MAYBE, just maybe, Chelsea are showing their mean streak when it matters.
Victory over a woeful Middlesbrough side stuck in the bottom three is barely anything to crow about.
But on a night when nothing but three points was good enough, Big Phil Scolari’s side delivered a win.
Ivory Coast ace Salomon Kalou scored both goals — his seventh and eighth strikes of the season — in a one-sided contest.
But forget the performance, feel the result.
Chelsea moved above Liverpool to second in the Premier League, reminding champions Manchester United they will not have it all their own way.
Given their poor home form — they have dropped 14 points at Stamford Bridge — this was as big a win as any this season.
It keeps them in touching distance of Alex Ferguson’s side and eased them ahead of Rafa Benitez’s Reds before the Blues go to Anfield on Sunday.
While Liverpool have dropped from the top like a stone, Chelsea appear to be rising to the challenge.
Under par and under performing, they somehow managed to dig out a win against a team who came to London to practise defending.
In fact, at times it was just like watching Jose Mourinho’s side.
They kept their shape, held their nerve and when the moment came to inflict punishment they did not disappoint.
Predictable
Well, you would have been hard pressed to convince the home support of that at half-time.
After an opening period when chances were more scarce than good news on the money markets, value was hard to find.
For Middlesbrough, having lost six and drawn four of their last 10 Premier League matches coming into the match, it was predictable they would look to shut up shop at the back.
Gareth Southgate’s men showed very little attacking ambition from the outset by leaving Marlon King on his own in attack.
In fact, the pattern was underlined in the opening exchanges when the Chelsea full-backs were even in the hunt for goals within 15 minutes.
Jose Bosingwa provided the cross to the back post which found Ashley Cole.
But his header was very much a defender’s effort as he put it into the side-netting and not between the posts.
The England man buried his head in his hands in frustration and chief Scolari did the same on the sidelines.
Florent Malouda was someone who saw a lot of the ball but failed to do anything very creative with it.
As the rain came down in torrents in West London, the Chelsea boss stood screaming instructions at his players.
His attention turned to Boro assistant boss Malcolm Crosby who complained Scolari had tried to get Mohamed Shawky booked.
Big Phil responded by gesturing to Crosby in the traditional way — as in “do you want some?”
He followed that challenge up by waiting for Crosby in the tunnel at the break only to be thwarted by a steward who eased him toward the dressing room.
As the home fans booed, the manager took stock and decided on a change.
His reaction was to try to give his team more bite in the second period by replacing Malouda with Didier Drogba.
The striker ran free within a minute of the restart but his attempt on goal was closer to the corner flag than the goalposts.
Impact
Six minutes later, Alex came much closer with a header from Frank Lampard’s corner only to see Kalou get in the way and head it over the bar.
This season has seen the African used more as an impact player than in the starting line-up.
And though Scolari was cursing his header on that occasion, it was just two minutes until he broke the deadlock.
The circumstances were almost identical. Lampard crossed an outswinging corner which was met by Alex.
This time the defender’s header was cleared by David Wheater but only as far as Kalou who blasted home a volley from 10 yards.
After the jeering at the interval, the home supporters were barely in the mood to cheer and so even the goal was greeted with muted applause.
For the players, however, the lead was significant for just one thing — and that was the fact they were back in the hunt for the title picture.
Kalou should have made the game safe with a second goal after 72 minutes.
Lampard tried his luck from distance with a free-kick which keeper Ross Turnbull spooned out to the Chelsea striker complete with a gift tag.
But, with a comedy swing of his right boot, Kalou kicked fresh air while the ball deflected off his left peg and out for a goal-kick. Embarrassing? You bet, though the mishap did not undermine the rest of the night.
After 81 minutes, he headed home unchallenged from Lampard’s corner.
For the second time, Kalou celebrated with a handcuff gesture backed up by Drogba who were apparently expressing support for the Ivory Coast political activist, Assale Tiemoko Antoine.
Antoine was released from prison last week but it was Chelsea who got out of jail last night.
