A day of elation as we show some steel

WITH the looming prospect of dropping two costly points on Saturday, when Gael Clichy careered down the left flank in the 88th minute against the Hammers, I offered up a little prayer that our profligate French full-back might for once find a team-mate with a decent cross.

We’ve grown so accustomed to promising forays forward petering out with Gael’s final pass, that we were all left somewhat agog, when he played a perfect ball (with his right foot!) into that “corridor of uncertainty” for Alex Song to head the winner.

I didn’t dare celebrate for an instant, before casting a glance towards the line and the ref, convinced that someone, or something was about to spoil this rare fantasy. I think everyone, including the team, believed Avram Grant’s confidence-bereft Irons would prove to be relatively easy prey.