OCCUPIED COUNTRY

In a Broken Dream

Well, within the space of a few days, Arsenal's 'treble' has been divided into three by some God of Football. What a game that was tonight. First half I thought Chelsea had no chance. They lost the midfield and Hasselbaink and Gudjohnsen were playing too forward to be able to link effectively. The goal just before half time was, I thought, a killer. Second half the 'Tinkerman' (ie Claudio Ranieri) brought on Gronkjaer who added something in the middle and the wing. Suddenly the game began to change. In the end it was Chelsea hammering away at Arsenal and, eventually the goal came.

Claudio Ranieri has been the epitome of dignity throughout this season (and, indeed the last). From the moment he took over at Stamford Bridge he's been looked upon as some joke figure. A joke because when he first arrived he couldn't speak English. So much of a joke that even his translator took the piss by making up post-match comments from Claudio's Italian. Less than two years later, he has enough mastery of the language to conduct pre and post-match interviews with intelligence and a fabulous gallows sense of humour. Never once have I seen him explode. Never once have I seen him lose his rag when asked for the 40,000th time whether he's definitely going to be sacked at the end of the season.

This dignity, this forbearance has endeared the man to many football fans who support teams other than Chelsea. I just hope he wins the Champion's League and the Premiership then turns round and tells Chelsea's board - in broken English - to go and find some other punch bag.

That football tonight lived up to hype that went before. It doesn't happen often, but when it does you remember what it was that first drew you inexorably to it.

After the game I switched to ITV 2 to watch Monaco dump the mighty Real Madrid out of the self same competition. It's been a shit week for Becks hasn't it? Although proper United fans dismiss the reports and conjecture as so much 'who gives a shit'. Youngest as well actually. He was chatting away tonight on Messenger after the Arse and Real bit the dust. So near for the Red Devils - and yet - so far. Shame.