The Stamford Bridge clash between the European Champions and Manchester United was a game that said much about both teams, what they stand for and how they react to adversity.
Firstly let’s focus on United. I was wrong. We didn’t set out to defend we went for it, this was 4-4-2 United, wingers, pace, and back to the future as we ripped the sift heart out of David Luiz and Gary Cahill, turned their fullbacks and overpowered their tiny waspish midfield trio with quick passing and speed. Brilliant, for half an hour!
As Chelsea took over, the lack of form of Patrice Evra dragged Wayne Rooney back, and his stupid tackle gave Juan Mata the chance to restore hope. This lifted Chelsea and only some strange body popping saves from our Stray Cat keeper of David De Gea kept them out.
The second half was all about the Referee! One clear red card, one less clear but that ended the contest as Sir Alex Ferguson brought on our returned to form striker in Javier Hernandez who repeated last season and scored the 3rd. Yes it was offside; again the Ref impacted the game. But it’s over and the top 3 continue their neck and neck race!
But ‘race’ is the operative word. Not the running type but the origin of birth type!
Chelsea fans sadly booed Rio Ferdinand from the very start and throughout the game. He had a great game, he wore the ‘kick it out’ t- shirt. He did what was asked on and off the field. Well done Rio!
Chelsea fans were probably trying to show support for their racially guilty captain. But that was ill advised. This is not an issue in which there are sides, you can’t support this guilt in a society free of racism, they were wrong and idiotic.
If Chelsea want to be hated as a racist club then this is the way to go, their owner should come out and show no support or tolerance for this. Remove offenders, take their season tickets and make the clubs position clear.
To make matters worse they have launched a post game attack on the Referee. As if they need more racial news headlines, they are making them.
If these rumours and allegations are true then this will destroy Mark Clattenburg’s career as a top flight Ref. if unproven it will taint him, if false it will send Chelsea to a place they won’t readily recover from. There are no winners in this post game event.
But the game shows United follow their best traditions and play to win when it matters. I’m so proud if them.
Chelsea are sadly mired in controversy and hypocrisy of their own making. I’m so ashamed of them. The measure of anyone is determined by how they react to adversity.
On Sunday we saw the two ways you can go, stand up and be counted or sink into self pity and loathing. United we stand and divided they fall.
I don’t hate Chelsea, I pity them.
By Steve Burrows CBE @ifollowsteve
Comments are closed.