Match reports
The Times, Martin Samuel: "A convincing first Champions League victory for Luiz Felipe Scolari was only the half of it, Bordeaux swept aside with an efficiency that would suggest the competition will contain few terrors for the strongest English clubs. Chelsea were a different class to Bordeaux, who barely had a goalscoring opportunity of note and could have suffered an even heavier defeat had Chelsea taken all their chances."
The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "The only battle that daunted Chelsea was the struggle to maintain an interest in the match. They came out ahead in that battle with late goals. The third, in particular, was a demonstration of the verve which is becoming characteristic under the management of Luiz Felipe Scolari."
Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: "The tears of Moscow have begun to dry, the dream returns of a Champions League triumph. Chelsea were so imperious, so decisive in their attacks, so in tune with Luiz Felipe Scolari’s instructions, that their fans will begin to believe that this could be their year."
The Independent, Sam Wallace: "Not really a vintage Bordeaux, more a crate of Laurent Blanc plonk. Chelsea, on the other hand, were sparkling as they began a new Champions League campaign after the tears and rain of Moscow in May. This year they really believe it is their turn for the big one and as opening statements go, this one will reverberate around Europe."
Official Chelsea FC Website: "With the other group favourites Roma losing 2-1 at home to Cluj and Chelsea’s goal difference already healthy, Group A has started well."
The goals
14′ Lampard 1-0
30′ J. Cole 2-0
82′ Malouda 3-0
92′ Anelka 4-0
The good
- A perfect start to this season’s Champions League campaign, and our biggest win in Europe for nine years. We were imperious at times and could have scored a few more against a poor side. There were similarities with the victory over Portsmouth on the opening day of the season in that Bordeaux gave us far too much space and time on the ball.
- Frank Lampard. Another magnificent performance. Scored the first (his third goal of the season and 18th in Europe), crossed from a corner for the second, and set up the third. Worth £150,000 a week? I’d say so.
- Jose Bosingwa. Impressive throughout. His cross for the opening goal was perfection. A proper attacking full-back who can also defend.
- A goal each for Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka. It’s really good to see our French contingent playing well. Both have come in for some flak in recent times, not least from me. But when they are confident and up for it they look like different players. I was particularly impressed with Malouda who took his goal really well (made by a surging run from midfield by the impressive John Obi Mikel, and a clever back-heeled pass from Lampard). Long may it continue.
- The return of Michael Ballack. We weren’t that inspiring at the start of the second half, and his introduction steadied the ship somewhat. It’s good to see him back. But who will he replace?
The bad
- Bordeaux. How ironic that a team managed by Laurent Blanc, one of the great defenders, can’t defend. They were woeful in the first half and not much better in the second. After the break, a lack of desire on our part gave them hope, but a few bollockings from Scolari, and a couple of substitutions, and we finished the match as we started it, in some style.
- A better team would have taken advantage of our poor start to the second half. Scolari looked livid and decided it was time to bring on The German.
Player ratings
- Petr Cech: Was he playing? Bordeaux didn’t have a single strike on target – 6/10.
- Ashley Cole: Clearly he’s enjoying the freedom to get forward – 7.5/10.
- John Terry: Didn’t have a great deal to do. Nearly scored in the first half – 7.5/10.
- Ricardo Carvalho: Has few equals – 8/10.
- Jose Bosingwa: I can see him becoming one of my favourite players. Perfect cross for the opening goal – 8/10.
- John Obi Mikel: Another impressive display of midfield craft. As Jonathan pointed out in the comments on the last post, it’s no coincidence that our three best performances have come when he’s in the starting eleven – 8/10.
- Frank Lampard: I’m sure he’s getting better and better. Scored his third goal of the season and played a significant role in two of the other three – 9/10.
- Deco: Not as influential. A few stray passes and knocked off the ball too easily once or twice – 7/10.
- Joe Cole: Scored a good goal with his damaged bonce from a Lampard corner. No theatrics either – 7.5/10.
- Florent Malouda: Maybe Scolari sold the right player after all. An excellent performance. Can he keep doing it though? – 8/10.
- Nicolas Anelka: Good but not great. Got his first Champions League goal in seven and a half years – 7.5/10.
- Michael Ballack (sub): Great to see him back. Made a difference during the 30 minutes he was on the pitch – 7.5/10.
- Juliano Belletti (sub): Unlucky not to score with a fabulous strike in injury time – 7/10.
- Salomon Kalou (sub): Not enough time to influence the game – 6/10.
Man of the Match
Frank Lampard, no question.
Final thoughts
Scolari believes we can do a lot better. Look out Europe.
