Only a dodgy penalty in it really - Spurs Chelsea

By Dave P
January 16 2005

Walking away from the ground after the game towards the Arms I couldn't help feeling I'd been cheated. I had watched the Slo Mos on the Jumbotron

Walking away from the ground after the game towards the Arms I couldn't help feeling I'd been cheated. I had watched the Slo Mos on the Jumbotron and the turning point of the game was as you all know by now a penalty decision in Smertins favour. Ledley had attempted to toe the ball away from him and Smertin decided to take a dive. Enough to con the referee and we were a goal down and did not deserve to be.

The game itself up until that point had been fairly even with Chelsea perhaps creating the better chances but nothing of any real danger. Robinson had been called on to make one great save from Duff and Drogba had threatened with a lob that went wide but Defoe had created a chance at the other end forcing Cech into a good save. Carrick also had a shot blocked by Terry. Then on the Half hour Pamarot tangled With Robben in the area and Robben who went down. Heart in mouth but had Robben gone down too easily, The Ref thought so and waved play on. Then down the other end. Keane wins a free kick and Duff did every thing he could to stop the free kick being taken and earnt himself a yellow card. Now that having been a booking surely the kick should have been moved forwards ten yard? No So according to the Poll Laws of football although he did just that later on in the game, Consistency not being his strong point. A minute after that Carrick switched the play, King knocked the ball back to Mendes whose lob went wide. Then came the Penalty that changed the game. Robinson almost got a finger too it but we were 1-0 down at half time.

Four minutes into the second half and perhaps Robbie Keane should have had a penalty. I've seen them given for less but perhaps Keane made too much of it. Drogba then caught us on the break but Naybet got back to make a crucial tackle. We then forced a corner. Now in recent weeks I have commented about our lack of good corner takers and I wonder if this has been noticed and is why Defoe is taking some of them now. Anyway, He puts the ball into the near post and smertins knee lobs the ball over Cech and luckily fo him an inch wide of the post. When are we going to get some of that luck, its long overdue.

A Chnace from Ziegler that went wide and a misdirected header from Drogba and it was time for our first change. On came Gardener for Ziegle and with no consultation King went straight up front. This indicates to me that this had been worked on in training and credit has to be given to Jol for thinking of alternative formations and not being afraid to use them. Almost Imediately Chelsea brought on Jarosik to mark 'Ledley at the front' so we were forcing them to adapt to us. Another good sign that we are getting there. This was followed shortly afterward with another wayward shot from Mendes.

Marney then replaced Pamarot and Chelsea countered by putting Gugjohnson on for Drogba. Yeates came on fro Mendes and Chelsea changed their team again to counter by putting Cole on for Duff. A tame shot from Defoe and than the free kick that Earnt Terry a booking for delaying a free kick. We were awarded the ten yards this time. The kick was taken and Play stopped again so Poll could book Brown and Makelele for a tussle. Now this incident involved a bit of pushing and then Makelele stuck an elbow in Browns face. Quite why Brown was booked is beyond me. and given that this happened in the area just after the ball had been kicked at the free kick it was a penalty in my opinion but Poll wanted the freekick retaken and Carrick chipped the wall but straight at Cech.

Up until now it looked as though Chelsea were happy to settle for what they had already nicked but one more attack against a Spurs side that had thrown everything but the kitchen sink forwards ended with a rifled lampard shot that no-one could do anything about.

So it ended 2-0 but in my opinion that flattered Chelsea. For large periods in the game we were the better side. We had them rattled at times and their subtitutions were all a direct and necessary response to our changes. They maybe had the better chances overeall but they also rode their luck and when you have Terry and Gallas paired at the back (they have not conceded a goal this season when they have played) you know you will not concede goals. If we had taken any of the chances we had it would all have been so different on feels.