The Red Shirt Theory

I have a confession to make, I didn't watch the Chelsea match last night. I fell asleep after a terrifying day at the gym (I have a trainer from hell) and didn't hear the alarm go off at KO. Okay, you caught me! Geeez! I did hear the alarm but switched it off.  There, I admit it. I just wish that, that had been my only stupid mistake of the day but sadly I was on a roll. I wore a red shirt. I never ever ever wear a red shirt on a day when Chelsea are playing. But yesterday, keeping in tune with my over-confident, non-superstitious persona, I wore a red shirt after my work-out and fell asleep wearing it. This whole thing about not wearing red when Chelsea are playing came from years of analysing Chelsea's results. I realised long back that Chelsea lost every single game they played when I as wearing a red shirt, and not just tough games. All bizarre match results that they got, games no one expected them to lose were all explained by the dreaded red shirt. 'The Red Shirt Theory" was born.

Never again!

I don't  want to sound too self-important but this red shirt thing, really is freakishly accurate. I admit I have been a bad, bad, bad fan and so, after a long, guilt racked night and a good portion of the day,  I finally managed to catch the replay of the game. Having seen the entire match, I have got to admit, I am still gutted about the loss but also somewhat relieved! I know we lost... We are no longer unbeaten in the league and our magical run has come to an end... it sucks. I mean it wasn't supposed to happen.Wigan Athletic weren't supposed to win(we are the best of the big four goddammit!.. bow down to us NOW!). Wigan were supposed to like they always do, against the big four, drop points. Too bad they've ended their own record (not a magical one by any standards) and they created a moment of magic which I am sure their fans are still celebrating (or dealing with the massive hangover from the all the celebrations).
Fair play to the Wigan Athletic, I think they played their game, weren't very scared of us (boo hoo!) and managed to get a historical result. Well done, you guys. Hope you keep up this great 'big four bashing' form up for your game against ManU (see, how I resisted calling them a specific form of cow dung... taking the high road.. oh yessiree!). Wigan played well, but I can't help but look at the Petr Cech incident as being very instrumental in the Chelsea loss.  I definitely don't think there was   any intent to go for Rodallega,  in Cech's dash forward for the ball. He  was just unlucky and awfully clumsy in that challenge. While I understand that there was contact and it was in the box, the referee really had no choice but to give a penalty. What I have a problem understanding is, why the referee gave Petr Cech, a straight red card?  Rodallega wasn't injured, the referee couldn't have been sure of Petr Cech intent to foul play, so why the horrible red card?  I guess, it wasn't entirely my fault that Chelsea lost the game but a bad judgment call on the part of the referee that crippled Chelsea. A shout-out to Drogba for the 100th goal, yo da main man, man!

PS: I hereby, solemnly promise to never ridicule the god of superstitions and stick to not wearing red on Chelsea match days.

