CARNAGE IN THE CUP
Bradford’s glory boys stun Blues and shame Mourinho
CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho last night branded his team’s performance ‘a disgrace’ after League One Bradford launched a stunning comeback to dump the Premier League leaders at Stamford Bridge.
The hosts seemed to be cruising after goals from Gary Cahill and Ramires but Bradford pulled one back before the break through Jon Stead before former Inverness Caley Thistle and Hibs winger Filipe Morais and ex-Livingston star Andy Halliday turned the tie on its head, with Mark Yeates grabbing a late fourth to seal a sensational Cup scalp.
Mourinho, who had admitted in the build-up that a defeat would be a ‘disgrace’, said after the match: ‘I could find in my bad feelings with the game, and with the result, space to feel happy for them.
‘By another side I feel ashamed and I think the players should feel exactly the same as I feel.
‘I repeat the word that I used yesterday in case we lost — it’s a disgrace. A sporting disgrace, but it’s a disgrace.’
Mourinho’s ego, and those of his players, lay tattered last night. But that’s a story for another day. This is Bradford’s fairytale.
Chelsea, who were understrength, were cruising; goals from Cahill and Ramires had put them on course for a routine win.
But then that old FA Cup magic cast yet another spell.
The home side caught a glimpse of what was to follow when Petr Cech produced a brilliant instinctive save to deny Andrew Davies’ bullet header inside the first 15 minutes.
The save sparked the Blues, at least for the time being, into action. First, Loic Remy, playing as a winger, and Oscar both went close before Cahill broke the deadlock with the most nonchalant of finishes.
In meeting Oscar’s near -post corner, the England defender mustered a flick with the outside of his boot — reminiscent of Blues legend Gianfranco Zola’s famous strike against Norwich in 2002 — that flew just inside Ben Williams’ near post to put the Blues ahead.
And in the 38th minute, the home side notched a second; Ramires exchanging passes with Mohamed Salah before slotting past Williams. Game over, right? Wrong. Chelsea failed to deal with a Morais corner, the ball fell to Billy Knott, who found Stead on the edge of the box.
The former Blackburn striker took a touch before firing an unstoppable left-footed rocket past Cech.
Remy tried to restore the home side’s two-goal advantage three minutes into the second period, but his half-volley ballooned wide.
But that didn’t nullify the momentum Bradford had gathered following Stead’s strike late in the first half.
Morais and Knott both fired wide whilst in good positions as the Bantams sensed an equaliser.
That was enough for Mourinho to send for the cavalry; Willian coming on for Salah, while Cesc Fabregas replaced John Obi Mikel, who needed treatment to a head injury after a collision with Knott. Fabregas made an instant impact, locating Oscar with a brilliant flick only for the Brazilian to fire wide before watching captain Didier Drogba head his well-flighted free-kick straight at Williams.
And a minute later — the unthinkable happened. James Meredith’s long throw was met by Davies, whose header found Knott who saw his shot parried by Cech.
But the rebound rolled into the direction of Morais, who slotted home to send the visitors into a frenzy. As if that comeback feat wasn’t dramatic enough; the sub-plot to the equaliser is worth consider- ing. Morais and Knott were both on Chelsea’s books as youngsters.
Then, in the 82nd minute, Bradford made history. Latching on to Stead’s lay-off, Halliday’s knew he had a moment that could define his career.
He didn’t choke, quite the opposite in fact, cooly side-footing past Cech from the edge of the box.
Madness erupted from the travelling support and the Bantams bench.
Bradford knew what was coming. The kitchen sink.
Drogba headed wide, before Kurt Zouma fired over the bar from close range after Ramires’ cut-back.
And yet there was more drama, the fourth official signalling seven minutes of stoppage time. But Yeates notched a fourth after Stead’s pass to secure the most famous of wins.
Mourinho had seen enough; approaching Phil Parkinson before attempting to head down the tunnel early.
The Bradford boss wasn’t having any of it, refusing to shake his counterpart’s hand until the whistle.