Thursday 5th April
“That was some match last night,” Lyra said, as she and Autumn talked in the latter’s office.
“It was some match the night before as well, if I remember correctly,” Autumn replied.
“I mean it, though,” Lyra said, as the radio moved to sports news.
“And Manchester United have one foot in the semi finals of the Champions League after last night’s match at the Bernabeu…” Kick Off’s voice then came on the radio.
“...now Giggs, passes to Rooney, oh, how about that! Fantastic strike by Wayne Rooney, beating Casillas at the near post from the edge of the area! What a way to end a match! Real Madrid two, Manchester United three!”
“Meanwhile, John Terry has praised the atmosphere at Chelsea’s game against Liverpool on Tuesday night, saying that it was ‘electric’. The Blues travel to Anfield next Wednesday for the second leg of the quarter final, but before that they travel to Bolton on Saturday; Sam Allardyce has said that he believes his side can still make it into the Champions League…”
Saturday 7th April
Eight league wins in a row and closing the gap on Manchester United to five points made for a positive mood as the supporters’ train made its way north towards Lancashire. A win was imperative, as Manchester United were facing their local rivals at the City of Manchester Stadium.
As the half time whistle blew, however, any positive mood had vanished. Chelsea, resting Terry, Lampard and Drogba for the Liverpool game, had started in a tired manner, with Bolton much the fresher for not being involved in European competition. Nicolas Anelka had given the home side the lead in the 9th minute with a low shot across Cech, before Kevin Nolan had doubled it two minutes later after latching onto a pass from Kevin Davies and sliding the ball into the net.
Chelsea recovered, and started to come into the game, finally getting their reward four minutes from half time when Salomon Kalou played in Wright-Phillips, who fired home from a narrow angle.
However, Anelka popped up again, this time pouncing on the rebound after Cech had saved from Davies, to give Bolton a 3-1 half time lead.
“Well, this does not look good for Chelsea,” the commentator on the radio said, as Rainbow Dash and Derpy listened with grim faces, “With Liverpool on the horizon - and they currently lead Middlesbrough by a goal to nil at Anfield - this could be a demoralising blow. Manchester United are being held, nil-nil in the Manchester derby, but that would see them increase their lead as it stands…”
Chelsea needed a good start to the second half, and that is what they got. Seven minutes into the half, Robben was fouled as he approached the area on the left.
“I’ve seen him score these,” I said, as Ballack stood over the free kick, “For Bayern and Germany.”
Sure enough, Ballack stepped up and fired a dipping shot over the wall and into the net to reduce the deficit.
This galvanised something in Chelsea, and three minutes later, the Blues won a corner, which was cleared. Mourinho then looked to inject some energy into his front three, bringing Joe Cole on to replace Wright-Phillips.
Bolton looked to crowd the midfield and frustrate Chelsea, but with just over 20 minutes left, a shot from Kalou was tipped wide by Jaaskelainen, with Ballack heading wide from the resulting corner.
“...going into the final twenty minutes at The Reebok Stadium,” the radio commentator announced, “Mourinho has brought Gudjohnsen on to replace Kalou, news coming through as well that Middlesbrough have equalised at Anfield…”
With just under fifteen minutes left, Arjen Robben got into the box and let fly with a shot which Jaaskelainen had to do well to tip wide. Gudjohnsen took the resulting corner, and a catastrophic miscommunication between Jaaskelainen and Vaz Te allowed Kovac to head the ball into an empty net and bring Chelsea level. As the away fans, players and management celebrated, Allardyce bellowed at his defenders, as his side’s Champions League hopes seemingly went out of the window.
“United?” Dinky asked, as the home side kicked off.
“Still nil-nil,” replied a nearby supporter.
Chelsea now had the bit between their teeth, and with two minutes to go, Ashley Cole sent Robben down the left. Robben got to the area and sent in a cross, which Michael Essien connected with. As the entire away section rose to their feet (and, in a few cases, hooves), Jaaskelainen got down low to make the save.
The final whistle went, and the two of us made our way out of the stands, as another commotion seemed to emerge from the concourse. We heard enough snatches of it to work it out for ourselves.
“United were held again?”
“You serious?”
“Nil-nil.”
“Oh, yes!”
“Get in there!”
Bolton Wanderers 3-3 Chelsea (Anelka 9, 44, Nolan 11; Wright-Phillips 41, Ballack 53, Kovac 77)
Man City 0-0 Man Utd
Premier League Table
1 Man Utd 76pts
2 Chelsea 71pts
3 Arsenal 71pts
4 Liverpool 62pts
5 Tottenham 52pts
6 Bolton 51pts
…
16 Wigan 33pts
17 Charlton 32pts
18 Sheffield United 31pts
19 West Ham 29pts
20 Watford 24pts
“Right, five league matches left,” I said, as the supporters' train took us back to London, “West Ham away, Sheffield United at home, Wigan away, Charlton at home and United at home. United have to face Arsenal as well, while we have four of the bottom five. I can see Arsenal getting something from United; so if that happens and we win our last five then the title should go to us.”
“Should?” Dinky asked.
“United have a better goal difference,” I replied, “Of course, we’ve also got the FA Cup and Champions League to consider. Focus right now needs to shift to Liverpool on Wednesday.”