Chelsea shoulder to shoulder as they seal back-to-back titles

The Observer

Amy Lawrence at Stamford Bridge

Sunday April 30, 2006

You wait 50 years for a title and then two come along in as many years. For the five-year-old boy who was here to witness his first Chelsea match, how do you begin to explain that hoisting the Premiership trophy courtesy of a swaggering 3-0 victory over Manchester United does not happen every year?

'Back to back' was the theme of the day and Chelsea made sure they retained their title with authority and style. From back to front there were immense performances worthy of a championship crowning occasion. John Terry, who caught a hefty knock from the boot of Wayne Rooney in the first 10 minutes, battled heroically through the pain and ended up hobbling. But nothing would stop the captain from being on the pitch as the final whistle blew on his second title.

In midfield, Claude Makelele's performance demonstrated why Chelsea are ahead of the game compared with Manchester United. The visiting team were never able to get any kind of grip, with a central midfield partnership of Ryan Giggs and John O'Shea overwhelmed as the Frenchman dictated intelligently. Games such as this mark him out as Roman Abramovich's most influential gift to Chelsea.

Farther forward, Joe Cole was inspired. A constant thorn down Gary Neville's side, his vibrant display was crowned with the goal that made sure that this would be Chelsea's day. The celebrations were inclusive enough for Jose Mourinho to launch a couple of winner's medals into the crowd as thanks for their support during the astonishing home run that has underpinned this campaign - two points frittered away out of 54 is an awesome statistic.

And so United were bystanders to a Premiership party for the second time in five seasons. But that worry was overshadowed when Rooney was carried off on a stretcher with eight minutes remaining, having landed awkwardly under pressure from Paulo Ferreira's challenge. Clearly in pain, his right leg was strapped and foot supported and it was a disquieting sight.

Rooney was United's central threat, but once the home team got themselves an early foothold, they were always chasing the champions.

Chelsea surged ahead in the fifth minute from a set piece. Frank Lampard's corner was helped on by Didier Drogba and with the defence in disarray, William Gallas was alone, unmarked, with the goal at his mercy. Gleefully, he sent a header past Edwin van der Sar. Mourinho's reaction? To sit motionless, expressionless, as Stamford Bridge burst to life around him.

United's response was vigorous enough. They were furious that referee Mike Dean had not stopped play during the attack that forced the corner, adamant that Cristiano Ronaldo had been fouled. An eventful opening 10 minutes became even more heated when Terry was gashed during a full blooded 50-50 tackle with Rooney. The United striker then clattered Ferreira but escaped a booking.

Chelsea were dominant, until Rooney endeavoured to rouse United. A virtuoso run of wilful determination left Terry and Ricardo Carvalho in his wake and Ferreira on his backside, but having done the hard work, when it came to the finish he screwed a golden chance wide.

Mourinho's cajoling ensured that Chelsea finished off their opponents.

'I told the players before the match we can't allow a team to come here and take away the cup,' he said. 'It's ours. We deserve it.' Cole was as psyched up as anybody to fulfil his manager's prophesy. He launched a skilful attempt to put the game beyond United's reach with an audacious chip, but the ball drifted narrowly wide of the far post.

Cometh the hour, cometh the moment. Petr Cech's enormous bowled throw was chested on by Drogba towards Cole. The England midfielder tricked his way past Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and sidefooted the ball forcefully into the net. This time Mourinho did allow himself a moment of celebration, jumping up to shake his fists.

And then it became easy. Carvalho turned into Franz Beckenbauer, beginning and ending a sweeping move that symbolised a spirit of liberation in Mourinho's team. The Portugal defender, helped along the way by Lampard and Cole, let fly with a swerving right-foot shot that nestled inside the near post. 'Boring, boring Chelsea,' chorused the faithful in the Matthew Harding stand.

The football world may be distracted by the FA's sequel to Mike

Bassett: England Manager, but this was compelling, dramatic and will be remembered for a long time in west London. The man with the master plan added to the show by discarding his sober black scarf for the red and green of Portugal. It was one in the eye for Dave Richards, one of the Soho Square bigwigs responsible for the 'Big Phil' fiasco, who was handing over the medals.

