BlueLion.

I genuinely think it would work. Ivanovic isn't the best offensively and Bosingwa isn't the best defensively...

I thought Ash was the stand-out player, particularly in the first half. And I don't have a soft spot for him at all... he's a great player, but he's also a moaning twat

Were you watching the same game as us, Jaimin?

Why has no-one locked this thread yet? FFS.

Cheers for reading mate

If we'd have had two or three efforts over the course of the whole game and drawn, I'd have been more concerned. But on another day we could have won 5-0 today. Cheer up!

Chelsea 0-0 FC Copenhagen UEFA Champions League - Wednesday 16 March 2011 - Stamford Bridge Chelsea progressed to the Champions League quarter finals as they sufficiently saw off a spirited FC Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge. Utterly dominant throughout, only some wayward finishing prevented the Blues from increasing their impressive aggregate scoreline after a 2-0 success away in Denmark - and though Dame N'Doye hit the inside of Petr Cech's post in the first half, the Blues were never truly threatened by Copenhagen and were able to progress with minimal fuss, joining Manchester United and Tottenham as England's representatives in the next stage of the UEFA Champions League. In a game where only the most disastrous of capitulations would deny them passage through to the last eight of Europe's premier competition, Chelsea were ultimately left frustrated by the lack of a cutting edge up front as the Danish champions held the Blues to a credible goalless draw in West London - ending their perfect record at Stamford Bridge in Europe this term. The Blues were fluent in the way they sought to put Copenhagen to the sword, and only the Dane's Swedish goalkeeper Wiland stood in the way of a fourth successive victory for Carlo Ancelotti's men; making excellent saves to thwart the Blues' forward line on numerous occasions. And even when the Swede was beaten, it was the crossbar that denied the hosts as John Mikel Obi's header glanced the crossbar mid-way through the second half, whilst a deflected shot from substitute Fernando Torres fell inches wide late on. Chelsea will not be disappointed despite their failure to beat their opponents, with Sunday's clash with third-placed Manchester City being an immediate example of more pressing future engagements. Copenhagen should at least be credited with a spirited performance that, whilst not truly leaving the Blues up against the ropes, certainly saw them exit the competition in credible fashion. Ancelotti did not ring the changes as many had expected - though Branislav Ivanovic, Mikel and Nicolas Anelka came in for the rested duo of Michael Essien, Torres, and the ineligible David Luiz. Interestingly, the Italian opted to pair Didier Drogba and Anelka together for the first time since Fernando Torres' £50 million move from Liverpool in January, and the players demonstrated exceptional understanding and intelligent interplay throughout, leaving Ancelotti with something a positive selection headache. The evident success of the Drogba-Anelka partnerships represents the addition of a further string to the Chelsea offensive bow - welcome news to a manager boosted by the return to fitness of long-term absentees Alex and Yossi Benayoun. Though both players were not yet ready to feature, Ancelotti still opted to field a strong starting eleven looking to build on three excellent back-to-back wins achieved by his side since the turn of the month, whilst also looking to extend the Blues' flawless home form in Europe so far this term. Chelsea had a swathe of first half opportunities, all of which went begging; yet the movement and incisive passing was a vast improvement on the somewhat unremarkable-yet-professional display at Bloomfield Road nine days previous. First, after a superb interchange between Ashley Cole and Yury Zhirkov, it was Frank Lampard who fired wide when Cole's pacey low cross was agonisingly just too far ahead of him, before Cole continued to maraud down the left wing; first firing wide himself from an acute angle before his lay off inside the area saw Zhirkov fire just wide. Cute and clever combination play was being applauded by the paying customers, but whilst the Blues were forcing the issue early on thanks to a breakneck pace to the opening exchanges, a Copenhagen rally soon curtailed much of the Blues' attacking exploits as N'Doye's free kick demonstrated Copenhagen were not yet a beaten unit; his excellent strike fooling Cech. The exhalation of a sigh of relief by the majority of the Stamford Bridge faithful demonstrated the tie was not yet won. Yet it was Chelsea who continued to dominate proceedings, and whilst Drogba tested Wiland, both John Mikel Obi and Yury Zhirkov were left frustrated as passable chances were left begging as first Mikel directed a header wide before Zhirkov, found by a wide delivery from Anelka, could only prod the ball wide under intense pressure in the box. The half was almost concluded in perfect fashion, but Drogba's attempted curler lacked sufficient placement and merely warmed the Copenhagen keeper's palms. The best chance that fell the way of the Blues came moments after half-time when Drogba volleyed wide from Jose Bosingwa's wicked delivery from out wide. It was the sort of opportunity - a volley on the instep from about eight yards - that the Drogba of twelve months ago would have lashed home without a problem, yet the presence of the onrushing Wiland as well as the close attentions of Wendt saw another gilt-edged chance passed up. Anelka followed in similarly wasteful fashion as his shot was charged down, leaving Ancelotti frustrated and bemused on the touchline. His patience was not aided by further frustration moments later. John Obi Mikel's 171-game wait for a goal was almost ended as Chelsea's terrific start to the second period continued. Terry had headed on a corner back into the danger zone and the Nigerian headed goalwards only to be denied by the width of the crossbar. Nicolas Anelka's goalscoring form in Europe this season has been second only to Mario Gomez, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o, but again his finishing was below his usual standards and his next effort was easily gathered by Wiland. Anelka was soon replaced in predictable fashion by Torres, who came as close as anyone to opening the scoring when first his deflected effort from eighteen yards fell narrowly wide of the upright, before an instinctive prod after a superb burst of pace produced another excellent save from Copenhagen's man between the posts. Chelsea continued to dominate up to the final whistle but without the craft to make the breakthrough. Essien went close in injury time and Lampard spurned a good shooting opportunity; opting to tee up Torres whilst space in the area suggested there was time for him to continue his own run of goalscoring form. The game drew to an unremarkable close - though substitute Michael Essien cracked a couple of efforts wide of the target - but as defiant as Copenhagen were, their efforts were ultimately fruitless. Due appreciation for the respectable way in which they bowed out of the competition will be spread across tomorrow's newspapers, but this game will safely be filed away under the category of 'bigger fish to fry;' however, that should not spoil the joyous atmosphere about Stamford Bridge in recent weeks. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry ©, Cole; Ramires, Mikel (Essien 83), Lampard, Zhirkov (Malouda 74); Anelka (Torres 67), Drogba. Copenhagen (4-4-2): Wiland; Wendt, Zanka, Antonsson, Bengtsson (Zohore 60); Bolanos (Kristensen 89), Kvist ©, Claudemir, Vinegaard; Grønkjær, N'Doye. The TalkChelsea.net man of the match was Chelsea's number 3, ASHLEY COLE

