting 80% of the praise for the second one. Superb assist, chested down, that bamboozled everyone, including Robinson. The penalty was fair, I felt, even though Carvalho did get the ball a bit. He was already beaten by that time, and I would have preferred him to let Cech take care of it.
Ronaldo just makes me hate him more and more with his diving and cockiness. He’s going to be sorely mad when we beat them the three matches we play them the rest of the year (should they advance).
9. Midfield_Decider
Happy Birthday to you, BC!
May you have more such gifts like today’s!
Congratulations to everyone.
Sheva’s goal was out of this world. Keep it up!
10. boruff
simply amazing! sheva’s goal really a stunner for me. so does SWP’s goal from Drogba’s precission chest pass. i hope we beat ManUre in the FA CUP final. More over, Mark Hughes & Blackburn players should think of something to stop Cronaldo & his diving routine when they meet later in the league match.
i am still keeping my faith that CFC will get all remaining 3 trophies. ManUre got six on their injury list and for sure i hope they gonna loose some points in the coming matches.
hey anyone heard about Lamps comment about his contract? CFC management should do their work fast about his it. for god’s sake, Lamps surely deserves it!
11. giridhar
First of all Happy Birthday… BC
Well it was night worth burning the midnight oil on… what a Goal from Shev… Great game overall… we just proved why we are so superior to Spurs. It just shows how much difference 2 good centerbacks can make to your team. Compare this one to the first match against spurs - Lennon and Berbatov were running riot in chelsea defence and today they were just invisible. Mikel and Diarra are looking good for the future.
I think it was also a night of 2 divers. Fortunately one ended on the loosing side.. Can just think why Refs keep giving Penalties?
12. Bingo
Happy b’day BC. I’m sure you’re enjoying your b’day courtesy our great win against spurs. that’s an interesting point BC that you brought out - we first lost, we then drew and now we have won against spurs - nice observation.
i think swp is the official man of the match. for me, the man of the match is shevchenko for his amazing goal. truly that was vintage shevcehnko. we’ll beat manu in all competitions. wait and see.
13. Alex
Congrats BC & everyone. Great performance and great result. Good that we proved we dont have a jinx or anything against Spurs. I dont think Berbatov dived. It was a fair penalty. Carvalho could have left Cech to make an attempt to save instead making that risky tackle.
14. joeblue
Looks like Diarra’s performance was enough to silence u eh Alex????
No need for an out-of-sorts, underconfident defender to play at a different position!!!!
Good match AWESOME Sheva goal (i thought he was crossing the ball until i saw the ball in the back of the net…….whew!!!) , SWP had a good game and i think it was related to Maclaren watchin in the stands!!! LOL!!! Mikel is maturing beyond compare and fortunately without the hype , usually accompanying the Arsenal over-rated kiddos!!!!
Terry was the man in defence without whom we were so vulnerable, but special praise for A.Cole the way he consistently and accurately finds Drog every time and his crosses from the deep r amazing , no wonder JM wanted him so bad!!!! Berba went down far too easy but that is always the case in every penalty like we see CRONALDO getting one in every match , more than half of his goals r diving penalties , sick and tired of him repeating the same thing in every match!!! GO BLUES!!!!
15. Alex
that was down to Jose, joeblue. didnt you see that diarra played differently last night than he has been playing all these days. there seems to be a clear instruction from jose to diarra on what he should not do and he diarra has been a very good student. if jose has this capability of changing the playing style of any player for each match, hats off to him, he can pick any team he wants and make them play like he wants them to.
16. blue-ocean
Happy Birthday BC!! Hope u hav a good time!
I loVe Ur iDea bout the Ratin’ box u made For CfC’s previous maTch!
Keep on proVidinG That RatinG box aLrIte!!
But I’d love to GivE SHeva 9/10! LOL.. (superb Goal!)
nyways.. WonderFul GamE From BlUes n EspeciaLly Mikel n Sheva~
Diarra? Dont ask! he’s our secret weapon! i wonder what’s gonna happen if he plays together with JOE Cole! it must be a great pleasure 2 watch them play 2gether! GO BLUES!!
17. Manish
Congrats to all for the win…..is there re-telecast in India…
18. Manish
Congrats to all for the win…..is there re-telecast in India after 7pm…..
