Money Can't Buy You Luck

Not content with having all the money, which gives them access to some very expensive players (though not, apparently, to attractive football), Chelsea seem determined to have all the luck as well.

Take their game at Bramall Lane against promoted Sheffield United, for instance. This is a side they ought to be expected to roll over with ease, yet as things turned out they struggled to overcome Neil Warnock’s team by the odd goal in three.

First there was the 17th minute penalty, hotly disputed by Chelsea as usual (would Mourinho concede that a spot kick has ever rightfully been awarded against his team?). A golden opportunity for the home side to grab a confidence building lead against the reigning Premiership Champions – until Danny Webber’s woeful effort showed how badly it can be done, even at this level.

Then a couple of minutes before half-time, Lampard’s modestly struck free kick was completely misjudged by Paddy Kenny and what should have been a 1-0 lead turned tragically into 0-1, so when Michael Ballack headed home Lumpy’s cross 7 minutes later there was an awful inevitability about it.

Did Chelsea play well? Did they entertain?

Should you be asking?