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Hollow Victory
As an F.A. Cup quarter final, Chelsea v Newcastle United left much to be desired especially to anyone who had witnessed Liverpools performance against Birmingham at St Andrews.
Here there was no goal glut, no excitement and no real entertainment, save for those who are very easily pleased. Just a nice pitch (too late, sadly, for the Barcelona clash), a referee whose performance at times seemed reminiscent of Dame Evadne Hinge, a soft goal (courtesy of a goal-line mix-up between Solano and Given), a fair bit of diving about from the home side and various attempts (also predominantly from the home side) to cluster round the referee, led by that well-known amateur advocate, Didier Drogba.
It was clear that Alan Shearer, whose last chance to win something died with this defeat, was less than enamoured with the theatricals, particularly when Shaun Wright-Phillips, whose is gradually becoming accustomed to what is required of him on the comparatively rare occasions when he is selected, contrived successfully to get Robbie Elliott dismissed on a second yellow card by throwing himself ostentatiously to the ground after the defender had turned to avoid him.
Despite his massive disappointment, Shearer departed with dignity, leaving some to wonder how much dignity remains for players who consciously manipulate situations to gain an unfair advantage.
Chelsea players, we are told, are taught to hate the taste of defeat. But it is increasingly apparent that what they are not taught is that the loss of ones self-respect leaves an even more bitter taste, which can last a lifetime.
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