By Since66
April 9 2008

So we did it. We turned a one goal deficit into a one goal victory and we are now in the Champions League semi-finals again for the 4th time in five years and for the 3rd time in four years (as I write with a massive sigh) we have to face our Champions League nemesis, Liverpool.

I really wanted Arsenal to go to Anfield last night and do the job, but they fell short (as usual) but I have to say Liverpool's 'penalty' WAS in front of the Kop - need I say anymore???

For Chelsea's part, didn't we huff and puff and nearly blow our own house down? A fantastic start.

A Michael Ballack goal with a glancing header within three minutes (here we go Olympiakos again) and it appeared once we got the goal, we decided to settle for the 1-0 and progress to the semi-finals on the away goal rule.

I know Joe Cole hit the woodwork in the first-half and for twenty minutes we were like bees round a honey pot in front of Fenerbache's penalty area.

At least we silenced the Fener fans. Although the Chelsea atmosphere wasn't that bad I couldn't help noticing how the 'fans' in the West Stand Lower were reacting to the action in front of them.

They didn't disappoint me - West Stand Lower - why on earth do you bother turning up? For the best part of 90 minutes, no-one stood up, there were hardly any chants or songs and it wasn't until the last minute that the Stand came to lfe.

Back in the 'good' old days, the West Stand was the place to be (other than The Shed). Thriving, throbbing and extremely atmospheric. For me today's West Stand has definitely LOST IT!!

Three minutes from time Frank made it safe with a close-range stab in, but really it was a nervous night of 84 mins. Chelsea's difficulties during the night weren't helped by the loss of Carlo due to a hamstring injury after 25 minutes.

I wasn't worried about Hilario coming on - the bloke is quality and he is a legend despite his lack of first team appearances. But when he is called upon, he doesn't let us down. Remember that fantastic save he made at Blackburn before Christmas within minutes of replacing the stricken Petr.

UEFA announced today that they will allow Chelsea to sign a 'keeper' on emergency loan for the up and coming Champions League semi-final games against Liverpool, because with Petr out possibly till the end of the season and Carlo out for a few weeks, it would be hard to place youngster Rhys Taylor in such a position as the season draws to an exciting close.

What's wrong with Stuart Searle?

Once Fenerbache finally woke up in those last twenty-minutes, Hilario was superb with two brilliant saves in the matter of moments - firstly a clawing save down to his right and then a flying save high also to his right which I am sure took a slight deflection off JTs head.

After the game Frank Lampard was full of praise for Hilario. He said "He never lets us down."

When Jose signed Hilario, Hilario was under no illusions regarding his position in the Chelsea goalkeeping pecking order. What did Hilario do? He came to England sorted out where he was going to live, moved his family from Portugal put his children in school and has settled.

Hilario may not get the 'hero status' of most Chelsea players, but this man has my respect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hilario is a Legend and has my Respect

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 09/04/2008 19:31

50 Years Over 100 Years
09/04/2008 19:31

Hilario is a Legend and has my Respect

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dixon9
09/04/2008 20:55

I concur wholeheartedly with your comments on Hilario. We do seem to have had a bit of luck with our 2nd and 3rd choice goalkeepers in european games don´t we?

The old west stand (before it was re-developed) used to be a great place to watch the game from - it was mainly full of former shed boys who were....well...a bit old to carry on doing "Knees up mother brown" and "10 men went to mow" in a packed Shed! (If i had had a long week I noW and then went into the West Stand to have a rest! Or try and get to the tea bar area of the Shed - you had to get in early to get those handy spots though).

The result as that you used to get great banter, slightly colourful language and a very good atmosphere. Seems most of the older former Shed boys are now mainly out pastuerising in the Mathew Harding stand.

As for the match...

Well what a great start - electric! Then we do our usual, "Well we´ve taken the lead, let´s sit back!". On the other hand, in Olympiakos and Fenerbahce we may well have played two of the best defensively organised teams in the CL.

Lampard still isn´t quite there after that heavy virus - he will probably be just about 100% for the next game.

Kalou was a but frustrating, Drogba - deliciously talented yet petulant - depending on his mood and Ballack was very classy I thought.

We were crying out for Anelka to partner Drogba but I suppose Grant´s thinking is we won´t go that way unless we really have no choice - a crime in my mind but hey ho!

So, onto Liverpool seeing as Arsenal lost out a bit on refereeing decisions (although after they taunted us chanting "Liverpool" at us at the Emirates, it seems karma took it´s course).

The fact that we have the return leg at the Bridge and hopefully Ballack will be fit for this one I reckon we should go through. Strangely, I don´t feel too nervous about the prospect - we´ve lost twice to them in CL semis - a 3rd time will make me resign myself to the fact that we just don´t deserve it. Nevertheless, it´s a ghost which needs to be exorcised.




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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:09:21:06:32 by dixon9.

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Since 66
09/04/2008 21:07

Thats just it.
The atmosphere comes from the MH Stand. The West Stand in the olden days was a haven for me, after the White Wall, Stamford Bridge.

Benches and then the seats
even in the days of crowds of 8,000 the Shed would be up and so would the West Stand.

The 'new' Shed End are doing their best, but why are away fans in The Shed.

Do a Newcastle and stick the away fans up in the rafters

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

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dixon9
09/04/2008 22:28

Ah! We WILL need Carvalho fit though to cope with Torres.




.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

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Since 66
09/04/2008 22:49

I got this theory that regardless of the competition at Stamford Bridge - Chelsea HAS become frightened of losing at home.

And thats why, unless we are otherwise forced too, we play so like crabs on the beach like we did last night.

Man City 6-0 ok went well for us
Derby 6-1 didnt expect anything less
Arsenal when we were 0-1 down
Villa 4-4 on Boxing Day - well that was surreal.

Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

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