ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Cardiff 1
Chelsea 2
LONDON • Football can be a cruel game at times. With less than 10 minutes remaining, Cardiff were leading 1-0 and the mood in the away end was mutinous.
"We want (Maurizio) Sarri out" reverberated loud and clear, so much so that it was tempting to wonder whether Chelsea's manager was fighting to hold on to his job.
How quickly things can change. By the time the final whistle was blown yesterday, the Chelsea fans were celebrating a 2-1 victory that kept alive their hopes of a top-four finish, leaving the Welsh side crestfallen.
The killer goal was Cesar Azpilicueta's equaliser in the 84th minute. It should never have been allowed to stand as the Chelsea captain was clearly offside as he nodded home Marcos Alonso's flick-on.
Neil Warnock was furious, which is often the case although on this occasion, it was impossible not to feel sympathy for the Cardiff manager.
A goal like Azpilicueta's will not be allowed to stand next season when the Video Assistant Referee technology is introduced in the Premier League.
That, however, is no help to Cardiff, who remain five points adrift of safety after Ruben Loftus-Cheek headed in Willian's cross to complete their misery.
ALL WRONG
The linesman must be looking at that and thinking 'he's offside', but he doesn't. What an earth can he be looking at? No one is obstructing his view. He's clearly offside.
GRAEME SOUNESS, former Liverpool manager and Sky Sports pundit, on Cesar Azpilicueta's equaliser in the 84th minute which was clearly offside.
Chelsea could not have been more fortunate - this victory and performance were about as unconvincing as it gets.
For all the Blues' possession in the first half, it had been hard to see where a goal would come from.
There was no real pattern to their play, certainly no tempo to it, and a glaring lack of creativity whenever they got deep into Cardiff territory.
Everything felt so slow and pedestrian, exasperating the travelling fans, whose patience snapped after 33 minutes when the first "F*** Sarri-ball" chant broke out in the away end followed by "Super Frank Lampard".
The team sheet had not helped the Italian's cause. His surprise decision to "rest" Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante, both of whom started on the bench, raised eyebrows before a ball was kicked.
There was also no league start for Callum Hudson-Odoi. In truth, the three of them could have been forgiven for feeling relieved to have played no part in a soporific opening 45 minutes.
The breakthrough arrived within less than a minute after the break and, in keeping with Chelsea's performance, it was Cardiff who took the lead.
Harry Arter whipped a low cross into the area and Victor Camarasa, who stood about 16 yards out, connected with a first-time volley that flew past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Cue more anger among the Chelsea fans, who started to call for Sarri to be dismissed.
Hazard was then brought on for Pedro, followed by Loftus-Cheek for Jorginho, whose only notable contribution was a yellow card in the first half for a cynical foul.
The former's introduction at least injected a little life into Chelsea, yet they still struggled to carve out chances until the equaliser six minutes from time.
Alonso glanced the ball on and an offside Azpilicueta headed in from inside the box before Loftus-Cheek broke Cardiff hearts with the added-time winner.
THE GUARDIAN
MILAN: Juventus clinched their eighth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Fiorentina. Alex Sandro's diving header on 37 minutes and an own goal from Fiorentina defender German Pezzella after a Cristiano Ronaldo cross in the 53rd minute sealed a 35th Scudetto.
Juventus Win Eighth Consecutive Serie A Title - Channels
Belgium are top of the FIFA rankings but that hasn't always been the case. Read on to find out every major nation's highest and lowest position.
England rise to sixth in Fifa rankings after World Cup run
Soccer-Newcastle plunge 10-man Huddersfield closer to the drop. 2 Min Read * Newcastle won a third straight home match against Huddersfield NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0 .
UPDATE 1-Soccer-Newcastle plunge 10-man Huddersfield closer
"I'd have gone on and got him off the pitch!" | John Terry, Pablo Zabaleta & Jamie Redknapp on Kepa - Duration: 6:28. Sky Sports Football 3,276,047 views
'Kepa Arrizabalaga should be SACKED' - Former Chelsea ace
Football news - Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win. By Reuters. 02/03/2019 at 17:34 Updated 02/03/2019 at 19:01.
Wolves deepen Cardiff's relegation plight with 2-0 win - The
Everton had 22 shots against Crystal Palace, only three of which were on target. Everton lost ground in the race for seventh place in the Premier League as they were held to a goalless draw by
Everton held to goalless draw at Palace | Football News
SAN ANTONIO - First assistant Ettore Messina will handle the Spurs coaching duties again on Sunday while coach Gregg Popovich mourns the death of his wife.
"Hurt"- A San Antonio Spurs Tribute - YouTube
Feb 9 (Reuters) - Cardiff City's Kenneth Zohore struck deep into stoppage time to secure a crucial 2-1 win on Saturday away to fellow Premier League strugglers Southampton, who thought they had
Southampton vs. Cardiff City - Football Match Report
Cardiff City captain Sol Bamba dedicated his goal and a 2-1 victory over Southampton to Emiliano Sala after an emotional match for the Welsh club. Saturday's fixtures were the first round of
Cardiff players afraid to fly after Emiliano Sala tragedy
Football: Lukaku double inspires Man United to 3-1 win at
Top Premier League footballers are backing a 24-hour boycott of social media as they demand platforms do more to stop racist abuse. After several high-profile incidents this season, the
Premier League players boycott social media for 24 hours
Unai Emery urges Arsenal to focus on Valencia clash The 10-man Gunners slipped to a third straight defeat after the dominant Foxes ran out 3-0 winners. During Jose Mourinho's time in
Unai Emery urges Arsenal to focus on Valencia clash
On Sunday, Warriors FC needed a 94th-minute goal to hold Home United to a 2-2 draw at the Bishan Stadium. Last night, defending champions Tampines Rovers surrendered a two-goal lead as they were
Singapore-based Australian DJ Adam Sky dies in luxury Bali
China strips South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent' celebrations A South Korean player caused uproar in China after he was pictured with his foot on the Panda Cup. AFP/STR
China strips South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent
LONDON (REUTERS) - AFC Wimbledon delivered an FA Cup fourth-round shock as the League One strugglers humbled Premier League West Ham United 4-2 in a gripping tie in south-west London on Saturday
AFC Wimbledon humble West Ham in FA Cup shock
0 comments:
Post a Comment