So the Manchester United v Liverpool final the neutrals were dreaming of won't be happening after all, but there won't be too many complaints if Chelsea serve up another game like the one at Stamford Bridge tonight.
The game was sparked by accusations by Rafa Benitez before the game, saying Drogba needed to be watched closely by the referees. That definetely came back to haunt him as Drogba was immense.
Liverpool more than played their part and it could have gone either way in the end but there was to be no fairytale for the Reds this time and even their most hardcore supporters could not deny they were well beaten on the night.
Didier Drogba comes in for criticism for going to ground too easily but there's no doubting his talent in front of goal and he showed it yet again when it really mattered. As for Frank Lampard—balls of steel.
Avram Grant has done what Jose Mourinho couldn't, but he's got one hell of a job on his hands to finish the job in Moscow. United will want their revenge for the Stamford Bridge defeat and if they show the same spirit they showed against Barca, few will bet against them gaining it on May 21 but then again, few will bet against Chelsea aswell.
I must say, our defence was absolutely spot on. Ashley Cole was immense, Terry was his usual self—commanding, Essien did an effecient job at right back.
Our midfield did their job well. Ballack had a good game. Lampard was quiet for most parts of the game but boy oh boy, did he show people what he big player he really is.
I felt Liverpool weren't posing too many questions through-out the match and we were pretty comfortable in defence. After they scored though, I was afraid they would go on and win the game.
There's something I want to point out—"the joys of resting players"—Gerrard went down with cramp at one stage, and Torres had to be withdrawn—what was that all about?
Were the Liverpool players tired after NOT playing this weekend?
We had an extremely difficult game against the best team in the Premier League this weekend, and we ran the show in extra time... Oh I loved it!
I thought the Chelsea fans were amazingly loud. We obviously need more of this. Lampard scored the penalty and had an emotional celebration... Oh I loved it!
Avram Grant went down on two knees with his hands in the air after the win and showed his sheer joy... Oh I loved it!
Chelsea and Manchester United will now battle it out against each other on two fronts. Joint top of the league with 81 points each and goal difference separating them.
Now they will battle it out in Moscow in the Champions League final.
Are these two teams just the best around at the moment?
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from 15 days ago
Everyone keeps saying how Rafa's words on Drogba 'have come back to haunt him' I just don't understand this.
Firstly, Drogba has always played very well against Liverpool. He scored at Anfield for Marseille a good few years ago. He is too strong and too quick for the Liverpool back 4, and he is a big game player, he always has been, and always will be. His performance last night was no surprise, as he usually delivers in these type of games, so to put it down to Rafa's words is very naive, and slightly insulting to Drogba in my opinion. Rafa pre-fixed his comments of Drogba by saying that he was an outstanding striker, so he knew the threat he was, and wasn't trying to be-little him in any way, other than to point out what everyone knows, that Drogba is a cheat and a play-actor. If Drogba plays in the final, I would bank on him scoring a goal, its what he does best (apart from diving :-))
Secondly, did Drogba dive or play act at all last night? In the first leg, he spent most of the game on the floor, last night, he did not go to ground easily once. Surely then Rafa words actually worked. Drogba was worried enough about the referee watching him that he did not try any of his tricks, so Rafa achieved his aim in that respect. I don't see any link between what Rafa said, and the quality of performance that Drogba gave, because Drogba almost ALWAYS gives a performance of quality against Liverpool, and in big games generally. He scored in the Carling Cup final 2 years running, the FA Cup final, in numerous games against Arsenal and Liverpool. Were those perfomances just because an opposition manager wound him up, or were they just because he is a great footballer, with a great sense of ocassion?
Now on to the tired players argument. Torres was injured, he had a hamstring injury, leaving him on, he could have made it worse and missed 6 weeks. That takes us to the middle of June, and Euro 2008. Spain would no doubt still pick him in this situation, so that would mean he would be rushed back to play in the finals, making him a serious doubt to be in good shape for the start of next season. Removing Torres was perfectly sensible, as we need him for the future as well as the present, and I remind everyone that his replacement, Ryan Babel, actually scored a goal, and Torres was looking tired anyway and apart from his excellent goal, was struggling to get into the game.
Gerrard went down with cramp, hardly surprising on such a heavy pitch, and also at the death of the game when he probably just wanted a break to take on some liquid and have a breather. Chelsea leading appearance maker this season is Joe Cole who has started 43 of their 59 games. Gerrard has started 45 games out of 57 and Torres 39, so rotation is clearly an issue for Chelsea just as much as Liverpool, and for a Chelsea fan not to be aware of how much Chelsea rotate is pretty shocking.
