Some games (in the football case, otherwise events) stay in mind longer than others. It’s far easier, when the two opponents are the title challengers. Great Saturday afternoon, awesome spring weather and two the best teams in English football in the last three-or-so years.Chelsea-United matches where always interesting, back to ‘50s, swinging ‘70s, doggy ‘80s and modern ’90s. In the young person’s memory, the 5:0 in 1999 (just after United had won the Treble), 3:0 in 2001/02 or clinching the 2005/6 title 3:0, are all always fresh and vital.
The Saturday’s 2:1 victory will be next in this story, yet unfinished. After ten months and 36 games played, Chelsea is behind United on the goal difference only. And it is pretty possible; it will stay like that till the very end of the league competition. It is ridiculous and beautiful from the ordinary fan’s point of view. Silly home draws against Villa (goal concerned after controversial penalty kick in 93 minute), Everton (Cahill’s bicycle shoot in 89 minute), Wigan (Heskey’s equalizer in added time), Fulham and Liverpool (both history-less) or at the Lanes, when Robbie Keane scored the fourth for Tottenham in 88 minute. One win instead of draw in those six games and the title would have come back to the Bridge. The hope dies the last and everything is still possible this season.
Unforgettable, the way in which sir Alex Ferguson’s footballers played was awful. The Rooney goal came from one defender’s mistake, except that Chelsea was a team far better, well-organized and in form. Recent United games, against Blackburn, Barcelona and Chelsea, may lead to conclusions; they are quite lucky they lost only one game in those three. The Saturday defeat may influence even more on the form and psyche of Manchester players, and I see Barcelona playing against Chelsea in the Moscow game. Being Frank Rijkaard, I would order my team to attack from the very first minute and score ASAP to take over the match and them make quick counter-attacks. Catalan players have nothing to lose, being already beaten in the domestic competitions. Same Rijkaard, whose job is on the line.
Chelsea has received huge kick for the last three (FOUR!) games in the season and players’ form is eventually still rising. More and more of them want to take responsibility, to name a few: Salomon Kalou, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole (!), John Terry and, obviously, Michael Ballack! On the other hand, we still have Didier Drogba, who is a specific phenomenon in football. One of the best players on the world who can turn the game around in a second, but one of the biggest divers and baby-criers the world has ever seen. The Ivorian striker, who has just turned 30, took the Cristiano Ronaldo challenge to become the best diver ever. Good luck, but not in Chelsea.
When the away supporters stated singing yesterday:
“Same old Drogba always cheating,”
Chelsea fans applauded their chant.
Drogs, once the Stamford Bridge hero, has to be on this way out, not because he lost the fans support, but even backroom staff, what was evidently seen during the United game. Hopefully, the striker will motivate himself for the end of the season to establish as a great transfer prospect for Real Madrid/Barcelona/Inter Milan/AC Milan. Destination will probably depend on Mourinho and his new overseas job.