Manchester City Draw Manchester Derby

Ok, first things first, Chelsea won and we're still top of the table baby! If you are a Chelsea fan, chances are you haven't stopped smiling this season. We are still unbeaten in the league (God, be praised!) and I hope this phenomenal run of the Blues continues. It was all about two shades of  Blue this week, Chelsea blue and light Blue, hoping for a Manchester City win in the Manchester Derby. The Manchester derby this season had been one of the most eagerly anticipated matches and always seemed like it would be a thrilling game. People couldn't help talking about it from the moment Carlos Tevez had signed on the dotted line for Manchester City till Sunday Kick Off and it looks like they will never stop talking about it. It truly was one of the most thrilling and unforgettable of derby matches. Manchester United came in all guns blazing and were one goal up in the first 5 mins of the game. I thought, that was the end and that Manchester City were going to retreat and it would turn out to be one of those humiliating nights for 'the Citizens' who had dared to question Manchester United 's superiority in Manchester. I was forgetting that they had Carlos Tevez, who looked absolutely thrilled to be back and eager to remind his former club exactly what they had foolishly let go. He had said before the match, in an interview that according to him Ben Foster, was the weakest link in United's team and he proved he was right by poaching the football off of the United keeper for Barry to score the equalizer. City almost took the lead, after Tevez's shot had hit the post and flew out. It was a good pass from Kolo Toure and really should have been converted. It definitely announced to the hosts that City weren't going to go down without a fight, they were there to win. Both teams were a goal apiece at half-time but  Fletcher changed all that with his header off Ryan Giggs curved pass, giving United the lead in the second half. United were in it to win too. This is when I think, the true desire of a team really starts to show, when they are losing 2-1, 50 minutes into the game against a team like United. They either retreat and somewhere give up often beating themselves in their head or they attack and they push harder and try and get that equalizing goal. So, I felt this was the time to truly judge how far Manchester City had come as a team. They did me proud when Bellamy scored a scorcher of a goal and City were back in the game. Manchester United were amazingly good in the second half and that made Bellamy's equalizer even more admirable. Neither team was settling for a draw, it was really 'Game on' after this point and Shay Given, once again proved why he is considered among the best goal keepers in  the league by saving 3 almost unstoppable Berbatov shots. At one point, I thought Berbatov gave Given the 'What you got against me?' look. It just wasn't to be Berbatov's day, as Fletcher, once again scored a goal off of Ryan Giggs pass. Everyone now seemed to believe that Manchester United were going to win after all -everyone, that is except the Manchester City players. Rio Ferdinand, was definitely of the lot that thought  that the game was in the bag and allowed himself to be lazy. Craig Bellamy made him pay. At 90 minutes the game was tied at 3-3, which seemed like the most fair result for a very well played match by both teams. Manchester City had shown everyone, that they were title contenders and you had to  beat them to win. They weren't going to let big names and club histories and brilliant managers scare them. They were there to play and to win. Sir Alex, decided on an added-time substitution brought Michael Owen on. I love Michael Owen and think he is an incredible footballer and really do wish this hard-on-luck player to do well and score loads of goals. This was till he joined United and I no longer wish him to 'score loads of goals'. Now, anyone who had seen the game, would bet good money that no more than a couple of minutes would be added on. The game was played in very good spirit with no bad challenges and hardly any yellow cards. The referee, however held up 4 minutes which was puzzling.

Exclusive, Exquisite, Luxurious, Precise... A perfect Christmas buy for Sir Alex

This however, was just the beginning of the entire jigsaw puzzle which was on its way. The game finally went on into the 97th minute. For a minute I thought maybe the referee had passed out from all the excitement. According to Martin Atkinson the referee, he had added 1 minuted into the added time because of the Owen substitution and 45 seconds (which should actually have been no more than 26 seconds) because Bellamy's celebration had been too long - something that anyone who has seen the match and is not a United fan or Sir Alex will disagree with. So that makes it 5 minutes 35 seconds. The game went into the 97th minutes plus and the winning goal from Michael Owen came in the 96th minute, a full 5 minutes 26 seconds into the 4 minutes added time. Manchester City haven't got the 1 point that rightfully was theirs but they have come out winners.They should write-off the one point as a friendly gift to an annoying neighbour. The good news for United fans is that Fergie's Mythical Magic Watch is alive and ticking. Moral of the story for anyone playing Manchester United and leading or drawing the match, is to remember that  the added time at Old Trafford is always 'as long as it takes.' According to me, Manchester City drew the match they were playing against Manchester United and lost to Sir Alex's Watch.

Sinfully Scrumptious Sunday

"Chocolate Brownie!",  that is the thought I woke up with. I am a 'weekend dieter' which basically means that I try to undo the harm done to my body by junk food over the week by going on something of a detox diet of fruit, beer (for those additional anti-oxidants) and to add delusions of a spa-like experience to it all, Wine!  So, I  was mortified to be thinking about a hot, straight out of the oven, really chocolaty chocolate brownie even before I had gotten out of bed.

