Wednesday 5th
December:
Chelsea 6 – 1 Nordsjaelland
Fans ventured to Stamford Bridge with the similar optimistic
confidence that was displayed throughout last years Champions League campaign. Sadly
qualification equally rested in the hands of Shakhtar Donetsk; they needed to
beat Juventus at home for Chelsea’s name to be in the knockout stage draw
should the blues go on to beat Nordsjaelland.
The European Champions
quickly asserted their superiority with possession and frequent attacks down
the flanks. Suddenly out of nothing the ball struck the hand of Gary Cahill in
the box and a penalty was awarded to the visitors. Cech saved yet another CL
penalty, although I imagine he did a lot less homework before this tie. A few
minutes later and there was another handball and another penalty, this time
Eden Hazard was denied by the keeper – it was the only thing the gifted Belgian
did wrong all game. Another chance led to another handball that inevitably led
to a third penalty, David Luiz stepped up to show how it is done and gave
Chelsea the lead. Well done to the referee who displayed consistency to get all
3 decisions correct, pity we didn’t have him for our semi final against
Barcelona in 2009. Torres played a one-two with the Nordsjaelland keeper to
score before half time after some good work from Moses.
Two things were needed at the interval – the score from
Ukraine and a hot cup of tea. The hot beverage was slightly better than the
predictable goalless score line between Shakhtar and Juventus. Nordsjaelland
stunned the crowd with a well-worked goal just 23 seconds after play resumed.
Gary Cahill’s looping header silenced the Danish fans before Fernando got his
second goal of the game. Hazard went by no less than 5 players before squaring
a ball that even Torres couldn’t miss. News of a Juventus goal was quietly
whispered throughout the deflated crowd and the freezing night suddenly became substantially
colder.
The floodgates opened as Mata and substitute Oscar added to
the tally and 6-1 is how it ended. Shakhtar offered no response after conceding
an unfortunate own goal and thus ended Chelsea’s bid to retain the crown of
European football. I guess it is now my turn to suffer the ‘Thursday night
Channel 5’ abuse that I have so frequently gave out over the years, not least
to the two Manchester clubs last season. Man City never even got the
consolation of a Europa League spot; this will no doubt strengthen their chances
of retaining the Premiership. As for the Europa League - I have already looked
to see what team I want in next Thursday’s draw, googled where the final takes
place and tweeted Lord Sugar asking him to move The Apprentice from Thursday
nights to Wednesdays for me.
