Boxing Day brought one of the best games seen at Portman Road so far this season. Town allowed visitors Chelsea to gain a two-goal lead against the run of play before determinedly clawing back to draw 2-2. The Blues almost scraped a late win with the ball cleared off the line twice in injury time.
Town lined up with Jim Magilton missing and with James Scowcroft taking his place in midfield. Alun Armstrong took Scowcroft’s place up front and Hermann Hreidarsson returned with Gary Croft dropping to the bench. Titus Bramble came in for John McGreal who started as sub.
The Blues started as they were to continue by passing the ball around well. Unfortunately twice in the first 17 minutes Eidur Gudjohnson was left unmarked in the box as crosses from the right came in. The Icelander hit identical shots past Richard Wright from just inside the area with Titus Bramble the defender having fingers pointed at him.
Town, however knuckled down and set about the task they had given themselves. Chelsea were rarely showing the kind of form their fans would hope for and Town were outpassing them, but failing to get the ball into the box or when they did, failing to take their chances. Alun Armstrong had missed an opportunity at 0-0, then another one at 1-0, both which should have been better, but De Goey was merely given tame shots to save.
James Scowcroft was constantly being pulled about by Frank LeBoeuf, but referee Jeff Winter seemed unwilling to give decisions against the Chelsea players, a tendency he showed all afternoon. Town had a good shout for a penalty when James Scowcroft teed up an overhead kick and made a solid contact. The ball was stopped by a Chelsea hand, but referee Winter had seen nothing. Later in the second half a Scowcroft cross was handled on the edge of the area by a Chelsea player, but again Winter saw nothing.
Town were putting huge amounts of pressure on Chelsea and it was all we deserved when James Scowcroft headed the Blues level. Half-time was two minutes away when Fabian Wilnis looped in a deep cross and Scowy headed powerfully past De Goey. Town kept the pressure going and might even have got an equaliser, however Scowcroft’s goal set the game up for an exciting second half.
The beginning of the second half saw Town lose their momentum a touch and Chelsea had a period of ascendancy. Gradually the Blues got it together more and the away side were pegged back. Each corner, and there were quite a few, brought about a scramble with the ball scraped away from the goal-line. An equaliser seemed it might never come as the ball just never seemed to fall for Town.
Chelsea had the odd good moment mainly on the break. Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink had a chance early on when Titus Bramble left him alone as he made a sharp run on to a ball over the top. Richard Wright came out too far and Hasselbaink put the ball high and wide. Late on Dennis Wise missed from about four inches when his shot from just by one post slipped past the other. This seemed to be justice for Town as Gianfranco Zola should have been flagged offside earlier in the move.
Finally in the 82nd minute as Town continued to push Marcus Stewart volleyed a dropping ball hard past Ed De Goey to pull Town level. It was a fine goal to equalise the game.
There were also second half moments of refereeing controversy. Jody Morris clearly struck Marcus Stewart right in front of both referee and linesman. However, after a discussion between the two officials the expected red card failed to appear and Morris got away with a booking. Desailly was also booked after he ran at a linesman who had given a throw-in to Town. The Frenchman continued to protest to Winter even as the referee had his yellow card in his hand, but Winter saw fit to take no further action.
Chelsea had had the odd moment when they had passed the ball about neatly and had taken their goals well. However, it was Town’s passing that was the better and but for the lapses early on Town would probably have won. Even after Stewart’s goal Town could have clinched it, but Chelsea’s luck held and Town had to be content with one point.