Chelsea 0 – 0 Norwich

Sunday 4^th May from Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea 0 – 0 Norwich

I haven’t had a hangover for a Chelsea game in a long, long time – but I was certainly struggling on the way to West London to watch our last home game of the season. After a few hours sleep it was nice to sit down on the train and there was only one thing for it - another pint. It was certainly desperate times, but at least we would beat Norwich, wouldn’t we? Realistically there was nothing to play or after the Sunderland disaster, but nevertheless a win was needed today to make my hangover better if nothing else.

It was a sunny afternoon in West London and Chelsea started as brightly as the weather. A beautiful ball through by Matic after a tackle saw Schurrle but the German, who is normally so clinical in front of goal, curled one onto the inside of the post and let Norwich off the hook. The visitors, to their credit, did battle well with 10 men behind the ball and occasionally looked dangerous on the break that was spearheaded by Snodgrass. Norwich may well have been awarded a penalty but the ref said no and the half ended 0-0.

Second half began much like the first and again we hit the woodwork, this time David Luiz curled one onto the crossbar after some great work on the right. Eden Hazard was electric on the left and caused Norwich problem after problem after problem. The talented Belgian weaved his ay into the box, took it past a defender in a flash and was smashed to the floor. No penalty!! – Said the blind, stupid, inept, ignorant referee who must have been watching a different game. The players were as stunned as I was as they pleaded with the ref.

Norwich showed us why they were set to play next season in the Championship, although they did have a great opportunity to snatch a late winner on the counter. Gary Cahill, who has terrific pace for big centre-half, got back to snuff out the danger. Big Gary Cahill has a bright future ahead of him if he keeps up this form and could be a future Chelsea and England captain – hopefully he’s learning more and more each day from playing alongside Terry in what is the best defensive partnership in the game at this current time. That was the last bit of notable action and our last home game of the season withered into a 0-0 full time result. Not great for a hangover at all.

Every cloud; the game offered the chance to say a final farewell to two Chelsea legends who look set to depart this summer - Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard. It was emotional for the players, still bonded by the night in Munich, to say goodbye after years of sterling service. I’m hoping we see Frank back at Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later; him and Terry look like they have a career in football after playing.

Chelsea 1 – 3 Atletico Madrid

Wednesday 30^th April from Stamford Bridge:

Chelsea 1 – 3 Atletico Madrid

I somehow got a ticket, not sure how, but I had one, and after resisting the urge to sell it for a ridiculous amount of money, I now had to find my way to Stamford Bridge amidst a tube strike. I left work early, put on my new Chelsea shirt and hopped on the nearest ‘Boris Bike’ I could find. It took me 90 minutes of arduous peddling through the London traffic to reach Stamford Bridge, a feat that was totally worth it. Champions League knock-out nights are always special and I got to the game 3 hours early to begin soaking up the atmosphere.

The time had come, one more magical European night at Stamford Bridge and we would head to Lisbon in May! I sit up the Matty Harding end for the simple fact that it’s the end we normally shoot towards in the second half. We never do well when we get ‘turned around’, especially versus Liverpool and Spurs, and Atletico did just that – Bastards! I knew I should have sold my ticket. I began to fear the worst, knowing that an away goal would leave a red-and-white-striped mountain to climb given Atletico’s defensive record – which I believe is due to the work rate of their midfield and a certain Chelsea-owned keeper.

The nervy opening was expected, but Dave playing right wing was not. 35 minutes in and some great play from Willian out of the corner saw Torres latch onto Azpilicueta’s cross and…Goal! Torres scuffed a deflected shot past Courtois and we went crazy. We had been the better team in the first half, but you sensed we needed to get in the dressing room with that lead – sadly we wouldn’t. Schwarzer hesitated to come for a cross and Adrián scuffed his shot in. The old footballing adage of ‘worst time to concede’ sprung to mind. We were now on the back foot and Mourinho would no doubt have to scrap his half-time team talk.

The atmosphere at half time was desolate; I even saw someone curled up crying! The second half began and we now had to attack, so on came Eto’o for Cole. In 2012 Drogba had two ‘striker tackles’ that conceded penalties, but Messi and Robben missed. Eto’o would not endure that same fortune after bringing down Costa, who smashed home his penalty to make it 2-1 and put Atletico in full control of the tie. The visitors were then free to hit us on the break at will and 12 minutes later Turan slotted home to make it 3-1 and put the tie to bed. It was essentially game over and the matched did end 3-1 – May was ruined.

The pressure’s been off since 2012, and we won the Europa League last year, but coming so close to the final it always a hard pill to swallow. It was a great European journey once again, most notably the PSG comeback, but you have to concede that the better team went through to the final. But we’ll try again and I’m already looking forward to September when that Champions League music begins starts once more!