Match Report

The proverbial game of two halves finished another poor season (ignoring the past few weeks) at SJP as we threatened to derail Chelsea’s title bid but were ultimately beaten by the better side. Faye was back in for Edgar but otherwise we were unchanged and the desire around NE1 was, unthinkably, of doing Man United a big favour, such is the low regard Chelsea are held in. In the first half it looked a distinct possibility as we started brightly and looked up for it.

Owen could have had us one up early on, but screwed wide from six yards out from a Butt pass and in his defence, I think he thought he was offside when he fluffed his chance. Chelsea looked it rattled and Beye did well to get to the by-line but put a terrible cross over and we fashioned a few half chances, with Oba looking lively again and giving Ferreira a tough time. Our best chance came just before the half hour when Martins collided with Cech and the ball fell to Owen but his shot was blocked on the line by Terry and the ball hacked clear for Drogba to chop Taylor down and somehow avoid a booking from what was a bad challenge. After that, we never threatened and Chelsea started to get more possession, looking technically impressive but as dull as fuck and not doing an awful lot other than play a set of three yard passes ending up back where they started – effective they may be, stylish and graceful they certainly are not.

In the second half they were the only team in it from the off. Viduka came off at half time to be replaced by Smith and with the big Aussie went all our shape as the shit-haired Yorkshire goal machine wandered around all over the place to absolutely no effect whatsoever. They started to look dangerous with their possession and Drogba (arsehole, magnificent player) came into the game more and within five minutes they had a couple of good chances, Ballack fluffing one and Terry heading against the bar from a corner. A dodgy looking free-kick just after led to their goal as Faye was pulled up for a foul on the edge of the box and Ballack got up from Drogba’s free kick to head home. Poor marking and organisation really, but he’s scored a few goals like that this season so we are in reasonable company.

We never really looked like getting back into it and there aren’t many teams that come from behind against this lot. Owen almost got on the end of a Butt miscue but they looked likely to score again and they did with ten minutes to go. It was an excellent passing move which displayed the advantage they had in pace and movement, especially in the middle. It was Lampard that put Malouda through to finish but there were four or five passes leading up to it which we were nowhere near and we badly need some pace in midfield for next season if we are going to improve.

It’s a rum deal when you are willing Man U to do a League/European Cup double but that is exactly the case for the majority of Mags in the next couple of weeks and as much as you begrudge them it, Ferguson’s team are better value than this charmless rabble. For us, well there’s Everton next weekend to finish off the season and hopefully we’ll make a game of it (although I think a few wouldn’t be devastated if they made Europe ahead of another set of nobodies in Villa) and warm applause at the end said more for KK than it did for those on the pitch that have contributed to another minging season. There is an air of confidence and with a few decent signings in the summer, things could well be on the up. Enjoy it and I hope the sun shines for ya!

Keep the Faith

Gareth Harrison

Man of the Match - Taylor - Best game in a while

Ref - Bennett 5 - Not helped by his linesmen but bottled some decisions. Let Chelsea ref the game.

Their Fans - 2 - Absolutely pathetic. Barely raised a murmur throughout, possibly saving it for later when they were allegedly very noisy in a Police escort.