19. bose
The replay is in STAR Sports on 22-march @ 14:00 hrs india time.
20. trueblue
thank BC! the video is of superb quality. do u handpick videos? i see that the videos in this blog are the best available on the net! good job!
21. Ahmed , BLUE + SHEVA FAN
THAT WAS A TRAFFIC GAME I HOPE SHEVA KEEPS ON THIS GAME AND THE MILAN DAYS OF GREAT PLAYING COME BACK TO HIM BUT THIS TIME IN A BLUE SHIRT !! SWP IS IMPROVING ALOT !! CECH = BEST GOALKEEPER IN THE WORLD !!!
22. Joseph
CHELSEA FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOVE YA GUYS
23. blue champion
Guys! Thanks a lot for your wishes!
Now, I’ve added a new feature in side bar called “Side Blog”. Here I would post those small pieces of information that I want to share with you, which may not warrant a separate normal post for itself. If you see the side blog, you’ll understand better.
24. ZUBINJ9
BC happy birthday…
do know one thing BC , that our birthday is on the same day….
i am also celbrating my birthday today…samepinch
25. EPLAnalysis.wordpress.com
Great goals from SWP and Sheva.
Shevchenko really is a delight to watch now. Fantastic, intelligent movement and composed goalscoring. He’s just going to get better.
26. abdullah
happy birthday BC…..a perfect gift from CFC :P
I didnt get to watch the game but the goals i see are absolute crackers coming from players who have been considered under achieving this season. I hope we get man u in the final so we can take care of them, and show them whos the best. Congrtas 2 chelsea tough luck 2 spurs who put up a good fight.
Go blues now lest demolish any team who dares face us.
27. Manish
I saw all the FA cup goals on ESPN…can’t comment on Ronaldo penalty but Carvalho’s was certainly not…such tackles are too common, at least in England…..
28. joeblue
Hey BC hope u enjoyed Sheva’s cracker as ur gift from CFC!!! Many happy returns of the day , since we r not playing until MAR 31 how abt giving a post abt the dangermen at Valencia , their plays , weakness and strenghts and we can discuss Valencia in detail until the CL match!!!!
Hows the idea????
29. Manish
Hey guys, I have few questions regarding CL….please enlighten me…
first is that how come Werder Bremen is in UEFA cup when it was also in CL…second, how is venue of CL semifinal decided as I am surprised that 2005’s Chelsea vs Liverpool was at anfield, isn’t it supposed to be at some neutral venue….
thanks a lot….
30. joeblue
Hey Manish u seem very new to Footie as ur questions emphasise ,
Firstly ur question on Bremen —- Acc to the rules the teams coming 3 in their CL group r denied a place in the next round but they get an automatic place in the UEFA cup!!!!
Secondly ur question on LIV vs CFC in 2005 —- the semi final was also played in 2 legs , one ended in 0-0 , the other one was a controversial loss to LIV after Luis Garcia scored , so they advanced to the next round on agg.!!!!
Hope ur doubts r erased!!!
31. Manish
Thanks a lot Joeblue….yeah I am relatively new to European and English football but avid football fan since childhood days….
by 3rd placed rule, all other group’s 3rd teams must also be there…are they …..
32. giridhar
Hey BC what is that side post about FA Cup Venues… where did you get that
33. Alex
it’s public news giridhar. chelsea will play the FA Cup semifinal against Blackburn in OLD TRAFFORD. And Manu vs Watford will be in VILLA PARK.
34. joeblue
Yes Manish they r all there until they get eliminated!!!!
Bc did u look up my prposal for the next post???
35. debs
hahah
happy late bday 
36. blue champion
joeblue - suely that will be done but a little later. we will track England’s performance in the next two matches and we will have some interesting posts too. thanks for the interest.
37. RomanHoliday
BC How about my suggestion of some pretty girls in CFC kits ? And why not guys too ?
I’m not being sexist or anything, u know It would take the blog to another dimesion ,
Like cracking great fan /girl /guy of the month in CFC kit.
38. adem
dresovi su ti stvarno cool
39. ashley
Chealsea rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
40. number1yid
yid army yid army chelsea id shit em haaaaaaa wankers yido yido yido
wtf? SWP is starting. We’re playing 4-1-3-2.
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