What a weekend! Football has become such a bloody part of my life that my weekly mood swings have direct relationship with the weekend results. Weekends like these simply lift me so much that I wouldn’t mind anything at all. Such weekends have a powerful impact that they offset any disappointments that may come up in any other facet of my life. Let’s see how this remarkable weekend unfolded.

The new home league run has started in style. We thumped Sunderland in what was another one-sided match if not as worse as the Middlesbrough match. The match was all about two talismanic Chelsea players – Frank Lampard and Joe Cole. They stole the show and boy, didn’t they break down the Sunderland defence! Elsewhere, Spurs have just beaten Liverpool which puts us back to where we belong in the table – No.1.

This is the kind of game/weekend that would make me forget that bad performance against Liverpool at the Bridge. Sunderland is not the same as Liverpool but still you cna only beat who’s playing you. Great win, to borrow Gerrard’s lines, ‘stay grounded’. Sunderland did not defend too well and some of the spaces given by them for us to exploit, would never be available against top teams.

I’ve been talking about Chelsea’s inability to break down deep defences. Believe me, the day before this match, Scolari also said that Chelsea finds it difficult to score against teams that defend in numbers, especially at home. Exactly the message I was trying to convey. Felipao was mentioning that we need something special to break down the defence. It is in this regard, I wrote in my last post, that I want to see Joe Cole back very badly.

Joe Cole started this match where Di Santo was not even in the bench. Anelka and Malouda were given another chance. This French pair should go down as the one which has got numerous chances in this Chelsea team where normally team selection has something to do with the form and discipline of the players. Shevchenko and SWP come to mind. Alex had to come in for Carvalho. This 5-0 win has a huge similarity with the other 5-0 win against Middlesbrough. It’s a matter of getting a couple of goals and playing unbelievably solid that the opponent completely loses confidence, gets into ‘indifference’ mode and starts longing for the final whistle.

Not many teams, including the top ones, fancy a come back once Chelsea takes a lead. Sunderland, or for that matter any team of that stature, can play with all their heart until the first Chelsea goal or the second goal, and then at some point, they’ll start realising that they won’t get anything out of this game. Chelsea scored five, in a game where they could have scored ten, if they really wanted that. One thing I’m proud about Chelsea is that we never go about humiliating or insulting the opponents – be it with the goal celebrations or hammering a lost opponent. In this match, Chelsea were happy to get five, and beyond that point, I thought they were satisfied and were keen in finishing the match with no further incidents – positive or negative. Makes sense.

The first goal. Joe Cole on the right wing picks up a perfect pass from Lampard and shoots from a tight angle. Joe Cole surprises the goalie with his quick left footed shot and forces the goalie to parry it to let Alex finish from an unmissable distance. What a difference it makes when you have players who can shoot/pass with either foot! Second goal. This goal should go to Lampard. Look at this. He takes a corner and goes on take his position and then sees an opportunity and makes a fantastic run among the congested final third. Deco was looking for Lampard and he knew it exactly. He then delivers a smart groudned cross which was finished once again by Alex but Anelka from an offside position robs him of the goal and the goals stands. That was clearly offside but if the referees don’t call it I wouldn’t care much. After he gets paid for calling these things correctly.

Third goal. Best goal of the night (all premier league matches included). The relentless warrior Joe Cole slips one through to Lampard from an off balance position. Lampard makes a subtle touch that puts Malouda one-on-one but he very unselfishly passes it to Anelka who had no option other than to score the goal. Great work by Joe Cole, Lampard and Malouda in setting up the goal. That touch by Lampard deserves some special mention. If that was made by a Xavi or a Iniesta or a Fibreglass, they’ll have a paragraph written on their genius. Unfortunately Lampard does not get that kind of press attention. But I’ve always said, Lampard is very very special. I would not trade Lampard for anyone, not even Kaka or Ronaldinho or Messi. There is only one Lampard.

Fourth goal. Once again, it is Joe Cole and Lampard. Joe Cole dribbles as well as he could and goes to the byline to chip it to the 6 yard box. Frank Lampard scores one more superb header to score his 100th premier league goal. Watch this goal again. Take your eyes off Joe Cole. Just look at Lampard and how he moves in the 6 yard box. One thing is about getting into that position and another is sowing intelligent movements to score a goal. That’s a goal of a striker. Drogba would be proud of that goal. Did I say it before? There is only one Lampard.

Fifth goal. Chelsea breakaway and Malouda sprints on the left and sends a sharp pass to the box. Anelka this time steals the pass that’s meant for Joe Cole! It was meant for Joe Cole and Joey was in a lot better position to finish it coolly. But unaware of Joe’s placement inside the box, Anelka finishes it rather uncomfortbly. It was a poor finish that luckily ended in a goal. One is, he did not see that Joe Cole was in a better position and two she shot straight at the keeper when he has three-fourths of the goal wide open. But finally, the ball popped into the net.