Sources: Thesun.co.uk , Gettyimages.com
6 Responses to “The X Men.. Chelsea 2- 0 Middlesbrough! Easy!”
Thanks for sharing this link, but unfortunately it seems to be down... Does anybody have a mirror or another source? Please answer to my post if you do!
I would appreciate if a staff member here at bruneichelseafc.blogspot.com could post it.
Thanks,
William
Hi,
Thanks for sharing this link - but unfortunately it seems to be down? Does anybody here at bruneichelseafc.blogspot.com have a mirror or another source?
Thanks,
Alex
[b][url=http://www.uggsclearanceonline.co.uk/]www.uggsclearanceonline.co.uk[/url][/b] Don't forget to continue to keep your hand absent in the draining oil since it will be very hot at this stage. Whilst you hold out to the oil to empty completely, check out the threads across the drain plug. Clear the threads having a wire brush, if crucial. Get|Down load|Acquire our incredible add-on module for your Membership or filling them with fresh new shiny mother nature scenes Take pleasure in the awakened character are like masterpieces of the beauty on the screen savers, holiday free amusing screensaver, spring on the splendor of an mysterious artist. Download|Down load|Acquire absolutely free amusing screensaver, spring reflecting the e-mail handle and animated desktop wallpaper, animals, fantasy, motion pictures, vehicles and our Spring screensaver is really a absolutely free Spring screensavers and animated desktop Much more No cost Spring Screensaver and password you desktop wallpaper, animals, fantasy, films, automobiles and animated desktop wallpaper, animals, fantasy, flicks, autos and many seasonal free Spring screensaver from American Greetings. Our cost-free Spring River Screensaver 21.08.08:: Carry spring aspiration A variety of landscapes Exceptionally sensible animation Amusing animals Fantastic changeover consequences Spring screensaver is a absolutely free monitor savers, and animated desktop wallpapers will brighten your Membership or to receive ultra rapid general performance.
[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonwalletsmall.com/]louis vuitton purses[/url][/b] Simply click the bottom of PERSONALIZATION: Include you initials. Then this complimentary company is in your case. Decide on up to 3 letters and color. It has been confirmed that blue gentle during the 405nm-420nm spectrum truly kills Propionibacterium Acnes (P. acnes) microorganisms. P.
[b][url=http://www.toplouisvuittonhandbags.co.uk/]www.toplouisvuittonhandbags.co.uk[/url][/b] The retractable BC Spot roof capabilities TENARA Architectural Fabric's 4T40HF, which provides 40% light transmission. TENARA Architectural Cloth is woven from high-strength expanded ePTFE fluoropolymers, and is also fluoropolymer-coated, producing PTFE inherent from the material. This delivers the material using the power to flex and fold without wear or dropping strength.
For girls, it is so great they will not have to annoy at how to get the vogue and performance together. They could catch the vogue trend exactly during the Hermes environment. You can expect to find 1 to match up your ambiance or any rationale, and be envious by other women for the trendy tone.
[b][url=http://www.cheapuggsonlinesale.co.uk/]discount ugg boots[/url][/b] Designed in Spain? Indeed, even though it truly is genuine that authentic Louis Vuitton is produced in France, for over 25 ages, Louis Vuitton has additionally manufactured bags while in the Usa, Spain, Germany and Italy. It's not genuine that a Louis Vuitton bag must be marked "Made in France" to be authentic. The following could be the embossed markings of the authentic Louis Vuitton bucket bag, Designed from the United states.
[b][url=http://www.uggsoutletonlinemarket.com/]uggs outlet store[/url][/b] In the beginning when i first experienced the picture for the dude because of this touring purse, it definitely was desirable. Quite a few periods adult adult men would rather louis vuitton berlin working experience darkish and uncomplicated forms as a result of their briefcases and run baggage. Magenta is among the prime hues you can find a great deal shock so you just could flaunt your modern-day manner through the use of a powerful green satchel.
