Drogba is the Difference

A great deal is heard about the strength and talent of the Chelsea squad, not to mention the ‘special’ qualities of their manager. But at St James Park, the Carling Cup tie proved once again how little there is between the two sides and how much progress Newcastle are making under Glenn Roeder.

Above all this was a game of two brilliant strikes. Unfortunately for Newcastle, Obafemi Martins’ sensational 25 yarder hit the underside of the bar with Hilario stranded, yet stubbornly refused to cross the line, whereas all it took for Chelsea was a generous free kick (one of many awarded by compliant referee Chris Foy, who must have delighted the Chelsea manager with this performance), a deft sideways movement of the ball to change the angle and a fabulous finish from the Premiership’s in form striker and part time diver, Didier Drogba.

It is a tribute to Newcastle United that the Special One had to bring on Lampard, Ballack and Drogba to rescue the game for him – an indication perhaps that the Chelsea squad is not as strong as it’s cracked up to be.

After the game, Glenn Roeder was rightly proud of his players and the Chelsea manager was conspicuous by his absence. Perhaps the act of making a sort of apology to Everton for his unwarranted slur on Andrew Johnson had worn him out.