Matthew Harding 13yrs On

By Since66
October 29 2009

A BRILLIANT week. Thirteen goals, none conceded and the only goal conceded at The Bridge so far this season was on the opening day when Hull City nicked one. Heading the scoring charts from the thirteen goal goal glut with three goals apiece were Salomon Kalou and Super Frank. Didier scored two and two own goals appear next on the list. Deco, Essien and Malouda got one apiece.

Last night was a night of 'reserves.' Some players, the stadium announcer, the team doctors who treated the stricken Hilario soon after Chelsea took the lead and I am sorry to say Chelsea fans.

I have been to games at The Bridge where the atmosphere has been dreadful, but last night the atmosphere was dire and the worse it has been for as long as I can remember.

In the good old days where Chelsea attracted crowds of less than 10,000 the atmosphere was much much better.

Sorry, but if you are going to a football match, you support your team as best you can and not sit about like 'stiffs in a funeral parlour.'

Credit to those who tried to get an atmosphere going, but their efforts were simply and sadly wasted.

When Hilario was replaced by Ross Turnbull in the first-half I had no confidence in the bloke I have to admit. I have seen him play in the reserves and he hadn't looked that good.

However when Bolton became a threat, which wasn't that often, he dealt with each situation comfortably especially saving from Davies low down in the second-half.

Sturridge started for the first-time and lasted just 60 odd minutes. In the second-half he missed two gilt cut chances after being put clear, the first chance being the worse miss of the two.

As soon as his second chance went wide he was off the park and replaced by Didier who showed him what to do when Dids headed home Chelsea's fourth.

I hope Sturridge's confidence isn't affected by those two misses, because he didn't play that bad. He worked hard, chased and defended, he found good posiitons but it was his finishing that let him down.

Boss 'Anco' was supportive of Sturridge's contribution. He said, "I'm disappointed for him that he didn't score but he played well for the team. I asked him to play for the team, I didn't ask him to score and he did what I asked. For me it is not important that he did not score because Kalou and Malouda did. I am happy for his work on the pitch."

Finally, an appreciation of applause rang around Stamford Bridge before kick-off when Matthew Harding was remembered.

Harding was tragically killed along with his companions when returning from Bolton after watching Chelsea lose 2-1 in the League Cup, when the helicopter he was travelling in crashed into dense woodland.

The draw for the Quarter-Finals is on Saturday from Midday onwards.

Chelsea: Hilario (Turnbull 22), Belletti, Alex, Ivanovic, Ferreira, Deco, Ballack (c), Malouda, J Cole, Kalou (Essien h/t), Sturridge (Drogba 61)

Goals: Kalou 14, Malouda 25, Deco 67, Drogba 89


Bolton: Al Habsi, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel, Muamba, Steinsson (Elmander h/t), M Davies, Gardner (c), Taylor (Basham 64), Klasnic

Chelsea 4-0 Bolton Wanderers: A Brilliant Week

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 29/10/2009 13:40

50 Years Over 100 Years
29/10/2009 13:40

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dixon9
29/10/2009 21:52

I read yesterday that we´ve won all our home games (11) scored 25 and conceded 1 - not bad at all.

Slightly disappointed to see Sturridge taken off but hey ho...

Another great win though.



"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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