It didn't take long, after the brownie scored from the penalty spot and a very cuddly lion rejoiced, for me to realise that I was not having a chocolate brownie craving from hell.  It was the mouth-watering Chelsea - Tottenham Hotspur game which my silly sleepy brain had got mixed up with a chocolate brownie! The London derby, Frank Lampard being pitted against his Uncle, a chance to beat Tottenham, who have had a very good season minus the match against Manchester United, a chance to stay top of the table....Yes sirree, it definitely  is a delicious fixture!

Now, the world is full of inventive geniuses like the person who invented the 'hot chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream,  topped with chocolate sauce and cookies sundae'. That is what the Manchester Derby does to the Chelsea-Tottenham game. It adds that dressing, the finishing touches, and that extra bit of magic to a perfect treat. Also, I am thrilled that the Chelsea game follows the Manchester Derby 'coz I always like last bite of my sundae to be the brownie. It promises to be a sinfully scrumptious Sunday with no calories... woop woop!

Good News - Bad News

Wow! It's turning out to be quite a month for me. First it gets me in the dumps and then something extremely pleasant and wonderful happens. Almost starting to 'want' something not so pleasant to happen, so I can get to the pleasant stuff quick. Started off with FIFA being dumb, and then Chelsea went and played that exciting game at Stoke,winning all 5 of their matches so far and being top of table. Then there was the Drogba ban from the past that came back to haunt me last night, but it was followed by the news of Joe Cole being back and on the bench for the match and then Chelsea won against Porto. So there you go, bad news...good news. I thought we were doomed for a few minutes (seemed like an eternity) when John Terry went down in the first half, but he saved me from turning a scary shade of blue (the Chelsea blue isn't a very flattering colour for the face), when he got up and in true JT spirit got back to business. It was raining so heavily at the ground, that the 'non-believer' in me thought, that some silly error was going to cost Chelsea the game. It was crazy rain and Chelsea, lets face it aren't the luckiest of teams, like say Manchester United. A shout-out to the grounds men at Stamford Bridge! Thanks to them, what a field we've got, absolutely top class. Speaking of top class, the Anelka goal was just that. We had so many scoring opportunities but it had  to be a top class goal for Chelsea (guys, seriously, your fans love the excitement and the unpredictability of your matches, but we don't mind predictablity once in a while).They played so well, if only the finishing had been a little better, I reckon we would have won by 10 goals. Petr Cech, you are the ultimate and I hereby, promise to look a little more kindly to your occasional faux pas (as long as  you promise to keep them occasional and limited to exhibition matches that don't really matter). No offence to Porto supporters, their team played very well too(see how nice I am, provided my team wins). All in all, a top class pitch, a top class goal, a top class save, and a top class result for a top class club. Go Blueees! Just got the news about Peter Kenyon leaving the club. Thank you for what you've done for our club and we'll miss you Peter. I guess pleasant news is on it's way.... can't wait for the Tottenham match on Saturday.

