BlueLion.

If we win the league this season, we all owe it to this man... HAIL KING SALOMON.

Haha cheers mate, thank you all for reading.

Cheers mate

Well thankfully he should now have natural immunity to malaria...

Nice one You didn't catch me out though

Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham Saturday 30 April 2011 - Stamford Bridge Frank Lampard and Salomon Kalou netted in contentious fashion as Chelsea came from behind to beat Tottenham to keep the Premier League title race alive. With Manchester United not in action until Sunday afternoon in a top-of-the-table contest at the Emirates against Arsenal, the opportunity to close the gap on the league leaders to three points was duly taken by Carlo Ancelotti's charges - but it was not without difficulty or controversy that the Blues were able to tighten their grip on second place and put the pressure firmly on Sir Alex Ferguson's men. After a disastrous winter capitulation that even now still looks to have undermined a shot at the Premier League crown, Ancelotti's men have still thrown themselves back into semi-contention with just three games remaining - and a clash with United at Old Trafford could potentially see Chelsea go full-circle and amend their mid-season self-destruction by improbably clawing back a eleven-point deficit. Such talk is still premature, however, with the much-fancied Red Devils likely to put Arsenal firmly in their place this afternoon, but in a wonderfully unpredictable season, it may yet be unreasonable to absolutely write off any harbouring hopes Chelsea have of retaining their title - either way, they took a giant stride towards setting up a Judgement Day finale at Old Trafford next weekend thanks to a contentious brace of goals, including an 89th-minute winner from substitute Salomon Kalou in front of the Matthew Harding Stand. Chelsea's plans were blown out of the water after a promising start when Brazilian midfielder Sandro hooked an unstoppable half-volley beyond Petr Cech from fully 35 yards - a true bolt from the blue - but Lampard levelled on the stroke of half-time when his shot was spilt seemingly over the line by Heurelho Gomes. The home fans behind the goal were predictably adamant that the ball had crossed the full width of the line but the Spurs players were understandably incensed as replays suggested the whole of the ball had not crossed the entirety of the line. It would perhaps be an exaggeration to say Chelsea fans may have sympathised with their North London counterparts after the infamous Ghost Goal at Anfield just under six years ago, yet memories of Florent Malouda's goal-that-wasn't in the 2009 FA Cup final and Lampard's own effort for England in last summer's entirely forgettable World Cup suggest that Chelsea were owed one by the footballing Gods - or, more specifically, the officials. But whilst the debate raged on whether the goal should have been given or not, Chelsea were able to compose themselves best after the break and they eventually got the winning goal their attacking endeavours had warranted when substitute Kalou prodded home a pass from Didier Drogba inside the penalty area - but further woe for Tottenham came when replays suggested that the Ivorian forward was marginally offside as he converted his 13th goal of a productive season in front of goal. Chelsea signalled their intent with a barnstorming start that brought the best out of Gomes - first Drogba's magnificent free-kick from fully 30 yards was fingertipped onto the woodwork by the stretching Brazilian, before he made slightly more comfortable saves from Michael Essien and then Florent Malouda; the latter of whom should perhaps have done better when working a yard or two of space considering his recent goalscoring form. Gomes was again to frustrate Chelsea when he palmed over an Essien header as Chelsea sought to exploit makeshift left-back Vedran Corluka. Drogba was enjoying a fully efficient afternoon in a less-familiar role - on the right-hand-side of a front two - but with a dynamic, ever-changing midfield quartet of Malouda, Lampard, Essien and Mikel all venturing forwards, containing the Chelsea engine was proving a difficult task for the Tottenham rearguard and Drogba was following suit with some impressive, confounding movement. Under immense pressure, the only Spurs out-ball was Roman Pavlyuchenko, who had already flashed an effort well wide of Petr Cech's upright, but after some more desperate last-ditch defending, the visitors were able to open the scoring against the run of play through an unlikely source. Winning a throw-in, player of the year Gareth Bale found signing of the year Rafael van der Vaart, and the Dutchman teed up his team-mate, who spectacularly beat Cech from distance with a swerving effort that may or may not have just brushed the head of Luka Modric on the way through. Tottenham had earned themselves a lead their attacking play did not at all warrant, and Harry Redknapp - knowing a win and only a win would be enough to continue his side's dogged pursuit of Manchester City for Champions League football next term - was demanding more defensive rigidity from his under-pressure back four. Such is the life of a goalkeeper, that after a string of excellent saves, a mistake or two can absolutely crush any confidence you may have. Playing with a smile one moment, Heurelho Gomes, suddenly, was looking the liability he was when he first came to English football, as opposed to the shot-stopping supremo that had denied the Blues with a handful of fine saves. The first error nearly gifted Chelsea a goal - the second error certainly did. Or at least it appeared to. First he wondered off his line and was nowhere to be seen as Fernando Torres just failed to convert a Drogba flick-on from Malouda's corner. The second error, however, was a far more punitive howler. Drogba won the ball out wide as the half drew to a close, and passed to Lampard. Sensing an opportunity, the England star hit a dipping effort goalwards that Gomes should have collected. Instead, the ball trickled through the Brazilian and seemingly over the line. The goal was given - perhaps wrongly - but even so, Chelsea had the equaliser they deserved after totally dominating the first half. Tottenham were understandably aggrieved, but it was their frustration which was eventually to get the better of them. Chelsea came out for the second half a team full of purpose; revitalised by a fortuitous moment of embarrassingly poor goalkeeping and equally insufficient officiating. With the cry for goal-line technology again coming to the fore, Tottenham came out a side angered and frustrated - contrasting with Chelsea's composure and quiet confidence. An early signal of intent saw Malouda bring a low stop from Gomes from a tight angle, and the goalkeeper then caught a Drogba cross to ironic jeers from the crowd. Ancelotti then brought on Ramires and with him a switch in the system, with 4-3-3 preferred to the 4-4-2 system which Chelsea were starting to show signs of warming to in the first period. Immediately, the pressure was cranked up as Drogba drifted out into the wide right position before reverting to the centre when the ineffective Torres was replaced by Kalou. Such a change brought about angered cries from the Stamford Bridge faithful, who had cheered so vociferously when el Nino netted his first Blues goal last weekend. It was to be the switch that won the game, however. Chelsea were in the ascendancy and Kalou might have netted with his first touch as Gomes - evidently 'shitting it' - elected to push a dangerous Drogba effort right back into the path of the advancing Blues forwards. Such an opportunity came too soon, unfortunately, and the ball merely hit Kalou before he could adjust. Moments later the referee was again at the centre of another questionable call, this time inside the area, as he clearly suggested Younes Kaboul had won the ball - as opposed to scything the Frenchman down ten yards out with just Gomes to beat, which replays indicated. The Blues continued to up the pressure, and Lampard twice fired wide when well-placed before a superb chance fell to quintuple centurion and Chelsea captain John Terry. Winning a dangerous free-kick out wide, Drogba, instead of firing the ball in at pace, played a slide-rule pass to Terry's feet, but the Blues captain could only scuff the ball goalwards and Gomes collected. With that, the best chance of securing three points seemed to have evaporated. However, there was to be a final - again contentious - say from the Chelsea strikeforce. Drogba burst into the area with just over the minute left, and though substitute Nicolas Anelka inadvertedly forced him wide, Drogba was able to cut inside and get a scuffed shot away. Instead, it formed the perfect pass to Kalou, who poked the ball into the bottom corner despite being half a yard offside when the ball was played to him. Chelsea had been given another one by the football powers above - a marked change from being done by incompetent officials and the general element of bad luck which plagued the side from a good portion of the season. A fortuitous win, but a win nonetheless, means the title race still has a final straight to navigate for Manchester United - and Chelsea have the bit firmly between the teeth. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Chelsea (4-4-2) - Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry ©, Cole; Essien (Ramires 56), Mikel, Lampard, Malouda (Anelka 72); Torres (Kalou 62), Drogba. Tottenham (4-4-1-1) - Gomes; Kaboul, Dawson ©, Gallas, Corluka (Pienaar 77); Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Bale; Van der Vaart (Jenas 84); Pavlyuchenko (Defoe 57). The TalkChelsea.net man of the match was Chelsea's number 11, Didier Drogba- involved in everything good about the Blues, Drogba was a consistent thorn in the side for Tottenham wherever he was played. These two assists may well prove the cornerstone of an unlikely push for the title...

