If my EKG is any indication, whoever came up with the tagline "boring, boring Chelsea" is f@$#ing retarded. My stomach, head, and heart have been doing loops since late last night in anticipation of today's Champions League round of 16 showdown with Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. Having to overcome a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Spain, we needed to either A) win 1-nil to go through on away goals, or B) win by 2 or more goals. Last night i had dreams of a European let-down, certainly not the best omen but probably more indicative of my nervous disposition. Thanks mom! This morning i put my Damien Duff kit on under my sweater and headed to work.

ESPN2 was broadcasting the match, so i set my Tivo to catch it while i stayed at work. Following the live online commentary (at times with one window in front in case i felt the urge to shield myself from potential bad news), i punched the air when Eidur Gudjohnsen latched onto Mateja Kezman's point-perfect cross in the 8th minute, controlling expertly, wrongfooting Barça defender Gerard, and pounding home to give the Blues a 1-nil lead. Criteria A met, but could it hold? Even better: Barça's defense proceeded to fall apart and gave up an empty net rebound to Frank Lampard and a driven low shot by Damien Duff to put the English side in command, 3-nil. Safe? Hardly.

Paulo Ferreira got whistled for a handball in the area, and Ronaldinho converted the penalty to pull one back. Then Ronaldinho created something from nothing and arced a shot past Petr Cech to make it 3-2 Chelsea. Uh oh ... now we don't meet criteria A or B. Chelsea managed to escape to the locker rooms without allowing any further damage, but knew they needed to score again in the second half to emerge victorious. Meanwhile, i was ready to beat my head against a wall. I decided to head home for lunch and take in the second half on ESPN2, using the excuse of needing to see the dogs and check on my uncle (who's putting the finishing touches on our remodel).

I arrived home 20 minutes into the second half (still 3-2) and flipped on the TV, meanwhile putting some pasta and sausage leftovers from last night in the microwave. When i got my lunch back to the TV, i sat down just in time to see the Blues win a corner. Damien Duff swung it away from goal, where John Terry had lost his marker and sent a glancing header at a significant angle across the face of goal and Barça keeper Victor Valdes, into the bottom right corner. Booya! Criteria B is back on, baby! The last fifteen minutes were tense, but Chelsea dealt with the few remaining Barcelona attacks effectively. Our expensive squad has passed yet another test, and marches on in our quest for domestic and European glory!

In retrospect, despite the annoying aspects of José Mourinho's press ramblings, he definitely won the mindgame with Barça manager Frank Rijkaard. In the first leg, he declared Duff out of the running due to injury, then placed him in the starting lineup. He meanwhile named Barcelona's starting squad with 100% accuracy. In the return leg, the question was whether Chelsea wing wizard Arjen Robben would come back from his 6 week foot injury. Mourinho said no, but this time Rijkaard said he fully expected Robben to play (fool me once ... fool me twice ...). But lo, Robben doesn't play and Rijkaard has again failed to predict the Chelsea lineup. However, this victory is for the players. After letting Barcelona come back to 3-2, it looked like a Blue collapse was on the cards. That we persevered and earned the winner should give the squad loads of confidence to push forward and claim more titles.

I'm looking forward to watching the match in its entirety later tonight. Until then, i'm going to further indulge my superstitious side and transcribe the Chelsea fight song i listened to 3 times before (and during) the match.

Chelsea Chelsea, you know i love you Chelsea Chelsea, i'm thinking of you You've got something that makes me want to follow you When i see you, i feel emotion So much deeper than any ocean Chelsea Chelsea, you're looking good all dressed in blue Everyone talks about you I knew it from the start You would get through to everybody's heart Chelsea Chelsea, the birds are singing Here in London, the bells are ringing Chelsea Chelsea, it's you and only you for me

Did i mention that we're getting Arjen Robben back next week?

Predictably, Barcelona are now reading the riot act to anyone who will listen about why they didn't come away with a win. The entire team is claiming that a Ricardo Carvalho foul should've ruled out John Terry's winner. Striker Samuel Eto'o has gone so far as to say "They are not a good team, they scored three quick goals because we let them". Ahem, i think the definition of a good team is one that does not let their opponent score. So what does that say about Barça? Sour freaking grapes. I know, i've been there. To be certain, it's not like Eto'o was lighting up the score sheet today. Rijkaard was at least conciliatory in defeat, while his players seem to be still digging for excuses for their failure. Don't bother fellas, you got beat by a team that flat out wanted it more than you.