Chelsea vs. Manchester City – 1/31/15 – MATCH POST
This could be the most important game of the season for the English Premier League title race.
Second place Manchester City visits Stamford Bridge to take on the current league leaders Chelsea. Here is the top half of the current league table.
A win by Chelsea will only widen the gap. A win by City brings them that much closer to first in the title race. This is a must win for both teams. This game could decide a champion.
Chelsea is without Diego Costa due to a three match ban. Remy steps in to fill his place. Fabregas is out for Chelsea as well with an aggravated hamstring. Ramires replaces him.
There will be no Hazard vs Zabaleta match up as the Man City defender will start the game on the bench.
This is Frank Lampard’s first visit to Stamford Bridge since his departure from Chelsea. He starts the match on the bench but expect to see an appearance from the Englishman.
We are under way.
1′ – Within the first 20 seconds it is Navas for City who presses forward to test Courtois with a powerful strike. The Chelsea keeper did not have to move his feet to deflect the shot out the box.
The teams settle.
7′ – Fernandinho wins the ball in Chelsea’s defensive third, has a give and go with Aguero, and then fires a shot from the right flank. It was deflected. Very close to being 1-0.
13′ – Both teams are moving the ball well and getting forward into dangerous areas. The final ball is lacking so far. Fernandinho’s attempt remains the most threatening of the match. City looks to be the more dangerous side, getting the ball into wide areas and providing services in.
16′ – A great tackle on Ramires sparks a counter attack for Man City. Aguero streaks down the left flank into the box yet is stopped by an excellent tackle by Zouma. Zouma’s speed was essential to keep pace with the Man City striker.
Hazard looks very dangerous going forward. Before the game the commentators for NBC were saying they believe he will be one of the top two players in a few years. Big words.
20′ – Excellent run by Remy is called back. Offside. If the flag had stayed down, he might have had a chance on goal. He was just outside the six yard box.
22′ – Aguero with a shot on target from a tough angle. Courtois deflects it away easily. It would take something really special from Aguero to beat the Belgian keeper from there.
26′ – James Milner has a brilliant dribble into the Chelsea box and wins a corner. Man City are pressing. A short corner is taken and the ball finds its way over the line again for another corner. Aguero fouls trying to get the incoming ball.
29′ – Shot from the weak foot of Oscar. Comfortable save by Hart.
31′ – A dramatic end to end play. What looked to be a clear handball in the box which would have been a Chelsea penalty was not called. City counter attack with a great ball forward to Aguero who takes the ball into the box from the right flank. Courtois makes the angle difficult and the striker’s shot goes a foot wide of the post. Replay shows it was in fact not a handball, but came off the tucked elbow of Demichelis.
40′ – GOAL – Ivanovic plays a ball across field to Hazard. the one touch cross from hazard could not have been more perfect. on the volley. remy puts it home. Hart had no chance. 1-0 to the league leaders.
44′ – GOAL – Silva equalizes for City! A great strike from Aguero might have went wide but for a redirection by Silva. Courtois out of position after mishandling the cross. excellent response by manchester city. Both goals have been quality play from the attacking teams. 1-1.
Halftime.
Chelsea 1 – 1 Manchester City
Both teams looked ready to score from the very first minute of play. That was a well balanced half, with both teams maintaining possession and generation chances through counter attacks and the run of play. City were arguably the better passing team, but not by much. Deservedly 1-1 at halftime. The advantage could be to City if Aguero finishes his chance in the 31st minute. The angle was tough but not impossible. Look to see appearances from Drogba and Lampard this second half.
46′ – And we’re back. Lampard warming up to cheers from the stands of his old club.
51′ – ♦ Silva receives a yellow card for a clip on Matic.
55′ – Navas cross is headed into the ground by Fernandinho. Courtois just tips the dipping ball over the bar. Good footwork by the keeper.
58′ – Hard tackle from behind on Silva by Matic. Nowhere near the ball. Should have been a yellow for the Chelsea man.
Hour gone and we are still level at 1-1. Neither team is dominating. Quiet half.
65′ – Drogba warming up.
68′ – Fernandinho has a go at goal from distance. He went for placement over power after a no call from the ref had Stamford Bridge on their feet. Easy save for Courtois in the end.
70′ – Another foul by Matic. You would think after the next foul he gets a yellow. We’re in the final 20 minutes. Will either side be able to snatch the winner? No subs yet from either side. Perhaps both managers are waiting to see what the other will do, preferring to counter any substitution tactically.
72′ – ♦ Yellow card. Foul by Fernando on Hazard. Fernando looks like he could need a sub. Holding calf and looking towards the bench. He is worn out.
