DavidEU

No they wont put on free travel as there is no need. I think this probably gives us a slight advantage, as it gives us an extra day or two to prepare for the game with Man Utd playing at the weekend, and gives us longer to recover from our Semi with Liverpool from the week before. I dont see this as a bad thing at all. Fans will still go as its on the Bank Holiday.

Chelsea Vs Wigan Match chat here

Would have prefered Arsenal but we can do it against Liverpool, and believe its impossible to call. I'd guess that we'd be slight favourites being at home second. We dominated the 1st leg last season and could have been 3 or 4-0 up going into the second leg. I don't think the Anfield atmosphere should affect us. We've been there twice in three years, and have experience in abundance. I'm confident we can score at Anfield, and get at least a draw, although a 2-1 defeat wouldnt be a disaster.

Daily Mail reporting that Petr could be out for as long as SIX MONTHS with this injury. Awful news. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...d=1779&ct=5 Cech was taken to the Saint John-Saint Elizabeth Hospital in London for surgery on a laceration that a Chelsea source disclosed yesterday 'went right to the jaw bone'. The Chelsea keeper had 30 stitches sewn in the deepest area of the wound that stretches from his bottom lip to his chin, a further 20 on the outside of his face and also required plastic surgery 'for aesthetic reasons'. Although Chelsea coach Avram Grant claimed that he expected Cech to return to first-team action within two weeks, it is feared that he may even miss Euro 2008 with the Czech Republic. Sportsmail understands that English is taking advice from boxing experts on the recovery time and the worst-case scenario for an injury this serious is six months on the treatment table.

We were 6/7 behind Arsenal and now 3 ahead of them. Brilliant. Got a huge chance now, and the next three games are really vital. Utd: Arsenal (H) Blackburn (A) Chelsea (A) Chelsea: Wigan (H) Everton (A) Utd (H) Bring it on, its going to be so so close.

(1) Chelsea FC Vs Fenerbahce S.K (2) Avram Grants Chelsea must overcome a 2-1 deficit on Tuesday to progress to their 4th Champions League semi-final in 5 seasons against Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Despite appearing to be in control for much of the first half and gaining an early 1-0 lead, Chelsea slipped in the second half, and Zico's men scored twice in the space of twenty minutes courtesy of ex-Sheffield United man Colin Kazim-Richards and a thirty yard screamer from Deivid. Chelsea returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Manchester City, whilst Fenerbahce were held to a 1-1 draw. The game saw a return for Roberto Carlos who could now face Chelsea at the Bridge on Tuesday. Petr Cech did not return to the Chelsea line-up for the game but after being rated 50-50 for the trip to Eastlands should be in contention for this game. Only a Chelsea win will send the Blues through, and Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho should return to the line-up. Mateja Kezman will return to the Bridge for the first time since spending a year at the club. Come on you Chels! KTBFFH! Match chat here

I've unpinned this, because it doesnt need to be pinned. Very good article.

Manchester City vs Chelsea Chelsea's race to catch Manchester United continues this weekend at Eastlands, with Utd's local rivals the opponents. After Wednesday nights disappointing defeat to Fenerbahce, the Blues will be looking to bounce back immediately and close the gap at the top of the table to 2 points, with Manchester United not playing until Sunday. The previous meeting between the two sides saw Chelsea triumph emphatically 6-0, with goals from Michael Essien, Joe Cole, Salomon Kalou, Andriy Shevchenko and a brace from Didier Drogba. Chelsea are undefeated in the Premiership since December and will know another before the end of the season will seriously dent their title hopes. Petr Cech is unlikely to return, so Carlo Cudicini will continue in goal and Claude Makelele is likely to be rested ahead of next weeks Champions League second leg. For City Micah Richards is defiently out, whilst Michael Ball wont be ready to return. Match chat here folks.

