A Bridge Too Far: Black and Yellows Edged By Chelsea in the South West London Sun

Chelsea 1 - 0 Everton

Given my passion for history and war films, I couldn't resist including the film about Operation Market Garden in the title. There is logic in my own mind. 

I will start by re-quoting myself: an average game between two average teams. Chelsea didn't impress and seemed nervous; Everton didn't impress and were reticent until late on. We had chances, but were blunted. 

The usual start. Up early and out with the dog, who likes to take me for a walk. That's how I see it. I'm usually the one following the Lion Hunter. But that's where the normal matchday ritual ended. 

I headed into London on Friday morning to catch a train to Manchester to attend an event with my cousin and his Chelsea mates alongside a gang of Manchester United supporters. It was partly a St George's Night celebration, but also a charity raising event for the upcoming VE/VJ Day. Mark Crossley, the former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper, was guest speaker and his tales of Brian Clough were very entertaining. I spoke with him for a few minutes at the end.

It was a cracking afternoon-cum-evening, although at times, I thought I was at a Reform Party rally!! I quickly came to the assumption that these guys were part of the Chelsea and Manchester United firms back in the bad old days, but have now become good friends.

As the token Scouser and Evertonian, I soon got singled out, but it was all good banter. We ended up in a bar that claims to be the smallest in Europe and I wouldn't dispute that. Talk about not having enough room to swing a cat. It was known as "Baz's Bar", after the owner who is an ex-Boxer and imposing figure. I wouldn't mess with him. Again, plenty of banter between the Man Utd and Chelsea supporters. And me!!

There was a mural on the wall depicting Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, George Best and Sir Matt Busby. I learned that both Busby and Sir Alex shared the same first name of Alexander. Matt (Matthew) was his middle name. Every day is a school day.

I discussed George Best and how he would have looked playing on today's bowling green like pitches and not having the shit kicked out of him. Who was the best Man Utd player? I was surprised. Considering many of the audience had witnessed their team of the late 60s, they went for Roy Keane.

I went for Paul Scholes. Even though he couldn't tackle, he had an intelligent football brain. Best Everton player? I went for my obvious. They were torn between Southall and Sheedy, but Alan Ball came out top. 

It wasn't a late night and I was up early again to catch the train back to Euston. My cousin, having grown up in Battersea, knows south London like the back of his hand.

A quick pit stop for a much-needed bacon roll and coffee at some random street café built into the arches near Wandsworth station, drop Jim the West Ham straggler off at Chelsea Hospital, where he now resides as a Chelsea Pensioner. Like my cousin, he is ex-Royal Green Jackets. 

Then the short trip to Stamford Bridge. Again my cousin's knowledge of the area came to play as we navigated the streets, overcoming road closures to park a 1-minute walk away and within sight of the stadium. Skills and respect!! 

He told me not worry, but I tried to lay low, and go under the radar in amongst the home crowd. It didn't last long before I was rumbled early doors by those sat around me. Brian explained and vouched for me as being "an okay geezer" to use the London vernacular. They were fine with me. 

I had a good day out in the sun with the Chelsea supporters, but always had one eye on the far corner, where the 3,000 travelling Blues were stood. That's where I wanted to be but, as long as I'm in the ground, I don't care.

A standing joke between Mark Murphy and I, and it was difficult to judge from where I was, but I made it 2-2 to the Goodison Gang v Davey Moyes song. Mark, we can do renditions of each other's least favourite songs at Southampton! I'm not singing If Ya Know Yer History though!! 

Many handshakes at the end. A dad sat next to me with his young daughter was trying to explain the rules and decisions throughout the game. I couldn't help myself and took over. A very dedicated supporter, but clear to me that he hadn't played football. 

To pinch Ken Buckley's catch phrase, from my seat, I watched a typical end-of-season encounter. The match was nothing to write home about. Surprising considering what Chelsea still have to play for and disappointing that we are still set up not to lose rather than play with freedom to win.

I had said that Chelsea had more to play for, so I expected them to have us on the ropes. They may have controlled, especially in the first half, but it didn't really transpire. Everton were content to contain, inviting Chelsea to cut through our lines way too easily. 

Fortunately, they are as shot-shy as us and, when the chance was on, they opted to go sideways or backwards and start again. We were very wasteful in possession and wide open in midfield when they broke. Had that been a more clinical Chelsea team, the score would have been higher by half-time. Not a great performance by either team, but Everton in particular were seemingly on the beach already. 

