By dixon9
March 20 2008

This was an extraordinary match. For the neutral, it was entertainment of the highest order with all the aspects of a fever pitched London Derby, For Spurs fans, they would have been exhilarated by their comeback and even disappointed that they didn’t win at the death; and for Chelsea supporters they were frustrated at losing a 3-1 lead and irate with the calamitous substitutions of Avram Grant.

We couldn’t have asked for a brighter start when Drogba headed us in front from Terry’s intelligent chipped cross towards the far post.

Spurs then showed the difference between their attitude last season and now when they credibly fought back and got their reward with Woodgates towering header using Drogba as a launch pad.

Chelsea fought back again and restored the lead when Essen’s clever finish after some diversionary work from Drogba that had a hint of offside about it.

Joe Cole then appeared to have put the game out of reach of the north Londoners after an excellent run but then Berbatov's header which would have been out of reach of even Cech and then Huddlestone´s calm, strong strike brought Spurs level.

I was fuming at this point but then joy came again when Joe Cole produced some inexplicable skill when the ball came at him from a difficult angle, beat the defender in one movement and rifled high into the roof of the net.

Chelsea, thanks to Grant’s baffling substitutions had ceded too much territory and Spurs took the invitation to come at us (it would have been rude to refuse after such a generous invitation) and Keane curled in a superb and sickening equaliser.

All over?  Well the fat lady was warming up to sing and meanwhile Berbatov could have won them the game if it hadn’t of been for a brilliant reaction save from Cuducini two minutes from time.

There had been other chances if the 8 goals weren’t enough. 

Joe Cole rounded the hapless Robinson to score but his strike was swiftly met with the lino´s flag.  Kalou should have scored in the first half but just failed to get a foot to Joe Cole's driven cross and later Drogba wasted a good chance by being uncharacteristically selfish by not passing to the better placed and unmarked Lampard and saw his own shot parried out by Robinson.

Essien, looking much more at home with the new freedom in midfield almost put us 4-1 up at one point when his shot beat Robinson but thumped back of the base of the far post.

 

Mavis Riley, as per usual, made various generous contributions to the proceedings with a wave of bad decisions; Woodgate had used Drogba as a step ladder to equalise, Joe Cole was completely taken out by Chimbonda which should have given us a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the area – Cole was so incensed he then got booked for protesting.

Then later Ashley Cole was very lucky not to have seen red after a dangerous flying tackle.  Cole DID get the ball but his trajectory and studs up was such to have seen red. 

Joe Cole had put in one of the best displays I had ever seen in a Premier League game – he was nothing short of sensational and even received applause from the home crowd when Grant subbed him (applause of relief or appreciation I’m not sure?).

But the main talking point from Chelsea supporter’s side were the baffling substitutions from Grant. 

The worst was bringing on Alex (to combat ariel balls) but then removing Kalou instead of another defender.  Our left flank was completely open – it gave Spurs a free avenue to approach and ourselves one less to relieve pressure.

“Bringing on Alex before Ballack was crazy. It meant that we had to change our entire defensive formation with one less player in midfield. Ballack would have been a far better choice.”

“Why make substitutions to invite the opposition on to you? When Spurs went three at the back, I thought...great have a go at them. Poor subs, yet again…” 

“Avram Grant went into defensive mode too early...”

Not all were critical though: 

”It is easy to blame Grant but this was one of those games that basically had a life of its own.” 

“It was just ''one of those games.  The feverish atmosphere just took hold. sh-t defending, great game, good sing-song, good night out. Isn't that what football is about? 

For me I agree with the former quotes and I’m curious to know if it really is true that Drogba approached assistant manager Steve Clarke and asked: 'What are we supposed to be doing?!!!'  near the end of the match....then Ten Cate and Clarke laughing at Grant when he was looking baffled after they scored their 3rd?  

Sickening. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

http://ballhype.com/video/tottenham_4_4_chelsea/

Tottenham: Robinson, Hutton, Woodgate, King (Bent 68), Chimbonda, Lennon, Jenas (Huddlestone 46), Zokora, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Tainio, Dawson.

Booked: Keane, Huddlestone.

Goals: Woodgate 12, Berbatov 61, Huddlestone 75, Keane 88.  

Chelsea: Cudicini, Ferreira (Shevchenko 90), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Joe Cole (Ballack 82), Drogba, Kalou (Alex 71).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Wright-Phillips.

Booked: Joe Cole, Ashley Cole.

Goals: Drogba 3, Essien 20, Joe Cole 52, 80.

Att: 36,178

Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).

What a Grant Up! Spurs 4 Chelsea 4

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 20/03/2008 20:51

50 Years Over 100 Years
20/03/2008 20:51

What a Grant Up! Spurs 4 Chelsea 4

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N5er
21/03/2008 03:36

yeah I wonder what Mourindo would have made of it all... wasn't 5-4 at the lane not a proper score a couple of years ago? - well at least we won ;_)

Referring to Arsenal's 5-4 win over Spurs, Mourinho said: "Five-four is a hockey score, not a football score.

"In a three-against-three training match, if the score reaches 5-4 I send the players back to the dressing rooms as they are not defending properly.

"So to get a result like that in a game of 11 against 11 is disgraceful."

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dixon9
21/03/2008 12:11

It was a disgrace - you won´t get any disagreement from me.





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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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