23. Carlo Cudicini 5. Michael Essien 26. John Terry 6. Ricardo Carvalho 3. Ashley Cole 4. Claude Makelele 13. Michael Ballack 8. Frank Lampard 10. Joe Cole 15. Florent Malouda 11. Didier Drogba Subs: 40. Henrique Hilario, 20. Paulo Ferriera, 12. John Obi Mikel, 39. Nicolas Anelka, 33. Alex Rodrigo da Costa, 24. Shaun Wright-Phillips, 21. Salomon Kalou. 1. Volkan Demirel 36. Edu Dracena 2. Diego Lugano 6. Gokcek Wederson 19. Onder Turaci 15. Mehmet Aurelio 25. Ugur Boral 33. Claudio Maldonado 20. Alex 9. Mateja Kezman 99. Deivid Subs: 22. Serdar Kulbilge, 5. Yasin Çakmak, 7. Kemal Aslan, 8. Colin Kâzım-Richards, 18. Ali Bilgin, 21. Selçuk Şahin, 23. Semih Şentürk.

Sheva and Cech havent travelled. A goal tonight for Drogba would see him break Ossie's record of 16 European goals for the club.

Dont change the system for such an important game. Stick with the 4-3-3 with Didier uptop tonight.

Very much doubt that Franco will be ready for the first team next season mate. Yes, he looks very good in the reserves and has alot of quality, but he'll go out on loan next year I'm sure. If Didier goes, in my opinion we'll sign another 'big name' striker such as David Villa, so Anelka will have the 'backup' role again, unless the two play together.

What I don't understand is why we havent given him a run-out or two in the reserves. He's been injured, and needs match fitness, and thats why Avram's probably worried about bringing him in at such a crucial stage of the season. However, he played last night (according to Esk) so I'd like to see him either on the bench v Boro, or getting 90 mins in the reserves on Monday night.

So what should the England team be? I quite like the idea of the 4-2-3-1 that Italians like, and Spain have started playing. We need to play the system and the players that are best for us, and doesn't matter who we leave out as long as its the best possible line up that will win us games. E.g. with Spain playing this system, they can only play one of Torres/Villa, but it works for them. If that means dropping Frank, then so be it. (Although I think he should be playing). I think Beckham will and should remain in the squad, as he'd be a great option to have on the bench, as proved for the Croatia game. One of the pundits last night reckoned he'd be great alongside Hargreaves in the holding role, so he can play like 'a quarter back' although I disagree with that. Brown and Barry shouldn't even be in the squad for me but i'd stick with Hargreaves, Bentley and James although when Foster is back playing regularly, he'll be our number one.

Click here

I think you are reading too much into that. It doesn't mean Grant and Tal are going to be here, but they have to sort it all out now incase they are. Grant WILL stay if we win something this season, but I doubt Ben-Haim will, and would really question his desire attitude if he does stay - because he just doesn't play. Has he featured since Liverpool in the Carling Cup?

Fabio Capello has named Rio Ferdinand as the England captain for tomorrows game against France. Quite surprised by this to be honest and I bet JT is gutted. Capello has said he is going to rotate captains before the first qualifier though, so I hope this won't be a permanent thing. Don't like the idea of the druggy being England captain.

This made me laugh.

OK Toby, apologies. I'll add Chris' site to the post now. See here

What song was that Layla? Saw this video a few hours ago. Hilarious.

Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool Villa 2-0 Bolton Blackburn 1-1 Tottenham Fulham 2-1 Sunderland Man City 1-2 Chelsea Newcastle 2-0 Reading Wigan 2-0 Birmingham Everton 4-0 Derby Middlesbrough 0-2 Man Utd West Ham 1-0 Portsmouth

Saturday, 29 March 2008 Birmingham 0-2 Man City Bolton 1-1 Arsenal Derby 1-1 Fulham Man Utd 2-0 Aston Villa Portsmouth 3-0 Wigan Reading 1-2 Blackburn Sunderland 0-1 West Ham Sunday, 30 March 2008 Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough Liverpool 2-1 Everton Tottenham 2-0 Newcastle

No. It says Radio 5 Live is streamed.

No he doesnt. He doesnt own the pictures, the pictures arent owned by CFCnet, and the credit is done by the watermark on the picture.

Hes not. Just accept that.