Chelsea 4 Newcastle United 0
Yea, yea, yea!! The football pundit is back!! For your information, this blog was originally created in the name of football. How it got to other issues, don’t ask me. ;) Anyways, it’s the holiday season, AND it’s the weekend!! So off I went, this time alone. Hopped into my car, went to the nearby café called the Football Café, got myself a drink, and settled down for a 4-hour, 2 match ‘feast’.
The first game was the awaited and anticipated match between mighty Chelsea and in-form Newcastle United. Held at Stamford Bridge, the odds are stacked highly against Newcastle United. Chelsea has not lost a single game at home, and having won past few matches with large margins.
Jose Mourinho started with a line-up you don’t see nowadays in English football, with a diamond 4-1-2-1-2. A solid back four of Paolo Feirrera, John Terry, Carlvaho and William Gallas, it is one of the reasons why Chelsea is top in the league. Jose had Claude Makelele to marshal the midfield defence, Frank Lampard and Tiago Mendes to reinforce the midfield power, and the attack is led by explosive Arjen Robben, Damien Duff and Gudjohnssen. Newcastle responded with a classic 4-4-2, and with old-horse Alan Shearer out, the captain’s armband was handed to youngster Jermaine Jenas. Kieron Dyer was shifted to the midfield, with the wings flown by long shot specialist Laurent Robert and Lee Bowyer. Speedy Craig Bellamy and Patrick Kluivert is in charge of thrusting the heart of the Chelsea defence.
The game started with a face pace. Newcastle was determined not to be undermined by Roman Albramovich’s millions. Both teams were quite equal in the first half, though Chelsea had the more share of shots on goal. The mammoth task of marking unstoppable Arjen Robben was handed to young Newcastle right back Taylor, which surprisingly managed to tame him in the first half. The match was still goalless in the first half, and it was clear Jose Mourinho was impatient when he introduced he’s ace striker, Didier Drogba in place of Gudjohnssen. It proved to work as not long later, he created the first goal for Lampard, and scored another himself later on. The rest is history.
Player Ratings
What I would like to point out is that, after looking at Chelsea demolishing Newcastle, I’ve come to the conclusion that Chelsea is really, really strong. John Terry and Carlvaho is outstanding at the back, making it hard for attackers to penetrate the defence. Paolo Ferreira has an outstanding work rate, but not as solid and influential as the two centre backs. Has been caught out a few times having problems to deal with the pace of Craig Bellamy. William Gallas did a moderate job. With a formation of diamond, and Makelele at the defensive end, it gives Lampard and Tiago the freedom to venture out into attack. Robben and Duff proved to be really menacing in the attack. With speed and technique as their main weapon, they had defenders back pedaling most of the time. Goalkeeper Shay Given had his gloves kept warm from Chelsea onslaught many a time. The thing about Chelsea is, they have abundant resources on the bench. And it was proven when Gudjohnssen, when not in form, was substituted early for Drogba. Newcastle had only one weapon, which is the pace of Bellamy. I haven’t seen any player sprint down so fast like a bullet like Craig Bellamy. It caught Chelsea a few times, but sadly he’s finishing isn’t as good as he’s running. My ratings: ( out of 10)
Cech: 8 ( saved 2 brilliant free kicks from Laurent Robert)
Terry: 8
Carvalho: 8
Ferreira: 7 ( had problems dealing with Bellamy)
Gallas: 6 ( one of the laziest players I’ve ever seen)
Makelele:7
Lampard: 8 ( Chelsea is nothing without him)
Tiago: 6
Robben: 9 (absolutely amazing)
Duff: 8
Gudjohnssen: 6 ( squandered a golden chance when Given made a blunder)
Drogba(sub) : 8
Team conclusion
In terms of defence, the Chelsea full backs were probably given instructions not to assist in attacking, but to stay at the rear guard, which is unlike Manchester United. Many attacks are in the form of counter attacking, with Robben taking charge of it. Possession and passing is quite good. Attacks are mixed, through the middle and down the flanks as well. When down the flanks, it is Robben on the left, and Duff on the right. A more physical presence in the attack was introduced when 6-feet Drogba was let loose. All in all, Chelsea, strong at the back, good in the middle, devastating in attack. Having won past 3 matches with 4 goals each, they clearly mount a serious challenge to English Premier League title.
