Sorry I haven't been updating the blog recently - EPL has taken a hiatus for Euro 2012 Qualifications, and I've been pretty much transfixed by the World Series. The Phillies are out of it (unfortunately), but I'm still hoping for Texas to win it all.
Anyway, to business.
Manchester United unexpectedly tied their game with Liverpool today and Chelsea beat Everton 3-1 to put them within one point of the defending league champions. However, Manchester City wrapped up a 4-1 win over Aston Villa to finish Matchday 8 at the top of the table. Goals from Daniel Sturridge, John Terry, and Ramires put Chelsea up 3-0 before Apostolos Vellios reduced the deficit to 3-1 in the 81st minute. While Everton did well at the beginning of the game to stop the majority of Chelsea's shots, Chelsea eventually settled into a groove and took control for the remainder of the game. Chelsea's victory ended a streak of not winning against Everton for the past two seasons (they played six times, and Chelsea lost two and drew four).
FINAL SCORE: 3-1 Chelsea
André Villas-Boas went with his usual 4-3-3 formation this morning. With Fernando Torres serving a 3-game suspension (starting with Chelsea's last game against Bolton), the forward line consisted of Juan Mata, Dider Drogba, and Daniel Sturridge.
Mata (Anelka) ----------- Drogba ------------- Sturridge
Lampard ------------ Mikel (Romeu) --- Ramires (Malouda)
Cole --------- Terry --------- Ivanovic --------- Bosingwa
Cech
Bench: Turnbull, Alex, Meireles, Lukaku.
John Terry celebrates after scoring Chelsea's second goal this morning.
NOTABLE CHELSEA PLAYERS:
- Daniel Sturridge: Scored his third goal in two games when he did well to get away from his marker and head in Chelsea's first goal. He now has an equal number of goals (4) to Anelka (1), Torres (2), and Drogba (1) combined. My question: why is he not starting every game? Booked for simulation in the 70th minute, but other than that he played excellently.
- Juan Mata: Did very well to get the ball to Ashley Cole, who assisted Sturridge's goal, and sent a perfect pass across the face of goal for Ramires to push in for Chelsea's third. Showed excellent creativity and vision when making passes.
- Frank Lampard: Had an excellent passing rate and worked hard to anchor the midfield and link up the forwards and the defense. He also set up the second goal by John Terry. It seems that ever since he was kept out of the lineup a few weeks ago, his performance has greatly improved.
- John Terry: Defended well, and positioned himself excellently to head in Chelsea's second goal.
- Ramires: Showed great pace to tip in Mata's pass to get Chelsea's third goal. After the goal he seemed to be slightly injured, but André Villas-Boas insisted that it was minor.
- Ashley Cole: Did well to get far forward while setting up Chelsea's first goal, after receiving Mata's excellent pass.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
For the most part, the game was pretty quiet (both on and off the pitch), with the home crowd not showing too much verbal support.
*P.S. I just have to take a quick break to announce that the TEXAS RANGERS ARE IN THE WORLD SERIES! Sorry, but I'm watching the game as I write this, and I'm very super-happy. Just in case there are any baseball fans out there who also happen to be reading this.*
Anyway, as stated earlier, Everton defended well for the first half hour, but, after a 16th minute yellow card issued to Fellaini, Juan Mata sent the ball through to an oncoming Ashley Cole, who sent a lifted cross to the center of the penalty area, where Daniel Sturridge got away from his man and headed it into the back of the net in the 31st minute. After two more yellow card issued to Cole and Baines in the 38th and 41st minutes, respectively, Frank Lampard sent in a cross for John Terry (missed by goalkeeper Tim Howard), who nodded it into the back of the net to make the score 2-0. In the 61st minute, Juan Mata sent an absolutely perfect pass right in between the opposing keeper and opposing defenders to find Ramires, who tipped it in to make the score-line 3-0. After the third goal, Ramires seemed to be limping slightly, but André Villas-Boas later dismissed his limp as a minor injury. In the 70th minute, Daniel Sturridge fell over after a seemingly light challenge, and was subsequently booked for simulation. After three substitutions saw Malouda, Anelka, and Romeu come on for Ramires, Mata, and Mikel, Apostolos Vellios netted Everton's first of the game only 18 seconds after coming on for Louis Saha. The final score was 3-1 in Chelsea's favour.
MATCH STATISTICS:
Everton Chelsea
Ball Possession (%) 39 61
Shots (on target) 7(2) 7(5)
Corners 2 2
Crosses 5 19
Fouls Committed 10 13
Yellow Cards 2 2
Red Cards 0 0
Offsides 8 1
OTHER FIXTURES:
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United
Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa
Norwich City 3-1 Swansea City
QPR 1-1 Blackburn
Stoke City 2-0 Fulham
Match highlights.
If only Texas could go on to play Chelsea, that would be a real World Series.
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