Chelsea's Late Show Stuns The Toffees

Predictably, Everton produced stubborn resistance as the league leaders delivered wave upon wave of attacks. In the end it took the unlikely source of Willian to break the deadlock. The popular, hard-working Brazilian really needs to find the net more often, but at least he has chosen to score an absolutely crucial goal past the typically defiant Tim Howard.

 It was especially sweet to score a late winner, something Chelsea haven't done for a long time, perhaps not since the winning goal at home to PSG last spring. I have often lamented at how the other big clubs and assorted Chelsea wannabes have a knack of finding a late equaliser or winner while Chelsea seem less able to find that all-important extra goal in the dying minutes of a match. God knows Manchester Mercenaries have been clinging on to their pursuit of us in the Premiership courtesy of a number of late goals. Arsenil and Tottensham are equally liable to deliver a late knockout punch, while ManUre did precisely that at home to the Blues back in the autumn when Van Persie scored with seconds remaining. At long last Chelsea have also managed to score a late winner, something that they failed to do at Sunderland for example.

It was quite ironic that the team that soaked up much of the pressure created the two best chances of the contest, but happily Romelu Lukaku was twice denied by the outstretched leg of Petr The Great. Cech has been very patient this season amidst newspaper speculation linking him here and there, but it seems that his perseverance may be rewarded with a major role in Chelsea's end of season shenanigans. Certainly Jose has a great headache now of deciding which goalkeeper should feature in the Champions League and which one should be fielded in the imminent Capital One Cup final.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's win was regrettably shrouded in controversy. Twas ever thus perhaps. On the one hand, Roberto Martinez maybe merits one or two rotten tomatoes [or at least sour grapes] for yet again diverting attention away from his team's failings to pour blame on evil Chelsea. Last August when we whipped them Toffees six-three, RM had a good old post-match whinge about Diego Costa. Now the Spaniard and the hysterical media are pointing the finger at Branislav Ivanovic. Even one internet site hinted that the great Serb had maybe bitten James McCarthy! 

The thing is that Ivanovic is a good guy, and there is scarcely a Chelsea player more committed than he. He plays like his life depends on the outcome. He should be admired for that. However his behaviour was questionable at the very least. Chelsea supporters would not like someone treating one of our players like that, so we must be consistent and accept that Bran's actions were not acceptable or a good advertisement for the Chelsea football team. Small wonder that Mourinho refused to be cross-examined about the melee which culminated in Barry's justified red card.

To be honest, I loathe players surrounding the referee and urging him to brandish a red card or a second yellow. Unfortunately Chelsea have become the leading protagonists of this horrible ploy. We don't corner the world's market at this behaviour, but we certainly now equal Barcelona and the Alex Ferguson-era ManUre at apparent intimidation of the match officials. Do we really need to stoop to such levels? Furthermore, Liverpoo under Bob Paisley managed to win championship after championship without falling out with all and sundry. Chelsea, I'm afraid, are intent on declaring war on everyone. If referees don't oblige us, Mourinho gets cross, and if media pundits question our behaviour, he then sulks. Can we not win without incurring hatred? If folk choose to be jealous of our success and frequently attractive football, then that's their problem. However, Chelsea look well capable of winning the Premiership with much to spare. Therefore, do we really need to incite resentment against us with a self-constructed siege mentality?

I know someone who writes for Chelsea Supporters Group who suggests that Mourinho needs to whip up hatred, with more provocative statements. Why? Chelsea are way too good for everyone else in the Premiership that there is no need to resort to animosity directed at anyone who looks at our manager or players the wrong way. We are in danger of making the beautiful game quite ugly - and it is totally unnecessary. The irony is/was that back in the autumn the Blues were so delightful that even all media pundits were queuing up to heap praise upon the team and manager. The likes of Danny Murphy, Phil Neville, Robbie Savage, and Alan Shearer are not lifelong Chelsea supporters but they still expressed their admiration at the team's performances. Is it now necessary to make war on any observer, commentator, manager, official, or player who dares to defy us? Answer: no!

CHELSEA 1 Everton 0; half time: 0-0. Wednesday 11th February 2015.

CHELSEA goal scorer: Willian

CHELSEA team: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Matic, Ramires, Cuadrado, Willian, Remy, Hazard. Used substitutes: Drogba; Fabregas; Cahill.

CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:

Costa - 17 goals

Hazard - 13 goals

Oscar - 7 goals

Drogba - 6 goals

Remy, Schurrle and Terry - 5 goals

Fabregas, Ivanovic and Willian - 4 goals

Matic and Ramires - 3 goals

Cahill and Zouma - 2 goals