Stamford Bridge is a fortress once more as we achieved another home win today and Carlo Ancelotti was obviously pleased but there was one man who stood out.
Speaking after the 4-0 thrashing of Wolves, a final score that doesn't quite capture the dominance of our performance, the Chelsea manager was keen to express his delight in Michael Essien's display after the Ghanaian scored twice.
'Essien is one of the most important players in midfield in the world,' explained Ancelotti.
'He can play on the right and in the centre with the same results, he is very important to us.
'This season he has maintained a good physical condition, he is very strong, but he also has a lot of other qualities as a midfield player.'
Joe Cole scored Chelsea's fourth early in the second half, putting the Blues in a comfortable enough position to introduce two debutants to the game.
Gael Kakuta came on first, replacing Nicolas Anelka up front, before Florent Malouda made way for Nemanja Matic to make his debut as well.
The two youngsters were then joined by Fabio Borini and every one made an impression, with Kakuta producing two worthy attempts on goal.
'He has a lot of talent,' said Ancelotti. 'He showed for 30 minutes very good talent today and he is still very young.
'We also played Matic, we played Borini, they are very good, young players. We can use them all in the future.'
But there was one more player who made an impression on our Italian manager, a man who recently returned to first team action and has been progressing with every appearance.
'Joe Cole improves with every game.
'Every training session he improves. It is good for us because in that position he can do a good job.'
Despite missing five first team regulars from today's line up through injury, Chelsea were largely unaffected as the strength of our squad shone through.
'At the moment this match shows we are in good condition as a team,' added Ancelotti.
'We had a lot of injuries before this game, we played a lot of different players but our play was the same.
'This is good. Also the young players in this team were good. In January if we can maintain this condition, then we will be fine.'
One man who knew our injury woes wouldn't affect the performance too much was Mick McCarthy, who could only watch from the sidelines as the Blues dominated.
'When they put the team sheet out I thought aw, poor old Chelsea,' joked the Wolves manager. 'We were happy to get nil to be honest.
'We had some really good chances in the game but we made mistakes. The first goal we didn't clear properly and it was a wonderful strike.
'Petr Cech made a wonderful save but we had five good chances in the first half, Chelsea had about eight, but they put theirs away with better accuracy.
'At 2- 0 down it was over but we won't be judged on today,' added McCarthy.
22 November 2009
08 November 2009
TERRY: THE TIME IS NOW
ohn Terry believes we are in the perfect form to face Manchester United this afternoon, but is wary of the threat posed by our visitors' forward line.
The captain has seen his side go five games unbeaten while playing some breathtaking football, leaving him in confident mood going into the top of the table Premier League clash, which he is adamant arrives at a better time for us than it does United.
'I think it's good because of the form we are in. We concentrate on ourselves more than anyone else, and if we're in a difficult shape it will be difficult, but we're in good form at the moment,' Terry said.
'I think people are starting to see that and believe it themselves. We are back to where we want to be, defensively looking good and going forward we pose a real threat. Not only with the men on the pitch but the bench as well, we have players that can come on and change the game.'
He is convinced Didier Drogba could make the difference today, given that he has scored six goals in his last five games.
'Didier has started the season unbelievably, so credit to him,' said the 28-year-old. 'Chelsea fans and players never doubted Didier, his love for this club and the passion he shows is unbelievable. When we lose a game there is no one more disappointed than him. He shows his anger, shows his frustration, because he cares.
'You see him in the dressing room, in training motivating the players, he really cares, and it was great to see him with a new contract and he's paying them back.'
Terry though is well aware of what United's strikers can do, having played alongside both Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney for England, while Dimitar Berbatov has become a familiar adversary and is now in his fourth season in English football.
'The three of them are so different, Owen has shown a great threat when he comes on, Berbatov is quick and holds the ball up well, similar to Didier in that respect, and Wazza is always a constant threat, can run in behind, pull off, play others in,' assessed the centre-half.
'Wayne is the most difficult because when he pulls off you don't know whether to go with him. There are always wingers going in behind him so do you go with him or go with the runners?'
These are all questions Carlo Ancelotti will have been trying to answer in the last few days. All will become clear at 4pm this afternoon.
The captain has seen his side go five games unbeaten while playing some breathtaking football, leaving him in confident mood going into the top of the table Premier League clash, which he is adamant arrives at a better time for us than it does United.
'I think it's good because of the form we are in. We concentrate on ourselves more than anyone else, and if we're in a difficult shape it will be difficult, but we're in good form at the moment,' Terry said.
'I think people are starting to see that and believe it themselves. We are back to where we want to be, defensively looking good and going forward we pose a real threat. Not only with the men on the pitch but the bench as well, we have players that can come on and change the game.'
He is convinced Didier Drogba could make the difference today, given that he has scored six goals in his last five games.
'Didier has started the season unbelievably, so credit to him,' said the 28-year-old. 'Chelsea fans and players never doubted Didier, his love for this club and the passion he shows is unbelievable. When we lose a game there is no one more disappointed than him. He shows his anger, shows his frustration, because he cares.
'You see him in the dressing room, in training motivating the players, he really cares, and it was great to see him with a new contract and he's paying them back.'
Terry though is well aware of what United's strikers can do, having played alongside both Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney for England, while Dimitar Berbatov has become a familiar adversary and is now in his fourth season in English football.
'The three of them are so different, Owen has shown a great threat when he comes on, Berbatov is quick and holds the ball up well, similar to Didier in that respect, and Wazza is always a constant threat, can run in behind, pull off, play others in,' assessed the centre-half.
'Wayne is the most difficult because when he pulls off you don't know whether to go with him. There are always wingers going in behind him so do you go with him or go with the runners?'
These are all questions Carlo Ancelotti will have been trying to answer in the last few days. All will become clear at 4pm this afternoon.
02 November 2009
REACTION: SEEING DOUBLE
Carlo Ancelotti was understandably contented following a second 4-0 win over Bolton inside four days.
That makes it four straight wins in all competitions, with four clean sheets and 17 goals to our name since suffering defeat against Aston Villa a fortnight ago.
Having watched Frank Lampard, Deco and Didier Drogba all find the net, as well as a Zat Knight own goal, the Italian had special praise for Nicolas Anelka, whose work across the field greatly impressed him.
'We are doing very well at the moment, we did a good performance today. It was difficult in the first half because Bolton played a strong match and put pressure on our midfielder but at the end of the first half we had a good chance to score on the penalty and in the second half we maintained good concentration and intensity and we won a very important match for us,' Ancelotti began.
'Nicolas moved left and right and was the best player for us today because he had a very good interpretation of the game. He didn't score but I think that he was the best,' he said of the Frenchman, whose game he had also discussed before today's match.
The three points leaves us top of the table before next week's clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, but the manager insists our focus must be on Atletico Madrid in midweek before we can start thinking about Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
'Usually all the people think about the game against Manchester United but we have another important game during the week and we want to prepare well,' he confirmed. 'It is very easy to prepare for Manchester United because it is a very important match but we need to maintain concentration in the Champions League at this moment.'
Ancelotti also reserved a special mention for Deco, who scored his second goal in as many games this afternoon.
'Deco was man-to-man on the midfielder and changed position with Frank Lampard, on the left a little bit and Lampard went to offensive midfield,' he explained. 'He is doing what he knows, there is nothing special. He can do this and he is doing it for the team, this is important, he is not a selfish player.
'Usually an attacking midfielder is a little selfish but fortunately I found one that is unselfish.'
That makes it four straight wins in all competitions, with four clean sheets and 17 goals to our name since suffering defeat against Aston Villa a fortnight ago.
Having watched Frank Lampard, Deco and Didier Drogba all find the net, as well as a Zat Knight own goal, the Italian had special praise for Nicolas Anelka, whose work across the field greatly impressed him.
'We are doing very well at the moment, we did a good performance today. It was difficult in the first half because Bolton played a strong match and put pressure on our midfielder but at the end of the first half we had a good chance to score on the penalty and in the second half we maintained good concentration and intensity and we won a very important match for us,' Ancelotti began.
'Nicolas moved left and right and was the best player for us today because he had a very good interpretation of the game. He didn't score but I think that he was the best,' he said of the Frenchman, whose game he had also discussed before today's match.
The three points leaves us top of the table before next week's clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, but the manager insists our focus must be on Atletico Madrid in midweek before we can start thinking about Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
'Usually all the people think about the game against Manchester United but we have another important game during the week and we want to prepare well,' he confirmed. 'It is very easy to prepare for Manchester United because it is a very important match but we need to maintain concentration in the Champions League at this moment.'
Ancelotti also reserved a special mention for Deco, who scored his second goal in as many games this afternoon.
'Deco was man-to-man on the midfielder and changed position with Frank Lampard, on the left a little bit and Lampard went to offensive midfield,' he explained. 'He is doing what he knows, there is nothing special. He can do this and he is doing it for the team, this is important, he is not a selfish player.
'Usually an attacking midfielder is a little selfish but fortunately I found one that is unselfish.'
MATCH REPORT: BOLTON WANDERERS 0 CHELSEA 4
Chelsea eased to a 4-0 win with a superb display against 10-man Bolton on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues had been on top from the beginning but had found no way past the superb Jussi Jaaskelainen, until Didier Drogba was hauled down in first half injury-time by Jlloyd Samuel.
