a écrit le 4 décembre 2003 à 14h39 The Match CHELSEA-MAN UTD
Chelsea's bullish supporters were belting out their usual anthems as they disembarked their District Line tube at Fulham Broadway, with their curious tune featuring a 'lump of celery' proving to be as popular as ever. Yet peel below the surface and the mood was one of apprehension.
If all the Chelski hype is to develop into real success, this was the day that would provide the pointer as to how long they would have to wait. They may have a decent record against Manchester United over the years, particularly at Old Trafford, but in the season when all observers are beginning to appreciate their threat as serious contenders for the Premiership, they needed to show their mettle.
An excited buzz went around the press room as the team sheets were passed around as Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri had sprung yet another surprise. Geremi was a starter in place of Damien Duff and not one of the so-called experts around me had predicted that selection in their morning dispatches.
As I made my way to my seat on the far side of the crowded press box, the strains on 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' was ringing around the stadium, with England Rugby World Cup heroes Clive Woodward and Lawrence Dallaglio taking their applause from the crowd.
Even those sporting Gods should have taken a back seat on a day when the national sport took centre stage, yet as so often happens when expectations get out of control, the offering that follows does not live up to its billing. From where I was sitting, that was most certainly the case in this fixture as both side struggled to find their best form and looked wary of committing too many men forward.
United started the better of the two, with Diego Forlan having an early chance that Carlo Cudicini was forced to push wide as the Chelsea defence looked twitchy. John Terry is invariably a towering presence at the back for them, but he can look less than assured when the pressure is applied.
Terry confirmed his uncertainty with a chested back pass that nearly gave Forlan a chance after 13 minutes, and Ryan Giggs flicked an effort that may have threatened the goal if it were not for a deflection that went unnoticed by referee Alan Wiley.
It was hardly United domination, but they were on top and that was why the opening goal came as something of a surprise. Joe Cole's burst into the box after 27 minutes was halted by Roy Keane and all in the press box were convinced that referee Wiley had made a mistake in pointing to the spot.
From our position, it seemed that the Irishman had won the ball in his challenge, but TV replays went in favour of the officials and Frank Lampard sent Tim Howard the wrong way from the spot.
Cole wasted a glorious chance to add to Chelsea's lead before the break, but the 41,932 fans inside a damp Stamford Bridge were being denied the feast they had come to see. From the point of view of the home fans, a 1-0 lead was all that mattered, but we neutrals were expecting more.
The second half provided more of the same, with Damien Duff's introduction doing little to add fluidity to a stuttering match that featured far too many free kicks to allow a natural flow. Indeed, the spitting and swearing of Sir Alex Ferguson on the touchline in front of us was more interesting for much of the second half.
United threw men forward in the final quarter of the game and substitute Ronaldo came close to finding a leveller with an effort that flew inches wide in the closing stages, but this was not be United's day.
Abiding with tradition, United boss Ferguson broke Premier League rules again by refusing to attend his press conference when in London, but his opposite number was far more professional with him familiar jovial briefing.
'I don't know if we are there with United and Arsenal just yet, but this result will give us an incredible boost,' stated Claudio Ranieri. 'I am not getting too excited just yet. If this was the second game at Old Trafford later in the season, I would be more excited now, but this is too early.
'My concern was that we did not hold possession of the ball enough in the second half. If we are to match the top two, then we have to learn how to do this. So for now, it is a case of work, work, work. This is the only way to go for us now and I believe we are starting to gel.'
Ranieri went on to praise Claude Makelele's 'geometry', whatever that meant. He also spoke about Frank Lampard being his third choice 'penalty kicking man' and mentioned the fact that he would be delighted to receive a yacht from his boss Roman Abramovich. It was another bizarre and crazy a press conference from the 'Tinkerman'.
So Chelsea are back on top of the Premiership and on this evidence, they are more than a match for the reigning kings of this league. Whisper it quietly, but this title race may develop into a two-horse race that does not feature Manchester United.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Frank Lampard. This lad just gets better and better, as that Scottish bloke on Sky Sports would say.
MOAN OF THE MATCH - Where was Geremi at the start of the second half? The half-whit midfielder trotted out a minute after the restart and should be fined for his stupidity. Ranieri confirmed in his post-match press conference that he had a problem with his boots.
PRESS BOX VIEW - Once you get in, there is no getting out of the cramped Stamford Bridge media area and it was full to the brim for this title showdown.
CHELSEA VERDICT - A solid display from a side that have gelled so well in the last few months, Ranieri's side now look to be a team as well as a bunch of fine individuals.
UNITED VERDICT - A midfield featuring Quinton Fortune and Phil Neville will not create enough chances to allow United to retain their title. They lack a player who can deliver that killer cross or free-kick. Answers via email to Soccernet if anyone can think of a player who can do just that!
