Friday, 14 November 2008
Forget president...step forward the new master of the universe.
Last week I called for President Coyle to step forward…now he’s gone beyond that accolade…step forward Owen Coyle- Master of the Universe.
Anything could’ve happened in the world of football this week and it would still have played second fiddle to my chosen topic.
Even Fergie revealing a long standing love affair with Arsene Wenger or Kevin Keegan returning to St James’ Park in a spaceship couldn’t have moved Burnley beating Chelsea from number one.
And remember, this was in a week that Fabio Capello banned tomato ketchup from meal times in the England squad.
So Wednesday saw a glorious victory for Burnley Football Club over Premier League table toppers Chelsea.
It was truly a night of Claret and Blue hearts.
Some might try and diminish the victory by saying it wasn’t a full Chelsea side. But of the fit players available to Luis Felipe Scolari only Petr Cech, John Terry, Bosingwa and Nicolas Anelka were omitted.
The likes of Deco, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Flourant Malouda, John Obi Mikel, Solomon Kalou, Wayne Bridge and Alex all featured in the line up and were equally matched by the heroic Championship outfit.
Beating any Chelsea team at Stamford Bridge is some feat and one Owen Coyle’s men did with great aplomb.
Throughout the night over six thousand travelling Clarets sang their hearts out and were rewarded with a result beyond their wildest dreams.
The euphoria that was experienced when Ade Akinbiyi followed up Chris Eagles shot to thunder the ball home was something special.
In fact the whole experience is something that can never be taken away from the club and the fans.
The image of Brian Jensen flying across the goal to save Obi Mikel’s penalty will go down in Burnley folklore.
The only thing that has threatened to overshadow it was the coin throwing incident where Burnley fans and Didier Drogba exchanged loose change.
It’s not something which I wish to dwell on but anybody throwing coins at a football match for whatever reason is an idiot.
The only thing I will say about Drogba is that if he played the game by purely showing his ability as he did for the goal then there would not be a problem.
However the constant petulance and child like manner shown by the man wouldn’t be tolerated at children’s level.
Constant diving and chasing referees may be part of life in the Premiership but not in the Championship where the game is slightly more honest.
In order to achieve true greatness any sportsman must act with grace and the attitude of the champion, something Drogba for all his undoubted power and ability is yet to add to his game.
After over two hours of constant signing my vocal chords were worn thinner than one of Jodie Marsh’s thongs but we were home and dry.
But somehow it never seemed in doubt. Chelsea flattered to deceive going forward and rarely threatened with clear cut opportunities.
It was one of those games where it seemed written in the stars.
Let’s just hope Blackburn Rovers in the quarter finals is carved into the constellation when the draw is made tomorrow.
Labels:
beast,
blackburn rovers,
burnley,
carling cup,
Chelsea,
coin,
drogba,
jensen
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