The defender was red-carded, allowing Frank Lampard to fire home the opener from the spot, before Chelsea took full advantage of the extra man in the second period with an entertaining display.
First Deco doubled the lead after a smart counter-attack, before a Zat Knight own goal and Didier Drogba put the icing on the cake in the final 10 minutes.
We arrived in the north-west with something of a mixed bag form-wise, three consecutive wins had brought 13 goals and three clean sheets, but all of those games had been at home, and this visit to the Reebok Stadium came off the back of consecutive away league defeats.
Bolton though has been a happy hunting ground for Chelsea in recent years, with wins recorded here, without conceding, in the last six seasons.
Carlo Ancelotti would have to continue that trend without both first-choice full-backs, Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa still absent through injury, allowing Branislav Ivanovic and Paulo Ferreira to continue on the flanks, while Deco was selected in preference to Joe Cole at the top of the midfield diamond.
Having been beaten 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in midweek, Bolton manager Gary Megson decided to match our diamond formation, a decision that almost reaped rewards in the first minute, but Johan Elmander's header looped over Petr Cech's crossbar.
It was 12 minutes before the Blues could get a decent look at Bolton's goal, when Nicolas Anelka crossed for strike partner Drogba, but the ball was just behind the Ivorian who couldn't direct his header.
A minute later the roles were reversed as Drogba laid it right to Anelka, whose powerful shot was turned around his near post by Jaaskelainen. The keeper made an equally impressive save from the corner, tipping over a loose ball that looked destined to dip under his crossbar.
On 20 minutes the Finn was in action again, preventing Drogba from a certain goal with a quick-witted rush from his goal after Cahill, auditioning for a regular place in Fabio Capello's England squad, had clumsily lost out on the edge of his own area.
At the other end Bolton worked a shooting opportunity for Tamir Cohen, but the Israeli's curling effort was straight at Cech.
Although Chelsea were having the more of the ball, we were in no way dominant as the half-hour approached, with Bolton doing a reasonable job of containing their opponents.
Cahill though was not having the best afternoon. Another hashed clearance fell to Drogba, whose cross eventually reached Ivanovic and the Serb made no mistake in lashing home at the second attempt, only for an offside flag, raised against Michael Ballack, to rule the goal out.
At the other end Bolton's aerial power was proving troublesome, as Elmander again won a free header, flicking on for Kevin Davies who should have hit the target from inside the Chelsea box.
Six minutes before half-time a Bolton corner ended up with Cahill on the edge of the area, but having failed to connect properly twice on defensive duty, he over-struck his shot at the other end, the ball flying a yard or so over.
Next it was Elmander's chance to have a go, after he fashioned half a yard of space in front of Carvalho, but he too failed to work Cech, who must have been considering taking the second half off such is Bolton's poor scoring record against us at the Reebok.
Into injury time, Ballack slotted a perfect ball through for Drogba, who looked certain to score as he entered the Bolton box, before having his leg clipped by Jlloyd Samuel before he could shoot.
It left referee Peter Walton with little option but to point to the spot and dismiss the defender, a childhood team-mate of John Terry.
Lampard stepped up to take the penalty at the opposite end to that which he sealed the Premier League title in 2005, and coolly sent Jaaskelainen the wrong way to give Chelsea a lead we just about deserved, and leave Bolton wondering how they would find a way back into the game a man down.
Megson made two changes at half-time, with the ineffective Chung-Yong Lee and Chris Basham with Ricardo Gardner and Paul Robinson, but it was Cohen who had the early opportunity to equalise.
Fortunately for Chelsea, Michael Essien was on hand to sniff out the danger before Cohen, playing in the hole, could shoot.
At the other end Drogba got the better of Bolton's defenders twice in quick succession, but still could not beat Jaaskelainen who was having an inspired game.
Ivanovic was fouled on the right-hand edge of the Bolton area on 55 minutes, and while everybody expected Drogba to shoot, he pulled the ball square for Anelka, whose shot was well charged down.
A corner resulted, eventually falling to Lampard 25 yards out. There was only one thing likely to happen, and sure enough he tried his luck, only to see the ball cannon back hard off the crossbar.
The Blues were approaching full throttle, and it wasn't long before the second goal arrived.
Ricardo Carvalho broke from defence down the left and picked out Anelka in space. The Frenchman turned to see Deco in space further to his right, and found his man. From there it was all about the little Portuguese, who turned inside his marker on the edge of the area to create space for himself, and curled the ball calmly beyond the helpless Jaaskelainen. A fantastic goal.
At 2-0 down with half an hour remaining, there wasn't really anywhere to go for Bolton, who by now were being outplayed and out-thought as well as outnumbered.
Their forays forward were all too rare to suggest the result was under threat, though Ivanovic did have to make a last-ditch tackle to prevent Gardner from an easy tap-in, and then the Jamaican skewed a decent opportunity wide with 15 minutes to go.
Rather than go for the jugular, Chelsea looked to be preserving energy. Ferreira was a little too relaxed when chasing a loose ball, catching Sam Ricketts a fraction late and going into the referee's notebook.
Back on the front foot, Chelsea began to threaten again as Ballack and Essien both sought to shoot, before we were rewarded with a third courtesy of a Zat Knight own goal.
Lampard had volleyed wide to Carvalho, playing his own version of total football on the left wing, and when he skipped past Kevin Davies and crossed with the outside of his boot into the danger area, Knight could only nod it into his own net as Ivanovic closed in. The former Aston Villa defender protested against a high foot from the Chelsea man, but the goal stood and the three points were well and truly secure.
To add further shine, Anelka, Deco and Lampard combined to tee up Drogba, who after a frustrating afternoon could not miss a simple volley from six yards.
To their credit Bolton never gave up, but having gone a man and a goal down, they were always going to be up against it, even before taking into account Chelsea's stylish performance.
The win guarantees top spot ahead of next weekend's match with Manchester United, who play later this evening against Blackburn at Old Trafford.
Next up for Chelsea is Atletico Madrid in Spain on Tuesday, and on current form, that's 17 goals in four games and none conceded, it would be daft to bet against Ancelotti's men.
Bolton (4-diamond-2): Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel; Muamba (M Davies 65), Basham (Robinson h-t), Cohen, Lee (Gardner h-t); K Davies (c), Elmander.
Scorers
Booked Robsinon 55
Sent Off Samuel 45
Chelsea (4-diamond-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry (c), Ferreira; Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Deco; Anelka, Drogba.
Scorers Lampard (pen) 41, Deco 60, Knight O.G. 81, Drogba 90
Booked Ferreira 78
The Blues had been on top from the beginning but had found no way past the superb Jussi Jaaskelainen, until Didier Drogba was hauled down in first half injury-time by Jlloyd Samuel.
The defender was red-carded, allowing Frank Lampard to fire home the opener from the spot, before Chelsea took full advantage of the extra man in the second period with an entertaining display.
First Deco doubled the lead after a smart counter-attack, before a Zat Knight own goal and Didier Drogba put the icing on the cake in the final 10 minutes.
We arrived in the north-west with something of a mixed bag form-wise, three consecutive wins had brought 13 goals and three clean sheets, but all of those games had been at home, and this visit to the Reebok Stadium came off the back of consecutive away league defeats.
Bolton though has been a happy hunting ground for Chelsea in recent years, with wins recorded here, without conceding, in the last six seasons.
Carlo Ancelotti would have to continue that trend without both first-choice full-backs, Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa still absent through injury, allowing Branislav Ivanovic and Paulo Ferreira to continue on the flanks, while Deco was selected in preference to Joe Cole at the top of the midfield diamond.
Having been beaten 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in midweek, Bolton manager Gary Megson decided to match our diamond formation, a decision that almost reaped rewards in the first minute, but Johan Elmander's header looped over Petr Cech's crossbar.
It was 12 minutes before the Blues could get a decent look at Bolton's goal, when Nicolas Anelka crossed for strike partner Drogba, but the ball was just behind the Ivorian who couldn't direct his header.
A minute later the roles were reversed as Drogba laid it right to Anelka, whose powerful shot was turned around his near post by Jaaskelainen. The keeper made an equally impressive save from the corner, tipping over a loose ball that looked destined to dip under his crossbar.
On 20 minutes the Finn was in action again, preventing Drogba from a certain goal with a quick-witted rush from his goal after Cahill, auditioning for a regular place in Fabio Capello's England squad, had clumsily lost out on the edge of his own area.
At the other end Bolton worked a shooting opportunity for Tamir Cohen, but the Israeli's curling effort was straight at Cech.
Although Chelsea were having the more of the ball, we were in no way dominant as the half-hour approached, with Bolton doing a reasonable job of containing their opponents.
Cahill though was not having the best afternoon. Another hashed clearance fell to Drogba, whose cross eventually reached Ivanovic and the Serb made no mistake in lashing home at the second attempt, only for an offside flag, raised against Michael Ballack, to rule the goal out.
At the other end Bolton's aerial power was proving troublesome, as Elmander again won a free header, flicking on for Kevin Davies who should have hit the target from inside the Chelsea box.
Six minutes before half-time a Bolton corner ended up with Cahill on the edge of the area, but having failed to connect properly twice on defensive duty, he over-struck his shot at the other end, the ball flying a yard or so over.
