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| Blowing Kisses. Proper Football. |
The eagerly anticipated Mourinho 2.0 era has kicked off. Days before kick-off, supporters were wondering who would be given the gift of sharing the adulation that would be ringing out through the stands. Were they worried someone would miss out who deserved a start? Thinking had Lukaku done enough in pre-season to impress Jose? Or were they just sorting out their fantasy teams because Chelsea play twice this week?*
Although Jose had no surprises at the back with the effervescent David Luiz sporting a small injury and arguably the worst outfit ever worn to a football match in the history of the game (brown trousers and a white and green t-shirt for those of you who didn’t see the abomination). Mourinho did tease out the attacking side with a debut for Kevin de Bruyne who impressed all summer, and plucky Spanish striker Fernando Torres.
Anticipation and excitement was palpable from every corner of Stamford Bridge as supporters and press waited for his arrival. It was one of the rare times that the ever perennially tardy Chelsea supporters were in their seats well before kick-off. Not an A4 sign in sight. Although there was the tragic ‘There’s no place like MourinHOME’. Bit of a stretch and worth a cringe - so let’s just move on.
Just before kick-off, Mourinho tried to subtly get to his seat, but with 42,000 in the stands waiting for him, it was never going to be that easy. So he took to the technical area to blow some kisses to his adoring crowd - who he felt gave him more than he deserved -- they didn’t.
Without a loss in their previous 15 opening days, it was always going to go one way but Chelsea didn’t sit back. From the first whistle, Chelsea were on the attack with some sleek passing which were hallmarks of Oscar and Hazard’s performances last season. It appeared that Allan McGregor hadn’t anticipated such a lively Chelsea side and thought he’d take it out on poor Fernando Torres with a mighty punch to his face. Jealous isn’t attractive on anyone Allan.
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| As One: a collective facepalm on Lampard's miss |
The moment was upon the support. As Lampard casually stepped up to take the deserving penalty and first goal for Mourinho 2.0... but oh, wait. Apparently not going to script, Lampard’s penalty was saved. his second in the last three. But never mind. The club cracked on as if that moment didn’t happen. And for now, amongst us let’s all agree it didn’t - and we can just get on with it.
It was Confederations Cup star Oscar who offered the home side and Mourinho a deserved first goal. As things stayed on script, Torres won a free kick that offered Lampard a chance for all of us to put that thing that I just said didn’t happen out of all of our minds for good. He was really just kidding with that penalty - wasn’t a special enough opening goal. So, a magnificent free kick followed by a sprint to the technical area it was. He would have been remiss not to show his love for the man of the hour - and the one that made Frank Lampard the footballer he is today. And then watch the subsequent replay on the screen with everyone else.
After the bad feelings that hovered over Stamford Bridge last season like a cloud threatening to rain, Chelsea supporters reveled in the love in. They may as well have all rode off on unicorns following a rainbow. Even Roman Abramovich got his fair dos who was forced to wave at the crowd who were singing his praises for bringing back Mourinho.
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| Bruce getting to bask in Mourinho's glory. Soak it in Steve. |
There was evidence of some tired legs creeping in on DAY ONE of the season. And with another league match in only three days, letting the game come to them was probably for the best - unless you were a neutral watching the game. Then, the second half probably was not for you.
In fact, the less said about the second half, the better. Mourinho had his side shut down shop and reserve their energy for the next two matches. Otherwise known as Mourinho 1.0. When you have Ivanovic attempting overhead kicks, you know you need to maybe dial things back a bit. Two goals, one from Lampard, three points, and a clean sheet. Mourinho is back.
Of course, the Hull City Tony the Tigers are also back in the Premier League. But today wasn’t really their day.
Unlikely events of the day:
- Ivanovic attempting an overhead kick off his own rebounded shot
- Lampard enjoying his free kick enough that he watched the replay on the big screen
- Abramovich speaking - or at least writing a warm and fuzzy message to the fans
- Jose Mourinho and Steve Bruce as unlikely besties
- The size of Mourinho’s tie
- Alan Hansen expresses some man-love for Frank Lampard on MOTD2
jb xx
* I can assure you it was mostly the latter - and I say to those people just stop. Fantasy teams aren’t real - the clue is in the name.
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