As Chelsea’s league season approaches its nail-biting climax at Newcastle on Sunday, there’s also the prospect of an extraordinary treble.
The Blues’ U18s have lifted the FA Youth Cup, Chelsea Ladies have raised the Women’s FA Cup, and now there’s a chance for the men to win a third FA trinket in a single season.
A sun-soaked Wembley resonated to the shrill shrieks of young fans (average age in the stadium seemed to be 12) on Saturday, cheering on the Ladies as they overpowered Arsenal.
Two goals from Swiss miss Ramona Bachmann and one from the women’s footballer of the year Fran Kirby were enough to see off the Gunners.
But Chelsea’s first team face an arguably tougher challenge against favourites Manchester United, coached by Jose Mourinho.
Talking of Chelsea rejects, it was entertaining to listen to Blues fans ironically taunting Mo Salah, as the marksman had a rare ineffectual game at the Bridge with visitors Liverpool on Sunday.
Chelsea produced one of their most committed performances of the year – the type of harassing, hassling play they’ll surely need against the Red Devils.
Every Liverpool attack was countered, space was denied and promising moves snuffed out at source. Had the Blues kept up this level of concentration at a few other recent games, the table would look a lot different today. Olivier Giroud’s header ensured the 1-0 win.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