75′ ↔ Fernando to make way for Lampard. The Chelsea legend is greeted by applause and cheers. Last time Lampard was here as an opponent was August of 2000 for West Ham United. Lampard is Chelsea’s all time leading goal scorer. What a moment it would be for him to score the winner here against his former club.
79′ ↔ Willian makes way for Drogba for Chelsea. Two Chelsea legends have come into the game in the last five minutes. Drogba will drift uptop with Remy to the right. Hazard remains on the left wing with Oscar still in the middle.
80′ – Immediate impact for the big man. Drogba wins a free kick. The ball is played towards the penalty spot and is cleared easily by the City defense.
82′ ↔ Aguero makes way for Edin Dzeko. Dzeko is not in the best of form with only 2 goals this season, none in the last eight games.
86′ ↔ Remy comes off for Cahill. Mourinho looking to secure the back line.
87′ – Good attacking play from City. Silva has a nice flick through ball to Milner who hits the ball across the face of goal. Could have been a shot, could have been a cross. Decent effort but he should have done better from there.
89′ ↔ Silva comes off for Jovetic.
Manchester City has been in control for the last part of this half. Dominating possession and looking dangerous. Chelsea looks tired.
Three minutes of added time.
91′ – Corner for Man City. Poor delivery. Doesn’t get past first defender. City finishing the game very strong and are going for the winner.
92′ ↔ Oscar makes way for Loftus-Cheek.
City’s last attack in the final minute. Its this or nothing.
93′ – City press and win a corner. Taken short. Deflection on the cross goes straight to Courtois. Referee blows the whistle to end the match.
END GAME
Chelsea 1 – 1 Manchester City
The gap will remain 5 points.
Manchester City looked to be the sharper side but could not get the second goal.
Looking Ahead: the 2015 MLS Season
2015 could be the one of the most important seasons in the history of Major League Soccer.
It is the inaugural season for two teams, New York City FC and Orlando City SC. Although the MLS has had expansion years before, this one has already made profound waves in world football, with the two clubs signing world class talent from top teams in Europe. Orlando City SC has landed former Real Madrid and Milan midfielder, 2002 World Cup winner, and 2007 Ballon d’Or winner Kaká. New York City FC has announced the addition of the prolific Spanish striker David Villa and long time England midfielder Frank Lampard. Beyond Orlando and NYCFC, the LA Galaxy have signed Steven Gerrard from Liverpool FC and Toronto has acquired Sebastian Giovinco from Juventus, a prolific Italian striker who is still in his prime. This is an unprecedented wave of high level signings, evidence for a stronger league. These players still have years of quality soccer left to play.
The New York derby will be a great addition to the MLS landscape. New York City will play at Yankee Stadium until their own stadium can be completed, a project that is projected to finish in 2018. This places the two teams just 20 miles apart. NYCFC and the Red Bulls square off for the first time on May 10th at Red Bull Arena. With league play beginning March 3rd, NYCFC will have had a couple of months to get grounded and both teams will be wanting to start off the rivalry with a victory. The Red Bulls have of course lost Thierry Henry to retirement, but still have the 2014 leading scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips (27 goals). NYCFC might have more attacking threat with Villa and Lampard. I am definitely marking this match on my calendar and I think the new club picks up a 2-0 victory at Red Bull Arena.
2015 will officially mark the end of the Landon Donovan era. His mark on soccer in the United States is profound and undeniable. Landon’s final year as a professional player was one of extremes, from being left off of the USMNT roster for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil to helping the LA Galaxy secure the domestic cup. This coming season, the first Landon Donovan MVP will be named. The league’s decision to rename the MVP is a nod to what Donovan has done for American soccer and a statement to Jurgen Klinsmann and his World Cup roster decision.
While 2015 will mark the exit of one American international, other Americans are coming back to the MLS to play on home soil. Sacha Kljestan, although missing from the international spotlight for some time now, has signed with the New York Red Bulls. Mix Diskerud is now with New York City FC and Brek Shea will be a part of Orlando’s inaugural season. Yet one transfer in particular has the weight of my interest:
Jozy Altidore has officially ended his unimpressive stay at Sunderland, returning home to play for Toronto FC. Altidore’s story is an interesting one. His time with AZ Alkmaar, in which he surpassed Clint Dempsey as the American to score the most goals in a European season, remains his best performance. He netted 20 goals over the 2011-2012 campaign and 31 goals over the 2012-2013 season. While it can be argued that part of the blame for Altidore’s lack of goals for Sunderland to be on Sunderland itself, Jozy certainly had a drop in confidence, evident in his poor misses that seemed to haunt him throughout his time with the Black Cats. Coming back to the MLS is great move for the 25 year old striker. He comes as one of Toronto’s designated players and joins fellow USMNT player Michael Bradley. While Sunderland fans may be cheering his departure and the arrival of Jermaine Defoe, it will be interesting to see what sort of impact Defoe will have. If the goals start pouring out of Defoe, which I seriously doubt, Altidore’s time with Sunderland will seem all the more pitiful. No doubt Jozy is eager to score goals again and send a statement to his critics in England and here in the States. I am predicting a strong first season for Altidore, who is going to be extremely motivated and will enjoy the feed of balls from US teammate Bradley and net 17 goals.
