How are you all doing?
Like me, probably back at work just as the summer weather starts belting down!
Had Chelsea not beaten Burnley on Saturday, I probably would have pieced together a sick note to help relieve the all-round depression!
Anyway, the Blues got what looked like a straightforward 3-0 victory.
It was one of two games I watched, which - after reading various reports - made me feel like I was losing me frikkin’ marbles!
Chelsea were extremely pedestrian and only really started stringing anything together after the first goal.
It was what has become a familiar scenario against so-called “smaller” opposition - teams set up deep, with plenty of players behind the ball, inviting Chelsea to try and break them down.
It’s been a completely different story against the “better” sides who give less respect.
For the best part of the game, I sat there hoping somebody or something would just give a little spark.
But reading post-match articles I was shocked to learn that Frank Lampard’s team “purred” and were “professional”, while Ross Barkley - who started ahead of Mateo Kovacic - was “dynamic” in the middle of the park.
No he f****** wasn’t. He was steady, didn’t give as much away as usual, but actually slowed things down.
Anyway, a much-needed three points to keep a five-point gap to fifth.
Saturday evening threw up a great game to look forward to as Liverpool visited Tottenham.
BAD PERFORMANCE: Chelsea struggled against Burnley
Like most people - including Chad Saaiman, who tweeted: “I have a funny feeling about this” - we all hoped for a cracker and what did we get? A training day for the Scousers.
Again, listening and reading post-match commentary you’d have thought this was an even affair.
The stats showed Spurs created lots of chances, Jose Mourinho reckons his side were unlucky not to get something out of it.
Okay, there were a couple of missed sitters, but the reality was despite Liverpool being far from their best, there was only ever one winner.
I can’t remember seeing Spurs as flat as they were in the first hour - they looked like Chelsea going through the motions in their worst Mourinho “park the bus” moment. It was terrible.
The stadium was silent as Jurgen Klopp’s lot played amongst themselves, pushing forward at will.
On another day they could have put three or four past them in the first half.
Mourinho is dead as a top-end coach. The days of pre-determining a 1-0 chess-match result are long gone.
A ROUTINE WIN FOR LIVERPOOL: Jose and Klopp
Of course he has it in him to create a more expansive style, the type of football Tottenham are famous for, but the vicious circle he finds himself in - playing defensively to turn around poor form - pushes him deeper into his own complex and negative tactical mind.
Onto something a bit brighter and I can’t wait for this Sunday, as Cape Town is split in two yep, it’s that time; Liverpool v Manchester United!
While United are slowly rotting under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ed Woodward and the Glazers, Liverpool have DEFINITELY won the league.
Hold on, no, no, no 14 points clear, game in hand, 16 games to go, don’t even start a debate.
If you think they can lose six games while Man City win all their remaining fixtures, you’re a proper knob.
I’d go as far as saying, if Liverpool don’t win the league this year, I’ll get a Man United tattoo on my face!
CAPE DERBY: Man United v Liverpool
Anyway, what is at stake of course - apart from the desperation of United getting that crucial fourth place - is that good ol’ fashioned pride.
Come and join me at Premium Sports Bar in Westridge for the game, gonna be huge!