So Anelka got his hattrick. I never ever thought I’d have to use the words ‘Anelka’ and ‘hattrick’ in the same sentence. He got his hattrick because he was a bit selfish. As I have always said, the strikers have to be a bit selfish. And let’s not fool ourselves by calling him a centre forward and all that. If at all, he must be a centre backward, because he wanders off his zone so much. He is a striker and he’s got his hattrick and he must be happy about it. He should also remember that he got his hattrick only because he ‘wanted’ it. If he had shown his infamous indifference, Alex might have got a brace while Joe Cole and Malouda would be there in the score sheet. For once I saw Anelka grinning and celebrating with his colleagues with smiles all around. I’m happy for anyone that scores for Chelsea be it Mineiro or the Chelsea legend John Arne Riise ;-)

So how did we break down the visiting team this time? The credit should go to Lampard and Joe Cole. I’m struggling to choose the man of the match between them. I’d rather give it to both of them. Let them share the champage. Lampard went one-up from his usual 7/10 or 8/10 performance by delivering a sterling 9/10 stuff while Joe Cole produced his magic once again. While Lampard can be unbelievably consistent, Joe Cole can be on and off. One day he can do wonders and the other day, he can be most frustrating player on the pitch. But when a player like Joe Cole gets going, we should be able to break any defence.

In the last few matches at the Bridge, a little bit of creativity is what we were missing. Lampard and Deco were always giving those intelligent passes but the forwards weren’t up to the mark to make the most of it. But yesterday, luckily we had Joe Cole in the forwards and he has some amazing chemistry with Lampard and that’s exactly what we were missing and what we need to open up defences. In terms of cunning intelligence, cheekiness, shrewdness and cleverness, the lot of Anelka, Kalou and Malouda are no match to Joe Cole. That’s why, even if Kalou had played instead of Anelka, he would have got a hattrick. I’m nto taking anything away from Anelka, but just stating what I feel. Feel free to disagree.

Ashley Cole got injured trying to score a goal. May be he is itching to score one, like our wonderkid Mikel. Looks like Ashlye would be out for a two to three weeks. I want him to play the match against Arsenal. Worry not Ashley, you’re destined to score against the goners! Would pay to see your celebrations.

Mineiro made his debut and played for over 20 minutes. Coming in at 5-0 for your team, you need to be horrible not to impress. Looks comfortable on the ball, makes decent passes but we need to see him in pressure situations. As a defensive midfielder, that would be his real test.

Drogba dropped in at the Bridge yesterday. It was still a ‘Iam-just-back-from-injury’ kind of game from Drogba. Scolari has said that it would be Anelka and not Drogba who would play against Roma mid next week. How many more weeks before we see the best of Drogba? I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that Anelka has started showing more hunder and desire as Drogba’s return got closer. To top it all, when Drogba finally made it to the bench, Anelka scores a hattrick? Freak coincidence or sole motivation?

Roy Keane was full of praise for Chelsea and branded us the probable champions this season:

Don’t take anything away from Chelsea. There is no shame losing to a team like that. When you are 5-0 down with 35 minutes to go and Didier Drogba is warming up I wished someone would fast forward that clock. But my players kept going. It has been a tough week for us, particularly having to come to Chelsea after they had had a defeat. We knew there would be a reaction and unfortunately we were on the end of it.

I never had a problem in my career with praising the opposition and I am happy to do that today. They’ve got the eye of the tiger back and with a new manager coming in and with all that coming together, they’re my favourites to win the league. I said it would be Manchester United last year, and I was right, but it’s difficult to win it three years in a row, and I think that gives Chelsea the edge.

I knew we were going to beat Sunderland. This being the match after the Liverpool defeat at the Bridge, the players owed something to the visiting home fans. There had to be a reaction in front of the home crowd. We had to be winning. But the weekend was made by the non-Chelsea results.

Arsenal lost 2-1 to that relegation battler . . er  . . who was that . . Fulham? Not they lost to them already. Hull City? No no, they’re flying high plus they lost to them last week. Sunderland? No, they played us yesterday and goner already drew with them. Ah yes, it was Stoke City! Before the match, Arsene Wenger said something in the lines of ‘Delap’s throw-ins are a not a problem, we have a plan for it and anyway, they’d make something out of it only once in a month or two’. Yesterday, Stoke could make something out of the throw-ins, twice in the same match, once in each half. Don’t miss the video on van Persie’s red card. One of the funniest I’ve seen. Stoke scores two from throw-ins and Arsenal gets a stoppage time consolation goal that goes in after 28 deflections.

If Spurs were to be held by Arsenal ladies, who gets beaten by Stoke then? My mate cracked this one – They’re not Arsenal FC any more, they’re Arsenal LC (figure out!). It doesn’t get more humiliating that this. Arsenal are falling apart. Dressing room problems, fans losing faith with the manager, players getting restless and frustrated, fingers pointed everywhere – am I sympathetic? Freaking NO. I’m showing you my middle finger, you goners!

All hail uncle Harry! I don’t know if he gave them the magic potion but since he took charge they haven’t lost! So that’s a three-match undefeated streak for the Spurs!! Has the DVD come out? Ok, I’m all friends with the Spurs. If they continue this form, and if they could pick up some points from the top teams (excl us), that would be just perfect. What was fantastic about yesterday’s Spurs vs Liverpool match was, Liverpool got a dose of their own medicine as Spurs scored the winner in the 90th minute! Hey Rafa, you forgot to bring your lucky red handkerchief!

So, we top the table again. We’ve got Drogba back. Anelka is scoring and smiling (both being rarities). Alex not only steps in but also scores. Malouda is worthwhile. Joe Cole weaves his magic. Lampard is being Lampard. One more 5-0. Are we still not impressive Mr.Wenger? You know what, I love it when Arsenal become a laughing stoke. Enjoy this great weekend! Enjoy pissing off your friends that support the goners and dierpool. Catch you later Chelsitos!

The big question that needs answers!

Man of the Match against Sunderland?

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