These Foolish Days

The stage was set for an April Fools’ Day clash between relegation threatened Birmingham City and a Chelsea side wobbling a little in pursuit of their second title in successive seasons.

In many respects, it turned out to be an incongruous spectacle. Duff with his knickers clearly showing. Gudjohnson looking portly, like an Icelandic Ferenc Puskas. Lampard, that patent sideways passing machine, with his National Service haircut. Drogba appealing extravagantly but to no one in particular. Honest Arjen Robben with his high tariff dives. And Master Mourinho resplendent in a shiny black number with matching accessories (including the obligatory scarf), bobbing up and down like a penguin on a choppy sea.

But there was no escaping the absurdity of April Fools’ Day. Birmingham, having created some good chances in the first half for Emile to squander, seemed to decide that it might be fun to defend a lot after the interval and give Chelsea the chance to show what they can do. In return the visitors’ response was to see how many goals they could have chalked off for offside, so that in post match interviews their manager might have the opportunity to repeat his heart rending sermon on injustice. And referee Dermot Gallagher (aka Colonel Potter of ‘MASH’ fame) was there to see fair play, but sometimes he appeared to be so firmly locked into the Chelsea cause that he forgot himself.

In the end Birmingham won a massive point that might yet help them to stave off the threat of relegation. And, who knows, Chelsea’s own small reward could be crucial in their crusade to bore their way to the title.