Sharing is Caring: Chelsea v West Ham

200 Not Out. No Big Deal

Although it must have been tempting for The Interim One to tinker the hell out of the lineup as Chelsea faced a club who've only gained 14 points in 16 matches, Benitez went for the subtle 4 changes approach. It would be silly to let Fernando Torres play now that he's got a goal behind him and would have been facing the club that he's scored more goals against then any other club. But no matter, in Benitez terms, it was a decent lineup.

Many of those at the game had travelled from far and wide. Brentford. As the Chelsea Under-19s continued to embarrass teams in the NextGen Series. And with a mudhole there in place of a pitch, you can see why Griffin Park was picked to host part of the tournament. Once these players get to be man sized, they could be a real threat on pitches with grass and everything. Those that didn't make the trip, of course, had a full day of drinking in them on St Paddy's day to make nice with friendly neighbours West Ham. 

As the game kicked off, Benitez decided Terry should get warmed up. He was of course warmly greeted by the West Ham fans with some rather enchanting songs sung about his mum. Terry's reply was of course to not only warm up closer to them, but to show them exactly what he thought of them prominently displaying his backside to them. Of course, Terry's presence in the away corner game Lampard justifiable reason to run directly to Terry to celebrate number 200. Sir Howard of Webb, Sunday's fourth official, decided it might be best for all players to warm up down the other end for the remainder of the game. It also allowed Carlton Cole to get a lukewarm reception smattering of applause from his former support.

Lampard's goal of course is the main talking point. He was always going to get to 200. He was going to score against West Ham. How's there's not more coverage of Lampard scoring that many from the midfield has become the real story today. 163 of those 200 have been in the league. The only other midfielder close to Lampard is number one brother candidate Ryan Giggs. Who, with 71 more appearances, has scored 109 league goals. It's a phenomenal record for any player to hold. And one that will continue to embarrass the club as the contract mystery drags through the remainder of this season.

Yesterday's generosity from the away support was something to behold. It was also far too kind of West Ham's support to toss all their benefit money at Frank Lampard. The man has issues with his contract, but I'm fairly certain he's not strapped for cash at the moment. But taking care of one of your own was a special moment. Also nice of someone to spend £4 on a hot dog and share that with Terry. Sure he may have looked a little peckish, but probably sorted out the carb loading before he took to the pitch. 

What? Sometimes I can get the subs right.

Lampard isn't the only one who could really revel in that goal. One other person at the ground could not have appreciated the timing of it more? Benitez. With all the buildup to the goal and the chaos in the West Ham corner - Chelsea supporters neglected to sing for Di Matteo in the 16th minute. Even the NextGen series had a group in the 16th minute sing. Don't let this go to your head Rafa, it was all the excitement of the goal - you haven't finally won people over. 

But the man who really stole a little of Lampard's thunder yesterday was Eden Hazard. He was so good that Lampard spent most of his post-match interview discussing the Belgian, drawing comparisons to Zola. He was playing so well in fact, he looked sure a candidate for an Interim Special.* Even four of West Ham's oversized defenders couldn't stop him or his goal.

And with that, despite a dodgy run of form, Chelsea have found themselves back in third with a game in hand over Spurs who were also tormented by a former player of theirs. Dimitar Berbatov has been rewarded with a day off to smoke and read Proust for guaranteeing to Jol he would go out and score the winner yesterday.

You now have 12 days to worry about injuries. Debate club v country. And tut about Rio Ferdinand just remembering he had a very strict training plan that would only allow him to tell Hodgson about it after he'd got his recall. That's commitment to the cause.

jb x

* For those of you who don't know an Interim Special is one that always involves substitutions. They can be any or all of the following:

a) like for like changing nothing

b) too late in the game to be effective

c) defensive sub when chasing the game

d) striker on when protecting a lead

e) best player on the pitch off to 'rest' for the next game