Fulham 2 - 2 Chelsea

Deco and Malouda come in for Ballack and Anelka in the West London derby but some better news is that Rickey at least makes the bench with those two.

Its an even start until on 10mins a Simon Davies's free-kick beats a static Blues defence to reach Dempsey who has an absolute age to control and flick home the opening goal. We're 1-0 down and not playing well. Deco is blowing hot and cold and crowd start chanting "there's only one Michael Ballack". Apart from a wide drive from the Drog which should have hit the target, its a very lack luster Blues. Things get worse as first Malouda goes off with a hamstring problem only to be followd by Alex who limps off with 10mins of the half remaining to be replaced by the hopefully fit Rickey C. Strangely, its looking better now; Anelka had a good drive straight after coming on and Lamps goes close from a nice interchnage between Anelka and Ash. To be fair to Fulham, they have pressed hard and not given us any space but that's no excuse. Scolari's got a lot to do in the break to extend the 19 game unbeaten away streak.

No changes but its a more positive start as both Lamps and Ivanovich test Schwartzer within 3 mins. The reward comes quickly as Joe chips in to Drogba who clashes with the keeper only for the loose ball to drop to Lamps and is 1-1. Its not before time as by my reckoning we've had at least a dozen goal attempts to their one.... which they scored from. Its all Chelsea as first Lamps and Drogs combine to set Joe Cole through but his shot is straight at Schwarzer and then 2mins later Joe is through again but again he's denied by Schwarzer who then clears the follow up from the on rushing Anelka. Its midway through the half and Kalou's getting ready to come on. He replaces Joe Cole at a time when he's been ripping into Fulham. Strange call but it matters not a jot as Lamps drives in a screamer of a free kick (once he'd got rid of the interfering Deco) to give us the lead. Almost immediately Scolari is up frantically waving 5 fingers calling for a more defensive set up - why? this is Fulham not Liverpool !!

Fulham make a double substitution with 12mins to go but its still all Chelsea though Fulham are still pressing hard. With 3mins to go the ball's played up to Anelka and again he looses out to a simple tackle much to Scolari's arm waving disgust. The resulting possession ends with a Fulham corner and once again we fail to deal with a simple set peice and Dempsey scores with an an unmarked header from the penalty spot. That's 2-2 and we go right up the other end and Ash drives at Schwarzer who parries to Lamps whose shot is also cleared. There's 3mins of added time but its not enough and Chelsea throw away another 2 points.

Kiss the league goodbye at his rate !!

Chelsea 2 - 0 West Brom

Finally its Anelka and Drogba upfront, but its more of a 4-3-3 with Joe Cole given a broadly free reign in front of Jedi, Lamps and Ballack than the straight up 4-4-2 we'd been hoping for. No JT so Ivanovich plays alongside Alex. No Rickey on the bench either but there's a return for Malouda and a pretty packed Stamford Bridge is looking for a little Boxing Day cheer.

wasts a glorious move by blasting over and then Ash forces a double save from Carson (he should have netted at the second attempt but was wheeling away thinking the first one had gone in). Finally the lead is doubled as We get it within 3 mins as an opening onslaught results in a far post cross that is met sweetly by the Drog and loops into the back of the net. Thats 1-0 and within 10mins it could have been 2-0 as a Lamps free kick is sweetly struck but Carsoin gets his body behind it. Its all Chelsea as first Ballack the Coles combine - Joe plays in Ash for a mazey run - but the ball breaks free to Lamps who lifts the ball over Scott Carson. 2-0 and the half time whistle save WBA further punishment.

Second half sees Belletti on for the injured Bosingwa. The the pattern remains the same but the cutting edge seems to have gone. It dies even more as, after drawing a good save from Carson, the Drog is replaced by Malouda with 20mins to go. It all peters out from there to the sounds of the Shed end having a good old sing song. There should have been more goals but its a home win to break the awful sequence of unnecessary draws. Now on to Fulham for, hopefully, a return to winning away form in the West London derby

Come on you Blues

Everton 0 - 0 Chelsea

A chance to go top again squandered after Liverpool dropped points on Sunday against Arsenal. Worse still JT sent off for a stupid high lunge in the firsyt half. Playing away with 10 men and getting a point would normally have been a positive result but if we keep throwing away chances like these to get our noses in front we'll never win the title.

