Chelsea almost home and dry
Liverpool were well and truly beaten 2-0 today by a far superior Chelsea. It should have ended 3-0 with Hernan Crespo being denied a perfectly valid goal. The champions elect won by being the better attacking force and by winning the psychological battle. Their potency up front makes them a firm favourite when the Champions League knockout stages commence.
And in terms of gameplan and mental strength, there can be no better equipped team. When you hear John Terry saying that the league was still not theirs, you know Jose Mourinho has kept the threat of complacency at bay. Liverpool did come out fighting in the second half but wilted as every Chelsea attack looked like it could yield dividends.
The late sending off of Pepe Reina did however spoil matters. Arjen Robben looked like a man possessed and his constant questioning of refereeing decisions was particularly sour. It seems that it's perfectly okay to say "fuck off" to the linesman and be safe in the knowledge that there will be no repercussions.
Reina's well-timed tackle on Eidur Gudjohnsen got him into hot water. The situation was made worse when Robben remonstrated with Reina who in turn pushed Robben away. Predictably, Robben hit the ground like he had been struck with a truncheon.
Chelsea are a physical force to be reckoned with, especially at the back. That said, as usual Frank Lampard went AWOL against strong opposition. This will surely be a concern for Chelsea when they face Barcelona in a few weeks.
All is not lost for Liverpool. They look forward to their last 16 meeting with a beatable Benfica in the last 16 of the Champions League. This is a competition that is definitely not done and dusted. Champions League games are less physical and that should see Liverpool become a more dominant force than they currently are in the Premiership.
Published by Colm.
And in terms of gameplan and mental strength, there can be no better equipped team. When you hear John Terry saying that the league was still not theirs, you know Jose Mourinho has kept the threat of complacency at bay. Liverpool did come out fighting in the second half but wilted as every Chelsea attack looked like it could yield dividends.
The late sending off of Pepe Reina did however spoil matters. Arjen Robben looked like a man possessed and his constant questioning of refereeing decisions was particularly sour. It seems that it's perfectly okay to say "fuck off" to the linesman and be safe in the knowledge that there will be no repercussions.
Reina's well-timed tackle on Eidur Gudjohnsen got him into hot water. The situation was made worse when Robben remonstrated with Reina who in turn pushed Robben away. Predictably, Robben hit the ground like he had been struck with a truncheon.
Chelsea are a physical force to be reckoned with, especially at the back. That said, as usual Frank Lampard went AWOL against strong opposition. This will surely be a concern for Chelsea when they face Barcelona in a few weeks.
All is not lost for Liverpool. They look forward to their last 16 meeting with a beatable Benfica in the last 16 of the Champions League. This is a competition that is definitely not done and dusted. Champions League games are less physical and that should see Liverpool become a more dominant force than they currently are in the Premiership.
Published by Colm.
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