When John went up to lift he FA Cup - we were there, we were there
Thanks Guus - you'll be sorely missed
Sunday 31 May 2009
Chelsea 2 - 1 Everton - 2009 FA Cup final
When John went up to lift he FA Cup - we were there, we were there
Thanks Guus - you'll be sorely missed
Monday 18 May 2009
Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn
Guus puts out a full strength side (the same team that thumped Arsenal) and signs off at home with a win as the crowd chat "Guus Hiddink - we want you to stay" and "Roman, Roman sign him up".
It was a pretty open match that could have ended 6 - 2 to the Blues but a bullet header from Malouda in the first half and and a sweet low drive from Anelka in the second were the only efforts that made the score sheet. By the hour mark it had pretty much become and exhibition match and the singing - mainly from the Mathew Harding - matched the mood on pitch. But for some appalling refereeing Guus would be leading the Blues out in Rome and at Wembley and such is the warm felt between crowd and manager that midway through the second half he even got up from the dugout to acknowledge the chants and bow to the crowd.
Full time heralded the now obligatory "lap of thanks" and again the chats rang out for Guus to stay. Alas, I believe it's a futile gesture as this man has huge integrity and will no doubt honour his commitments to the Russian team. After that - who knows
Match report here from the BBC.
It was a pretty open match that could have ended 6 - 2 to the Blues but a bullet header from Malouda in the first half and and a sweet low drive from Anelka in the second were the only efforts that made the score sheet. By the hour mark it had pretty much become and exhibition match and the singing - mainly from the Mathew Harding - matched the mood on pitch. But for some appalling refereeing Guus would be leading the Blues out in Rome and at Wembley and such is the warm felt between crowd and manager that midway through the second half he even got up from the dugout to acknowledge the chants and bow to the crowd.
Full time heralded the now obligatory "lap of thanks" and again the chats rang out for Guus to stay. Alas, I believe it's a futile gesture as this man has huge integrity and will no doubt honour his commitments to the Russian team. After that - who knows
Match report here from the BBC.
Sunday 10 May 2009
Arsenal 1 - 4 Chelsea
Off to the Emirates for a difficult away game particularly after the disappointment and injustice of Wednesday night. Guus opts for pretty much the same team with the only change being the Jedi in for Ballack. Somewhat surprisingly Drogba starts.
Its a torrid opening 15mins with Walcott looking very lively and the Blues seem to be still suffering from Wednesday nights exertions. Walcott plays a neat one-two with van Persie but his shot goes way over and a second attempt from a narrow angle is well saved by Cech. Its all Arsenal as Diaby connects with a Walcott cross but hits it wide. Slowly the Blues are waking up. On 20mins Ash slips in Malouda but he soots straight at Fabianski with the goal begging. We dont have to wait long for a goal though as the Drog floas a free kick into the Arsenal box and no-one rises with any conviction to challenge Alex who heads home. Its 0-1 to the Blues with 28mins on the clock. Malouda's having one of his better games and within 10mins its 0-2 as Anelka picks up the ball midway in the Arsenal half and runs unchallenged before unleashing a swerving shot from 25yrds. Its nearly 3 in added time as Malouda again sets Anelka free in the box but he shoots straight at Fabianski from 10yrds out.
The second half's underway and in less than 5mins its 0-3 as Toure stabs the ball into his own net from a cross/shot from Ashley Cole. Arsenal are having lots of possession and playing pretty football but nothing threatening so on comes Bendtner with an hour gone. Bozzy hits two chances over the bar in as many minutes before letting Bendtner have a free header on 70mins from a Sagna cross and its 1-3. Guus has seen the danger and Bozzy is replaced by Ivanovitch on 77mins. With 8mins left a goalmouth scramble sees Cech save from Silvestre whilst on his backside but its the only scare of he half as the Blues break quickly with Anelka who hits the post only for Malouda to net the rebound.
So it ends 1-4 and the Blues respond in the best possible way. In reality, after the first 15mins it was men against boys. That's 3rd place sewn up and a guaranteed Champions League birth - now, is it possible to clinch the runners up slot ?? Come on U Blues
Its a torrid opening 15mins with Walcott looking very lively and the Blues seem to be still suffering from Wednesday nights exertions. Walcott plays a neat one-two with van Persie but his shot goes way over and a second attempt from a narrow angle is well saved by Cech. Its all Arsenal as Diaby connects with a Walcott cross but hits it wide. Slowly the Blues are waking up. On 20mins Ash slips in Malouda but he soots straight at Fabianski with the goal begging. We dont have to wait long for a goal though as the Drog floas a free kick into the Arsenal box and no-one rises with any conviction to challenge Alex who heads home. Its 0-1 to the Blues with 28mins on the clock. Malouda's having one of his better games and within 10mins its 0-2 as Anelka picks up the ball midway in the Arsenal half and runs unchallenged before unleashing a swerving shot from 25yrds. Its nearly 3 in added time as Malouda again sets Anelka free in the box but he shoots straight at Fabianski from 10yrds out.
The second half's underway and in less than 5mins its 0-3 as Toure stabs the ball into his own net from a cross/shot from Ashley Cole. Arsenal are having lots of possession and playing pretty football but nothing threatening so on comes Bendtner with an hour gone. Bozzy hits two chances over the bar in as many minutes before letting Bendtner have a free header on 70mins from a Sagna cross and its 1-3. Guus has seen the danger and Bozzy is replaced by Ivanovitch on 77mins. With 8mins left a goalmouth scramble sees Cech save from Silvestre whilst on his backside but its the only scare of he half as the Blues break quickly with Anelka who hits the post only for Malouda to net the rebound.
So it ends 1-4 and the Blues respond in the best possible way. In reality, after the first 15mins it was men against boys. That's 3rd place sewn up and a guaranteed Champions League birth - now, is it possible to clinch the runners up slot ?? Come on U Blues
Thursday 7 May 2009
Chelsea 1 - 1 Barcelona (Barca go through to the final on away goals)
I just cant bring myself to post a match report this morning. I'm still so angry
At the end of the match I tweeted that "11 blue heroes had been robbed by an incompetent Norwegian" and this morning I feel no better. To loose because you have been out played or out fought is one thing but to be beaten by the most inept of refereeing displays is hard to take.
Don't get me wrong, Barca are a great side and worthy finalists but despite all their possession and silky skills, they did not have a single effort on target for 90mins. Inesta's goal came in the 2nd minute of 4 added minutes of injury time and Cech had not been called upon to make a single save up to that point.
The scenes at the final whistle were disgraceful, and Uefa will surely apply harsh sanctions, but they were understandable reactions. Let's see if Uefa act on the referee as well.
Come on U Blues
At the end of the match I tweeted that "11 blue heroes had been robbed by an incompetent Norwegian" and this morning I feel no better. To loose because you have been out played or out fought is one thing but to be beaten by the most inept of refereeing displays is hard to take.
Don't get me wrong, Barca are a great side and worthy finalists but despite all their possession and silky skills, they did not have a single effort on target for 90mins. Inesta's goal came in the 2nd minute of 4 added minutes of injury time and Cech had not been called upon to make a single save up to that point.
The scenes at the final whistle were disgraceful, and Uefa will surely apply harsh sanctions, but they were understandable reactions. Let's see if Uefa act on the referee as well.
Come on U Blues
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