The Man in The Shed

© Dylan Martinez/Reuters

1^st January 2020 – Rocked in Brighton

A new year, a new decade and for most football fans – new hopes.

The cloud of smoke which apparently obscured last night’s London firework display seemed to have blown down to the south coast for the early kick-off. It was a cold and misty day and I was glad to be sitting with a hot coffee in the comfort of my own home for once.

Yet again the teamsheet had only a couple of changes with James and Pulisic back in the team.

The first few minutes were fairly uneventful before both teams created a chance. Then a Chelsea corner was headed back by Zouma to Abraham to shoot and Dave taps in the rebound. It has been really obvious in the last few games how much more aggressive Azpilicueta has become at set pieces and it was paying off.

James is a real presence when he plays. Technically adept, providing probing crosses and physically strong. He appears to be like an old school player – hard but fair. He was enjoying himself early on with several dangerous crosses ; he was regularly getting in behind the Brighton defence. His physicality was then evident as he clattered Dan Burn (no malice intended). The poor Brighton man had to be substituted as a result.

The Brighton replacement was shown on TV preparing to come on. He put some kind of “bra” on before his shirt – what is that all about ?

The substitution also highlighted a change of tactics by Brighton. Having man-marked Jorginho from the start this was dropped as Brighton went to 4-4-2.

Chelsea should have had a second. Abraham shot when a pass was the better option.

My mind was wandering from the game to the electronic hoardings. It made me realise the differing levels of sponsorship a club like Brighton can attract compared to Chelsea. Tomket tires and then Apollo tyres appeared. Who were these companies ?

Brighton’s change of tactics had helped them back into the game. Chelsea were now more on the back foot but everyone in the team were getting stuck into defensive duties.

As half time approached Kepa made his first serious save of the game. Brighton were really in this now.

So half time probably came at a good time for Chelsea. It had been a gritty performance so far with everyone working hard. After a robust 45 minutes James had become the pantomime villain for the home fans.

Apparently all the games today were on BT. Joe Cole was on media duty – standing outside without a coat !

The second half began fairly evenly. Pulisic had a shot saved and another just wide. Into the last half an hour and Lampard started using subs but still no further goals. There didn’t seem to be another goal in the team today so could we hold out for a 1-0 ? I realised at this point how Abraham’s hold up play had improved. It was important to be able to take the pressure off the defence and “making the ball stick” when played up to him was crucial.

Into the last 15 minutes and Brighton were pushing hard. Defending was now more desperate. Kepa made another good save. A Brighton corner was headed out only for Alireza Jahanbakhsh to score a sensational overhead kick.

It was looking like only one winner now. Kepa had to make another key save to keep it level.

Then the ball went flat – a bit like my enthusiasm.

An injury time booking for James was received enthusiastically by the Brighton fans.

So all over and the result was a draw. Chelsea don’t do draws.

Another game I felt we should have been more clinical and would have taken all three points. Still, the Christmas period had resulted in two wins, a draw and a defeat from three away games and one at home.

A solid performance. Not a clean sheet but it was a great Brighton goal.

Next up – the F A Cup.