Matchday XXXII 4/5/03: Sunderland v. Chelsea

Quite an interesting squad for this game, I hope CR does not change things wholesale and we end up slipping points like at Christmas. With us playing the Macams and both Everton and pool with difficullt games this would be an ideal time for us to put some clear space between us.

The old Chelsea would have undoubtably blown it, can the new Chelsea prove they are made of sterner stuff?

 

Injured again!!!

Petit, that is.
I hate to say it but he's starting to show his age.The little knocks and bumps he's picking up aren't being run off anymore.He has spent easily half the season out.
It's even more alarming when you consider that Ranieri has dramatically reduced the age of the squad, yet, our best players of the season are all in the 30's and more than one could call it quits after this season.Certainly all of them will have hung it up in about 2 more seasons.

These are the players that are injured for tomorrows game...

.
Our best squad player, best winger and best midfielder all out...not good.Also shows the severe lack of depth we have in the squad.

The squad is...

I feel another 3-5-2 coming from him in this one.Might not be such a bad thing against the Mackems as the're not exactly seting the scoring charts alight this season and aren't renowned for speed down the wings.Hoof and hope seems to be more their style and three big fellas in the back to get their heed(as the Mackems would say ) to the ball might be just the ticket.

Anything other than a win must be considered a poor result.

My squad....
-------------------Carlo----------------------
-------Gallas------Terry-----Desailly----------

-Melchiot-----------------------------Le saux-
-------Morris---Lampard----Zenden-----------

-----------Zola------------Hasselbaink--------

 

Being typical Chelsea?

Liverpool get thumped by Man yoo and we have a chance to stretch our lead fro the final champs league spot.What do we do, well in typical Chelsea fashion we promptly go down a goal after a few mins.Game has been all Sunderland and our international players seem knackered.
Not what we needed.Where is the new Chelsea "steel"?
It had better turn up in the second half.

 

Starting well

All Chelsea so far in the second half.
We're pressing them back...............and as i say that we score....................

ZOLA scores from a nice knock down from Cole.

1-1

 

Called back

Hasselbaink goes round the keeper who gets a piece of the ball causing it to bounce up into Jimmys arm and as he scores the ref blows for hand ball.....dreadful decision.
Refs need to get their shit together on this rule.Ball to hand is accidental and therefore not ruled a foul.

 

Worth noting

That the 4-0 thrashing the scouse suffered has put a severe dent in their goal difference.

Oh how importent that could be at the end of the season.

 

63 mins...1-1...First booking

goes against the Mackems..deservedly so too.

Chelsea pressing for the win.

 

and seconds later

Carlton Cole goes in for the second

 

Unbelievable

From the valley

Charlton 1-5 Leeds

Carlo makes a stunning save from a fantastic shot from McCann.
Sunderland geting back into the game a bit.
They aren't playing all that bad at all by all accounts.
Game could go any way really and first mistake at the back by anyone could cost the match.

Crowd really screaming for the Mackems to win.If they lose they know they are relegated.

 

10 mins left

Still tied.

We need a winner.
Game is petering out.Home support trying to lift the team.Cole almost broke one but a last second challenge took the ball off his feet.
Hasselbaink not having a bad game.He heads just over the bar from a Gallas cross, should have at least hit the target according to Big Blue.

Zola seems to be involved in everything.

 

Cudicini runs upfield to congratulate

Carlton Cole as he belted a screamer into the net.

Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea

 

Yeah i was wondering the same thing! Its 10:50 am est, and i hear "3min + stoppage?"

Oh well, Chelsea are up 2-1 so I'm not complaining!

 

Phewwwwwwwwww

Sunderland throwing everything they have into the last few minutes of the game.Really trying to get something out of this.Carlo has come up big several times in the second half..

Thornton lashes one in and only a great save by Cudicini preserves our lead.

 

Caught me by surprise also.

2.00 pm BST start.

 

I only caught a little of the first half, but, by all accounts the Mackems deserved their lead.
All of our players were showing signs of fatigue.

Totally different game in the second half.Almost like we did a Erickson and fielded a different team for it.

Carlton Cole has been simply unstopable since coming on at the half.
Zola MOTM easy.

 

Good big blue quote:

"They've shown some might,
they've shown some fight,
and they've stunned the Stadium of Light"

2-1 to Chelsea.

Pool went down 4-0, so this was crucial.

 

An unhappy Monkee

Charlton 1- 6 Leeds.

Hell of a result.

What time is the MLS opener on anyone?

 

4PM EST

Columbus vs. LA

 

Good.
This will be my first year actually following MLS.

Hope to see a good game.

 

Sent off

I see that hyppia got himself a red at Old Trafford.
That will hurt them quite a bit.Class player that fella.

BTW...
Goal difference...
Chelsea...+27
Liverpool...+12