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| "Woah. What do you mean this isn't Big Cup?" |
The biggest shock in and around Stamford Bridge was not the ridiculous amounts of denim and zippers parading about but in the lineup. For one of the few times in his all to long tenure, Benitez looked to have picked a team that should have been up to the task from the get go. Some of us would not have rested Ivanovic, but nevermind. Mikel and Terry were restored to the starting lineup and it -should- have all gone smoothly. But with Chelsea, they never make anything easy on themselves, and the first half performance was a testament to that. After giving themselves a 2 goal hole to dig themselves out of this past weekend, why not do it all again?!?
A shocking number of supporters opted to give this one a miss. The Rafa effect finally taking hold? The fact that Chelsea have played more than some teams have played in a couple of seasons combined? But only twenty-eight thousand opted to take in Thursday Night Cup action at the Bridge last night. And with the large number of Romanians buying half and half scarves to try and sneak in the home stands and largely being turned away by those savvy stewards its amazing there was anyone in the ground at all to hear the stadium announcer welcome the visitors from the Czech Republic. You can imagine how ruffled that denim got upon hearing that. Oh, and then there was the match.
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| One guess as to who this pitch invader supports |
When a first half performance sees Mikel, Jon Obi Mikel, as your biggest threat on goal - you really need to sit and have a long hard look at yourselves. Although I am a massive of fan of the Nigerian and maintain that he will in fact score at some point when no one ever sees it coming so in no way is it a disrespect - but come on. Mata, Torres, Oscar all on the pitch and Mikel gave the Steaua keeper the most trouble. For the pedantics out there, yes, I do realise that Mata opened the scoring, but there wasn’t much threat and this was very much a performance that Chelsea supporters are growing accustomed to seeing. And of course were punished right at the half with another goal by Bucharest. I’m not saying I know anyone who wanted that to happen just to ‘make it interesting’ ... Paul ... but expecting the expected is never interesting.
It’s safe to assume that the long hard look was had at the half. That or John Terry had a quiet word with the team and what he thought of them making another very average team look like they should be in the Big Cup quarter final draw rather than this Thursday Night Cup nonsense. Surely nothing but soothing words were used to inspire the fragile egos out there. And by soothing words I mean a firm boot up their arses - something they clearly need week in and week out at this point in the season.
Terry out to remind Benitez why he should be starting every week, not only because he seems to be the only one who can organise the back four, but because he takes shots even better than Mikel - his go in. Including last night’s effort, Terry’s last nine goals have all been at Stamford Bridge. But one more was needed. Who would be the one who’d step up for the winner. None other than destroyer of clubs such as Brentford, Sunderland, Leeds and Villa - Fernando Torres.
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| Blood: meaning contact was in fact made. |
Torres was definitely up for it last night, but probably didn’t expect to have as big a night as he did - and may never really get to have -his- moment. Moments after scoring last night’s winner he was unceremoniously kicked in the face forcing him to bleed his own blood.** Bloodied and battered, Torres was forced to seek out the attentions of Eva and change to a nameless and *gasp* short sleeved shirt. Eva’s completely effective treatment saw Fernando’s nose still gushing like Nani’s tears he had to seek out yet another shirt replacement. Somehow the kit man managed to come up with one of Torres’ own this time. Not sure if he was keeping that one as a souvenir or saving it for West Ham, but he was back with fully covered arms and a name on his back. Brimming with confidence our man up front confidently stepped up to take what should have been a second penalty of the night. So full of confidence he struck a little too hard and if hit the cross bar. But nevermind, his goal is what sees Chelsea through to the next round of Thursday Night Cup. And for that, I thank you.
Roll on Sunday where Torres could face the team that gifted him his very first goal for Chelsea.
jb x
* ok, he was bleeding red. But it didn't make the title as fun. You'll just have to learn to live with that
** Szukala - you’re on my list.
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