Birminham City 0 - 0 Chelsea

After disappointing performances against Portsmouth, where we only just managed a win, and West Ham where we were lucky to get a draw, it was off to St Andrews for a tricky Boxing Day away tie against an in form Birmingham City. Sturridge starts for the injured Anelka, the Drog is making his last appearance before African Nations duty and Belletti comes in for Ballack.

Updates from my Twitter feed

• The frame of the Brum goal is still shaking from a thunderous Alex free kick but an open, even end2end 1st half ends 0-0 at St Andrews

• An hour gone and Cech saves a superb curling free kick from Larson to keep this open and enthralling encounter at 0-0

• Lamps is off and Joe Cole is on for final 10mins - big call from Carlo. Even tho Brum have been disciplined & dangerous, 3 points was a must

• Chelsea are down to 10men as Malouda is sent off for a stupid 2nd yellow card - there's 6mins of added time after an injury to Joe Hart

• So it's 2pts dropped in a game where 3 were required. This is not premiership winning form and we'll be luck to be 3rd by end Jan at this rate.

The Blues had the best of the 1st half chances, though Brum had a goal disallowed for offside in the 1st half, and Joe Hart was forced into two stunning saved from Sturridge and Lamps. Alex also crashed a 35yrd rocket of a free kick off the bar inst the bar, while Sturridge poked a good cross by the Drog just wide. The second half was more of the same with the Blues creating but failing to convert the better of the chances. It was definately 2 points dropped

Read the Sky match report is here

Now we face another difficult tie at home to Fulham on Monday - come on you Blues !!!