I don't know where to start ! That has to be one of the best games ever. No hype, no bullshit.

If you were dumped from outer space into Stamford Bridge 10 minutes before the kickoff, you'd have known instantly that it was a Cup game, the atmosphere was special. So special that Chelsea immediately froze, let the Scousers walk all over them and gave away two sloppy goals.

For myself, I was quite happy about the scoreline at half time, it could have been six, but being the sad drunk that I am, I was telling everyone who'd listen how we were going to come back in the second half and "put six past the bastards". This obviously caused waves of incredulous hilarity in the immediate vicinity, but I would not be moved.

MINOR GRIPE:
As usual, the nincompoops were out in force, slagging Vialli because he hadn't scored, waste of money, etc etc ad nauseam. Funny how things change, isn't it ? These same people were crying with delight once he'd scored a couple, he's a genius, best player we've bought in years, etc etc ad nauseam... It just annoys me that people don't get behind the team when things are not going well, that's the time they need it most. Chelsea have some of the best, most passionate fans of any club, but as the saying goes, "There's always one..." And why do I always have to sit next to them ?
END OF GRIPE.

What could Ruud have said at half time ? My theory is that he told them that Satan (Alan Hansen) had been taking the piss out of them in the first half, and were they going to let him get away with it ? (most satisfying moment was when we went 4-2 up, 25,000 people singing "Hansen Hansen, what's the score ?")

Whatever he said, taking off Minto and replacing him with Hughes was a masterstroke, sorry Minto, but you were AWFUL. The difference in the second half was unbelievable, and when we hit the bar after a few minutes, the crowd's attitude changed immediately, you just knew that the impossible could happen.

Then it did.
Hughes scored, the place lit up, and the rest is history. I'm convinced that the crowd won that match for Chelsea, it was unbelievable. Suddenly everyone was talking to each other, hugging and dancing, falling over, the works, but there was even better to come.

I haven't mentioned Zola yet, he was outstanding in the second half. If they gave medals for workrate, he'd look like a Russian general by now. It was incredible to see the guy running the legs off the scouser defence one minute, then run 60-70 yards back to defend, he never stopped once. Then came the goal, truly I've never experienced anything like the celebration when that superb strike went in.

The boys were riding on the crowd's emotion, you could see the effect it was having on them, fighting for every ball, they weren't there for the money any more, it was die for Chelsea time - they HAD to score more.

You always know that it's a good day when everybody starts singing "Let's go fucking mental" and "You're not singing any more".

Funny moments (1):
Seeing the Scousers sitting there shell shocked as their team was being demolished, and my mate Marc alone singing "Sit down if you've got no job", then turning to the crowd with palms up, people were rolling up. (You had to be there...)

Funny moments (2):
A bloke hauled out by the Old Bill for "foul and abusive language", he was so far gone that he didn't care, he was heard yelling "I wasn't fucking swearing, you cunts" to the coppers, that got another belter. (Again, you had to be there caught up in the whole mental atmosphere!)

Honourable Mentions:

• Frankie Sinclair, for his comedy panic routines and his sheer commitment.
• Steve Clark, solid as a rock.
• Dan Petrescu, at last he's getting some form back, he was superb on his attacking stuff, but dodgy in defence (some of the crosses coming over from his side in the first half were terrifying, Fowler's goal came from one)
• Eddie Newton, the second goal was down to him, but he didn't give up, he just tried harder - nobody really blamed him, anyway.
• Bob Di Matteo - class will tell sooner or later.
• Franck Leboeuf - passion and guts.
• Mark Hughes - he Held The Ball Up Well - easily said, but it made the difference. At last the midfield had a chance to do the business, down to the time Hughes was giving them to organise the attack. Plus the goal, of course.
• Den - he is the forgotten man at Chelsea, but he's never let his frustration show in a bad way (unlike some), he lets his boots do the talking, and they say he was magnificent, he's a credit to the club.
• The rest of the team - it would be unfair not to include them, each one gave everything.