It was a mistake by Buxton’s central-defensive partner, Richard Keogh, that gifted possession to Chelsea in a dangerous area after 23 minutes. McClaren’s side like to build from the back but they needed to be warier with Chelsea’s ambush parties around.
Didier Drogba pressed Keogh, Hazard pinched the ball and Chelsea went for the jugular. The Belgian rolled the ball back to Fabregas and darted into the box, collecting the return. Showing balance and a killer instinct, Hazard waited until the sliding Buxton committed himself before placing the ball effortlessly past Lee Grant.
Poor Keogh. It had been his ill-directed clearance in last season’s play-off final that proved so costly, gifting the ball to QPR’s Bobby Zamora.
Derby tried to get back into the game and forced a corner four minutes from the break, the dead-ball taken by Russell. Cech came flying out to punch clear, flattening Zouma on the way.
“He’s fine,’’ said Jose Mourinho of Zouma. “He’s a bit dizzy and had some blood in his mouth because of the cut but he will be available for Monday [against Stoke City].’’ Chelsea’s manager was calmer afterwards but was angry at the time.
As Zouma lay stricken on the ground, Mourinho was understandably annoyed that the stretcher-bearers were moving so slowly and he urged them to speed up. Having endured that distressing Cech accident at Reading in 2006, Chelsea are particularly mindful of head injuries.
“The stretcher-bearers were walking but I was informed they can’t [ie, not allowed to] run,’’ said Mourinho.
Zouma received good attention from the Chelsea medical staff but the lack of urgency on the behalf of the stretcher-bearers was disconcerting. Fabregas and César Azpilicueta even grabbed the front of the stretcher to pull it quicker towards their prostrate team-mate.
After the lengthy stoppage, Branislav Ivanovic came on.
Derby kept looking for gaps. When Russell crossed from the right, Hughes met the ball first time but Cech was well placed to block.
Chelsea stepped up again. Their second goal again stemmed from the punishing of a touch of Derby naivety. Hughes ran with Drogba, challenging him, and the tall Ivorian made the most of the contact, falling to the ground, securing the free-kick in an inviting position.
It was 30 yards out, to the right of centre, ideally positioned for a left-footed player. Luís took responsibility, placing the ball down, running in and sweeping the free-kick over the wall and past Grant. It was an exquisite goal, a combination of placement, curl and power, and a spectacular way to open his Chelsea account following his £16?million move from Atlético Madrid in the summer.
Chelsea then lost the hobbling Drogba, who was replaced by Rémy.
Derby refused to give up. Hughes tried to open up the Chelsea defence and then, to the utter delight of the Derby fans, Bryson found a way through after 71 minutes. This time it was a Chelsea mistake, Ivanovic heading the ball out towards holding midfielder Omar Mascarell.
On loan from Real Madrid where he briefly played under Mourinho, Mascarell calmly transferred the ball to Bryson, who laid it right to Russell.
Derby’s No?11 cut in, gliding past Luís before sliding the ball across to Bryson. The midfielder did not pause, simply meeting the ball first time and shooting from right to left past Cech.
Derby briefly believed. Any such hope was wrecked within six minutes. Rémy flew through the middle, running shoulder-to-shoulder with Buxton, who put an arm across, clearly impeding the Chelsea striker.
As the ball ran clear, Grant slid out, seeming to handle just outside the area. The assistant referee signalled an offence. McClaren readied his reserve keeper, Kelle Roos. Mourinho brandished an imaginary card. The real one eventually appeared. Jon Moss took his time, heading across to his assistant, consulting for a few moments, before walking back and sending off a bemused Buxton.
“There was a little tussle between the two players and we can’t believe Buxton was sent off,’’ said McClaren. “We thought it would be Lee Grant. It was a huge surprise, a big decision and a poor decision. It might not have changed the result but it robbed us in the last 15-20 minutes when we were on top. We can appeal it but whether it will do any good, I’m not sure.’’
Down to 10 men, it got worse for Derby. With eight minutes remaining, Fabregas picked out Rémy, whose shot was saved by Grant.
Schürrle was quickest to the loose ball, slamming it into the net and confirming Chelsea’s passage into the semi-finals.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.