Next it was Elmander's chance to have a go, after he fashioned half a yard of space in front of Carvalho, but he too failed to work Cech, who must have been considering taking the second half off such is Bolton's poor scoring record against us at the Reebok.
Into injury time, Ballack slotted a perfect ball through for Drogba, who looked certain to score as he entered the Bolton box, before having his leg clipped by Jlloyd Samuel before he could shoot.
It left referee Peter Walton with little option but to point to the spot and dismiss the defender, a childhood team-mate of John Terry.
Lampard stepped up to take the penalty at the opposite end to that which he sealed the Premier League title in 2005, and coolly sent Jaaskelainen the wrong way to give Chelsea a lead we just about deserved, and leave Bolton wondering how they would find a way back into the game a man down.
Megson made two changes at half-time, with the ineffective Chung-Yong Lee and Chris Basham with Ricardo Gardner and Paul Robinson, but it was Cohen who had the early opportunity to equalise.
Fortunately for Chelsea, Michael Essien was on hand to sniff out the danger before Cohen, playing in the hole, could shoot.
At the other end Drogba got the better of Bolton's defenders twice in quick succession, but still could not beat Jaaskelainen who was having an inspired game.
Ivanovic was fouled on the right-hand edge of the Bolton area on 55 minutes, and while everybody expected Drogba to shoot, he pulled the ball square for Anelka, whose shot was well charged down.
A corner resulted, eventually falling to Lampard 25 yards out. There was only one thing likely to happen, and sure enough he tried his luck, only to see the ball cannon back hard off the crossbar.
The Blues were approaching full throttle, and it wasn't long before the second goal arrived.
Ricardo Carvalho broke from defence down the left and picked out Anelka in space. The Frenchman turned to see Deco in space further to his right, and found his man. From there it was all about the little Portuguese, who turned inside his marker on the edge of the area to create space for himself, and curled the ball calmly beyond the helpless Jaaskelainen. A fantastic goal.
At 2-0 down with half an hour remaining, there wasn't really anywhere to go for Bolton, who by now were being outplayed and out-thought as well as outnumbered.
Their forays forward were all too rare to suggest the result was under threat, though Ivanovic did have to make a last-ditch tackle to prevent Gardner from an easy tap-in, and then the Jamaican skewed a decent opportunity wide with 15 minutes to go.
Rather than go for the jugular, Chelsea looked to be preserving energy. Ferreira was a little too relaxed when chasing a loose ball, catching Sam Ricketts a fraction late and going into the referee's notebook.
Back on the front foot, Chelsea began to threaten again as Ballack and Essien both sought to shoot, before we were rewarded with a third courtesy of a Zat Knight own goal.
Lampard had volleyed wide to Carvalho, playing his own version of total football on the left wing, and when he skipped past Kevin Davies and crossed with the outside of his boot into the danger area, Knight could only nod it into his own net as Ivanovic closed in. The former Aston Villa defender protested against a high foot from the Chelsea man, but the goal stood and the three points were well and truly secure.
To add further shine, Anelka, Deco and Lampard combined to tee up Drogba, who after a frustrating afternoon could not miss a simple volley from six yards.
To their credit Bolton never gave up, but having gone a man and a goal down, they were always going to be up against it, even before taking into account Chelsea's stylish performance.
The win guarantees top spot ahead of next weekend's match with Manchester United, who play later this evening against Blackburn at Old Trafford.
Next up for Chelsea is Atletico Madrid in Spain on Tuesday, and on current form, that's 17 goals in four games and none conceded, it would be daft to bet against Ancelotti's men.
Bolton (4-diamond-2): Jaaskelainen; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel; Muamba (M Davies 65), Basham (Robinson h-t), Cohen, Lee (Gardner h-t); K Davies (c), Elmander.
Scorers
Booked Robsinon 55
Sent Off Samuel 45
Chelsea (4-diamond-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry (c), Ferreira; Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Deco; Anelka, Drogba.
Scorers Lampard (pen) 41, Deco 60, Knight O.G. 81, Drogba 90
Booked Ferreira 78
30 October 2009
PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: BOLTON WANDERERS V CHELSEA
TALKING POINTS
After such an emphatic win against the same opponents on Wednesday, Carlo Ancelotti's biggest fear may be that his players think another triumph overBolton will be a formality three days later. The fact that Chelsea
However, our all-time best was established in 1927 in the old Second Division, when Sam Millington kept the opposition out ten times in succession fromCardiff City in the Cup in March to Notts County
This game arrives with more than a quarter of the campaign over. Carlo Ancelotti and his squad swap Lancashire for metropolitanMadrid
Liverpool potentially face more capital punishment at Craven Cottage: Fulham have won on two of the Reds' last four visits.
Manchester City , whose matches always seem to lag behind the rest like Corporal Jones's foot, lost 3-1 at Birmingham
Barclays Premier League fixtures
Saturday
Arsenal v Tottenham 12.45pm - Sky Sports
Bolton vChelsea
Burnley vHull
Everton v Aston Villa 3pm
Fulham vLiverpool 3pm
Portsmouth v Wigan 3pm
Stoke v Wolves 3pm
Sunderland v West Ham 3pm
Manchester Utd vBlackburn 5.30pm - Setanta
Sunday
Birmingham v Man City
The race for the Premier League Golden Boot
Torres (Liverpool ) 9
Bent (Sunderland ) 8
Drogba (Chelsea) 8
Defoe (Tottenham) 6
Rooney (Man Utd) 6
Saha (Everton) 6
Click on tabs above for more briefing.
After such an emphatic win against the same opponents on Wednesday, Carlo Ancelotti's biggest fear may be that his players think another triumph over
As was reported yesterday, Wednesday night's win recorded an eighth successive home clean sheet in all competitions, a new high in impervious goalkeeping by the Blues while in the top flight.
| KEY STAT Bolton Wanderers are the only side not to have kept a clean sheet in the Barclays Premier League this season. |
However, our all-time best was established in 1927 in the old Second Division, when Sam Millington kept the opposition out ten times in succession from
Which brings us to the lack of draws this season. Ten league games have passed without a stalemate for the Blues, and the last time that happened was 1994/95. The 11th, drawn match was a 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
As we have frequently observed on this page, it is the draws that kill championship challenges. In losing to Villa but beating Liverpool, Chelsea
Of course, it's better to win everything - as was almost the case away from home last season - but the confidence instilled by scoring 23 goals without reply in home matches this season must surely be reflected in away form soon enough.
The reassuring thing about playing Bolton in the Premier League straight after the cup win is that on six occasions in the last 15 years the Blues have faced back-to-back league and cup games, and four produced the same result in both encounters.
The games were as follows:
2005Liverpool
Sep 28 Champions League (away) D 0-0
Oct 2 League (away) W 4-1 (pictured below)
2004 Arsenal
Feb 15 FA Cup (away) L 1-2
Feb 21 League (home) L 1-2
2002 Everton
Dec 4 League Cup (home) W 4-1
Dec 7 League (away) W 3-1
2002 Tottenham
Mar 10 FA Cup (away) W 4-0
Mar 13 League (home) W 4-0
1998 Arsenal
Feb 8 League (away) L 0-2
Feb 18 League Cup SF (home) W 3-1
1996Wimbledon
Mar 2 League (away) D 1-1
Mar 9 FA Cup (home) D 2-2
2005
Oct 2 League (away) W 4-1 (pictured below)
2004 Arsenal
Feb 15 FA Cup (away) L 1-2
Feb 21 League (home) L 1-2
2002 Everton
Dec 4 League Cup (home) W 4-1
Dec 7 League (away) W 3-1
2002 Tottenham
Mar 10 FA Cup (away) W 4-0
Mar 13 League (home) W 4-0
1998 Arsenal
Feb 8 League (away) L 0-2
Feb 18 League Cup SF (home) W 3-1
1996
Mar 9 FA Cup (home) D 2-2
This game arrives with more than a quarter of the campaign over. Carlo Ancelotti and his squad swap Lancashire for metropolitan
Spurs have a decent track record of taking points off north London neighbours Arsenal in recent seasons, for all their failure to live up to early season hype. Locked together on 19 points, either would go level with Manchester United with a lunchtime win.
United themselves kick off the same time as Chelsea and face Blackburn , who are either rather good or extremely bad. They last won at Old Trafford in 2005.
Barclays Premier League fixtures
Saturday
Arsenal v Tottenham 12.45pm - Sky Sports
Bolton v
Burnley v
Everton v Aston Villa 3pm
Fulham v
Stoke v Wolves 3pm
Manchester Utd v
Sunday
The race for the Premier League Golden Boot
Torres (
Bent (
Drogba (Chelsea) 8
Defoe (Tottenham) 6
Rooney (Man Utd) 6
Saha (Everton) 6
Nicolas Anelka is returning to his old club where he scored 21 times in 53 Premier League appearances.
29 October 2009
MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 4 BOLTON WANDERERS 0
The team may have been much changed, but the result remains the same. A tenth successive victory at Stamford Bridge in all competitions has put Chelsea into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.
There was another home clean sheet too, two goalkeepers contributing to that. Ross Turnbull replaced injured Hilario midway through the first half.
At the other end, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda netted before the break and Deco, with a superb striker, and substitute Drogba after it. A packed Stamford Bridge enjoyed those two goals, and sang the team to the finish with some Shed End favourites given a good airing.
The side was the one made public, in an unprecedented step by Carlo Ancelotti, on the morning of the game.
