The Man in The Shed

© Bob Thomas Sports Photography

6th January 2020 – Retro

Much of the lead up to this game (from a Chelsea fan perspective) was the 1970 retro kit. As a man of a certain age I could remember watching the 1970 cup final on TV so to realise that 50 years had passed since our first FA Cup win was a sobering thought. Checking out the kit in the shop before the game I liked the very subtle sponsor logos (barely visible from a distance) to keep to the retro theme but I just wished it had come with a 1970 price !

The more prominent publicity was for the mental health video which was shown before the game – whilst agreeing with the continued positive publicity I was just sad that you couldn’t really hear the messages in the ground.

The manager had named a very strong team (unlike the Carabao cup sides) although there were still 9 changes from the last game. Forest included former Premier League players Dawson and Jenkinson in their defence.

A rare change over meant that Chelsea were attacking the Matthew Harding end in the first half. Chelsea were on the front foot from minute one and it took barely six minutes for Hudson-Odoi to score. He was looking more and more like the player pre-injury.

Forest were not giving up though and the referee awarded them a penalty as Tomori tripped the attacker in the box. After half a lifetime VAR came back and disallowed the decision as the striker was offside !

James was offering a threat going forward and delivered a third great cross in less than half an hour.

The game was quite open and it was no surprise when Hudson-Odoi shot again; this time the keeper parried the ball straight out to Barkley to tap in for 2-0.

Batshuayi was having another one of those days – failing to hit the target with another chance.

So half time arrived and I was generally happy with the performance. James was delivering probing crosses and even Barkley was playing well. The half time “entertainment” was to bring out members of the 1970 cup winning team. After 50 years we’d lost many of the players and a number we represented by other family members. Good old Ron Harris was still looking spritely.

An announcement over the PA then informed us that the second half was delayed “due to a match official being ill”. Would the next announcement be to ask if anyone fancied running the line in the second half ?

After a brief delay the second half began. Kovacic reminded everyone that he’s not one to be bullied after a heavy tackle. A tough competitor.

Our play remained at a good standard. A Barkley header hit the post (although offside) and then another great move which showed (not for the first time today) how quick one touch play can carve through any defence.

Then a Forest free kick is headed in. Here we go again. After another lifetime the goal is disallowed for offside. Not surprisingly the Forest fans were singing less than positive songs about VAR.

Batshuayi missed another chance – he just seems to need too many chances to get a goal.

Forest fans were now singing “two nil to VAR” and you couldn’t blame them. Watching the highlights later both decisions were borderline.

Still, that was about the last thing of note and the game was over. On to the next round and another chance to wear the retro kit.