Considering last weekend's game and the fact that Liverpool, having won their game of the round, had moved us to a runners-up position prior to our game, a win felt like a necessity. However, we proved to be slightly short up-front and had to settle for just the one point and a Christmas spent on the second place.
We started the game quite well with lots of possession but sadly too few chances. Nearly half an hour into the game we got our first real chance of the game as Sagna provided a brilliant cross into the box that was cleared right in front of the goal and Giroud by Cahill. Next up was arguably the best chance of the game, and we got extremely lucky to remain on equal terms. Lampard had a shot hitting the bar and then going out. Two minutes later Chelsea had two more chances as Torres had a shot on target saved by Szczesny and Mertesacker made a vital block as a second shot was fired at the goal.
We wrapped up the game with a couple of decent chances. The first was a penalty shout as Walcott was brought down in the 18-yard-box, it was a clear penalty but unfortunately the ref did not see that. In the very last minute Özil had a shot blocked and Rosicky's follow-up went wide.
The second half was much alike to the first one, with chances going both ways to both teams. Lampard had a shot on target saved by Szczesny while, on the other end, Özil had another shot blocked. Terry headed wide following a Chelsea free-kick, then we dominated through the remaining twenty minutes. Giroud fired wide as Cech came out to cover his goal and the Frenchman had another effort as Gibbs provided a great cross, it was somehow but over the bar right in front of the goal due to some decent goalkeeping by Cech.
The second half was much alike to the first one, with chances going both ways to both teams. Lampard had a shot on target saved by Szczesny while, on the other end, Özil had another shot blocked. Terry headed wide following a Chelsea free-kick, then we dominated through the remaining twenty minutes. Giroud fired wide as Cech came out to cover his goal and the Frenchman had another effort as Gibbs provided a great cross, it was somehow but over the bar right in front of the goal due to some decent goalkeeping by Cech.
The last chance of the game came during the added time when we had a header saved on the line by a defender.
While it is very disappointing to have lost the top spot in the table, there is hope of having it returned before long, as Liverpool have a rather tough schedule coming up. For now we shall just have to prepare for the next game coming up on the 26th.
While it is very disappointing to have lost the top spot in the table, there is hope of having it returned before long, as Liverpool have a rather tough schedule coming up. For now we shall just have to prepare for the next game coming up on the 26th.
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