Chelsea's bullish supporters were belting out their usual anthems as they disembarked their District Line tube at Fulham Broadway, with their curious tune featuring a 'lump of celery' proving to be as popular as ever. Yet peel below the surface and the mood was one of apprehension.
If all the Chelski hype is to develop into real success, this was the day that would provide the pointer as to how long they would have to wait. They may have a decent record against Manchester United over the years, particularly at Old Trafford, but in the season when all observers are beginning to appreciate their threat as serious contenders for the Premiership, they needed to show their mettle.
An excited buzz went around the press room as the team sheets were passed around as Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri had sprung yet another surprise. Geremi was a starter in place of Damien Duff and not one of the so-called experts around me had predicted that selection in their morning dispatches.
As I made my way to my seat on the far side of the crowded press box, the strains on 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' was ringing around the stadium, with England Rugby World Cup heroes Clive Woodward and Lawrence Dallaglio taking their applause from the crowd.
Even those sporting Gods should have taken a back seat on a day when the national sport took centre stage, yet as so often happens when expectations get out of control, the offering that follows does not live up to its billing. From where I was sitting, that was most certainly the case in this fixture as both side struggled to find their best form and looked wary of committing too many men forward.
United started the better of the two, with Diego Forlan having an early chance that Carlo Cudicini was forced to push wide as the Chelsea defence looked twitchy. John Terry is invariably a towering presence at the back for them, but he can look less than assured when the pressure is applied.
Terry confirmed his uncertainty with a chested back pass that nearly gave Forlan a chance after 13 minutes, and Ryan Giggs flicked an effort that may have threatened the goal if it were not for a deflection that went unnoticed by referee Alan Wiley.
It was hardly United domination, but they were on top and that was why the opening goal came as something of a surprise. Joe Cole's burst into the box after 27 minutes was halted by Roy Keane and all in the press box were convinced that referee Wiley had made a mistake in pointing to the spot.
From our position, it seemed that the Irishman had won the ball in his challenge, but TV replays went in favour of the officials and Frank Lampard sent Tim Howard the wrong way from the spot.
Cole wasted a glorious chance to add to Chelsea's lead before the break, but the 41,932 fans inside a damp Stamford Bridge were being denied the feast they had come to see. From the point of view of the home fans, a 1-0 lead was all that mattered, but we neutrals were expecting more.
The second half provided more of the same, with Damien Duff's introduction doing little to add fluidity to a stuttering match that featured far too many free kicks to allow a natural flow. Indeed, the spitting and swearing of Sir Alex Ferguson on the touchline in front of us was more interesting for much of the second half.
United threw men forward in the final quarter of the game and substitute Ronaldo came close to finding a leveller with an effort that flew inches wide in the closing stages, but this was not be United's day.
Abiding with tradition, United boss Ferguson broke Premier League rules again by refusing to attend his press conference when in London, but his opposite number was far more professional with him familiar jovial briefing.
'I don't know if we are there with United and Arsenal just yet, but this result will give us an incredible boost,' stated Claudio Ranieri. 'I am not getting too excited just yet. If this was the second game at Old Trafford later in the season, I would be more excited now, but this is too early.
'My concern was that we did not hold possession of the ball enough in the second half. If we are to match the top two, then we have to learn how to do this. So for now, it is a case of work, work, work. This is the only way to go for us now and I believe we are starting to gel.'
Ranieri went on to praise Claude Makelele's 'geometry', whatever that meant. He also spoke about Frank Lampard being his third choice 'penalty kicking man' and mentioned the fact that he would be delighted to receive a yacht from his boss Roman Abramovich. It was another bizarre and crazy a press conference from the 'Tinkerman'.
So Chelsea are back on top of the Premiership and on this evidence, they are more than a match for the reigning kings of this league. Whisper it quietly, but this title race may develop into a two-horse race that does not feature Manchester United.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Frank Lampard. This lad just gets better and better, as that Scottish bloke on Sky Sports would say.
MOAN OF THE MATCH - Where was Geremi at the start of the second half? The half-whit midfielder trotted out a minute after the restart and should be fined for his stupidity. Ranieri confirmed in his post-match press conference that he had a problem with his boots.
PRESS BOX VIEW - Once you get in, there is no getting out of the cramped Stamford Bridge media area and it was full to the brim for this title showdown.
CHELSEA VERDICT - A solid display from a side that have gelled so well in the last few months, Ranieri's side now look to be a team as well as a bunch of fine individuals.
UNITED VERDICT - A midfield featuring Quinton Fortune and Phil Neville will not create enough chances to allow United to retain their title. They lack a player who can deliver that killer cross or free-kick. Answers via email to Soccernet if anyone can think of a player who can do just that!
