Thoroughly second-best

You’d think that a good 24-hour period of reflection would be needed after losing to Spurs in a competitive final but, in truth, no Chelsea fan with even an iota of self-respect can do other than hold their hands up today and acknowledge that the better team won on the day.

Second in nearly every department across the park – with the notable exception of goalkeeper, and then only because Robinson was hardly called upon to hold a shot – Chelsea were harried, outpassed, and deservedly the losers on an afternoon I chose to spend next to the least gracious winner in the northern hemisphere, with the possible exception of Andy Murray. Still, it’s been a long time coming for him, so it’s hard to begrudge a bit of badinage.

Mentions in despatches for Woodgate - who was immense all afternoon – and Jenas, who dictated the pace of the midfield with far more precision than his Chelsea counterparts. The less said about the tactical decision that placed Nicolas Anelka in a wide left position the better, but it failed spectacularly, both relegating Anelka to onlooker and exposing Wayne Bridge time and time again. Gruesome to watch.

I see that the ever-churlish Daily Mail has run a piece with the warm-hearted headline “José would not have blown it”, but perhaps they’re right. What is almost certain now is a chorus of scepticism about the role of Chelsea’s manager. Another couple of results like this and it’ll be interesting to see whether Grant’s much-vaunted 4-year contract is worth the paper it’s printed on. His side was, more or less, fully fit. He chose what looks to be Chelsea’s strongest eleven, arguments about the midfield something of a matter of personal taste. But we were left with a shapeless, careless Chelsea that surrendered possession and failed to press up front until the last 20 minutes or so. With Woodgate in fine form, it was actually one of Tottenham’s more comfortable wins of the season.

There are bigger trophies to be won this season. But this observer wonders if the manner of the defeat, rather than the fact itself, might come back to haunt the team’s custodian when we reach the summer break. Because, in truth, Chelsea offered very little of note at Wembley on Sunday.

Comments

[Costa Pereira]

José , please come back! You are forgiven!

[Rob]

It's nice to see "fans" like Owen displaying all the fine sportsmanship that we've come to expect in the Premiership these days. But he does have a point, however unintentionally it might have been made. If only he was capable of expressing himself with a little more grace, one suspects that life might be a little easier for him to navigate. Particularly when it comes to women.

[Owen]

Chelsea 'fans' - what did you expect? An owner-installed manager at a fake plastic club populated by thugs like John Terry. You're not going to win much.

Roll on the next manager that Roman forks out yet more money for..

[Danai Madziwa]

I am a TRUE BLUE FAN through and through and watching Sunday's performance truly left pain in my heart. I am sure it was evident to every Chelsea fan out there that the team that avram played had really not practiced together enough. If he keeps on chopping and changing the starting line up, I am sorry to say fellow Chelsea fans but not even with God on our side are we gonna win any silverware this season or for as long as this guy is at the helm with those 'experienced' tactics. One thing we all learnt under the Mourinho era (whether you are a tactical fan or not) is that you have to have a spine down the middle of the team of 4 players down the middle and we clearly haven't had that under avram ( ok so there have been injuries but i'm sorry that's not an excuse especially with the money these players are being paid).HE NEEDS to PLAY A CONSISTANT starting 11 without changing (to hell with the unhappy players), this would be for the good of the club and for the fans. He talks about 'attacking' football come guys... this guy is kidding us... ANELKA playing on the left of a three man attack is not attacking football, THAT'S SUICIDE...PLEASE DON"T FORCE THE ANELKA AND DROGBA COMBINATION IN THE WRONG FORMATION.... U ARE hurting us AVRAM.... u really are... 2 points against the big three and the loss of a chance at winning a quad and setting history, u are taking it away with your 'attack' minded football and your dodgy rotation...Please AVRAM for the love of the CLUB.

[Fernando]

I didn't see the game (I live in the States). Thus far Grant has not been tested and he has been riding the wave of the team Mourinho built. It seems obvious based on other people's comments that when the team needed him most he failed them.

Fernando

[Terri]

Well what a surprise it had to happen sooner or later. My congratulations to Spurs for a job well done. I've been true blue for 44 years and however much I love the team yesterdays effort was appalling. I truly believe that it would never have happened under Jose's management and even if it did they would have been made to show more passion in the play. I have been disputing for some time that Grant was keeping up with Jose's record. It seems to me that most of what has been achieved has been on the back of Jose and Steves hard work (look who did the team talk in extra time). Thank you Mr Abramovich for your money but please make sure you spend it wisely on people that are equipped to do the job.

[OMO ADEMOLA]

Jose introduced the revolutionary 4-3-3 system into English football. In his first season he won the PL with only one loss. He broke all records with the meanest defense ever, with leathal counter-attacking play. All teams knew that if Chelsea scored, its game over. No one complained of boredom. Next season, it took 9 matches and a campaign by the Sun to score a single goal against CFC, winning the title exactly where he predicted it.Everyone moaned of the death of football. But, the Owner wants gold-leaf on his cappuccino. Why can't we play like Barca?(even though they won NOTHING last season). So he got into friction with the best Manager in the world, who rightly protected his proffessional pride.Duff was not replaced, ageing Sheva was forced in.Then he refused him funds, which if he had, CFC would have won the quad. Then dismissed him and brought in his clueless unqualified drone. Who will respect and play for this lackey? For pro pride, CFC will qualify for CL, but trophies? RA must step back, hire a true pro, and let him do his job, period. Otherwise, he can watch Chelsea on a downward spiral. Grant must not be allowed to last the season.He's lost the team already. Or why will Terry take it upon himself to do the team talk? RA will gain our respect if he acts swiftly.

[ATTICUS]

Maybe Spurs were better on the day, having been more constructive and had more shots on goal than Chelsea. But the referee decided the contest. The penalty decision against Bridge was wrong. A penalty was not given to Chelsea when Drogba was held by Woodgate in the penalty area.

[Alex]

Grant only appeared to be a half-decent manager while he was using the team and tactics built-up by Jose. Once he started introducing things of his own it's all gone pear-shape. And tactically on the day Ramos completely outplayed Grant - unlike Grant every substitution Ramos made had an impact for Spurs. Just think what Ramos would've done had he been appointed the Chelsea manager instead! But well done Spurs - great team spirit throughout.

[Richard Micallef]

Grant's a joke. I have watched every single game Chelsea have played under him. For all his promises of entertaining football Chelsea are by far the most negative and boring team in the Premiership. It was shocking yesterday seeing him scratch his head in extra time while first Steve Clarke and the John Terry tried to rally the troops. I saw this defeat coming weeks ago. We have been nothing short of pathetic and Grant doesn't have a clue.

[Roger Weaver]

Pains me to say it, but Chelsea were clueless yesteday, and for me only one person to blame - Mr Grant. Tactically inept, and utterly absurd team selection. 7 goals in the last 8 games (excl Huddersfield) says it all.

[Piotr Fedurek-Wroclaw Poland]

As for Grant it all comes down to the consistency which he gave up in the C.P. final. He playd Ballack (the German player is in the peak of form who had been pulling strings in every game he played)but whenit came to the final he decided to choose Lampard who proved to be a shadow of himself. A really bizarre move...

[Louis]

Chelsea are an efficient and organised team but they are disgrace to cup finals. They are boring to watch at the best of times but they play even more negative football at cup finals and will never be part of a classic. Although Spurs were hardly at their best, they were far more entertaining in their approach play than Chelsea. I think the players and their fans wanted it more and that was evident in abundance on the day.