The former Arsenal man won a controversial penalty in the Nou Camp, but Chelsea rode their luck to beat Barcelona.
“UEFA! Your boys took one hell of a beating!”
There have been many to point the finger at a UEFA conspiracy backing Barcelona, most notoriously, their former player Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the quarter-finals.
Believe it or not, even a sending off and a dodgy penalty could not sway the match in their favour last night, fate was simply on Chelsea’s side.
Make no mistake, Chelsea’s performance last night was a stunning result.
Ramires provided the inspiration at 2-0 down, but it was a stroke of fortune that saw Lionel Messi hit the bar with a second half penalty.
We say fortune, but many were calling it something else; justice.
This was because for the penalty award itself, when Didier Drogba was adjudged to have brought down Cesc Fabregas, there was huge debate as to whether the Spaniard was actually touched.
With diving heavily scrutinised after Ashley Young and Andy Carroll’s recent simulation, we are all studying every decision closer than ever.
The more you see it, the more it looks like Fabregas was not actually touched.
The second he hit the floor he looked straight towards the referee, appealing for it, and it sure looked like he conned him.
Now there was a certain irony about Didier Drogba being the one to commit the ‘foul’ – after all the criticism leveled at his timewasting antics and theatrics in the first leg.
Barcelona though, seemingly had even more bad karma coming their way, possibly for Fabregas’ dive, possibly for sins past, as Lionel Messi inexplicably struck the ball against the bar.
The rest is history, sealed with a clinical Fernando Torres solo goal, accompanied by unnerving Gary Neville commentary.
Did Fabregas dive? Did Chelsea deserve it? What are your opinions on last night’s match?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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