Toronto FC clearly have high hopes and expectations for the 2015 season. The acquisition of Altidore and the Italian striker Sebastian Giovinco make for powerful attacking options. That Giovinco, who according to Steve Nicol of ESPN FC “could have gone to any league in the world”, chose to come to the MLS while still in his prime speaks volumes for how far the MLS has come. The pressure is now on the likes of Altidore, Bradley, and Giovinco to propel the team to success and the club’s first ever playoff berth.
With the addition of the two new clubs, the MLS conferences are looking a little different this season. Lets take a look.
Both Orlando and New York City will play in the Eastern Conference. That alone will make this conference a great watch and considering the moves that Toronto has made in the offseason it is hard to say for certain whether or not D.C United will top the table again. Sporting KC and Houston Dynamo depart the East to join the Western Conference. The signings by NYCFC, primarily Spanish striker David Villa, throws them into the mix for a playoff berth in their debut season.
The move of Houston and Sporting KC to the West and the dissolution of Chivas USA changes the dynamic of the Western Conference significantly. Seattle and LA will remain the strongest sides of the ten teams. Seattle’s attack remains dangerous, with Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins returning. There were times during the 2014 MLS Cup when Seattle seemed content to let Martins and Dempsey take on the whole opposing team’s defense on their own. Surprisingly, it sometimes worked, with the two experienced players able to make runs off of each other. Ultimately, the pair combined for a total of 14 goals in 2014. The Galaxy have compensated for the loss of Landon Donovan by scooping up Steven Gerrard, although there are already rumors that the Englishman will return to Liverpool on loan. Liverpool fans were generally not happy with the sale of Gerrard, who I am sure were hoping the longtime Anfield man would retire at the club.
If you have yet to buy into the MLS to the preference of better football overseas, 2015 may be the year to reconsider. New teams, new conference tables, a wave of high level talent, and the end of the Donovan era all make for what is sure to be an interesting and goal filled year.
League play starts 10:00 AM est. Friday, March 6th with the LA Galaxy hosting the Chicago Fire at StubHub Center.
For the full 2015 MLS schedule, click here.
FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL REACTION: USMNT
Every four years the banner yet waves…
It’s 2015. The World Cup is nearly half a year behind us, and yet here is another article discussing the USMNT’s tournament run. More than anything, there is a certain yearning to turn back time and to be at the start once again, at the moment before that first blow of the whistle. I am sure football fans all over the world have felt this sentimentality, that waiting for 2018 and Russia’s go as host is too far in the distant future, too long to live new moments of glory.
The atmosphere in the States was incredible. The game is growing here. The World Cup always manages to catch the average American’s attention, foraging new lifelong fans. They feel the passion, feel the pride at watching the Stars and Stripes take on the world’s best teams. Soccer is a sport we have not yet conquered. I have felt and seen the passion and pride that being the underdog has created. We yearn and thirst for the day when we conquer the Messi’s and the Ronaldo’s of football and lift the golden cup. We want to be watching when that day comes.
There are a varying degree of talking points: Landon Donovan’s exclusion, the Altidore injury, emerging stars, and what could-have-been.
Probably the most over talked topic is that of the exclusion of Landon Donovan from the World Cup roster by Jurgen Klinsmann. And yet I am going to beat that dead horse one last time, for what its worth. I wholeheartedly and without a sliver of doubt believe that Klinsmann made a foolish mistake by choosing to leave Donovan off of the roster. I am not going to get into the back and forth dialogue between Klinsmann and Donovan or discuss the reasoning that Jurgen put forth. I will present the evidence for a stronger team with Donovan and leave it at that. Jurgen’s reasoning becomes null, meaningless.
