Chelsea 4-0 versus Portsmouth
“I’m happy because my team play very well. To win the first game 4-0 is important but more important for me is my team looked well in the field and I think the Chelsea fans are the same. We still need more patience and to touch the ball more. We expect more goals but at 3-0 we need to change to keep the ball more.”
Scolari started the season off well with a 4-0 victory over Portsmouth. Goals were from Joe Cole (12), Nocolas Anelka (26), Frank Lampard (pen, 45) and Deco (89). Chelsea owned 70% of the possession throughout the game. Scolari was brought in to bring a different, more exciting, style of play to Stamford Bridge. Full backs Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa were used more actively in bringing the ball forward. As a result, the 5 midfielders were able to effectively dominate the midfield creating goal opportunities. Anelka, Ballack and Cole worked togeteher to score the first goal.Soon threrafter Lampard and Anelka threatened but James was able to save. But Anelka would not be denied the next opportunity which was set up by Bosingwa cross which Anelka headed in. He probably should have scored soon thereafter but the shot went wide. Cech was forced into a double save which prevented Portmouth from scoring when Kranjcar and Crouch threatened took consequtive shots. Unfortunately, right before half time Cole crossed the ball and Distin handed the ball inthe box, Lampard took and scored the penalty. Deco took a shot from 30 yards out in the 89th minute, it swerved into the top corner and concluded the match.
Lampard commented on the match saying, “We can build on that. The first half was as good as we can play. Having not won anything last year we go in (to this season) with a real determination and I think we showed that.” He also praised Deco’s abilities: “It was a brilliant start. It’s not easy to come to a different country and settle in as quickly as he has. His touch is fantastic and he’s obviously going to be a great signing for us.”
Deco seemed pretty pleased with the performance also: “I feel good, it was a great game. To start with a win is the important thing.”
Redknapp seemed convinced that once again no new teams would break through the Top Four to earn a spot in the Champions League. “You’re not going to break into the top four. No-one is this year. Spurs have got a squad and can’t even win at Middlesbrough, so you start forgetting about them. The top four are on another level. We’ve improved the standard of the squad in the last three or four years but, today, you step up into a different level.”
While any manager not in the Top Four is probably frustrated, Redknapp seemed to take the task with humor. He’s been linked with a possible move to West Ham. “I’ve had opportunities before and didn’t take them. I’m happy where I am. It’s not a case of the grass being greener. We’ll do better than that, for sure. We’ve got an easy game next Monday against Manchester United.”
