Blue Is The Color, Football Is The Game..

[m_vaughan]

Good wins in Europe and in the domestic league for Chelsea. Dzeko continues to impress.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Unimpressive Blues defeat Wolves
22nd September, 2010

Marko Mitrovic celebrates scoring the winner​

Chelsea striker Marko Mitrovic produced a clinical finish to help the Blues come through a testing Carling Cup third-round tie against Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

Mitrovic controlled an attempted shot by Jon Obi Mikel before spinning and sidefooting past keeper Wayne Hennessey. It was the kind of finish Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake lacked as he mish*t an earlier shot when through on goal. Ebanks-Blake was also harshly deemed offside when Wolves had an early David Jones headed effort disallowed.

It was a contentious call by the assistant referee as Ebanks-Blake looked onside, while also not appearing to get a touch as Jones' low header found its way past flailing keeper Ross Turnbull. The decision may leave Wolves with a rueful feeling of an opportunity lost, especially against a lacklustre Chelsea side, but they can take encouragement from a determined performance.

A tough challenge was expected from Wolves who have lost just twice in the Premier League this season but it pitted against the desire of Chelsea's fringe players trying to impress manager Gianfranco Zola.

Wolves should have given their contingent of the travelling crowd a goal to cheer early on but an unmarked Nenad Milijas headed an inviting Segundo Castillo cross disappointingly wide. Jones' header was then disallowed as Wolves pushed forward, sensing an upset against an unfamiliar looking Chelsea struggling for any rhythm or control.

Zola had made had made ten changes to his starting line-up and it told in their play with Joe Cole ending a marauding run with a tame shot to give them a rare threat on goal. Chelsea's second string were doing little to enhance their cases for more of a first-team say as Wolves were the more accomplished, with Foley, in particular, causing Blues left-back Patrick van Aanholt all sorts of problems.

Wolves were given a major scare when Gael Kakuta flicked a header goalwards from close range but keeper Hennessey pulled off an instinctive save before Greg Halford blocked the young Frenchman's follow-up. Ebanks-Blake has earned a reputation as a prolific striker in the Championship and was aiming to enhance his reputation against more exalted opposition.

He had an ideal chance when he was through on goal after running on to a long ball but he mistimed his shot and Turnbull gratefully saved. Ebanks-Blake did show his instinctive nature in front of goal when a Kevin Foley cross was just behind him and he hooked an effort on goal agonisingly high.

Chelsea were hardly convincing and Mikel could have been given more than a telling off for striking out at Ebanks-Blake as the hosts' frustration came to the fore. But the tireless Mitrovic capitalised on the home side's failure to score with his goal before the Blues closed out the game to progress into the last 16.

__________________________________________________​

Chelsea: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Alex, Jones, van Aanholt(Zhirkov 78), Mikel, Woods(Lampard 80), Kakuta, J.Cole(c), Sturridge(Dzeko 88), Mitrovic.
Subs Not Used: Cech, Terry, Milner, Lampard.

Goals: Mitrovic 69.

Wolves: Hennessey, Halford, Zubar, Berra, Nesmachnyi, Foley(Jarvis 80), Henry(c)(Mastroeni 80), Jones(Surman 70), Castillo, Milijas, Ebanks-Blake.
Subs Not Used: Murray, Stearman, Craddock, Keogh.

Att: 39,231.

Ref: M Halsey.

Man of the Match: Marko Mitrovic.​

 

[JBlues08]

Phew, that was close! Good win though. XD By the way, I noticed a couple of errors.

Liverpool's second string were doing little to enhance their cases for more of a first-team say...

Liverpool??

before the Nlues closed out the game to progress into the last 16.

Nlues? LOL. :laugh

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Phew, that was close! Good win though. XD By the way, I noticed a couple of errors.




Liverpool??




Nlues? LOL. :laugh

Oh sorry for the errors, and thanks..

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Tottenham face Chelsea in pick of Carling Cup ties
27th August, 2010

London derby as Tottenham host Chelsea​

Chelsea face a trip to the White Hart Lane to play Tottenham Hotspur in the pick of the draw for the fourth round of the Carling Cup. The last time the two sides met in the competition was in the 2008 Carling Cup final in a memorable match which Juande Ramos' side won 2-1.

