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| Saints left on the floor at the sight of Giroud's nips |
Antonio Conte has lead Chelsea to their second FA Cup final in as many years. While some of the warm and fuzzies that he cultivated last season may have waned throughout this season, it’s still a great feeling to reach another final. Setting up some intense ‘narrative’ which will go head to head with the Royal Wedding. I have no doubt that Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte will play their parts to ensure the limelight is firmly planted on Wembley come May 19th. Sorry Ginge Prince (and that girl from Suits).
It remains to be seen if Conte can win the first cup of his career but it would be a solid parting gift which will partially make up for me having to listen to that Europa League theme song for the next 12 months — presuming there is one. I’m not entirely convinced but have reliably informed that lesser European Cup has a rousing anthem of its very own.
2018 has not be the one for Chelsea. It took a while to get off the mark this calendar year, but finally those little rascals have been a run of THREE wins together. The first time that’s happened since mid-December. A run which also included a game against Southampton. So thank you, Saints, for that. With Tottenham’s slip against Brighton, there is an outside chance that the mighty Blues might just sneak back into a European place — but prepare yourselves for the aforementioned Europa League ditty.
Never mind that — it’s all about the Cup Final now. Thanks to the scheduling gods Chelsea got a little test run of their semi-final against those struggling Saints last weekend. And there were some takeaways from that match that saw Sunday’s efficient display.
Last week, taking pity on the home fans, Chelsea gifted Southampton a two goal lead. And while that’s all well and good for late drama and spirit of generosity it’s not the best laid of plans. Willy Caballero did not fully heed that little lesson as he chucked Charlie Austin’s effort into our net, but it was thankfully ruled out. Southampton will never learn if they don’t do it on their own.
The league match saw Antonio Conte start with Striker: Light. You may know him as Alvaro Morata. He huffed and puffed but did not blow St. Mary’s down. Enter Striker: Extra Strong. Olivier Giroud proved once again why he was such an astute signing as he handsomed in a brace like it was nobody’s business and with the help of his tiny Belgian friend pulled that match out from the abyss to start the week with a win.
However, Conte wasn’t fully sold on that handsome bastard Giroud and unprecedentedly started TWO strikers up front against Giroud. While Sky Sources (other sources are Twitter) claim that it is the first time Chelsea played two recognised striker up front since Game of Thrones made its debut. While I’m far too lazy to look up every iteration of formation since then it feels right. Or partially right as Morata did not actually play up front with Giroud but more as an unconventional right wing.
It was enough for the Don to give Giroud the chance to shine all on his own, and shine he did. After pouncing on a ball from Eden Hazard, Giroud slalomed through Southampton’s defence like he was Lionel Messi leaving at least four bodies in his wake. Those men have families, Olivier!
With Giroud being handed a starting position, Morata was given the Frenchman’s role as handsome super-sub. And all the pieces fell into place. He only went and scored too. More of this in the final please!
Two other things to note from Sunday - but we should have actually known all along… Antonio Conte was suited and booted - and Chelsea had their most comprehensive performance for some time. Coincidence? Saturday’s semi-final also saw one manager dressed to impress and another in a tracksuit. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions as to who was eliminated. Spoiler: it was the man in track.
The other - which I’ve been insisting upon without fail for well over six years now… Eden Hazard is quite good at football. He is at his best when freed to express himself and a striker like Olivier Giroud who can hold up a ball and link up play is his perfect foil. The more Chelsea play Giroud, the more Chelsea will see the very best iteration of Eden Hazard.
Roll on the final
jb xx
ps …. ugh where were my birthday presents people? Chelsea delivered theirs. I am willing to accept late offerings.
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