Chelsea's been bad, Bolton looking the better side during the first half at Stamford Bridge. But don't get your hopes up, those of you waiting for Rome to fall. We've seen this before, and at the risk of looking like an idiot an hour from now, I can tell you what's going to happen.
Chelsea Vs. Bolton: Yes, The Blues Have Been Bad, But We All Know What’s Going To Happen
Chelsea will elicit groans in the 46th minute when they come out of the tunnel looking just as bas. As time goes on, Blues supporters will not only resign themselves to a draw, entertain the possibility of a loss, and start to get a grip on their club’s competitive mortality, they’ll start to focus on how the collapse affects their personal life. With Chelsea in a down year, maybe I can take those piano lessons. I’ve always wanted to paint! Maybe I’ll go see my old college roommate. It seems like it’s been years.
But then, late in this match - say, the 78th minute - Chelsea will win a corner kick. John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic will jog forward, seemly out of obligation. At first glance, it'll look like the fight's past them. Then, Frank Lampard will drive the ball in from the right. Terry give his man a push, shake him as he makes that eight yard. Elevate, uncoil, direct it. The shot will pop. Jussi Jaaskelainen's left hand is there, but for some reason, it can't stop it. Over the line and nto the net. Chelsea 1, Bolton 0, and that's how it will end.
The press will spend the next two days dissecting everything that went wrong, telling us why Chelsea are still Dead Team Walking, their win being an aberration. Coyle’s boys deserved better, will be the refrain.
But two months from now, when Chelsea has righted themselves, history will be revised. This was the turning point, they’ll say. This was John Terry willing the Blues in front. This was the end of the slump. Every brave. Ever good. Chelsea should have never been doubted.
No, it hasn’t happened, but after readying this, don’t you get the feeling it’s coming? We’ve seen this before. Everything is setting up for this kind of turnaround. Chelsea has looked bad but are at home, against what we would otherwise call a lesser opponent. At some moment we’ll think “wow, they really are this bad.” And that’s the moment Terry will make it happen.
Just wait for the corner kick, the dead ball, or the point where Bolton plays too deep, having become content with the prospect of a draw at the Bridge. It’s coming.
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