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.

[video]http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/4hgPesTrdUbk7awFr[/video]

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?

{democracy:20}

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!