How unfortunate? Weren’t we all hoping for us to nick a goal even in stoppage time? Man Utd had the generosity to gift us a 2-point cut but we weren’t courteous enough to accept that. Our players looked absolutely tired. They have been playing twice every week for so many weeks now. It’s not that they didn’t want to win this. It’s not that they didn’t know about the importance of winning this match. It’s just that they couldn’t do it this time. Anyone who thinks that the race is over, has not been following this season well.

Jose’s mood swung from furious to frustrated but after the match was over, he was much more emotionally balanced. Same with me. I was so damn gutted at the final whistle, but at second thought, our boys fought hard, real hard, they badly wanted to win. They have been pushing themselves hard week after week and most of them would long for a break. Even if there is no match in the midweek they might enjoy that as a break. That’s not to be, as we are one of the very very few teams that are in the final lap of all tournaments.

I cannot ask for more of my players. I think that what they are doing is absolutely amazing. We played against a team with fresh legs and without any kind of pressure. I’m not saying we deserved to win. Over the 90 minutes Newcastle played well and deserved a point.

We should have got atleast one penalty. And now, this is not an excuse but a statement of fact. Sibierski had a real match plan of undoing Terry in the most unprofessional way. His plan was very simple – hug John Terry as tight as you can that he cannot move. It was so sickening to see that. Jose was annoyed about the state of penalties – the ones Chelsea dont get and the ones Man Utd dont get punished for:

It is not possible to have a penalty in favour of Chelsea. We should have had a penalty, involving Stephen Carr, it was a clear penalty. I have the right to speak. I think nobody can punish me because I speak the truth and I am not saying the referees are not honest. But yesterday was a penalty and today was a penalty – and if somebody wants to punish me for that it means the end of democracy and we go back to old times.

Jose is not one to give up now. After all, the gap remains 3 points, with another 4 games to go. Jose too feels bad but nothing much can be done now.

It was a chance missed to close the gap. But at the same time we had an away game and Man United had a home game and at the end of it the gap between us is the same. I do not think it is a drama.

When we lost the first and second choice keepers on the same day and when we had to play 17 league matches with our third choice goalkeeper, I would have taken these with both hands – a 3-point gap by the third week of April, Champions League semifinals, FA Cup finals and Carling Cup. I’d be ungrateful if I dont appreciate the efforts taken by the team amidst all the injury and boardroom drama and still have us in all competitions.

You might call me ridiculous but my faith and hope simple refuse to go down. I still think we can win the title. If we dont, fine enough – to win a hattrick of titles in a league like the English leaue would be a huge insult to the competitiveness of the league and the other also-ran top teams.

See, Chelsea Football Club has been in existence for 102 years now. If fans remained fans only if win anything, Chelsea would not have too many fans! As a supporter, I badly want them to win. If they lose I get upset but I go on to live my life, so are the players and everyone else.

Not the best result I hoped for, but I’d continue to support my team. How about you?