Del Potro's Dream Run

My tummy hurts, but boy! was it worth it. Didn't notice when I got so involved in the US Open Men's Singles Final between Roger Federer  and Juan Martin Del Potro. The first set was quite a disappointment for all Del Potro fans as easy smugness crept into the  Federer camp. Their man was in sublime form. He had, it seemed, studied Del Potro's game to the T and was completely out playing the ridiculously handsome big Argentinean. It looked like one of those 'no match' matches and I was starting to get so very disheartened by what I thought was going to  be a completely humiliating game loss for the 20-year old. I just didn't have the heart to watch it, but when Federer is at his best like he was in the first set, it's mesmerizing and impossible to look away from the T.V. screen. To distract myself from the game (which I had waited for, for over 5 hours) I decided to chop beans thinking it was already in the bag for arguably the best player on the planet. I don't like one-sided matches (except  when Chelsea are playing and winning), so getting dinner ready side by side, seemed like a bright idea at the time. It wasn't, and not just because I now have a big gash on my index finger which makes typing quite painful. Well, that ought to teach me for not giving my full attention to a match which was destined to end the reign of the 'king' of New York. Anyway, I was one of those rare people, apart from the Argentinians, who was rooting for Del Potro. Federer has won everything out there (and most of them more than once!) so I wanted someone new, someone younger, (someone as gorgeous as Del Potro) to win. You can't claim to be a Tennis fan, if you aren't a Roger Federer fan, so I had made my peace with the Del Potro's chances of winning being a distant dream (even if it was an incredibly wonderful one). Del Potro's early nerves got the better of him, but boy, did he get into another gear towards the middle of the second set when Federer looked like he will romp home with consummate ease.  Coming from behind Delpo forced the tie break and well, somewhere in the game, when the going got tough, Federer got mad. He said a nasty thing or two using the 'f-word' to the chair umpire. This made me support Delpo even more, (I just don't understand unsporting behaviour), and according to me, the more successful a player, the more it becomes his duty to be gracious and sporty (at all times) because they are the people, we all look up to. Reminds me of what Spiderman's uncle said to him in the movie, "with great power, comes great responsibility."
Federer who is a master psychologist had his tactics and his mind-games all figured out in the first set but they started to fall apart later in the game. (Federer, you don't need no games.... you got the sport). Del Potro showed incredible character, skill, attitude and immense talent to win a very entertaining, nerve-wrecking final and we had a new US Open Champion. A Star is born... the new US Open Champion, only the second- Argentinian to win the US Open, the 6'6 20-year old, the incredibly handsome... Juan Martin Del Potro! 
The closing shot of the TV coverage, showed the Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the lights shinning bright and the chairs all empty. It was hard to believe that this was place where such heroic drama had unfolded minutes ago,where hope and despair were separated by only a net, where a twenty year old came in with a dream and made it come true giving hope to millions of youngsters not only in Argentina but all over the world; inspiring them to think big and do something about it. Del Potro was gracious in his moment of victory and praised Federer, calling him the better player. Sport truly is remarkable.
PS: Delpo, does your tummy hurt too?

A Gift for Chelsea Supporters

On my way out for a cup of coffee and a session of weekend football review with my mates. And since, most of my friends are guys and don't spend hours styling their hair, don't understand how important putting together the perfect outfit complete with accessories is, and how, if you change one thing everything else has to be re-thought-out ... they are never late! It was no surprise then, when my phone started ringing 20 minutes before the time we'd set-up to meet (they think it helps!... Guys it doesn't). As my phone got lyrical with 'Blue is the colour', it reminded me of my favourite readers ... the Chelsea Fans... nah, I love all of you and promise to put up a special gift for all of you soon but this one is for the Chelsea fans....

Click here and download 'Blue is the Colour' ringtone for free and show your True Blue spirit

PS: Ironic how its been uploaded by someone who quite obviously is a Liverpool supporter. :)

Gosh! I better run, am incredibly late and the phone's been ringing non-stop (it so nice, with this ringtone, I almost don't mind being hounded to hurry up!) . Enjoy the ringtone and have a great evening everyone.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

