The possibility of giant killing action at the Bridge for the visit of Burnley. Carlo shuffles again and starts Ballack, Ess and Deco with Lamps staying in the hole behind the Drog and Le Sulk.
Its a frantic opening 25mins. Within 5mins Anelka picks up a great through ball from Ricky but his shot is well saved by Jensen and 2mins later he just fials to connect with a Ballack cross.With just under 10mins gone its Anelka 1-on-1 with Jensen, but he shows too much of it to the keeper saves. Its straight up the other end and McCann slips a lunge from Rickey but hits over from the edge of the box. Lamps is then caught in possession by Mears who releases Martin Paterson but he drags his shot wide from just 15yrds out. Straight back up the Burnley end and first Lamps and then Ballack are deined by last ditch tackles - wot a start and how is this still 0-0 !! Burnley are carved open again as Deco slip in Ballack but Jensen charges him down and blocks a goal bound chip. Its all Chelsea as Cole drives down the left, a cushioned header from JT falls to Lamps in the box but he hits straight at Jensen. Its calming down a bit now, still all Chelsea but need I say it; its all a bit narrow. With 2mins to go Drogba b raks to the byline and pulss the ball back to Lamps but his effort is smothered by Jensen when it looked easier to score. Finally with 46mins on the clock, the Drog drives in to the box again and this time squares to Anelka who slots home from 3yrds out. The Blues go in 1-0 at halftime - about time !!
No changes at half time and within 5mins the Blues are 2 up as Lamps chips a far post ball for Ballack to dive in and head home. Another 5mins and its 3-0 as Ash plays a cracking one-two with Lamps and races into the box to blast a shot into the top corner. Its nearly 4 as Ballack plays in Anelka but his shot bounces off the top of the crossbar. Belletti replaces Bozzzy as Ess drives forwrad and tries one from distance which flies just wide.Chelsea are cruising now. On 77mins Jensen is called on again to make 2 more saves - first from Ess and then he denies Ballack from the resulting corner - but for him it would have been 6 by now. Kalou is on for the Drog but the Blues are unstoppable. On 82 mins Ballack plays in Anelka who slots home but its ruled offside. That's Ballacks last touch as he's replaced by the Jedi for the last 8mins. Kalou breaks through with 2mins remaining and chips Jensen but his effort is cleared off the line by Mears. That's the last meaningful action of the game and it ends 3-0 at the Bridge as the Blues go top - for now
Come on U Blues
Saturday 29 August 2009
Sunday 23 August 2009
Fulham 0 - 2 Chelsea
Carlo tinkers again for the visit to Craven Cottage by resting Essien (resting after just 3 games !!!) and Deco - both are on the bench but thankfully, old man Sheva stays home. Anyway, that makes four changes from midweek with Ricky, Jedi, Mallouda and Le Sulk all starting. As the teams line up, it sounds like Fulham have the builders in as the PA booms out what sounds like a Polish folk song.
We've gone a goal down in our last 3 games and within a minute it nearly happens again as Dempsey gets free in the box but fortunately he scoops over when he really should have worked Cech. Its a pretty even opening 30mins with few real chances and way too many scrappy midfield errors. However, on 38mins a ball to Lamps breaks through to Anelka who slides in Drogba to slot past Schwarzer. Finally !! Thats how the half ends - frustrating but at least we're ahead.
No changes from the Blues as we start the 2nd half. With 5mins gone, a hit and hope finds Dempsey breaking between Ricky and Cech but thankfully Ricky heads wide for a corner. Straight up the other end and Anelka combines with Lamps again to release the Drog but the pass drags him wide and his snap shot is easily saved. Chelsea are slowly notching up a gear and with 70mins gone, Drogba plays a lovely ball over the top to Lamps but he scuffs wide. Its all Chelsea but whilst its just 0-1 anything could happen. Surely its over now as on 76mins a flowing move between Ballack and Drogba sets Anelka free one on one with Schwarzer and he slots calmly home. Carlo thinks its over as with 9mins remaining he sends on Deco to replace Lamps.
Chelsea could and have should had four today - we actually needed four to go back to the top of the league - but is still 3 wins out of 3. Come on U Blues !!
We've gone a goal down in our last 3 games and within a minute it nearly happens again as Dempsey gets free in the box but fortunately he scoops over when he really should have worked Cech. Its a pretty even opening 30mins with few real chances and way too many scrappy midfield errors. However, on 38mins a ball to Lamps breaks through to Anelka who slides in Drogba to slot past Schwarzer. Finally !! Thats how the half ends - frustrating but at least we're ahead.
