Loading ...Aug 17 2008
Chelsea Dominates Pompey to Open Season
The article’s headline does not do justice to the performance Chelsea side turned in Sunday during the Luiz Felipe Scolari’s managerial debut. Against Portsmouth, the FA Cup holders who have been tabbed to challenge for European football, the Blues posted a 4-0 win, a score that undersells how convincing they were.
Chelsea nullified the striking duo of Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe, exposed a completely undermanned Pompey midfield, and showed no reverence for the respected Portsmouth defense. Harry Redknapp’s side, for their part, did not play especially poorly. Save a couple of David James curiosities, there was little the visitors could do to slow down the Blues. As Roman Abromovich applauded from the stands upon seeing the first returns on his investment, a new, clear Premier League favorites were crowned.
That crown, however long it stays at Stamford Bridge, sits firmly on the head of Deco. Chelsea’s one high-profile summer acquisition was the man of the match, providing an absolutely scary display of distribution for a team that had lacked a true midfield playmaker in season’s past. Chelsea has had Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, and Micheal Essien, all of whom are world-class players, but they have been without somebody like Deco, whose immediate utilization of the hyper-active Joe Cole looks to be a potent (and annoying) combination. With somebody like Cole willing to work for him, Deco could unseated Cesc Fabregas as the league leader in assists.
If Deco was the man of the match, Cole was not far off, giving a performance that makes all the rumors of a Robinho acquisition seem ludicrous. Off an adroit pass from Michael Ballack (a one-touch punch off the outside of his foot that found Cole bursting past the line), Cole open’s Chelsea’s book just past the ten minute mark. It was the type of play that could only come from two, world class players who have played together as often as Ballack and Cole. The moment Portsmouth gave the ball away to Ballack’s feet, Cole was bursting past Sylvain Distin. Ballack put him in alone on James.
Unlike the Chelsea FC of last season, this club did not rest on its laurels. The second goal from Niclas Anelka, a header from a ball popped-up in front of the goal line while David James was out for a walk, was the result of constant pressure. Rather than attack on turnovers, Portsmouth seemed to exhale in relief when Chelsea gave up the ball. Without any talent in midfield that could compete with Deco, Ballack, Lampard and Jon Obi Mikel, Pompey was left parrying attacks throughout the first half. They needed Pedro Mendes. They needed Sulley Muntari. They needed some midfield help, and they needed it help more Chelsea pressure helped created a penalty kick off a hand ball just before half time. Lampard’s first goal of the season put Chelsea up 3-0 at half.
It was a scary, relentless performance that hinted at a sea change at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea players finally seem convinced at how good they are. In this window before Arsenal’s youth matures, Chelsea has the most talented collection of players in the league (and have had for years). Scolari seems to realize this and has encouraged the players to show their skills. The fluid football the Blues showed in their China tour and during their two matches in Moscow at the Russian Railways Cup was still on display Sunday. Just like in the preseason, Chelsea’s players looked to be having fun, challenging themselves to play beautiful and (to Abramovich’s pleasure) exciting football.
Even at match’s end, when Pompey had conceded they had no chance to dent Chelsea’s armor, the team’s ambition was on display, with Deco putting a 30 meter shot past James while Portsmouth’s back line stood back, shell-shocked. As he left the field, Deco shook his teammates’ hands while his teammates shook their heads at him. Deco’s arrival may have changed everything in the Premiership, and it took two months for us to realize it.
Harry Redknapp needs midfield reinforcements, but will be hard for him to take too much from this match. Even before stepping onto the pitch, everybody know Portsmouth was short of Chelsea’s class. The question everybody has as Pompey leaves London: Is anybody in the same class as this Chelsea club?
That’s how impressive the Blues were.
Note: This article will be edited for distribution on American Soccer Reader.
Links
Scolari warns Chelsea not to rest on their laurels
Scolari Hails His Beautiful Blues
Scolari calls for more
Chelsea answer the call for Brazilian style and move on to another level
Chelsea 4 Porstmouth 0: Scolari’s ‘beautiful game’ brings joy to Chelsea
Chelsea 4 Portsmouth 0: Scolari wants style as well as substance
Redknapp rues defending
Scolari satisifed with win
Scolari: Satisfied and Happy
Lampard: Blues had electric start
Delighted Scolari hails team spirit in Chelsea opener
Frank - As well as we can play
Blues delight on Scolari bow
Player Ratings: Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth
Lampard Hails Top Drawer Chelsea
Chelsea start Scolari era with win over Pompey
Chelsea 4- Portsmouth
Chelsea begin Scolari era with 4-0 victory
Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth: Scolari starts in style
Formidable Blues inspired by Deco
Deco inspired imperious Chelsea in Portsmouth rout
Rampant Chelsea rout Portsmouth
Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth
Blues brush Pompey aside
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