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Visiting Old Trafford, their Theatre of Dreams, brings to life some memorable days in the history of Chelsea Football Club.
April 30, 1955: It was the 50th anniversary of Chelsea FC, and The Blues, under Ted Drake, had won their first-ever English First Division title, a week before with a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. In the last game of the season, Ted Drake led his unlikely champions to Old Trafford, where the legendary Busby Babes lined up to give Chelsea a graceful Guard of Honour. The match, however, was won by United. Roy Bentley, the then Chelsea captain, recalled later “Matt Busby made sure we got the full red-carpet treatment. It was a marvellous moment.” Contrary to popular opinion, winning the first division title was no fluke. It was an outcome of the work that was started with Drake’s appointment in 1952. The former England striker brought about a few history-defining changes, such as replacing The Pensioners badge with that adorning a Lion Rampant Regardant, introducing ball-work to training routines, and favouring lesser known but hard-working players from lower leagues rather than signing unreliable stars. His efforts culminated in the first major triumph for the Stamford Bridge club.
May 10, 2005: The second Guard of Honour ironically was witnessed in the centenary year, in 2005, against the same club, at the same venue. On this day, just like in 1955, a 50-year wait for the title was over. Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea travelled to Old Trafford with the title firmly in their grasp, and came from behind to win the match 1-3, with goals from Thiago, Gudjohnsen and Joe Cole. This marked the beginning of The Blue Revolution, and sowed the seeds of a rivalry for English supremacy, which has seen the two clubs lock horns year after year with nothing but the league title on their minds.
Moreover, the fact that these two occasions coincided with two very special years for the club has made them a part of the Chelsea folklore.
The Guard of Honour at Old Trafford.
May 4, 2010: If the previous two days were about reaping the rewards of a war well-fought, this one witnessed the last battle of the war that was season 2009-10. Two points behind Man United, who were on the cusp of a fourth successive title, Chelsea boarded the flight to Manchester with unwavering determination. After a Joe Cole moment of magic and some controversies, Carlo Ancelotti’s team returned from Old Trafford with a crucial one point lead. There was hope still for United, but on the last day of the season Chelsea hammered Wigan 8-0 and were crowned the champions of England for the fourth time. This season would always be remembered for Chelsea’s ruthlessness; the Blues scored a record-breaking 103 goals over the season, with Didier Drogba winning the Golden Boot.
May 8, 2011: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
“I see him as the young gunslinger who has come to town to challenge the old sheriff.” – Sir Alex Ferguson on Jose Mourinho during the latter’s Stamford Bridge days.
Although Sir Alex uttered these words just for Jose, if one looks at the bigger picture, the post-2003 Chelsea could easily be the Young Gunslinger, while Man United in the Premiership era is certainly the Old Sheriff. The rivalry has evolved over the years, with the West London club relentlessly challenging the established order in England.
Here we are, once again, in familiar territory. The sheriff had done well to incarcerate the outlaw Gunslinger, who on his part looked disillusioned and appeared to have given in to his adversary. However, once the old man became complacent, he rose again and somehow managed to escape! Now they stand face to face, facing a loaded gun and coldly staring into the each other’s eyes.
This is perhaps one of the most fascinating Premiership seasons ever. As many as four teams have led the table over the course of the campaign, but when it truly matters, it’s down to just Manchester United and Chelsea.
Season begins. Bombastic start. Runaway champions. Title. Injuries. More injuries. Bad form. Bad luck. Defeats. Worst form in over a decade. Season over. Manager to be sacked in January. Roman Abramovich. Fernando Torres. Champions League. Wembley. Manchester United. Season over. Manager to be sacked in the summer. Wins. More wins. Good form. Good luck. Manchester United. Old Trafford.
This is how Chelsea FC’s season has shaped up over the last nine months or so. The fortunes of the team, just like the emotions of the fans, have swung from one extreme to the other, repeatedly. The team has endured one of the toughest campaigns in recent memory, the manager has been repeatedly fired by one or the other, the fans have had to dig deep and support their team through a tough phase, but the club can still win the Premier League title. There was a time this season, before Man United visited and lost at Stamford Bridge on March 1st, when the two clubs were 12 points adrift. Yet, one match this weekend has the potential to turn everything on its head.
“We showed when we went to Old Trafford and won last year, which was the decisive game, that we could do it. There is no reason why we cannot do it again. There is nothing I want more than to bring that trophy back.” – John Terry
When The Blues travel to Old Trafford on Sunday evening, they would receive a Guard of Honour – however, this time from the fans from across the world, for the character the lads have shown to stand up after every fall and keep walking. Who would have thought that despite winning the first-ever domestic double for Chelsea, Carlo would have to answer questions regarding his future? Still the Italian maintained his graceful demeanour, and has now won back-to-back Manager of the Month awards in leading his team to where it is today.
The job is not done yet. Manchester United would do everything in their power to prevent Chelsea from completing the once improbable looking job. It’s no secret that Sir Alex and his team yearn for that 19th title, having been in pursuit of it since time immemorial. The West London club had spoiled the party last season, and can do so again. However, no one can afford to take the opponents lightly, having already been dumped out of the Champions League. That was supposed to be Chelsea’s trophy, and this is United’s. The Red Devils did what they had to do, and The Blues are desperate to return the favour.
After all, someone wise enough had once said “Footprints on the sands of time are not made by sitting down.“