It only took a few minutes after for Chelsea to take the lead. After neat build up work between Crespo, Cole and Robben, Robben found himself clear in the City area shooting and forcing Taylor to parry his shot into the path of a delighted Crespo who pounced to score his eighth goal of the season. After the first goal, Chelsea cut threw the City defence time after time, like a knife through hot butter. Crespo and Cole were both villians and Maik Taylor was the City hero making a spectacular save from a Crespo volley. Also the crossbar saved City when a Crespo header smacked right against it.

In a Birmingham defensive mix-up between Cunningham and Taylor, Cole broke free and raced one-on-one with Taylor before squaring to Crespo for the simple tap-in. Why Cole did it only he knows?!?!? JM accused Cole of 'showboating.' Having seen the TV replays inside the ground, Cole's biggest mistake other than going for goal himself, was to play a square pass behind the run of Crespo, therefore Crespo had to take a touch instead of steering the ball into an empty net.

The touch allowed Gray to tackle and the ball was cleared.

Moments later Crespo was at it again. From a Chelsea throw in Crespo was sent clear by Robben, hit a shot that was saved brilliantly by Taylor, the ball being parried over the bar for a Chelsea corner which came to nothing. Then came the header from Crespo that hit the bar from a William Gallas left wing cross.

Three minutes from half-time Chelsea scored their second with a well worked goal scored by Robben and good interplay around the City area by Crespo, Gudjohnsen and Cole.

In the second half Crespo was again denied by the bar, although it was a close but incorrect offside decision. Taylor saved well from a Gudjohnsen screamer and Taylor denied Crespo again with another fine save. Eider was in the thick of the action, clearing a Pandiani header off the line.

John Terry had a header cleared off the line by Damien Johnson, Michael Essien was booked and will now miss the FA Cup tie against Huddersfield next Saturday. Crespo was voted the fans Man of the Match and was substituted by Drogba on seventy minutes. Crespo left the field to a standing ovation.

And in post match reactions Jose was annoyed by Joe Cole's performance and threatened to drop him for the team if he plays this way again. Well Joe is out of the West Ham game on Monday due to suspension created by the fifth booking of the season against Fulham last Monday.

So Chelsea finish the year well clear at the top of the Premiership as they started it - well clear. Can you see the title going anywhere else other than staying at Stamford Bridge?

I CAN'T!!!!!

40 YEARS A BLUE!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006