One side came to Stamford Bridge last night with a fifteen match unbeaten record in the league – and it wasn’t Chelsea. Alex McLeish’s Birmingham have had a great season so far and many Chelsea fans – me included – felt yesterday’s must-win game would be a tough encounter for Chelsea.
As it was, Chelsea put three goals past their opponents without ever looking like getting out of second gear. Birmingham’s defence shot the team in its collective foot on six minutes by failing to pick up Malouda’s run into the box and, from that moment, the game never really looked in doubt save for a ten minute spell in the second half.
To shake things up, bridgeviews.co.uk has drawn together a virtual panel of football fans – of both Birmingham and Chelsea – to talk through last night’s game: where it was won (or lost, in Birmingham’s case); the managers’ tactics; the man and villain of the match; and the moment of the game.
Those submitting views included Joe and Chris of Eastern Blues, a club set up for Chelsea supporters in Norfolk; Josh, a member of Chelsea in America, who had to get up early Kentucky-time to get his thoughts over; Deirdrie, a long-time Chelsea fan I ‘met’ over on the bridgeviews.co.uk facebook page; Paul, a season ticket holder in the Matthew Harding upper; and Kev, a true gent and a writer over on the Birmingham City FC blog called Joys and Sorrows.
You can read all the match reports in the newspapers you like, but these are the views that really matter – those of the fans. We often know better anyway. Read and digest. And if you would like to read the views of fans more often drop a comment below – I’m considering setting up group of fans to regularly report back on matches on this site. Let me know if this is a good idea, how it could be improved and, if you’re a Chelsea regular, if you’d like to be involved…
Where was the game won?
“The quality of our possession seemed to be too much for Birmingham to handle tonight. But for five minute spells in each half, I thought we looked comfortable with Birmingham not really offering a threat. They've gained a reputation for being an extremely organised side this season, able to see out 1-0 victories like we did under Mourinho, but they're not as good at chasing the game yet. Being two up by half time gave us the confidence to see the rest of the game out.”
Chris, member of Eastern Blues, supporters club for Chelsea fans in Norfolk
“Formidable might be the word to best describe the way we played. A great result made even better by Arsenal failing to win!”
Deirdrie, Chelsea fan since 1964
"Birmingham, for all their great results of late, haven't played away to a team of our strength during that run. Basically we were the better side and we made our quality count by doing what we do best: holding the ball for long periods, moving it around patiently but purposefully, making hte other team chase us and enforcing our tempo on the game. It's hard to imagine how demoralising that must be for opponents. Of course, we were afforded that luxury by the fact we scored early."
Paul, season ticket holder, Matthew Harding upper
“In the midfield. It’s good to see the Lampard of old—we’ve missed him. There’s no doubt he’s been a presence on the pitch all season, just not necessarily as a scoring machine. Well, no more. His two goals against Birmingham were absolute beauties. And let’s give Deco his due. I’ve never felt like he’s really fit in well at Chelsea, but last night he showed he’s still got it.”
Josh, Chelsea in America member, Kentucky USA
“Ball retention, Birmingham just could not get possession.”
Joe, member of Eastern Blues, supporters club for Chelsea fans in Norfolk
“Last night’s match was a lesson in clinical football, you have to take your hat off to Chelsea, they were awesome. The strength they have through their side is frightening! I genuinely believe they will win this league. We did look tired, but I think that was more to do with the fact we were chasing blue shirts all over the pitch. To be honest, it could have been a lot worse, we could have had a Sunderland experience. We did battle hard in the 2nd half, and I thought it was credit to the side that we prevented Chelsea from scoring more than one goal.”
Kev, Writer for Joys and Sorrows, Birmingham City FC blog
Views on the managers’ tactics – starting XI, formation and substitutions
“I think Carlo made the right move in going with a Christmas tree for this game as it helped us to keep the ball away from Birmingham and give them minimal opportunity to catch us on the break. The fluidity of the formation is very impressive, and it's interesting to see Joe Cole drifting towards the right to give us the width on that side we miss slightly with Bosingwa still out injured. With our three specialist defensive midfielders missing, I was a little concerned about how Deco would deal with Birmingham's runs from deep; he did OK, but I hope Mikel is back in time for Arsenal.”