I always find it interesting being amongst the opposition supporters. The general view was that they play crab football and are scared to take chances. There is growing discontent with the owners, who most compare to the Glazers at Manchester United putting their club into increasingly deep financial trouble. 

Given the situation we have ended up in, there is nothing to fear and nothing to lose. This godforsaken season will soon be over. As I said on the matchday thread, the race for 13th is very much alive and it depresses me saying that. But, as always, I'll go into next season with optimism. 

The players 

Pickford: Made some great saves to keep us in the game, as did their keeper to ensure they stayed ahead. I thought about Branthwaite, but I'll give Man of the Match to Jordan. I did say the men of the match could have been both keepers. 

Patterson: Pleased to see him get a start and he played okay but I do wonder if he is at this level. He got caught with the reverse pass more than once, committing to the ball and losing sight of the runner, who got in behind him. He then found himself the wrong side, out of the game, and playing catch-up. 

Mykolenko: Our Ukranian did well again. He's no world beater, but is performing defensively consistently at the moment. 

O'Brien: He looked comfortable alongside Branthwaite. Both 22 & 23, a future partnership in the making. They missed Tarkowski, but the two young defenders were very assured and drew praise from the Chelsea supporters around me. 

Branthwaite: He is just class. Showed signs of being a future captain and it was encouraging to see a young player being the one to take control and try to calm the horses early doors when we were under the cosh a bit. Playing alongside Tarkowski has clearly rubbed off on him. 

Gueye: Not at his best, but still does the job we have come to expect from him. Odds on for Player of the Season in my opinion. With the years against him, how do we replace him? 

Garner: For some reason, he is being targeted in some quarters for criticism. I can only go off what I see. He always looks up and likes to play forward when it's on. And once again, demonstrated his willingness to put a foot in and go for an honest 50-50. 

Harrison: Not at his worst, not at his best, whatever that is. The manager must like something about him, but his Everton days are numbered, unless Moyes is considering using some of his transfer budget on him. 

Doucouré: He had a Doucouré day. You just don't know what's going to happen when he gets the ball. He should have buried one in the second half after Mykolenko's cross put it on a plate for him. The outcome was probably Chelsea's best defensive header all afternoon from our own Number 16. That was right in my line of sight, so I had a good view of it. 

Ndiaye: Iliman just didn't look himself. He looked a bit leggy and was getting frustrated with his teammates because of the lack of options in front of him. But I don't think it warranted taking him off; more of that later. 

Beto: He did okay and was a handful. Came close but for a very good save by Sanchez. He is what he is and I felt for him a bit. Like many Everton strikers of recent years, he cut an isolated figure. Another military phrase. The forlorn hope.

Alcaraz (on for Ndiaye): Why, oh why, will Moyes not play him and Ndiaye together? Was it that something was wrong with Ndiaye, or just his stubbornness? Charly was looking to make things happen and, but for a block from one of the Chelsea centre-backs, his direct running at the opposition could have resulted in a goal. Play him and sign him. For £15M, you won't get much better. 

Young (on for Patterson): I joked with my cousin and those around me, saying he's as old as me (53). He gave us a bit more leadership presence and was the only one in the ref's face on contentious decisions. He used his experienced head on a few occasions to compensate for the legs coming to their end. Not all may agree, but he's been important for us this season. 

Chermiti (on for Beto): I didn't see enough to convince me. But, he's still only 20. There is probably potential in there if he is given a run. Now is the time to do it.

McNeil (on for Harrison): He's a good footballer, is Dwight. He definitely looked rusty due to the injury. Let's hope he is refreshed and ready to go next season. With the right players around him, he has goals and assists in him.

Onward to the End

Give us something to cheer about next week, Everton. 40 years since Sheedy's double free-kick against the same opposition. Can we bring him on for a cameo? I reckon he'd still score and I would riot. It looks like my Chelsea connections will be sorting me out for a Fulham ticket as they all know each other.  

I keep saying it, but we are down to the last two matches at Goodison Park. Forget this 'safety' shite. Give our spiritual home something she deserves. I might be in the minority, but I'd rather lose 3-0 trying and being entertained than watching a team afraid to win. 

Sorry to end on a negative. I just want our team, our club, to behave like the big club we are. 

Spirit. Forever. Cradle to Grave. 

Reader Comments (13)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()

How to get rid of these ads and support TW