5 games, 5 wins! Top of the table and the only team in the Premier League this season not to have dropped points so far. I am so proud to be a Chelsea fan, especially after seeing last night's match. Just love the new and improved 'boys in blue' under Coach Carlos, who never give up and keep trying to get the win until the very last minute (would be kinder to your fans guys, if you kinda didn't leave it sooo till the end). But then it wouldn't be my Chelsea, if they didn't keep the excitement up in their matches. That would be another club something United, I think they call themselves. They come in, score a few goals in the first half and usually kill the match. Pity their supporters who almost never get their share of excitement!(yep, those guys can do nothing right by me!).
I have a little ritual after Chelsea win a match (have one after they lose as well, but don't think I'll talk about that here)... I watch for the results/discussion shows to hear the pundits (even the ones who were betting against them) sing praises about my team and see the goals all over again. Its easier to watch the opposition score and even admire the goal when you know that your team has already won... much less stressful and very enjoyable. Also, sometimes I like to feel like I am the kind of person who is always calm and composed and that a silly 'game' couldn't make her scream and jump about like a cat on a hot tin roof.
So, imagine my horror when all the shows weren't focusing on Chelsea, the 'table leaders'!
Every show was discussing Manchester City's Adebayor and not because he had scored a hatrick like Yossi Benayoun did for Liverpool and not because of Manchester City's 4-2 win over Arsenal! It was because Emmanuel Adebayor had managed to get his head on a ball and 'unfortunately' scored for his new club. So in all humbleness, he felt he should celebrate right in front of the Arsenal (his former club) fans to get some 'love'. Arsenal Fans,according to him, had not 'loved' him enough, when he played for them. Fans whom he felt it was okay to begrudge, now that he was at another club.
I really enjoy Arsenal's style of football and used to count Adebayor as one of the better footballers in the league and as a very nice, good person. With this one gesture of his last night, he has managed to convince me that he is neither. And I am not even a real Arsenal supporter! I can only imagine, how hurt the Arsenal supporters must have been and I can understand (not saying it was right) why they started to hurtle bottles and other stuff at him.
Was such incitement really necessary? If he really wanted to teach his former club a lesson for not recognising his talents enough, why didn't he simply try scoring a hatrick. Guess that is tougher to do than, say running across the field to celebrate! He was shown a yellow card and will probably get a ban/fine. I guess he lost his temper and he's only human and probably (read definitely) not very bright and fans will (like fans always do) forgive him and the incident will be forgotten. But if it's true that he went in with intent to hurt Robin Van Persie when he caught his cheek with his studs (and one cannot not think of the very public fight the two had last season),the game is definitely better off without Mr.Adebayor. All in all, this certainly isn't the kind of thing that is going to get him 'love' that he so desperately seeks.

Its so sad when such a disgraceful incident makes all the headlines and all the wonderful positives and highs of the games get lost in the mess. In all, an incredible 32 goals were scored in the premier league last night. That is how we should remember it. Or maybe as the day that Chelsea retained top spot (just the way it should be), Yossi Benayoun scored a hatrick for Liverpool, Manchester United came from behind with only 10 men to beat Tottenham, 32 goals scored in all in the premier league and the day that Manchester City beat Arsenal 4-2.

Make football happy .... Make fans happy.

Chelsea, Yeah?

Oh what a beautiful day! Innit? Something about a weekend that fills you with positivity, even a person like me who doesn't have a regular job, looks forward to it and I have a sneaky feeling football has got everything to do with it. But today, I  think will be an exceptionally good day for I found something stellar....and God knows we, 'the mighty fans of the mighty blues', could use some positive news after that nightmare of a ban . Also, we lost Deco to injury for a week or probably more, I just couldn't take any more of the bad news so didn't read the news about his injury... only the headline and I was ready for some chocolate! (Oh boy, could I blame FIFA for the pound I put on?)
I went on a quest for positivity, and like always when you go looking for positives (or trouble), you find them. It was right there on my desktop- the fixtures list. The common perception of all the 'haters' (read people who are rooting for Chelsea to slip-up) is that Chelsea will have a tough time coping in January when our African players are off to play the 2010 African Cup of Nations. Hah! (and my sincere apologies for dashing your hopes... Not!). Here are our fixtures for January: Hull City (A), Sunderland (H), Birmingham City (H) and Burnley (A). Blimey! Surely the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard,Michael Ballack Ashley Cole, Carvalho, Deco, Joe Cole, Nicholas Anelka must be terrified of Burnley!  Another feel-good factor in this fixture list...imagine how it must be bugging Sir Alex. Also, we are going to send Stoke packing today. Chin-up all ye Chelsea fans for its a beautiful day.

This video never fails to amuse... positivity, yeah?

