By Since66
August 1 2011
Forgive me, whilst Chelsea were 'victorious' in Hong Kong, beating Aston Villa 2-0 in the final of the Barclays Asia trophy, other events were going on in my life. First I got rinsed at Goodwood races - trust me - I got battered - LOST every bet (even though the boss backed one winner and a 2nd) - but I still had a brilliant day and I managed to keep one eye on Chelsea's progress against Villa.
On arrving home on Sunday evening after a Sunny day out at Arundel Castle, I managed to catch Goonerville being booed off the park after losing their own Emirates trophy competition and the TV pictures did relieve the despair of the fortune Goodwood cost me.
But let's be honest - How fickle are the Gooner Prawnies? Booing their 'beautiful' football team already and the season hasn't even started yet?
When Chelsea's Joshie (who is a better player than Jack Wilshere) scored within 30 secs of kick-off, I jumped so high at the bar at Goodwood when waiting to be served, the relief of my feet getting off the ground was indescribable for a nano-second (my new shoes were killing me) and the reaction of those around me - Simply stunned!!
Well what did they expect?
I was dressed up like a dogs dinner and trussed up like chicken, but it felt great to be suited and booted, looking sharp and dapper and I felt even better after Chelsea scored from 8,000 miles away.
First and foremost. Josh scored.
Josh given the licence to get forward and he was in the right spot at the right time to convert from close range.
Super Frank on his return said encouraging words about Josh.
Frank said, "Josh gives something in the middle of the park, a great elegance in the way he plays. He can see balls, play a pass and is stronger than what his frame looks like it would be.
"He'll be a top player.
"He's probably not going to play 50 games this season but you can see already he'll be involved a lot more and that's great for him. We've trained with him for a couple of years now and from the moment he stepped in you could see he had that ability to receive it, and people respected him straight away."
More good news (although don't get too excited).
Torres scored within seconds of his introduction to the game as a sub, adding Chelsea's second.
Had Given not saved with an outstretched foot later on our Fernando would have had a second.
Game over. Chelsea won the Asia Trophy comfortably (for the second time) .... as comfortably as my bets were beaten.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic (Alex h/t), Terry (c) (Chalobah 89), Zhirkov (van Aanholt 57), McEachran (Drogba 57), Mikel, Lampard (Kalou 84), Sturridge (Torres 57), Anelka (Benayoun 73), Malouda
Goals: McEachran 1, Torres 58
Booked: Malouda 90
Aston Villa: Given, Young, Dunne (Clark 83), Collins, Warnock, Albrighton (Heskey h/t), Delph (Makoun 73), Petrov (c) (Gardner 73), Ireland (Bent 61), Delfouneso (Bannan 61), Agbonlahor
Booked: Albrighton 28


