Chelsea Crash Out of FA Cup: A Crushing Blow, or a Blessing in Disguise?

By Tom Flatt, writing from Chelmsford, England. (Follow Tom on twitter @ZolasBackHeeel)

Well, maybe a blessing in disguise is an exaggeration, but there is no doubt that the Chelsea ‘haters’ in the football world have, and will continue to, boast the significance of this result. It was another below-par performance by Chelsea, especially in the first half, although it shouldn’t have taken until 103^rd minute for a lead to be taken. Both teams created numerous chances; Everton attacked down the wings, through Baines and Coleman on the left and right respectively. As the second half wore, Chelsea became dominant, with Lampard having the bulk of the chances. Chelsea’s number 8 finally converted in the 13^th minute of extra time, and the likelihood of Everton’s qualification began to ebb away as Chelsea passed the ball calmly around the pitch. Possibly the favourite footballing cliché, just beating “it’s a game of two halves”, is the old one about fine lines making the game. But even as fine lines go, this one was ESPECIALLY fine.