20/08/06: Chelsea 3 City 0Updated: October 3rd, 2007
Well, I doubt many of us thought we’d get much at Stamford Bridge, and judging by Pearce’s comments after the match, neither did he. Here’s what he told the BBC ( link to video):
“As I said to the players…results at Stamford Bridge and places like that probably won’t affect our season. It’s the results against other teams that are going to be in and around us that’s going to affect our season.”
It’s not clear how many “places like that” Pearce has in mind, nor what teams he believes will be around us this season, but quotes like that don’t exactly inspire confidence.
I was also a bit surprised by a comment he made about Nicky Weaver. Talking about Chelsea’s opening goal Pearce said: “Maybe the goalkeeper could have been a bit more aggressive with his starting position”.
Now I always thought there was a golden rule in football that managers should never criticise goalkeepers’ mistakes. I remember Joe Royle making scathing remarks about Weaver letting in a Beckham free-kick a few years back, which seemed to dent the keeper’s confidence.
While Pearce’s comment was mild in comparison, it does suggest a lack of experience on his part.
Match reports
Chelsea 3 City 0 (MEN)
City rarely troubled Carlo Cudicini. Claudio Reyna fired wide from long-range in the first-half and Corradi miscued a difficult chance on the volley.
Blues much too good for City (Sky)
Chelsea are masters at protecting leads and, against ten men, the contest turned into an object lesson in ball protection.
Usual suspects shine for Chelsea (Times)
Chelsea could have won by four or five, particularly with City reduced to ten men shortly after the hour mark.
Essien supplies vigour as Chelsea make light of first day back at office (Guardian)
City were mundane and the attackers were so cowed that Chelsea had no anxiety to disturb their concentration.
Shevchenko struggles to find top gear in Mourinho’s monotonous machine (Independent)
One player Mourinho will find easier to leave out is Shaun Wright-Phillips who, against his former club, did nothing to advance his cause.
Blues to be lethal when Shevy revs up (Daily Mirror)
Boss Jose Mourinho even allowed a little mysticism to mingle with his satisfaction at his side’s brutally efficient demolition of Manchester City. “We have to let the birds fly,” Mourinho said after the game. “We have to let them fly with confidence.”
Chelsea ease to win over Man City (BBC)
With Chelsea in such an omnipotent mood, City were restricted to a few tame shots.
Match stats
The table (below) is compiled from the live match commentry. Some of the figures differ from Sky’s stats, which can be found at the bottom of the match report here.
Player ratings
Ratings come the Evening News, Sky and Sky’s Your Rating:
Weaver 6, 6, 6.4
No chance with goals (Sky)
Hardly overworked and not culpable for the goals. Handling was fine (MEN)
Richards 7, 7, 7.5
Decent effort (Sky)
Hampered by a smack in the mouth that wouldn’t stop bleeding but plenty of spirit (MEN)
Distin 6, 6, 6.4
Fitful (Sky)
No sign that his protracted contract wrangling has dulled his appetite (MEN)
Dunne 6, 5, 6
Not his best day (Sky)
Had a difficult opening 45 minutes, but he proved his quality at the start of the second (Sky)
Perhaps lacking sharpness after double hamstring strain but settled relatively well to lead from front (MEN)
Thatcher 7, 5, 5.2
Costly early foul (Sky)
Gave away free kick for the first goal but otherwise was neat and tidy (MEN)
Sinclair 6, 6, 6,3
The odd good moment (Sky)
Like the rest was no stranger to working up a sweat and even managed a couple of forays forward (MEN)
Barton 5, 6, 6
Tried his best (Sky)
Not able to dominate Lampard and Essien who were in prime form (MEN)
Dabo 5, 6, 6 (Vassell 57)
Worked hard (Sky)
Struggled hard without much success against a powerful engine room (MEN)
Reyna 5, 6, 7 (Ireland 72)
Found it tough in the middle (Sky)
Poor pass led to Chelsea opener and there after it was damage limitation (MEN)
Corradi 6, 5, 6.1
Strikers, Corradi and Georgios Samaras, showed on occasions that they could well forge a productive partnership (Sky)
Looked good, but red card soured display (Sky)
Unlucky with second yellow card but has to be more judicious with his tackles. Looked good until then (MEN)
Samaras 5, 6, 6.1 (Dickov 57).
Some nice touches (Sky)
Failed to provide physical power (Times)
Lack of possession didn’t help strikers get into any kind of rhythm (MEN)
Subs:
Dickov 5, 6, 6.4 (57)
Feisty (Sky)
Booked for nothing (MEN)
Vassell 5, 6, 6.4 (57)
Little impact (Sky)
Put in plenty of effort (MEN)
Ireland 6, 6, 6.3 (72)
Worked hard (Sky)
Some fine passing (MEN)
Subs Not Used: Hart, Danny Mills.