That meant a full debut for Daniel Sturridge with Salomon Kalou his partner. Didier Drogba was on the bench. Sturridge had his chances to open his account in the second half, but that moment will have to wait for another day.
Bolton's most renowned striker, Kevin Davies, wasn't involved at all.
Joe Cole had his first attempt of the game even earlier than on Saturday, this time knocking a 12th second shot from the edge of the area straight at the keeper.
Deco then had a 10th minute pop at goal from further out but with similar result. The Portuguese international was playing as the anchor midfield man, a job he had been given at times during the pre-season US tour. Cole was at the front of the diamond.
They were involved when a good Chelsea move developed into a Belletti cross, nodded down by Ballack to Sturridge. Challenged as he jumped by Ricketts, the 20-year-old went down but the cries for a penalty were brief and turned down.
A minute later a cross by Ferreira from the opposite flank did pay dividends. Collecting a throw, the stand-in left-back's delivery was good and Kalou picked up where he left off a week ago against Atletico Madrid, rising above the defence to head down and in.
The Blues were on our way but Bolton almost hit back straight away through Taylor who found himself in space in the box. Hilario made an excellent and brave block on the shot but as he did, the Chelsea keeper's head hit the turf hard.
He had treatment and continued, but only for another five minutes before he laid down, still troubled.He was able to walk off after more medical attention but his game was over. Ross Turnbull was on for his debut on 22 minutes.
Before the summer signing could touch the ball, Chelsea went 2-0 up. It was Malouda who both started and finished the move, Kalou centring the Frenchman's pass and when it bounced back off Zat Knight, Malouda was there to lash in from close range.
There were 25 minutes on the clock and Chelsea were well on our way to the quarter-finals.
Knight made a better fist of blocking a shot from Sturridge after a good Cole pass soon after and as Chelsea pushed for a third before the interval, Kalou failed to get enough whip on a shot after Ivanovic had joined the attack and caused the visitors problems. Then Al Habsi in the Bolton goal pulled off a very good one-handed save from the Ivorian.
Just before the break, Steinsson went in hard on Malouda but referee Andre Marriner, fresh from the controversies at Anfield on Sunday, ruled he had played the ball, much to Ancelotti's clear annoyance. Malouda raised himself and was able to play on.
For the second half, the teams swapped a player each. Essien came on for Kalou, Deco moving up to play alongside Cole and behind Sturridge as the shape switched to a Christmas tree. Elmander replaced Steinsson for the visitors.
Belletti, taking a Deco pass and surging into the area from the right had the half's first meaningful attempt, but his left-foot shot soared wide.
On 53 minutes Turnbull dropped sharply and smothered Mark Davies's shot after Bolton briefly stretched the Chelsea defence.
If the Blues backline had been open then, it was nothing compared with the cavernous spaces left by Bolton as we counter-attacked on 57 minutes. Cole played Sturridge in but delaying his shot, the new man eventually toe-poked well wide.
Cole gave Sturridge an almost instantaneous opportunity to make amends. In space, the England Under 21 international didn't delay and shot left-footed again. He went closer, but still wide of the Matthew Harding End goal. His chance for memorable full debut had gone. You had to feel for him.
Sturridge's second miss had been on 57 minutes and four minutes later, he was replaced by Drogba.
When Drogba's chance in front of goal came on 67 minutes, he fared little better than Sturridge, missing Joe Cole's centre after a blistering Chelsea counter-attack. No need to worry though, the ball fell to Deco who was unerring as he smashed it into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
The whole move had begun with Ivanovic blocking a Gardner shot in the Chelsea area. A muscular presence throughout, the Serb defender was a man of the match contender.
Into the final 10 minutes, Deco volleyed an audacious attempt over. With 86 minutes on the clock, Klasnic was able to get a Bolton shot away that rolled onto the post, a combination of Ferreira and Turnbull dealing with the rebound.
With one minute of normal time remaining, Drogba added his name to the scoresheet with a classic centre-forward's far-post header, rising above two defenders to convert Cole's looping cross, the England man's comeback continuing to come along very nicely.
Our quarter-final opponents will be drawn Saturday lunchtime.
Chelsea Hilario (Turnbull 22); Belletti, Alex, Ivanovic; Ferreira; Deco; Ballack (c), Malouda, J Cole; Kalou (Essien h-t), Sturridge (Drogba 61).
Scorers Kalou 14, Malouda 25, Deco 67, Drogba 89.
Bolton (4-1-4-1): Al Habsi; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel; Muamba; Steinsson (Elmander h-t), M Davies, Gardner (c), Taylor (Basham 64); Klasnic.
There was another home clean sheet too, two goalkeepers contributing to that. Ross Turnbull replaced injured Hilario midway through the first half.
At the other end, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda netted before the break and Deco, with a superb striker, and substitute Drogba after it. A packed Stamford Bridge enjoyed those two goals, and sang the team to the finish with some Shed End favourites given a good airing.
The side was the one made public, in an unprecedented step by Carlo Ancelotti, on the morning of the game.
That meant a full debut for Daniel Sturridge with Salomon Kalou his partner. Didier Drogba was on the bench. Sturridge had his chances to open his account in the second half, but that moment will have to wait for another day.
Bolton's most renowned striker, Kevin Davies, wasn't involved at all.
Joe Cole had his first attempt of the game even earlier than on Saturday, this time knocking a 12th second shot from the edge of the area straight at the keeper.
Deco then had a 10th minute pop at goal from further out but with similar result. The Portuguese international was playing as the anchor midfield man, a job he had been given at times during the pre-season US tour. Cole was at the front of the diamond.
They were involved when a good Chelsea move developed into a Belletti cross, nodded down by Ballack to Sturridge. Challenged as he jumped by Ricketts, the 20-year-old went down but the cries for a penalty were brief and turned down.
A minute later a cross by Ferreira from the opposite flank did pay dividends. Collecting a throw, the stand-in left-back's delivery was good and Kalou picked up where he left off a week ago against Atletico Madrid, rising above the defence to head down and in.
The Blues were on our way but Bolton almost hit back straight away through Taylor who found himself in space in the box. Hilario made an excellent and brave block on the shot but as he did, the Chelsea keeper's head hit the turf hard.
He had treatment and continued, but only for another five minutes before he laid down, still troubled.He was able to walk off after more medical attention but his game was over. Ross Turnbull was on for his debut on 22 minutes.
Before the summer signing could touch the ball, Chelsea went 2-0 up. It was Malouda who both started and finished the move, Kalou centring the Frenchman's pass and when it bounced back off Zat Knight, Malouda was there to lash in from close range.
There were 25 minutes on the clock and Chelsea were well on our way to the quarter-finals.
Knight made a better fist of blocking a shot from Sturridge after a good Cole pass soon after and as Chelsea pushed for a third before the interval, Kalou failed to get enough whip on a shot after Ivanovic had joined the attack and caused the visitors problems. Then Al Habsi in the Bolton goal pulled off a very good one-handed save from the Ivorian.
Just before the break, Steinsson went in hard on Malouda but referee Andre Marriner, fresh from the controversies at Anfield on Sunday, ruled he had played the ball, much to Ancelotti's clear annoyance. Malouda raised himself and was able to play on.
For the second half, the teams swapped a player each. Essien came on for Kalou, Deco moving up to play alongside Cole and behind Sturridge as the shape switched to a Christmas tree. Elmander replaced Steinsson for the visitors.
Belletti, taking a Deco pass and surging into the area from the right had the half's first meaningful attempt, but his left-foot shot soared wide.
On 53 minutes Turnbull dropped sharply and smothered Mark Davies's shot after Bolton briefly stretched the Chelsea defence.
If the Blues backline had been open then, it was nothing compared with the cavernous spaces left by Bolton as we counter-attacked on 57 minutes. Cole played Sturridge in but delaying his shot, the new man eventually toe-poked well wide.
Cole gave Sturridge an almost instantaneous opportunity to make amends. In space, the England Under 21 international didn't delay and shot left-footed again. He went closer, but still wide of the Matthew Harding End goal. His chance for memorable full debut had gone. You had to feel for him.
Sturridge's second miss had been on 57 minutes and four minutes later, he was replaced by Drogba.
When Drogba's chance in front of goal came on 67 minutes, he fared little better than Sturridge, missing Joe Cole's centre after a blistering Chelsea counter-attack. No need to worry though, the ball fell to Deco who was unerring as he smashed it into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
The whole move had begun with Ivanovic blocking a Gardner shot in the Chelsea area. A muscular presence throughout, the Serb defender was a man of the match contender.
Into the final 10 minutes, Deco volleyed an audacious attempt over. With 86 minutes on the clock, Klasnic was able to get a Bolton shot away that rolled onto the post, a combination of Ferreira and Turnbull dealing with the rebound.
With one minute of normal time remaining, Drogba added his name to the scoresheet with a classic centre-forward's far-post header, rising above two defenders to convert Cole's looping cross, the England man's comeback continuing to come along very nicely.
Our quarter-final opponents will be drawn Saturday lunchtime.
Chelsea Hilario (Turnbull 22); Belletti, Alex, Ivanovic; Ferreira; Deco; Ballack (c), Malouda, J Cole; Kalou (Essien h-t), Sturridge (Drogba 61).
Scorers Kalou 14, Malouda 25, Deco 67, Drogba 89.
