Chelsea 0 - 0 Tottenham

24/03/2012

Chelsea 0 (0)-(0) 0 Tottenham

If you ever wanted to look up the definition of a stalemate, this match would  be the first entry in the dictionary. Two teams chasing identical goals completely cancelled each other out all over the pitch. Both teams had their fair share of chances with none finished. Although 5 points is the gap between the two sides on the table, today it was shown that the level of play for both Chelsea and Tottenham are on a par and had the sacking of Boas come sooner, the point gap may in fact be smaller.

My View

Just want to point out here that I was actually at the match therefore meaning I had a good view for some things and not such a good view for others. Furthermore, I have seen no replays or slow-motions what-so-ever during or after the match. Therefore, I will happily be corrected on things that I have called wrong. In the first half, I thought that Chelsea should definitely had a penalty as Lampard was brought down through on goal. This incident was at the end in which I stand and looked a cast iron penalty in real time. Secondly, in the second half, it appeared that we had another decent shout for a penalty as Ramires was felled as he attempted to reach cross. Whether he would of got there or not, it looked like the Tottenham defender has fouled him and denied him the opportunity to get there. The referee looked distinctly un-interested in making any controversial decisions throughout the match. On two occasions, Adebayor was late in a slide tackle and didn't receive a caution for either. I have certainly seen Drogba sent off for less so is frustrating to see decisions like that never work in our favour. Furthermore, Adebayor and Spurs will feel relieved that neither Chelsea players rolled around 20x in a attempt to fool the referee which Bale or Van Der Vaart may have done if the tables were turned. It's never good to blame the referee and there is never a guarantee that had a penalty been given, it would have been scored. But Chelsea have been let down in the most important league match of the season by a conservative coward of a referee.

Chances

As I mentioned, both sides had their chances including both teams hitting the woodwork. Firstly it was Chelsea in the form of a Juan Mata free-kick that once again expertly curled over, past the wall, beyond the retreating Walker beating absolutely everyone.... except the post. One of these days he is going to get it spot on. Secondly, Bale hit the woodwork from a free header which Chelsea will review as poor marking. The header was full of power but no dip hitting the bar square on in the middle of the goal. Back in the first half, right on half time, Tottenham had a chance to take the lead into the break, however, the cut back ball which was met by Van Der Vaart was saved excellently by Petr Cech with the rebound(s) not being able to be forced in. The only other chance in the match saw Adebayor beat the offside trap, round Cech before having his finish cleared a meter short of the line by Gary Cahill who had recovered excellently. The majority of the match was utter stalemate with both teams perhaps victims of being too scared of losing than wanting to win. In such a tight game, the penalty decisions could have given us the edge, but it wasn't to be.

End of the League Season

After around 70/75 minutes the emphasis changed from Tottenham, the point being far more valuable to to Tottenham, they went to defend the point and keep possession. A must win game for Chelsea, as the point leaves us needing Spurs to slip up 2 times more than Chelsea, which given the remaining fixtures, I don't think is going to happen. Furthermore, Arsenal have hit top gear and are proving unstoppable at the moment. They are even further out of sight leaving us with 5th place. A game too many for Di Matteo and his Chelsea team in a congested period of matches that is set to continue with Benfica away on Tuesday. While we won't be enjoying Champions League football next season, we can still enjoy it this season!

Note

I will re-post the predictions I made in the blog a couple of weeks ago to show how I think the rest of the season will play out. I still think the Spurs and Chelsea match predictions are relevant but the Arsenal ones are redundant as at the time of making it, they weren't as on fire as they are now. Basically, the predictions show that we will still finish below Tottenham. Even with a win today, I predicted that we wouldn't catch them.

Player Ratings:

Cech - 8/10

Clean sheet against a top four side is no easy task, called into action against Van Der Vaart at the end of the first and a freekick at the end of the second, both of which were saved well.

Cole - 7/10

Solid performance and kept the left side of our defence well covered and out of the action. Did leave Walker in too much space in the second half who shot wide.

Cahill - 8/10 M.O.M

Keeps on putting in the performances and once again today had some good moments. Although trying to catch Adebayor offside, he never gave up and stormed back to clear off the line. Pace which has long gone for Terry. Also never got bullied or lost many headers against the aerial threat of Adebayor.

Terry - 7/10

Also had a solid game like Cahill but without the heroics of a goal line clearance. I certainly feel more confident with Terry's leadership in the back line and was a contributing factor in the clean sheet.

Boswinga - 4/10

Boswinga struggles at right back and to make matters worse, everyone knows he is our weak link. Therefore he is relentlessly attacked throughout the match. Top quality players would stand up to these test like Cole with his inability to head. Boswinga however, got tore to pieces by Bale and going forward was absolutely abysmal, misplaced passes at crucial times and an inability to cross. When TWO of your centre back defenders are better than you at right back, you know you should leave.

Essien - 7/10

Probably his longest ever run in the side in about 3 years due to constant injury's and set backs, he shows glimpses of his former self but at the moment is still a shadow of past with the drives from deep and marauding power. Performed reasonably but hope he returns to his former glory.

  

Lampard - 7/10

A much better pick than Meireles despite his age. Due to the season he has had, Lampard appears to be second guessing himself. He would often shape to play a long ball like in his glory days but will often change his mind for a short pass. Another player who perhaps is suffering from a lack of confidence. Should have won a pen.

Ramires - 7/10

Definitely wasn't Ramires's best performance but nor was it his worst. Battles away all over the pitch but simply had a distinctly average performance. Could also have won a pen

Mata - 7/10

Always the man to look to for a winning pass or the decisive moment. Hit the woodwork from a decent free-kick that Friedel completely gave up on. Suffers from a lack of movement from the solitary striker. 

Sturridge - 6/10

I personally think Sturridge is a very good magician! He has perfected the art of disappearing for long periods of time to then appear with a bit of excitement. Really needs to get more involved in the matches and stay wide at times because we lack so much width.

Drogba - 6/10

Simply not in the mood today. There are nights like Napoli when you think there is no way we should let him go, then there are days like today where he really doesn't do much and doesn't put as much into the match as perhaps Torres would. Despite that, you always know that he only needs a sniff to be devastating in front of goal.