Chelsea (0) 1 - 1 (0) Arsenal
Stamford Bridge, Sunday 10th December 2006
FA Premiership
Arsenal:
Lehmann
Eboue Djourou Senderos Clichy
Hleb Cesc Gilberto Flamini van Persie (Freddie 84)
Adebayor
A terrific result and a thrilling game especially at
the end. While it's a bit frustrating to go ahead with
15 minutes left and come away with only a point, one can't
deny that Chelsea deserved that much at least. We could even
be considered a bit lucky, given the number of times
they hit the woodwork, but I tend to think that's cancelled
out by their good fortune in having a blatant foul by Ashley Cole
ignored in the build-up to their equaliser.
I expressed concerns
before the game about the possibility of a "defensive" midfield
containing Matthieu Flamini as well as Gilberto and Cesc Fabregas
and I'm delighted to be proved wrong. All 3 of them had terrific
games, helping out the young defence as well as getting involved
up front, where Emmanuel Adebayor in particular had one of his
most impressive games in an Arsenal shirt.
The first half wasn't much to write home about, although we did
have an escape when Lampard hit the post from short range after Drogba
flicked on a throw, Lehmann was rooted to the spot. And Cesc Fabregas
bailed the keeper out by clearing off the line after he'd failed to gather
a corner, giving Essien a clear chance. It was an even half, but
the home side had had the best chances.
In the second half Lehmann and Drogba put on a Benny Hill show. First
Lehmann gave Drogba the slightest of pushes, inevitably making the
big striker fall over. When he'd picked himself up, Drogba barged into
Lehmann "causing" the keeper to fall over himself. Lehmann just about
won the exchange on
artistic impression, his being such an
exaggerated and absurd fall that you couldn't help wondering if it
was a piss-take. Both received yellow cards.
Soon after that, sensing that Arsenal were tiring, Mourinho brought
on his wide men in Robben and Wright-Phillips. Phillipe_Senderos
(looking the weak link in our young defence, it has to be said)
gave the ball to Robben who then beat Johan Djourou. His shot was
stopped by Lehmann who couldn't hold it. But Gilberto had dropped
back to cover for the centre-backs and was on hand to clear the
loose ball before Drogba could pounce.
We were under the cosh at this point, but shocked the champions
by taking the lead. Flamini's opener on 78 minutes came after he got the ball on the edge of
the area and passed wide right to Alexander Hleb. Hleb held the ball,
moved it forward, then returned it to Flamini whose first time shot
could probably have been saved by the diving Hilario. He got a hand to it, but
spin, wetness (it was pelting down), and a bit of pace took the ball in.
As expected, Chelsea turned on the pressure. Drogba went close a couple
of times with a shot wide then a header that flew just over the bar.
Then Ashley Cole fouled Hleb, really obviously, to win the ball
in Chelsea's half. They worked it forward and to Essien outside the box
on the right, and he hit an unstoppable swerving shot which was going
a yard or 2 wide when it left his foot but ended up just inside
Lehmann's left hand post. Gutting.
Soon after, Hleb had a glorious chance when the ball arrived at his feet,
unmarked on the right of the Chelsea box, but he smashed his first time shot
well over the bar.
There was still time for Essien and Lampard to hit the woodwork up the other
end, but we just managed to hang on.
Once again, Arsenal managed to rise to the occasion. It really looks like
facing the big teams brings out the best in ours. Next stop, Wigan.
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