Mourinho may bristle at a perceived lack of respect from English football, but in this corner of London they know they are on to a good thing. 'Back-to-back titles, but four consecutive titles,' cheered the PA man as the manager came back out for the trophy presentation.

Mourinho for England, anyone?

MAN OF THE MATCH - Joe Cole

Claude Makelele showed why he is Chelsea's most important player, but on a day for glory, Cole shone with stylish display and superb solo goal.

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Just like old times in this brave new world

Will Buckley

Sunday April 30, 2006

The Observer

Twenty-odd years ago, The Imperial Arms was the first and only specialist pub in what was the shabbier part of the King's Road. There being no football on Sundays, a diverse group would gather at lunchtime for a pint, a game of pool and whatever entertainment was on offer.

Down the road, the football team was struggling. Defeat at Oldham would have consigned them a place that no longer exists (Division Three). It was averted and thanks to John Neal and a team led by Kerry Dixon, David Speedie and Pat Nevin, Chelsea returned to the top flight

Gentrification led to an inevitable transformation of the Imperial.

Out went the spit, sawdust and strippers and in came wine. In the 1990s, Matthew Harding used it as his base for his challenge to Ken Bates for ownership of Chelsea, meeting with his pals for oysters and Guinness before making mischief in the directors' box. His death prevented him becoming chairman but he did cause enough agitation for Chelsea to set their sights higher. Glenn Hoddle was hired, he bought Ruud Gullit who bought Gianluca Vialli and a pattern was established that culminated in Roman Abramovich purchasing the club.

Yesterday, the Imperial Arms returned to the early 1980s. It was filled by Old Chelsea fans singing Old Chelsea songs, somewhat in the manner of a fringe meeting at a Labour Conference attended by people who, stubbornly, are still socialists.

It was the same in the neighbouring pubs as old faces in the Fulham Tup sang 'Zigger Zagger'. Sadly, Wiggy's bar, opposite Fulham Broadway Tube station, was closed. This used to be the pub of choice in the days when big Chelsea European nights involved singing the praises of Mark Stein ('Steino, there's only one Steino') for his achievements against the likes of Tromso.

Ah well, there was still the euphoria of those who fling celery in celebration, rather than stir it round their Virgin Marys, to be enjoyed. Whether due to price or inclination a large number had chosen to witness an achievement unique in Chelsea's history in the pubs that abutted the ground.

It was a triumphal occasion. As soon as Joe Cole killed the match and confirmed a consecutive Premiership the party began. Songs once sung in hope and with irony ('We're by far the greatest team the world has ever seen') were chanted as near fact. Familiar faces flitted by, one senior in a flat cap I'm sure I last saw putting tuppence in the pint pot at The Imperial and chuckling that it represented the best value entertainment in London.

Of course, these victories have been achieved thanks to the most generous benefactor in football. But whatever antipathy might be felt towards the club and its sponsor, it seems churlish to begrudge the good fortune of the fans to whom it means so much. Such is the way with the modern media that the ease of Chelsea's triumph has left too much time for whingeing about the disaster for football it may have been.

Yet it is far too late for football to lock the door on capitalism.

And it is rather hypocritical for Arsene Wenger, who once described winning the Champions League as as much of a lottery as the FA Cup, to promote that tournament above the season-long test that is the Premiership.

As the match moved into injury time, The Imperial rocked to a sustained rendition of 'Let's go fucking mental'. I haven't heard or seen such scenes since the best and worst of times in The Shed.

Joining in with gusto was flat cap. I've never seen him look so happy.

Next season they will go for the hat-trick of titles, a run of success built on New Chelsea money with the support of Old Chelsea fans.

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Independent:

Chelsea 3 Manchester Utd 0: Rooney's world caves in as Chelsea canter to crown Mourinho resignation claims reduced to sideshow as Cole wonder goal ends United title challenge - but all the talk is about Wayne By Steve Tongue at Stamford Bridge

Published: 30 April 2006

As the celebrations began in one part of west London early yesterday afternoon, a pall hung over Soho Square. A desperate weekend for the Football Association continued with serious concern that the foot injury suffered by Wayne Rooney will keep him out of this summer's World Cup. As England's most important forward heard the break would keep him out for six weeks, the 10 stitches required by their key defender, John Terry, seemed minor in comparison; and Jose Mourinho's revelation that he had considered leaving Chelsea at the end of the season paled almost into a sideshow.

