The scoreline does not reflect a good Villa team that came out to play against the team which had annihilated them a fortnight ago. They were also denied a clear penalty when Agbonlahor by John Obi Mikel in the box. Another moment was the horrific studs up tackle on James Milner by John Terry which should have been an instant red card.
Howard Webb continues to lose his mind slowly but surely after being included in the list of World Cup referees. He is going to make Graham Poll look like an angel.
For the first hour or more there was nothing to suggest the scoreline other than a few half chances. But it all changed quickly after that.
Richard Dunne’s terrible clearance of a Malouda cross falls right at the feet of John Terry. Watch Ashley Young and Stilyan Petrov, given the task of protecting the goal come off the line exposing Brad Friedel to Drogba who receives the pass from Terry and has the simple task of turning it into goal.
Carlos Cuellar completely misses Florent Malouda at the far post as Michael Ballack’s cross comes through as French winger goes unmarked to tap home Chelsea’s second goal (video)
At the stroke Frank Lampard scores Chelsea’s third goal (video)as he comes out of nowhere after Zhirkov initiates a counterattack which takes the legs out off a tiring Villa defense.
Here is the (video) showing the foul on Agbanlahor by Obi Mikel with Webb in clear view of the incident. Clear penalty. Shame on Howard Webb. Last weekend it was Man Utd who were setback by a clearly offside goal by Drogba. The Blues have been the beneficiary of some inept refereeing.
Chelsea’s early CL exit has freed up their priorities and they are finishing the season on a very high note with a double looking well within sight.