The New Bug in Town

I am no longer scared of Swine Flu. There is a new flu in town called 'FIFA-trying-to-do-the-right-thing-itis' and yep, you are right if you thought the longer the name of the disease, the harder it is to treat and hence the scarier it is. It started of with a mild case of banning Eduardo for diving which apparently never happens in the game and a certain recently ex-Manchester United player, never ever did it. He was fouled every single time that he claimed he was and, like his magical talent he has magical powers of avoiding injury as well.
What started of as a mild case of delusion is now growing into a full-blown case of blindness with the Chelsea verdict. FIFA in it's all knowing power has decided that the London club, will not be allowed to sign any new players till 2011, a two transfer window ban. The crime? ... 'Tapping up' or 'Tampering' as the Americans call it. I didn't know anything about tapping up except that it had cost our beloved Ashley Cole £100,000 when he signed up from Arsenal. Being a Chelsea fan through and through and therefore, being thrilled about the then new signing of Ashley, I hadn't really paid attention and had simply concluded that Arsenal were being cry babies lead by Papa Arsene Wenger. I respect Arsene Wenger but when Chelsea are concerned my judgement does get cloudy.
So anyway, the ghost from the past has come back to haunt us at Chelsea and I thought it was time I read up on the mysterious term 'tapping up', and what I got completely shocked me by how archaic the whole thing was. What it basically means is an attempt to persuade a player contracted to one team to transfer to another team, without the knowledge or permission of the player's current team. Fair enough. So the team that wants to sign a player must get in touch with the current team of the player and not contact the player directly, makes a lot of sense and would work perfectly... if we lived in isolation.
Does the football governing body truly believe that a club would dish out the kind of money that the sport these days commands without talking to the player and getting to know exactly what they are paying so much for?

studs-up

I know there is a very fine line here, like there always is between right and wrong and I see how the decision by FIFA is in good spirit (see I can be impartial) to keep the game of football exciting by avoiding a situation where all the young talent is at the few top big money clubs while the smaller clubs are left to select from the limited talent, talentless and past-their-prime groups of players. But is the decision to ban Chelsea from signing new players till 2011, the right one? Is it really going to benefit the game and the English Premier League to sabotage a top club in such a blatant manner? Does it in the long run make sense for Chelsea to be made an example of? Is the decision not unfair and too harsh on the club?
Tapping up is not a new thing, its been around for a long long time in football. Nottingham manager Brian Clough famously boasted "we tapped more players than the Severn-Trent Water board!" So what can be done? A solution thought up by FIFA, is to ban the movement of players below 18 years from the clubs that developed them. In this way, the team that developed the player will be able to make good money on the player when he signs up for a new, bigger club. So, a player under the age of 18 has a professional contract with the club that developed him till he is 18. Sounds good? Yes, maybe if you own the club. But I can't help but wonder, if it any good for the individual player? Is it in his best interest? Someone who started playing at 12 being held to a commitment till he is 18? What if he doesn't like being at that club, has a sour relationship with them, is far better than the club he is at, the club doesn't meet his needs? Too bad... just play! That is what the new currently being mulled over, FIFA solution seems to be. Is it fair? I won't bother asking. Will it work?Yes, because FIFA do rule with an iron fist.

Also one can't help but wonder, why young players chose to break their contracts and move if they really thought that they were better off at their original clubs? Some very tough questions for a blind, head-stuck-in-the-sand approached FIFA to answer. But ones that need to be sorted out. As for me,a Chelsea and a football fan, I am heart broken, disappointed, hurt and can't help but feel victimized. At the same time, I take immense pleasure at the decisions that FIFA and UEFA need to make. Where someone, somewhere is bound be be very angry no matter what and FIFA and Michel Platini are going to get their dues for hurting our mighty blues. Karma baby!

Chelsea vs Liverpool (Champions League)

