Chelsea captain John Terry's fighting spirit overcomes Portsmouth challenge

15 May 2010 19:52
This was the third occasion Chelsea's captain has held the FA Cup aloft, this time as a Double-winner yet the England centre-half would struggle to win a national popularity contest. Terry's life is a strange mix of silverware and dark clouds. [LNB]An odd dynamic currently defines the career of Terry, who has collected winner's medals in the Premier League and FA Cup this season, is a vital member of Fabio Capello's starting XI yet whose reputation has been damaged over the past six months. [LNB] Related ArticlesChelsea-Portsmouth: player ratingsDouble joy for ChelseaJohn Terry hails Chelsea victory in FA Cup finalAnelka slams Grant in new bookChelsea's final act of passion playSport on televisionHe took the cheers of the Chelsea fans and ignored the boos of the Portsmouth followers, who even castigated him before kick-off. [LNB]Never the most liked man in the land, Terry's unpopularity has spread since the midseason controversy over his affair with the former girlfriend of Wayne Bridge. [LNB]From Turf Moor to the KC Stadium, from Anfield to Wembley, Terry has endured caustic sounds. He needs to tackle the problem with some judicious comments soon, particularly to placate those England fans travelling to South Africa still angered by the way he brought scandal into the dressing room. [LNB]If England are to progress far across the Veld this summer, Terry's presence at the heart of Capello's defence is essential. England need his resilient streak, Terry making light of his bruised foot and embodying Chelsea's resolve to resist Portsmouth's sporadic threat. [LNB]'The reason why we are top, and why we are the best team is because of our great determination,'' said Terry. 'We never give up. We said at half-time 'keep going'.'' [LNB]With Terry outstanding at the back, Petr Cech saving Kevin-Prince Boateng's penalty and Didier Drogba's free-kick giving them the lead, Chelsea's experience saw them home. Terry is 29 and Drogba 32 and yet they more than lasted the course. [LNB]Despite the ravages the game has played on his body, despite all the injuries he has suffered down the years, requiring injections in the past, Terry clearly believes he is at his peak. [LNB]'It amazes [me] people talk about the age,'' said Terry. 'Nobody mentioned it at the start of the season when we were winning. Then we drop a few points and all of a sudden we are too old. [LNB]'Nobody mentions it now we are winning. We have so much experience, players of 29 and 30, players in the prime of their career.'' [LNB]He was terrific on Saturday, and it was easy to tell when he was making a challenge or had possession. [LNB]Portsmouth fans were quick to express their dislike, booing every touch, even overlooking Bridge's Southampton connections, and cheering when Frédéric Piquionne beat Terry for an early header. [LNB]Terry's DNA echoes the sentiments of one of Pompey's many banners that read 'you'll never break our spirit''. Despite all this season's travails, Terry has never flinched. His spirit is strong. [LNB]Chelsea fans have never accepted that he has lost the national armband, always greeting him with 'there's only one England captain'' and his bullish personality and vocal nature will be important in England's quiet dressing room. [LNB]Capello has also kept faith because of his footballing qualities. Terry's threat from set pieces was soon seen in an enjoyable Cup final, the defender climbing high to head against the bar. [LNB]Terry knew he had to be careful, making sure that he wasn't isolated by Piquionne or Aruna Dindane who could outrun him. Terry's pace remains a slight issue, although his reading of incipient danger more than compensates. [LNB]Shortly after the restart, Terry noted the ball arrowing in to Jamie O'Hara and nipped in to intercept. [LNB]After Boateng's miss, and some uncharitable words from Terry, Chelsea took the lead through Drogba and Pompey took a more direct route. The aerial game played to Terry's strengths and he promptly picked off one of O'Hara's long balls aimed at Piquionne. [LNB]Terry's occasional vulnerability to quick feet was seen after 65 minutes when Dindane dribbled wide, checked inside and then tried to run past him, stopped only by a blatant body-check. Referee Chris Foy somehow ignored the offence. Still Terry continued to intervene, guessing O'Hara's intentions and cutting out the midfielder's attempted pass to Dindane. Drogba was named man of the match but Terry wasn't far behind. [LNB]When Dindane briefly menaced down the right, Terry coolly ran the ball out. Moments later time ran out for Portsmouth. As Chelsea danced in a huddle, as the speakers pumped out Beautiful Day, Terry punched the air repeatedly. [LNB]Never one to pursue popularity ratings, Terry finished the day by upbraiding his hosts, the Football Association, for the patchy quality of the playing surface. [LNB]'The pitch is not acceptable,'' said Terry, 'it's the worst I have played on all year. I grew up as a kid watching games at Wembley and the pitch was perfect. The FA have to sort it out; they have to decide whether Wembley is a football venue or a multi-events venue.'' [LNB]It needed saying. It was a day for lifting the lid. [LNB]

Source: Telegraph