BlueLion.

May 2nd, 2010. Didier Drogba's audacious flick finds Nicolas Anelka, who in turn crosses for Frank Lampard to slide the ball into the Liverpool goal despite the presence of Pepé Reina. Lampard punches the air in delight and salutes the euphoric Chelsea fans at the Anfield Road End. Branislav Ivanovic and Salomon Kalou lead the celebrations; mobbing Lampard whilst substitute Joe Cole falls to his knees in delight. About 110 yards away, the isolated figure of Petr Cech beats the club emblem with his gloved fist. Chelsea have just beaten Liverpool to maintain their one-point lead at the top of the Premier League, knowing that a win against Wigan at Stamford Bridge in a week's time will secure them their first title since 2006 and their third league crown in six seasons. An elated Carlo Ancelotti cut a dignified figure in the tunnel post-match. "We are very happy but need to wait for the last game," the Italian said. However the former AC Milan manager stressed that his players will not get ahead of themselves with league glory in touching distance. "We need to stay focused for the last game but we are happy tonight because it was a difficult step against Liverpool." Ancelotti's remarks were echoed by man of the moment Frank Lampard, but the England star insisted that this particular victory had sent out a warning sign to the rest of the Premier League. "This was a huge game for us. We know there are big games next week but we have a head of steam up now." In essence, Lampard is right. Whilst Chelsea have torn into the likes of Sunderland, Aston Villa and Stoke City over recent months (beating them 7-2, 7-1 and 7-0 respectively), it is a first-ever Big Four grand-slam that has formed the cornerstone of Chelsea's potential Premier League triumph this season. A double over Arsenal was completed with a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in February, whilst April's top-of-the-table encounter at Old Trafford saw Chelsea earn Chelsea six points out of six against Manchester United. But whilst Liverpool were without key players and suffering from a lack of match fitness, the importance of this result should not be underestimated. In the Premier League, Chelsea have taken ten points from a possible twelve at home against Wigan Athletic, and improving that particular by another three points would see them lift the Premier League trophy once again. Yesterday's result was massive. With Manchester United's two remaining fixtures at Sunderland and then at home against Stoke looking very winnable, it was Chelsea's title credentials that would be tested the most. And United duly did the necessary at the Stadium of Light thanks to Luis Nani's fourth goal in five matches; a superb bending effort from just inside the area. United are maintaining the pressure. "We don't feel any pressure," Ancelotti had maintained after his side demolished Stoke by a 7-0 margin. "We just do our job." And whilst few expected Liverpool to severely challenge Chelsea's obviously stronger and fitter starting eleven, many were banking on the 'Anfield Factor' to undo yet another Chelsea title challenge. Conspiracy theorists were waiting to berate the hosts for virtually allowing the Blues for winning to deny United a 19th title, and United fans were waiting for their hated enemies to do them a favour. Liverpool's damaging double over the Blues in the 2008/09 season not only cost Chelsea their imperious home record but also saw them drop six points against their immediate challengers in the pursuit of Manchester United. The memories of the 2007 penalty shoot-out defeat in the Champions League and Luis Garcia's ghost goal two years earlier still haunt many Chelsea fans. But whilst Liverpool supporters might not have been fully backing their team, knowing that a home win would possibly put the title on a platter for their northern rivals, there was still a thunderous atmosphere prior to kick-off. A rousing rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' reverberated around the stands before a subdued aura of silence fell over The Kop. Steven Gerrard knew his back-pass was under-hit. He knew it was risky. And when he saw Drogba race on to collect the loose pass, round Reina and bury the ball in the back of the net, he knew he might single-handedly have cost his team the game. Anfield fell silent except for the pocket of Chelsea supporters. Chants of 'We're gonna win the league!' and 'Carefree!' erupted from the corner of visiting fans. Not only had Chelsea silenced Liverpool on the pitch, but Liverpool's famous atmosphere had been bettered by the buoyant Blues following yet again. The ironic thing was, it wasn't even that good a performance by the Blues. They merely cruised through the second half as Liverpool ran on empty. "We played very well with personality, courage and tactically very well," said Lampard. The first 32 minutes, in which Chelsea players conceded possession on numerous occasions might suggest otherwise, but ultimately it was a sound performance from Chelsea. Efficient rather than dynamic, satisfactory rather than excellent. But it doesn't matter. Chelsea won, and that's all that is important. Sir Alex Ferguson will know that more than anyone. A victory against Wigan and Chelsea's deserved title will finally be delivered. It won't be a case of Blues fans wondering how on earth Manchester City beat them home and away, why they conceded ridiculous goals at Blackburn and Stoke, and how they didn't leave Villa Park with at least a draw. Chelsea fans will talk of that goal Joe Cole scored at Old Trafford, Drogba's freekick against Arsenal and the celebrations at Anfield. But only if we win the title. If we don't... well, it doesn't bear thinking about. Chelsea have maintained a level of professionalism and confidence since going out of the Champions League, with only Blackburn (1-1) and Tottenham (1-2) taking points from them in the crucial title run-in. The goalscoring prowess of Florent Malouda, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba has seen to that. The return to form of Petr Cech, coupled with the sheer consistency of those in front of him has contributed. 95 league goals. That's how many Chelsea have netted so far this term, knowing full well a masterclass against Wigan could extend that above and beyond the 100 mark. But it is complacency and complacency alone that will cost Chelsea this title, if anything. "We haven't won anything yet," said John Terry. Never have truer words been said. Don't blow it now, Chelsea.

