They got what they deserved

Truth be told, Chelsea got what they deserved out of yesterday’s game with Arsenal. I’d love to be able to sit here and tell you, like Mourinho did after the match, that Arsenal didn’t try to play and imply that we were unlucky to win.

But the fact of the matter is that as the home team the onus was on Chelsea to go out and win the game, and they didn’t really do that until they were losing 1-0.

As has become the way with Chelsea this season, they play within themselves and try and grind out wins by the odd goal.

Those with long enough memories may think it reminds them of the Leeds team of the 1970s.

That Leeds team, like Chelsea, could also play great football, had great players and indulged in gamemanship. They also ground out wins. They were never the fans’ favourites and Chelsea are rapidly becoming the same.

Back to the match. Arsenal controlled the first half without creating anything, Chelsea had couple of half chances, and although it was quite absorbing it wasn’t a great spectacle.

It was much of the same in the second half, until Arsenal scored. A good move, and a shot which Hilario should have saved.

Then Chelsea wakes up, the attacking players come on, and it’s a completely different game. Essien’s pile driver was a worthy equaliser and although both he and Lampard hit the woodwork shortly afterwards, a draw seemed like a fair result.

The result means that for the first time in nearly three years Chelsea are not now favourites to win the Premiership.

Given that Mourinho likes to cast them as the underdogs in what ever way he can, I suspect he won’t mind and given the way the fixtures pan out, the lead could be cut significantly by the next time United play.

It is a good Premiership race at last and looks like it will carry on all season, which is great for the neutral and fans of Chelsea and United.

For what it’s worth I fancied Chelsea for the Champions League this season, and not the Premiership, because it is so hard for any team to do three in a row.

That said, I thought Liverpool would win the Premiership. Shows you what I know!

Lawrence Gosling is group editorial director at Incisive Media (publisher of IFAonline).

The views expressed are those of the author and not those of the company he represents.