GLORIOUS UNPREDICTABILITY PTII

Wayne Bridge sustained a suspected broken ankle early in the second half after a challenge by Newcastle's captain Shearer. Duff and Gallas were left limping at the end and they did not look comfortable at all. I don't know about filling seats on the plane tonight to Barcelona more likely that Chelsea will have to schedule an air ambulance.

Before the game I wrote that I had a gut feeling on this game which was based on JMs insistence that he was going to name a completely different team reasoning that the players would have to play three high profile games in the space of eight days. Well JM I am sorry to say that you got it completely wrong and your selections today have disrespected and devalued a world famous cup tournament. Chelsea players are extremely well paid. They are well paid to play football and to play at a high standard when asked and when called upon. I believe that JM should have started the game with his strongest team available for selection.

The team that started the game was as follows:

Cudicini, Johnson, Gallas, Carvalho, Bridge, Geremi, Smertin, Tiago, Jarosik, Cole, Kezman

I also believe that JM panicked at half-time and this is why he made a triple substitution bringing on Duff, Lampard and Gudjohnsen for Geremi, Tiago and Cole.

What was to follow proved that 'the Gods were not on our side today.' Within minutes of the second half starting and no substitutions left, Wayne Bridge was carried off on a stretcher with a suspected broken ankle after a challenge by Shearer. 1-0 down and down to 10 men.

I think Kezman's time is up. Given a full nintey minutes and although full of running and endeavour he just could score from any of his chances, although he was unlucky to see one flicked effort come off the bar and be cleared away.

For the record Newcastle scored in the 4th minute from a header by Patrick Kluivert. In a week where Chelsea face Barcelona, Kluivert who destroyed Chelsea in the CL Quarter-Final at the Nou Camp a few years ago, now destroys Chelsea's FA Cup ambitions.

You have to feel some sympathy for Carlo Cudicini. Hardly figured this season, he gets a chance in the FA Cup knowing that he has been told that his Carling Cup Final place is secure then in the dying minutes gets himself sent off for pulling down Ameobi and now misses the promised final. Cech must have looked up to the heavens and said 'Thank You.'

GLORIOUS UNPREDICTABILITY

JOSE'S 41st

PREMIERSHIP P27 W21 D5 L1 F50 A8 PTS 68

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE P6 W4 D1 L1 F9 A3 PTS 13

CARLING CUP P5 W4 D1 L0 F7 A2 --

FA CUP P3 W2 D0 L1 F5 A2 ..

TOTAL P41 W31 D7 L3 F71 A14 --