Premier League teams were drawn against each other in four of the eight matches. Everton have a journey from Merseyside to Manchester where David Moyes's side will take on Manchester United, while Newcastle United have a away tie against Aston Villa, who booked their place in the fourth round thanks to a 1-0 win after extra-time against Asrenal in midweek.

Elsewhere, Liverpool host West Brom as Sunderland travel to the Britannia Stadium to play Stoke City. The fourth round ties to be played week commencing 25 October.

Blackburn v Bristol City
Stoke v Sunderland
Liverpool v West Brom
Middlesbrough v Leicester
Burnley v Reading
Aston Villa v Newcastle
Tottenham v Chelsea
Man Utd v Everton​

 

[JBlues08]

Chelsea going to the Lane would not be easy.

 

[m_vaughan]

I second that. United-Everton should also be interesting.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Dzeko seals Blues' success
25th September, 2010

Frank Lampard in action against Portsmouth at Fratton Park​

Edin Dzeko's close-range header from James Milner's cross sealed Chelsea first victory away from home this season against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

The Blues' ?25m summer signing from VfL Wolfsburg continued his brilliant scoring form by scoring from a James Milner cross. Chelsea looked bright and purposeful during the opening 45 minutes as Drogba and Edin Dzeko dovetailed effectively up front. Frank Lampard swung in a dangerous cross from the left in the ninth minute and Drogba planted a firm header into the ground from six yards but former Blues keeper Hilario was not seriously tested.

Two minutes later, a delightful flick from Drogba sent Dzeko clear from 20 yards and he raced forward before finding the net, only to have it ruled out for a clear handball. Pompey captain Michael Brown kept Petr Cech warm with a low shot from distance but it posed no serious threat to the Chelsea goal. Milner miskicked at the other end but Portsmouth wasted a golden opportunity to drive at the heart of the Chelsea defence in the 20th minute.

Summer signing Kieron Richardson embarked on a fine run from inside his own half, carrying the ball deep into Chelsea territory before slipping a neat pass to David Nugent. The striker fed Liam Rosenior on the right flank only to be hacked down by Jock Rodwell, who earned a yellow card, but Richardson's free-kick from an excellent position was high and wide of the far post.

Drogba combined effectively with Dzeko again in the 26th minute when he drifted across the box and presented the Bosnia forward with the chance to hit a low first-time shot at Hilario from 20 yards. The Portuguese goalkeeper parried the ball but no visiting player was on hand to tuck away the rebound.

Jose Bosingwa then flighted a superb deep cross from the right and striker Dzeko ghosted in unmarked at the far post but headed over the bar. In the 42nd minute, Michael Turner nodded a corner from Richardson wide and Utaka also failed to hit the target with his head moments later. On the hour mark, Utaka's flick found Ritchie unmarked 20 yards from goal and his right-foot shot was on target but weak and straight into Cech's arms.

Three minutes later, Gianfranco Zola replaced Drogba with Joe Cole and the winner finally arrived in the last minute when Bosingwa fed Milner down the right. He crossed quickly and Dzeko headed home beating Hilario from six yards.

__________________________________________________​

Portsmouth: Hilario, Roseniar, Turner, Ben-Haim, Rat, Brown(c), Richardson, Belhadj(Ritchie 52), Boateng(Mullins 70), Utaka(Smith 88), Nugent.
Subs Not Used: Ikeme, Bouazza, Maldonado, Hreidarsson.

Booked: Rosenior, Turner, Brown, Belhadj, Boateng, Ritchie.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa(Ivanovic 90), Terry(c), Kjaer, Zhirkov, Essien, Rodwell(Sturridge 78), Lampard, Milner, Drogba(J.Cole 65), Dzeko.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Alex, Mikel, Jones.

Booked: Rodwell, Lampard.

Goals: Dzeko 89.

Att: 20,600.

Ref: L Probert.

