By 40 Years A Blue
February 12 2006

Chelsea's recent performances in the League (despite a commanding lead at the top of the Premiership), suggested that if they turned up at a ground expecting to stroll to victory they would become unstuck.

And so it proved yesterday at The Riverside when a beleagured Stve McClaren and his 'Boro team inflicted the heaviest defeat on Jose Mourinho in the Premiership since 'The Special One' arrived on our shores.

I said yesterday in my preview that I hoped I would not have to ask this question, but I am afraid I have to, and here goes. "What is Chelsea's Registered Charity Number.' Even Jose said much the same thing in the post-match press conference. He said "Chelsea this season is experts in giving life to people in difficult circumstances."

Enough of Chelsea's misery, full credit to 'Boro. One up inside two minutes from Rochemback, scoring his first Premiership goal, Downing added a second right on half-time and Yakubu completed the rout midway through the second-half. It could have been far worse for Jose had the Asst Referee not ruled a second for Yakubu for offside.

Fifth bookings of the season for captain John Terry and William Gallas means that they will both miss the FA Cup tie against Colchester next weekend, however Gallas' absence maybe longer as it is reported 'he did' his hamstring.

Still on the positive side. Three defeats in sixty-three league games (Chelsea teams of the past have lost more than they have won in that type of sequence before), twelve points clear at the top of the Premiership and we have all got our health.

COME ON CHELSEA!

40 YEARS A BLUE!