Who gives a fuck? We're through for fuck sake.

Fuck off Cole, have a rest you cunt

Please live in England.

I wasn't going to give the rep anyway

Birthday brace please.

Capello doesn't care, because he isn't English. He wins either way - either he sees out his contract or its terminated and he gets millions in compensation.

Yup, looking great. The rep points will come after the first round of matches. I don't want people signing up, asking for rep and never bothering again.

Agreed. And thanks pal.

http://www.talkchelsea.net/theres-only-one-england-captain.html

SUPERB work mate His goal against Everton at the Bridge in 02/03, that lob? My favourite ever goal!

Reps will be added... ...once people have proved their activity

He was on his way to becoming one of the best English talents before that injury in 06/07 that kept him out. The injury he had in 08/09 was the final straw for him, sadly.

Fair point, but this is still a forum-based activity and if it works as an incentive for people to join, I see no reason why +5 rep will harm anyone.

Did you sneeze?

Top work mate !!

I'm not overly religious, but I've tried praying for you mate. Our thoughts are with you. I cashed in a cheque on Friday so I'll be able to donate tomorrow

The inaugural Xpert 11 season has come to a close - meaning that you can now take part in the success. An impressive fifteen members pitted their wits against each other across two bitterly-contested divisions over the course of the last season, and the window of opportunity is again open for you to take part and challenge for the title. We've had page after page of tactical discussion - and now is your chance to prove you have all the know-how. Xpert Eleven is an online football manager game where you can play with your friends or other football managers in our football community. It's easy to play, but hard to master - think you've got the ability and the intelligence to become a champion? The game is completely free to play. Plus there will be incentives for you to join - all members that register will receive a reputation boost! You can pit your wits against fellow TalkChelsea members with complete control of your team. Enjoy the banter associated with it all, and have a good time! I'll be signing up, so if you think you've got what it takes to beat me then give it your best shot

Cech Bosingwa - Ivanovic - Terry - Zhirkov Lampard - Mikel - McEachran Malouda - Drogba - Kalou Torres, Essien, Ramires, Cole and Anelka should be rested ahead of the big game against City.