The title decider, the return of Frank Lampard, the battle of the billionaires. Just some of the few talking points and factors surrounding the game that we witnessed on Saturday night. Throughout the week and ever since the first game against Manchester City back in September, this match was being heavily regarded as ‘the game of the season’.
The game was watched by a record number of broadcasters from around the world, would they have all been satisfied with what they saw? From a Chelsea point of view, the game never got going for us. It was clear to see the after effects of the Liverpool game. Granted, Liverpool supporters will no doubt question that as an excuse after they beat West Ham 2-0 at Anfield, but if they could choose a team to play after playing in 120 minutes of football would they have chosen to play Manchester City over West Ham? I didn’t think so either.
The mid-week fixture is no excuse, but it was clear to see that every time Chelsea looked to be getting a foot hold into the game we could not follow it up and would soon be under pressure. Especially coming towards the latter stages of the match, Chelsea were holding on for dear life in truths, our concentration levels were tested to the limit.
I think it was a shame for the neutral fans that both the clubs were missing some of their best players. For a game between the two best sides in the league, to be missing the key players really took an edge away from the game for me. Whilst Yaya Toure is away from the side, City never look quite as dominant in midfield. I do not agree with Diego Costa’s actions, but anyone can admit if he was involved in the game it would have added excitement for everyone. Millions across the world watch arguably the best league in the world, want to see the best players too.
It was not only the missing players that had affected the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. Also on the agenda was the inevitable return of Frank Lampard. From the scenes around Stamford Bridge, it was fair to say his reception was mixed, with most of the supporters not really knowing how to react. The only reason I believe he did receive some boo’s is the way the media have blown the loan deal out of proportion. After having to reflect on the situation, I still fail to understand why you can boo Frank Lampard. I understand why Mourinho has been playing the whole situation down and not to award Frank like we did with Ballack and Drogba, unfortunately at the moment in time he is a Manchester City player and rival in our title race.
Since leaving Chelsea, Frank has done but speak highly of the blues. Remember Lampard did not directly leave Chelsea to go and join Manchester City. It’s just the way things have turned out because of their ‘sister club’. Would his reception have been different he had went to join Arsenal on loan or Fulham? I really don’t believe he would have received a bad reception if that was to be the case. I understand that the situation is very raw to Chelsea fans, I don’t think he would have got a bad reception if he had joined City in three or four years’ time, regardless of when he joined, how he joined, it’s something that should not have happened.
As Lampard began to warm up and prepare himself he received cheers from both sets of supporters. As well as this when he first came on he was cheered, alongside a few boo’s. Despite the occasional boo’s when Lampard received the ball, it was almost forgotten about once he was on the pitch. The Chelsea fans soon started cheering for their team, until the final whistle when they had the chance to pay their respect to Lampard who went on a lap of honour and was the last player to leave the pitch.
It was embarrassing to call yourself a Chelsea fan yesterday and then listen to the rest of the crowd boo your leading goal scorer of all time. Someone who has provided us with so many great memories, so many trophies and most of all so many goals. He has been so influential over the years and has been one of the main reasons that Chelsea are on the level we are on.
Overall I think they game was massively blown out of proportion, a slow start was always expected because of to the mid-week game. I was very pleased with how Kurt Zouma handled himself against Sergio Aguero, one of the best strikers in the world. Cahill is defiantly going to have to work hard to get himself back in the side. Unfortunately the time had come for Thibaut Courtois to make a mistake, let’s not forget he has been on another level for most of the season. Remember he is only 22 years of age, he has so much time on his hands and is going to be one of the world’s best. The title race is still wide open, but you have to look at the fixtures we have remaining and hope we continue collecting points and see us edge closer to the Premier League title.
