By dixon9
April 15 2007

A very satisfying weekend all round! 3 points closer to Man Utd and a victory over one of our long term rivals. The first of three season defining matches has been dispatched succesfully.

Mourinho was relaxed but responded to earlier Ferguson comments in normal mischievous fashion;

 

 “This was the only chance we’ve had to play before Manchester United and to put them under pressure, and we did our job.  It is the only time we had the chance to play before them and that's because we control the fixtures. Imagine if we didn't control them?  They are very lucky with fixtures.  They always play after us - except today."

 

"You cannot be a great manager and not be intelligent. He is intelligent, and maybe thinks others are stupid. But they are not.  I accept this as intelligent code from an intelligent person and can laugh about it.” 

 

To add to the frustration of certain quarters of rival fans and the media, Roman Abramovich could be seen smiling and animated for the first time since his divorce and visited the team in the dressing room post match – looks like large slices of humble pie will need to be eaten by many!

 

As one Chelsea fan said, “…As I have told everyone months and months ago - the whole story has been a massive fabrication. The facts are simple. He's not going anywhere, he was never going anywhere, and it is very likely he will be here beyond 2010. So called sources are fabricated many people have just been desperately p**sing in the wind!”

 

Anyway! On to the report before I get carried away!

An almost surreal match with the intense atmosphere of a London derby tempered with jaded play from some players and probably minds of players and fans alike on the forthcoming European quarter final matches.

If some players showed signs of tiredness, both sets of fans certainly didn´t – after all, European campaigns or not – this is an enthusiastically awaited derby.  The usual banter and insults were exchanged with the only unfortunate chant in my opinion was with regard to Spurs fans recent experience with the Sevilla riot police – surely this will now curse our few days in Valencia and come back to bite us?  Even more ironic when you consider that officials of the two London clubs were to meet after the game to look at ways how we might not receive the same fate as Tottenham fans did in Sevilla (although one could argue that if Valencian police decide to attack our clubs stewards and even fans in wheelchairs then there’s not too much that can be done).

Spurs fans probably felt slightly disgruntled to see Berbatov on the bench and Keane not even in the squad demonstrating that Jol´s intentions were to conserve energy and come away with a point.  Mourinho however didn´t surprise over duly, resting Ashley Cole, Diarra, Ballack and Shevchenko and bringing in Bridge, Ferreira, Makalele and Wright-Phillips.

It was the diminutive winger who started very sprightly when with the starting whistle echo still dying, scampered past Chimbonda on the right and arrowed in an excellent cross just out of reach of the inrushing Drogba.  Chelsea dominated during the first 20 mins as if our players had been sent out to kill the game as quickly as possible, facilitating substitution of players in order to provide extra rest before Tuesday.  Tottenham seemed to have expected the early pressure and indeed this was reflected in the absence of panic and alarm in their play – resignation due to tiredness or professionalism I’m not sure.

The early Chelsea pressure resulted in various half-chances and chances with the best of those being a wasteful volley from Kalou, a good save from Robinson after Carvalho shot and a goaline clearance from the impressive Dawson. 

Despite the early pressure, Chelsea have long been recognized by their fans as a second half team and the first half provided no goals.

No changes as the players ran out onto the Stamford Bridge turf although an improvement in Spurs play provided Mido with a good chance in the 52^nd min of which Ghaly was the architect.  The north London side soon realized that some of our players were also tired and this seemed to give their midfield an extra spring in their step.

Chelsea responded with some fast, incisive passing and it wasn’t long before Carvalho was to make a match winning contribution; the industrious and accurate Mikel Obi released the Portuguese player who gratefully ran into a yawning gap in front of him left by the retreating Spurs midfield.  When 30 yards from goal, Carvalho shot low and hard and when Rocha surprisingly didn´t block or deflect the incoming ball Robinsons dive was already too late and the ball nestled in the left hand corner of goal.  The Portuguese defender hasn´t scored many goals but when he does they are often important ones with the header against Man Utd earlier in the season being the most notable.

Just two minutes later we nearly had a second but Robinson saved well from Kalou.

17-year-old Adel Taarabt and the player currently on most media lips, Dimitar Berbatov came on as substitutes and forced saves from Cech.  Wayne Bridge made a good clearance after an uncharacteristic fumble from Cech and then our keeper was to make a good save when he scrambled to his right to turn around a 20 yard effort from Taino who had only just come on.  Indeed, Jol´s substitutions had given a new, albeit brief, lease of life to a tired Spurs side.

Of course, once we go in front, we don’t often get pulled back and the introduction of Ballack, Shevchenko and an effervescent looking Joe Cole gave us enough to steady the ship and gain what has now proved to be a valuable 3 points. 

 

We have not conceded a league goal in 800 minutes, have not conceded at home in the league since last year and are now just 3 home matches away from breaking Liverpool’s all-time, undefeated home record run.

 

Mourinho said after the game;

 

"We were better in the first half and should have scored goals.  We scored in the second half and Salomon Kalou had an easy chance to make it 2-0 and after that Tottenham came into the game and played well.”

 

"They had a great shot and header but Petr Cech was there to give us the security we need. We deserved the win."

Chelsea fans are in recent debate on whether Drogba or Essien should be our player of the year but Carvalho is now being mentioned in the same breath; 

"Sometimes we are guilty of always talking about the same players. But Ricardo has been a pillar for us this season. More than a pillar” said Mourinho.

Spurs assistant, Chris Hughton was reasonably upbeat despite the loss;

"We always felt we were very much in the game. There is no doubt that the schedule had an effect. How you gauge that effect though is almost impossible.”

 

"We certainly would have been grateful and happy with the extra day with regards to our preparation."

 

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, Makelele, Lampard, Mikel (Joe Cole 83), Drogba, Wright-Phillips (Ballack 71), Kalou (Shevchenko 74).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Diarra.

Booked: Drogba, Joe Cole.

Goals: Carvalho 52.

 

Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Dawson, Rocha, Chimbonda, Jenas (Zokora 81), Tainio (Taarabt 64), Ghaly, Malbranque, Mido (Berbatov 69), Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Ifil.

 

Booked: Ghaly.

 

Att: 41,864

 

Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).

 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-dRDYWNkMU

Premiership title run-in

Man Utd April 17 Sheffield Utd (h) April 21 Middlesbrough (h) April 28 Everton (a) May 5 Manchester City (a) May 9 Chelsea (a) May 13 West Ham (h)

Chelsea April 18 West Ham (a) April 22 Newcastle (a) April 28 Bolton (h) May 6 Arsenal (a) May 9 Manchester Utd (h) May 13 Everton (h)