No changes from the Blues as we start the 2nd half. With 5mins gone, a hit and hope finds Dempsey breaking between Ricky and Cech but thankfully Ricky heads wide for a corner. Straight up the other end and Anelka combines with Lamps again to release the Drog but the pass drags him wide and his snap shot is easily saved. Chelsea are slowly notching up a gear and with 70mins gone, Drogba plays a lovely ball over the top to Lamps but he scuffs wide. Its all Chelsea but whilst its just 0-1 anything could happen. Surely its over now as on 76mins a flowing move between Ballack and Drogba sets Anelka free one on one with Schwarzer and he slots calmly home. Carlo thinks its over as with 9mins remaining he sends on Deco to replace Lamps.
Chelsea could and have should had four today - we actually needed four to go back to the top of the league - but is still 3 wins out of 3. Come on U Blues !!
Tuesday 18 August 2009
Sunderland 1 - 3 Chelsea
A tricky away tie at Sunderland and Carlo rotates the team dropping Le Sulk, Malouda and Jedi in favour of Deco, Ballack and Salomon Kalou. Ivanovic replaces Ricky but he big surprise is that Shevas on the bench - is this shades of the Tinkerman ?
Well its almost a carbon copy of Saturday as the Blues batter the Black Cats for the first 15mins yet go behind to a Daren Bent goal as he slots home after a Kenwyne Jones's shot breaks loose. The pattern continues despite the goal but Ballack, Drogba and Deco all miss good chances and again the diamond shape is making for some very congested play. On 45mins Ballack has a shot cleared off the line from a Deco corner and then Cattermole blocks a goal bound effort from Bozzy. The half ends with the Blues behind against he run of play.
No changes for the second half but its a different Chelsea as Cole and Bozzy sart bombing on from the start. Within 10mins we're level after going close with headers from Ivanovic and the Drog, Ivanovic flicks on a corner and Ballack slots home from 8yards out. Its all Chelsea now and 10mins later McCartney brings Droga down in the box and Lamps steps up to slot home the penanlty. Its 2-1 and a completely different game now. The Drog nearly makes it 3 but heads over from a superb cross from Ash but a 3rd goal comes moments later as Deco drills home a superb strike from the edge of the box. Its all Chelsea now and in quick succession Malouda, Sturridge and Sheva (yes that Sheva) join the fray replacing Kalou, Drogba and Deco respectively.
It ends 1 - 3 with the Blues absolutely dominant. Now, we've gotta stop giving teams a goal start because better teams will punish us - Come on you Blues
Well its almost a carbon copy of Saturday as the Blues batter the Black Cats for the first 15mins yet go behind to a Daren Bent goal as he slots home after a Kenwyne Jones's shot breaks loose. The pattern continues despite the goal but Ballack, Drogba and Deco all miss good chances and again the diamond shape is making for some very congested play. On 45mins Ballack has a shot cleared off the line from a Deco corner and then Cattermole blocks a goal bound effort from Bozzy. The half ends with the Blues behind against he run of play.
No changes for the second half but its a different Chelsea as Cole and Bozzy sart bombing on from the start. Within 10mins we're level after going close with headers from Ivanovic and the Drog, Ivanovic flicks on a corner and Ballack slots home from 8yards out. Its all Chelsea now and 10mins later McCartney brings Droga down in the box and Lamps steps up to slot home the penanlty. Its 2-1 and a completely different game now. The Drog nearly makes it 3 but heads over from a superb cross from Ash but a 3rd goal comes moments later as Deco drills home a superb strike from the edge of the box. Its all Chelsea now and in quick succession Malouda, Sturridge and Sheva (yes that Sheva) join the fray replacing Kalou, Drogba and Deco respectively.
It ends 1 - 3 with the Blues absolutely dominant. Now, we've gotta stop giving teams a goal start because better teams will punish us - Come on you Blues
Saturday 15 August 2009
Chelsea 2 - 1 Hull
Footies back for real after the showpiece of the Charity Shiled last week and Hull visit the Bridge looking to be part of an opening day upset. The Mighty Blues make one change from the team that lifted the FA Cup back in May with Ricky replacing the injured Alex. Carlo sticks with the diamond so Jedi holds and Lamps sits behind the from 2 of the Drog and Le Sulk - Essien and Malouda complete the midfield. Joe Cole and new boy Zhirkov are injured - Ballack and Deco are on the bench.