Manchester United vs Chelsea Sunday 8th May 2011 - 4:10pm kick-off - Old Trafford Manchester MATCH CHAT HERE

Two assists today and another superb performance... exactly the reason why he should stay.

We deserved to win. And to win - against Spurs - with the benefit of two very questionable decisions? How'd you like that, Fergy?

COME ON YOU BLUES! FUCK EM UP!

Absolutely agreed. Anelka to leave, which will give Sturridge far more game time.

Ronaldo. Where's Didier?

Shocking. And embarrassing.

For the seventh time, Alexamuller, you've posted links without asking. Now you're taking the piss.

I personally don't think he will leave Tottenham, but I'm genuinely baffled why people are calling him overrated. He's a quality, young British talent - you won't get that sort of quality for anything less than £30 million. Put it this way, if Andy Carroll is worth £35 million, £40 million for Bale is a bargain.

Agreed. Superb post, zolayes. Wholeheartedly concur with you.

Superb post. Looking at his statistics is not a fair analysis by itself, I absolutely agree. When you consider: It takes a couple of seasons to truly adapt to Premier League football - that can't help him at all in terms of netting goals.He's suffered injuries throughout his time here - the malaria incident the most famous exampleHe's fallen out of favour, and during the 08/09 season, a fair few of his appearances were from the bench, which prevents him from reaching the 25+ markHis style of play is quite selfless for a striker - ie. he doesn't take penalties and contributes a lot in terms of his play through assists, etc.And yet, he still averages 20 goals a season. Great player!!

Madmax, it was funny at first, but all you're doing is degrading the quality of the argument when you post stuff like this, and its getting a little bit annoying. I know what you're saying, but give it a break

I agree there. Mourinho spent that £80 million on top of the £120 million Ranieri had spent. Remember Cech, Robben, Duff, Bridge, Cole, Johnson and so on were signed by Ranieri, and of course Lampard years beforehand.

Chelsea have a fully-fit squad, with Michael Essien, Ramires and Alex all available after injury. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has suggested he will pair Fernando Torres with Didier Drogba in attack. Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto is sidelined by a hamstring problem, while Tom Huddlestone is likely to miss out because of an ankle injury. Ledley King has a slim chance of making his first appearance since October after recovering from a groin problem. From the BBC.

We have so many quality young left-backs, and with Cole still near his peak there is no reason to go and spend in the region of £20 million on a player who is - in fairness, admittedly a very good footballer - someone we don't need, however.

I can see what people are saying with that being a massively over-priced fee, but let's not forget he is a fantastic player.

Agreed. I think 4-4-2 will work for us in the future, but we need some out-and-out wingers á la Robben and Sanchez firstly.

Superb post my friend. People go a little over the top when they say we played 'boring' football. The only difference between then and now was that Mourinho would be contented with a 2-0 lead and would not risk us conceding sloppy goals. Ancelotti prefers to go for the throat.

He dropped Didier Drogba. Big mistake