The 100% away record is gone but truth be told we were lucky to get a point

Read it here from Sky --> SKYSPORTS
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3073791,00.html

Chelsea 1 - 1 West Ham

Points dropped again at home in a lame display that shows why 442 is becomming essential rather than an option. Anelka on his own is not enough and the "Ballack - Lampard - Deco" combination just doesnt seem to work.
The welcome for Zola was possibly the only highlight
This is pants !!

Read it here --> SKYSPORTS
http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3073788,00.html

Chelsea 2 - 1 Cluj

Its a cold and nervy night at the bridge as the Blues go for qualification for the last 16 in a group that should have been won at a canter. Difficult to say this, but most of us would probably swap being here for an away game where victories have been more likely (though strangely not in the CL). The surprise is that Drogs is on the bench but happily Joe Cole is back but its a midfield five that looks weak without Lamps.

The nerves are justified as within 7mins Cech has to save a 25-yard drive from Pereira but 5mins later Alex heads a Deco cross down and over the bar. Its end to end stuff as an Alcantara attempt is cleared by the Jedi on the edge of the 6yard box. Its the 25th minute before we really threaten when Joe Cole drives just wide however 5mins later a Deco free kick is floated into the area and as JT is shoved to the ground foir what would ahve been a blatant penanlty Kalou is on hand to net he loose ball. The half ends 1-0 and we're a little lucky.

No changes at half time and our lack luster start is punished in the 55th as Cristian Panin is left with acres of space on the right to cross to the far post where Kone rose above Alex to head past Cech. Straight from the kick off we're up the other end but a Joe Cole drive from the edge of the area is well saved by Nuno Claro in the Cluj goal. Finally Kalou who's had a mare apart from the goal is replaced by the Drog and 6mins later we're back in front. Mikel strides out of defence to play in Joe Cole who lifts the ball over the Cluj defenders and right into Drogbas path. Without breaking stride, the balls in the net and its 2-1.

So, 2nd place in a group we really should have won and the possibility of a tricky opening game in the knock-out stages but at least we're through

Come on U Blues

Bolton 0 - 2 Chelsea

Away to Bolton and on current form that should be a positive as at least we seem to be able to win on our Premiership travels. Alex comes in for Ivanovich at the back but otherwise its the usual line up with Mikel and Ballack alongside Lamps and Kalou, joins Anelka and Deco up top.

From the start, its clearly the 'away chelsea' that have arrived as they start the game with tons of pace and quick passing. Its 1-0 within 8mins as Anelka heads home a deep cross from Bosingwa. Its all Chelsea and its 2-0 with 15mins as Jaaskelainen saves a Kalou drive only for Ballack to pop the ball back into the box and Deco scores with a spectacular bicycle kick. Its nearly 3 within 5 mins as Jaaskelainen flaps at a cross and the ball falls to an unmarked Anelka who squeezes a first time shot well wide. The only downide so far has been some 'James-like' keeping from Cech which is worrying but apart from a Kevin Davis effort there have been no serious issues and the half ends 0-2.

No changes from the Blues at half time but this is now a much more even and end to end half. With 10mins gone Deco is clean through after a mix up in midfield but chips wide with only the keeper to beat. Just 2mins later another sweeping move sees Lamps break into the box but his drive from just 6 yards out is straight at Jaaskelainen. Up the other end Cech is forced into good saves from McCaan, Cahill and Davis but the half fizzles out for yet another away win. So that's 11 consecutive away wins which is a new record alongside 8 out of 8 this season. Now if only we were doing the same at home - we'll need to on Tuesday to qualify for the knock out stages of the Champions league.

Come on U Blues