A week that started oh so well has somewhat come to a rather sour end. With the win against Chelsea being marred by the news about Fellaini and a last minute lapse in concentration against Sporting.

It’s been a decade since we last beat the current league leaders. A decade of misery in travelling to Stamford Bridge, in watching a team that has transformed from that like the current Liverpool side (Europe every year but nothing special) to a team that are title contenders due to a Russian’s personal fortune easily overturn any team we put out.

After Malouda put Chelsea in front I like most others thought it was going to be another one of those Chelsea fixtures. It was a horrific goal to concede. No one challenged Drogba, no one challenged Malouda. It was just a route one hoof ball that the back four backed away from, no one willing to take responsibility for getting it under control. However, from my biased perspective I felt that that’s all Chelsea had to offer. They didn’t play a flowing game after we drew level. We were the ones that looked in control, that looked like we should be top of the league. At half time after Saha’s good and bad moments I felt the game had gone. The penalty was woeful and I could only see Chelsea getting better after the interval. The miss however appeared to be a blessing in disguise. After Louis put us ahead we were under constant pressure for the last twenty minutes. Imagine 45 minutes of that… We would have crumbled.

So bring on Sporting we thought. The Portuguese outfit are currently fourth in their rather weak league and are having a shocker of a season by their standards.

Before the game we were informed of the damage inflicted by the greasy Greek Kyrgiakos on Fellaini. 6 months sidelined, the former only having a three match ban. An absolute disgrace. It also begged the question when will we have a fully fit and fully settled Arteta and Fellaini in the side? Fellaini was just finding his feet before that fateful day at St James’ Park and now with the Spaniard coming back Fellaini gets crocked. They both compliment each other from what we’ve seen and I hope they do get a good run together in the centre of what is becoming a formidable midfield.

Anyway, Sporting Lisbon, or ‘supporting lesbians’ as my extremely witty best mate called them (he did indeed get his coat) turned up to Goodison park. they were taught a lesson and a half. The first period yielded a well worked Steven Pienaar goal after an audacious back heel by Tim Cahill. The second half was bossed by us blues until the lapse in concentration at the end saw Sylvan Distin sent off (I was talking about blessings in disguise earlier, we’ll wait and see!). Sporting now have a say in a tie that they should have been all but dumped out of. Disappointing we all know, but if we don’t lose, we are through.

It doesn’t exactly get easier. Up next is Manchester United. Rooney can’t stop scoring, nor can any team that plays against the reds, except it seems to always be in their own net. It’s not looking good. Hopefully Phil Neville doesn’t forget which colour shirt he is wearing again…

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