Mikel scores for Chelsea (Public Holiday?) in FA CUP

5:19 PM |

It was a day of mixed fortunes for Chelsea midfielders. Ramires won no applause for his dive but John Mikel Obi was hailed for his courage as he ventured into unfamiliar territory wearing armbands.

Well, he had one, even if he wasn’t meant to, and it seemed to make all the difference as Mikel rose to head Chelsea into the lead. It was only his fourth goal in seven-and- a-half years at the club and came on his 300th appearance.Perhaps it was the armband, thrust into his possession when captain Michael Essien went off, that supplied him with the extra buoyancy and added confidence required on a rare excursion into the deep end of the pitch.

There was a smile on my face,’ said manager Jose Mourinho. ‘I never recognised his ability to score goals. I recognised his ability to play as an anchorman. He reads the game well and he plays that position in a very intelligent and safe way. I never recognised his goalscoring appetite.

‘For some reason, Essien gave him the armband when normally it should go to Ashley Cole, and it made him believe he was a goalscorer. It was important. We were dominating and creating but the goal was not arriving. It was like the winning goal.’
Mikel leapt at the near post to flash a header past Lee Grant from a free-kick by Willian in the 66th minute. Oscar smashed in the second six minutes later, an effort Grant should have saved, and Chelsea eased into the fourth round of the FA Cup without fuss.

Should there be a public holiday when Mikel scores. This is his fourth goal for Chelsea in over 300 games and his third in FA competitions.

We must wash am oh. Great header Mikel, please carry this form to the Nations Cup and the World cup oh. Unless....