Premier League: Watford 0 Chelsea 1 + Highlights

KALOU BURIED!
By dixon9
April 6 2007

An undeserved win? Perhaps or at least I’d imagine that Watford and Manchester United fans felt so! It took extreme perseverance and our usual refusal to lose attitude that won the day. Luck? Or reward for not giving up? We were camped in their half during long periods of the 2nd half.

We were almost camped in their half during long periods of the 2^nd half, and with the aid of some daring tactics by Mourinho (which he’d been forced to use not for the first time this season) persistence paid off in the 92^nd minute in the shape of Shevchenko and young Kalou. 

                                                                                                                               

You could almost hear the groans of the hoards of anti-Chelsea journos although Sky were probably begrudgingly grateful that the title race remains sufficiently alive so that they can wax lyrical and come up with more “Judgement Day” style cringe worthy headlines.

 

A draw would have almost certainly been the end of any realistic although rapidly diminishing hopes of retaining the Premier League title and who knows, if the Mancs trip up in their aways against the likes of Portsmouth, Everton or Man City and then ourselves at the Bridge, we could reflect back to this game as the match that won it for us.

 

Again, the old injury plague reared its ugly head when Robben returned from international duty with a torn meniscus and again, Essien was ruled out or held back for the forthcoming CL fixture against Valencia on Wednesday.

 

Early exchanges were fairly lively and soon took on worrying proportions when John Terry was elbowed in the face by Henderson and remained on the ground for a few minutes.  Of course, an offence against a Chelsea player is usually dealt with by the media reluctantly and I can’t say I was surprised when most reports called the incident an accident - but then we Chelsea fans should be used to that by now shouldn’t we?  If we get attacked by Arsenal players for example there are quarters that will say it’s our fault and deserve at least equal punishment, if we celebrate in front of our own fans we are then berated and accused of incitement, indeed, the anti-Chelsea brigade have reached such hysterical levels that I even heard one Spurs fan on a radio phone in say that Jose Mourinho had  “looked at the Spurs fans in a funny way”!!!

 

Watford deserve credit though for some stout resistance and at times, taking the game to us.  The Vicarage Road side certainly looked the fresher in the first half whilst we seemed uncoordinated and jaded.  An uneven bumpy pitch didn´t help our sharp accurate passing in midfield and the Watford contingent urged their side on from the start aware that a defeat would mean the final sentencing in relegation to the Championship League.

 

Smith provided a cross from the right which appeared to richoshade of Terry’s chest to his right arm but Rennie didn´t reach for his whistle for what looked like a decent penalty claim, presumably deciding that Terry could not have avoided contact when considering the speed of the cross or, the referee may have been partially unsighted and not convinced of arm contact?  Who knows?  But we were fortunate. 

 

The early pressure continued and Mahon´s long throw was eventually taken on by Kabba who tried an overhead kick which was dealt with comfortably by Cech.  Smith ventured into the area but was met with a fine tackle from Carvalho with the resulting corner providing an opportunity for Henderson whose frantic shot sailed over the crossbar.

 

Chelsea’s initial response was unconvincing although Lampard felt he deserved a penalty and Wright-Philips strike was easily saved by Manchester United loanee, Ben Foster.  Soon, we did fashion more realistic opportunities;  Lampard headed on for Drogba, whose volley was well saved, Carvalho crossed for Ballack who steered his header well but not well enough as it took the paint off Foster´s upright and then again, the keeper made an excellent double save from Cole and Shevchenko.

 

No surprises when Mourinho changes for the 2^nd half – Watford were at least matching us in all departments in the 1^st half.  Geremi hadn’t exactly shone and was exchanged for Ferreira and Makelele was tactically removed to enable the introduction of 20 year old striker Kalou.

 

Referee made an unfortunate error in incorrectly giving a free-kick to Watford after a tussle between Ferreira and Smith which provoked a touchline spat between Mourinho and Boothroyd (although both managers were later seen laughing with one another about something!).  

 

The ship was steadied further with the insertion of 19 year old Mikel who shows remarkable maturity and craft for someone so young – I don’t think he made one astray pass.  With Cole being removed to make that 3 at the back Chelsea were in full attacking formation as they had been during the 2^nd half against Spurs at the Bridge.

 

The match stretched now and Cech made a remarkable save from Francis’s volley. 

 

Soon the pressure built up further on Watford and Boothroyd´s sides were penned in their own half.  Chelsea poked and probed and Watford huffed and puffed, holding on for a point.  Then at the death, Shevchenko´s pin point cross was met by Kalou who guided his header beyond the reach of Foster, proving that Man Utd are not the only ones who can snatch a late victory.

 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJVvmGCARBU

 

Watford: Foster, Chambers, Shittu, DeMerit, Stewart, Mahon, Francis, Rinaldi, Smith, Henderson (Priskin 69min), Kabba (Bouazza 81min).

Chelsea: Cech, Geremi (Ferreira 45 min), Carvalho, Terry, A Cole (Mikel 58min), Makelele (Kalou 45 min), Wright-Phillips, Lampard, Ballack, Drogba, Shevchenko.

Referee: U Rennie

Attendance: 19,793

 

WHAT THEY SAID:

 

 Watford - Adrian Boothroyd:
"It is hard to take. I'm proud of my team but disappointed.

"We did very well in many aspects. It was scrappy and we wanted it that way to make it difficult for them.

"What pleased me was that last time we played Chelsea we looked like little boys out autograph hunting but we stood up to them this time."

Chelsea - Jose Mourinho:
"I think that if we had gone from six points to eight or nine behind Manchester United, mathematically it would still be possible to win the title but mentally not.

"Every game is crucial. If we win every game then I think we can be champions.

"Maybe the draw was a fair result. We have a strong group and we have to go all the way in every match."

But Chelsea should have scored seconds later when the ball fell invitingly for Ballack six yards from goal only for the German to completely miss it with his attempted shot.