The first game was the awaited and anticipated match between mighty Chelsea and in-form Newcastle United. Held at Stamford Bridge, the odds are stacked highly against Newcastle United. Chelsea has not lost a single game at home, and having won past few matches with large margins.
Jose Mourinho started with a line-up you don’t see nowadays in English football, with a diamond 4-1-2-1-2. A solid back four of Paolo Feirrera, John Terry, Carlvaho and William Gallas, it is one of the reasons why Chelsea is top in the league. Jose had Claude Makelele to marshal the midfield defence, Frank Lampard and Tiago Mendes to reinforce the midfield power, and the attack is led by explosive Arjen Robben, Damien Duff and Gudjohnssen. Newcastle responded with a classic 4-4-2, and with old-horse Alan Shearer out, the captain’s armband was handed to youngster Jermaine Jenas. Kieron Dyer was shifted to the midfield, with the wings flown by long shot specialist Laurent Robert and Lee Bowyer. Speedy Craig Bellamy and Patrick Kluivert is in charge of thrusting the heart of the Chelsea defence.
The game started with a face pace. Newcastle was determined not to be undermined by Roman Albramovich’s millions. Both teams were quite equal in the first half, though Chelsea had the more share of shots on goal. The mammoth task of marking unstoppable Arjen Robben was handed to young Newcastle right back Taylor, which surprisingly managed to tame him in the first half. The match was still goalless in the first half, and it was clear Jose Mourinho was impatient when he introduced he’s ace striker, Didier Drogba in place of Gudjohnssen. It proved to work as not long later, he created the first goal for Lampard, and scored another himself later on. The rest is history.
Player Ratings
What I would like to point out is that, after looking at Chelsea demolishing Newcastle, I’ve come to the conclusion that Chelsea is really, really strong. John Terry and Carlvaho is outstanding at the back, making it hard for attackers to penetrate the defence. Paolo Ferreira has an outstanding work rate, but not as solid and influential as the two centre backs. Has been caught out a few times having problems to deal with the pace of Craig Bellamy. William Gallas did a moderate job. With a formation of diamond, and Makelele at the defensive end, it gives Lampard and Tiago the freedom to venture out into attack. Robben and Duff proved to be really menacing in the attack. With speed and technique as their main weapon, they had defenders back pedaling most of the time. Goalkeeper Shay Given had his gloves kept warm from Chelsea onslaught many a time. The thing about Chelsea is, they have abundant resources on the bench. And it was proven when Gudjohnssen, when not in form, was substituted early for Drogba. Newcastle had only one weapon, which is the pace of Bellamy. I haven’t seen any player sprint down so fast like a bullet like Craig Bellamy. It caught Chelsea a few times, but sadly he’s finishing isn’t as good as he’s running. My ratings: ( out of 10)
Cech: 8 ( saved 2 brilliant free kicks from Laurent Robert)
Terry: 8
Carvalho: 8
Ferreira: 7 ( had problems dealing with Bellamy)
Gallas: 6 ( one of the laziest players I’ve ever seen)
Makelele:7
Lampard: 8 ( Chelsea is nothing without him)
Tiago: 6
Robben: 9 (absolutely amazing)
Duff: 8
Gudjohnssen: 6 ( squandered a golden chance when Given made a blunder)
Drogba(sub) : 8
Team conclusion
In terms of defence, the Chelsea full backs were probably given instructions not to assist in attacking, but to stay at the rear guard, which is unlike Manchester United. Many attacks are in the form of counter attacking, with Robben taking charge of it. Possession and passing is quite good. Attacks are mixed, through the middle and down the flanks as well. When down the flanks, it is Robben on the left, and Duff on the right. A more physical presence in the attack was introduced when 6-feet Drogba was let loose. All in all, Chelsea, strong at the back, good in the middle, devastating in attack. Having won past 3 matches with 4 goals each, they clearly mount a serious challenge to English Premier League title.
1 Comments:
Good 'lions' ;)
By
Lulu, at 7:13 PM
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