Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal, League Cup 1998 (Vialli's first game in charge)

Gianluca Vialli faced a tough task in his first game as Chelsea player-manager. To reach the League Cup final, his side had to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their semi-final with Arsenal, a team that were on a 12-match unbeaten run. It was a game that saw nine bookings, one red card and four goals, including one wonder strike by Roberto Di Matteo. Brian Moore is the commentator.

[@slaughtered777]

Top top class. The game was so much better and aggressive in this era. The speed was just astounding.

[@Scy]

But in return we now have technique and finesse.

[@slaughtered777]

Maybe! But looking at those first touches and composure in the box, it might be cause it's more observable at a slower speed today? Oh, but another thing I miss about that era are long range goals. Maybe it's just me, but I remember seeing more of those outrageous canon blasts.

[@slaughtered777]

***** Haha absolutely. There was actual, honest pride at stake. Players took it personally and it hurt them to lose. So they gave it everything in the game, not just waiting for the 'next big game'. And the tackles... jeez, people get sent off for everything now. Those were terrifying men on the pitch, now it's all about selfie-taking, haircut loving, showboating pissheads.

[@mrflynn1205]

@@Scy bollocks !

[@markpitts8936]

Why are you showing this. They say we didn’t exist before 2003.

[@daniellee837]

R.I.P LUCA...... Dad was at this game and my niece was born during the game

[@brucefoord102]

What a game , petrescu was amazing the whole season.. And as for Robbie....

[@Tuesdayjoe66]

The night my son was born...xxxx

[@strandalx]

:o did you miss the game?

[@wrsmycountrygone]

@@strandalx night my son was concieved

[@godfreemorals]

What an incredible game. Power, pace and skill (all the things we currently lack). Also, I still 100% believe that that wasn't a foul/handball by doobs for the pen

[@liluyang2664]

i love these goals

[@decekfrokfr3mdx]

Top-flight football peaked in the decade from mid-90s to mid-00s. The game had been cleaned up from the hacking of earlier times but was still very physical, it was fast, it was furious. There was plenty of skill (maybe slightly less than today), and while players were very well-paid, it wasn't as extreme as today. There were much fewer prima donnas. It was better to watch and fans felt more connected to the players and their teams.

[@Ruda-n4h]

Di Matteo had lessons from Arie Haan on long range shooting.

[@vikram777]

Viali died at 58 ...today 06 01 23...rip

[@Ruda-n4h]

Tragic.

[@sotirisaspiotis145]

The best Arsenal kit ever.

[@ejazmoghal6693]

I was at this game. Wonderful memories.

[@herbertwright7670]

Great stuff there from Chelsea !!! Herb(OSGOOD) 1967 -

[@user-pl8ns2jr5p]

I'm young can anyone please explain me how vialli was a player/Manager??

[@jtlampsu2]

It was quite common then, to be both.

[@LydiaPlays]

Wow