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The game itself was an excellent spectacle marred only slightly by Chelski’s insistence on playing like an away side for three-quarters of the game and overusing the long ball. It was refreshing however to see both teams playing the game fairly and without malice. As this will undoubtedly be a showpiece match for years to come that is good news for the Premiership and will show up the Mancs, Blackburns and Boltons of this world for what they really are. ‘You’re not Chelsea anymore’
The attitude of the players helped Steve Bennett to referee the game with ease and although there were a couple of wrong decisions made it was ages before he had to resort to yellow cards, or even threaten to. Had Arsenal’s early dominance been rewarded with a goal I suspect this match could have developed into an end to end duel, no matter how defensive Mourinho’s pre-match instructions had been. But that was not to be.
The Arsenal kicked off towards the Matthew Harding Stand and that smooth, slick rhythm was back almost instantly. We didn’t quite get up to the 45-pass move, but we were certainly heading in the right direction as Chelski so admirably defended in numbers. Appreciators of Graham’s Arsenal can only admire their defensive cohesion and it is without doubt the factor that will see them win their first Championship since forever and a day, or is it longer?
Nine passes after the kick off we won a throw. Dennis had a shot blocked and shortly after Pires rattled their crossbar with a great chance that had the Blues well and truly carved open. ‘You’re just the Spurs with some money’ It was three minutes into the match before a free kick was awarded and the early pressure all came from an impressive and fluid Arsenal. Lampard had a shot saved but like most of their attempts shooting came from range. A fine Cole, Fabregas, Reyes move saw Jose have a shot that went for a corner. Jose Antonio is lacking confidence in and around the box, elsewhere on the pitch he was fine on the night.
We worked a good corner to Dennis who might have done better but Rob did get a chance only to pull his shot slightly with Cech well beaten. Unfortunately these early chances were two of our best on the night. Senderos looked as if he was born to cope with players such as Drogba who moans far too much for a big strong man and is all too happy to fall over at will. This was just one of many great personal duels on the night. Cole v Cole, Lauren v Duff, Vieira v Makelele and Gilberto v anyone who thought they were up to it. Of all the players on the pitch only Johnson looked unworthy of the company.
A massive passing move ended with Ashley being caught offside. A long ball to Gudjohnsen won a corner but Dennis cleared. Cole blocked a Lampard shot before Cesc held on to avoid Makelele’s elbow. Gudjohnsen headed wide from a right wing cross. Reyes and Bergkamp set up Gilberto for an unfortunate looking air shot but was all I can recall going amiss for him all night. Pires tried a low shot from range but it was an easy take for Cech. Dennis hit a good ball to Reyes on the move but Cech was out fast to the edge of his box. Chelski worked a good change for Drogba but Lehmann stood up well and saved with his legs. Another chance fell to Chelski but was scrambled clear before Drogba badly sliced a chance for a goal kick.
There were fine tackles from both sides, none better than when Dennis put Silva away and Gallas made the perfect intervention. Gilberto then made a mug of Cole to chants of ‘Get your mascot off the pitch’. The half passed quickly which is usually the sign of a fine game, I thought we played the better football but Chelski’s was almost as effective. I still felt at half time that both teams would be happy with a draw but I couldn’t see it remaining goal less.
Senderos is to all intent and purpose the new captain of our defence, so much so I really don’t see how Sol can win a place back just yet, unless he replaces Kolo. That said Kolo didn’t put a foot wrong on the night, Lauren was only really beaten once by Duff and the Colemen had a ding-dong battle of their own, which given Joe’s recent form I’d say Ashley won. Joe Cole was prominent early in the half but only for getting booked after being lippy with the lino after a throw was given against Johnson, the ball didn’t look out to me either I have to say, which just made it funnier.
Rob to Dennis to Ash – almost. A weak shot from Reyes. Duff beat Lauren just the once and Drogba turned well but shot wide. Johnson was all over Dennis in the box but no one gets those sort of penalties in a big game, unless it is at Old Trafford. Two Chelski players were offside, neither were flagged by the same lino that got the throw-in wrong. My apologies to the very nice family outing sitting in front of me who copped an earful of vile verbals at this juncture, but that’s just the way I am with referees assistants. It’s just that I’d had a difficult day, was very tense and the lino was a ****, but I believe you heard my opinion at the time.
Duff then won a corner that was given as a goal kick - to the huge delight of the Harding Stand, not. Drogba dived at Cole’s feet and the lino completed his hatrick of errors. Duff’s ball in was headed clear by Pat. When Drogba was not given offside I was thinking bungs? It is a problem for Chelski because I’m sure it was just incompetence but when you play against Chelski their directors prompt such questioning, after all money is no object and neither are other means, but I digress. Chelski’s best chance of the game had me groaning when a great cut back was dummied and Lampard caught it really sweetly. Thankfully it went the wrong side of the post.
Arsenal’s goal attempts reduced as the game progressed and Chelski looked the likelier scorers as the match went on but that said the contest remained a very even one. Gilberto and Vieira where outstanding and anyone who thinks Gilberto is just a workhorse who covers well would do well to look at the replays of one particular turn he made that took about three blue shirts out of the game. Lampard with a hard low free kick, no change there then. Van Persie on for Dennis and Tiago on for Cole. Aliadiere for Fabregas soon after. Cesc really looks the part in these big games as does Rob who does so much better when the studs are not being aimed as ankles.
Chelsea pressed towards the end of the match, as Kezman replaced Gudjohnsen, not that the garden gnome had anything to do with it. Reyes got a yellow for falling down in slow motion well after any trip. Pires also got one for hacking down Gallas on a forward charge. As Huth replaced Gudjohnsen I didn’t understand the time wasting with Drogba over the ball for a free kick. We were into added time by the time Drogba fired it over and although a nil-nil may not seem very wonderful but this was a very classy match played between two classy teams.
Notice I said two classy teams. As Clubs go Chelsea have no class, as Kenyon keeps on proving. Congratulations to them however on their second ever Championship they’ve now finally equalled Tottenham. That makes it 13-2 to the Arsenal I believe!