Selhurst Yesterday

By Since66
July 18 2010

A day of mixed fortunes for Michael Essien at Selhurst yesterday. He hits a youngster in the crowd full in the face with a mis-timed shot, he hits the bar with a Barcelonaesque volley, causes the Chelsea followers to have panic attacks as he goes down clutching his knee after a challenge and then just before he is substituted, Essien sweetly scores Chelsea's winner in the second-half.

A good day too for Josh McEachran. A full debut, competitive, stylish, tricky and assured. If Josh can gain some more upper body strength, there is no reason why Josh cannot 'make it' big-time.

A good day for 15 year old Nathan Chalobah. Still a schoolboy, promoted to the first team squad for the day and Nathan was given a cameo appearance with about fifteen minutes to go to create the youngest defence that Chelsea have played in the history of the club - Nathan, Jack Cork, Patrick van Aanholt and Ryan Bertrand.

Petr Cech, Ross Turnbull and Hilario were all given thirty minutes each and Hilario was busiest of the goalkeepers when he came on for the final third of the game saving low down from a Claude Davis shot.

The day was also good for CPFC2010, the consortium that saved Palace during the Summer. Revenues were high as Selhurst attracted a crowd of just under 22,000 and the game kicked-off fifteen minutes late, due to crowd congestion.

For the first game of the season and without our World Cup stars, the Boss 'Anco' was pleased with the performance.

He said, "We had a good performance and played good football. We had the possibility to see young players from our Academy and this is a good thing for us and also for them to be involved in the first team.

"Essien's return was fantastic. He came back very well and played very well. He is a fantastic player, we missed him last season and we hope he can do the best for this season.

"I am happy because this squad won the league and FA Cup, so I am very happy to continue working with this team. I don't think we need to change."

Of Chalobah and McEachran 'Anco' said, "Chalobah was born in 1994, so young, and for him it is important to stay with us for some time. His team will be the youth team for next season.

"McEachran has to improve, he has fantastic skill, is in the national Under 17 team and has his future.

"I think three, four of five players can be with us in the squad next season. We have a lot fo young players ready to play in our team."

Chelsea: Cech (Turnbull 31) (Hilario 60), Bruma (Chalobah 76), Alex (Cork 60), van Aanholt, Bertrand, Mikel, Essien (Clifford 60), Matic (Kaby 76), McEachran (Lalkovic 60), Di Santo (Sinclair 60), Sturridge (Tore 76)


NEXT UP FOR CHELSEA IS A TRIP TO AJAX - FRIDAY 23RD JULY - KICK-OFF 5PM

C Palace 0-1 Chelsea: Essien Scores on his Return

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 18/07/2010 10:47

50 Years Over 100 Years
18/07/2010 10:47

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Since 66
18/07/2010 10:59

Essien's Goal



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