Within 60sec of the start Essien breaks down the right and crosses to the Drog who blasts wide for 6yrds out - great chance and that was a big miss. The Blues have started brightly and are dominating but the diamond is making the midfield very congested - combine that with Anelka operating at a snails pace and possession keeps breaking down. JT connects with a corner on 14mins but it drifts over and straing back up our end a Boateng shot is deflected over by Cech. Despite all our possession and dominance, we're behind (how often did we do that last season) on 28mins as a high ball isn't dealt with and it drops to Hunt who calmly slots past Cech. Jedi picks up a free kick on the edge of the Hull box on 38mins and up steps Drogba who strokes the ball into the far corner for the equalizer. A sweet end to end move on 42mins releases Drogba who hits hopefully from 35yrs but its easily saved - that brings us to half time.
Ballack is on for Jedi as the second half gets underway and, as in the 1st half, the Blues could have been ahead inside a minute as Drogba finds Anelka in the box but the ball drops just behind him and the effort is snuffed out. A minute later and Lamps grazes the near post from the edge of the box. Ballack and Drogba link up on the edge of the box to release Anelka but Dawson snuffs out the danger. Chelsea are moving the ball much more quickly now and Drogba has two more clear cut chances well saved by Myhill. Its all Chelsea and Hull are struggling to get out of their own half but still the lack of width means that moves are breaking down on the edge of the box. Deco replaces Malouda on 70mins but the pattern remains the same as Hull defend doggedly and waste time everywhere they can - its 19 attempts, 9 of them on target so far, but only one goal. With 10mins left, Kalou replaces the hapless Anelka and his first touch is a header just over the bar - close but still no cigar. With 2mins of normal time remaining, a Lamps corner is headed over by Ricky and up the other end a deflection off the same guy makes Cech tip over to avoid a disaster. On 90mins, Drogba and Deco waste 2 more chances (that's 28 attempts so far) and then finally on 92mins the Drog, chips one in from an impossible angle - it was probably a cross but who cares. That's it for the day and the Blues end deserved 2-1 winners
We wont waste that many chances again will we ?? Come on u BLUES !!
Within 60sec of the start Essien breaks down the right and crosses to the Drog who blasts wide for 6yrds out - great chance and that was a big miss. The Blues have started brightly and are dominating but the diamond is making the midfield very congested - combine that with Anelka operating at a snails pace and possession keeps breaking down. JT connects with a corner on 14mins but it drifts over and straing back up our end a Boateng shot is deflected over by Cech. Despite all our possession and dominance, we're behind (how often did we do that last season) on 28mins as a high ball isn't dealt with and it drops to Hunt who calmly slots past Cech. Jedi picks up a free kick on the edge of the Hull box on 38mins and up steps Drogba who strokes the ball into the far corner for the equalizer. A sweet end to end move on 42mins releases Drogba who hits hopefully from 35yrs but its easily saved - that brings us to half time.
Ballack is on for Jedi as the second half gets underway and, as in the 1st half, the Blues could have been ahead inside a minute as Drogba finds Anelka in the box but the ball drops just behind him and the effort is snuffed out. A minute later and Lamps grazes the near post from the edge of the box. Ballack and Drogba link up on the edge of the box to release Anelka but Dawson snuffs out the danger. Chelsea are moving the ball much more quickly now and Drogba has two more clear cut chances well saved by Myhill. Its all Chelsea and Hull are struggling to get out of their own half but still the lack of width means that moves are breaking down on the edge of the box. Deco replaces Malouda on 70mins but the pattern remains the same as Hull defend doggedly and waste time everywhere they can - its 19 attempts, 9 of them on target so far, but only one goal. With 10mins left, Kalou replaces the hapless Anelka and his first touch is a header just over the bar - close but still no cigar. With 2mins of normal time remaining, a Lamps corner is headed over by Ricky and up the other end a deflection off the same guy makes Cech tip over to avoid a disaster. On 90mins, Drogba and Deco waste 2 more chances (that's 28 attempts so far) and then finally on 92mins the Drog, chips one in from an impossible angle - it was probably a cross but who cares. That's it for the day and the Blues end deserved 2-1 winners
We wont waste that many chances again will we ?? Come on u BLUES !!
Sunday 9 August 2009
Charity Shield: Chelsea 2 - 2 Man U ( Chelsea win 4 -1 on penalties )
Footie's back !! and the traditional season curtain raiser has the best 2 teams in the country over the last 5 years facing up at Wembley. Carlo has gone with a strong team but a few surprises. The new diamond is in place and Ricky partners JT with Ivanovich on the right (perhaps Alex is resting in lieu of a bid from money bags city. Jedi is in (to play behind Ess, Lamps and Malouda); presumably because Ballack is still not ready and The Drog is up front with Anelka.
