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A perfect quartet of shoot-out penalties brought our 2015 tour of North America to a winning close in Washington DC.

The Blues were unerring from the spot while Barcelona struck woodwork with one and were kept out by Thibaut Courtois from another, as our keeper followed up his two penalty saves on Saturday night. This was only the third shoot-out of his professional career.  

Jose Mourinho billed the game itself, which was played in front of nearly 80,000 fans in the United States capital, as a step-up in training for the season ahead, and it was a step-up in Chelsea performance level too.

Eden Hazard added another eye-catching goal to his increasingly impressive collection. That came early and with the Blues playing some of our best football of the fortnight, the lead was maintained until half-time.

Barcelona were back level through Luis Suarez 12 minutes after the restart and then took the lead with a shot from Sandro Ramirez good enough to beat Courtois, who had already made a string of stops.

However the Blues pulled the game level close to the end thanks to a well-timed spring and header from Gary Cahill who took a smack in the face in the process. It was Chelsea who packed the right punches when our third game in this International Champions Cup tournament was decided from the penalty spot. 

It was a largely familiar starting line-up selected by Mourinho. Kurt Zouma partnered Cahill in central defence with recently appointed vice-captain Branislav Ivanovic assumed the armband.

While Cesar Azpilicueta continued as the one ever-present in this pre-season programme of matches, with Hazard ahead of him, there was a new face on the opposite flank. Kenedy was in the team having trained with the squad during this tour. Fluminese gave permission for the 19-year-old attacker to take part in this game.

Showing good pace, he was bundled to the floor in the opening minutes to give Fabregas the chance to send a free-kick into his former club’s penalty area. Zouma towered to meet it and it needed a good save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen to prevent us taking a rapid lead.  

Kenedy soon made his presence felt at the other end of the big and full arena by getting ahead of Luis Suarez to shepherd the ball back to Thibaut Courtois.

Matic headed a free-kick over before Diego Costa pulled a hole in the Barcelona defence which lead to an Oscar shot which was saved.

Chelsea, sporting the new adidas away kit for the first time, soon made the early domination pay through Hazard’s brilliance. Riding a challenge from Ivan Rakitic in trademark style, he then changed direction and went for goal, evading two other defenders before slotting the ball home low and true before a saving tackle could be made. This is what the American fans had come to see. There were just nine minutes played.

Courtois saved from Rakitic and then punched away the Croatian’s corner as Barcelona responded with their best period of the game.

Midway through the half, Diego Costa was fouled 20 yards from goal as he accepted a Hazard pass. Fabregas ran over the ball and left it for Oscar who watched his sweetly struck shot rebound off the crossbar with the keeper well beaten. Diego Costa got to the rebound but couldn’t battle through for a shot.     

Matic was commanding the central area in this opening half, but he left the space clear for Hazard to give the Catalans the runaround on 28 minutes until he was hacked down. Treatment was required but no card shown.

Barcelona were next to test the opposition keeper however and Courtois needed to be sharp to keep out Suarez. He had to save again soon after from Sandro Ramirez.

On 33 minutes, all of the sizeable percentage of the crowd who were supporting Chelsea were ready to celebrate a Diego Costa goal. Fabregas spotted the simple pass to send his Spain team-mate away but having steadied himself, the striker shot wide.

Courtois saved from Suarez again in what was developing into a bit of personal duel and although Chelsea were playing well, it was inevitable Barca would create chances. Gary Cahill importantly threw himself in the path of Rakitic and the midfielder blasted over from five yards out.

Jeremy Mathieu was the latest to foul Hazard just before half-time and the referee had seen the Belgian take enough punishment. This time he waved his yellow card at the centre-back.

There were only two changes for the second period as Brazilians switched. Willian and Ramires came on for Kenedy and Oscar, with Fabregas moving more forward.  

Diego Costa shot over in the opening seconds after approach play that had the crowd gasping. Munir El Haddadi then headed against the foot of the Chelsea post but only he had fouled.

The equaliser did come after 51 minutes, Suarez succeeding in scooping the ball over Courtois from inside the area and watching as Zouma failed in a valiant effort to clear the ball off the line.  

Both sides made a collection of changes on the hour, with Zouma moving to left-back as Azpilicueta was given some well-earned rest. Diego Costa’s withdrawal at that point was preceded by him needing to sit down on the turf but he was able to walk down the tunnel.

It was one of the two Barcelona players who had remained on from the start who put the Spaniards ahead. Sandro Ramirez, one of their front three, stepped outside of Moses on the left of the area and clipped a shot beyond Courtois and into the far side of the net. It was a quality strike.  

Falcao was introduced not long after, with recent substitute Loic Remy dropping back behind the Colombian. Jordi Alba was booked for going through the back of Moses.

There was hope of a Chelsea leveller as the final 10 minutes approached but Ramires fired wide from Moses’s square pass. The Nigerian winger then sent another ball across the face of goal but to no avail. He was causing problems but Willian couldn’t reach another low cross after good work from Moses down the right. His time to make a difference was approaching.

