Blakey
for England!
Burnley 1 Chelsea 2
Report by Becko
Burnley were unlucky to lose out to Premiership opposition.
We had a goal disallowed, and Chelsea had a dubious penalty awarded to them.
Stan again started 4-4-2, with Cook and Weller replacing Ball
and Hughes in the starting line-up. Taylor and Moore got the vote up front. I think it's a
fair assumption that they'll both start against Sheffield Wednesday.
England manager Sven Goran Eriksson watched the game, no
doubt running the eye over Chelsea's Englishmen. Yes, I know it sounds incredible, but I
did count three of them. One of whom, Jon Harley, had a torrid time facing Glen Little. Of
course, he won't be the last left back to get a roasting this season, but if reports of
him joining Fulham for £3million are true, then how much is Glen worth?
The vast majority of creativity comes from Little; once more
he was the inspiration and source of our best chances. I don't think it's a coincidence
that our worst form of last season came when he was injured. If he stays fit, I can see no
reason why we can't finish in the top ten. Whether we have that extra something to get in
the play-offs I'm not so sure. We do need someone to get things moving in the centre of
midfield. Paul Weller, or John Mullin, hopefully. We also need someone to bang in 20
goals. West Brom got in the play-offs through Lee Hughes' and Jason Roberts' goals. We had
a minus goal difference! Gareth Taylor and Ian Moore will not get 35 goals between them.
Ten each? Peter Crouch chose "more ambitious" (his words not mine) Portsmouth.
Let's see where they finish. Personally I think he would have been a good signing. I know
I'm in the minority. I think it's just me and Stan against everyone else on this one, but
I predict Crouch to score more goals than Taylor and Moore. Finally on the striker front,
how many goals do you think Alan Lee will score for Rotherham?
Back to the game. Taylor should have scored from a Little
cross. Melchiot put into his own net under pressure from Moore, following a cross from you
know who. The referee, Mr Cowburn from Blackpool, ruled that out for a push by Moore.
Couldn't see it myself. It was only a matter of time before a goal came. Moore duly
obliged in the 15th minute. The supplier was Little; his cross was cleared to the edge of
the box, and finished with aplomb by the diminutive forward.
Branch, again playing at left back, and looking shaky,
cleared inside his own box ten minutes later. He immediately fell and was stretchered off.
Hopefully just a precaution, and I understand it was his achilles, and not his knee. Alan
Moore came on, and although he was quieter than against Everton, I still think he would be
worth signing. Ian Moore left the field just before half time to be replaced by Papa. Then
Chelsea scored. They didn't deserve to, and we gave it to them. Davis' header back to Nico
just wasn't hard enough, Stanic nipped in and prodded past the keeper. 1-1 at half time.
Ten minutes into the second half, Stan made 11 substitutions
all at once.
Hasselbaink was replaced by Zola at the referee's insistence.
Emmanuel Petit played at the centre of defence, and Mr. Cowburn gave a penalty when no-one
claimed for one. Cennamo dived theatrically, whilst Lampard fired straight down the
middle. I'm sure Mr Eriksson didn't come to Turf Moor just to see that, but it was about
young Frank's only contribution, but then enough to win the game.
The second XI played 4-4-2, and Stan clearly has cover in
every position.
The squad is stronger… Let's see where it takes us.
Team: Michopoulos,
West, Davis, Cox, Branch, Little, Weller, Cook, Briscoe, Taylor, Moore. Subs: A
Moore for Branch, Papa for I Moore, then Cennamo, McGregor, Ball, Gnohere, Armstrong,
Maylett, Hughes, Mullin, Johnrose, Payton, Ellis, then Cook (again) for Hughes.
Scorers:
I Moore / Stanic, Lampard (pen).
Crowd:
8,971.
Referee: M
Cowburn.
