Chelsea - the season that was....

This was the season everything was expected to go wrong for chelsea after chaos in september. It somewhat did in the end, but only after getting close to a dream season. So close that little fairness from the forces above could have earned them a coveted double. Avram Grant replaced the irreplaceable 'special one' Jose Mourinho, and he endured a season of total criticism from Chelsea fans, including me, until i was forced to rethink about him after realising how good a position chelsea were in about mid-april. Grant earned unpopularity chiefly by replacing the special one, and also due to questionable tactics and questionable changes that turned some victories to draws in the premier league, but the fact remains that they lost only one premier league match since december, and that this is the first time chelsea have reached ECC finals and almost won it.

Other things that have stood out this season another transfer flop in a 15 million deal for Nicholas Anelka, the frenchman from bolton scoring just 2 goals in the premier league since arrival in january and one in the Champions League. Florent Malouda scored only on the opening fixture, though he's done considerably better since april. Michael Ballack has been nothing short of wonderful since his return, and played a big part in chelsea's fortunes besides proving that he can be effective alongside Frank Lampard, something many doubted.He also served well as the captain in Terry and Lampards absence. Drogba missed a month and a half to the African Cup of nations, but has given chelsea important goals especially the ones against arsenal in the EPL and the against Liverpool in the Champions league semifinal. But he was not close to his threatening best shown last season. Frank Lampard continues to be the heart of Chelsea, doing every bit in creating chances, scoring goals and one will never forget the penalty he took against liverpool to take chelsea to champions league finals, a week after his beloved mother, Pat's demise. Carvalho has been good at the back, pressing forward whenever needed with a couple of goals to show, and a couple of send-offs wont stain his season. Captain John Terry had a month off to injury incurred at the emirates stadium thanks to emmanuel eboue. Except for the disheartening miss in the final penalty his season was a clean one. 30 million man Andriy Shevchenko is still being wasted due to injury for most of the season, even though he has impressed every now and then especially during mid November-December in Drogba's absence. It was otherwise an eventless season for Sheva and may have to take over as the spearhead as Drogba seems keener on a move to Sheva's former club AC Milan. Chelsea can take heart of being the second best in Europe and approach the next season afresh with a bang.

Season Highs:
1. vs Birmingham City- Chelsea start their campaign of the EPL on a winning note.
2. vs Manchester City - a 6-0 win improves a weakining GD and the morale of chelsea
3. vs Rosenborg - Chelsea come back to win 4-0 away at rosenborg after a tame draw at home which was followed by Mourinho's departure.
4. vs Aston Villa - though Chelsea managed a draw they managed 4 goals and saw Michael Ballack find his scoring form which eventually proves vital for chelsea
5. vs Arsenal - with the race for the title getting tight and arsenal losing form this was chelsea's best opportunity to improvise. Despite arsenal scoring from unlikely Sagna, Drogba's brace earns them an important win.
6. vs Everton - having lost crucial points the same week conceding late to Wigan, this victory away at goodison park closes the gap.
7. vs Liverpool - liverpool have a annoying record vs chelsea in champions league. With Hyypiia putting in an own goal in the 94th minute of first leg, chelsea won the second leg with a drogba brace.
8. vs Manchester United - Chelsea took the title race to the final game thanks to a brace by Michael Ballack
9. vs Manchester United - Chelsea may have lost the final but the way they sent Manchester united looking to the skies with, defying all frustration that came along, they still showec thorough determination, as Petr Cech asved Ronaldo's penalty. And Manu had to win 6- 5 on pens despite heavy hand of luck. A double runner, up losing only in the last minutes in both is a applaudable achievement.

Season Lows:
1. vs Rosenborg - Chelsea start their champions league in poor style drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge to Rosenborg. Within days, Jose Mourinho left the club.
2. vs Manchester United - Chelsea lose in their first game under Avram Grant at Old Trafford.
Didier Drogba speaks out about low morale in the team under Grant.
3. vs Fulham - Chelsea draw at home against Fulham, extending their streak without a win to 4 games and end up in 4th in the table.
4. vs Tottenham - With Chelsea pinning their hopes of silverware on retaining the Carling Cup, Spurs dealt a severe blow with a 93rd minute winner from an unlikely source, Jonathan Woodgate.
5. vs Barnsley - Having already upset Liverpool in the previous round, Barnsley caused another as Odejayi heading in a goal after Cech's attempt to claim the ball failed. Further disappointment for Chelsea.
6. vs Fenerbahce - Chelsea created anxiety by losing 2-1 away in the 1st leg of the Champions League Quarter Finals, with their goal too only an own goal by the opposition.
7. vs Wigan Athletic - Emile Heskey struck in a 90th minute goal causing Chelsea to drop 2 points at home. It ultimately proved vital as otherwise Chelsea would've led Manchester United by 2 points on the final fixture, causing different situations of pressure besides making Wigan go for more.
8. vs Bolton - Chelsea needed nothing than a win to push Manchester United to the end. But thanks to some debatable decisions by the referee Steve Benett in Manchester's match changing Wigan's approach, Manchester united led by 2 goals in the final minutes. The news demoralised Stamford Bridge and Chelsea yet again let in a late equaliser.