Man of the Match: Edin Dzeko.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Cluj frustrate Chelsea again
29th September, 2010

Frank Lampard makes his frustration shown​

CFR Cluj and Chelsea FC shared the spoils in an eventful Group B draw at the Constantin Radulescu in Cluj-Napoca as Michael Silberbauer cancelled out Frank Lampard opener.

Silberbauer after a glaring first-half miss, made amends two minutes past the hour with a crucial strike. That cancelled out Frank Lampard's opening goal, negated Chelsea's dominance and kept alive the European hopes of Andrea Mandorlini's men, who have one points from two games ahead of back-to-back matches against SV Werder Bremen. Chelsea, on four points, are two points behind their next opponents, Atletico Madrid.

Gianfranco Zola made two changes from the team that defeated Portsmouth at the weekend and his charges took to their task with relish, attacking from the outset and threatening to take the lead inside a minute as Didier Drogba picked out Edin Dzeko's run into the penalty area for a spectacular bicycle kick that flew narrowly over. Dzeko and Drogba were at the centre of much of Chelsea's excellent play, the former delivering a crossfield pass which his strike partner fired wide via Stephen McManus' deflection. Drogba soon returned the favour, dispossessing Angelos Basinas before teeing up a run and shot from Dzeko.

Cluj were creaking at the back under the relentless pressure and on 14 minutes their rearguard was breached, albeit in slightly unfortunate fashion. Dzeko was again involved, although his attempt to play in the English midfielder required several deflections to spring the defence. Having been put clear, though, Lampard made no mistake, lifting the ball deftly over the advancing Arni Gautar Arason. The visitors might have doubled their advantage following a sweeping move which began with a crunching John Obi Mikel tackle and ended with Arason saving at the feet of Jack Rodwell after a measured Joe Cole pass. That could have been costly within three minutes as Sixto Peralta's left-wing centre found Silberbauer two metres out, yet the striker's miscued effort came back off the upright.

There was still time before the interval for Chelsea to carve out another glorious opportunity as Dzeko's cross was met by Joe Cole at close range. Somehow, though, Arason denied the midfielder a third consecutive UEFA Champions League goal. After the break Chelsea continued to look comfortable but so long as their lead was slender Cluj were still in with a chance ? and on 64 minutes Silberbauer took it, appearing unmarked to turn in Josip Colina's low delivery from the right.

Zola sent on Michael Essien and Daniel Sturridge as the English giants attempted to regain their advantage. Sturridge almost obliged, narrowly failing to connect with Joe Cole's cross while three minutes from time Lampard was unlucky to see his swerving 30-metre strike hit the base of the post. It was a frustrating night for Chelsea, though it might have been worse as Silberbauer missed again in the final seconds as he followed up McManus' parried free-kick for the Romanian side.

__________________________________________________​

Cluj: Arason, Johansson, Britos(Damian 62), McManus(c), Raimondi, Basinas, Colina(Gohouri 67), Jeparov, Peralta, Silberbauer, Dobre(Vidac 87).
Subs Not Used: Novac, Borunga, Bona, Ciobanu.

Booked: Britos.

Goals: Silberbauer 64.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry(C), Kjaer, Zhirkov, Mikel(Jones 80), Rodwell(Essien 70), Lampard, Joe Cole, Dzeko, Drogba(Sturridge 70).
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Alex, A.Cole.

Booked: Zhirkov, Lampard.

Goals: Lampard 14.

Att: 14,000.

Ref: H Fleischer.

Man of the Match: Arni Gautar Arason.​

 

[JBlues08]

Cluj is becoming a bogey team for Chelsea. The next two matches against Atletico Madrid is going to be crucial.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Drogba expects open race

Drogba expects tough race for title,
Photograph: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images​

Didier Drogba believes the Premier League title race is more competitive than ever this season. The Chelsea striker is hoping to help his side to a first top flight crown in four years and feels the Blues are well placed to end that barren run.

Gianfranco Zola's men have played against their rivals in the first month of the Premier League, while they themselves have established the kind of consistency which suggests they will be in the mix come next May. Ivorian ace Drogba expects that to be the case, insisting the London outfit have learned from mistakes they have made in the past and are ready to reclaim their standing at the summit of English football.