Chris, member of Eastern Blues, supporters club for Chelsea fans in Norfolk
“Last night, I think it was more about how Chelsea passed the ball with clinical accuracy and the performance of key players. Their interplay was wonderful to watch to be honest – and they outplayed us all over the field. I thought Cole was brilliant and Lampard and Deco played really well too. It was a lesson of how to play with a fluid formation.”
Kev, Writer for Joys and Sorrows, Birmingham City FC blog
"Playing Deco in holding midfield rather than Ballack was an excellent move because of the way Birmingham play so deep. I would have liked to see Carlo give Matic 5-10 minutes, as it annoys me when we don't use all our subs, but I'm nit-picking."
Paul, season ticket holder, Matthew Harding upper
“He played a 4-3-3, which gave the team width and space, which against teams of a lower standard is always a good tactic, however Anelka was isolated. I was disappointed not to see Sturridge start as he has impressed recently.”
Joe, member of Eastern Blues, supporters club for Chelsea fans in Norfolk
“I’m loving the 4-3-3. Joe Cole has come alive out wide. Malouda is back in the mix—and on the score sheet. Lamps, Deco and Ballack are more comfortable, too. And with the added threat of Ashley Cole and Ivanovic, pushing forward, we not only look unstoppable—but beautiful, too. As happy as I am to have Drogba back for Burnley this weekend, I almost hate to see the 4-3-3 go away. Even though we won early in the season with the diamond, we rarely looked this dominating. I read somewhere after the Sunderland game that Roman had finally got his wish—a high scoring, free-flowing team that wins. Based on the last few results, I’d say it’s true.”
Josh, Chelsea in America member, Kentucky USA
Man of the match, villain of the match
“I thought Dann did well, and Michel looked promising when he came on. He looks like he will be a really good player. Hart pulled off a couple of very good saves too. Man of the match for Chelsea is a tough one, I'd struggle to choose between Cole, Lampard and Deco.”
Kev, Writer for Joys and Sorrows, Birmingham City FC blog
"Man of the match for Chelsea was a toss-up between Deco and Malouda for me. Two of our most heavily criticised players, but they were both excellent. Deco not only made us tick in midfield, but has been tenacious and committed defensively for the last two games, something Chelsea fans love to see. Malouda has fantastic ability and is starting to reach the levels he did under Hiddink. Villain for me was Joe Cole. I know, I know: he did fantastically for the first goal, but he again descended into a series of pointless flicks and wasted positions. If Deco played like he did then boy, would he get barracked".
Paul, season ticket holder, Matthew Harding upper
“I think all of our players played well tonight so it's difficult to pick a stand-out performer. If I had to, I'd give it to Lamps for his two goals - he's well on the way to his usual twenty for the season! No one on either side was a villain really, so I'll give it to Ivan for his Bond baddie henchman look!”
Chris, member of Eastern Blues, supporters club for Chelsea fans in Norfolk
“If I had to single anyone out, Malouda was immense and would get my Man of the Match, Joe Cole was involved here there and everywhere again which was great to see and as ever Lamps was instrumental in midfield. The whole team played well, fast-paced, flowing and attacking football. Just what Roman ordered!”
Deirdrie, Chelsea fan since 1964
“Man of the match for Chelsea was Lampard, 2 cracking strikes although no player particularly stood out. A Cole and Ivanovich had solid games, as did Ballack, and Anelka as usual never gave the ball away. Villain was Joe Cole, started well and went downhill. 9 times out of 10 tries the difficult option when the simple one would have been more affective and as a result keeps loosing possession. Man of the match for Birmingham, Joe Hart. Looks like a great prospect for England and needs to be in the World Cup squad. Villain, James Mcfadden, had a poor game and miss Birmingham’s only real opening by a long way.”
