It was a week for underdogs to remember

WHAT a week it’s been for the underdog — Tottenham against us obviously, West Ham against Arsenal, Copenhagen against United, and Liverpool against Bordeaux . . .

Tottenham were going to beat us one day. That long unbeaten run went against the laws of nature. But Sunday’s defeat was annoying on two counts. Firstly this Tottenham team doesn’t rank very highly in terms of those that have gone before them in the last 16 years of Chelsea domination. While on the flipside this IS arguably the best Chelsea side in 16 years. And secondly, for the first 20 minutes we were so dominant and played probably some of the best football of this season. But then, I don’t really know what happened — did we get complacent? We seemed to go into slow motion and allowed Tottenham into the game. They seized it by the throat.

Yes, Poll was awful; yes, Terry’s sending off was harsh; yes Drogba’s goal should have stood (which would have made it 2 nil) — but Tottenham still deserved the win — just. I really enjoyed the game; it was a high tempo, aggressive derby and it got the blood pumping. I believe the open-top bus parade down the Seven Sisters Road is pencilled in for next Tuesday.

Let me move on to a far more satisfying result. The game against Barca.

I came away from the ground physically and emotionally drained. I had, as usual, sat in with the Barca fans. Any of you who have ever visited the Nou Camp will know that the seats allocated to away supporters are, with those at St James’s Park, the very worst in the world.

I have to say it was worth the extra euros to see the myriad of emotions that were played out before us. The fact that we were not up and applauding wildly within a nano-second of Deco’s goal demonstrated our allegiances plainly enough to those around us.

It is amazing that one of the most gifted and successful sides ever to have played the beautiful game, have a following of the most ignorant fans in the world. Every foul committed against them is a sending-off offence — howls of derision accompanied by wide eyed consternation. The referee never gives them enough decisions in their opinion, and every game I have seen there, the arbitrator is derided and booed.

Oh, the joy when Drogba netted that time added on equaliser! I’ll say it again — when 11 play 11 Barcelona never beat us. Rijkaard’s reaction at the final whistle was equally satisfying.

The so-called King of Cool completely lost it and ran onto the pitch to castigate the referee. UEFA have already said they will not be taking any action over this (correctly in my opinion). However, be honest all you non-Chelsea people out there — even you guys must KNOW had that been José, he’d have been slapped with a disciplinary charge quicker than you can say “gravy train.”

You can imagine my surprise, then, to return to the English press where we were castigated and criticised and even Mourinho’s celebration was cause for even more vitriol. Steve Curry (a United fan) went as far as to say that José should be docked three points every time he celebrates on his knees! This anti-Chelsea shyte has gone past the point of no return now.

It has been suggested that Mourinho’s celebrations lack class. At least our manager doesn’t start a scuffle with the opposition manager when they score.

Why are we trying to wring the last vestiges of passion out of this game? Who really is insulted by Pardew pumping the air, fist clenched? Or José sliding along the grass on his knees? Both celebrations were in reaction to last minute goals against apparently superior opposition — what are we advocating here? Polite applause?

Finally, Man United. They are looking ominous, aren’t they? Perhaps unstoppable. I’ve gone back to that insecure, glass-half-empty type of girl that I was three seasons ago. I know it’s only November but something IS missing... a striker I think. The papers seem to think that we are going to pip United to the signature of Torres. That would be interesting and steady the nerves a bit.!

Finally — an answer to a reader inquiry. I have supported Chelsea, Mr Lynch of Cavan, if you have read this far, for 27 years. It’s a common delusion among Reds that most Chelsea supporters have come on board post-Abramovich.

But that’s completely wrong. A great swathe go back to the 60s, and the next big recruitment decade was the 1980s. There’s always a proportion of new fans that sign up to success. Where do you think all those Scandinavian Liverpool fans came from? Come on the Chels.

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