Here is Bazza’s match report from last night’s game.

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All successful runs in sport come to an end sooner or later and the smart money was on Chelsea to put Birmingham in their place and so it was to prove on a cold January night in West London. Blues had been receiving plaudits rightly for the high standard of their defending over the season so far but this was evidently lacking after only six minutes of this encounter when Joe Cole who normally marauds down the left for Chelsea and England was switched to the right to exploit the obvious deficiency that we have in the left back berth. This is not meant to be a criticism of Liam Ridgewell personally but a statement of fact. He is not, and never will be, a left full back and he lacks the pace to deal with truly top class wide men coming at him especially as James McFadden cannot be relied upon to add much in the way of defensive help. Cole aided and abetted by Ivanovic got behind us far too easily and this was to be a long evening for our much vaunted defence as a result. Cole had all the time in the world to dink over a simple cross to the waiting Malouda who had a completely unchallenged and therefore free header right in the middle of our six yard box. Where the rest of the defence were is a matter for debate but the outcome of such diabolical defending could only result in the game virtually being over with most of it yet to come.

Chelsea proceeded to strut their funky stuff for the rest of the half with the outstanding Frank Lampard the pick of the Chelsea midfield whose collective pace, power and movement made a mockery of Birmingham’s recent reputation for being tough to beat. Blues did manage to settle after the early setback but were under the cosh for most of the time offering no threat going forward. Apart from a couple of easy catches Cech in the Chelsea goal had more chance of perishing from hypothermia than conceding a score. Blues looked tired and listless and spent their time chasing shadows. However, they stuck to the task and kept their illustrious hosts at bay until the 32nd minute when Lampard, 25 yards out was not closed down and anyone who has been watching Premier League football over the last few years will know how dangerous the England internationals shooting can be. It is easy to be critical of one’s own team for not going to the ball in this situation but Lampard still had a lot to do from where he was. His shot skimmed across the turf like a bullet to caress the netting attached to the far post. I cannot describe how good this strike was. Two or three inches nearer to the diving Joe Hart who had another impressive game and the keeper would have saved it. The tiny gap that Lampard found was the only place he could have selected to score and he needed the necessary pace on the ball to convert the chance; a truly beautiful goal and a pleasure to watch.

Blues were better in the second period and showed a little more going forward but even so Chelsea remained by far the better side. Fahey came on for Jerome after 56 minutes and McFadden was pushed up front with Benitez. The latter created a glorious chance for McFadden with twenty minutes to go but the Scot’s right footed effort across the keeper was so wide it was never threatening Cech who calmly watched the ball skid by. Our only other worthwhile attempt was from Fahey who once again fed by Benitez, toe poked the ball goalwards. The shot destined for the top corner was well saved by Cech and that as they say was that. Blues tried manfully to give the travelling faithful something to cheer and did have a go at Chelsea towards the end and it was to cause their downfall for the remaining goal. Caught up field, Chelsea broke with pace and Malouda put Lampard in for an easy finish for 3 – 0 in the final minute. Some might feel that this was a little harsh on a brave but outclassed Birmingham side but the simple fact of the matter is that Blues were comprehensively beaten by a better team who to my mind are the champions elect. The depth of their squad and the talent they have to return from Africa should deliver the title come May.

It is not all doom and gloom where Birmingham are concerned. Chelsea were terrific last night and played beautifully. They came very close to scoring on a number of other occasions and in one case, I counted no less than 18 passes without a Blues player getting anywhere near the ball despite their best efforts which were considerable and could not be faulted. It was just that last night, Chelsea were just too good and even at 3 – 0 there was no disgrace in defeat. The lads have been fantastic during the run which I will remember for the rest of my time on this earth. I have been privileged to have witnessed all the games except the Wigan and Everton matches. We do need to bounce back from this however and not rest on the laurels of a great run and look to set off on another one. On another positive note, Michel came on for his debut for the last twenty minutes or so and from this little cameo the signs look good. He is a much bigger man than I’d expected but he is comfortable on the ball has good touch, gets his head up and obviously likes to pick a pass. Hopefully a new striker will arrive before the deadline but we desperately need a top quality left back soon – Gareth Bale? Should get a look at him one way or another on Saturday eh?

KRO SOTV