{"id":10335,"date":"2024-11-11T12:39:48","date_gmt":"2024-11-11T12:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=10335"},"modified":"2024-11-18T13:16:11","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T13:16:11","slug":"close-at-the-bridge-but-its-just-a-point","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=10335","title":{"rendered":"Close at the Bridge but it\u2019s Just a Point"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Stamford Bridge is in the strangest location for a football ground. A few weeks ago, I was walking through what I described as \u201cthe mean estates of Tottenham.\u201d Well, SW10 is a whole different animal. I always drive to football, mainly because, living in the country, it\u2019s cheaper (for two), takes the same time and is far more comfortable than crowded tubes (the queue at Fulham Broadway is off the scale and you are cheek by jowl with Chelsea supporters). So, using my usual parking space App, I found an excellent parking spot at the Chelsea Design Centre, just off the Kings Road. It was a gentle 20 minute walk to the ground (and I walk slowly, with a stick). It really gives you an idea of what living in this part of London is all about. Instead of housing estates, or terraced housing, we walked past art galleries, chi chi restaurants and furniture shops where the answer to the question \u201chow much is that?\u201d was \u201cif you need to ask sir, you can\u2019t afford it\u201d. Most football grounds are in working class, or what used to be working class areas. Not Chelsea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strangest thing is that you can\u2019t see the ground until you go through the turnstile. No floodlights, No stands, nothing. To get to the away supporters turnstile you go past two massive five star hotels until you get to the gate pictured at the top. Once inside, as we were very early, we made the mistake of buying a pint as we watched the early game. \u00a37! Holy Mary. Much hilarity amongst fellow Gooners at Tottenham handing a first win of the season to Ipswich at the Toilet Bowl. My old Dad (RIP) would have said \u201cthat\u2019s stopped them farting in church\u201d using an old London expression for being disrespectful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Into the stadium proper and once again we are in the penultimate row in the Shed Upper, over the corner flag. But in the bus stop you seem much closer to the pitch than at Newcastle or West Ham. The seating is also comfortable and safe rail seating, with an excellent view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The teams were in and to the relief of Gooners everywhere, both Rice and \u00d8degaard started. The first half was cagey and fairly even. Palmer tested the reflexes of Raya early and Neto (who had an excellent game) was giving White a torrid time with some very tricky wing play. Gusto should have scored from one cross. Neto is very one footed however, but that left foot is a wand. Then we thought we had scored. Saka was sent tumbling, resulting in a free kick. Rice took it very quickly and Havertz was away in the box, slotting it neatly past Sanchez (who didn\u2019t have the best of games). Tumult in the Shed! But then the dreaded VAR, unlike the Lino, gave offside. Looking at the pics afterwards it was very close but Havertz\u2019s left foot was just off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One more big chance before half time. Saka made a trademark run across the 18 yard line and got off a shot which was blocked. It fell to Martinelli on his left foot close in on goal and he really should have scored but struck it straight at Sanchez who saved it. Goalless at half time and both teams creating chances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HT : Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal 0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Captain had gently played himself in throughout that first half but in the second half he was back to his dominant best, circulating in the inside right slot, pressing, making  passes, being progressive, working well with Saka, White and Partey. On the hour, he created the chance that led to our goal. He was involved three times just outside the box on our right before he made the space to arc in a fabulous left footed cross to an onside and unmarked Martinelli who controlled it with his left foot before smashing it in with his right past Sanchez\u2019s near post (again, not great goalkeeping). This time absolute limbs in the Shed Upper and only the rails prevented me from tumbling down the rows. Get in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal (Martinelli 60)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We continued to dominate but ten minutes later Chelsea were level. Neto spotted some space outside our penalty area, drove into it (someone should have gone to him, but no one did) and smashed in a great left footed shot inside Raya\u2019s left post. A goal somewhat reminiscent of \u00d8degaard\u2019s goal at Newcastle two seasons ago. Arteta seemed rather irritated by that goal afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal (Neto 70)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From then on it was all Arsenal. I was disappointed to see Martinelli come off because I thought he was having a fine and effective game. Saka and Rice, both carrying knocks, were subbed off. But we kept up constant pressure on the Chelsea area and were unlucky (or wasteful) not to score. Trossard in particular is finding it hard to shoot straight at the moment. Right at the end we seemed to have a great chance when Saliba, on the left wing of all places, was found by \u00d8degaard. He knocked in a great square ball which seemed destined for a Havertz tap in. But Trossard lunged in, off balance, and put it wide. Watching it back on MOTD, I think Saliba was offside so we were spared a celebration to no avail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal (FT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The away support, as usual, was magnificent. I know I always say that but they really were, aided by a crinkly tin roof above us. Singing and supporting the whole game. Havertz\u2019s and Gabi\u2019s songs got lengthy airings but there were two new ones that I really enjoyed. The first, I thought, was a witty piss take of the PGMOL. I think, but am not completely sure, that this was after, at Cucurella\u2019s urging, Oliver booked Havertz for bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s all about you<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s all about you<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Oliver<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s all about you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second is Jurien Timber\u2019s new song , which I really like, and think will catch on<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohhh eh oh, We\u2019ve got Jurien Timber<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohhh eh oh He\u2019s our Dutch defender<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohhh eh oh he never gives the ball away!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I thought we made huge progress in this game and were the better side, especially in the second half. Much of that was due to the return of our Captain, clearly MOTM for me. Chelsea are a clearly improved side from last season, with pace to burn. I was impressed with Neto and Gusto, but I though we closed down Palmer very effectively in the second half. We\u2019ve now played Villa, Spurs, City, Newcastle and Chelsea away. They all have to come to the Emirates after Christmas. I still think the title is on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going home, Google Maps removed itself from my bad books after Preston (where it failed to avoid road works on the M6) with a very scenic run through my home town from Chelsea. Along the river, past the lit up Chelsea Bridge, Sloane Square, Belgravia, Hyde Park Corner, Park Lane, Marble Arch, past Lords Cricket Ground in St John\u2019s Wood and finally home at 9.30pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next game, high flying Forest at home. On to the interlull. Good time for a reset. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Stamford Bridge is in the strangest location for a football ground. A few weeks ago, I was walking through what I described as \u201cthe mean estates of Tottenham.\u201d Well, SW10 is a whole different animal. I always drive to football, mainly because, living in the country, it\u2019s cheaper (for two), takes the same time and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10335"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10335"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10339,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10335\/revisions\/10339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}