Stamford Bridge, London. Sunday 20th September 2009. Barclays Premier League. Chelsea 3-0 Tottenham. Scorers: Cole, Ballack & Drogba.
Well I was calling for three points at the Bridge yesterday by any means, even a scrappy 1-0 win would of done me but the boys went out there and put Spurs to bed as early as the 63rd minute when Drogba made it 3-0. It was again another fine performance by Chelsea who continued to show their class on the pitch and the quality we have for this season's title charge.
Chelsea are demonstrating these days a patience in their play. Gone are the days of get the ball forward as quick as possible in a more or less hit and hope fashion. The play is controlled, passing is crisp as we knock the ball about from left to right to look for the killer ball or the opening for the likes of Drogba and Anelka to latch onto.
Yesterday was pretty much the same once more. Tottenham had their chances and for me started off the better yesterday. With chances for Defoe and Huddlestone that forced Cech into saves in the first half we certainly didn't have it all our own way. Added to that Jermaine Jenas shot just wide after Anelka had lost the ball whereas he should of done better. Lampard has more or less a half chance as Anelka broke down the right and swung a deep cross into the box where Lampard rose above three Spurs defenders to head wide under pressure. Jose Bosingwa came closest out of anyone to score when his shot from the right hand corner of the box beat Cudicini and smacked the crossbar and bounced clear.
Drogba started the game by being outmuscled at the back by Bassong and Ledley king which forced him to come alot deeper or out wide to get himself some space and this is where Chelsea made the breakthrough. Drogba was given the ball out wide right and his pinpoint ball across the back four of Spurs was met by the unmarked Ashley Cole to get ahead of Corluka and head home from six yards at the back post. It was the cross of the game and once more Ashley Cole is showing all of us that he is back to his best. He took his goal really well and thats now two in two home games in the league for Cole.
No changes at half-time as both sides looked to get on the ball early at the start of the second half and dictate play. Then shortly after the re-start the ball was played into Drogba who's first touch into the left channel as he spun King took him to the edge of the box where he played the ball back to Lampard and he shot well wide when a simple side-foot home would of been better. Maybe he was under pressure but you will all agree with me when at the time we probably all thought "How did he miss that!?". As Drogba spun out wide on the turn to make the chance Ledley King collapsed on the pitch and smacked the turf and to me this could be curtains for the former Chelsea target.
Then the major talking point of the game occured. Robbie Keane broke free down the left wing and into the box, Carvalho came across to make the tackle and looked like he just clipped him, Keane took another step and went down as Cech came out to parry the ball at Keane's feet. At first in normal speed it looked like a penalty but as the reply showed I think the referee saw Keane take another step before he went down and that was his downfall. Keane ranted at the ref saying well if its no penalty show me and a yellow card and after the game Harry Redknapp said the same thing but to his credit Redknapp agreed the Keane was too honest and tried to stay on his feet. I agree with Redknapp, if Keane had gone down as soon as he was clipped you have to say it was a penalty.
Soon after Chelsea made it 2-0. Bosingwa and Anelka combined down the right wing and Anelka's cross was chested up in the air first time by Drogba who volleyed the ball on the spin down to Cudicini's near post, he blocked it wide and Lampard reacted first, cross it back for Ballack under pressure from Bassong to tap home from 2 yards.
By now Chelsea were on top and Drogba was having things his own way once more. He scored his 99th goal in a Chelsea shirt in the 63rd minute to make it 3-0 on the day when Ashley Cole saw his run off Corluka (who was moved inside to centre back when Hutton came on for King) and popped a long ball over the top to Drogba who's pace took him past Corluka easily. His first touch was sublime and as Corluka got back to make a challenge as Drogba got inside the box, he played the ball against Drogba's ankle and the ball deflected off Drogba's ankle and round the outcoming Cudicini and Drogba followed up and to slot the ball into an empty net and that was game over.
Bassong had a nasty fall and smacked his head on the turf which looked like he was knocked out sparko, Palacios shot wide after Crouch (on for Defoe which I will never understand) headed down and Cudicini made a great save from a volley by Mikel late on and as the ball spurned underneath him managed to react quick enough to parry away for a corner. On a sour note Didier Drogba swung wildly to shoot from distance and injured his knee in the process and had to come off.
Chelsea saw the game out and it was another great win for us. Of course there will be debate about the penalty decision which is to be expected but its simply a case of that extra step that Keane took which in the ref see's that there wasn't enough contact made initially and that's why he never gave it.
There were once more solid performances all over the pitch yesterday with Cole the stand out performer and Drogba following just behind. It will be interesting to see how bad Drogba's injury is. With QPR in the League Cup this week I don't think he would be playing or starting anyway so let's hope that in time he will fit for next weekend. Cole was outstanding and is looking the real deal more and more in a Chelsea shirt. I can't actually say that anyone was below par and who cares anyway, we beat the Spurs 3-0 and thats all that matters!
CAREFREE & KTBFFH!
I am Chelseadaft a lifelong Chelsea Fan. Have been an avid fan for over 30 years now. Back in March 2009 I decided to Blog about the Chels!. 
