Chelsea
Chelsea Comeback Leaves Leicester Outfoxed
Even Ramires!
By Gary Watton
April 30 2015
Boring old Chelsea have only gone and won again. Blimey, how tedious. They even managed to come from behind with three second-half goals. Gee, it don't get much more boring than that. It really doesn't compare with Arsenil's spectacular one-nil win at Burnley.
The match at the King Power Stadium was kind of weird. Chelsea, who hadn't conceded a goal in their last three matches [and who hadn't conceded a goal inside their own half in the last four and a half fixtures!] restored Petr Cech because Courtois wasn't quite well enough. Big Petr was his solid old self, making one important low save, but even he could do little when Albrighton sidefooted home from close range after Azpilicueta had slipped, leaving him a free shot at goal. The timing of this strike was actually good. Instead of Jose calmly stating at half time to just continue to keep it tight and be patient because chances will eventually come, he felt cross about the arrears and delivered words which he later described would be unbroadcastable "peeps". Chelsea weren't atrocious in the first half. They just failed to work young Mr Schmeichel, as Leicester surrounded Mr Hazard with half of their team.
Fortunately, Mourinho's industrial language paid immediate dividends as the ever-reliable Ivanovic strode into the penalty area and delivered a decent cross which the legendary Drogba got his big right foot onto, and lo and behold the Blues were off and running. Drogba and Fabregas missed big chances to double our goals tally, and as the match progressed, it looked like a share of the spoils might be in the offing.
However, the visitors re-visited their prowess from set pieces as a Gary Cahill header was flicked into the net by that great poacher John Terry. Just like Ivanovic, JT could probably have carved a professional career out as a goalscorer. The league leaders had at last got their nice noses in front, and well you know it's going to be your night when even the otherwise woeful Ramires scores a peach of a third. I think Ramires is great at launching his driving runs and his energy is remarkable. However, playing alongside Matic, he seemed a shadow of the attacking Ramires. Fabregas did quite well, but a standing ovation ought to be allocated to Willian. The Brazilian maestro was simply superb [and not for the first time.] He rarely loses possession and he has a tremendous acceleration. Last night he was the best player on the park. When that park also contains the elusive Hazard [the most fouled player in the Premiership] then this is some compliment.
So Leicester's hearts were broken in the end. I do hope that they stay up. Otherwise who else can Arsenil take points off next season? Besides, it would be an act of supreme bad manners to get relegated and enable QPR or Sunderland to escape the drop. Fortunately for the Foxes, they only have exciting old, free-falling Newcastle on Saturday. Chelsea meanwhile are mathematically one win away from a fourth Premiership in eleven years. Crystal Palace would dearly love to be party poopers. Personally I can't see Arsenic winning all of their remaining matches, so Chelsea are probably already in an unassailable position. Anyhow, let us thank our sporting neighbours from the Emirates who are not playing until Monday. If they played Hull on Saturday and dropped points, Chelsea would be champions. However, they have thoughtfully delayed their match so that boring Chelsea can wrap up the Premiership by themselves, without any help from Wenger's fancy Dans.
Even rent-a-rant Nigel Pearson was gracious in defeat while JM beautifully remarked that Leicester were the best team that we had played in April. Superb! [Van Gaal and Wenger would have to get up very early in the morning to outwit Mourinho.] Jose is also right to caution against premature celebrations. Let's just wait and cheer on another boring performance. The legends, Drogba and Terry, have complained overnight that Chelsea deserve much more credit and respect. They undoubtedly do. However, I am with Trizia on this one. Let's keep up the boring victories. If our triumphs are irritating opposing fans, fuelling their jealousy, then we're clearly doing something right.
Leicester City 1 CHELSEA 3; half time: 1-0. Wednesday 29th April 2015.
CHELSEA team: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Matic, Ramires, Fabregas, Drogba, Willian, Hazard. Used substitutes: Zouma; Cuadrado; Mikel.
CHELSEA goal scorers: Drogba; Terry; Ramires.
CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:
Costa - 20 goals
Hazard - 18 goals
Drogba, Oscar, Remy, and Terry - 7 goals
Ivanovic - 6 goals
Fabregas and Schurrle - 5 goals
Ramires and Willian - 4 goals
Cahill and Matic - 3 goals
Zouma - 2 goals
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30/04/2015 15:46
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