Castiel

This is common with African issues sadly. I spent 10 years living in Zimbabwe finally leaving when the British and European migrants were basically ousted. Whats going on in the Sudan, Congo, Ivory Coast and a host of other African nations are consistently overlooked and swept out of the public view for reasons I can't even fathom. Your asseveration that these problems affected Drogba and Kalou are astute though - if the same thing was happening in my country I know it'd ruin my day.

Can we lend the Gooners Cech tomorrow?

Bluemoon:

Man City rooted for us in mass and are currently praising us as Gods to knock Spurs out of the CL race in such a manner.

Whatever it was meant to be, it looked a 442 to me until Torres went off. They just try to occupy the same space and it clearly doesn't work. Had that been against United we'd have been put away.

Lets not kid ourselves, tactical failure today but we managed to grind it out. I hope thats the last of the 442 and the last of trying to force Drogs and Torres together unless one of them can play wide. Back to celebration... Gomez you clown!

I really hope Carlo knows what he's doing, if Spuds do us in because of a formation error it'll ruin my whole week.

According to talksh*te: Chelsea Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole; Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Malouda; Torres, Drogba. Spuds Gomes; Corluka Kaboul Dawson Gallas; Lennon Sandro Modric Bale; Van der Vaart; Pavlyuchenko.

Well up for this now. Haven't heard any lineup news yet. Go stuff them you blues!

And they should make no mistake that we'll be the ones that prevented them from qualifying for the CL! :D

Strangely what got him sent off I didn't think was worthy at all. I think he clipped Anelka's shoulder or they mildly brushed and Anelka appeared to trip, had that been in our box and we got a red we'd all be furious. But Abidal had committed at least 2 other red offences prior to that so I have no sympathy and it was the only justice we received that night. What I find hysterical though is in a post match interview, Abidal claimed he had to "sacrifice" himself to stop Anelka because he would have had a clear shot at goal. I'm trying to find the interview now but it was a while ago. I couldn't believe it.

I vote that goes straight into the quotes.

I don't think its support of Man United so much as spiting Barcelona over their countless sporting atrocities - including the worst committed to us. That said I hope you win your bet.

I understand your point but personally I stand behind him and Drogba 100%. That corner was the last play of the game, you can see in the video Cech came out himself in an attempt to use his height to get the ball in the net and was pushed over. We had 6 possible penalty appeals (I don't personally think all 6 were legitimate but at least 3 were) in that game and the reff denied every single one of them, at that stage in the game I can understand why Drogba and Ballack lost it. But I don't think we need to be dragging this topic up again, I wasn't a member of this board at the time but I'm sure the topic was discussed in depth and laid to rest at the appropriate time. I've moved on, the team have moved on, I feel we're stronger for it but nobody should forget what a farce Barcelona and UEFA really are.

Yea sorry to dredge it up Phillip but its all evidence building against them. We've known the truth about them for a long time now and the rest of the world is starting to catch up. Real Madrid aren't any better but Barca have turned cheating, acting and official manipulation into an art form all while maintaining this holier than thou attitude and its f**king disgusting. Since that night I've thought we should just boycott the farce that is the CL until something is done about this bullsh*t and the other English clubs would be right to join us.

Carlo may have figured out a way to use Drogba and Torres and a 433. We'll just have to wait and see what he comes up with.

Preaching to the choir just look at 2009. FC Barcelona - greatest Cheaters to ever play the game. Warning above link may induce uncontrollable rage.

Real are charged with 5 offences so far, Barca charged with 1 - the red card to the substitute keeper. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11945_6902798,00.html Not biased at all.

I think we should boycott the Champions League after watching that theatrical display. I'll be supporting United for the second time in my life (first being 2009) thanks to these cheating bar stewards. Lesser of two evils and all that.

Watching the el Classico last night it hit me. All the cheating aside, Barca looked just as gutless as Arsenal in the final 3rd until Messi made the difference. I'd wager if you gave Arsenal Messi they'd be just as successful. Thoughts?

Salient points but how you describe our performance is the definition of out-played. You cannot beat Barcelona at their own game, but we came out with a strategy to counter them and did it - the fact that the officials turned against us when this became apparent was, in Drogba's words, "a f**king disgrace." Chelsea v Barca 2006 and 2009 were the closest I've seen of a team successfully countering and nullifying Barca in full flight. One day soon, we will knock those bar stewards out and justice will be served.

Signing Jose is like making a deal with the Devil. You'll get instant rewards and pay in blood.