BlueLion.

Well, not bad for a day's work - two articles written, a mention on Chelsea TV from Jason Cundy, AND the live Twitter feed done as well. I'm going for a lie-down!

Brazilian maestro Oscar inspired Chelsea to victory past a dogged Derby County side at the iPro Stadium - setting up an FA Cup 4th Round tie with Stoke in the process. Despite a battling performance, the home side were ultimately outclassed as second-half goals from skipper John Mikel Obi - on his 300th appearance for the club - and then man of the match Oscar secured a routine win for José Mourinho's side. Derby supporters, who are enjoying something of a renaissance under the tutelage of Steve McClaren, will take great solace from a performance full of effort and endeavour. Yet ultimately it was the overwhelming strength in depth of the Chelsea squad that did for them, with the 2-0 scoreline a fair reflection of the degree of comfort the Blues exerted in another dominant second-half showing. Mourinho made a number of changes to his side, one of which in goal with Mark Schwarzer replacing Petr Cech, but the experience of his starting eleven was too much for Derby's youthful exuberance. Into the side, amongst others, came Michael Essien, David Luiz and Samuel Eto'o, whilst Sunday's match-winners at Southampton, Oscar and Willian, were also drafted in. John Terry, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Fernando Torres, all on the bench, served as further examples of the Blues' squad depth. In the end, proven Premier League quality prevailed, but Derby gave as good as they got in a tight, tentative first half in which chances were few and far between. Samuel Eto'o made a mess of the game's most penetrative moment when he dallied in possession instead of shooting and was duly dispossessed, whilst long-rangers from Oscar and Essien were the best the Blues could conjure. Derby offered little themselves, instead preferring to contain their illustrious visitors and reduce them to pot-shots from range, but one such deflected Ramires effort almost undid all their hard work, as the Brazilian's effort hit the base of the post right on the verge of half-time. Encouraged by their determined defensive effort, Derby came out far more positive in the second half - creating more space for Chelsea's intelligent midfield quintet to exploit. That was only heightened when Mourinho intuitively replaced the hard-working Essien with Eden Hazard. The game soon sparked into an end-to-end affair; again working to Chelsea's advantage as the Derby players soon tired. Fitness always plays a key part in these Premier League-versus-lower league opposition, and despite Derby's promotion credentials the gap in quality was emphasised as a quick five-minute-burst through the gears gave Chelsea an unassailable 2-0 lead that all but crushed Derby's considerable resolve. Of all people, it was tri-centurion Mikel that opened the scoring, heading in the industrious Willian's delightful whipped free-kick in the 66th minute. It took mere moments for Mourinho's men to make sure of the result, as Oscar crashed home a swerving second that home keeper Lee Grant perhaps should have done better with. It was, nevertheless, the goal Oscar's performance warranted - after a couple of first-half chances that went a matter of inches wide, including a whipped free-kick and a swerving pile-driver from 25 yards, his luck was finally in as he launched the ball past the hopelessly exposed keeper. Deflated, Derby resorted to damage reduction, and it took a couple of fine saves from Grant to deny substitute Fernando Torres from adding a further layer of gloss to the scoreline - first bravely saving at the striker's feet, before making a fine low parry minutes later. Ramires might have delivered the killing blow when his effort from the edge of the box deflected onto the bar, but Derby survived - enabling them to put some late pressure on the Chelsea goal. Indeed, it was in the final few minutes where they finally seriously tested Schwarzer, but the Australian was well positioned to deal with Chris Martin's low drive at the near post. The final whistle sounded to the delight of the 5,500-strong away contingent from Stamford Bridge - where the Blues will face Stoke in the next round later on in the month, looking to avenge December's shock 3-2 reverse at the Britannia Stadium. Derby gave a good account of themselves but with Schwarzer - one save of note aside - a virtual spectator, it was, in the end, a very comfortable win for the Blues, who were once again indebted to a devastating second-half salvo instigated by their miserly midfield. This was not the thrashing akin to the 6-1 thumping Derby suffered the last time the two teams met, back in 2008, but it was nonetheless a commanding showing from José Mourinho's men, who go marching on on their three-pronged assault in silverware this term. Attentions will now be turned to the tough trip to Hull next Saturday lunch-time as the Premier League resumes - but with the Blues on something of a roll, it will be a tough assignment for Steve Bruce's side.... Click here to view the article.

