Different League....
Newcastle United 0 Chelsea 2
6 May 2008
With the vast improvement in form of late, here was the chance to see if we could maintain it against one of the big boys.
The first half was fairly level pegging with the best chance of the half falling to Michael Owen who volleyed just over. The same player also had an effort cleared off the line so we could indeed be forgiven for thinking that we can indeed compete at the top end of the table.
However, the second half proved beyond all doubt, that we are still a million miles away. Chelsea proceeded to play almost exclusively in the Toon half and, on the few occasions that we did actually get the ball, it was given straight back. This was not necessarily just bad play but a credit to Chelsea's defensive instincts and the pressure they put on. It appeared only a matter of time until the visitors went ahead.
It seemed a strange decision to me to have Drogba taking a free kick wide on the right but what do I know!? He played the ball perfectly to coincide with Ballack's strong run towards the near post and his finish was perfection.
Frank Lampard came off the bench and was instrumental in the second goal, his inch perfect pass being slotted home by Malouda. Sometimes the run makes the pass easy and this was the case here.
So a comfortable win in the end which means that the destination of this season's Premier League title will go to the wire.
As for Newcastle, Kevin realises that we are in a league within a league with the top four virtually untouchable, so we can aim for that fifth place and, if we attained that would we be happy? You bet your life we would!!
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