Chelsea pretty dominant in a match that had an air of pre-season summer about it.  Both sides were probably still shaking off the effects of their midweek European games and provided a languid rather than vibrant affair. 

Nevertheless, the home side did display periods of some nice, quick interchanging, one-touch football giving some evidence of the Dutch school of football merged with the pace of the Premier League. 

Moments of City probing we all too few and far between with Robinho (who suffered a fairly hostile reception whenever he received the ball) being largely anonymous.

 

Chelsea soon received reward for our more enterprising approach through some quick thinking from Frank Lampard when he threaded a fast ball from a free-kick to Essien who had been strangely neglected from the hurried marking of the City defence.  Essien swung a leg and the ball looped up into the goal past a helpless Given. 

True, there was a slice (excuse the pun!) of luck about it but fortune favours the brave sometimes and those that try their luck get their deserved reward. 

With Riley in charge it would be difficult for a match to pass without some form of controversy and when Anelka was tugged back and then pulled down when running through on goal I was only half-surprised that the penalty wasn’t given. 

The match provided little further incident, tired legs on the pitch and the crowds mind seemingly on the Sunday roast when they got home took its toll. 

Drogba had put Ballack through with a sublime back-heel but the German unfortunately pulled his shot wide.  Onuoha and Dunn combined to keep out Drogba with an intricate sandwich in the 2^nd half and Belletti hit a post. 

The 1-0 score-line didn’t reflect our dominance and there were moments when I couldn’t help thinking that knowing our luck they’d pull one back in the dying minutes.  Fortunately it wasn’t so and the day was Chelsea’s – and Essiens´. 

Essien´s goal: 

http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=2715351 

Note: I am currently doing match related material as Since 66 unfortunately is unable to do so at this time. 

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Essien shines: Chelsea 1 Man City 0 (+ Video Goal)

Posted by: 50 Years Over 100 Years (IP Logged)

Date: 15/03/2009 15:58

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Re: Essien shines: Chelsea 1 Man City 0 (+ Video Goal)

Posted by: Since 66 (IP Logged)

Date: 15/03/2009 20:13

Bridgey and Shaunie both got good receptions.

Strange game - all those chances created and Given had only one save to make, in the 2nd half from Didier.

Felt sorry for Juliano, hitting the post especially after his redeeming efforts in Turin midweek.

Can't understand why Hiddink replaced Dids with Malouda. What was wrong with Kalou or Quaresma?

Still three points won all the same.

---

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free





APRIL 2012

Chelsea v Barcelona

REVENGE AND REDEMPTION - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

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Re: Essien shines: Chelsea 1 Man City 0 (+ Video Goal)

Posted by: carefree (IP Logged)

Date: 16/03/2009 07:15

Ive got no finger nails left
they do it everytime don't they
i had visions of the wigan game but thankfully city were not a threat at all going forward unlike wigan the other day and we held on.
Roll on spuds.

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