Chelsea have been drawn against Stoke City in the FA Cup 4th Round. The tie, scheduled to be played on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of January, will be played at Stamford Bridge and - typically - is the round's only all-Premier League fixture. Arsenal have been drawn at home to League One Coventry City, whilst Swansea (victors over Manchester United) face an away day trip against any of Birmingham City, Bristol Rovers or Crawley Town. Manchester City must beat Blackburn in a 3rd Round replay at the Etihad, but should they do so they will face Bristol City or Watford in their own stadium. Elsewhere, Everton face a trip to Stevenage and the victors of the replay between Fulham and Norwich will have an away fixture against Sheffield United; 2-1 conquerors of Aston Villa yesterday. The draw in full: Sunderland v Kidderminster or Peterborough Bolton v Cardiff Southampton v Yeovil Huddersfield v Charlton or Oxford Port Vale or Plymouth v Brighton Nottingham Forest v Ipswich or Preston Southend v Hull Rochdale v Macclesfield or Sheffield Wednesday Arsenal v Coventry Stevenage v Everton Wigan or MK Dons v Crystal Palace Chelsea v Stoke Blackburn or Manchester City v Bristol City or Watford Bournemouth or Burton v Liverpool Birmingham, Bristol Rovers or Crawley v Swansea Sheffield United v Norwich or Fulham Click here to view the article

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=803AuAxERWs&list=LLn0ECMnx5mITZ1fewLLirAg&feature=mh_lolz TalkChelsea mentioned on Chelsea TV!

HAHAHAHA TOM YOU JUST DESTROYED THAT LITTLE BITCH AHAHAHAHA

But José isn't going to come out and say "Juan acted like a cunt", is he? The only reason he slammed Oscar for diving was to save face after his tirade aimed at Suarez on Sunday.

Seems this "luxury signing" is proving a lot of people wrong. The best way to endear yourselves to your fans is to work hard and give absolutely everything on the pitch. I don't think I've seen a game of his where his shirt hasn't been soaked through with sweat. A proper footballer, who deserves his place.

This thread makes this look serious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y55gBPKxQYo

Hmm, okay, seems my last post didn't get the message across, so let's try this: the next person to derail this topic gets a 28-day suspension as a belated Christmas present.

He has a purple badge saying otherwise. Oh look, more people playing Mod again! Leave the moderating to the moderators please. Back on topic, or I'll close it, simple as.

Still only 1 UCL, Platini's reanimated corpse and the Ovrebo-Clones have seen to that.

Well José is bound to say that, isn't he!

If PSG offer £35 million, you'd be mad to turn it down. £11 million profit from the original sale.

Fed up of this cyclical argument. If Mata isn't angry with Mourinho, who is he berating? Himself? Not likely.

Mata sympathisers trying to cover up Juan's little spat by making a bigger deal than is necessary over Oscar's dive. He's been told off for it, now time to move on.

THANK YOU BARBARA! This is exactly what I mean. Thank you for explaining, you did a far better job than I did in translating a thought in my head into words in this ridiculous language of ours!

Seems no-one can read on here.

My predictions for relegation have been dire, but not bad on the other points.

It'll be a youth team that's sent out.

Haha, part of me just wants to give Torres another chance. But my head keeps telling me he's no good for us. BUT, I bet any of you he goes elsewhere and goes back to being a 20-a-season striker. Bastard!

I'm not sure. Don't get me wrong, I expect people to look glum if they're coming off the pitch early, out of disappointment more than anything. But people are trying to cover up the fact that Mata's reaction was far more vivid than the mere shake of the head and pout you'd normally get. I think the reason I'm so shocked by it is, as you say, Mata's behaviour has previously been absolutely magnificent. As I have already stated, this is the reaction I'd expect from the likes of Nasri or Tevez, or even someone like Eto'o or Torres, just not Juan. It saddens me that his patience seems to have been exhausted.

The fact he has visibly reacted in the way he did. If that isn't showing discontent, and thus challenging Mourinho's decision and ultimately his authority, then I'm not quite sure what is. His slamming down of the seat and his subsequent scowl and gesture - all after blanking the boss - is as bad as walking straight down the tunnel. If he wasn't moaning about Mourinho, then why was he gesticulating so fervently? Was he moaning about the rain? Like I have already expressed, I have made my various points and I will stand by them. Up to other people if they want to act so butt-hurt over me challenging Mr Perfect. The club > any one player. I love Mata to bits but I'm not happy with his reaction, it isn't what I expect from one of our players. That's just my view. I want him to bounce back and get back into the team, but at the minute, he should be unhappy with himself rather than the boss.

Don't kid yourself, Mata's thrown him dummy out of the pram and he ain't getting it back any time soon. We're going to have to agree to disagree. I'm really not happy about what Mata's done.

See my last post. Diver was a poor choice of words on my part.