There were just over five minutes left on the clock when Cahill bravely nodded the Blues level. Willian had floated a testing free-kick into a crowd box and Barca dealt with it poorly. Our England international defender was first to the dropping ball thanks to a prodigious leap. He headed it in at the expense of a blooded nose from the keeper’s fist and the end to his participation.

Willian or Remy might have headed in a late winner from a Moses cross but rather got in each other’s way, and Rafinha could have grabbed it at the death for the Spaniards but half-volleyed wide.

Instead Chelsea faced a second shoot-out decider in four days.

Andres Inesta was first up and scored. Falcao, as he did against PSG, took Chelsea’s first and sent it high to the keeper’s left. Alan Halilovic went for the chip but hit the bar so when Moses netted calmly, Chelsea were 2-1 ahead.

Gerard Pique shimmied twice but there was no fooling Courtois who saved on the turf. Ramires found the bottom corner to make it 3-1 to the Blues.

Sandro Ramirez kept Barcelona in it but the stay of execution was short. Remy kept up the 100 per cent success rate and victory was ours.  

On an extremely hot and humid night, Washington DC had been served up with some great entertainment.

Chelsea Courtois; Ivanovic (c), Zouma, Cahill (Chalobah 87), Azpilicueta (Terry); Fabregas (Moses 60), Matic ( Mikel 60); Kenedy (Willian h-t), Oscar ( Ramires h-t), Hazard (Falcao 68); Diego Costa (Remy 60).
Scorers Hazard 9, Cahill 85.  
Penalty shoot-out scorers Falcao, Moses, Ramires, Remy .

Barcelona Ter Stegen (Masip 60); Bartra (Pique 60), Douglas (Sergi Roberto 17), Mathieu (Vermaelen 60), Adriano (Jordi Alba 60); Rakitic (Iniesta 60), Busquets (c) (Samper 60), Gumbau (Rafinha 60); Sandro Ramirez, Suarez (Pedro 60), El Haddadi (Halilovic 73).
Scorers Suarez 52, Ramirez 65.
Penalty shoot-out scorers Iniesta, Sandro Ramires
Booked Mathieu 43, Jordi Alba 75

Crowd 78,914
Referee Allen Chapman

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/07/match-report--chelsea-v-barcelona.html

Where is Sokoto? It's a nice place to be!

sebali:
All those looking 4 problems now kn where 2 go; Ghana.

Hahahahaha ! They will receive problems and their lives will never remain the same!

A friend of mine came across this when walking down the street of Accra, took the photograph and decided to share it with me. End time things!

Alexebo:
who gt blackberry cord abeg....d guy under me just murderd GOD""


in other news
sharp niggahs are now winning d battle against INTROVERT for FTC spot

"Na Gode" is Hausa language which means "Thank You'

MarvellousGod:
The society sees/expects a married man to be more responsible. ..


But unfortunately marital status has little or nothing to do with responsibility....

You nailed it!

yomi007k:
Op don't let anyone psych u into entering a lifestyle u may not be able to sustain.
I am not married but I am more responsible than most married men I have seen.

esponsible/rɪˈspɒnsɪb(ə)l/
adjective
1.having an obligation to do something, or having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role.
2.being the primary cause of something and so able to be blamed or credited for it.
(of a job or position) involving important duties, independent decision-making, or control over others.

From 1-i have control and care for myself, my parents and my neices n nephews.

From2- any move I make in this life is mine to be credited or blamed for.



Those ppl whining u to marry won't be there wen d chips are down.

I like your perception of responsibility! Keep it up bro!!

I would love to see him be, but it's not likely because of his lack of playing time and even I don't see the qualities in Him. You know what I'm saying, the charisma, motivation or enthusiasm! But honestly, it will be nice seeing him taking the role!

DrObum:
OP hold it there!!!!






As I never marry, what are your thoughts implying






Me na 101 yards of responsible material ooooo

Na you go fit know yourself my chairman! But as I dey look you so, you go dey responsible.

chomytex:
I've seen so many married men that are irresponsible!
And also responsible bacherlos...so having a “married”status is not a yardstick for measuring responsibity.
It all depends on the individual.
Op shey I try small?

Spot on! You try no be small

yomi007k:
*spreads mat*



Waiting for the fanatics

:

yorubadelta:
Single or Married should NOT be a deciding factor when it comes to weighing up ones level of responsibility.

... an irresponsible man is an irresponsible man whether married or not.

That's my own view too! Thanks.

dangotesmummy:
Your marital status as a married man or woman doesn't change your behaviour of whether you are responsible or not. If you were responsible as a bachelor you'll be responsible as a married man and if you were irresponsible as a bachelor marriage cannot change your behaviour if for anything it will expose who you really are character wise


let's see what the next person has to say

Hmm! Thanks! That's what I also believe!

heatmeup:
after one coach go say he no dey fit That's y he no dey start am for under 20 **********smh for nff

I tire for our coaches and NFF o!

