Boo boys fail to burst Terry's bubble

QPR 0 Chelsea 1:THE BOOS pursued John Terry even as he strode, suited and booted, on to the team bus, the Chelsea captain glancing up wearily at his tormentors before climbing on board and closing the doors on the outside world before a hearing at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday when he will answer a charge of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

This occasion may have passed off relatively smoothly, but other awkward afternoons that draw the focus to the centre-half’s conduct and test his ability to remain in his bubble await.

The agreement struck between QPR and Chelsea in the hours before Saturday’s fixture, and sanctioned by the Football Association, to cancel the customary pre-match handshake ensured a potentially combustible match was denied an obvious early spark. Home players were prepared to snub the visiting defender en masse in a show of solidarity for their team-mate. The clubs would need to seek permission from the Premier League if they wish to waive the ritual when the teams meet at Stamford Bridge on April 28th.

At Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Terry could stride down a line of Manchester United players and offer Rio Ferdinand, Anton’s brother, his hand. If Ferdinand graduates from bench to team against Stoke tomorrow and then retains his place at the weekend, the potential for the Chelsea player to be embarrassed is there.

His younger brother, like Terry, performed well in trying circumstances on Saturday. Anton Ferdinand tweeted his thanks to the home support for the rousing reception afforded him at Loftus Road even as QPR spluttered in a scrappy west London derby. To have performed this capably some 24 hours after receiving a death threat – not his first – complete with spent cartridge in the post was admirable. The only chants directed at him by the visiting support came after Juan Mata’s controversial penalty had eased Chelsea ahead, with those behind the goal asking for reminders of the score.

Terry, who denies the charge, was subjected to worse from the home partisans – the simple chorus of “Racist, racist, racist” rang out at one point – but was tidy in possession and strong in the tackle.

Adversity tends to bring the best from him. His composure has returned over recent weeks, with his side having re-established some trademark solidity. Even his partnership with David Luiz is hinting at an understanding. The team have shipped only one goal in five games this month.

Andre Villas-Boas suggested a decision was still to be taken as to whether Terry travels to Swansea City for the league game tomorrow, but the player will surely start the awkward fixture at the Liberty Stadium, particularly as he is not expected to attend the hearing in London the following day. Instead, his legal counsel will deliver a plea of not guilty on his behalf, with a date for trial then to be set. Asked whether he would consider giving his captain time off to deal with the issue, Villas-Boas said: “Eventually, if it is important for [him to get] the justice, we will do it. But it hasn’t influenced him, or us, at the moment. His level of performance has not been affected.”

Chelsea can be grateful their hosts lacked any real bite here, though the loss of Ramires, so impressive in terms of energy and goalscoring this term, for a period of time represents a blow. The Brazilian provided an encouraging early assessment of the medial ligament damage sustained in a second-half tumble as he attempted to block a shot. “The ball hit my foot with force and twisted my knee,” he said. “When I fell to the floor I was already feeling a lot of pain and thought it was something really serious. However, the doctors looked at it and said the medial ligament in my knee was stretched, but it’s not snapped.”

Chelsea are hopeful one of their more consistent performers will be absent for a month at most. Regardless, the injury will not force Villas-Boas back into the market ahead of the transfer deadline tomorrow, with the Londoners’ priority still to sign Kevin de Bruyne from Genk. The young winger is likely to stay at the Belgian club on loan for the rest of the campaign.

Guardian Service