Take That Crisis

By: Jack | March 1st, 2008

As the greatest frontman of all time would say, “We’re just waiting … for the hammer to fallllllll.”

Chelsea pulled out the whoppin’ stick — the big one — Saturday, dealing West Ham a decisive 4-0 defeat at Upton Park. The win was a welcome one for the club, following a week of “lies” and turmoil. Most of the damage was done inside 25 minutes, with old Hammers Frank Lampard and Joey Cole netting before Michael Ballack unleashed a clinical volley in the 22nd. Cash-Lee capped the result with his first goal for the club, a mop-up job on 64 minutes.

Unfortunately the fun was temporarily put on hold when Super Frank was sent off for shoving the useless Louie Boa Morte after a collision. Boa Morte appeared to kick out at Lamps while both layed in a naked pretzel on the ground. Ricky Carvalho proceeded to constrict Boa — you like that? — with a sleeper hold in hopes of quelling the situation. It didn’t work, with Ballack doing the whole “You talking to me?” thing. Eventually, Michael was awarded a yellow card for his failed Italian accent.

Regardless of the sending off, Chelsea looked strong. We played quickly and intelligently during the opening half, carving through the West Ham defense with relatively ease. Joe Cole, in particular, had a man-of-the-match worthy performance as he only enhanced questions about his absence for some 105 minutes of the League Cup Final.

The Blues did most — no, all — of their damage without Drogba, SWP and Belletti. Grant’s managerial decisions leave little to logic, which possibly explains why most of us fans have yet to warm to him. Well, that and his ineptness against top sides. Still, the side was effective with Anelka at the point of a 4-3-3. The Frenchman had a goal wrongfully disallowed in the second minute. He worked tirelessly, though much of it was for not after Lampard’s sending off. Strong praise also goes out to John Terry who looked the JT of old. The Chelsea captain seemingly got his head to every ball that entered the area, a pillar of strength for the entire team to lean upon. His acrobatic goal-line clearance of a Carlton Cole chip encompassed his commitment to the Chelsea cause.

This win was sorely needed, and hopefully it sets us up for a rousing performance against Olympiacos in midweek. It’ll be interesting to see how Grant lines them up. KTBFFH