FA Cup: Chelsea 1-0 Portsmouth - Double Winners!
Chelsea went into Saturdays game as strong strong favourites and everyone expected an easy Chelsea win. Portsmouths determination along wi...
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Chelsea went into Saturdays game as strong strong favourites and everyone expected an easy Chelsea win. Portsmouths determination along with the frame of the goal no less than 5 times in the first half prevented Chelsea from scoring. It took another Drogba free kick to seal our first ever double.
We started the game really well. Chelsea were unchanged once more for the third game running. Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Ballack, Malouda, Lampard, Drogba, Anelka and Kalou.
On 3 mins Lampard shot wide, and on 20 mins had a typical Lampard long ranger that hit the outside of the post. 14 minutes in, Anelka forced a save down at his near post by David James. Chelsea pressure was mounting and Portsmouth couldn't handle it.
20th minute, Drogba has shots on goal blocked twice and it looks like its just a matter of time. Then it happened. Portsmouth break down our right hand side, Dindane crosses to the back post for Boateng to hit a volley which looks like is going wide, but Piquionne reacts and flicks the ball towards goal and foruntately for Chelsea heads straight to Petr Cech who's reflex save pushes the ball away from goal. We are well on top but right there is the best chance of the game and its for Portsmouth.
Then we have our best chance of the game, Malouda plays a ball over the top to Ashley Cole who loses his marker and he takes a touch to control the ball, then heads past a challenge inside the box wide left, squares it for Kalou unmarked 6 yards out and the ball bobbles up onto his shin pad and he shins it onto the crossbar! What a chance and what a miss!.
29 mins we hit the crossbar again as Terry heads a Malouda free kick past James and he can only watch as hit comes back off the crossbar and is cleared.
Ballack is then injured by Boateng on 34 mins and is a real nasty one. Ballack as a result has to come off shortly after and Belletti comes on. Could that be Ballacks last game in a Chelsea shirt?
38 mins and we hit the crossbar AGAIN. From the resulting free kick after the Ballack challenge, Drogba hits a freekick on goal and James pushes the ball up onto the crossbar and it bounces down on the goal-line and is cleared. Great free-kick and you have to say great save James.
For the fifth time in the first half we hit the woodwork once more as a cross comes into Drogba on the back post, he is lucky with a deflection off the defender that plays right into his path, he is on it like a flash. James comes out to make a challenge, Drogba flicks the ball under him but again comes off the post and away for a goalkick!.
Half time 0-0 and we are all thinking is it our day?
To be fair for Portsmouth second half they came out and made a fight for the game, you could tell they knew how lucky they have been and wanted to kick on from there. Chelsea took a while to settle back into the game in the second half.
50 mins and Boateng volleys over the bar from the left hand side of the box. Then it happens, Dindane breaks into the box down out left hand side and a sloppy tackle by Belletti brings him down and its a penalty.
Boateng stepped up and Cech makes the save with his feet. Great penalty save and surely Portsmouth's hearts are finally broken. Boateng his beside himself and is made to pay shortly after as Chelsea take the lead.
Drogba is brought down outside the left corner of the box 25 yards out and makes them pay as his fantastic free kick flies over the wall, again off the post, but this time it bounces off the post and into the net. James had taken one step to his right and couldn't get back across goal in time to make the save. Great freekick and 1-0 Chelsea.
62 mins and Kalou shoots wide after being fed by Ivanovic down the right. Thats Kalou's last involvement in the game as Joe Cole comes on for him on 70 mins.
71 mins and Drogba is through on goal, left hand side of the box, James is off his line again and makes the save and the second attempt is blocked.
74 mins and Anelka brings the ball forward, cuts in from the left hand side across the edge of the box and shoots wide.
77 mins and Anelka crosses to Lampard who volleys over the bar left footed from 12 yards.
Portsmouth make some changes and Bel-Hadj puts in a couple of fantastic crosses that cause the Chelsea defence some problems but Cech isn't forced to make a save.
87 mins and Lampard breaks into the box and is brought down. Penalty. Lampard takes a shocker and misses wide left and is that far wide James doesn't have to make a save! What was that Frank!!?
Chelsea under pressure as Portsmouth look to come forward but hold firm and see the game out. We have done it! CHELSEA HAVE WON THE FA CUP, retained our trophy and WON THE DOUBLE!
What a fantastic achievement for all concerned at the club. WE'RE MAKING HISTORY, WE'RE MAKING HISTORY!
CAREFREE & KTBFFH EVERYONE!