I was still sizzling when the game got under way, but the sight of Chelsea attacking a lacklustre Derby from the start soon raised my mood. The tactics seemed to be to continually knock the ball over the top of the Derby defence for Franco Zola to chase, and within fifteen minutes we had had three shots cannoning off the posts. Derby keeper Poom also kept them in it; it was largely down to him that the score was 0-0 at half time, as he produced a string of top quality saves that any keeper in the world would have been proud of.

The players chosen to face Derby were Cudicini; Leboeuf, Desailly (Terry, 56), Ferrer (Melchiot, 31), Babayaro; Di Matteo, Deschamps, Wise, Poyet (Ambrosetti, 64); Zola, Flo.

Chelsea went on to dominate the half, tormenting Derby's defenders, but somehow failing to score, mainly due to the antics of Poom, and the posts and crossbar getting in the way. Derby's only chance of the half came from an appeal for a penalty for what looked a dodgy challenge by Babayaro on Dean Sturridge. The Derby fans were convinced, but ref Jeff Winter dismissed the appeal as we gave the Derby fans some good natured abuse. Half time eventually came, and we stood there enjoying the atmosphere in the afternoon sun. The crowd were in end of term party mood, and there was plenty of singing and chanting going on.

Most people seemed to be in a good mood, including me. Unfortunately it all came to a sudden stop, once again down to a Chelsea employee. You won't believe this, but in their infinite wisdom, Chelsea Football Club have chosen to employ a bloke with Millwall tattoos on both arms as a steward. He was making no attempt to cover them up, seeming to relish being in a position of power in the enemy's stronghold. Everyone who noticed was annoyed by it, and it was another example, if one were needed, of the Chelsea's insensitivity towards their paying customers. They even sent him down to the front to stop fans invading the pitch at the end, which made me laugh at the sheer, breathtaking irony of it.

The second half got under way with Semtex O'Connor in my bad books for completely failing to provide me with my customary half time Bovril. This ingrate, having earlier roundly abused my hospitality by drinking the best part of a litre of my vodka while winking suggestively at my missus, could not find it in himself to get his friends a drink in their hour of need. All enquiries were met with surly imprecations and threats: "Feck off, would you" being the favoured insult. After his last effort, where he had had the infernal gall to bring me a contemptible Cornish pasty instead of the pie that I had clearly ordered, you would have thought that he'd have been keen to make amends, but not a bit of it. The man is shameless.

Plans to abuse Semtex further were interrupted by Chelsea's first goal, which came a minute or so into the second half. Franco Zola pounced on a muffed clearance by a defender - I couldn't see who it was because it was at the other end of the pitch - and powered a low shot past Poom into the corner of the goal. In the mayhem that followed I was able to give Semtex a couple of surreptitious digs in the back that restored my humour nicely.

Derby seemed to visibly give up after the goal, and it wasn't long before Poyet added to the score by running unmarked onto Zola's corner to power home with this head - the first time Chelsea have ever scored from a corner - a slight exaggeration, I know, but it's a pretty rare thing. Chelsea kept up the pressure as the Derby defenders wilted in the sun. Poom produced a hatful of excellent saves to deny Zola, Wise, Poyet and Flo before the inevitable third goal. Dennis Wise hit a perfect ball through for Roberto Di Matteo, unmarked just inside the area. He unleashed a powerful shot that Poom could only get a hand to as it flew low into the net.

Dennis Wise had a magnificent game, completely dominating the midfield, ably assisted by Didier Deschamps. It was a pleasure to see a man at the peak of his form so completely running the game. His awareness, tackling and passing, allied with his natural aggression make him an outstanding player who appears to have overcome his Achilles Heel, which has always been his temper. He's discovered how to hold it in check without losing any of his combatitiveness this season, and Luca Vialli must take some of the credit. He showed faith in Dennis when everyone else thought it was hopeless.

There was just time for some showboating from Tore Andre Flo, who finally beat the unfortunate Poom with an audacious heel flick from Mario Melchiot's perfectly weighted pass from the right. A masterfully taken goal that put the perfect seal on the afternoon. We hung around for the "lap of appreciation" as the announcer put it, and were surprised and a little worried to see Ken Bates come out with Luca Vialli to do a lap of hounour on their own. Chilling as it was to see this vote of confidence from the Chairman, we all gave them a good round of applause. Vialli looked faintly embarrassed to be shown round by the avuncular Ken, and I couldn't help likening the sight to a rabbit transfixed by the gaze of a weasel as it creeps up for the kill. I could imagine Ken whispering "You see all these adoring fans, Luca ? Well it'll be your last sight of them if you don't bring the FA Cup home next Saturday."

What do YOU think ? Want to add your point of view ? Here's your chance to send me some feedback. NB: Opposing fans: abuse will be laughed at and then ignored, so don't waste your time. Considered, intelligent argument, presented in the spirit of friendly rivalry guarantees a response.