Valencia 1-1 Chelsea: Late Kalou-Engineered Equaliser Cancels Out Lampard’s Opener (Photos & Highlights)
By Chris Wright
After an opening 20 minutes of mis-placed, error-strewn passing and bumbling first-touches that resembled the scene from Space Jam where Charles Barkley, Mugsy Bogues et al have their ‘talent’ removed, a very decent football match broke out at the Mestalla last night – with Chelsea robbed of a narrow win at the death thanks to Salomon Kalou’s flappy hands.
As well as having a nailed-on first-minute penalty appeal turned down after being wiped out by Adil Rami while through on goal, Fernando Torres came close to making ‘three on the bounce’ on several occasions but Valencia ‘keeper Diego Alves kept him, Ramires and one of his own defenders at bay with a string of fantastic second-half saves.
Frank Lampard started, played well, sweated like Billy-o and capped his evening with a goal, slotting Florent Malouda’s pinged cross in at the far stick from 12-yards in the 56th minute and it looked like it was going to be the winner until Kalou entered the fray (in place of Lampard) in the 83rd minute and duly gave away a penalty five minutes later – inexplicably wafting a wayward finger at a Valencia corner, with Roberto Soldado rolling home from the spot to equalise.
Photos…
Highlights…
Photos: PA
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Is it just me, or does Chelsea’s number/name font completely ruin a none-too-brilliant kit to begin with?
Not too relevant, but I always think of it whenever CL gameweek rolls around.
I happen to agree with you there Jon. Far too large and blocky for my delicate taste.
Weird weird match, it’s like chelsea(us!) had all the prowess to win comfortably but no one really bothered to unite to do so.
Some sparks of individual brilliance and sometimes a few teaming together for chances.
Else it was just “Well we’ve already accepted a possible draw so who cares!” – and even after the goal defending was kind of…yo maaan…what happens happens.
Not a bad result either but still…rarely did everyone do their thing at teh same time – can’t help but feel…wtf? lazy day?
Chelsea played tired, everyone was. Then I found out they had several delays on the way to valencia followed by an extensive practice session. It showed. KTBBFH all day still