First off, I was out so only managed to catch the second half.
Based on replays I felt the challange by Boularuz was definitely a
penalty, but whether it was a red care would be dependant on
whether he was the last man. I suspect it wasn't but no way of
telling from the replays I saw.
However, instead of letting that get them down, Chelsea kept up
their fighting spirit and showed a never-say-die attitude. In terms
of displaying mental strength, by this match alone Chelsea won it
with flying colours. A man and a goal down, needing at least a win
to maintain a chance of defending their title, Chelsea never showed
any signs of giving up.
Paulo Ferreira so often criticised this season showed endless drive
on the right, fighting for every ball and running tirelessly.
Definitely no way to fault him where effort is concerned.
Lampard however still did not have a fantastic game and again did
not manage to match the high expectations of him this season. He
failed to put away a chance that he would normally do so in seasons
before (still suffering from World Cup hangover?. A nice lay off to
him around the edge of the penalty box, and the kind of range he is
most effective with. But he didn't even get a clean shot to even
trouble the keeper. I was so expecting that to be a goal. Maybe the
nerves got to him.
Terry was always where Chelsea needed him, in defence and upfront
for the set pieces. Like I said earlier, I only watched the second
half, where was he when the penalty was conceded I don't know, but
2nd half, he was ever the rock in defence.
And with Drogba out injured, it was down to the Chelsea skipper to
win the ball in the air for Chelsea, even having to jostle against
two Arsenal defenders in one instance to even get a glance on the
ball. That's England Captain for you.
Kalou can't be relied on for headers, he's too easily pushed off
the ball. He's no Drogba.
Joe Cole had a fantastic game or at least, a fantastic second half.
His goal may have been correctly disallowed for offside but he
showed the kind of skill that proves why England need him. I
remember reading somewhere that Joe Cole plays like a Brazilian and
he really lived up to it in this match.
Essien may have scored the goal but I think the greatest
contribution was from Shaun Wright-Philips, who not only won the
ball back for Chelsea but was the one who made the vital cross in
and caught out the whole Arsenal defence. I was genuinely surprised
to see him get sub off later but I'm sure Mourinho knew what he was
doing.
It's always been said that Chelsea plays better when they aren't
playing their diamond midfield and this was proven last night.
Despite being one man down, Chelsea managed to play way especially
with Cole and SWP being able to play down the wings. Although quite
often I saw Ferreira playing quite far up on the right as well. But
Chelsea's goal afterall, came from a cross from the right.
The sad part was that Drogba were without Drogba, no doubt one of
Chelsea's biggest assets this season. Arsenal was without Henry,
but at least they already knew that was going to happen. To lose
Drogba so late and at such a time was quite unfortunate. I think
Drogba would have thrived in the 4-5-1 formation or even the 4-4-1
formation.
And where was Robben? Media reports stated him as fit but he wasn't
even named on the bench. Mourinho even opted to use Scott Sinclair
on the left, who has been at Plymouth since January. SWP put in the
cross that got the goal, but Robben is more than able to make a
decent cross as well. I can understand him not starting if he's not
fully fit but to not even be on the bench? Really weird.
Speaking of missing players, where was Shevchenko? He hasn't gone
for his operation yet. Mourinho had him attend training still
precisely because he had plans to use him I guess. Chelsea's two
most expensive buys and neither featured in the two most important
matches Chelsea have had this season. Just what is wrong?
Ronaldo may have played out of his skin this season to help Man U
win the title, but all these missing players didn't do Chelsea any
favours either.
But I guess that's soccer, if you win it you have to do it with
what you've got. Injuries and losing players happens to any team.
Just that the circumstances now surrouding these few Chelsea
players seems really weird. Internal strife?
Well, guess there's next season to look forward to. Mourinho has
shown in this match that he can get his team to perform when
needed. If anything, this match is proof that Chelsea should
continue to keep faith in Mourinho. Mourinho however should talk
less nonsense though.
Mourinho as a manager to his players is great. Despite losing the
title, he came out onto the pitch to acknowledge the fans and got
them to acknowledge his players and why not, they were brilliant.
He went to the away crowd and pointed to his players, more or less
saying, the players are great, you know it. A few times he put his
hand under his chin to indicate "Heads Held High". Definitely
true.