"We're very encouraged by other teams dropping points and having played top four in the first month itself," he said, with Chelsea currently sitting second in the Premier League table with just one point behind London rivals Tottenham and holding a game in hand.

"When you look at our start this season, its the most difficult we ever had. We traveled to Arsenal and Manchester United and faced Liverpool at home in three consecutives weeks. We gained five points from the possible nine which is very good. We have been unbeaten so far in the league.

"As long as we stay consistent against the smaller teams. We need to keep winning the three points against them. Last season we had some bad spells. We had five draws as well back-to-back so we have to avoid that."

______________________________________________​

​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

​

 

[JBlues08]

I have to say seeing some teams in positions that they should not be in is rather weird. XD Anyways, good job shan. Hope to see more twists and turns. :laugh

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Classy Chelsea put on a show
2nd October, 2010

Frank Lampard scored one and setup two​

Frank Lampard sparked Chelsea into life against a limited Hull City as the title contenders moved ominously up to first in the Premier League table.

James Milner and Edien Dzeko also found the net during a devastating 15-minute period for the London side, with Ivanovic completing the scoring in the last minute. But it was a struggle until man-of-the-match Lampard broke the Tigers' resistance by scoring in his third goal of the season, a season that has yielded six goals for club and country and has now moved Chelsea at the top of the table.

Hull City had every reason to be fearful and it appeared those worries were proved valid when the England midfielder tucked home midway through the opening period. On first viewing, Lampard appeared merely to use his strength to push Paul McShane to one side as he skipped onto Milner's through ball. He then stepped inside Kamil Zayette before beating Boaz Myhill from 10 yards. Television replays did not cast that much doubt on Lampard's challenge either but referee Anthony Taylor thought otherwise and disallowed the goal for a push.

It was the most notable moment of a frustrating half for the hosts, who dominated possession but failed to break a stoic Hull City defence in which Zayette and central defensive partner Jorge Garcia were superb. Lampard did have a near-post header pushed away by Myhill just after the one Taylor wiped out but other than that, it was just a succession of near-misses.

Milner blasted a couple of free-kicks, one from fully 35 yards, into the wall and Jack Rodwell fired over from the edge of the area. Lampard, who had taken on corner kick duties from Milner, dropped two into the area without anyone getting a touch and Simon Kjaer had a penalty appeal turned down.

If that was not bad enough, Chelsea lost Michael Essien seven minutes before the break with an injury which must make him a doubt for Ghana's African Nations qualifier on Saturday. The general zip that had been missing from Chelsea's play in the first half did not instantly reappear after the break. There were still moments of excellence as Lampard warmed Myhill's fingers from 25 yards and Dzeko brought another decent save from Hull City's sure-footed goalkeeper.

But Chelsea needed something special, which is exactly what Lampard is delivering at present. There was still plenty of work to do when Dzeko slipped a pass to his right. But Lampard darted into the box before stepping inside Zayette onto his favoured right foot, with which he beat Myhill at his near post. The relief was obvious as Lampard bellowed in celebration.

Myhill won the next round of what was turning into a private battle, getting down low to steer away Lampard's shot after the England man had collected Phil Jones' pass. The introduction of Ashley Cole for Yuri Zhirkov shortly afterwards hinted at a cautious approach. Within five minutes, they had scored twice more.

First Lampard, having got his goal, turned provider to send Milner flying through for his first ever Chelsea goal. It is not the kind of opportunity a former Aston Villa player of the year passes on. Then substitute Ivanovic saw his low cross bounce through the penalty area to Dzeko who calmly leant back and smashed his seventh Premier League goal for the Blues past the helpless Myhill.

The former Blackburn Rovers youngster Phil Jones tried to get his name on the scoresheet and Lampard went close again before his unselfish streak allowed him to claim another assist as he rolled an inviting pass across goal to the right back Branislav Ivanovic who had made a great run from his position to the box.

__________________________________________________​

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa(Ivanovic 69), Terry(c), Kjaer, Zhirkov(Cole 65), Essien(Jones 38), Rodwell, Lampard, Milner, Dzeko, Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Mikel, Alex, J.Cole.

Booked: A.Cole.