Woohoooo! Chelsea won! Playing the second leg at home certainly payed off for Chelsea. I have been so excited about this result that I couldn't get myself to sit still and type this! A super match. Chelsea played the first half like Champions. I suspect in the second half they sent in lookalikes wrongly assuming that Liverpool would continue to play the same lack lustre game and that the goal by Didier Drogba would be enough to secure their place in the final. Underestimating Liverpool in any competition is a mistake but underestimating them in the Champions League is dangerous and usually fatal. Torres made them pay by putting the ball past Cech and leveling the scores off a great pass by Yossi Benayoun. This is where it gets scary for a Chelsea supporter, knowing how Liverpool rarely ever lose after leveling in the Champions League. Let me rephrase that, Liverpool never lose to an English club in the Champions League. Luckily, we got through to the second half with the scores still level, though there were quite a few chances created by Liverpool who looked way more threatening than the distracted Chelsea squad. I think the best thing to happen for Chelsea was the full time whistle which woke them up from their stupor. Avram Grant substituted Anelka for Joe Cole and I hoped he knew what he was doing. He surely did, as Anelka proved later on in extra time. I think maybe, just maybe, Avram Grant is some sort of a genius, after all Chelsea still are in with a chance for a double. I am just not going to think of the Carling Cup final.
Anyway, extra time was the best part of this match with one pretty bizarre decision and FYI Liverpool fans, I am not talking about the penalty. I mean the disallowed Essien goal which I am guessing would have been a big talking point if Chelsea had lost the game. Ballack won us a penalty just seconds after the disallowed goal and Frank Lampard (what a real life hero he is!), stepped up to take the penalty.
Lampard playing in this match showed his commitment to his team and to step up to take the penalty showed character and bravery. But to allow Frank to take the crucial penalty showed his team's faith in him and just how close knit the Chelsea players are despite all the rumours about discord in the dressing room. Lampard didn't let his team down, he rarely does, and scored a fantastic penalty dedicating it to his mum and it brought tears to my eyes. For me Chelsea had won but the game was far from over.
In the 15th minute of extra time, Anelka beat the offside trap and escaped behind Riise. He made it to the dead-ball line before pulling the ball back to Drogba who scored another great goal (inspired substitution by Avram Grant?) . With the scoreline 3-1 at the end of the first half of extra time, I was pretty sure the game was over but then a little voice in my head said, "this is Liverpool in the Champions League, it's not over till it's over!" So, I did the only thing I could... I prayed.
I realised within two minutes into the second half of extra time that the lil voice was correct as Liverpool went all out and there was a claim for a penalty by Hyppia who was challenged by Drogba but the referee (who was close to the action), didn't think there was enough to it. Liverpool having been declined the penalty, made me wrongly assume again that this time the game was over and done with. Just then, Babel shoots from 30 yards and scores! Cech should have saved that! Anyway, I calm myself with the fact that Chelsea are still ahead 3-1 and 4-2 on aggregate and there are only 3 minutes to go. Shevechenko comes on in place of the fantastic Frank Lampard and Gerrard who never gives up, is blocked by Ashley Cole. The whistle blows and Chelsea are through to the Final of the Champions League in Moscow. Woohooooooooooooo!

Chelsea vs Manchester United

Saturday saw Chelsea meet league leaders and title defenders Manchester United in the what was being called 'The Clash of the Titans’, ‘The Battle of Stamford Bridge’ ‘The Title Decider’ and 'The Match of the season'. Chelsea have not been beaten at Stamford Bridge since their 2-1 loss to Arsenal in February 2007. That makes it an amazing 100 unbeaten domestic games! Manchester United on the other hand are the highest scoring club in the EPL this season with a squad of which Sir Alex says 'this is the strongest squad I've ever had in 21 years.'

If Manchester had won this match, it would most certainly mean that the 2007-2008 title was all but theirs, but if Chelsea were to win, that would mean that they would be equal on points with the Red Devils (even though United still have a much superior goal difference) , and the title battle would go on till the end of the season with all remaining games becoming must win games for both the clubs. Every neutral, I guess would want the title race to go on till the end. But then who am I kidding? Neutrals in a Chelsea-Man U match, whoever heard of such a thing!?

It was 5:15 PM kick-off and I was all set in front of the telly, slightly jealous of John Dykes and Steve McMahon who had the best seats in Stamford Bridge. It all started in the tunnel, the United squad lead by Rio Ferdinand, stood in readiness but there was no Chelsea player to be seen. A small cynical voice in me said 'maybe Chelsea are scared' but then came confident captain John Terry and the game got under way.

