Chelsea FC Finish Third After Defeating Cardiff City
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Chelsea FC finished third in the Barclay’s Premier League after defeating Cardiff City on the final day of the season. After starting the month of April in serious contention for two trophies, the Blues stumbled when it counted most and finish the campaign with no silverware for the first time since 2010/11. This has been a season of progression for Chelsea but today’s contest showed exactly where the Blues have struggled and where they have shined.
Ashley Cole captained the side in what may be his last game for the club in place of both John Terry and Frank Lampard. It was a poor showing all around for most of the Blues who had nothing to play for other than pride. Fernando Torres missed out on an open goal after being distracted by balloons and Cardiff’s Craig Bellamy opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a deflected shot off Cesar Azpilicueta that left Mark Schwarzer rooted to the spot as the ball sailed in to the far corner. Chelsea was as wasteful as ever in the first half and Mohamed Salah himself had five shots on target with no goals to show for it.
The second half was equally as disjointed as the first with Chelsea showing their lack of a killer instinct against bottom of the table sides. Luckily for the Blues and the pride of their team and manager, Andre Schurrle and Fernando Torres stepped up in the second half. Schurrle turned in a Azpilicueta shot that caromed off the bar and in to his path to equalize. The Blues then took the lead for good from an Azpilicueta cross that was nodded down by Schurrle and finished by Torres. Chelsea had a scrappy win and the three points but little else to show for it. This match will give Mourinho even more to think about as he plans a summer overhaul of the squad.
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