Well, for any of those who let themselves get carried away following our impressive start to the season against Pompey, yesterday’s game against Wigan might have come as a bit of a shock.
I’ve certainly seen and heard a few bragging about how the new ‘Brazilian’ style Chelsea would dispose of Wigan with ease and I have to say their naivety both irritates and amuses me. Irritates because that’s exactly why the rest of us – who actually know better – get tarred with the same ‘arrogant’ tag, but amuses me because they end up looking the mugs they fully deserve to.
I’m sure Deco’s superb free-kick on 4 minutes, chipped over the wall and into the top left, giving Michael Pollitt no chance, did nothing to quieten them either. Although maybe Wigan’s response did? Because, with the Latics intent on making us fight for every ball from there on in, there was no way Chelsea were ever going to replicate last week’s performance. This week, despite the early lead, it was Chelsea under pressure as Wigan enjoyed long periods on the ball, seeing Cech the busier keeper of the two.
Chelsea seemed happy enough to play at the tempo dictated, with a distinct lack of urgency about their game. Poor performances and a lack of concentration from too many players allowed Wigan to run us a bit ragged at times and as much as the pundits talk about midweek internationals, Wigan didn’t look any the worse for it so that’s no excuse.
On the subject of internationals, Frank Lampard clearly allowed the boos he received for every touch of the ball to affect his game far too much. With an awful long way to go until May though, I’d suggest he either gets his head around the country’s general dislike for him or invests in some industrial earplugs.
So, not much to say overall after a pretty forgettable away game from Chelsea’s point of view – although I felt we at least turned up which is more than the Daily Mail’s journo did, as the online headline screamed “Chelsea back on top after Deco strike earns hard-fought victory at Hull.” (changed in due course, obviously).
Credit has to go to Bruce’s Wigan side who never stopped looking for an equaliser, although unfortunately for them they caught Cech on one of his better days.
As for all those who predicted another 4-goal rout and might be feeling a little silly right now, I’d say be happy we came away with the points. Oh, and I’m sure the predictions for next week will be a bit more realistic.
Teams:
Wigan: Pollitt, Melchiot (off 85), Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios (off 80), Koumas (off 45), Heskey, Zaki.
Subs: Pollitt, Sibierski, Kilbane, Brown, De Ridder (on 45), Kapo (on 80), Camara (on 85).
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole (off 83), Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Deco, Anelka (off 89), Joe Cole (off 58).
Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Malouda(on 89), Bridge (on 83), Kalou (on 58), Alex, Belletti.
Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)
Blue is the colour
