Chelsea's Torrid Affair with Thursday Night Cup

We're in serious like - but not yet love

Dear Thursday Night Cup Europa League,

I can’t say that our continued affair right under the nose of your big brother would have lasted this long. We didn’t exactly get together in the best of circumstances. And if I’m being really honest, I was using you to make Champions League jealous after he so callously tossed us aside. Not that I’m annoyed that the honeymoon period was so short. (I am). But nevertheless, you’ve stayed with us even though, we have let ourselves go.

Chelsea's Loss is Thursday Night Cup's Gain

"Lost. But still winning sums up my career"

This space is usually reserved to question the tactics of the Interim One where he's made some creative decisions with the starting XI and the substitutions ... my god, the substitutions. A line up that features none other than Yossi Benayoun as the answer to the midfield dilemma would normally generate nothing but a lot of moaning. However, this was a team that ensured the tiny dynamic duo of Mata and Hazard could rest. This starting XI's only job was to not lose 2-0. But as they have done for most of the season under the Interim One's guidance, they came near as anyone could to c*cking the whole thing up.

English teams collectively decided that Champions League was overrated and Thursday Night Cup was where it was at. With three teams left to represent the best league in the world* it was all to play for. And two of those three teams certainly did. Chelsea was not one of the two. In fact, Chelsea were the only losing side last night and somehow - and by somehow I mean heading to Moscow with a sizeable lead - are the last man standing left to represent England in Europe for the second season running.

Chelsea v Rubin Kazan: The Lone Ranger Strikes Aga... Finally

Who is this masked man?

Who was that masked man? No really. Who was he? Much has been undoubtedly and deservedly made of the man who masqueraded in a Torres shirt yesterday. What an absolutely brilliant game from the man who will henceforth be known as Zorres.*

The masked man of mystery knew he had a task ahead of him as much was made about the toe poke from his previously masked counterpart - Demba Ba. Only when Ba's mask was removed was he able to provide Chelsea with all the fire power his big toe could muster. How would Zorres cope as Torres is not one for competition. And with a guaranteed start on Thursday night's would his toes be able to live up to the press that Ba's did? Those were toes that eliminated Manchester United from another domestic cup.