Kicking Off the Europa League and Not In Style

Hazard: will not be judged for wearing gloves

The final sixteen would look a lot different in the very much respected somewhat revered Europa League if it weren't for a left footed shot in the dying seconds from a Belgian. Not one, but two of England's four clubs would have found themselves more than a little embarrassed at their progress towards European glory the Europa League tin cup.


Moussa Dembele saved Sp*rs from not only a premature exit to the competition, but also momentarily made them seem like a two man club. Of course that moment in North London will last about as long as it took for the keeper to collect the ball out of the back of the net - but hey ho, there you go Sp*rs, you're "not" a one man club.

As for the hot mess that was the Champions of Europe exit from the Champions League entry into the Europa League, they could not have made it more of a challenge for themselves if they had tried. Genuinely, only tactical interim Rafa Benitez could make opposition that was so poor look so sound. Benitez truly made a meal of this tie.* Chelsea should have had this tie wrapped up in the first half, but neglected to bother with just about anything that looked like a shot or even a completed pass while in Prague, and the one goal lead was never going to stand.

Worry, needless to say, spread through West London when the teamsheets were released. You'd have thought Benitez would have learned his lesson about fielding weakened sides from Chelsea's generous donation of 4 points to their neighbours at Loftus Road. But he clearly knows best. Why would anyone want to field the strongest team possible to advance in the competition? The matter of Sunday's fixture with City should not be approached with such tenacity that Chelsea risk exit from a competition that they've been tipped as plausible winners. Don't get me wrong, winning matches in the league is necessary to stay above aforementioned the "not" a one man team, but apart from Leeds, City have also  not looked the part this year.

In a surprise to no one, Sparta Prague put away the early goal and immediately had Chelsea on the back foot. A position they've found themselves in all too often this season. But it does add to the drama and that. However, for large parts of the match, it did not look like that goal was coming, and extra time was looming large. Smart money was on Hazard to come on - he should have started, or at worst come on to start the second half. But in God's name, why would anyone take off Oscar. There were very few from the starting XI that were actually putting in a shift, let's not take off one of the few players that looked - no matter how remote - likely to score or orchestrate a goal. Moses is still hungover from all the free nookie from Association of Nigerian Prostitutes. Fair play to him, but it's not quite happening for him at the moment.

Hazard almost single handedly changed the game - despite his lack of free nookie (I assume). Not implying that he pays for it regularly of course, or that this should be some kind of rampant side bar in this match report. I digress. Hazard changed the game, and should not be rested unless actually necessary. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo play every game. It would be absolute scenes in Barcelona if little Lionel were to miss a match. So use your squad when you have to, but when you need to win to progress, play the best you've got. Players like Frank Lampard flourish with a number of games.

Outside of the match itself, thanks to Sparta's supporters for all coming as an entire group of complete Wally's with those ridiculous hats. Not as much as the numpty behind your bench in the 'Canada' deerhunter hat, but nevertheless, almost worse than fancy dress, jester hats, or half and half scarves.

Other things to consider, does airbrushing a Champions League winning manager out of a couple of pictures that only tourists take pictures of erase the history of him winning it? You can take Di Matteo out of the pictures, but you can't take his name off the trophy. The paranoia continues as the East Stand's 'Rafa Out' banner has finally been banned. It's been there for month's, but shouldn't be a surprise since 'manager X' won Champions League has been erased from the pictures that the banner requesting the makeshift overseer politely leave the building be banned as well. Apparently the other banner "Jose Come Home" was also deemed unfit for last night's festitvies. We wouldn't want people in Wally hats returning home to discuss such matters. Would be rather embarrassing for everyone, no?

Terracing Couture: just think about what you've done

And to all of you who'd booked up Amsterdam - well done. When faced with the prospect of Chelsea's exit, it was already funny. But for Chelsea to take on the mighty Bucharest rather than Ajax, it more than made up for the stress that the ninety minutes had put me through. Arguably, with the way Chelsea  have been playing, booking a trip was really jumping the gun anyways. Brave. Hilarious.

Onto Sunday, where no matter how many comedy own goals Gareth Barry may net, if Chelsea play like they did last night, they'll return to London more than a little embarrassed. Rumour has it there will be widespread changes to the lineup from Thursday night's debacle. So where else could it all go wrong?

a) starts another weakened lineup, because there are more games to be played
b) a bench made up entirely of defenders
c) late / pointless / like for like substitutions
d) Turnbull
e) Benitez remains in charge
f) all of the above

Fahct

jb x

* Rafa, I get it, you're a hungry man. But not everything is a meal. Sometimes, you just need to step away from the table.