LONDON: Luiz Felipe Scolari has lifted the World Cup with Brazil in Yokohama, and guided Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 in Lisbon, but he can rarely have celebrated with the gusto as he did this FA Cup third-round replay success in deepest Essex. For a Brazilian, Scolari’s jig of joy was hardly Strictly Come Samba but the Chelsea manager’s glee was understandable.
Fog briefly put this tie in doubt, just as clouds of uncertainty had hung to Scolari’s reign. When Adam Barrett gave Steve Tilson’s gutsy side the lead, the pressure mounted on Scolari but goals from Michael Ballack, Salomon Kalou, Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard showed Chelsea’s character and set up a fourth-round date with Ipswich Town.
After the fog had lifted, Scolari and his side had swiftly seen the shape of the challenge at Roots Hall. Southend fans, all singing, all flag-waving, screamed at every Chelsea touch, particularly when the ball was in the possession of Ashley Cole, that embodiment of Premier League arrogance. When Chelsea’s other full-back, Jose Bosingwa, slid into the hoardings, the Portuguese international received some choice Essex invective.
Fuelled by the fire of their supporters, Southend players snapped into tackles, giving their illustrious guests no space to breathe, let alone create an opening. Their tactics frustrated Chelsea for most of the half, Alex Revell and Lee Barnard taking it in turns to drop off the front line and stiffen midfield.
The determination etched on Revell’s face as he hunted down Ashley Cole said everything for Southend’s commitment levels. They sensed an upset. They had read all the stories of trouble at the Bridge, had seen how Chelsea waved the white flag at Old Trafford on Sunday. Tilson’s players craved this chance of writing them names in FA folklore. Chelsea had other ideas.
Barnard and Revell worked overtime, also pushing on to force some early corners. If the first one indicated that Scolari’s zonal-marking system needed more time on the training-ground, with Southend players queuing up unmarked at the far-post, the second from Junior Stanislas caused carnage. As the clock showed 15 minutes, the outstanding Barrett was granted the freedom of Roots Hall to head in, right in front of Chelsea’s enraged supporters.
Their defence seems trapped in a recurring nightmare: seven of the last eight goals Chelsea had conceded emanated from freezing at set-pieces. With Ricardo Carvalho surprisingly confined to the bench, Chelsea’s defence looked vulnerable, particularly aerially.
Here was a test for Chelsea, an examination of their mettle. Nicolas Anelka needed to impose himself, to show that Scolari was right to leave Didier Drogba back in London. The Ivory Coast international was known on Wednesday to feel victimised by his treatment by Scolari, apparently resenting the perception that he was responsible for Sunday’s humiliation.
Chelsea have let Drogba know that if he really wants a move, he will need to start putting on more assertive displays than his widely-derided contribution at Manchester United. Drogba will not be allowed to leave cheaply either. Along with Drogba, Deco was also held accountable for Sunday’s embarrassment, his lack of mobility exploited by Manchester United and now punished by Scolari.
With his team trailing, and seemingly all of Essex baying, here was a real test for Scolari. "You’re getting sacked in the morning,’’ chanted the delighted locals. But the word from Chelsea’s powerbrokers remained the same: they would continue to back Scolari because, unlike Avram Grant last season, the World Cup-winning Brazilian owns a CV that earns him respect and time.
Emerging from the dug-out, Scolari barked a few instructions to his wide players to hug the flanks more, so stretching Southend's packed midfield, anything to create some space so Lampard and Ballack could pierce the armour-plated centre.
His players responded, pouring forward time after time, pinning Southend deep in their own half. This 11 played for Scolari, played for the shirt. Chelsea kept creating chances, and kept missing them until Ballack struck just before the break.
Frank Lampard, tireless in midfield, was denied by Southend’s keeper, Steve Mildenhall. Ballack shot over, then wide. Still Chelsea attacked. Still Southend breathed defiance, Barrett proving the rock on which Chelsea foundered. Lampard, embodying the visitors’ hunger and relentless attacking intentions, swerved in a corner that John Terry headed over.
So committed to attack, Chelsea were vulnerable to the counter. After Chris Foy had played an inspired advantage when John Obi Mikel took out Anthony Grant, Stanislas raced down the right, his acceleration catching out Ashley Cole. Stanislas’ cross was perfection, weighted to reach the stooping Revell at the far-post. Cech kept Chelsea in the Cup with a stunning, whites-of-the-eyes save.
Reprieved, Chelsea stormed back the other end, equalising just before the interval. When Mildenhall and Barrett collided, the ball fell to Ballack, whose response was sensational. The German international has deserved his criticism this season, a heavyweight performer punching far below his weight, but he merits huge praise here. He had no time to think, no split-second to waste. Meeting the loose ball first-time, Ballack swept it into the net from 15 yards
Scolari made a change at the break, removing Mikel, whose fifth yellow card triggers a one-game ban, and installing Juliano Belletti as the anchorman. The song remained the same, Chelsea enjoying possession for long periods but Southend always a threat on the break. Joe Cole began to make an impression for Chelsea, thwarted by Mildenhall, but then sweeping a magnificent pass from left to right. Kalou darted on, driving into the box before shooting low past Mildenhall.
The tie was wrapped up when Lampard and Kalou combined to set up Anelka, who struck from 10 yards. Lampard, with a late shot, completely blew away the fog that had been clinging to Chelsea. But with Stoke City up next, Scolari has more work to do on that zonal marking.
