Chelsea and Wigan Athletic stand united in toppling the giants | David Lacey
Faced with an apparently irresistible force, both teams showed this week the power of believing in what you doQuite a week for underdogs. Not that Chelsea and Wigan Athletic would normally be lumped together in the cowering canine category any more tha...
FA Cup semi-finals should not need to compete against Hairy Bikers | David Lacey
Everton are in better form than Liverpool; Chelsea should beat Tottenham. But let's hope matches are more than sideshowsRemember the FA Cup? There was a time when the week leading up to the semi-finals would find the sports pages and airwaves talking a...
Tom Finney would relish the protection and pitches of the modern era | David Lacey
Modest goal-scorer from a true golden generation will be remembered long after today's attention-magnets are forgottenSir Tom Finney was 90 on Thursday. Among football followers, even those born long after he played his last match for Preston North End...
Peter Crouch wonder goal more a case of flight one than route one | David Lacey
Disciples of the passing game are apt to dismiss those who prefer a more direct approach of sides such as Tony Pulis's Stoke City but contrasting styles enhance the Premier LeagueIt is a rare week when nothing that happens in the quarter‑finals of th...
Chelsea could do worse than choose John Terry for their new manager | David Lacey
It is in the realms of fantasy but there are successful precedents for promoting a player at Stamford BridgeChelsea having just lost a game for the first time under the temporary management of Roberto Di Matteo should ensure that his spell in charge at...
Chelsea’s comeback against Napoli shows positive side of player power | David Lacey
The dramatic 4-1 win at Stamford Bridge did not proclaim Chelsea's right to be regarded as globally supreme beings but confirmed the power of players to decide a club's destinySuddenly the Premier League does not seem so bad after all. With the departu...
Roy Hodgson’s England disadvantage – he is a rational human being | David Lacey