Archive for March 3, 2022
Bye-bye, FA Cup and Mr. Abramovich
West Ham yesterday lost their away tie against Southampton, ending their FA Cup hopes. The Saints won 3-1 (1-0) and reached the quarter finals. West Ham‘s goal was scored by Michail Antonio. It was also on Wednesday evening that another collateral damage of the terrible Ukraine war emerged when it was announced that Russian owner Roman Abramovich was going to sell Chelsea.
Southampton’s win was especially impressive considering they made nine changes from their last Premier League game, and West Ham – above them in the table – only made two.
Last season’s FA Cup semi-finalists look in great shape under Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl and are now unbeaten in 12 home games, going back to September.
A different kind of bye-bye also was announced last evening when prior to Chelsea‘s FA Cup game against Luton news emerged that Russian owner Roman Abramovich was going to sell the club.
Luton’s fans drowned out the chants, responding with: “You’re getting sold in the morning.” It will not be that quick but the reality for Chelsea and their fans is the man whose money is largely responsible for that lavish collection of silverware will soon be gone.
Even the traditional Chelsea taunt of “We’ve won it all” brought the cutting response of “You’ve bought it all” from the home support. As regular chants of support rose up for Abramovich from one end, jeers and “You’re an embarrassment” flew back in their direction from three sides of Kenilworth Road.
In the end the Chelsea fans could celebrate a 3-2 win over Luton, just some days after having lost the penalty shoot-out in the League Cup final against Liverpool last Sunday. The latest trophy which Chelsea won was the Club World Cup this February. The Blues beat Palmeiras Sao Paulo 2-1 in the final in Abu Dhabi, VAE, and won this Cup for the first time in their history.
EXTRA TIME 
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