A Happy Team

By Gary Watton
March 2 2015

Chelsea avenged the awful five-three defeat at the hands of Tottensham at the lane back on January the 1st by winning exactly two months later against the same team. In so doing, the triumphant Blues move ahead of the 'mighty Spurs' and join Aston Villa on five League Cup wins, equal second behind Liverfools. Oh and since Tottensham's two-goal margin of victory on New Year's Day has prompted some silly twerps to suggest that Tottensham crushed us, then presumably our two-goal margin of victory at Wembley also amounts to a crushing!

Well, Jose would not be Jose without springing a surprise. He played three centre halves but wrongfooted the footballing experts who all predicted that Cahill would be inserted into midfield. Instead, JM kept faith with his English central defensive partnership and boldly thrust young Zouma into the heart of midfield. The latter let nobody down as he continues to remind seasoned observers of a certain Marcel Desailly in his prime. Zouma and the quartet behind him were very successful at blunting Tottensham's attacking capabilities. It is a measure of how poor an attacking team is or how good a defence is when the goalkeeper has few [if any] saves to make. Apart from a blistering free kick from Eriksen early in the contest, Petr Cech was rarely tested thereafter.

Meanwhile, Chelsea got lucky with two deflected goals. Having enjoyed little luck the previous week at home to Burnley when Martin Atkinson was resolved to deny us a certain penalty, then the Blues enjoyed better fortune in north-west London. Terry's goal took a slight deflection off Harry Kane. How ironic that our previous tormentor, young HurriKane, should be partially responsible for scoring for us! Young Harry Hotspur will undoubtedly go on to score many goals at Wembley, representing his country in due course, but his first final was a chastening experience. Then ten minutes into the second half, Diego Costa was released [not for the first time this season] by Cesc Fabregas, and the Spaniard's shot was deflected past the unfortunate Lloris by Kyle Walker. Although there was clearly a large slice of luck about Chelsea's two goals, if you are attacking, you make your own luck.

Thereafter, Fabregas had a decent effort with an overhead kick and the slippery Eden Hazard went close too. The opposition continued to huff and puff, and eventually resorted to such outcasts as Lamela and Soldado, but it was all in vain. I do have some sympathy for Tottenham however. To be honest, I think that it's a scandal that a team that represents its country in Europe on a Thursday night should be required to play a domestic cup final on the Sunday afternoon. Sheer stupidity.

All that was left was for Drogba to make a brief appearance and then join John Terry in lifting the cup. The Tottensham hordes had long disappeared by now. Bless 'em. Mourinho meanwhile called the wife [we suspect]. Does she not actually watch the matches or follow via internet or radio? Finally, the special one let his hair down, parked his scowls and frowns, and joyfully threw himself into the celebrations.

The great Ivanovic correctly stated that come Monday, Chelsea would have to focus on the awkward fixture at West Ham on Wednesday night. The Hammers suffered a bad day at the office at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and will be resolved to make amends against the Premiership leaders. Oh and just when Chelsea's day could hardly have been any better, our dear friends from Shamfield only went and defeated Manchester Mercenaries by two goals to one. What a brilliant start to March!

CHELSEA 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0; half time: 1-0. Sunday 1st March 2015.

CHELSEA goal scorers: Terry; Walker [own goal]

CHELSEA team: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Ramires, Fabregas, Willian, Costa, Hazard. Used substitutes: Cuadrado; Drogba.

CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:

Costa - 17 goals

Hazard - 13 goals

Oscar - 7 goals

Drogba, Ivanovic and Terry - 6 goals

Remy and Schurrle - 5 goals

Fabregas and Willian - 4 goals

Matic and Ramires - 3 goals

Cahill and Zouma - 2 goals

Chelsea's Cup Success

Discussion started by Chelsea FC (IP Logged), 02/03/2015 11:48

Chelsea FC
02/03/2015 11:48

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