CCFC 1 v 2 CHELSEA

CCFC 1 v 2 CHELSEA

Well that's that then. OK let's put the season to bed.

Not for the first time there was more intrigue and manoeuvring off the pitch than on it following the jaw-dropping public apology from Mackay and Moody to Vincent Tan. Quite understandable if it was a quid pro quo face-saver for Tan after a compensation package had been agreed, but reports seem to indicate that Mackay and Moody have walked away empty handed. So what exactly have they got from the arrangement? Tan's silence? The original 'quit or be sacked' letter was effectively Tan offering Malky the chance to walk away. From what? Perhaps there's more to this than the simplistic Bad Guy v Good Guy scenario that we've all readily accepted. Tan now claims to be more James Bond than a Bond villain and if he's not all bad that at least provides a quantum of solace.

Ali was on fine form today - perhaps it was that end-of-term feeling but he seemed to be let off the leash, mentioning the B word ('Bluebirds') on three separate occasions during his warm up, teasing the opposition with the rather obvious (I Don't Wanna Go To) Chelsea - chance would be a fine thing - and slipping in 'You Stole The Sun From My Heart' under the radar as Tan took his seat.

The game kicked off against a salvo of blue balloons and 20,000 blue and white scarves raised aloft as the dissenting hordes belted out their 'We'll always be blue' rebel yell. In the director's box the dedicated follower of fashion turned a pouty cheek and pulled his panties right up tight as down on the pitch the Kensington strollers eased into an early ascendancy.

Torres took advantage of a loose ball from Caulker to round Marshall and fire at an empty net only to be frustrated by Caulker's last ditch goal line clearance. Clearly nonplussed, the misfiring Madridian appeared to blame the balloons much to the amusement of the home crowd. There followed much petulant stamping of feet as players and officials alike determined to burst our balloons. Which was kind of symbolic.

Although on the back foot, City's defence held firm with Caulker and Turner snuffing out any danger and looking as solid a partnership as we've seen all season. We began to get forward, with full backs Fabio and John taking advanced positions down either flank. On 15 minutes Bellamy collected the ball about 25 yards out, the Chelsea defence failing to close him down as he fired past the stranded Schwarzer with the help of a deflection. 1-0 and a chance for the crowd to show their appreciation to the home-grown hero as he considers his future in the game. We celebrated with a heavily ironic and knowing chant of '1-0 to the Championship'.

Chelsea continued to dominate, looking dangerous in the final third and with plenty of options on the break particularly on the right wing. Salah had far too much space as John continues to struggle with his positional play, looking every inch the converted winger happier going forward than concentrating on the basics.

We weren't in any sense overawed by the opposition and considering our hopeless position there was a pleasing level of commitment which suggests that the spirits in the camp remain high and the players that stay on after the inevitable summer shuffle can form the basis of a decent challenge next season.

The pattern was much the same after the break and it was becoming less likely that we'd manage to hold out with Oscar and Hazard always a threat. When the equaliser came it was cruel on Marshall whose superb save from close range was followed up by a shot against the bar which rebounded and fell to Schurrle whose shot bounced tantalisingly just out of reach of the keeper.

A couple of minutes later Torres struck from close range to give Chelsea the advantage, pointedly refusing to celebrate as he had done against former club Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final recently. Was he declaring his respect for our team? Perhaps he was a bit queasy at dancing on the grave of a dead man? Sensitive soul. Or was he ingratiating himself with the home fans ahead of a summer move??

The only other events of note concern the substitutions. Daehli was removed after 65 minutes having proved himself against one of Europe's top teams, drawing an appreciative applause from the away fans. I can only assume that Ole withdrew him to avoid a potential speculative bid. Shortly afterwards Bellamy left to be substituted by debutant Rhys Healey. Was the wave to the crowd as he departed significant?

Young Tom James came on for Campbell as the goon squad were lining the pitch to prevent the Canton End mourners from joining the wake. All that was left was for the contrite first team cortege to wind its around the pitch perimeter to the sound of Stevie Wonder's 'For Once In My Life' - a celebratory love song re-imagined as a lament to lost opportunities.

So that's it. I guess it's back to half empty stadiums and the ever present threat of extinction. And the opportunity to drop off during the last game on MOTD, waking up to hear Manish announce 'and so to the dogfight at the bottom of the League Two'. Would we really want it any other way? Yes actually.