Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea: Twinkle Toes Frank & Vid
We Are Watching Guus
By Since66
February 22 2009
Well Frank may have his off-field relationship problems, but it didn't stop him from putting in another imperious performance against Villa at Villa Park yesterday lunchtime. Sublime footwork that would have scored 40 out of 40 from the Strictly Come Dancing judges and a neat through ball to the Premiership's top scorer, saw Anelka chip the ball over a diving Freidel.
I got a text from Since88 asking me how we were doing (because he was on his way to work) and I replied 'the game was rubbish.'
Once the goal went in, the game changed its complexion and for the next seventy minutes it was one of those games (as a Chelsea fan) you sat and fidgeted, kicked every ball and chewed your nails down to the quick - just like Mr A sitting in the stands with the rest of the Chelsea board plus minder.
Mr A has been in 'vogue' this week.
In attendance at Watford last weekend, spotted at Griffin Park on Monday night when the reserves trounced Pompey 6-0, on a 'scouting' mission at Villa Park for Villa's UEFA cup game against CSKA Moscow (or was he really supporting Moscow? LOL probably) and then back again at Villa Park yesterday - so much for losing interest, or could it be he realised he had made a mistake in appointing Scolari.
Were the players relieved that Scolari has gone? Posssibly, especially the way the players showed unity, commitment and celebration in front of the Chelsea fans, who sang and sang their hearts out, when the final whistle blew.
Hiddink, Wilkins and Paul Clement certainly looked pleased with the three points heading back down the M6 motorway.
Did I notice any difference to Hiddink's approach to the game from Scolari's? Well our full-backs (Ferreira and Bossie) seemed to pull the brakes once they got over the half-way line although Bossie did play a neat one-two with Dids and saw his shot saved by Friedel in the second-half.
Drogba, Kalou and Anelka appeared to have been given licence to switch positions when they liked and it was Anelka who started on the left, found himself in the inside-right channel to score the goal.
What I was miffed about was the substitution of Kalou for Deco and to me that restricted the width we had but having said that, Deco got involved straight away and Deco was sublime setting up Ballack (who had another poor game for me), with a shot that was tipped over the bar by Friedel.
JT is a Captain's Captain and a man's man. He tried so hard to score his first Premiership goal of the season. His first headed effort was saved by Friedel and his second effort in the second half was cleared off the line.
Cech had his fingers burned a couple of times from Agbonlahor and Barry, but all in all, the makeshfit defence did their job as did Super Frank and Anelka!
Roll on Juve on Wednesday night.
Anelka's winning goal:
http://www.chelseavideos.co.uk/Anelka/Anelka%20v%20Aston%20Villa%2009.avi
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Drogba looks revitalised now and what a sublime goal from Lampard.
We did have moments where we seemed to drift back to uncertainty but overall this was much more like the old Chelsea we know.
So far, so good.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.