The End of Chelsea's Lucky Strike

The game just cost me -20 in the English Premier League's official prediction game. I would've gotten the Banker bonus had the scoring ended in the 87th minute. 2-1 was what I predicted. It was not until Ashley Cole mistakenly kicked the ball hard enough to hit Michael Essien, leading to the latter's own goal that the game ended with a 2-2 draw. I almost got 60 points.

Today's game at Stamford Bridge was more preferrable than what I've seen last week against Wigan, despite the game ending in a draw- much, much more undesirable than our win in the last couple of (away) matches. That in spite of the continuous absence of Petr Cech, Carlo Cudicini and John Terry. Add to that the absence of in-top-form midfielder and last week's saving grace Arjen Robben, who missed the match due to a hamstring injury. Khalid Boulahrouz and Claude Makelele were left out of the squad with Obi Mikel, Ashley Cole, Shaun Wright-Philips, Mahmoud Diarra and goalie Magnus Hedman standing by as subs. Diarra and Hedman were left unused.

Winning the game would've led us to the top of table, something we've all been hoping for, for at least the two hours that Manchester United were playing our last week's opponent Wigan Athletic. We would've welcomed New Year a week ahead. As they beat Wigan at Old Trafford 3-1, we could have only expected the persistent smashing- something which the Blues have not been able to achieve, except for their match against Watford, which ended 4-0. But the hopes of some thousands fans at Stamford Bridge and at home watching on telly on Boxing Day were crushed, proving it's too early to kick off the New Year. We didn't lead.

Drogba once again fired up and scored a brace, each on either half of the game. The first came through an assist from Frank Lampard from the corner; the other through SWP's cross. I am aware of Chelsea becoming a one-man team scoring. Today, it became evident again. Most of the attempts came from the Ivory Coast striker: during the 12th minute when his shot was blocked by Reading goalkeeper Hahnemann; during the 28th minute when he gave a header, only to be blocked once again by the opponent's goalie; for the third time in the 32nd minute; I just can't list all of them down here.

When Lita scored the Royal's first goal of the night, many perhaps expected another dramatic ending in our favor. Fans all the more expected that when the truly unfortunate and unforgivable happened. In the past, we've become knwon as last-minute scorers. It was all the same tonight, except that the ball went through the net on the other side. Ashley Cole wrongly kicked the ball harder than needed, to which Essien completely couldn't have responded. The score then became 2-2, with just 2 minutes left of the game. Seconds before the regular time was up, 3 minutes of stoppage time was flashed. I know I wasn't alone when I asked, who will save us this time?

The game became quicker, the true sign of catching up and hoping for another sweet, dramatic victory. The Blues were passing from one player to the other, finding chances to score another last minute winning goal. But the three minutes have elapsed, with no Robben to save us this time. Drogba's brace may have already been enough for him. Many instances in the past, we relied on Lady Luck. We didn't win convincingly in some matches; we were just lucky.

If we would not be able to recover from this slump to find our way back to the top and just completely rely on some favorable twist and turn of events, then I suppose that tonight, the end of the Blues' lucky strike has just begun. At Stamford Bridge.