Chelsea 3-0 Birmingham | Back to where we belong . . .
Another majestic win for Chelsea. No matter who you support, if you appreciate football, you would say that Chelsea are the best team in the league this season. Agreed, there was minor blip in December but that’s exactly what it was, a blip in an otherwise brilliant title challenge by Chelsea. The question of how well Chelsea can perform in the absence of the African contingent has been answered in a remarkable fashion. A good part of the credit for pulling this off must go to Nicolas Anelka. Ballack may not have anything in common with Essien except the first name but he has fitted in very nicely. Lampard has been box-to-box like he has always been. This trio has been very good for us which has made us feel the absence of Drogba-Essien.
Yesterday was another masterful performance where it was hard to find negatives. If I still have to, I’ll find a name for the negatives – Deco. Seriously, I thought he was bad last night. He must have been subbed off at half time. There were a few defensive quirks but nothing so dangerous to disturb a clean sheet. Joe Cole is still looking to find the net. He made a nice little run and a good flick for the opening goal. Apart from that, he was wasteful despite getting himself into good positions. Lampard’s back in scoring form, definitely. His second goal of the night was class.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa were held by Arsenal. A match that should have been wrapped up by Villa by the hour. So there was the first result of the season defining series of matches for Arsenal. Now they play Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool in the next three premier league matches. I truly hope and pray they are dumped out of all competitions by the end of February. In the league cup semi final, Man Utd beat Man City once again from a stoppage time goal. I was hoping for a Carlos Tevez winner in stoppage time. Probably he’s saved the drama for later – next season’s champions league anyone?
That’s it for now. I gotta run. I know I’ve not been updating the blog too often. As you can see, I need help to keep the blog going. It could be one of you who can help me out. Think about it. Cheers!
come on blues keep winning in this crucial 2 months as well and welcome back didi
I don’t know what you’re talking about. Deco wasn’t bad at all. In fact he was one of the highlights of our performance. Slotted in very well in front of the defence. Yes he’s not going to win headers coz of his height, but it’s not a natural position for him and he deserves applause for putting in a strong performance.
Dear BC,
I also think that Deco, save for his few lapses, was exceptionally bright yesterday!
Here is my comment which i have made in BC Huddle:
I will discuss our players one by one, but first must be Monsieur Malouda!
Because he is my MoTM, no doubt! He played for the team and he had that desire and drive to fight for the ball, his tackles and closing ins were superb! He even made an acrobatic tackle on a high City ball! And his right leg is improving, he missed, what could have been a beautiful goal, by a whisker! His decision to assist Lampsy was spot on although Sturridge would have done equally a good work! He may have to improve his corners, though!
Cech was good and he made a world class save do deny City any hope mid way into the second half. Otherwise our cool guy had virtually no work. But i was bit disturbed when he left his goal line during a corner and failed to clear the ball (54th minute), it would have been costly for us. Cech must be decisive in leaving his goal line!
Ashley had a great game and it was indeed very beautiful sight to see JT and him trying the same old trick once again, it nearly worked. A Cole also tried this trick with Malouda but one City defender blocked him on his tracks, and that was a clear foul; referee missed it though!
Terry is undoubtedly the leader, a guide! He controlled his back line well and had superb command over aerial balls! I think it was him who crashed a header onto the post from Lampsy’s corner! His surge forward was very encouraging and uplifting, he even threaded a telling pass to Joey at the right flank…pin-point pass!
Riccy displayed his telepathic connection with our captain! He was even shouting at team mates and communication had always reaped fruits! He is a great communicator! I was caught surprised when JT and Riccy switched positions for some 5 minutes just like Malouda and Joey! These guys give rubiks cube and jigsaw puzzles to the opponents to solve when playing the game!
Ivanovic is not human, he is a beast, i mean for the opponents! This guy is so tough and strong that he takes a big blow and next thing you see is he is running or adjusting his kit! This man is made of METAL! He is rock solid! I find him simply indestructible! He did his job well, as full back and marauding forward to give width to the team! I love this guy, very quiet, cool and composed!
Ballack had a great game too. His 1-2-1 with Joey was a thing of utter beauty and his hard work to keep the ball in play (in 43rd minute) was so tempting for the team mates. His cool and well-weighted pass to Lampsy was a superb assist! I also liked his switching role with Deco and his control of the midfield! Ballack and Joey did so well that for a good spell of time, all our attacks were routed through the right flank. Thanks to the support from Ivanovic as well, but our left flank did equally a great job with Ashley’s dominance!
Deco was superb! If i can vote two MoTMs, he is the one with Malouda! And people, don’t forget that this is the very first time i am saying good things about Deco, i am hopeful i can continue to speak like this about him! He was simply so brilliant! Of course, he seemed clueless 2/3 times with the ball and eventually lost possession but his tackles and passes and reading of the moves were spot on! Are we having the Renaissance Era of Deco?