First shot on target is from the Drog on 2mins bit its easily stopped by Foster. Rooney plays Berbatov through 2mins later but JT sticks out a foot to break up a good move and a minute after that Ivanovitch hits the bar from a Lamps corner. Its a lively, end to end opening 10mins which results in first blood to Man U as Nani skips inside of Ivanovich and drills home between JT and Cech. Nani and Evra are giving Ivanovitch the run around and he's booked on 13mins. Chelsea look ragged at the back with Berbatov, Rooney, Nani and Park all combining well as Cech has to make two more sharp stops. Chelseas lack of width is worrying and Carlo is up off the bench again. Ash floats a ball into the Drog who feeds Malouda but he flashes it wide when a more controlled effort was needed. Ash then gets round the back and stands up a great ball but the in rushing Essien heads over. Chelsea are well in the game now as Anelka cuts in from the left and his drive is well parried by Foster. With 2mins to go a short Nani corner finds Fletcher who draws another good save from Cech but Chelsea go straight up the other end and a Malouda cross find the Drog but Foster parries again. Thats the last meaningful action of the half.
Second half is underway and Bozzy is on for Ivanovich but its Man U who again start the sharper however on 52mins Ricky initially works the ball across to Lamps and Malouda, and when the final cross comes in, he's on hand to nod home as the ball breaks from Drogba. Its 1-1 and the Blues are on the move now. On the hour, Nani takes a tumble and is eventually replaced by Valencia quickly followed by Ballack replacing the Jedi - Essien drops to the holding role.The games contentious moment comes on 74mins as Ballack checks Evra but the ref plays advantage however the ball breaks away to Chelsea and eventually Lamps slots home off the post. Man U are furious but its 2-1 to Chelsea. Its nearly 3 as the Drog breaks through but Foster gets down sharply to his left. Man U bring on Giggs, Fabio, Scoles and Owen whilst Chelsea bring on Deco for Malouda. Evra comes flying in on Ballack to exact some revenge and gets booked for his efforts. With 8mins to go Kalou replaces Anelka and who knows what the formation is now. Carlo's prowling the technical area with 2mins on the clock and the Blues are playing keep ball. We're into added time but with the clock approaching 92mins Giggs plays in Rooney who nips the ball past Cech to make it 2 - 2 and consign the game to penalties.
The lottery is eventually settled by 2 saves from Cech and conversions from Lamps, Ballack, the Drog and Kalou. Its our first trophy of the season - Come on you Blues !!
First shot on target is from the Drog on 2mins bit its easily stopped by Foster. Rooney plays Berbatov through 2mins later but JT sticks out a foot to break up a good move and a minute after that Ivanovitch hits the bar from a Lamps corner. Its a lively, end to end opening 10mins which results in first blood to Man U as Nani skips inside of Ivanovich and drills home between JT and Cech. Nani and Evra are giving Ivanovitch the run around and he's booked on 13mins. Chelsea look ragged at the back with Berbatov, Rooney, Nani and Park all combining well as Cech has to make two more sharp stops. Chelseas lack of width is worrying and Carlo is up off the bench again. Ash floats a ball into the Drog who feeds Malouda but he flashes it wide when a more controlled effort was needed. Ash then gets round the back and stands up a great ball but the in rushing Essien heads over. Chelsea are well in the game now as Anelka cuts in from the left and his drive is well parried by Foster. With 2mins to go a short Nani corner finds Fletcher who draws another good save from Cech but Chelsea go straight up the other end and a Malouda cross find the Drog but Foster parries again. Thats the last meaningful action of the half.
Second half is underway and Bozzy is on for Ivanovich but its Man U who again start the sharper however on 52mins Ricky initially works the ball across to Lamps and Malouda, and when the final cross comes in, he's on hand to nod home as the ball breaks from Drogba. Its 1-1 and the Blues are on the move now. On the hour, Nani takes a tumble and is eventually replaced by Valencia quickly followed by Ballack replacing the Jedi - Essien drops to the holding role.The games contentious moment comes on 74mins as Ballack checks Evra but the ref plays advantage however the ball breaks away to Chelsea and eventually Lamps slots home off the post. Man U are furious but its 2-1 to Chelsea. Its nearly 3 as the Drog breaks through but Foster gets down sharply to his left. Man U bring on Giggs, Fabio, Scoles and Owen whilst Chelsea bring on Deco for Malouda. Evra comes flying in on Ballack to exact some revenge and gets booked for his efforts. With 8mins to go Kalou replaces Anelka and who knows what the formation is now. Carlo's prowling the technical area with 2mins on the clock and the Blues are playing keep ball. We're into added time but with the clock approaching 92mins Giggs plays in Rooney who nips the ball past Cech to make it 2 - 2 and consign the game to penalties.
The lottery is eventually settled by 2 saves from Cech and conversions from Lamps, Ballack, the Drog and Kalou. Its our first trophy of the season - Come on you Blues !!
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