Make or break
Our game against Aston Villa was heart breaking. I think on the whole, a draw was deserved. It was a huge blow and it didn't help that the referee got a fair few decisions wrong.
Having watched the game live on the television and then again on Match Of The Day (football highlights show) I am adamant that Nemanja Matic's goal was wrongly disallowed. There are a few rumours why it was disallowed - for handball or he was offside, neither seem to be the case. It simply wasn't to be.
The second incident (there are a lot of these in this game) came shortly after. Joe Bennett slides through Ramires as the Chelsea midfielder charges at the goal - for me it was a straight red card. He gets a lot of Ramires, if he doesn't do this, Ramires does have a goal scoring opportunity, I can't see why it wasn't a red card.
The third controversial decision is Willian's 2nd yellow. Having watched this over and over again, Willian's arm is on Fabian Delph and the Villa man goes down. I don't think he was right to go down, it's not enough for him to fall over, let alone get a 2nd yellow for Willian. Softest yellow card I have seen given to a Chelsea player recently.
A fourth strange decision soon followed. Ivanovic fouled leading up to what I will describe as an outstanding piece of imagination by Fabian Delph. Why didn't the ref stop the game and dish his yellow to Mr Delph?
Then a lot of astonishing decisions soon resulted one after the other, in a short space of time. Ramires red card was right - I have to agree, this is an awful challenge and unfortunately, Ramires had to go and will miss a crucial game against Arsenal next Saturday at Stamford Bridge. Shortly after, Mourinho, his backroom staff, Lambert and his backroom staff as well as Gabriel Agbonlahor charge onto the pitch. Jose Mourinho politely (from what I've seen) asks to speak to the ref for 5 seconds. The result is a sending off into the stands. Why? Why only Jose Mourinho? Why not Mr Lambert too? Jose Mourinho also witnessed Gabriel Agbonlahor's arm on Ramires' neck. Where is his red card?
I wasn't impressed by Mr Foy's management of the game. I also believe football should allow a manager to have one decision which he can challenge in each half and three experts, perhaps two referees and a former player, all have to agree in order for this decision to be overturned.
After what is likely to be an emotional return in midweek for former Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba, I'm going to look ahead to our London derby with hopefully a Champions League quarter final secured this season. Having narrowly beaten Spurs, Arsenal (Chelsea's next Premier League opponents) now trail The Blues by four points and also have a game in hand. I imagine if Chelsea win against Arsenal, it will derail Arsenal's title credentials for at least a season.
The starting eleven I would choose would be;
Petr Cech - consistent performer, Chelsea's number 1 in recent years and possibly the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Branislav Ivanovic - always gives his all for Chelsea, on the whole, shows consistency in performance and a solid right back.
John Terry - captain, leader, legend.
Gary Cahill - has been a defensive rock under Jose Mourinho and his partnership with England counterpart, John Terry, hasn't gone unnoticed.
Cesar Azpilicueta - an amazing season this right back, converted left back is having! Defends and attacks and hopefully, for many more years.
David Luiz (if recovers from injury) - although a liability in defence as he is the last man back, I think he functions effectively in midfield, especially if he has someone like Nemanja Matic alongside him.
Having watched the game live on the television and then again on Match Of The Day (football highlights show) I am adamant that Nemanja Matic's goal was wrongly disallowed. There are a few rumours why it was disallowed - for handball or he was offside, neither seem to be the case. It simply wasn't to be.
The second incident (there are a lot of these in this game) came shortly after. Joe Bennett slides through Ramires as the Chelsea midfielder charges at the goal - for me it was a straight red card. He gets a lot of Ramires, if he doesn't do this, Ramires does have a goal scoring opportunity, I can't see why it wasn't a red card.
The third controversial decision is Willian's 2nd yellow. Having watched this over and over again, Willian's arm is on Fabian Delph and the Villa man goes down. I don't think he was right to go down, it's not enough for him to fall over, let alone get a 2nd yellow for Willian. Softest yellow card I have seen given to a Chelsea player recently.
A fourth strange decision soon followed. Ivanovic fouled leading up to what I will describe as an outstanding piece of imagination by Fabian Delph. Why didn't the ref stop the game and dish his yellow to Mr Delph?
Then a lot of astonishing decisions soon resulted one after the other, in a short space of time. Ramires red card was right - I have to agree, this is an awful challenge and unfortunately, Ramires had to go and will miss a crucial game against Arsenal next Saturday at Stamford Bridge. Shortly after, Mourinho, his backroom staff, Lambert and his backroom staff as well as Gabriel Agbonlahor charge onto the pitch. Jose Mourinho politely (from what I've seen) asks to speak to the ref for 5 seconds. The result is a sending off into the stands. Why? Why only Jose Mourinho? Why not Mr Lambert too? Jose Mourinho also witnessed Gabriel Agbonlahor's arm on Ramires' neck. Where is his red card?
I wasn't impressed by Mr Foy's management of the game. I also believe football should allow a manager to have one decision which he can challenge in each half and three experts, perhaps two referees and a former player, all have to agree in order for this decision to be overturned.
After what is likely to be an emotional return in midweek for former Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba, I'm going to look ahead to our London derby with hopefully a Champions League quarter final secured this season. Having narrowly beaten Spurs, Arsenal (Chelsea's next Premier League opponents) now trail The Blues by four points and also have a game in hand. I imagine if Chelsea win against Arsenal, it will derail Arsenal's title credentials for at least a season.
The starting eleven I would choose would be;
Petr Cech - consistent performer, Chelsea's number 1 in recent years and possibly the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Branislav Ivanovic - always gives his all for Chelsea, on the whole, shows consistency in performance and a solid right back.
John Terry - captain, leader, legend.
Gary Cahill - has been a defensive rock under Jose Mourinho and his partnership with England counterpart, John Terry, hasn't gone unnoticed.
Cesar Azpilicueta - an amazing season this right back, converted left back is having! Defends and attacks and hopefully, for many more years.
David Luiz (if recovers from injury) - although a liability in defence as he is the last man back, I think he functions effectively in midfield, especially if he has someone like Nemanja Matic alongside him.
Nemanja Matic - an exceptional purchase in January and extremely pleased to have him back.
Andre Schurrle - very unpredictable. Evidently, can handle the Premier League as shown by his hat trick against Fulham yet lacks a lot of consistency.
Oscar Emboaboa - having gone off the mark recently, he is still an extremely valuable asset in the team.
Eden Hazard - should be given young Player of the Year award. His performances have been unstoppable at times.
Samuel Eto'o - although an ''old granddad'' Samuel Eto'o is showing he still knows where the back of the net is and will be crucial, if Chelsea are to beat Arsenal.
Subs: Schwarzer, Kalas, Mikel, Lampard, Salah, Ba, Torres.
Venue: Chelsea FC v Arsenal FC
Saturday 22nd March 2014
12:45pm KO