Lampsy is my God and his beautiful brace was a thing of pure class! He did what he does best, catching the keeper by surprise from outside the box! And luckily Lampsy had an easy game, thanks to his superb diamond-colleagues! I still love his telepathy with JT in corner kicks, he can find JT in the crowd, almost all the time but Malouda takes corners and give him a chance to loiter around the D to pull his trigger should any lose ball fall to him! And it is pretty good for the team.
Joey was good and the first goal is a courtesy of his hard work and determination, shrugging his marker, i mean markers off, he found the strength and accuracy to throw a LOVELY cross making an easy task for Malouda! However, at 20th minute, he could have laid for the unmarked Lampsy rather than trying to find Nico between two defenders! He also took a lame shot at Hart (64th minute) which he could have laid easily for Nico or Lampsy! One thing, after Joey had problem with his contact lens he came back from the touchline and immediately he shook 3 opponents off with ease, he is so agile!
Nico did his job well but somehow couldn’t find the back of the net and he was pretty sad about it. I just love the desire and hunger in him for the goals, this guy is simply insatiable! He didn’t have a great game but his contribution for the team was excellent with his ability to hold, wait and find a team mate. Nico is so great and i love it to see him unhappy when not scoring goals, that is a great sign for us! I am sure he will score this weekend, i get the intuitive feeling!
Substitutes:
Zhirkov is very creative and he fits very well into the team, he adapts with ease and find himself enjoying with the flow. He had a good game but 10 minutes was bit too short for him to stage his magic! I am a great fan of him and sees a lots of lovely surprises in him, we just got to wait for him to deliver, he will, given the chance! He is cool and quiet and relaxed, such a personality will help the team mates to be at ease!
Sturridge worked hard but time was against him, as well to produce anything vital for the team. But his surge forward and fight for the ball was great. And he gave all to torture the tired defenders! He is another guy who will prove worthy of any chance!
Overall, we had a great game, but we must not forget that City were bit lost and couldn’t thread more than two passes! But we made them do that! I liked the team’s urge to score more goals and the mentality of coolness and composure! We played our game and fooled the opponents with tricks and magics. When 2 goals up, our players were not wasting time, but indeed rushing to take throw ins and free kicks as if we were chasing the game! Such is the drive and motive at Chelsea, we never sat back like we used to do in Jose’s era! Chelsea at this rate is simply unstoppable and a thing of beauty to behold!
Ballack/Deco did well for Essien/Mikel/Belletti and we have our Didier back, so things are pretty good ahead of us. I am so happy that we play our game and we do what we does best! CHELSEA IS THE BEST!
And ponder on this from the match’s commentator:
“Waves upon waves of Chelsea swept City blue”
Have a good day!
I never regret for being one of Blues fan. I pray for more winnings and good luck for chelsea.up blues.
I’m disagree little bit about deco’s performance last night….I thought he was great on this game…and I thought it’s the best game so far by Deco for Chelsea……Carlo dropped him to anchor role and he did so well….yes at 1-2 times his ball is robbed but most of the night Deco passing is good…if u notice the 2nd goal of Lamps is created by Deco first after he broke the opponent ball…
yes mostly I’m still not so convinced about Deco performance too..but except last night game…
I hope he will do well in this position because Essien and Belletti is out couple weeks…
maybe Carlo is trying to create ”Pirlo rule” in Deco ?? who knows…
to BC : maybe our mate KarmaCW could be your deputy to keep this blog alive and active….
[quote comment="80169"]to BC : maybe our mate KarmaCW could be your deputy to keep this blog alive and active….[/quote]
Dear,
I am quite illiterate when it comes to blogging, but i take advantage of other’s work and share my viewpoints. I am glad that you say kind of me, but i fear that i won’t be able to do justice to the task. All i can do is give my own limited account of notes on the matches played, just my own narrow observations and i fear that people might not like to read something which is not professional but an individual’s own observations. BC is doing just great, he is keeping the blog alive against time! Kudos to him!
@karma—- that is sooooo modest of u karma…….both BC and you have given excellent insights….and u guys shud and i sure you wud keep this blog alive and kickin….
P.S. i hope we can avoid the kinda confrontation we have with fans of other clubs on this wonderful blog ( eg. Marc – arsenal fan)…ya..it feels good to trash them ..but i think we are too classy to respond to such nonsensical remarks….. let this blog be dedicated in analyzing and cherishing everything that is so great about this club that is Chelsea… :)
KTBFFH
Cheers
Kaushik
Yea ,i am also disagree about deco… deco one of highlighted plays as concernd to this match.. i think we shown our real energy. total energetic game. everyone at the right time at right place… cum on blues …keep this form till the end… ktbffh
Terry says it right . It is a important game this weekend at turf moor, where our rivals had problems . ( man u lost and arsenal lost) if we win, we go 4 point clear of man u and 5 of arsenal and they play later on sunday …
next month is the most crucial – arsenal, everton, inter milan and Man city .. everton , because it is more than 3 or 4 games in the epl since we won against them ..
