Match reports
The Guardian, Richard Williams: “Roman Abramovich stayed away from this one, preferring to spend the weekend watching teams from Israel, Russia and Ukraine compete in a friendly tournament mounted with his money. Maybe he knows more about football than we think. Back in west London there was nothing of significance to be learnt from a match that resembled a pre-season kickabout against a semi-pro side, and precious little to enjoy.”
Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: “This was Robin Hood in reverse, the rich taking from the poor of Nottingham. Forest were too deep, too cautious, and were duly put to the sword through first-half goals from Andrei Shevchenko, Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel.”
The Independent, Sam Wallace: “The possession statistics at half-time were a humiliating 81 per cent in Chelsea’s favour and even that seemed generous to Forest.”
The Times, Matt Dickinson: “”Forest 2 Chelsea 0″ more than one banner in the visitors’ end proclaimed yesterday, with reference to European Cup victories, but the past was the only sphere in which the underdogs were going to claim supremacy. The present brought a lesson in how far Brian Clough’s former club have fallen.”
Official Chelsea FC Website: “In 2000 when we last won the Cup, Forest were beaten at the Bridge 2-0 in the fourth round. In quest to make the first Final in the new Wembley, José Mourinho’s team have gone one better.”
The goals
09′ Shevchenko 1-0.
18′ Drogba 2-0.
45′ Mikel 3-0.
The good
- Chelsea were made to look good by Nottingham Forest’s awful performance. I was particularly impressed with…
- Lassana Diarra. Quite possibly Claude Makelele’s equal at this early stage of his career. Deserves an opportunity to prove he can do it against quality opposition.
- Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel. Does Lampard play better alongside Mikel? Is Mikel better than Michael Ballack?
- Didier Drogba and Michael Essien. It’s not going to be easy to decide which of these two is crowned Chelsea’s Player of the Year.
The bad
- I continue to be disappointed with Geremi. Even against piss-poor opposition he was lacking. He was gifted so much possession, time and space yesterday but still didn’t make the best use of it. His final ball is often wasted, and some of his passing leaves a lot to be desired.
- Nottingham Forest.
Man of the Match
Lassana Diarra.
Final thoughts
Chelsea put in a very good performance, but in all honesty Nottingham Forest were the worst team I’ve seen at Stamford Bridge in a while. The one thing you can say about Macclesfield Town in round three and Wycombe Wanderers in the League Cup is that they had a go whereas Forest just stood off and looked devoid of ideas. One wonders what the late Brian Clough would have made of their performance.
The future looks bright
Chelsea will host either Blackpool or Norwich City in the fifth round.
Watch Scott Sinclair score for Plymouth Argyle against Barnet (and Ian Holloway’s priceless reaction). Better than Theo Walcott?
Related links
- Mourinho denies Chelsea exit talk
- Jose hits out at surface
- Reaction: The morale is coming, the confidence is back
- Reaction: Diarra’s Petr praise
- Chelsea on target, but full recovery awaits
- Sinclair sets out stall