Landon Donovan is the greatest American to play the game. He leads the country in goals all time with 57. While this consideration or stat may not be argument enough to justify his inclusion, what is compelling is the fact that Donovan at the time of the World Cup was not an out of form and thoroughly aging Donovan. He was playing well for club and country. He netted a hat trick in the Galaxy’s second leg demolition of Real Salt Lake and went on to secure the title. Sure, an aging Donovan (32) did not have quite the pace he was so well known for. Such things happen to older footballers. Yet other countries take that drop in pace for the undeniable experience and leadership that comes from the inclusion of great yet older players. Examples include Pirlo (35) and De Rossi (31) from Italy and Klose (36) and Lahm (31) from Germany. You might say that Donovan is not of the same quality as these players. I would not argue that. Yet Donovan was our number 10, our playmaker, our captain, our older and experienced player. Even if Donovan could not have expected to play the entire 90 minutes, certainly he could have been best deployed in the 60 or 75 minute mark as a super-sub. Tiring defenses would have loathed the sight of him entering the pitch. Take a look at this info-graphic.
This was the state of things leading up to the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Donovan had netted 5 goals on the world’s biggest stage, while some of the world’s top players, Messi, Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, and Rooney, had netted only 3 altogether. Say what you would like, that is still an impressive stat. Donovan simply performed on the big stage for his country. #justsayin
The man was clutch. From USsoccer.com, nearly 70% of his 57 goals came in the second half, the greatest percentage of which, 24.6% (14 goals), came in the game’s final ten minutes. 10 of those fourteen goals were game winners. Most memorable for me was the game winner against Algeria. You have to love Ian Darke. The inclusion of Donovan on your roster brings you the benefits having a multi-year team captain, undeniable leadership, reputation, and clutch goalscorer. He could have been best utilized, assuming his fitness could not last him the full 90, as a 60 or 75 minute mark Altidore substitution.
Altidore. I was excited to see how our main man up front would perform this World Cup. Without him, our options for the striker position were limited and a sound performance from him would be vital if we were to enjoy a deep tournament run.
I wonder if Jurgen had thought of the possibility of this:
You better believe millions of American’s shared an ironic chuckle or an infuriated Jurgen-inspired curse-rant when Altidore went down in the Ghana game. The Altidore injury, for me, dismantled what little credibility Klinsmann had in leaving Donovan back home. Johannsson and Wondolowski simply do not have the class of Donovan. I really hope Klinsmann thought, at least once, how life in Brazil would have been better if he had chosen to include the United States’ most prolific and clutch goalscorer. Certainly this miss did.
The benefits of including Landon Donovan in the USMNT squad are quite clear. I am not sure what more can be said. Ultimately, I was not at training-camp or in the locker room. Klinsmann had a perspective as head couch I could never enjoy (and lets face it: a lustrous career’s worth of experience from which to draw). But what really gives the nod to LD was his own shock, his teammate’s shock, and the shock of a nation to his exclusion. While Jurgen’s decision may have been a mistake, I do still believe that he is the right man for the job. He is ultimately improving our squad and that is what matters.
I have read varying comments on the interweb claiming that Donovan was never that good to begin with. I compel you to watch all 57 goals if you are of the crowd that needs reminding. The video quality is quite poor for the first few goals but it is well worth the watch. Some are simple, some are sublime. He will be missed.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CUP:
- The emergence of Jermaine Jones and his stunning strike against Portugal.
- DeAndre Yedlin’s ability to wreck havoc on opposing teams by utilizing his pace to get up and down the flanks and provide good services into the box. He has recently signed with Tottenham. This is a great move and I can only see him improving while overseas.
- Julian Green, along with Yedlin, is part of the exciting new chapter of US Soccer. His goal against Belgium in the World Cup will do wonders for his confidence in the years to come. Here’s to hoping he can get senior team minutes with Bayern sometime in the next 4 years.
- Tim Howard, the secretary of defense, set a World Cup record with 16 saves in the game against Belgium. At 35 years old, I have to guess that this will have been Timmy’s last World Cup. If only Wondo had put away that late goal, his 16 save performance would have that much more meaning.
DISAPPOINTMENTS:
- The play of Michael Bradley throughout. He did not seem to be himself further up the pitch in the attacking midfield position. It became quite clear that he serves the team best from a defensive midfield role and I wish that Klinsmann had recognized this and made an adjustment. The team is better when Bradley is on form, with his defensive work rate and great passing helping to generate chances going forward.
- The Altidore injury. Jozy going down was painful to watch and I definitely believe that we would have performed even better with him healthy throughout the tournament. I do not think he has reached his potential yet and I was hoping that he would have a great tournament and net a few goals. His recent signing to Toronto FC is a good move considering the circumstances and I see him finding his form again quickly.
Overall, this was a good cup for me. We were in every game, only lost to the eventual cup winners 1-0, and could have beaten Belgium if Wondolowski had buried that stoppage time chance.
We are on the cusp of greatness.
americanfutbolperspective.wordpress.com 