[quote comment="80165"]I don’t know what you’re talking about. Deco wasn’t bad at all. In fact he was one of the highlights of our performance. Slotted in very well in front of the defence. Yes he’s not going to win headers coz of his height, but it’s not a natural position for him and he deserves applause for putting in a strong performance.[/quote]
You’re absolutely right, Deco was filling in for Essien/Mikel/Belletti very very well. He was instrumental in the way we pressurised Birmingham to a point where they looked seriously mediocre. Dismantling a team like Birmingham with a 12 game consecutively unbeaten run was nothing short of a Master Class, with Deco as the conductor, and Anelka, Lampard and Malouda as the ultimate executioners, well supported by a very much improved Joe Cole.
An overall very convincing performance all around, which will make the rest of the EPL take notice and worry.
Nigeria are out of africans cup , but they still have a game for 3rd place on Sunday .. So John Obi may be just fit for arsenal game..
transfer window is just 3 days more and can’t believe we did not sign any one or take any one on loan. Only worry is kakuta case, which leaves us short when we lose players to injury and then anelka & cole contract situation. atleast they should have bought some one with an option of joining in summer.
[quote comment="80176"]Nigeria are out of africans cup , but they still have a game for 3rd place on Sunday .. So John Obi may be just fit for arsenal game..
transfer window is just 3 days more and can’t believe we did not sign any one or take any one on loan. Only worry is kakuta case, which leaves us short when we lose players to injury and then anelka & cole contract situation. atleast they should have bought some one with an option of joining in summer.[/quote]
I guess Anceloti meant it when he said he was not buying in January..I think the prices of players are still high….Lets wait and see what happens before deadline date
Yeah, Mikel would be back to hold and irritate cesc!
another brilliant game….glad we’re picking up our valuable points….i miss this blog and i hope BC finds a reputable deputy soon….lets keep the blue flag flying high and i wish you all luck in the remaining season.
we must beat burnley tommorow and also arsenal must not loose this weekend it will benefit us . iam happy drog is getting rested because of jetlag and we need him fresh 4 gunners and also he can get into groove vs hull and be ready 4 arsenal
—————–cech—————–
ivanovic-terry-carvclaho-a.cole
Ballack——–Deco——–Lampard
-Cole——–_Drogba_——-Anelka-
best formation
Scores for Arsenal Vs. Man Utd
Best Result: Draw (preferably a high draw like 4-4 for an entertaining match :P)
Second Best Result: Arsenal win by only 1 goal
Worst Result: Utd Win by any score
a great news blows over our captain…..
but he’s always be the best captain of Chelsea…
no matter if he stripped from England captaincy…
jt we are with you just concentrate and give even better performance so that they dont think of sacking u as captain come on jt
Chelsea really showed why they are going to win this season. And win they will InshaAllah.
But the Man City and Man Untd game was a heart-breaker. I was hoping for City to come out trumps.
Last season Barca dumped Chelsea in extra time, Untd dumping City on Wednesday. Sometimes, i feel that there is a pattern to kick out potential threats with the help of ugly refrees, else how often have you seen mathches uptil 95th minute?
Again it could be all in my head.
Bye. Cheers!!!
I hope this wont affect JT performances.I dont think anybody deserve England captain but JT.
The only bad thing is:ALL OF THE MEDIA IS NOW AGAINST JT,
[quote comment="80196"]I hope this wont affect JT performances.I dont think anybody deserve England captain but JT.
The only bad thing is:ALL OF THE MEDIA IS NOW AGAINST JT,[/quote]
I’m sure it’s not just the media who is against JT. I’m sure lots of ordinary Blues fans and BlueChampions members find that JT has stepped way over the line.
No doubt that JT is a fantastic footballer and the best captain Chelsea ( and maybe even England) has ever had. As a person I for one have absolutely no respect for him any more. You simply do not fuck a friends wife/girlfriend, that just not on. And even worse JT thought he could get away with it via a “super-injunction”
Chelsea players personal life are pathetic,Lampard left his family,Ashely cole and cheryl cole lifes are on fire,And now the captain,father of two children,had a disgusting relation with wayne bridge wife.This will definatlly change JT future at England,Even at chelsea carrer.I always believed JT as a great person in sport and personal.HE IS FUCKING DISGUSTING
Terry scooooooorrrrreeeedddd……
yes his personal life is disgusting but…..for Chelsea …he’s the best……
I cant wait for March we are taking the league. I have just come across a web site
http://www.autographs-store.com/chelsea-football-memorabilia.html
They have a sportsman’s dinner in march the 4th. Kerry Dixon is there and he will be doing a question and answer session. Its in Bromley and the tickets are £50. The phone number to order tickets is 0800 840 9019.