Bolton (4-1-4-1): Al Habsi; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel; Muamba; Steinsson (Elmander h-t), M Davies, Gardner (c), Taylor (Basham 64); Klasnic.
28 October 2009
PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: CHELSEA V BOLTON WANDERERS
It may be the third home game in eight days but this Carling Cup match is a sell-out. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton prepare the background for Bolton 's visit.
TALKING POINTS
The less pressured League Cup gives Carlo Ancelotti the chance to provide more playing minutes for less regular starters in the squad, as well as the likes of defender Jeffrey Bruma, who looked so assured for 17-year-old when he came on as a sub on Saturday.
| KEY STAT The Blues are aiming for a tenth successive victory at |
However, there is the fortress reputation of the Bridge to defend, and a nice piece of silverware at the end of February to aspire to. Although Bolton are 13 points and 11 Barclays Premier League places behind
Spice is added to this fixture by the fact that the two sides meet again this weekend on Bolton's patch - with Chelsea aiming to avoid a third away league defeat on the spin.
In the League Cup the Trotters fielded virtually a full-strength team for the previous round's home tie with West Ham, and may well make just a few changes for the trip to SW6 following last Sunday's morale-boosting home win over Everton.
Heavily criticised by his own supporters, manager Gary Megson has repeated his mantra that results are more important than performances. His side have now lost just one in seven in all competitions, and he says he is keen to do well in this tournament.
Last season he steered Bolton to the last 16 of the Uefa Cup, beating Chelsea Braga , Megson took a reserve team to Portugal ahead of a vital Premier League match against Wigan - and went out of Europe .
Although some star names may be absent from the team sheets, Chelsea
The last time Chelsea and Bolton locked horns in the League Cup was in October 1996. The match was overshadowed the next day with the news that Matthew Harding had died in a helicopter crash on the way back from the match.
There will definitely be a result tonight. Should the scores be level after 90 minutes, 30 minutes extra time will be played. If there is still no winner the tie will be decided on penalties.
The draw for the fifth round is on Saturday.
The following five teams are already through to the quarter-final having won last night: Man Utd, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Tottenham.
Other Carling Cup fixtures tonight
Arsenal v
27 October 2009
COLE: NATURAL SELECTION
Joe Cole, speaking to the official Chelsea website prior to the Blackburn game, revealed he is anticipating good days and bad days in the final stage of his return from serious injury. It is safe to say Saturday was a good day.
It was a good day for the team with the 5-0 win that put us back on top of the Barclays Premier League pile, and it was a good day for the player who did enough in 76 minutes to suggest he could make the position at the front of the midfield diamond his own.
'It was fantastic to be back,' Cole said after his first league start in nine months. 'I really enjoyed my game in the Carling Cup against QPR and I enjoyed this one more. It is easy to come back into a team playing as well as we are and I am delighted.
'I enjoyed playing in the midfield with Frank and Bally and Michael. I'll play anywhere but I think my best position is this one where I started my career when I was playing youth team football
'Unfortunately I haven't played in a team that plays that system so I have had to adapt my game and play off the left or the right, but I enjoy it in there in the middle. It is the first time in my [first team] career and it is more natural to me.'
Carlo Ancelotti's preference for diamonds or Christmas trees when it comes to team shape means plenty of places for central midfielders in his selections. Cole can look forward to regular football if he stays fit.
'I am very lucky to play for Chelsea and very lucky to play for England and there is so much to look forward to in the coming months.
'I know all the games won't be like Saturday but I enjoyed in nonetheless and it was a great win for us.
'The manager has helped me at lot. He has had some knee injuries in his career and he has been able to talk to me and been able to understand it which has been helpful and he gave me the captain's armband against QPR which was a great gesture.
'Any footballer will tell you being injured is hard. I have had a lot of injuries over the past few seasons and it is great to have good friends and family to get me through it, but the main thing is to have a steely determination to get back and I feel that I have got that. I was always focused on days like Saturday.
'I was nervous,' the 27-year-old admitted. He also agreed that a chance to score in the first minute came a little too early on his return.
'It was just like starting again, although everybody at this club and most people in the country know what I am capable of. You still feel those little butterflies but it is a great start.
'I am so excited about playing football again. Sometimes it takes something like this when you are out for so long to make you realise it, but every day I go in to training is a blessing and I love it. I really enjoy being back.'
Click to read the latest blogs on the weekend action.
It was a good day for the team with the 5-0 win that put us back on top of the Barclays Premier League pile, and it was a good day for the player who did enough in 76 minutes to suggest he could make the position at the front of the midfield diamond his own.
'It was fantastic to be back,' Cole said after his first league start in nine months. 'I really enjoyed my game in the Carling Cup against QPR and I enjoyed this one more. It is easy to come back into a team playing as well as we are and I am delighted.
'I enjoyed playing in the midfield with Frank and Bally and Michael. I'll play anywhere but I think my best position is this one where I started my career when I was playing youth team football
'Unfortunately I haven't played in a team that plays that system so I have had to adapt my game and play off the left or the right, but I enjoy it in there in the middle. It is the first time in my [first team] career and it is more natural to me.'
Carlo Ancelotti's preference for diamonds or Christmas trees when it comes to team shape means plenty of places for central midfielders in his selections. Cole can look forward to regular football if he stays fit.
'I am very lucky to play for Chelsea and very lucky to play for England and there is so much to look forward to in the coming months.
'I know all the games won't be like Saturday but I enjoyed in nonetheless and it was a great win for us.
'The manager has helped me at lot. He has had some knee injuries in his career and he has been able to talk to me and been able to understand it which has been helpful and he gave me the captain's armband against QPR which was a great gesture.
'Any footballer will tell you being injured is hard. I have had a lot of injuries over the past few seasons and it is great to have good friends and family to get me through it, but the main thing is to have a steely determination to get back and I feel that I have got that. I was always focused on days like Saturday.
'I was nervous,' the 27-year-old admitted. He also agreed that a chance to score in the first minute came a little too early on his return.
'It was just like starting again, although everybody at this club and most people in the country know what I am capable of. You still feel those little butterflies but it is a great start.
'I am so excited about playing football again. Sometimes it takes something like this when you are out for so long to make you realise it, but every day I go in to training is a blessing and I love it. I really enjoy being back.'
Click to read the latest blogs on the weekend action.
25 October 2009
The Top of The Premier League Table
A Gael Givet own goal was all Carlo Ancelotti's side had to show for their first-half efforts, but a blast of four goals in the space of 16 second-half minutes tore Blackburn to shreds.
Chelsea should have been ahead inside the opening minute when Joe Cole headed wide, but the hosts were in front on 20 minutes when the retreating Givet turned Nicolas Anelka's low cross into his own net.
Rovers keeper Paul Robinson then kept his side in the game until half-time as he produced one stunning stop from John Terry before keeping out Didier Drogba's header from the resulting corner.
But the floodgates opened in the second period with Frank Lampard firing home on 48 minutes after Drogba's low pass had been turned into the midfielder's path.
For all his first-half exploits, Robinson will have been disappointed to concede the third goal after appearing to be deceived by Michael Essien's swerving 35-yard shot on 52 minutes.
Lampard scored his second of the night before the hour mark, slamming home a penalty after Drogba had been brought down in the box by Ryan Nelsen.
And Drogba got his name on the scoresheet in the 64th minute as he glanced home Michael Ballack's corner at the near post to complete a dominant performance from Chelsea.
Lampard was inches away from giving Chelsea the lead in the 10th minute when his 20-yard shot just evaded the far post.
But Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a goal of classic simplicity. A Blackburn attack broke down allowing Michael Ballack to collect the ball in midfield.
The Germany captain fed Anelka on the left flank with a superb low pass and when the France international crossed the ball into the six-yard box, it was turned past his own goalkeeper by the unfortunate Givet.
Blackburn had to rely on counter-attacks and in the 25th minute they almost grabbed an equaliser but Morten Gamst Pedersen's 20-yard effort flashed wide of Petr Cech's right-hand post.
Chelsea's players were lining up to shoot and Essien tried his luck from 25 yards in the 29th minute but although the ball dipped violently in the air, it still went over the crossbar.
Lampard wasted another chance to increase Chelsea's lead moments later when Ballack's cross found him unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box. But the England midfielder put his header wide of the target.
In the 33rd minute, Rovers goalkeeper Robinson came to their rescue when Lampard fed Anelka inside the penalty area.
A second goal seemed on the cards but Anelka's shot hit Robinson in the chest, much to the frustration of Ancelotti.
It was shooting practice for Chelsea and Robinson did well to punch away a 35-yard blockbuster from Drogba.
Five minutes before the break, Anelka turned and twisted before firing an 18-yard shot into the sidenetting.
Chelsea, somewhat predictably, went further in front in the 48th minute through Lampard.
The England midfielder scored his first goal in open play in the top flight since last April when he finished off a fine Chelsea move.
Essien sent Drogba racing into the penalty area and his cross was only half cleared by Lars Jacobsen, leaving Lampard to pick his spot from eight yards.
It was 3-0 in the 52nd minute when Essien sent a 35-yard shot thundering beyond the despairing dive of Robinson.
Anelka then tried to repeat the feat in the 54th minute and his 20-yard shot was so fierce that Robinson had to save at the second attempt.
