After being derided as a boring team for the neutral to watch ever since Mourinho took control of the club, Chelsea have just delivered a devestating show of football to perhaps blow that old chestnut out of the water. Portsmouth were dominated in the first half by a showing of fantastic passing and movement and went in three down at the break. Chelsea took their foot off the gas in the second period, but Deco scored a delightful long range goal near the end, although it was helped by questionable positioning by James in the Popey goal.
£8 million for Deco, in a market where Robbie Keane costs £20 million and Gareth Barry is quoted at £18 million is an absolute steal. Ever since he signed for Chelsea, I had a feeling he would make a massive difference to their team, and even though it's only the first match of the season, he made it. His through balls to the likes of Anelka, Drogba and Kalou with pace could be devestating.
Of course, Portsmouth have the disadvantage of being the first team to play Chelsea and that makes it difficult to decide how to play against them. After today's showing, I'd guess most teams will just opt to shut up shop at Stamford Bridge and hope to hold out for a goal from a set piece. Lesser teams that come to try and outplay Chelsea could be massacred.
It also shows the huge gap between the top four teams in the Premier League and the rest. Portsmouth are supposed to be a team on the up - Cup Champions and have been challenging for Europe for the last couple of seasons. But to barely be able to hold of Chelsea for even 10 minutes and be chasing shadows for most of the match illustrates just how unbalanced this league has become.
Matches so far this season:
Sky: 3
Setanta: 3
Foreign Satellite: 2
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