The title may be in the bag but Mourinho’s Chelsea were in no mood to do Rodgers’ Red Men any favours when they came to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The men from Merseyside were still harnessing ambitions of a top 4 finish when they loaded onto to the coach and made the journey down to London.
The actual result was not disastrous for Liverpool, who, for the most part, looked better than they have at times this season, and showed the gritty determination that had been lacking. However, it leaves the Reds needing a 14 goal swing and consecutive defeats from Manchester United.
Last season, it has to be said, you’d fancy their chances; what with Suarez and Sturridge scoring for fun and David Moyes’ United providing some fantastic comedy moments. But this season the deflated Reds have somewhat stumbled over the line looking worse for wear.
Predictable as the outcome was – some Chelsea players having had 4 days holiday and Liverpool determined to spoil the party– this does not mean it wasn’t telling in other areas.
Cesc doesn’t check his emails
If some reports ring true and Chelsea are planning a charm offensive to lure Raheem Sterling to Stamford Bridge this summer, nobody checked that Cesc Fabregas knew; the midfielder’s challenge on the young forward was just 30 seconds after kick off and could easily have seen him receive a red card. Get a read receipt, guys.
Hazard has clocked off
The PFA’s Player of The Season has taken it upon himself to start his holidays early, and who am I to query this? Last week’s penalty, although vital, looked like it was taken from a sun lounger in Dubai. The Brilliant Belgium was, again, fairly non-existent against Liverpool. We learnt he has two gears; one electric, brilliant, almost unstoppable, the other, with a vibe similar to that of a Dutch café, a laissez faire approach to professional football. I feel the need to reiterate that this is absolutely fine. He deserves it, if anything. Eden has signed a long-term contract with the club and appears very settled. Great.
Chelsea fans have had a lot of time to kill this week
Those signs. THOSE signs. Blimey. It’s obviously been a quiet week for some. Personally I’ve spent hours 9 through 3 gloating and the rest thinking about Cesc Fabregas. I can tell you what I haven’t been doing – laminating badly made mock-up ‘Wet Floor’ signs. In line with everyone else, I found myself focusing of the lamination factor.
Why did they need preserving? It’s his last game at the bridge, also they would be a nightmare to carry to the match. No folding them up and putting them in your pocket. Not with laminates. No way. I suppose, however, any fully committed joker wouldn’t want his or her banter to get soggy. We’ve learnt that some Chelsea fans are quite happy being labelled ‘plastic’, in fact will go out of their way to ensure it continues.
The honour was all ours
That was great. I am fully aware it is petty, meaningless and that Chelsea had to displeasure of forming a Guard of Honour at Old Trafford a few years back, but it was still enjoyable. The icing on the cake was definitely the unnecessary blue carpet and flamethrowers. We learnt that WWE style entrances would be a great addition to top flight football.
Maths can be fun, kids!
Being mathematical Champions of England is wonderful, not only is it one in the eye for the hype men at Sky Sports – Super Sunday is once again just Sunday – but because it can be directly accredited with providing a chance for Chelsea’s fantastic younger players.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was the first to get the nod, and, by all accounts, made a solid and pleasing debut. Izzy Brown looks set to add his name to the list of afro’d Chelsea players and Nathan Ake is touted to join him in the starting line-up next Monday night.
Gerrard’s farewell
Sincere or not, the Chelsea fans mustered up some manners to applauded Steven Gerrard from the pitch on his last appearance at The Bridge. However, as the man himself said, this was somewhat undermined by the 78 minutes of abuse that preceded it. Personally, I found his comments after the game quite funny, well-judged and befitting of a man so important and in love with his club. I’d want the same from any clubman and we still owe him for those assists, anyway.
So that was that – a draw, another goal for the Captain and another step closer to the podium. Can’t wait.