Anyway, Chelsea were strong last night, as I expected them to be, but I am proud of the Liverpool players for forcing extra time, something not many people gave them much chance of doing. We actually started extra time very well, but sadly did not score when we were on top. Thats been the story of both games, Chelsea have been more clinical than Liverpool overall, and small details (Riise og, should Hyypia have had a pen? maybe, Cech saves in leg 1 and from Kuyt in leg 2) have made the difference.
Chelsea and Manchester United are the strongest two teams in the country, and probably in Europe, the table doesn't lie, and I wish Chelsea well in the final. I think Liverpool have again proved that despite what the media like to make out, the gap between them and the rest of the big 4 is minimal, but they need to translate that into a sustained league season, and at least get the 80 points plus that is needed to feature in the title race next season.
from 15 days ago
haha I am fully aware of how much we rotate our players Simon. Your Liverpool was rested in the weekend. Everyone except Reina and Riise did not play, where-as we had a full blooded, draining game against United. Gerrard went down with cramps?? For a man who gets paid 100K+ and having trouble completing a 120 min game is beyond me. Gerrard played 45 games and Joe Cole 43?? Whats that got to do with anything? Are you saying that because your Liverpool players played a couple more games my Chelsea players, that its an advantage for us??
Why was Benitez getting all the stick earlier in the season Simon?? -- Wasn't it rotation??
from 15 days ago
Gerrard didn't have trouble completing the game, he completed it comfortably. I can only assume you have never had cramp, it is nothing to do with tiredness, you can get cramp at any time, but sustained activity just increases the chances, and Gerrard has always had a problem with cramps since he was a teenager.
Benitez gets stick all year round, one week its rotation, the next its zonal marking, then style of play, then its poor signings. But when all is said and done, at the end of his career he will have a cabinet full of honours, and what will his critics have?
Well done for getting through an article without slagging off Grant by the way, is that a first? Are all you Chelsea fans suddenly going to change your tune if you beat Man U in the final?
from 15 days ago
yeah but the main problem people had with him was his need to change the team for every game. Had he not done that earlier in the season, Liverpool might have been closer to United and Chelsea...
Simon dont get me wrong, I still believe Grant will go whether he wins the CL or the Prem or BOTH. You dont seem understand the logic of critisism. I only critisise someone/something, when I see something wrong.
Grant has been making dubious decisions, substitutions, comments ever since he took the job. I personally sensed a change in him after the Wigan/Everton games, where he didnt feel like taking any shit from the press.
Credit where credits due, Grant made some great substitutions against United and again tonight.
I was in tears seeing Lampard celebrate and it only increased my love for him as a player. I was in tears again seeing Grant on his knees after the game and the hearing his comments after the game...
Over all, a great and emotional night for me....
from 15 days ago
Think you should have written an article Simon. Would have drummed up some hits I'll bet.
from 15 days ago
lol Ditto Andrew,..
from 15 days ago
Well written Salomon.......enjoyed Simon`s article about your article as well.
Chelsea is one of the best structured and complete sides I`ve seen in a while. Love the way they handled Fenerbahce and I hope they win it setting up a World club match with hopefully a good South American side so we can appreciate football at the highest level. Effieciency meets Talent.
Not that Chelsea doesn`t have talent or South American teams are not efficient...but you know what i mean.
from 15 days ago
lol thanks. yeah Simon should have written article of his own shouldn't he? Its all good though...
from 15 days ago
Bring on the Chelski! Gonna be a great final.
from 15 days ago
Yep it most certainly will. How do you see your teams chances Keith?
from 15 days ago
Interestingly enough..nobody seems to consider Hyypia was brought down in the box by Drogba..
from 14 days ago
lol it was penalty. I think Drogba was taken by surprise at the neat footwork shown by Hyypia. But what goes around comes around. Helb was never given a penalty and that cost Arsenal. Now its Liverpool's turn.
from 12 days ago
I think we have a good chance, with Rooney hopefully back to full fitness, it will make a big difference. and of course Vidic. But the reason I think it will be a great final is because both teams have the potential to really go at each other. I think if we got liverpool, it would have been more uneven(no offense! I just think we have the beating of Pool)
I cant wait though.
Meant to ask your opinion on Ballack lately, he is really starting to dominate the midfield isnt he??
from 12 days ago
Haha yeah, I feel that had Liverpool beaten us, the trophy would most certainly be yours. I think the outcome of the title race will determine the type of game we'll get in the final. If United wrap the title, Chelsea will come out firing and they slip up and we win it. You lot will come out firing. Either way, it promises to be a great game (at least for the fans of the teams involved, like you and me)....
Ballack only seems to play great with Lampard out of the side. They've shown glimses of good patnership Eg, the game at Upton Park where they together destroyed West Ham..
Chelsea seem to play better though, with Lampard out of the team and Ballack dominating the midfield. Thats just my observation though. Im sure other Chelsea fans will disagree with that...
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