If Mourinho feels understandably frustrated at not receiving sufficient credit for winning his fourth successive domestic title, imagine Sir Alex Ferguson's feelings on the way back to Manchester.

United, though suffering their first defeat in a dozen games, looked a world away from offering the challenge that their manager has promised for next season. Rooney was again his best player, despite missing the clearest opportunity and committing at least three bad tackles, including the one that left Terry limping for most of the match. There was, however, no malice in the challenge by Paulo Ferreira 12 minutes from the end which could have ended his season, and may have ended his and England's World Cup hopes.

This was a comprehensive victory - for Mourinho's team, 3-0 is a cricket score - completing an extraordinary home record of 18 wins and one draw, the best in the top division for almost a century.

Liverpool, the other occasionally stuttering big red machine from up north, could yet deprive United of second place, although Ferguson's side appear to have the easier finish with home games against Middlesbrough and Charlton this week.

Even if United had not dropped points at home to Sunderland on Good Friday, there would have been no more serious doubt about the destination of the title than there was last season, when Chelsea secured it at Bolton a week earlier. At that stage they were midway through the Champions' League semi-final against Liverpool, which would be lost to Luis Garcia's "ghost" goal. After defeat by Barcelona in the same competition last month, improvement next season can only come by winning the competition.

Mourinho, in other words, will be expected to win the Premiership again as a matter of course. He feels too much is taken for granted, though there will be a few belly-laughs from members of the League Managers' Association at his suggestion that "this is the worst club in the world to be manager of". Yesterday was proof of a lesson learned from the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Liverpool, even if he refused publicly to acknowledge picking the wrong team. With a single point required to retain the championship, he simply chose his best players in their most successful formation and watched them dominate the game.

Ferreira was where he belonged at right-back, with William Gallas on the other flank. Ricardo Carvalho, his future in some doubt, played alongside the ever-present Terry, and scored the third goal after sprinting from his own penalty area. The midfield had a proper shape, Arjen Robben and Joe Cole supplying the width, and the lively Didier Drogba justified starting ahead of Hernan Crespo.

Even the crucial refereeing decisions went Chelsea's way. Frank Lampard was allowed to get away with a dubious tackle to dispossess the self-indulgent Cristiano Ronaldo in the third minute. From that move, Chelsea won a corner, which Lampard flighted perfectly for Carvalho to flick on and Gallas to head in.

Ryan Giggs and John O'Shea, a midfield combination that has to be considered makeshift, never came to grips with Lampard, Michael Essien and the ever-reliable Claude Makelele. Rooney's burst through the middle after 22 minutes finished with a wayward shot, and his flicked effort some 40 minutes later, held by Petr Cech, was United's only other moment of hope. By that time, Cole had turned cleverly past Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic to beat Edwin van der Saar, effectively securing the title.

Carvalho then scored the sort of goal which Stamford Bridge - indeed the whole country - would like to see more often. Intercepting a cross

15 yards from his own goal, he raced forward to create a four-against-three, pulling wide to receive Cole's pass and hammering the ball past the goalkeeeper. The crowd went into full celebratory mode and most had the decency to offer sympathetic applause as Rooney was carried off on a stretcher, having fallen awkwardly and in intense pain as Ferreira dispossessed him.

"Chelsea deserve to win the League," Ferguson said. "But if you lose goals as soft as we have, you have to take your medicine." Rooney's will have a dreadfully bitter taste this morning.

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Telegraph:

Chelsea in domestic bliss

By Patrick Barclay (Filed: 30/04/2006)

In pics: Premiership action

Your View: Premiership forum

Chelsea (1) 3 Manchester United (0) 0

Any student of West London's public transport would recognise the phenomenon. No championship for 50 years - and suddenly two come along together.

But let no-one question the truly exceptional efficiency of the system Jose Mourinho has created off the Fulham Road.

Singing the Blues: Chelsea players celebrate retaining the title after a convincing victory over Man Utd

Chelsea took this title in a manner that erased any mirage of red-tinged doubt as to their right to it. They rose to Manchester United's brave prediction of an ever-closer challenge next season with a stirring reassertion of the margin between the teams.

