Sunday 18th
August from Stamford Bridge:
Chelsea 2 – 0 Hull Tigers
What a difference a manager makes, the ‘happy one’ is back
and I’m sure even our rivals are glad to see him return to the Premiership.
Mourinho versus Di Canio and Holloway should provide some amazing off-the-pitch
entertainment this season. I, like so many other Chelsea fans, am happy to see
the back of the Benitez and welcome a manger that actually has a passion
towards the club. That being said I thought Benitez was very professional
whilst in charge of the blues and that got him a nice little role at Napoli as
a reward.
New season means new
shirt and after the heroics of last season it had to be number 8. For a player
to score over 203 goals for one club in the Premiership era is ridiculous, for
a midfielder to do it is beyond ridiculous. The thing I admire most about Frank
Lampard, apart from his loyalty, is his character. He’s clearly a team player,
doesn’t moan when he’s on the bench, obtains a clear passion for football and
is an obvious family man – he writes children’s stories in his spare time for
his kids. He’s a player that has forced himself into the record books as a
Chelsea legend. Would love to see him
and Terry in coaching roles at the Bridge in the future.
Pre-match pub talk was all about Mourinho and the squad
he’ll go for in first game back in charge. All the Torres talk was no bluff as
he opted for the misfiring Spaniard to lead the attack. The game got underway
to a chorus of Mourinho cheers and a few minutes in we had ourselves a penalty,
although Lampard squandered the chance from the spot. Only a player of Frank’s
calibre can get euphorically cheered after missing a penalty and it wasn’t long
until Chelsea were in front. Oscar was slipped in by Torres and slotted the
ball calmly into the back of the net. The talented Brazilian was
man-of-the-match for me today and, in my own biased opinion, will be one of the
very best in the world at his peak.
How do you redeem yourself after missing a 12-yard spot
kick? Smash in a 40 yard free kick is the answer – and that is exactly what
Lampard did to double our lead after 25 minutes. There were a few more chances
before half time as Kevin De Bruyne showed us why we did not send him out on
loan for a second season. The hapless ‘Tigers’ showed no real threat at any
stage during the game, but neither did Chelsea after the break. The game would
finish 2-0 as both teams played out what I would recall as one of the most
boring halves of football I have ever watched. Lukaku and Schurrle came on a
linked up only for the German to over-hit his attempted lob. That was the only
attempt of note as the full time whistle blew. A clean sheet, 3 points and a
happy welcome back meant job done for Mourinho and the boys.
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