It got worse for Rovers in the 58th minute when Nelsen brought down Drogba inside the penalty area and Lampard converted the spot-kick for his second of the game.
Drogba underlined Chelsea's superiority in the 64th minute when he rose highest to head home a corner by Lampard to make it 5-0. It was the Ivory Coast international's eighth goal of the season.
In the 67th minute Chelsea replaced defender Ricardo Carvalho with youngster Jeffrey Bruma for his Premier League debut.
Cole was then replaced by Daniel Sturridge, making his home league debut, in the 76th minute. Cole received a standing ovation from the fans and a bear hug from Ancelotti.
The England midfielder had shown he was back to his best during an evening when Chelsea returned to top form.
Chelsea should have been ahead inside the opening minute when Joe Cole headed wide, but the hosts were in front on 20 minutes when the retreating Givet turned Nicolas Anelka's low cross into his own net.
Rovers keeper Paul Robinson then kept his side in the game until half-time as he produced one stunning stop from John Terry before keeping out Didier Drogba's header from the resulting corner.
But the floodgates opened in the second period with Frank Lampard firing home on 48 minutes after Drogba's low pass had been turned into the midfielder's path.
For all his first-half exploits, Robinson will have been disappointed to concede the third goal after appearing to be deceived by Michael Essien's swerving 35-yard shot on 52 minutes.
Lampard scored his second of the night before the hour mark, slamming home a penalty after Drogba had been brought down in the box by Ryan Nelsen.
And Drogba got his name on the scoresheet in the 64th minute as he glanced home Michael Ballack's corner at the near post to complete a dominant performance from Chelsea.
Simplicity
Joe Cole, making his first start since January, should have opened the scoring for Chelsea within the opening minute but he somehow headed a cross from Lampard wide of the target from six yards.Lampard was inches away from giving Chelsea the lead in the 10th minute when his 20-yard shot just evaded the far post.
But Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a goal of classic simplicity. A Blackburn attack broke down allowing Michael Ballack to collect the ball in midfield.
The Germany captain fed Anelka on the left flank with a superb low pass and when the France international crossed the ball into the six-yard box, it was turned past his own goalkeeper by the unfortunate Givet.
Blackburn had to rely on counter-attacks and in the 25th minute they almost grabbed an equaliser but Morten Gamst Pedersen's 20-yard effort flashed wide of Petr Cech's right-hand post.
Chelsea's players were lining up to shoot and Essien tried his luck from 25 yards in the 29th minute but although the ball dipped violently in the air, it still went over the crossbar.
Lampard wasted another chance to increase Chelsea's lead moments later when Ballack's cross found him unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box. But the England midfielder put his header wide of the target.
In the 33rd minute, Rovers goalkeeper Robinson came to their rescue when Lampard fed Anelka inside the penalty area.
A second goal seemed on the cards but Anelka's shot hit Robinson in the chest, much to the frustration of Ancelotti.
It was shooting practice for Chelsea and Robinson did well to punch away a 35-yard blockbuster from Drogba.
Five minutes before the break, Anelka turned and twisted before firing an 18-yard shot into the sidenetting.
Magnificent save
Pedersen was the first player into the notebook on the stroke of half-time for a foul on Branislav Ivanovic. Seconds later Robinson pulled off a magnificent save to deny Terry.Chelsea, somewhat predictably, went further in front in the 48th minute through Lampard.
The England midfielder scored his first goal in open play in the top flight since last April when he finished off a fine Chelsea move.
Essien sent Drogba racing into the penalty area and his cross was only half cleared by Lars Jacobsen, leaving Lampard to pick his spot from eight yards.
It was 3-0 in the 52nd minute when Essien sent a 35-yard shot thundering beyond the despairing dive of Robinson.
Anelka then tried to repeat the feat in the 54th minute and his 20-yard shot was so fierce that Robinson had to save at the second attempt.
It got worse for Rovers in the 58th minute when Nelsen brought down Drogba inside the penalty area and Lampard converted the spot-kick for his second of the game.
Drogba underlined Chelsea's superiority in the 64th minute when he rose highest to head home a corner by Lampard to make it 5-0. It was the Ivory Coast international's eighth goal of the season.
In the 67th minute Chelsea replaced defender Ricardo Carvalho with youngster Jeffrey Bruma for his Premier League debut.
Cole was then replaced by Daniel Sturridge, making his home league debut, in the 76th minute. Cole received a standing ovation from the fans and a bear hug from Ancelotti.
The England midfielder had shown he was back to his best during an evening when Chelsea returned to top form.
| Chelsea | Team Statistics | Blackburn Rovers |
| 5 | Goals | 0 |
| 1 | 1st Half Goals | 0 |
| 13 | Shots on Target | 2 |
| 11 | Shots off Target | 6 |
| 4 | Blocked Shots | 1 |
| 8 | Corners | 0 |
| 8 | Fouls | 12 |
| 1 | Offsides | 5 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 88.4 | Passing Success | 73.5 |
| 10 | Tackles | 21 |
| 60 | Tackles Success | 81 |
| 69.2 | Possession | 30.8 |
| 54.9 | Territorial Advantage | 45.1 |
22 October 2009
TERRY: WHAT WE ASKED FOR
John Terry was satisfied with how the team responded to defeat with a big home win on Wednesday evening.
The captain led his side to a third straight Champions League Group D victory, meaning we are just one win away from securing our place in the last 16, the perfect way to bounce back after losing 2-1 at Aston Villa on Saturday.
'I think it's what we wanted after the disappointment away to Villa, and we got what we asked for,' the captain said.
'I think we started well in the Champions League with three clean sheets and three wins. In other years we have started well and got ourselves in the hat early on, which gives the manager options to bring in other players and try new things but we have a few games to go, we go to Atletico next and if we can start well there and get the fans on their backs it would be a nice win to put ourselves through.'
The 4-0 win against Atletico maintains our perfect home record in 2009/10, a contrast to our stuttering away form where set pieces have cost us against Villa and Wigan in recent weeks.
'Everyone will go through conceding goals from set plays, the percentages are about 55, 60 per cent. We are no different, we have looked at it, adjusted and improved tonight and now we move on,' Terry stated.
'It's strange because last year we threw away too many points at home and our away form was immaculate, so we are on the other foot this time. It is nice for us here and it would be nice to go away and get a win.'
The 28-year-old believes credit must go to Salomon Kalou for his strength of mind after missing early chances, going on to score the first two goals before a Frank Lampard strike and an own goal put the icing on the cake.
'He keeps plugging away and it's refreshing when people like Didier [Drogba]are out we have the likes of Sala to come in and give the manager food for thought for the next game,' Terry said. 'Bella [Juliano Belletti] came in tonight and did well too, because he trains hard and keeps himself fit. I think they proved themselves tonight.'
The captain led his side to a third straight Champions League Group D victory, meaning we are just one win away from securing our place in the last 16, the perfect way to bounce back after losing 2-1 at Aston Villa on Saturday.
'I think it's what we wanted after the disappointment away to Villa, and we got what we asked for,' the captain said.
'I think we started well in the Champions League with three clean sheets and three wins. In other years we have started well and got ourselves in the hat early on, which gives the manager options to bring in other players and try new things but we have a few games to go, we go to Atletico next and if we can start well there and get the fans on their backs it would be a nice win to put ourselves through.'
The 4-0 win against Atletico maintains our perfect home record in 2009/10, a contrast to our stuttering away form where set pieces have cost us against Villa and Wigan in recent weeks.
'Everyone will go through conceding goals from set plays, the percentages are about 55, 60 per cent. We are no different, we have looked at it, adjusted and improved tonight and now we move on,' Terry stated.
'It's strange because last year we threw away too many points at home and our away form was immaculate, so we are on the other foot this time. It is nice for us here and it would be nice to go away and get a win.'
The 28-year-old believes credit must go to Salomon Kalou for his strength of mind after missing early chances, going on to score the first two goals before a Frank Lampard strike and an own goal put the icing on the cake.
'He keeps plugging away and it's refreshing when people like Didier [Drogba]are out we have the likes of Sala to come in and give the manager food for thought for the next game,' Terry said. 'Bella [Juliano Belletti] came in tonight and did well too, because he trains hard and keeps himself fit. I think they proved themselves tonight.'
KALOU: CHANCES TAKEN
After netting twice in last night's 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid, Salomon Kalou admitted he was just pleased to be on the pitch.
The 24-year-old has had to be patient in recent weeks with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka both contributing goals on a regular basis, but with Drogba suspended from Champions League football, he was given the nod to start at Stamford Bridge, and repaid manager Carlo Ancelotti with two important goals.
'It was a very good opportunity for me, I haven't been playing lately and I scored two goals which is very good,' he smiled.
'It is very important to win at home, today we were pleased to win and for me it was a very good team performance.'
It looked like it might be one of those evenings for Kalou after he missed an early opportunity, but he explained afterwards he never lost belief due to the quality of his team-mates.
'I knew that we would have a lot of chances, playing with players like Deco, Ballack, Lampard shows we will always have a lot of opportunities, so even after missing the first one I wasn't worried because I knew I would have a lot more,' he said.
He might have had a hat-trick had he stayed on for the full 90 minutes, but was instead replaced by Yury Zhirkov 18 minutes from time.
'The manager said to keep it for next week, so I'll keep one for Saturday!' the Ivorian joked. 'It's very important for a player to get on the pitch and show what he can do.