Chelsea were the first to attack and in the 38 second of the game Edwin Van Der Sar was forced to make a save off Michael Essien's shot. In the first few minutes of the game, Vidic was caught by Didier Drogba's knee as he stooped to head the ball clear and had to be taken off. He was replaced by Owen Hargreaves and I shuddered remembering Hargreaves free kick against Arsenal. It was later reported that Vidic had broken his tooth which had gone through his tooth was taken to the hospital. Poor Vidic, he had just recovered from a stomach flu which he had caught in Barcelona and it wasn't sure till very late if he'd be fit for this match against Chelsea.

Chelsea dominated the first half and Michael Essien was simply superb with his runs forward. Manchester United who had wing wizard and PFA player of the year (am sure, he'll win tonight) Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez starting on the bench, looked out of sorts. Chelsea had a majority of the possession of the ball and looked the most likely team to score. I felt they just lacked the final ball quite a few times and while they did have a lot of the ball and quite a few chances being created. There weren't nearly as many shots on target.

When Joe Cole's shot on goal in the 20th minute bounced off the crossbar, and there was still no goal till the 44th minute I felt like Chelsea's terrible luck from last season was continuing. In case you haven't guessed it by now, I was hoping for a Chelsea win. But all that changed with a super header by Michael Ballack in the 45th min off Drogba's cross. It was glorious and the Chelsea squad dedicated the very important goal to Frank Lampard's mother, who had passed away during the week.
This is when I was wishing there was no half time break. I have seen it happen in the past when Manchester United start off a game badly and then I guess Sir Alex says something to them at half time and they come back transformed. I really think all managers should get to know those magical Sir Alex words! Also, there was the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carloz Tevez being brought on after half time. And I know Chelsea, well enough, once they go ahead, they try to just defend and keep that lead. Which was a fine and during Jose Mourinho's time they were great at keeping their lead but lately they haven't been as effective.( remember the Wigan game?)

There were no changes by Sir Alex after half time but he definitely had said those magic words of his to the team as Manchester definitely looked more threatening (dare I say awake) . They were keeping possession well and scarily enough Cristiano Ronaldo was warming up on the touchline! Just then Carvalho made a major mistake at the back and passed directly to Rooney who of course scored, a fine finish. I thought Carvalho had gifted Sir Alex and Manchester United the title and that United would now just sit back and kill the game. But, Sir Alex wanted to be doubly sure so he replaced Rooney (who was suffering from a muscle pull) with Ronaldo and O'Shea with Anderson. I braced myself for a massacre. Ronaldo was rather shocked by the harsh welcome from Michael Ballack. The game continued and Manchester United were looking more and more threatening. While Manchester United were piling on the pressure, Chelsea's Didier Drogba was fighting his own teammate (the goal scorer) Michael Ballack for a free kick. Drogda being more of a baby than Ballack won the sulking contest and took the kick which wasn't half bad. Only I wonder what Ballack could have done with it. Manchester further upped their tempo and Drogba still continued to argue with Ballack, who turned his back on the tantrums.

Thank God, for Michael Essien, John Terry and the others who were more focussed on wining the game. In the 86th minute Essien crossed the ball into the box and it hit Carrick's hand. A penalty for handball was awarded against the United midfielder and you didn't see Drogba arguing with Ballack over taking this one! Oh and this was the first penalty given against Manchester United all season! Brilliant Ballack kept his cool to score from the spot. Chelsea were once again in front and the crowd was ecstatic. There were 5 minutes added on and Manchester United were going all out. Ashely Cole cleared one off the line, as did Shevchenko in the dying minutes of added time. Ferdinand lost his cool and John Terry intervened and I think saved Ferdinand from a Red card. (Fabio was in the crowd). Later, there was tiff between the Chelsea grounds men and the United players who were cooling down after the game. The players claimed that the grounds men asked them to leave the grounds and wouldn't let them cool down properly. There were verbal and physical blows exchanged between the two groups.

Was it really a penalty? Did Sir Alex make a mistake with his team selection? Will the title be decided on goal difference this year? John Terry or Rio Ferdinand, who will lead the English team? Are United players bad losers? Is Drogba crazy to be fighting over a free kick?! There will always be questions but what matters is ... Chelsea 2 - 1 Manchester United. Chelsea level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table and the the title race is ON and promises to be a nail biter.