Goals: Lampard 57, Milner 68, Dzeko 73, Ivanovic 90.

Hull: Myhill, McShane, Zayette, Garcia(Ashbee 60), Kilbane, Mendy, Marney, Bullard, Hunt, Vennegoor of Hasselink(Landzaat 62), Ghilas(Fagan 65).
Subs Not Used: Duke, Halmosi, Olofinjana, Wilkinson.

Booked: Marney.

Att: 41,761.

Ref: A Taylor.

Man of the Match: Frank Lampard.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Wolves hold off Chelsea at Molineux
16th October, 2010

Joe Cole in action for Chelsea against Wolves​

Chelsea striker Edin Dzeko was guilty of a glaring first-half miss as the match fizzled out into a tame draw against Wolves at Molineux.

Dzeko has netted seven times this season for Chelsea in the Premier League but his predatory instincts deserted him as he shot over from four yards. Chelsea midfielder Jack Rodwell was sent off for two bookable offences with 8 minutes remaining but his side held out. Their man of the match was skipper defender John Terry, with a vintage display alongside the also impressive Simon Kjaer. Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech did not have to make a save until the 76th minute such was the protection he received from Terry and Co.

Michael Knighty and Abou DIaby did their best to try to inspire Mick McCarthy's side but their efforts proved in vain. McCarthy handed first Premier League starts of the season to summer signing Abou Diaby, who costed around ?5m from Arsenal. It was the first changes McCarthy has made to his league line-up this season after keeping the same side for the opening seven matches with full-back Greg Halford dropped on the bench.

Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was called into his first meaningful action of the match after six minutes. A right-wing cross from James Milner was headed away by Wolves skipper Karl Henry but fell to Rodwell. He struck his half volley cleanly enough from the edge of the box but Hennessey was alert and clung onto the shot away to his left.

Andrew Keogh hooked wide for the home side before an inswinging Kevin Foley corner picked out the Republic of Ireland international, whose close-range effort was blocked by Jose Bosingwa. Wolves defender Christophe Berra came close to breaking the deadlock after 19 minutes after Henry had headed a deep free-kick from Foley back across goal - but he was unable to get over his close-range shot.

The hosts had their let off after 28 minutes after Didier Drogba had laid the ball into the path of Frank Lampard, whose fierce shot from the left side of the box rattled against the post. The rebound hit Hennessey on the back and Berra failed to make full contact on his intended clearance, which fell to Dzeko only four yards out. He looked certain to score but somehow hooked his shot high and wide.

The second period was equally uninspiring. In a rare moment of excitement, a long raking crossfield pass from Castillo found Milijas in a yard of space but he dragged his low shot wide. Rodwell was booked after an hour for sliding through the back of Knighty but the match was crying out for some much needed quality. Diaby became the first Wolves player to be cautioned after showing dissent when Knighty was adjudged to have fouled Dzeko, before Ashley Cole was also booked for bringing down Milijas 25 yards out.

Cech saved the resulting free-kick from the midfielder away to his left - the first shot Wolves had on target in the match. Diaby produced a fine tackle to stop Dzeko after it looked as if the striker had broken clear, then Rodwell was dismissed for his second offence on Castillo - but his side helped out with relative ease. Ebanks-Blake had a late header which clipped the top of the door but the subsequent incident involving Mr Sharp will inevitably attract the headlines.

__________________________________________________​

Wolves: Hennessey, Henry(c), Stearman, Berra, Olsson, Castillo, Foley(Surman 90), Diaby, Knighty, Milijas(Halford 88), Keogh(Ebanks-Blake 70).
Subs Not Used: Murray, Zubar, Nesmachnyi, Craddock.

Booked: Diaby,

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa(Ivanovic 78), Kjaer, Terry(c), A. Cole, Essien, Rodwell, Lampard, Milner, Dzeko, Drogba(J. Cole 80).
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Zhirkov, Mikel, Jones, Alex.

Sent Off: Rodwell 83.

Booked: Rodwell, Dzeko, A. Cole, Bosingwa.

Att: 29,303.

Ref: S Tanner.

Man of the Match: John Terry.​