Joe, member of Eastern Blues, supporters club for Chelsea fans in Norfolk
“Until the last few minutes of the match, I would have given it to Joe Cole. First half he looked great. He simply outpaced Bowyer for the assist to Malouda, and his hard work on the ball and off for the first 45 was great to see. He did look fatigued going into the last 30 minutes—something you can’t say about Lampard. Frankie’s run that led to his second goal was the epitome of heart and desire. He wanted that goal. For him. For the team. For the Bridge. And he got it. For that, he’s my MoM. As for Villain of the Match, it was a pretty civil game. Very few fouls. The reffing was pretty spot on. I guess I’d give it to the whole Chelsea team—for ruining a pretty impressive unbeaten streak by Birmingham, a team no one gave much of a chance at the start of the season. Don’t get me wrong, I was well pleased to see Chelsea take the win, but it’s always nice to see a smaller club work hard and get results. Heck, it wasn’t too awfully long ago that smaller team was Chelsea.”
Josh, Chelsea in America member, Kentucky USA
Moment of the match?
“Frankie’s second goal. Beautifully executed from the get go, plus it put the game away. It showed our pace and our team work, not to mention put Super Frank a goal closer to 20 this season.”
Josh, Chelsea in America member, Kentucky USA
“Undoubtedly Malouda's opening goal. If we hadn't scored early, Birmingham would have grown in confidence as the game stayed goalless, possibly thinking they could have come away with a draw, so that goal was vital in allowing us to settle down quickly and control the structure of the game.”
Chris, member of Eastern Blues, supporters club for Chelsea fans in Norfolk
“Everyone will talk about the moments that decided yesterday’s match, but to sneak a negative in: we must stay focused at the back, one piece of over-confident play tonight ended up with Cech having to make a brilliant save, ok the game was won at that stage really but it was unnecessary.”
Deirdrie, Chelsea fan since 1964
"Malouda's goal set the tone for the evening, but the break for the 3rd goal was poetry in motion and epitomised everything we did well all night. Deco - tenacious, creative, deft; Malouda - driving, quick, powerful; Frank - well, he was Frank. Brilliant."
Paul, season ticket holder, Matthew Harding upper
“John Terry’s tackle and fantastic pass all in one motion midway through the first half to release Joe Cole, if he’d had pulled the ball back to Lampard, who was unmarked on the edge of the box, instead of crossing, it should have been a goal.”
Joe, member of Eastern Blues, supporters club for Chelsea fans in Norfolk
“Going a goal down was a killer to be honest, although we did have a decent 1st 10 minutes. Jerome had a decent effort that was deflected over and we had a shout for a penalty turned down. If we had scored, it might have made it interesting. Mind you, you can’t help but think that it would have only made Chelsea VERY cross!”
Kev, Writer for Joys and Sorrows, Birmingham City FC blog
Hey there, Russell. Thanks for including my comments on last night's game. I'd be happy to contribute my views on a regular basis if you're interested in having them!
I find the current confusion among our supporters and the press as to whether we have been playing 4-3-3 and 4-3-2-1 intriguing. It seems that, like under Hiddink at the end of last season, we're playing asymmetrically: one side drifts wide to stretch the opposition defence (last night performed by Joe, although usually Nico's job when Drogs is on), while the other stays inside creating space for the full-back (hence Ash's goals this season, in particular).
Ivan's done well enough in Bos' absence to warrant his spot in the first XI, providing a greater threat from set-pieces, but the latter's return will definitely give us more pace down the right. There's plenty for Carlo, and our opponents, to consider.
Posted by: Chris (Eastern Blues) | 28 January 2010 at 17:07
This blog rarely does match reports,but when it does they are fantastic.Props for the idea.
On the match I was actually expecting a draw and frankly I was more worried about this match than the ones we are going to play against Liverpool and Arsenal,we performed well and deserved that score.I second those saying that with 4-3-3 we are much better although we have yet to test it against world class teams,we'll get that chance against Inter Milan I guess.I also think that we should have used some subs earlier,and I'm curious as to why isn't Kakuta even on the bench these last matches,I'd love to see Borini get a chance,Sturridge gets them all,last time I've seen him he looked hungry and that was good.MoM for me is Malouda,not for his early goal but for his whole performance.Deco looked awful to me but I guess I'm somewhat biased.
Posted by: Kostaz | 28 January 2010 at 18:54
Kostaz:
I don't know what game you were watching to think Deco 'looked awful.' He was absolutely key to the way we played, both defensively and attacking.
Posted by: Paul | 29 January 2010 at 13:52
great reviews. i'd be glad to give another US fan opinion any time you want it. just email me.
Posted by: Josh | 29 January 2010 at 16:18