On 14 October 2006, Chelsea needed three goalkeepers to get
through their match against Reading, with captain John Terry pulling
on the gloves for a bit.
Playing in a league game at Reading’s Madjeski Stadium, Chelsea
lost starting goalkeeper Petr Cech after just 20 seconds. Diving to
make a save at the feet of Reading’s Stephen Hunt, Cech took a blow
to the head that fractured his skull. He left the pitch on a stretcher
and was replaced by substitute keeper Carlo Cudicini.
Reading tested Cuducini, but it was Chelsea who took the lead after
Reading defender Ivar Ingemarsson put the ball in his net off a Frank
Lampard free kick in the 45th minute.
In the second half, both teams went down to 10 men as Chelsea’s
John Obi Mikel (in the 62nd minute) and Reading substitute André
Bikey (in the 83rd) both received second yellow cards and were sent
off. Then, shortly before the final whistle, Cuducini collided with
Reading defender Ibrahima Sonko and lost consciousness. Having
already used all three substitutes, manager José Mourinho sent John
Terry into goal….
I remember the game like it was yesterday, Mike Riley was the center
man as he sent Mikel Obi off for the first time in the Nigerian
international’s EPL career, John Terry putting and Henrique Hilario’s shirt
even as he looked awkward in it as the BLUES fought for the injured
keepers and the sent off midfielder, and they did win at last.
Duh! We always win.
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