Chelsea
Clumsy Courtois
Courtois: Plonker!
By Gary Watton
August 10 2015
It wasn't the fault of Courtois that unconvincing Chelsea allowed Swansea to pour forward with a series of attacks which ultimately produced two goals and a share of the points, but the big Belgian stopper did his team no favours when he fouled Gomis, thereby prompting the referee to brandish a red piece of paper in his face. Thereafter, the Blues, with Begovic in goals, did their utmost to prevent an opening day home defeat. Highly-fancied Arsenil, take note. When Chelsea's backs are to the wall, we can still draw with only ten men. I guess that's why we're champions! The cosmic Gunners by contrast couldn't even score, with a full compliment of eleven men, against Europa League flops, West Ham. Still, Ozil and his little chums can console themselves with more selfies over the next week or so.
Unfortunately, the Petr Cheque fiasco at Arsenic only masks a disappointing, but not entirely surprising start from the champions. The Blues started last year impressively at Burnley (who proved to be no pushovers) and the team simply kicked on from that Monday night. Twelve months later, and I'm wondering if our mediocre first result is equally a sign of things to come. Chelsea's pre-season contests, culminating in a poor one-nil defeat at home to Fiorentina, were scarcely compelling evidence of a team preparing for further greatness. The team look vulnerable at present, and in our desperation, we will now pay Evercrap silly money for young John Stones. Surely Kurt Zouma could come straight into the first eleven, or will he have to sit it out, while Cahill and Stones battle to be Terry's partner in crime?
It was good to see the Brazilian duo of Oscar and Willian score, or at least have a large role, in the goals scored. However, to twice concede an equaliser is a matter for concern. Frankly, Swansea were more than worthy of their point. Of course, Jose being Jose, highlighted the failings of the medical staff for wanting to tend to the injured Hazard. Heaven help us! If a player gets badly injured, say concussed, and the medical staff are slow to react, it will be pointed out that Mourinho was quick to criticise the good doctor's apparent over-eagerness to eradicate any hazard from Hazard.
The Blues must now pick themselves up for the considerable challenge of a visit to Manchester Mercenaries. I am filled with foreboding for that fixture. Chelsea have not improved their first eleven from last year. To keep the same team over a prolonged period renders you predictable. Others will easily work Chelsea out because we keep the same eleven or twelve from one week to the next. A new creative player is needed, methinks, because Oscar blows hot and cold, and we cannot rely on Fabregas and Hazard to provide all of the assists. I will be pleasantly surprised if Chelsea successfully defend their Premiership title. At least Arsenil's chances are safely tucked away, under wraps, for another season! Mind you, that young Reece Oxford of West Ham who made the headlines yesterday would simply have been transported by Chelsea to the Arnhem penal colony. Such is Mourinho's pathetic lack of faith in youth.
Meanwhile, Chelsea Ladies thrashed Birmingham Ladies (are there any ladies in Birmingham?) by four goals to nil. Maybe some of the Chelsea women should be upgraded to the men's team?
CHELSEA 2 Swansea City 2; half time: 2-1.
CHELSEA goal scorers: Oscar; Fernandez (own goal)
CHELSEA team: Courtois; Ivanovic; Azpilicueta; Cahill; Terry; Matic; Fabregas; Oscar; Costa; Hazard; Willian. Used substitutes: Begovic; Zouma; Falcao.
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10/08/2015 13:50
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