Blues’ lost swagger returns

CHELSEA are not a club which traditionally lacks confidence. From the defiantly ugly architecture of Stamford Bridge’s corporate sprawl, to the absurd posturing of their pre-match PA announcer, this is one sporting institution with apparently bottomless resources of self-esteem.

The events of this season, however, have dented blue belief. The sacking of Jose Mourinho last September stripped the club of its most talismanic and inspiring individual and ever since, Chelsea have been adrift, desperately seeking reassurance. It was widely assumed that only another change of manager could bring the bullishness back to this corner of west London but now Chelsea have rediscovered their swagger.

A thrilling and fully deserved victory over Manchester United on Saturday did more than just re-ignite the club’s fading hopes of winning back the Premier League title. It also delivered emphatic confirmation that Chelsea victories over fellow members of the top flight elite do not have to be served with a snarl: there can also be a sunnier side to their football. Liverpool, who travel to Stamford Bridge for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final decider, have been duly warned. “We’re showing we can play as well now,” Michael Ballack, the midfielder, said. “It was our best performance of the season.

“We played very well and passed the ball well — it wasn’t as if it was just long balls to Didier [Drogba]. Of course it’s good that we can do that and play long to him, but we demonstrated that we can move the ball very quickly when we want to as well. That is a big strength.

“We’ve put ourselves in this situation and it’s exactly where we wanted to be. It’s going to be close to the end but when I look around at the others, I like this situation. We look fresh, we look better than all the other teams in the Champions League, so we will see what we can do.”

Ballack’s confidence is not necessarily misplaced, particularly if he reproduces the midfield masterclass he delivered against United on Wednesday. The German was magnificent, always providing an outlet for trapped team-mates, using possession diligently and, most significantly, supplying the goals which wiped out, at a stroke, United’s points advantage at the head of the table.

A similar contribution against Liverpool will be vital, especially as Frank Lampard’s participation is in doubt as he remains on compassionate leave following the death of his mother. Chelsea’s players recognised their grieving team-mate by holding aloft a shirt bearing the legend “Pat Lampard RIP” following Ballack’s opening goal.

That was a nice touch, although there was an ominous sign that the competitive fires which have fuelled previous Chelsea title challenges have been rekindled. Deep into the second half, with the scores locked at 1-1, the hosts were awarded a free-kick 20 yards from goal. Ballack immediately moved to seize the ball, only to be forcefully repelled by Drogba. A heated discussion ensued, ended only when Drogba whipped the free-kick towards the top corner, forcing Edwin van der Sar into a flying save.

It was the start of a long-running spat, which also featured Drogba haranguing Ballack during a drinks break.

When the German ignored him, the striker duly turned his attentions to Steve Clarke, the Chelsea assistant manager, unleashing a stream of invective which included several despairing shrugs and angry finger jabs in Ballack’s direction.

Needless to say, victory had sweetened the mood by the final whistle. “This sort of thing can happen on the pitch but after the game, it was forgotten,” Ballack said. “We want success and that’s what we are playing for. We went over to each other at the end to let everybody know we’ve got no problems. These sort of situations happen in football, especially here.”

Avram Grant is by now well versed in the vagaries of Chelsea FC but the longer he remains in situ at Stamford Bridge, the more comfortable he appears. Grant’s team selection and tactics were beyond reproach on Saturday and at the final whistle, the Israeli even found himself being embraced by grateful fans in the East Stand. They will be singing his name next.

Suitably emboldened, Grant even predicted some anxious nights for his old friend and new adversary, Alex Ferguson. “I said before that the pressure is on them now because Chelsea have come from nowhere,” he said. “At the start we were behind them but also behind Liverpool, Arsenal, even Manchester City.

“They fought with Arsenal, and when they went top they thought that they would be champions. But now there is pressure, and I hope this pressure will help us. Alex is a very good friend of mine but I don’t think he will be resting now.”