Posts Tagged anelka
“F*ck your history, we’re going to Moscow…”
After years of waiting we had finally made it: The Champions League Final
This is something I have been working on for a few months now, when I had the idea of writing an e-book on my experiences following Chelsea from the arrival of Jose Mourinho in 2004 to the present day. Let me know what you think.
I will never forget the night of April 30th 2008. Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool, 4-3 on aggregate. It meant we were going to Moscow and the first Champions League final in our history. The atmosphere at the Bridge that night was unlike anything I have ever heard, then or since. It was incredible and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The Matthew Harding Stand was literally shaking and my vocal chords took one almighty pounding.
After the pain of the semi final defeat in 2007 and the five-hour coach journey back from Anfield this was sweet revenge. If you had said to my Dad 20 years ago that he would have the chance to see his team in a Champions League final he would have thrown his head back and laughed. But in 2008 it became sweet reality. Read the rest of this entry »
Lacklustre Chelsea do enough to see off Porto
Up and running: Nicolas Anelka celebrates his strike which gave the Blues all three points. Photo courtesy of the Guardian.
As far as first steps on the road to potential Champions League glory go, this was a fairly uninspiring start for Chelsea.
Carlo Ancelotti will pleased with the three points – which were secured with a strike just after half time from Nicolas Anelka – but he will know that his side can play much better than this. The Italian could counter that at this stage it is points, not performances that matter. And these points were gained without the likes of Didier Drogba, Jose Bosingwa, Joe Cole and Yuri Zhirkov.
Burnley brought crashing back down to Earth by slick Chelsea
For most of the first half it seemed as if this game would be another chapter in Burnley’s fairytale start to the season. Goalkeeper Brian Jensen was in inspired form yet again, repelling wave after wave of Chelsea attacks and frustrating the home side.
For those inside Stamford Bridge it seemed reminiscent of many a home game under Luiz Felipe Scolari last season. The Blues were dominating possession and creating plenty of chances, but they just couldn’t put the ball into the net. Read the rest of this entry »
Fulham 0-2 Chelsea: Blues cruise at the Cottage
Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka struck in either half to give Chelsea a comfortable victory over neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage as Carlo Ancelotti maintained his impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge. Read the rest of this entry »
Sunderland survive as Anelka picks up the Golden Boot
In the end this defeat for Sunderland wasn’t as damaging as it could have been. Results elsewhere went in their favour to ensure that they will be playing Premier League football once again next season. Their neighbours in the North East weren’t so lucky. Both Newcastle and Middlesbrough will be playing in the Championship.
This game had little meaning for Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea – who could only seal second spot if Liverpool lost and an unlikely six goal swing in goal difference occurred. Nicolas Anelka did ensure that he ended the season as the league’s top marksman ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo with a superb effort just after half time. Read the rest of this entry »