Anti-Climax

Chelsea deservedly won their Champions League game against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of a terrific finish by Didier Drogba in the 46th minute – but what an extraordinary game.

To begin with, apart from the entertaining spectacle of Messi regularly amusing himself by turning Ashley Cole inside out, there was so little evidence of Barcelona’s customary flair and panache that they could almost have been listed as missing persons. And the most significant absence was that of their most gifted player – Ronaldinho – whose contribution to the game was almost non-existent.

Chelsea will no doubt claim responsibility for the sub-standard performance of their illustrious opponents, but lack of commitment is difficult to hide and such a claim would be no more valid than Barcelona seeking credit for the anonymity of the costly Shevchenko, who was mercifully substituted in the 76th minute after yet another embarrassing failure.

The chief beneficiary of Barcelona’s incompetence was undoubtedly Chelsea’s third choice goalkeeper Hilario, who must have approached this game with great trepidation, only to grow in confidence visibly as he quickly realised that his opponents posed little threat.

It all left the game woefully short as entertainment and allowed such features as the thespian talents of Drogba (who produced a virtuoso display as the ‘man whose legs have temporarily turned to jelly’) and a Belgian referee who was so compliant that he should now be entitled to bill himself as a purveyor of fortunate free kicks to the home side, to become far more prominent than they deserved.