Anyway, what a fucking waste of a television slot! Granted, this game was always going to make the live cameras, and it's easy to say the above in hindsight, but fuck it, I'm saying it.
This was of course Benítez's first game as Chelsea boss. The Spaniard's appointment has been met with disdain by some Chelsea fans. Understandable I suppose given the history between Rafa, Chelsea and their fans (he has been quoted as saying Chelsea fans lack passion). Additionally, they'll be pissed off at Roberto Di Matteo's laughable sacking, only months into a two year contract and, months after winning the Champions League and FA Cup. Although, the boos and A4 banners were pathetic.
City, in their lovely (shit reference to 'Arry, there. Welcome back, twitch) maroon strip started the game the brighter of the two sides and indeed had the best chance of the first half. Best chance of the game even. Heading isn't particularly Aguero's forté, in fact, correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe he's scored a header for us yet. Regardless, I'd have backed a striker of Kun's quality to stick the ball in the net from all of six, possibly seven yards. He just didn't make the right connection, rather than head it down into the ground, the Argentine didn't make the contact he would have hoped for, instead allowing Cech to make a very easy save.
Other chances from the first half included Silva nodding over from ten yards, although his chance can't be considered anywhere near as easy as Kun's, and Zabaleta having a shot saved, rather uncomfortably, by Cech.
Chelsea themselves endured a quiet half, much due to the industry of Milner and to the assured performances of Barry and Zabelta, who was by far player of the first half, City's best player both in defence and attack. Although, the home side did liven up towards the break without creating, well, anything. Not a special half, but watchable.
The second half however, was dire and very little of note actually happened. A chance for Torres, the belated introduction of Tévez and a few cards are among all I can recall. Perhaps the most noticeable incident came in the final moments when Balotelli charged towards the Chelsea box with the intention, in my opinion, of winning a free-kick. Mario knocked the ball around Luiz and just ran into the Brazilian, or at least made very little intention of going around him. By a similar token, the Chelsea defender made very little intention of getting out of the way, he may have even body-checked Balotelli. Referee Chris Foy then preceded to book Mario. A bizarre moment, and one that proves that there is no middle ground when it comes to differentiating between foul and dive, of which this was neither.
On the whole, a point at Stamford Bridge is no shame, but I can't help but feel it should have been three, partly because after encouraging signs in recent weeks, we should have moved through the gears in this one and put in a performance of significance. To tell the truth, we didn't even get out of third, to our own disadvantage.
One final note: City players aside, alongside Kaka, Torres used to be my favourite player in the world, it's a travesty to have witnessed him descend like this. Yesterday ended any debate for me, he's well and truly gone, both mentally and physically.
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