In light of Jose Mourinho's rant after the goal-less draw with Newcastle about it being against the rules to award Chelsea a penalty, I'd like to ask the question, is it also against rules for Chelsea to fail to win gracefully?
I never thought I'd say it and I'm sure neither did those Newcastle fans who chanted it on Sunday, but I’d rather Manchester United won the title this season. There, I've said it, I feel a little dirty now, but I've said it and it’s true. I can't cope with a third-successive Premiership title for Chelsea.
Given Mourinho’s blatant attempt to swing referee’s opinion in his favour, I wonder what else Chelsea’s manager believes is against the rules. The laws of gravity perhaps? How about the laws of physics? And where does he stand on heavy petting in the showers because it’s not allowed at my local swimming pool and I’m sure that applies to everyone, not just Chelsea.
Enough of Chelsea, however. Well almost, I see on Sky Sports News that Chelsea have actually been given more penalties than Manchester United this season, while the Red Devils have also conceded more than the Blues despite John Terry’s liberal interpretation of the rules governing handball and physical contact in the area!
Anyway, to Newcastle and how about Titus Bramble eh? Not seen since Alkmaar, he returns to the side because Glenn Roeder appears to have fallen out with Craig Moore after substituting the Australian in the first half against Portsmouth and excels.
Mind you, I still don’t think we’ll be seeing much more of Titus who will still be off the summer after Roeder’s recent treatment. Nevertheless, this was another frustrating reminder of what Bramble is capable of. His Newcastle career, though, will always be a case of what might have been I guess!
Credit must also go to Steven Taylor as Stephen Carr. Both struggled against Pompey, but they looked good against Chelsea. Carr even managed to wind up Mourinho with his not-spotted handball in the area so, for once, well done!
Now, without prompting an argument - as if I’d ever do such a thing - it is worth pointing out Newcastle’s midfield also performed well. Then again, dare I suggest that the central midfield has been at its best when Nicky Butt and Emre are together?
That, of course, makes a rather awkward decision for Roeder when Scott Parker is fit and one which he has, so far, always played safe with. The captain always plays and, at the moment, Emre is the one who makes way.
Personally, I don’t think Butt and Parker can play together in midfield, but Roeder seems unwilling to tell either of them that they are being dropped/rested. It will be interesting to see what happens against Reading on Monday.
Hey ho, a point against Chelsea is a decent result at the end of a rubbish season and means none of the “Big Four� have won at St James’s Park in the league this season for the first time in the Premiership. A crumb of comfort and all that.
Let’s hope the team manages to perform just as well at Reading next week. Call my a pessimist - honestly I’ve been called a lot worse - but I doubt it given the displays at Wigan, Bolton, Everton, Fulham, Portsmouth and Charlton this season! What was that about Newcastle being consistently inconsistent?
Finally, you will all be pleased to know that Leyton Orient won at Bradford City at the weekend and, as a result, are all but certain of avoiding relegation. Superb!
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