Phil Jagielka, starting at full-back, stormed down the right, running into space vacated by Cole. He had time and space but, seeing the ragged nature of Chelsea's defence, lifted the ball in quickly. Victor Anichebe climbed above, probably on, Cesar Azpilicueta, powering a header against the post. As the ball rebounded clear, Pienaar was sharpest, drilling it past Petr Cech. The stats addicts were swift to point out this was Everton's quickest goal in the Premier League since Yakubu struck after 47 seconds against Portsmouth four years ago.
Chelsea were rattled. Pienaar's positioning caught them out frequently. Benitez seemed to expect the South African to be working the left, dovetailing with Leighton Baines, and had therefore fielded the energetic Ramires out on that flank. Yet Moyes started Anichebe on the left, almost in a 4-3-3 formation with Steven Naismith on the right of Nikica Jelavic. Pienaar was more central, looking to link with Jelavic while also quick to press David Luiz and Frank Lampard when Chelsea's midfielders had possession. Pienaar was eventually cautioned for hounding Luiz excessively.
For 25 minutes Everton were totally dominant, proving sharper to the ball, hungrier, simply working harder than the champions of Europe. When Gary Cahill fouled Pienaar, Jelavic swept a free-kick on to Cech's right-hand upright. When Jagielka delivered another cross, Leon Osman forced Cech into an exceptional save. Gwladys Street shook with delight.
Chelsea broke out, Ramires striding through the middle, and eventually Juan Mata briefly testing Tim Howard. Chelsea attacked again, and a sliding Cole almost made contact with a cross at the far-post. Chelsea were building, looking for hope from Ramires, Mata and Lampard, but they kept running into the powerful frame of Distin for 40 minutes.
Everton almost added a second on the counter after 35 minutes. Again Pienaar was magnificent, effortlessly working the ball around Luiz before slipping the ball behind Chelsea's defence for Jelavic. How grateful were the visitors to Cech, making his 400th appearance for Chelsea and managing to stretch out a hand and tip the danger away.His departure at half-time sent a few tremors through Chelsea hearts.
Like Cech, Lampard has been an important figure for Chelsea for so long and he came to their rescue again. Lampard has a good record against Everton and he duly scored, following Fernando Torres' only moment of class in the first half (barring two clearing headers).
Turning Baines, Torres rolled the ball down the inside-right channel for Ramires. The Brazilian crossed for Lampard to do what he does so well, timing his run to score, this time with a strong header past Howard. If questions can be asked about Everton's marking, they could also be asked of the Chelsea board. There is plenty of footballing life left in Lampard, even at 34.
Reports began filtering through that Chelsea were speaking to representatives of Demba Ba, the Newcastle United striker with the controversial £7m get-out clause. Chelsea need another forward, particularly with Daniel Sturridge destined for Liverpool. Torres certainly needs competition; the Spaniard wasted a good opportunity early in the second half. Torres did get a strike on target after 66 minutes but Howard pushed the ball over.
Chelsea had made a change in goal, Ross Turnbull coming on at the break for Cech, and the Englishman made a superb save from Osman after 67 minutes. Chelsea were then rescued by the bar. When Baines whipped in a fantastic cross, Jelavic headed past Turnbull but was denied bythe woodwork.
Costly. Moments later, Lampard reminded everyone of his enduring class, poaching his second. When Howard saved from Mata, Lampard was on hand to give Chelsea the lead from close range. Chelsea could have made it 3-1 in the final minute but Distin again blotted Torres out.
At the final whistle, Lampard was saluted emotionally by the Chelsea fans. "They've been amazing," he said. "They are the club." If only the club board shared their views.
No comments:
Post a Comment