Chelsea Dagger

So, I'm sure we're all aware of last night's entertainment. For the benefit of those who don't, Chelsea played Barcelona in the Champions League semi final and drew 1-1, meaning they went out on away goals. Then the Chelsea players all had a hissy fit (bar one or two). Fair enough, the ref was shocking. It's not the first time it'll happen (well, for Chelsea in recent years, maybe) and it won't be the last (well, for Chelsea in recent years, maybe). Diddums. It happens at least 19 games in a single season for Bolton Wanderers, among other teams. The players' reactions were amusing, but not surprising. Remember, this is the team that surround the ref when he gives a freekick the other way in the opposition half. In fact, I've seen them do it (at the Reebok) when he gave us a throw in.

However, the player's reaction are mildly understandable, if a bit pathetic an OTT. But the fans are something else. Forget the arrogance of United fans, the delusion of Newcastle, City, Sunderland, West Ham and Spurs fans, forget the constant referee complaining and when it them at fault, suddenly not see it-ness of Arsenal fans. Forget the violence of the Millwall and "Crazy Gang" Wimbledon fans. Chelsea fans are pure scum. Not for the first time since Mssr Abramovic's introduction, they've decided that their team's inability to win the game, even if a few decisions went their way, is due to the referee. And for that, he must pay the ultimate price. Imagine I took a car to a mechanic to get it fixed, only for him to have inadvertently broken other parts of it. Apparently, I'm fine to issue death threats to him. In fact, that's more of a reason, seeing as the referee didn't hand it to Barca. He even gave them an incorrect red card. Maybe it influenced his later decisions. Maybe not.

But no. Let's look at the 4 penalty shouts. The first one, where he gave a freekick. Well, it depends. There was 3 fouls there. The first (and, indeed, second) were outside the box. Let's assume the referee acknowledges the foul. Plays advantage. Are you suggesting that Malouda had the advantage? No. He didn't. The referee has to give a freekick at the location of the original foul. Which was outside the box. Ergo, a freekick was actually the right decision. Assuming, of course, that he played advantage.

The second, where Drogba went down in the box. I thought it when it happened, and I still think it now. Drogba would have stayed on his feet had the goalkeeper NOT have collected it. He only went down when he realised he'd lost the ball. Slight nudge in the back. Compare that with what Kevin Davies gets every game. It's nothing. The two hand balls were penalties, for me. The player kicked the ball at their hands, but then again, their hands were far too high. But this was after the non-red card. So that may have swayed the decision.

Anyhow. Did Chelsea deserve to win? Over 180 minutes of football, Barca had, what 65% of the total possession? 25 shots? Over 1000 passes? Compare it to Chelsea's. 35% possession? 15 shots? Less than 500 passes? Barca completely outplayed them and definitely went through. I shouldn't bother going off the above stats, it's just a guess based on both legs. Barca win = just desserts.


Slightly more than I thought I'd say, but meh.

They Call Him Rutman - bringing you better football analysis than ITV (let's face it, a blindfolded chimp with arthritis and learning difficulties could) since 2009.