'[Ancelotti] has great experience and brings that to Chelsea. The players are settling well and we have to keep working together.'
It is partly the unity of the squad, as well as its quality, that makes Chelsea serious Champions League contenders.
'Of course we are good enough, last year we were in the semi-finals and now the goal is to go all the way to Madrid, we have the players and staff and everyone is doing his best to get there,' Kalou said.
'It is an important competition and we want to do better than last year, to be in Madrid.'
The 24-year-old has had to be patient in recent weeks with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka both contributing goals on a regular basis, but with Drogba suspended from Champions League football, he was given the nod to start at Stamford Bridge, and repaid manager Carlo Ancelotti with two important goals.
'It was a very good opportunity for me, I haven't been playing lately and I scored two goals which is very good,' he smiled.
'It is very important to win at home, today we were pleased to win and for me it was a very good team performance.'
It looked like it might be one of those evenings for Kalou after he missed an early opportunity, but he explained afterwards he never lost belief due to the quality of his team-mates.
'I knew that we would have a lot of chances, playing with players like Deco, Ballack, Lampard shows we will always have a lot of opportunities, so even after missing the first one I wasn't worried because I knew I would have a lot more,' he said.
He might have had a hat-trick had he stayed on for the full 90 minutes, but was instead replaced by Yury Zhirkov 18 minutes from time.
'The manager said to keep it for next week, so I'll keep one for Saturday!' the Ivorian joked. 'It's very important for a player to get on the pitch and show what he can do.
'[Ancelotti] has great experience and brings that to Chelsea. The players are settling well and we have to keep working together.'
It is partly the unity of the squad, as well as its quality, that makes Chelsea serious Champions League contenders.
'Of course we are good enough, last year we were in the semi-finals and now the goal is to go all the way to Madrid, we have the players and staff and everyone is doing his best to get there,' Kalou said.
'It is an important competition and we want to do better than last year, to be in Madrid.'
MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 4 ATLETICO MADRID 0
The Blues stand on the verge of Champions League qualification thanks to a Salomon Kalou brace, followed by Frank Lampard's first goal in 11 games and a late own-goal.
It was a comfortable win against a side low on morale rather than a classic display, and Petr Cech had to work for his third clean sheet out of three in Group D. But a shut out was most welcome, as was seeing Lampard back on score sheet and pulling the strings. He also had a big hand in the first and third goals.
There were two changes to the Chelsea defence. The enforced one saw Belletti the replacement for injured Bosingwa. In the centre, Ivanovic came in for Carvalho who was on the bench.
Ballack was back in midfield in place of Malouda with Kalou taking over from suspended Drogba as Anelka's partner in attack.
There was an early advance down the flank by the returning Belletti, on to Essien's pass, but the Brazilian's cross lacked direction.
His next effort on two minutes was more promising but the well-marked Kalou headed wide.
Forlan then tried his luck from distance but shot straight at Cech. On eight minutes the former Man United player did test the Chelsea keeper properly, Cech having to react sharply at his near post to stop a header from a Simao cross. Then Aguero was the beneficiary of a suspect offside decision but shot into the side-netting.
For all their defensive problems, we knew Atlético could trouble any team with their attack and they were showing it in the early stages.
The offside flag again benefitted the Spaniards when Lampard drew their 20-year-old keeper into a howler. The Chelsea vice-captain's free-kick from 35 yards looked a simple task but passed over Sergio Asenjo's grasp and in. Kalou, slightly offside when the kick was taken, had closed the keeper enough to be considered 'active'.
The Ivorian's evening became a lot worse when, with time, he inexplicably turned Ballack's square pass wide from 12 yards out, Deco having done well in the build-up. It was one of the Chelsea misses of the season.
Forlan was soon up the other end forcing a diving save from Cech with an angled shot. It was an enthralling, end-to-end affair.
The problem was that meant the Blues were not controlling the game in the manner their manager would have wished, and when we were advancing, passes and crosses were going astray.
Kalou enjoyed a better moment on 35 minutes, pulling wide of the defence inside the area and seeing a shot well saved. He was then just too far ahead of Terry's header from a corner to direct it on target.
The Ivorian had to wait just four minutes more to break the deadlock, this time unerring with his first-time finish from six-yards. The creators were Lampard, with a ball inside the full-back, and Ashley Cole with an overlapping run and ball across
1-0 to the good, Chelsea then survived our first trial by corner kick, to much relief after the events at Villa Park, and a Cleber Santana shot that cleared Cech's crossbar before stock could be taken at the break.
The door had been left open at the back on occasions, but Ancelotti's men finished the half clearly the stronger side.
It took five minutes for the second-half to ignite, one crunching foul by Essien on Paulo Assuncao apart.
That was when Anelka picked up a loose ball and unleashed a stinging drive, brilliantly stopped by Spain's Under 20 international keeper.
The same keeper was soon tipping a bouncing ball over the crossbar, giving away the corner from which Chelsea scored.
It was Kalou who made it two, heading Lampard's inswinger down and in. The early miss was now forgotten.
The goal came on 51 minutes and two minutes later, Atlético made a change, Paulo Assuncao having not recovered from the Essien challenge.
If Chelsea were tempted to relax, there was a big warning against it when Ivanovic missed a header and Aguero ran through. Cech stood up and saved well when the Argentine tried to place it between his legs, but in truth, it was a wasteful attempt at a finish.
Chelsea's third, the goal that put Lampard back in the scoring groove, was on 68 minutes and it was a Lamp's trademark effort of ever there was one. Taking possession outside the area, he hit it sweetly and low, into the bottom corner at the Matthew Harding End. Asenjo's positioning could have been better.
Anelka looked to have set up Kalou for the hat-trick soon after but the striker's slide didn't quite make the ball. Next to deny the striker three goals was his manager who subbed him for Malouda on 72 minutes.
Raul Garcia was the game's first booking a minute later for chopping Essien. Many refs would have collected many names by this stage of this game.
The substitutions began to come thick and fast. Zhirkov for Ashley Cole followed by Sturridge for Anelka, booed by the Atletico fans early on for his Real Madrid past. Former Arsenal striker Reyes received similar treatment from the Chelsea crowd when he entered the game.
Cech was given work to do in the closing minutes and substitute Maxi Rodriguez went close after an Aguero run. He then had an attempt saved with two minutes to go.
Belletti was a late booking for the Blues but the final action was at the other end however when Luis Perea diverted a Malouda free-kick over his own keeper with his head.
With Porto beating APOEL, the lead over the third-placed side is eight points.
Chelsea (4-diamond-2): Cech; Belletti, Ivanovic, Terry (c), A Cole (Zhirkov 74); Essien; Ballack; Lampard; Kalou (Malouda 72), Anelka (Sturridge 77).
Scorers Kalou 40, 51, Lampard 68, Perea o.g. 90.
Booked Belletti 85
Atlético (4-4-2): Sergio Asenjo; Ujfalusi, Perea, Alvaro Dominguez, Antonio Lopez (c); Cleber Santana (Maxi Rodriguez 65), Paulo Assuncao (Jurado 53), Raul Garcia, Simao (Reyes 76); Forlan, Aguero.
Booked Raul Garcia 73, Alvaro Dominguez 89.
It was a comfortable win against a side low on morale rather than a classic display, and Petr Cech had to work for his third clean sheet out of three in Group D. But a shut out was most welcome, as was seeing Lampard back on score sheet and pulling the strings. He also had a big hand in the first and third goals.
There were two changes to the Chelsea defence. The enforced one saw Belletti the replacement for injured Bosingwa. In the centre, Ivanovic came in for Carvalho who was on the bench.
Ballack was back in midfield in place of Malouda with Kalou taking over from suspended Drogba as Anelka's partner in attack.
There was an early advance down the flank by the returning Belletti, on to Essien's pass, but the Brazilian's cross lacked direction.
His next effort on two minutes was more promising but the well-marked Kalou headed wide.
Forlan then tried his luck from distance but shot straight at Cech. On eight minutes the former Man United player did test the Chelsea keeper properly, Cech having to react sharply at his near post to stop a header from a Simao cross. Then Aguero was the beneficiary of a suspect offside decision but shot into the side-netting.
For all their defensive problems, we knew Atlético could trouble any team with their attack and they were showing it in the early stages.
The offside flag again benefitted the Spaniards when Lampard drew their 20-year-old keeper into a howler. The Chelsea vice-captain's free-kick from 35 yards looked a simple task but passed over Sergio Asenjo's grasp and in. Kalou, slightly offside when the kick was taken, had closed the keeper enough to be considered 'active'.
The Ivorian's evening became a lot worse when, with time, he inexplicably turned Ballack's square pass wide from 12 yards out, Deco having done well in the build-up. It was one of the Chelsea misses of the season.
Forlan was soon up the other end forcing a diving save from Cech with an angled shot. It was an enthralling, end-to-end affair.
The problem was that meant the Blues were not controlling the game in the manner their manager would have wished, and when we were advancing, passes and crosses were going astray.
Kalou enjoyed a better moment on 35 minutes, pulling wide of the defence inside the area and seeing a shot well saved. He was then just too far ahead of Terry's header from a corner to direct it on target.
