Match Recap: Chelsea 0 – 0 Fulham (4-3 on penalties)

By: Jamie | September 21st, 2011

David Luiz played 90-plus minutes and the penalty given away wasn’t even his fault!

A match against our West London neighborhoods, of course, was never going to be an easy one. But this was just madness.

When AVB announced that he was resting several players and giving some of the kids ago, I will admit that I did have a horrible flashback to our last couple of Carling Cup exits: playing the kids, everyone seeming to pick up injuries, playing with less than eleven men, extra time, etc etc. Basically: awful times. Surely our luck couldn’t be that rotten for three seasons in a row?

But yes – it could. Injuries and precautionary measures for Petr Cech and Daniel Sturridge, both David Luiz and Romelu Lukaku having possible injury scares, Alex being sent off… it was a mess. Yet somehow, this time, we actually pulled off a win. And boy, was it deserved.

Josh McEachran was a star in the first half. It was exciting to see him finally on the pitch after being left out and not being subbed in at all during the season so far. He should have had a goal as well, running into the box after a pass from Malouda and shooting towards goal – only to be denied as Sturridge got a foot on it and was flagged for offside. The Chelsea website’s match report claims Danny to be one of our best players, but I thought he seemed to be having an off night. If possible, he seemed to be trying a bit too hard (as we were watching, my friend asked me if Studge was “nervous or trying too hard?” and I said the latter, but you decide) and it was putting his touch and decision-making off. Before the halftime break, Sturridge picked up a knock and made way for Frank Lampard.

Petr Cech was playing well, too. Then, like a scene from a horror film, Fulham’s Sa clattered right into the big man, sending both sprawling to the ground and sending Chelsea fans into mad hysterics as we worried that our keeper would be out injured yet again. He fortunately continued for the remaining few minutes of the half, but we all drew in our breath uneasily when we saw Ross Turnbull emerge for the second half.

An early controversial red card for Alex, who was excellent during the first half, marred the start to the second half. The Brazilian looked to have gotten the ball, but a penalty was given as well as a straight red. As a result, the excellent McEachran was sacrificed to reboost our defense and introduce our third substitute, John Terry. As a result of these unforeseen subs, Drogba’s comeback never managed to happen.

So almost immediately after coming on the pitch, Turnbull had to face a penalty kick. Fortunately, Kasami hit the crossbar and Ross managed to keep hold of the ball before anyone could smash in the rebound. And Stamford Bridge exhaled a sigh of relief. Even down to ten men, the Blues seemed the more threatening side, and we really should have scored. Fulham had their chances as well, one in particular forcing an absolutely brilliant save from Turnbull, who reacted quickly to palm a close-range Fulham shot over the bar.

Oriol Romeu and David Luiz were standout performers throughout the entire match. David Luiz, despite being out for so long with injury and possibly still lacking full match fitness, was his beastly self and steamed forward at any opportunity. Romelu Lukaka was an absolute workhorse as well, and I would love to have seen him bag a goal. There are absolutely promising signs from our new signings.

Unfortunately, no one could get the ball in the back of the net during normal or extra time, so then came one of the things Chelsea fans dread the most – penalty kicks. It was off to a horrendous start when Lampard missed – have I mentioned how I cringe when he steps up for a pen? My spirits sank. Our central defenders both scored their kicks, as did former Blue Steve Sidwell for Fulham, but Turnbull earned more plaudits when he saved the third Fulham kick, evening the score again. Kalou and Baird scored the next two, then Malouda’s cheeky kick went in the back of the net. Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz managed to hit the crossbar, have the ball bounce on the line and back up – not counting as a goal. We won a penalty shoot-out!

Just to reiterate again: We won a penalty shoot-out! AVB particularly was excited on the sideline – these boys had fought so hard, through tired legs, Schwarzer having an excellent match, and unexpected squad changes. We’re moving on to the next round and await the draw on Saturday.

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Category: Chelsea Team News

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Chenlsea

Yes!

It's time to rethink our who should start in our next match for 4-2-3-1 formation.

Josh could play in the hole in place of Mata. No doubt. This kid got the stuff.

Romeu can play alongside Mikel to give Ramires and Meileres another match off.
Chittaki23

Isn't it about time to let Terry and lampard may be for 10 minutes or nt at all? They scrue down things all the time but always let go by managers!
Chenlsea

I like to explore the possibility of having David Luiz to play along with Ramires as two DMs on the 4-2-3-1 formation.

But I think this weekend against Swansea, AVB might want to experiment with 4-1-3-2. With just one DMs. That will be interesting to see.

Either way, I agree that Lampard and Terry is start to lag in pace. How to use them becomes a question. They might be more suited to UCL group games than EPL games.
Jack

No disrespect, but why do people continue to think David Luiz can play as a defensive midfielder? It's kind of absurd. He's been groomed as a defender for, well, ever, and he's prone to rash decisions and loves to break forward. That, my friends, does not make a defensive midfielder. Those who somehow think his risk-taking personality would be masked in midfield, how? If anything, it would make him a massive liability.
Chenlsea

Regarding David Luiz's suitability to play DM, it is an interesting point to explore. Think what Yaya Toure does for Man City. Y. Toure's primary asset is his capability to intercept in opponent's one-third. This is how Man City can consistently apply pressure on opponents.
Yaya Toure is the basketball equivalent of Dennis Rodman, a "rebounder". Such rebounder role is probably what Chelsea currently lacks in the midfield. Essien when he is well can do it. L8 is too slow now. Josh is not in that role. Ramires is quick, but no imposing enough in midfield, Meileres similarly not suited. Mikel and Romeu are sitting too deep. This is probably why we can often only get the ball back in our own 40-yard field, but not in opponents' 40-yard field. David Luiz is the only player right now in Chelsea that comes close to play a "rebounder" role.

In addition, having David Luiz to make those rash tackles up front instead of in our own 40-yard is much better. I bet, AVB will look into this option. It's a waste to only see David Luiz makes those coast-to-coast run only from the back field. He has the capability to do it more often.
Jack

Yaya Toure is in no way similar to David Luiz. Toure is a midfielder at heart, who has defensive characteristics. Luiz is not.

"In addition, having David Luiz to make those rash tackles up front instead of in our own 40-yard is much better."

Sorry, but this is an insane viewpoint. So you would rather Luiz be in a position where he would have much more responsibility and be caught out much more often - thus being more prone to making trademark rash tackles - than in a position where he's not only much more comfortable, but less likely to be forced into doing something a tad crazy? No thanks.

Further, if AVB had even an inkling of playing Luiz in midfield then why did he make a holding player (Romeu) one of his priority purchases? Makes no sense.
Mateo

i would of liked Lass staying with us, at the time he was tutore Geremy d by Makelele and Essien, what else can you ask for as a DM?
Jack

Bout to sit down and check out the second half.