Joe Cole keeps Chelsea on track again
By John Ley
Sport.Telegraph, 4th October 2007
John Terry wore a mask and Chelsea succeeded in disguising their recent
failings by securing a remarkable victory on a balmy Spanish night in
the Mestalla. A victory inspired, not for the first time in this imposing
stadium, by Joe Cole took Chelsea to the top of Group B. Crisis? Surely not?
Six months ago Jose Mourinho's Chelsea came to Spain and left with an
impressive 2-1 victory to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Given the turmoil that has followed Chelsea so far this season, the repeat
success was arguably a greater achievement — a view echoed by Terry. "I
think it was," he said. "We fought back and came right back into the game."
It was certainly a personal accomplishment for Avram Grant, the man
ordered to pick up the pieces from the fall-out created by Mourinho's
departure.
It may not be enough, yet, to erase the memories of Mourinho — indeed,
they will remain ingrained in the history of the club — but in terms of
signalling a new era, this victory will serve as inspiration. How Roman
Abramovich must have delighted in this improbable success.
Despite a barren time, Grant has stood by his players and they responded
spendidly, with Cole scoring the equaliser and then supplying the pass of
the season for Didier Drogba to collect a 71st-minute winner.
For Grant, the game was a huge test and he did not shy away from making
potentially immense decisions. Terry returned just four days after
fracturing his cheekbone, while Andrei Shevchenko and Juliano Belletti
were dropped to the bench.
In one fell swoop, Grant had not only dispensed with the services of two
Champions League winners, but two men who had scored winning goals in the
final. Shevchenko, the second-highest goalscorer in European football,
claimed the winner for AC Milan in 2003, while Belletti broke Arsenal
hearts with the late winner for Barcelona three years later.
Terry started off the pace but improved and, towards the end as Valencia
launched a wave of desperate attempts to steal a point, he was thrusting
his protected head where others would not venture.
Grant's only previous win came at Hull, so confidence was not what it might
have been. If David Silva's shot wide after just 39 seconds was a warning,
Valencia confirmed their early dominance in the ninth minute.
Claude Makelele's attempted clearance hit Michael Essien and ricocheted into
the path of David Villa, who finished in style beyond Petr Cech.
In April Chelsea were trailing 1-0 when they brought on Cole and he inspired
their 2-1 win. This time Cole started and at times looked like a whippet as
Chelsea searched for an opening. Ultimately, he was to win the game, the
comeback beginning in the 21st minute.
The build-up was like the Chelsea of old: swift and positive, with the
impressive Drogba feeding Florent Malouda. His cross, from the left, was
found by Cole who challenged with Emiliano Moretti. Cole got a strong touch
and though it may have found the net off Moretti, the winger predictably
claimed it.
Chelsea continued to look unsure in defence and Villa should have regained
the lead for Valencia off Ricardo Carvalho's poor clearance. Instead he
sent the ball high into the stand.
Before the break Chelsea had shown signs of a recovery, with a containment
designed to frustrate the Spaniards but the danger signs returned when, in
the 54th minute, Moretti rose at the far post to head narrowly wide. Two
minutes later the defence was exposed again when both Villa and Fernando
Morientes were clear. Villa, though, was offside as he beat Petr Cech, to
the relief of Terry and his back-line.
The game had fallen flat when, in the 71st minute, Chelsea turned it on its
head with a goal outstanding both in its inception and delivery. Cole
produced the most delicate touch, stealing the ball off Carlos Marchena
before sending Drogba racing forward with a 50-yard delivery. The striker
held off Raul Albiol before using his left foot to claim only his second
goal of the season. It could prove to be his most valuable, certainly this
side of Christmas.
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