Moments of Magic

Chelsea may be Champions, but this season they are winning ugly so often you could be forgiven for calling them – well, ‘ugly’.

Except for one thing – or more accurately three things. The Chelsea Grinders came from behind to beat Everton with three goals of the highest quality. A fabulous curling free kick from the Strolling Player Michael Ballack – for which he had obviously been saving himself since it was his only meaningful contribution to the game. A powerful 25 yard drive from stand-in captain Lumpy Lampard which was made possible by the courtesy of the Everton back four, who graciously stood off him and allowed him the freedom to shoot. And, best of all, a stunning control, turn and 30 yard volley from Didier Drogba, whose world class finishing is matched by his commitment and mocked by his inability to eliminate diving from his repertoire.

And on the subject of diving, Chelsea’s achievement was overshadowed by yet another teenage tantrum from their ostentatious little Portuguese manager who, in the face of all evidence to the contrary (including a nearby television monitor), insisted upon accusing Andy Johnson of diving when he was brought down by the charmless Boulahrouz, who was fortunate to escape conceding yet another penalty.

Mourinho accusing an opposing player of diving. How ironic is that?