London Derbies...Pah

Crikey

I thought our season was supposed to be over after meekly bowing out of the FA Cup semi final. Many laughed at us crashing out to penniless Pompey, City were banging them in with reckless abandon and our CL hopes had all but been written off.

Well how you like us now, bitch?

My arms have gone from pasty white to a patchy red following the repeated arm pinching that has occurred this week. Although we were always going to be capable of getting points against our two dearest London rivals, performances against Sunderland and Portsmouth never really had me truly believing we could.

First we faced an Arsenal team looking to remain in the title race. In my preview I asked that every player put their abject semi final behind them and put in the kind of performance they were capable of and boy did they deliver.

Arsene Wenger's team were outdone by an epic team performance where his side had no answer to the commitment and desire on show by Tottenham. An evening in which every player turned up and put 110%, nay 210% into it. We wanted it badly as an organised lilywhite unit, unbreakable in both physical and spiritual presence.

And when the legs were tiring from such overexertion one Brazilian stood firm to ensure the job was done. Three world class game winning saves saw us over the finish line. His response to proceedings, ‘I’m just doing my job’. Heroic. Gomes, here is my missus, do what you will.

The following game saw Chelsea come to take on the gauntlet of White Hart Lane. A tangible sense of confidence and belief had swept over N17 and it had the Blues spooked. Spurs picked up where they left and went for the jugular from the off. Disciplined in defence and incisive in attack it was a role reversal of what you would expect from the teams on show.

Numerous breakaways saw plenty of reckless challenges from Chelsea. They got away with a Terry foul on Defoe and a Bale run saw Mikel get away without a penalty but the resulting corner led to them finally being punished. The initial cross was poor however upon the return Bentley nicked in a wicked looking ball. An awkward bounce saw it hit Terry’s arm and a penalty was duly given. Defoe stepped up and faced his penalty demons of this season and in one ferocious strike sent Cech the wrong way and sent us on our way.

In central midfield, Huddles and Moddles mixed impressive work rate with measured tenacity and strangled Chelsea’s creative juices. Although outnumbered they got stuck in with the dirty work and matched Lampard, Deco, Mikel and later, Ballack. Also when they did find themselves with a little time on the ball they released it intelligently and effectively to set off Tottenham on another roam forward.

The usual destination of any pass was aimed towards our left wing to where the boy Bale was irrepressible. He had the measure of Ferreira in the first half where he literally ‘Boulahrouzed’ him. Whether the ball was in the air or on the turf he beat the right back. Our second came from where he first beat Ferreira for pace, then beat him with a bit of skill before putting a perfect right footed shot into the near post. Two goals in two games for the monkey faced beauty is the sort of return his form has merited. Platitudes are fast running out for the Welshman and I swooned at his heart celebration. Bless his little cottons.

Again the commitment shown by all in lilywhite was exemplary. Dawson put in another supreme display of no nonsense defending in front of Cappelo. Questions need to be asked if the Italian fails to take him to South Africa. Every high ball was headed, every loose pass gobbled up and every block met effortlessly. Didier Drogba was so snug in Daws pocket for the whole game he ended up having a tantrum like a toddler in a pushchair. Is there a more beautiful sight than when Chelsea self destruct?

On the other side, Dawson’s counterpart was also having a bit of a paddy. After escaping a booking in the first half John Terry received two in double quick time in the second. The first was a hack from behind on Pav the other when Bale was again causing mischief. His blind defiance and choice words to Bale after receiving the red epitomises the scumbag for who he truly is. A swell of pride rushed over me when Bale smiled in the face of his childish taunts. Again I ask, is there a more beautiful sight than when Chelsea self destruct?

Up front was the sort of performance you want to see from Pav. The Russians tireless, thankless tracking back was duly recognised and he should be applauded for the effort he put in. However his suspect finishing was the only dark cloud of his game. He should have had a hat trick and made the scoreline more attractive and by his face you tell that he knew that too. Hopefully he’s just storing those goals for the rest of the season.

Again another performance where discipline and organisation were the foundations for an exceptional game. This week has seen us drag ourselves back in contention for fourth spot and credit must go to Harry for getting this reaction from his squad. I could wax lyrical about every player and it’s the motivational and man management skills of the manager which have achieved this.

United and ourselves have done each other huge favours this weekend and next weekend see’s us taking on the red half of Manchester. We could not be in better form to face them at the moment and with us having a full weeks rest and Azza’s potential return who could write us off. Would it be wishful thinking?