I'm not denying that. Of course he's better. I'd still prefer Lampard in my team though. Better professional, and he has a better contribution that Cheatiano.

Of course we should. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1UTImKQPoM Stevie G, Carragher, Babel and Torres partying yesterday after potentially denying United their 19th title:

Really like Stoke's to be honest, but that template just doesn't match their colour scheme.

The grin I had was huge. Barcelona can suck on it, the dirty diving cheating scummy motherfucking cock-sucking ass-licking bastards.

Ronaldo has 22 because he's a cunt.

Yep. 1998-99 Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - 18 Michael Owen - 18 Dwight Yorke - 18 1997-98 Chris Sutton - 18 Dion Dublin - 18 Michael Owen - 18

Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea are now just three points away from the Premier League title after a comfortable win at Anfield against Liverpool. In what was expected to be a tough test of Chelsea's title credentials, the Blues - buoyed by their destruction of Stoke last weekend - overcame their northern opponents to maintain their lead at the Premier League summit. Didier Drogba capitalised on a horrendous back-pass by Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard to give the visitors a lead at the interval before Frank Lampard sealed a historic victory with a simple finish from a Nicolas Anelka cross. And but for the inspired Pepe Reina, Liverpool would have found themselves on the wrong end of another Chelsea mauling as the Blues cruised in relative comfort to three massive points as they continue their hunt for their first Premier League title since 2006. The only disappointment on a day of triumph for Carlo Ancelotti's men was Manchester United's 1-0 win at Sunderland which ensures the title race will go to the wire - and Chelsea must now beat Wigan to be guaranteed of title success in the Italian's first year in charge at Stamford Bridge. Confidence was high in the Chelsea camp ahead of this key fixture in the race for the title following their incredible 7-0 win over Stoke just seven days before, but Anfield had proved an unhappy hunting ground for the Blues many times in the past. Besides a 3-1 triumph in the Champions League last season, Chelsea had failed to leave Merseyside with a victory over Liverpool since a 4-1 demolition of Rafael Benitez' side under José Mourinho back in 2005. And that was the last time Chelsea had won the Premier League; with the Portuguese tactician overseeing a crucial double over their rivals in both of their title-winning campaigns. Anything other than a similar story and Chelsea would have let their lead slip - but there was to be no mistake from a professional, efficient Blues side. With influential captain John Terry returning from suspension, Paulo Ferreira returned to the bench, whilst Salomon Kalou's hat-trick last week kept Joe Cole out of the starting eleven. Liverpool were without talisman Fernando Torres and defender Martin Skrtel, but Maxi Rodriguez returned to make his third appearance this term against the Blues. Chelsea started brightly and went close after just 35 seconds when Lampard blasted wide, but Liverpool responded in kind by winning a succession of corners that were subsequently cleared. Reina was brought into action with tame efforts from both Anelka and Malouda before Alberto Aquilani clipped the top of the bar with a long-range effort that had Petr Cech beaten. It was an early warning to Chelsea that their hosts would not simply roll over. But as the game reached a lull in proceedings, conspiracy theorists will have had a field-day when Steven Gerrard inexplicably played the ball back towards goal without looking. The lurking Drogba duly pounced; rounded Reina and slotted home his 33rd goal of an incredible campaign for the Ivorian. Lampard then came to the fore with confidence flowing through both his veins and his teammates, and only the faintest of deflections from Sotiris Kyrgiakos took the ball wide of Reina's post. Moments later the England star played the ball to Nicolas Anelka, who was denied at the last by another sturdy block by Kyrgiakos, who was proving to be a tough obstacle to break down at the heart of the Liverpool back four. Chelsea might have had a 2-0 lead at half-time but for the inadequacies of the officials, who failed to spot a blatant foul by Lucas as Kalou stole in on goal. One-on-one with Reina, Kalou's thigh was caught by Lucas' trailing leg and the player went down - but no penalty was awarded. Ancelotti was incensed and rightly so - replays showed it was a clear spot-kick, and John Terry was quick to point out to the referee that Kalou had no reason to dive being through one-on-one. Kalou continued to cause Liverpool no end of problems in the second half, and his touchline jig saw him lose the attentions of Mascherano before he squared across the face of goal. Any touch from Anelka would have sealed the win, but Kalou's cross was just slightly over hit and the Frenchman could not poke home. However Chelsea's next venture into the box would not be so wasteful, as Drogba's magnificent flick allowed Anelka to pick out Lampard who tucked the ball home to secure a massive, monumental three points. All ten of Chelsea's outfield players celebrated with one another near the visiting fans whilst Petr Cech calmly beat the badge with his fist. Alex then came to Chelsea's rescue as Liverpool sub Ryan Babel broke through but the former-PSV man made a crucial interception. At the other end, Malouda's superb volley was stopped equally as brilliantly by Reina, who was keeping a speck of credibility to the scoreline. All of that came after Reina had made a smart stop to deny Anelka a goal against his former employers, and the keeper then made a good double-save to deny Anelka and then Kalou. It was a subdued atmosphere inside Anfield; only the travelling contingent could be heard as Chelsea played out the final twenty minutes in relative comfort; Liverpool having to wait until the 92nd minute to register their first shot on target. Dirk Kuyt lost the attentions of Alex but his skipping shot was well held by Cech, who had done well to stay awake and alert at his near post. Ballack had moments earlier come close to increasing the divide between the two teams but his freekick was palmed away by Reina. Nevertheless the necessary had already been done as Chelsea took a massive stride towards the title. It's still theirs to lose, but who would bet against them now? ___________________________________________________________________ Liverpool: Reina [7]; Mascherano [4], Carragher [6] (Ayala 56 [5]), Kyrgiakos [6], Agger [6]; Lucas [4], Gerrard © [5]; Maxi Rodriguez [5] (Babel 42 [4]), Aquilani [5] (N'Gog 76 [4]), Benayoun [5]; Kuyt [6] Chelsea: Cech [6]; Ivanovic [7], Alex [7], Terry © [7], A Cole [7]; Lampard [8], Ballack [6], Malouda [6]; Anelka [8] (J Cole 90+1 [5]), Drogba [6], Kalou [8] (Zhirkov 87 [5]) The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea's number 39 - Nicolas ANELKA

