Sometimes the managers make silly errors

The managers’ decision always changes the run of the matches. But some errors are more than crucial. The match between Newcastle United and Chelsea from the Round of 16 of The FA Cup in 2005 is a bright example of what you shouldn’t do if you are a football manager…

The weather was very cold and snowy. The staff at the St. James’ Park twice cleared the pitch from the snow before the start of the match. The home side looked very strong in attack, as Graeme Souness picked Alan Shearer and Patrick Kluivert up front and Kieron Dyer and Laurent Robert down the wings. Jose Mourinho decided to play with a little more defensive approach, picking Smertin, Geremi, Tiago and Jarosik in midfield and Joe Cole as an attacking midfielder, behind the only forward Kezman. Makelele, Drogba and John Terry were given a break by the Portuguese manager.

The hosts needed only 4 minutes to open the score. Patrick Kluivert scored a magnificent goal with his head, after a wonderful cross by Laurent Robert – 1-0! Then the forward Kezman hit the bar and Chelsea couldn’t equalize. Nothing more interesting happened until the end of the first half. After the break Jose Mourinho took a huge risk, using all his 3 substitutions at once! That was a very silly decision, because when the weather is bad and the pitch is not in excellent condition – injuries happen. However, Mourinho brought Lampard, Gudjohnsen and Damien Duff in. Shortly after the triple substitution, Wayne Bridge went out injured after a straight-out tackle by Shearer and Chelsea left with 10 men on the pitch.

With Chelsea’s new more attacking approach and the injury of Bridge, there was a lot of space in front of Newcastle United’s fast wingers, who made life really difficult for the Blues’ defence. Damien Duff also received an injury, but was forced to play injured. In the last minute of the regular time, the goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini was sent off, because he committed a foul outside his box against Shola Ameobi. The defender Glen Johnson had to take the goalkeeper’s position. The right fullback immediately made a wonderful save against Laurent Robert, who made a powerful shot from the free-kick.

At both ends, Newcastle United won the match 1-0 and made it to the quarterfinals of The FA Cup, where the team beat Tottenham 1-0, again with a Kluivert’s early goal. However The Magpies were knocked out in the semi-finals after a 1-4 defeat to Manchester United.