Chelsea Chelsea

By Since66
February 7 2009

Fifty years ago to the day the then Chelsea manager Ted Drake took a gamble and unleashed two 17 year old players from the Youth set-up (deemed to be the best Youth set-up of its time) against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in front of a 50,000 crowd. Chelsea won 3-2 and two of the scorers that day were the two 17 year olds and their names were Bobby Tambling and Barry Bridges.

Both went on to become Chelsea legends as Tambling went on to score 202 goals (which is still a Chelsea record) and Bridges scored 93 goals.

How Chelsea needed Scolari to make a gamble today as the Blues struggled against a resilient Hull City side at Stamford Bridge.

At the time of writing I am still mystified as to why Scolari chose to replace new-boy Quaresma, who had an excellent debut, with Drogba instead of young 'un Miroslav Stoch when for an hour Quaresma and Kalou were causing Hull all sorts of problems down the flanks.

Fair enough to withdraw someone who is not completely fit, but for God sakes don't take away the width that we were having joy with and having Stoch on the pitch Chelsea would have continued to exploit these areas.

I just knew that once Stoch wasn't going to get an appearance, all hopes of a Chelsea win were virtually dashed.

Why not withdraw Anelka for Drogba instead, who for me now has shot his bolt and really looks completely disinterested with the whole situation at Chelsea and this is the same person who boldly announced in this morning's press that Chelsea 'could still win the title.'

After dropping another two home points (sixteen in total now), the Intertoto Cup looks like a fair target now.

Chelsea were bright, breezy and determined during the first-half with Quaresma showing the skills and touches that made Jose pay all that money for him in the Summer and Quaresma had a low shot brilliantly saved by Duke in the Hull City goal.

Quaresma and Kalou were continually swapping flanks and Quaresma constantly produced crosses with the outside of his boot, which caused danger in the City box.

Terry missed from yards out as early as the 3rd minute and Hull's Geovanni was a constant threat on Chelsea's goal but his attempts always went wide.

Hull hit the post with a Kilbane header Hull could have easily won the game but Marney clear on goal pulled his shot just wide.

Again the inconsistency of the referee reared its ugly head. Lee Mason booked Mikel for pulling down Geovanni and then minutes later Zayette pulled Ballack down, but where was the Yellow card?

Chelsea: Hilario, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole, Mikel (Belletti 56), Ballack (Deco 72), Lampard, Quaresma (Drogba 62) , Anelka, Kalou. 

Booked: Mikel 26

Hull City: Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Ashbee (c), Marney, Garcia, Geovanni (France 80), Kilbane, Fagan,

Booked: Ashbee 47

Chelsea 0-0 Hull City: 50 Years Ago Today

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 07/02/2009 21:23

50 Years Over 100 Years
07/02/2009 21:23

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dixon9
07/02/2009 22:23

Very encouraging beginning which by the 2nd half petered out towards to our anxious and wobbly in defence moments. This side is pyschologically damaged at the moment and desperately needs one CONVINCING match at least to turn this around.

Terry missed an absolute sitter, Ballack went very close and again, that referee curse strikes again with a blatant pen being turned down.

Hull City had their moments as well when hitting us on the break and should have got at least a goal out of their efforts.

Had JT scored in the 3rd minute we could well have seen a whole different match (and if my auntie had bollix...).

Disappointed that Scolari didn´t start with Drogba - there were some nice crosses from Quaresma coming in. If Drogba isn´t 100% (physically or in his head) then put Di Santo on FFS.

Kalou did his usual - excellent moments and frustrating moments. Have to agree with you re youth - upon reflection I would have loved to have seen Quaresma - Di Santo - Stoch ...the other stuff ISN´T working.

Can Lampard please stop this obsession with these long blaster free-kicks as well?

A definite positive for me was Quaresma - very very encouraging debut. He runs at players (not in to them) and isn´t scared to try something different or unorthadox.

Down to 4th so even more uphill now - is this the moment I say "Well now we can concentrate on the CL!" ?!!!

This is as low as we can get - we should only get better now (ever the optimist).

P.S. Nice idea linking the two matches like that and great pic of Bridges!


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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 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:02:07:23:18:31 by dixon9.

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dixon9
07/02/2009 22:26

By the way, to add to "grassy knoll" conspiracy theories re refs, someone mentioned that a commentator said that the ref had a brother that used to play for Hull City!

I do hope that isn´t true...




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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.

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Since 66
08/02/2009 10:34

u and your conspiracy theories LOL

I still think that the training ground has gone since Clarkey departed to West Ham.

You are right had JT scored in the 3rd minute it would have been a different game, but to reduce the width we DID have by taking off Quaresma and bringing on Drogba and putting Anelka out wide when we had an out and out winger sitting on the bench busting his gut to get on, for me is completely unforgiveable.



Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

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Since 66
08/02/2009 10:46

And I am not the only one who thinks the same

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Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free

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dixon9
08/02/2009 11:19

That´s where I would criticise Scolari - would have loved to have seen Stoch come on as I mentioned above.

Shame that Quaresma isn´t fully fit. He shows signs that he could be the one to provide what we have been missing out wide also.



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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.

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guest
08/02/2009 11:32

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