There were even some graceful words from Mourinho, who, having reminded anyone still ignorant of his achievements that he now has four consecutive national championships, the first pair with Porto,

added: "The result doesn't show how difficult Manchester United made it for us. They were fantastic today.''

While the score may have been a shade harsh, an impressive set-piece goal and two things of footballing beauty emphasised Chelsea's knack of producing just what every Premiership occasion requires.

In Europe they may have bowed to the artistry of Barcelona, while in their FA Cup semi-final Mourinho got his tactics wrong against Liverpool. But since Mourinho arrived at Stamford Bridge his ever-evolving team have hardly put a foot wrong in the domestic league.

Of 74 matches, they have won 58 and lost only four. They have out-scored the opposition by an average of four goals to one and few champions, in any era, get near that ratio.

The football of Arsenal and, often, United may be sexier, but it takes all sorts to make a game and Chelsea at their best can constitute an awesome spectacle, especially on the counter-attack when Frank Lampard exerts his indefatigable influence.

At home, they have dropped a mere two points all season: a record to which Mourinho referred in telling us why he had hurled his medal - preceded by his jacket - into the Matthew Harding Stand. "I think the people behind that goal are the best supporters we have,'' he said.

"One of the reasons we are champions is that we have a very good record at home and they are a part of that so I wanted to share the moment with them. The person who got the medal is a lucky guy. He has a great souvenir - or he can go on eBay and make a fortune!''

Money, though, is not always an aid to happiness and Mourinho used a glass of water as the basis for a lecture in economics, gloomily

observing: "In this country, where people only see coins and pounds and transfer fees, this is the worst club to be a manager. Because to win is never enough. I won nine consecutive matches at the start of the Premiership season and, after that, a lot of other matches. Yet I was never manager of the month. Not once.''

While those of us who are on Barclays' panel shifted uneasily in our seats, he confirmed to a questioner that he had considered resigning a couple of times during the season, but stressed that there was no chance of it now.

Inevitably, Wayne Rooney's grimace as the stretcher bore him off the field lingered in every mind, though Mourinho said a member of the United staff had assured him Rooney would be fit for the World Cup.

Even amid the early stages of their celebrations, his England players

- Lampard, John Terry and Joe Cole - were visibly sobered by anxiety about Sven-Goran Eriksson's most exciting player of all.

Even in the 78th minute, with United three down, Rooney remained in brilliant, defiant form until he fell under pressure from Paulo Ferreira and a nation, it is scarcely an exaggeration to say, held its breath.

Chelsea had started with William Gallas's fifth Premiership goal of the season: a total that meant the French defender had equalled the combined output of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Damien Duff.

He took it like a striker, too, profiting from excellent use of a corner. Lampard swung the ball over, Terry jumped early and Didier Drogba, lurking behind his captain, nodded goalwards.

Gary Neville, by a post, would probably have stopped it but was helpless to keep out a more powerful header from the intervening predator Gallas.

Terry, having fared the worse in a challenge with Rooney, overcame the pain but was one of two defenders humbled as Rooney gave United hope with a thrilling surge.

Finding Louis Saha from deep, he sprinted and turned the striker's lay-off into a one-two; Terry, diving in, was left on his bottom and Ferreira nutmegged before Rooney advanced on Petr Cech only to pull his shot wide. Later, with a sudden low drive from 20 yards, Rooney brought an outstanding save from Cech.

Chelsea, though, were generally in control and, when Drogba flicked on a long clearance from Cech, the nimble feet of Cole proved too much for both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, whom he left in his wake before sumptuously wrong-footing Ed van der Sar.

Rooney was then cautioned for a foul on Drogba before Ricardo Carvalho rounded matters off in style. From his own penalty area, he fed Lampard and started running. He never stopped as the ball moved on to Cole, who spread it to Carvalho on the left.

Once again you would never have guessed this was a defender as Carvalho cut in and sent a smooth right-footer into the far corner: an appropriate last word from the champions.

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The Sunday Times April 30, 2006

Chelsea 3 Manchester United 0: Agonies and ecstasy down the King's Road Andrew Longmore at Stamford Bridge