We're gonna do it

We want eight this time! I'd take a scrappy 1-0 to be honest

Well deserved. It isn't just in the Cote d'Ivoire; he's an African superstar - the footballing equal of Michael Jackson in terms of popularity.

If Reina hadn't have played we might have got a hockey score. We were deadly yesterday and I wish we'd have gone for the jugular; Liverpool were there for the taking and we could have got another one or two goals I feel.

Winning the title at home would be very apt, because its at Stamford Bridge where we technically have won it. Our home record is fucking brilliant - only City and Everton have left with points (so far).

He didn't say Lampard was better. He said he'd choose Lampard over Ronaldo. And so would I. He's more consistent. And correct me if I'm wrong here - he's also scored more goals in the league than CR9.

Drogba - Chelsea - 26 Rooney - Man Utd - 26 Bent - Sunderland - 24 Tevez - Man City - 23 Lampard - Chelsea - 21

I'm sort of glad United won. It means we won't get complacent and will more than likely get the job done next week.

Chelsea FC vs Wigan FAPL, Sunday 9th May 2010, Stamford Bridge, 1600 KO

Anelka.

I'll admit: I was crying when Lampard scored. I was also crying (with laughter) at the through-ball of the season by Gerrard.

It isn't over yet, ladies and gentlemen. I won't forgive the players for complacency next week if we fuck up. United are down, but not out. Not yet. Nevertheless... GET THE FUCK IN! BLUE IS THE COLOUR. <3

I have an awful feeling about this one

A - I take back everything I said about Mikel, because Ballack's been wank B - this referee's a fucking disgrace

Fucking bricking it now.

COME ON BLUES <3

Just put a fiver on a cumulative bet: United to win 2-1, Bent and Rooney both to score, at 15/1. I will be happy to lose said fiver.