Chapter 61: The Pig on a Battleship
With Chelsea's successive victories on hand, more and more fans are turning their attention to the Blues.
Raiola helped Tang Wu block most of the interviews and advertisements, in order to keep Tang Wu from other affairs.
On November 10, in the 12th round of the Premier League, Chelsea hosted Newcastle at home.
Ranieri did not rotate in this game, and the starting 11 were the same as the last Champions League squad.
Newcastle boss Robson and striker Alan Shearer were named Premier League Player and Coach of the Month for October ahead of the game, but both Shearer and Dier were out of the 16-man squad due to fitness not fitting to the demands of the game.
Last season, Newcastle finished third and were above Chelsea.
But no one expected that a game that was originally evenly matched would unfold in a way that people didn't expect.
Chelsea continued to put pressure on Newcastle from the opening kick-off.
In the 24th minute, Bridge's cross from the left was met by Crespo and Mutu both missing the ball in the middle, and Glen Johnson chested the ball on the right side of the six-yard box and volleyed the ball into the top of the net to open the scoring.
It was the former West Ham defender's first Premier League goal for the 19-year-old.
In the 39th minute, Brambo failed to clear Glenn's header in time. Crespo knocked in front of the goal and the Argentine scored his sixth goal of the season.
In the 42nd minute, Mutu chased a long ball, the Romanian faced O'Brien's pull in the back and Given's fierce attack to the ground, referee Durkin conferred with the linesman and awarded a penalty and O'Brien sent off.
Frank Lampard scored his fifth goal of the season.
After sealing the win in the first half, the Blues did not let go of their opponents in the second half.
Newcastle, who were 10 men, were "teased" by the Blues players like magpies in an urn.
In the 78th minute, Newcastle goalkeeper Given's clearance mistake and kicked the ball to Duff, and the Irishman immediately shook off substitute Caldwell and suddenly turned calmly and fired into the corner.
In the 84th minute, Bridge assisted again on the left, and his pass set up substitute Gudjohnsen to seal the win with a header from six yards unguarded.
5-0, it's a hearty win!
The news of the Blues' bloodbath at Newcastle caused an immediate uproar.
Not only were the opponent's fans dumbfounded, but what was even more terrifying was that the Blues had completely collapsed their opponents in less than 40 minutes!
What's really going on at Stamford Bridge?
For a while, Chelsea's blue frenzy swept across the UK, and many media even reported: "Who says money is hard to buy success? ”
The Newcastle boss was also convinced after the game, with Robson Sr. saying: "I think Chelsea are strong enough and they are a real threat to Manchester United and Arsenal right now! They have great players and they play in a great way. ”
'There's a lot of excitement at Stamford Bridge right now, which excites a lot of people and I want to wish them the best of luck.'
After the big win, Ranieri kept a low profile and shy away from winning the title, but this time the Blues could no longer hide their pride.
Speaking to the cameras after the game, Frank Lampard, the new heart of the Blues, shouted: 'For the first time, we can seriously say what we think and we believe we can win all the honours this season!' ”
For a while, the atmosphere of winning the championship spread within the team.
Since March this year, there is one person in Laply's 'rotation' squad who has not been rotated, and that is England international Frank Lampard!
And Frank Lampard's speech represents the voice of all the Blues!
On 20 November, Chelsea beat Southampton 1-0 with the ambition to win the title.
For the next Champions League group stage, Lajili hid most of the main players. But even so, Chelsea relied on veteran Jimbo Hasselbaink's goal to get the win, which was enough to show the depth of the Blues' bench.
On 25 November, in the fifth group stage of Group G of the Champions League, the Blues drew a goalless draw at home to Sparta Prague.
On the other side, Lazio also drew with Besiktas. As a result, Chelsea are five points clear of third-placed Sparta and a game ahead of the group.
Lazio, who are bottom of the five-point table, have completely lost the initiative - they will not only have to beat Prague away, but also hope that Besiktas will not win at home to Chelsea to qualify.
Whether it's the Champions League or the Premier League, Chelsea's meteoric rise has caught the attention of a wide range of fans.
Former England goalscorer Jimmy. Greaves pointed out in a televised interview that Chelsea are the most underrated team in the Premier League this season.
"If the Premier League is a horse race, then Manchester United and Arsenal are undoubtedly the two good stallions at the front! Big, tough and full of power, he is always in the lead in the race to the finish line. ”
"But it seems to me that both of these good horses are wearing blindfolds right now. Because they couldn't see another strong competitor quietly following them. ”
'People talk about the Premier League and they always say it's a battle between two horses [Rangers vs. Celtic] and that's the case in England as well.
"Manchester United and Arsenal have had a monopoly on the Premier League title for too long! This is the time to add another team to the Premier League! ”
'And, compared to the chatter and disgusting rhetoric between Manchester United and Arsenal, Chelsea's approach is quiet and relatable.
'Over the past few months, I can strongly feel that Chelsea's influence is gradually permeating every corner of England, and this empire with its blue flag is capturing more and more people's hearts.
'Like the legendary Newcastle side of Keegan in the early 90s, Chelsea now seem to be becoming the second team that everyone is happy to support. And that's the most surprising and terrifying thing about Chelsea. ”
'In terms of managership, I think Ranieri is an underrated guy who has a job that is difficult at the moment, if not the only one in world football.
"When you only have a limited squad and you don't have much money to spend, it's easier to do the other way – because there are only a few people available, you don't have to rack your brains about how to set up your starting XI for the next day."
"And Rakari is different! He has not only Mutu but also Crespo and other top Serie A goalscorers. Veterans Hasselbaink and Gudjohnsen are also in good form this season. Coupled with the fact that Irish winger Duff has been selected for the Premier League Team of the Year in almost every round, it is foreseeable how luxurious the bench will be at Chelsea! ”
'In midfield, even a well-rounded player like Veron can be a substitute for the Blues, and I can't imagine any other team in the Premier League who can do that.
'The young Blues captain John Terry has also grown up and built a solid Blues defence with Claude Makelele, which has allowed Chelsea's front-line players to be involved with impunity.
"The only regret is that Cudicini seems to have fallen out of favour and it has always been the lucky one from China who has been guarding the door for the Blues."
"I have to admit that this young man's extra fingers have brought him more luck. After Chelsea's three fronts so stable and luxurious, even a pig can wear a winning streak! ”
'Either way, I want to wish Chelsea the best of luck. After all, in English football, which has been dominated by Manchester United and Arsenal for a long time, it is they who bring a breath of fresh air to people. ”
As a famous England legend, Jimmy. Greaves' words won the hearts of the people.
But he never expected that just a "joking name" about Tang Wu would trigger the biggest war of words among London fans this season!