I have heard many people saying a man only becomes responsible when he gets married! I want to ask my fellow Nairalanders, must a man gets married before he becomes responsible? Is it that man can't be responsible as a single? Waiting to hear your opinions!

I think this guy needs to keep it going, he will be a good asset to the Super Eagles. But the problem is that, it won't be really easy for him to have regular playing time in the star studded Manchester City team when the season finally begins! All the best our own Nacho!

The Nigerian youngster provided the assist for his team mate as they took an early lead against Roma before scoring in the second half in the International Champions Cup

Kelechi Iheanacho provided an early assist for Manchester City’s £49m striker Raheem Sterling before scoring in the second half to kick off their International Champions Cup game against Roma in Melbourne on a high note.

The young Nigerian laid a well-placed pass in front of the Englishman who made no mistake in finishing past Roma goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis in the third minute.

However, the Italians pulled back five minutes later as Miralem Pjanic profited from a Gervinho pass.

Iheanacho also saw a header saved by de Sanctis before the first half ended 1-1.

In the second half, he scored to increase City's lead to 2-1 after Roma defender Ashley Cole overhit a pass which fell into his path and he wasted no time before hitting into the top of the net.

Iheanacho was substituted in the the 73rd minute and he was replaced by Enes Unal.

Coach Manuel Pelegrini has stated that Iheanacho has a bright future with the club as the youngster continues to hope for a first team place in a star-studded City squad.

Source: http://m.goal.com/s/en-ng/news/13766322?ICID=HP_HN_1

It ain't reasonable for a club to keep hold of a player who people tag as bad footballer! Mikel in his 9th year at Chelsea shows he's good enough for the club.

Happy post-humous birthday ma! You were a great leader! A leader with commitment, honesty, and charisma! Rest on......

The man of the people! Defiant and proactive!!

Thank you Mr. Jega. You've done wonderfully well! A man of transparency and tranquility. We hope to see you heading some sensitive positions in Nigeria in the nearest future. You're my man of the year!

fretfingers:
At Op,

Ofcourse no guy can thrust for 4 to 5hours at a stretch...however, its absolutely possible to last in bed that long... Now here note the difference: THRUSTING and LASTING IN BED FOR LONG..

U break d thrust in bits to last in bed... Some few mins of thrusting, wen u get too excited stop, add some few lil chats in between... Play a lil, u know like just playfully kiss her eyes, outer ear, nose bridge, bite her lips gently, caress her..u should know well na.... Then wen u r sure d excitement had subsided, then change position or remain at d initial position then continue thrusting again... Gently thrust, add some shallow ones mixed with deep ones too.. U know like... Ten shallow thrust then wen she least expected add like 2 deep thrust.. From 10 to 9 shallow then 3deep thrust and so on... Op before u know, u go don use 12hours for bed....hehehehe

It works for me.. Sha... Different strokes for different folks u get!

So on point bro! No drug, I repeat, no drug can be so effective as this technique. I have been using this technique for long and has not for once failed me. You can go on and on and on.....until you wish to cum.

DROGON:
Dude 2PAC is good...but e no reach Eminem.

Bro, I think you haven't listened to most of Pac's songs. He was a king of rap music, and up till now no musician has beaten him. His songs are inspirational, he was like a prophet....he prophecies with his songs, he sings about war among countries, love, politics, anti racism against black, unity e.t.c ......the guy was a perfect singer! fearless and ambitious. I think his greatest mistake was joining Surge Knight's death row label! Listen to some of his tracks like, do for love, changes, me against the world, never be peace, still arise....and lot more.

Bleep this PHCN people. Well the game is not even interesting!

Select on Dstv is showing the match!

We used to have 24 hours uninterrupted power supply here in Kainji, Niger State. Until recently when our transformers start malfunctioning. As it is, when there is no case of minor fault or fallen electric poles, we still have up to 22 hours power supply or more.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will make their   assets declaration public after same would have be verified by the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
There has been outcry over Buhari’s decision to not make his assets declaration public as he promised during his campaign tour.
The Code of Conduct Bureau had claimed that it lacked the constitutional powers to make the assets declaration public.

But in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, Garba said: “In fulfilment of one of their campaign promises, his declared assets and those of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will be released to the public upon the completion of their verification by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
“It is hoped that this process will be completed before the expiry of the 100-day deadline within which they said they would do this”.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/buhari-osinbajo-to-make-assets-declaration-public/

Ayoswit:
Owoniyi! Owoniyi owoniyi! Why is it ds set of pple dt always cause us shame eg ayiepeni

Sharap! See your dirty mouth, like your Iheanacho was the best player in this match! Set of tribal bigotry!

Where is Iheanacho? Is the dude in this match?