Zola the architect of Blues' downfall

By Chris Kirwan
December 4 2002

The Blues cup challenge fizzled out at as they were crushed 4-1 Stamford Bridge. Zola was superb, and set up two goals before being rested prior to the meeting at Goodison.

The game proved once again that the Blues are poor when playing in a 4-3-3 system. They never got the ball down and passed, and too often the long ball was swallowed up by the impressive duo of Gallas and Terry. The solitary strike came from Gary Naymith when left unmarked at a Tommy Gravesen corner, but by then the Blues were behind to goals from Hasselbaink (twice), Petit, and Stanic. The corner came after a Rooney penalty was saved.

Of course we can now claim that the Worthington Cup is worthless, and that we were lulling Chelsea into a false sense of security ahead of Saturday's game. But worryingly for the Blues Zola looks in sensational form, and the Chelsea back line looks immense.

Of course the game at the weekend will be a different proposition with the Blues unbeaten at Goodison. Moyes will have to find a player who can play on the right if Carsley fails to get fit, and an option may be to play both Hibbert and Pistone, who had a solid game. Another change could be Gemmill coming in for Li Tie, who looked off the pace whereas Gemmill played like he had a point to prove.