We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
I won't be around for the duration today - and will no doubt have pesky students popping in during the first half - but this is an interesting match-up and I like to keep the Net cops busy, so I'll be dialing up an online speakeasy and blogging along too. Go on, the Cottagers!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 2:07 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
17 Comments:
The team news is in already:
The teams are already in:
Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Salcido, Duff, Sidwell, Murphy, Dempsey, Johnson, Dembele. Subs: Stockdale, Kelly, Pantsil, Gera, Gudjohnsen, Greening, Davies.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, David Luiz, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Anelka, Torres, Malouda. Subs: Turnbull, Drogba, Mikel, Ferreira, Kalou, McEachran, Sala.
Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
Very interesting from the Chelski perspective. So, Ancelotti has answered the "who will make way for Torres?" question differently today with answer "Didier Drogba." Malouda returns to the first XI.
Chelski will desperate for a win today against their local rivals. Three points would bring them level on points with Spurs in that last CL spot and only two shy of Citeh in third. That is, it would bring them back into the race. A loss would encourage Liverpool to think they have a chance of pipping them to the post for the Europa.
Meanwhile, Fulham under Sparky Hughes are still on the fringes of the relegation fight with 30 points. A win today would virtually assure them safety. A loss would embolden those around them, including Everton, Brum and Villa.
Oh - and a point doesn't really do either side any good at all. Perfect situation for a fun and open match.
Half an hour into the match now and it's still 0-0.
Ivanovic produces a great save out of Schwarzer with a flukey cross cum shot.
Coming up on half time. Chelski have had the lion's share of possession and chances but no goals to show for it. They seem a weary side.
Steve Sidwell picks up his requisite yellow card. He is that kind of player.
Big chance there for Torres set up on a plate by Luis. You have to think that as Peter Drury is commenting that Torres of old would have snapped that up. He just doesn't look interested at this point.
And that's the interval. Chelski certainly in control of the match but don't have the sharp edge to finish off Fulham. Drogs should certainly come on in the second half.
If this scoreline held up, Chelsea would remain two points behind Spurs in 4th and Fulham would gain a point on Everton, Brum and Villa. A better result for the home side than for the Blues.
Here's the Guardian's John Ashdown's account of the Torres performance so far:
"Torres, still looking rustier than a 1978 Ford Cortina dunked in the North Sea, wriggles into space but his touch is heavy meaning his eventual shot is a toe-poke rather than a full-blooded effort."
One last check on the scores before I head to my afternoon class. Still 0-0. Blimey!
As I slip off, Kalou is replacing Malouda in the 65th minute. Still no sign of Drogba.
It is over!
It has ended goalless! Even after the excitement of injury time
Chelsea had some much possession but were crap going forward. The looked complete limp in front of goal. As for Fulham, they had no desire to go forward. WHY? They did get against United!
In injury time, Dempsey goes one on one with man of the match David Luiz. He gets taken down and Fulham get a penalty. Dempsey looks very tired as he comes up to shoot and his shot is easily saved by Cech... what a shame!! Drogs was miles inside the box and it should have been taken again!
What on earth has happened at the Bridge?
Take care
UWS
I watched the game later in the evening. It all happened in injury time as Fulham could have won it in the last minute. Chelski is an old side without much quality coming in other than the excellent David Luiz. He did discover that rash challenges in injury time can be punished. Ancelotti should be sacked, IMHO.
Post a Comment
<< Home