Comment: Liverpool

[BlueLion. 21,491]

May 2nd, 2010. Didier Drogba's audacious flick finds Nicolas Anelka, who in turn crosses for Frank Lampard to slide the ball into the Liverpool goal despite the presence of Pepé Reina.

Lampard punches the air in delight and salutes the euphoric Chelsea fans at the Anfield Road End. Branislav Ivanovic and Salomon Kalou lead the celebrations; mobbing Lampard whilst substitute Joe Cole falls to his knees in delight. About 110 yards away, the isolated figure of Petr Cech beats the club emblem with his gloved fist.

Chelsea have just beaten Liverpool to maintain their one-point lead at the top of the Premier League, knowing that a win against Wigan at Stamford Bridge in a week's time will secure them their first title since 2006 and their third league crown in six seasons.

An elated Carlo Ancelotti cut a dignified figure in the tunnel post-match. "We are very happy but need to wait for the last game," the Italian said. However the former AC Milan manager stressed that his players will not get ahead of themselves with league glory in touching distance. "We need to stay focused for the last game but we are happy tonight because it was a difficult step against Liverpool."

Ancelotti's remarks were echoed by man of the moment Frank Lampard, but the England star insisted that this particular victory had sent out a warning sign to the rest of the Premier League. "This was a huge game for us. We know there are big games next week but we have a head of steam up now."

In essence, Lampard is right. Whilst Chelsea have torn into the likes of Sunderland, Aston Villa and Stoke City over recent months (beating them 7-2, 7-1 and 7-0 respectively), it is a first-ever Big Four grand-slam that has formed the cornerstone of Chelsea's potential Premier League triumph this season.

A double over Arsenal was completed with a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in February, whilst April's top-of-the-table encounter at Old Trafford saw Chelsea earn Chelsea six points out of six against Manchester United.

But whilst Liverpool were without key players and suffering from a lack of match fitness, the importance of this result should not be underestimated. In the Premier League, Chelsea have taken ten points from a possible twelve at home against Wigan Athletic, and improving that particular by another three points would see them lift the Premier League trophy once again.

Yesterday's result was massive. With Manchester United's two remaining fixtures at Sunderland and then at home against Stoke looking very winnable, it was Chelsea's title credentials that would be tested the most.

And United duly did the necessary at the Stadium of Light thanks to Luis Nani's fourth goal in five matches; a superb bending effort from just inside the area. United are maintaining the pressure. "We don't feel any pressure," Ancelotti had maintained after his side demolished Stoke by a 7-0 margin. "We just do our job."

And whilst few expected Liverpool to severely challenge Chelsea's obviously stronger and fitter starting eleven, many were banking on the 'Anfield Factor' to undo yet another Chelsea title challenge. Conspiracy theorists were waiting to berate the hosts for virtually allowing the Blues for winning to deny United a 19th title, and United fans were waiting for their hated enemies to do them a favour.

Liverpool's damaging double over the Blues in the 2008/09 season not only cost Chelsea their imperious home record but also saw them drop six points against their immediate challengers in the pursuit of Manchester United. The memories of the 2007 penalty shoot-out defeat in the Champions League and Luis Garcia's ghost goal two years earlier still haunt many Chelsea fans.

But whilst Liverpool supporters might not have been fully backing their team, knowing that a home win would possibly put the title on a platter for their northern rivals, there was still a thunderous atmosphere prior to kick-off.

A rousing rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' reverberated around the stands before a subdued aura of silence fell over The Kop. Steven Gerrard knew his back-pass was under-hit. He knew it was risky. And when he saw Drogba race on to collect the loose pass, round Reina and bury the ball in the back of the net, he knew he might single-handedly have cost his team the game.

Anfield fell silent except for the pocket of Chelsea supporters. Chants of 'We're gonna win the league!' and 'Carefree!' erupted from the corner of visiting fans. Not only had Chelsea silenced Liverpool on the pitch, but Liverpool's famous atmosphere had been bettered by the buoyant Blues following yet again.

The ironic thing was, it wasn't even that good a performance by the Blues. They merely cruised through the second half as Liverpool ran on empty.

"We played very well with personality, courage and tactically very well," said Lampard. The first 32 minutes, in which Chelsea players conceded possession on numerous occasions might suggest otherwise, but ultimately it was a sound performance from Chelsea. Efficient rather than dynamic, satisfactory rather than excellent.

But it doesn't matter. Chelsea won, and that's all that is important. Sir Alex Ferguson will know that more than anyone. A victory against Wigan and Chelsea's deserved title will finally be delivered. It won't be a case of Blues fans wondering how on earth Manchester City beat them home and away, why they conceded ridiculous goals at Blackburn and Stoke, and how they didn't leave Villa Park with at least a draw.

Chelsea fans will talk of that goal Joe Cole scored at Old Trafford, Drogba's freekick against Arsenal and the celebrations at Anfield.

But only if we win the title. If we don't... well, it doesn't bear thinking about.

Chelsea have maintained a level of professionalism and confidence since going out of the Champions League, with only Blackburn (1-1) and Tottenham (1-2) taking points from them in the crucial title run-in. The goalscoring prowess of Florent Malouda, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba has seen to that. The return to form of Petr Cech, coupled with the sheer consistency of those in front of him has contributed.

95 league goals. That's how many Chelsea have netted so far this term, knowing full well a masterclass against Wigan could extend that above and beyond the 100 mark. But it is complacency and complacency alone that will cost Chelsea this title, if anything.

"We haven't won anything yet," said John Terry. Never have truer words been said. Don't blow it now, Chelsea.

[terry26 6]

Excellent post

quick question tho - whos Bratislava Ivanovic LOL

Edited May 4, 2010 by terry26

[northernblue 2]

Good post, now lets finish the job next week!!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Excellent post

quick question tho - whos Bratislava Ivanovic LOL

I have an auto spell-check on everything in case I make typos... I guess I forgot to add Branislav to the dictionary

Thanks for reading though!

[magic weeds 446]

:goodpost:

5 days to go

[boshman 1,073]