The Ivorian had to wait just four minutes more to break the deadlock, this time unerring with his first-time finish from six-yards. The creators were Lampard, with a ball inside the full-back, and Ashley Cole with an overlapping run and ball across
1-0 to the good, Chelsea then survived our first trial by corner kick, to much relief after the events at Villa Park, and a Cleber Santana shot that cleared Cech's crossbar before stock could be taken at the break.
The door had been left open at the back on occasions, but Ancelotti's men finished the half clearly the stronger side.
It took five minutes for the second-half to ignite, one crunching foul by Essien on Paulo Assuncao apart.
That was when Anelka picked up a loose ball and unleashed a stinging drive, brilliantly stopped by Spain's Under 20 international keeper.
The same keeper was soon tipping a bouncing ball over the crossbar, giving away the corner from which Chelsea scored.
It was Kalou who made it two, heading Lampard's inswinger down and in. The early miss was now forgotten.
The goal came on 51 minutes and two minutes later, Atlético made a change, Paulo Assuncao having not recovered from the Essien challenge.
If Chelsea were tempted to relax, there was a big warning against it when Ivanovic missed a header and Aguero ran through. Cech stood up and saved well when the Argentine tried to place it between his legs, but in truth, it was a wasteful attempt at a finish.
Chelsea's third, the goal that put Lampard back in the scoring groove, was on 68 minutes and it was a Lamp's trademark effort of ever there was one. Taking possession outside the area, he hit it sweetly and low, into the bottom corner at the Matthew Harding End. Asenjo's positioning could have been better.
Anelka looked to have set up Kalou for the hat-trick soon after but the striker's slide didn't quite make the ball. Next to deny the striker three goals was his manager who subbed him for Malouda on 72 minutes.
Raul Garcia was the game's first booking a minute later for chopping Essien. Many refs would have collected many names by this stage of this game.
The substitutions began to come thick and fast. Zhirkov for Ashley Cole followed by Sturridge for Anelka, booed by the Atletico fans early on for his Real Madrid past. Former Arsenal striker Reyes received similar treatment from the Chelsea crowd when he entered the game.
Cech was given work to do in the closing minutes and substitute Maxi Rodriguez went close after an Aguero run. He then had an attempt saved with two minutes to go.
Belletti was a late booking for the Blues but the final action was at the other end however when Luis Perea diverted a Malouda free-kick over his own keeper with his head.
With Porto beating APOEL, the lead over the third-placed side is eight points.
Chelsea (4-diamond-2): Cech; Belletti, Ivanovic, Terry (c), A Cole (Zhirkov 74); Essien; Ballack; Lampard; Kalou (Malouda 72), Anelka (Sturridge 77).
Scorers Kalou 40, 51, Lampard 68, Perea o.g. 90.
Booked Belletti 85
Atlético (4-4-2): Sergio Asenjo; Ujfalusi, Perea, Alvaro Dominguez, Antonio Lopez (c); Cleber Santana (Maxi Rodriguez 65), Paulo Assuncao (Jurado 53), Raul Garcia, Simao (Reyes 76); Forlan, Aguero.
Booked Raul Garcia 73, Alvaro Dominguez 89.
21 October 2009
PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: CHELSEA V ATLETICO MADRID
TALKING POINTS
Top slot in the Barclays Premier League may have been surrendered at the weekend. But the Blues are outright leaders in Group D of the Champions League going into back-to-back matches against the club currently lying 15th inSpain
Top slot in the Barclays Premier League may have been surrendered at the weekend. But the Blues are outright leaders in Group D of the Champions League going into back-to-back matches against the club currently lying 15th in
Atlético have started the season poorly. They travel to London
Their showing at Porto on Matchday 2 was poor enough, but their performance last weekend at Osasuna suggested deep-seated problems.
They lost 0-3 at Osasuna, increasing the pressure on Abel Resino eight months into his latest spell with Los Colchoneros (the Mattress-Makers).
| KEY STAT The Blues have suffered just one defeat in our last 17 Champions League matches. |
With
Their countrymen have a poor record in SW6 too. Only one of the 11 Spanish teams to have played at Stamford Bridge has left victorious: the Barcelona Chelsea
Never the less, when the Catalans struck that late equaliser in the semi-final here last season, it was as fatal as the matador's coup de grace.
In terms of results this is Chelsea Madrid
Victories tonight for Chelsea and Porto (at home to APOEL) would leave the Blues needing two points from the remaining three matches to qualify for the Round of 16 in the new year.
Our other opponents in Group D are in better form than the Rojiblancos, Atlético's other nickname.
APOEL returned to winning ways following our important 1-0 win in Cyprus
Elsewhere, Porto have now won their last three matches without conceding, the most recent being a 3-0 victory at Olhanense before the international break. They currently lie third in the Portuguese Liga, five adrift of leaders Braga
Wed 7.45pm
This season's Champions League features 18 domestic league champions, six runners-up, five third-placed finishers and three fourth-placed teams including Atlético.
Click on the tabs above for more briefing.
20 October 2009
ANCELOTTI: TAKING A SPANISH STEP
Carlo Ancelotti will play his strongest team against Atletico Madrid, knowing a win will put the team back on track after the Villa Park pain and well on the way to Champions League progress.
Healthily-placed in Group D after two wins, a third victory on Wednesday night won't guarantee a place in the knockout stages but it will put the Blues very close with a visit to the Spanish capital to come in a fortnight.
Ancelotti will not have Jose Bosingwa available for selection this midweek. The right-back was in line for a return having served a two-match European suspension but now a new obstacle is in his way.
'Bosingwa had a problem with his knee in the game against Aston Villa,' reports Ancelotti. 'He will not play tomorrow but I think it is not a big problem and I hope we can use him on Saturday.'
Branislav Ivanovic replaced the Portuguese defender in the second half of the Villa defeat and was right-back in the Champions League wins over Porto and APOEL.
Michael Ballack, missing at the weekend, returns to the squad but John Mikel Obi remains out with an ankle injury.
With Alex completing 45 minutes in the Reserves' win on Monday, the manager will have a player new to him available soon.
'Alex after his injury played very well. He now has to train and he will be ready on Saturday,' Ancelotti reports.
Chelsea's set-piece defending has been the talk surrounding the club ever since Villa headed in two corners. Training has worked on it but Ancelotti believes that can only go so far. Similar to taking penalties under high pressure, there are elements of match play that are hard to replicate at Cobham.
'But we need to improve,' he adds, 'because you can do a good match but if you don't pay attention over six seconds, you can do a bad result.'
He also defends Petr Cech's performances this season.
'Petr is in good condition. He has a fantastic approach because he takes a lot of risks because he likes to go out and catch the ball. Sometimes he can do a mistake but I want him to go out to catch the ball in the air.'
A win tomorrow will open an eight-point gap between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid who were expected to push us hard for qualification pre-tournament. That is not yet impossible warns the boss.
'At this moment for them it is not easy because also Porto is in a good position, but over four games they can still arrive at the top.
'They didn't start well the season but they have good quality, above all in the forwards. They have [Diego] Forlan and [Sergio] Aguero who are dangerous strikers. We have to pay attention to this because Aguero has fantastic quality and can change a match with it.
'It is a good team but at this moment they didn't find a good disposition tactically on the pitch.
'We must not only beat them to return to winning but also to control the next three games in the group.'
Healthily-placed in Group D after two wins, a third victory on Wednesday night won't guarantee a place in the knockout stages but it will put the Blues very close with a visit to the Spanish capital to come in a fortnight.
Ancelotti will not have Jose Bosingwa available for selection this midweek. The right-back was in line for a return having served a two-match European suspension but now a new obstacle is in his way.
'Bosingwa had a problem with his knee in the game against Aston Villa,' reports Ancelotti. 'He will not play tomorrow but I think it is not a big problem and I hope we can use him on Saturday.'
Branislav Ivanovic replaced the Portuguese defender in the second half of the Villa defeat and was right-back in the Champions League wins over Porto and APOEL.
Michael Ballack, missing at the weekend, returns to the squad but John Mikel Obi remains out with an ankle injury.
With Alex completing 45 minutes in the Reserves' win on Monday, the manager will have a player new to him available soon.
'Alex after his injury played very well. He now has to train and he will be ready on Saturday,' Ancelotti reports.
Chelsea's set-piece defending has been the talk surrounding the club ever since Villa headed in two corners. Training has worked on it but Ancelotti believes that can only go so far. Similar to taking penalties under high pressure, there are elements of match play that are hard to replicate at Cobham.
'But we need to improve,' he adds, 'because you can do a good match but if you don't pay attention over six seconds, you can do a bad result.'
He also defends Petr Cech's performances this season.
'Petr is in good condition. He has a fantastic approach because he takes a lot of risks because he likes to go out and catch the ball. Sometimes he can do a mistake but I want him to go out to catch the ball in the air.'
A win tomorrow will open an eight-point gap between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid who were expected to push us hard for qualification pre-tournament. That is not yet impossible warns the boss.
'At this moment for them it is not easy because also Porto is in a good position, but over four games they can still arrive at the top.
'They didn't start well the season but they have good quality, above all in the forwards. They have [Diego] Forlan and [Sergio] Aguero who are dangerous strikers. We have to pay attention to this because Aguero has fantastic quality and can change a match with it.
'It is a good team but at this moment they didn't find a good disposition tactically on the pitch.
'We must not only beat them to return to winning but also to control the next three games in the group.'
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