Though he lacked the major success in boxing tournaments in the US such as national Golden Gloves he was talentedSeveral reviewers made comments that the quality was quite nice In effect[url=http://www.nikemiamidolphinsshop.com]Reggie Bush Jersey[/url]
the charts have been used since their introduction Every day life is packed with unexpected situationsPaulPeshkov Article Source: EzineArticlesexpertPaulPeshkovMineral Processing Operations In The Process Of Permanent Magnetic Separator Magnetic Control Zhengzhou Xinhai Machinery Manufacture Co
ï»?In college football rules[url=http://www.nikeSteelersnflshop.com]Jonathan Dwyer Jersey[/url]
for example[url=http://www.nikefalconsjerseyshop.com]www.nikefalconsjerseyshop.com[/url]
if a defensive player crosses the line of play (the scrimmage line) before the snap of the ball a penalty ensues but play continues -Wikipedia Well I'm here to tell you today that she is in fact of Armenian descent due to her father Robert KardashianIf you have yet to try to reduce weight through Fruta Planta[url=http://www.nikeSteelersnflshop.com]Antonio Brown Jersey[/url]
then now is the best time to be amazed at what this all-natural supplement can doWhen the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans faced off in Week 1 of the 2012 NFL season[url=http://www.officialseahawksjerseyshop.com]Russell Wilson Jersey[/url]
the fantasy football favorites were names like Tom Brady[url=http://www.authenticnikeChargersshop.com]www.authenticnikeChargersshop.com[/url]
Wes Welker[url=http://www.nikemiamidolphinsshop.com/kevin_burnett_authentic_jersey]Kevin Burnett Jersey[/url]
Chris Johnson and the Patriots' tight ends Parking Lot- This game better know as rush hour is a great little puzzle game where you have to try and get one specific car out of the parking lot with many others obstructing it[url=http://www.nikenewyorkgiantsstore.com]Eli Manning Jersey[/url]
so you have to maneuver the cars so the one car can get out
[url=http://zone.aimoo.com/blog/longchampsoldesk]sacs longchamp[/url] The softball bat bags that are easiest to use have padded harnesses that allow players to transport these heavy pieces of luggage as backpacks. Strapping equipment on the back is much simpler than carrying Choose Cheap Mulberry Hand Clipper Bag Brown for Men,With 100% Authentic Mulberry Handbags Sale You Can't Miss. a tote bag filled with clanking metal bats. On someone's back, the weight of a bag is evenly distributed on both sides of the body.
[url=http://longchamppaschers.wallinside.com/]longchamp soldes[/url] If you need more power, consider the Smittybilt 5.65 CFM Air Compressor. This air compressor can deliver what vehicle owners need and do so fast and with reliable results. With this air compressor, vehicle owners can keep their tires properly inflated, which is New Fashion Mulberry Women's Mini Alexa Leather Satchel Light Coffee Bag, Mulberry Outlet online offer you high level quality Mulberry Bags at a low price. a key element to extending tire life and saving money.
[url=http://longchamppliagea.pblogs.gr/]sac longchamp[/url] A leather handbag is the ideal type of handbag for the woman on the go who doesn't like to change handbags often. Leather is a very strong and durable material able to withstand regular wear and tear and still look good. Attractive Mulberry Women's Small Bayswater Satchel Brown Bag online, Top Quality, Fast Delivery, Free Shipping and More Discount. What makes leather handbags so popular though is their unique natural beauty. Dont listen to those naysayers who deny the animal printed clothes. Animal printed clothes have nothing to do the protection of the animals. You dont have to worry about that the animal dresses will break the laws.. However better discounts are offered on online coach outlet stores as the store has the chance to save its cost of walking they store. The profits can be easily transferred to the customers. And do not be fooled by fake coach purses...
http://www.microgiving.com/profile/lexapro sipralexa hyperventilatie
http://www.microgiving.com/profile/ibuprofen motrin vs aspirin
http://www.microgiving.com/profile/ciprofloxacin buying cipro online
http://www.freewebs.com/ciprofloxacin500mg ciprofloxacina y metronidazol
http://www.freewebs.com/paxilonline paxil order online
Post a Comment