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Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Chelsea Rule OK!

Champions Cup semi-final, first leg at Stamford Bridge: The Blues are lining up a first-quality win at home after a superior goal: Carvalho counterattack, to Drogba, who runs by his defender wide, then cuts back sharply, centers to Joe Cole, the only other Chelsea attacker forward, who lunges with his right leg and wins the goal cleanly (while having his shirt tugged).

Liverpool has been a serious thorn in the paw of the Chelsea Lion, particularly with regard to the Champions League. Last year they ousted us in the semifinals on a 1-0 aggregate, the lasting impression being Gudjohnssen by the right post with the potential winning goal in stoppage time, but missing.

Liverpool is turning up the pressure to try and get a goal here. That would change things dramatically. Right now, I'm thinking that, if the present score holds, Mourinho may roll the dice at Anfield and come out attacking. Chelsea going up 1-0 there early would force Liverpool to come up with three to beat us.

Chelsea getting by Liverpool, and ManU by Milano (they won the home tie, 3-2, which puts them in good stead for a low-scoring outcome on the road) are now practically the only things we need to set up a trio of showdowns with the Red Devils for the three remaining top-level cups Chelsea hasn't already snagged: F.A. (set), Premiership (if we can gain one other point on them before or after the rescheduled May 9 date), and the biggie, the Champions League.

I have to pick up my niece now (79:04), so I'll post and trust to the fates and our chances in the rematch.

3 comments:

Chin Shih Tang said...

Hardly anything good to report since this post: from the potential four trophies, Chelsea will now be glad to take two--if they don't ManU will edge them out.

Liverpool came back to win the replay by 1-0, extra time no scoring, and won on penalties 4-1. No Champions Cup. Liverpool to the final, where at least ManU failed to reach, as well.

In the Premiership, a couple of non-victories let ManU slip beyond reach, so that tonight's showdown rescheduled match at Chelsea will be a total anticlimax (was, though I haven't looked up the score).

Still, there's the FA Cup final, Chelsea v. Manchester United, the inaugural game at New Wembley. Monstrous.

Chin Shih Tang said...

FA Cup final gives Chelsea the edge in trophies over ManU, 2-1. True, Chelsea's were the lesser trophies of the four they sought. Still, a successful campaign. Drogba has exceeded my expectations and emerged as the top center forward around.

Chin Shih Tang said...

Actually, it was 2005 when Liverpool elminated Chelsea in the European Cup semis. That is, that's when the last time before this one was.