BlueLion.

Let's fucking have them!

This is going to either be a walk in the park or a very, very tight game. If we get an early goal, its just a case of 3, 4 or 5 in my opinion. But Burnley are very stubborn defensively. But, if we play as well as we did against Birmingham, I can only see three points.

Nice one

Don't really care about the player's private lives to be absolutely honest, that isn't important to me. John should just knuckle down and get on with his job, which is captaining Chelsea.

Outstanding post. I could not agree more. The players are used to playing a 4-3-3/4-5-1 variant. That's the way we played in most matches under Mourinho, Grant, Scolari and Hiddink. We all know that turning to a new formation was going to be a difficult change, because for five seasons (or at least for the majority of this period), the boys were playing with widemen. I think a second striker gets the best out of Drogba, however, the formation we played against Burnley earlier in the year could work IMO: Cech Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, Cole Ballack, Essien, Lampard Anelka, Deco Drogba Make relevant changes; ie. Ivanovic in for Bosingwa, and perhaps Joe Cole in for Ballack and Malouda in for Deco, and we have an attack that can cause some serious damage. It worked earlier in the season before we reverted back to the 4-1-2-1-2, and it's worked recently. I think a withdrawn role suits Anelka more, and having two attacking midfielders plus Lampard means the defence have a lot to worry about.

The guy had such potential, but I don't feel sorry for him. He could have gone on to great things; instead he's wasted his career.

Spot on Jim. Bronze Final/3rd Place Play-off has yet to be played.

Frank Lampard scored a superb brace as Chelsea beat in-form Birmingham to return to the top of the table. The England midfielder expertly rifled home from close range after being played in by Florent Malouda, who had earlier opened the scoring with a deft header from Joe Cole's cross. Lampard had made it 2-0 with a rasping drive from outside the box, before his second deep into injury time ensured a fifth straight victory for Chelsea, who return to the top of the Premier League in style, whilst extending their unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge to 23 league matches. With the Blues in FA Cup action at the weekend, Champions Manchester United had the opportunity to leapfrog the Blues to the summit of the Premier League, and a Wayne Rooney-inspired demolition of Hull meant that Chelsea entered this intriguing clash off top spot. But Carlo Ancelotti's side were excellent; demonstrating their superb confidence with a classy display against a team that had previously gone fifteen matches without defeat, since a defeat at the hands of Arsenal in October. However, the visitors were shown up by a Chelsea side brimming with belief after securing safe passage to the last sixteen of the FA Cup thanks to a 2-0 victory at Preston, who now top the table by a point, with a game in hand over both Manchester United and Arsenal. And with Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou returning from international duty ahead of the game away at Burnley on Saturday, few will fancy their chances against the Blues' ruthless efficiency; a trait they seemed to surrender during a hapless December. Chelsea won just one match all month as 2009 came to a close; a 2-1 triumph over strugglers Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge. Amongst the dropped points were the two thrown away at Birmingham, where Joe Hart was in fine form to deny Salomon Kalou and Frank Lampard. Florent Malouda was sent off in that fixture with only minutes remaining, but the in-form Frenchman made up for his short-comings by opening the scoring after just five minutes. Florent Malouda's seventh of the season put Chelsea on the route to victory. Joe Cole showed great skill to out-run Lee Bowyer on the Chelsea right, and sent in a teasing cross that saw Malouda head home unchallenged past a beleaguered Hart, who could do little to deny the Frenchman his seventh of a productive season. Chelsea were in the ascendency, and Birmingham's only effort of note in the first half came from the boot of Cameron Jerome, whose volley took a deflection over Petr Cech's crossbar. At the other end, the involved Cole tested Hart with a long-range shot, but the young keeper was equal to the strike. Michael Ballack, in arguably his best run of form this season, then went close when he tested Hart, before Ricardo Carvalho saw his effort flick the post as it fell wide of the target. It was no surprise when Chelsea went 2-0 thanks to Lampard's superb finish. The Chelsea vice-captain had scored a screamer against Watford earlier in the month, and from a similar position, took a touch before rifling the ball into the bottom corner with pinpoint accuracy. Ballack was involved with everything the Blues were creating, and he almost added to his seasonal tally when he tested Hart once more with a header before seeing his intelligent near-post flick go inches over the crossbar. The first of Ballack's chances had been fashioned by the magnificent Ashley Cole; enjoying one of the best performances of his Chelsea career - the highlight of which a clever nutmeg on débutante Michel. Petr Cech was then called into action as Birmingham produced their first real spell of possession; McFadden first wasted a glorious chance before the Czech pulled off a wonderful flying save to tip over Keith Fahey's toe-poke. But Birmingham's late rally was short-lived; Chelsea capped off a superb evening when Lampard strolled upfield and tucked the ball past Hart for his thirteenth of the season. Birmingham had tasted defeat for the first time in fifteen games - but there was no shame in coming second-best to a wonderful attacking performance from the hosts. The Blues therefore go a point clear of Manchester United, and with the Red Devils away at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, there is opportunity for Chelsea to increase their lead this weekend. ___________________________________________________________________ Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry ©, A Cole; Deco, Ballack, Lampard; J Cole (Zhirkov), Malouda; Anelka (Sturridge) Birmingham: Hart; Carr ©, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell; Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, McFadden (Michel); Jerome (Fahey), Benitez. The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea's number 13 - Michael Ballack

Ashley Cole is absolutely on fire at the minute. Superb. Great team performance. Another two goals for the world's best midfielder, and one more for Malouda, who's been very consistent over the last few months. Well-played boys.

I am glad to see Cardiff doing well, but there's more than a slight difference between Bristol City and Chelsea. There's a reason why we've lost only two of our last 148 domestic matches at Stamford Bridge.

Deserves a pay rise, but by £40,000? Jog on son. I'd offer him £100,000 max.

Knowing Drogba he'll use it as an incentive to score a hattrick.

Absolutely no chance. We'll get Didier, Nicolas and Frank to sign a few programmes and shirts for you.

Not bothered about them being knocked out, just hope they're fit.

To be honest, I think this can go one of two ways. The first is we get the rub of the green, fuck them over and win 4-0. The second is they steal a goal and we have a very hard match ahead of us. Whoever gets the first goal is absolutely vital.

Great draw for us, in my opinion. We've earned the luck of the draw alright!

Merged them together Layla

FA Cup holders Chelsea have been drawn at home in the Fifth Round of the competition, against Dave Jones' Cardiff City. The Bluebirds came from behind to beat Leicester City 4-2, whilst Chelsea comfortably dispatched Preston North End 2-0 thanks to goals from Nicolas Anelka and Danny Sturridge. The stand-out draw of the tie, however, is to be the South Coast derby between Southampton and Portsmouth, with the Saints the only League One team definitely into the final sixteen of the competition. Leeds United could have another potential Premier League scalp should they beat Tottenham in their replay at Eland Road, and there could also be a Birmingham derby should Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Crystal Palace. In-form Birmingham City have been rewarded with a trip to Championship side Derby County in what should be an interesting clash between Midlands opposition, and Stoke's 3-1 win over Arsenal sees them face Roberto Mancini's Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium for a place in the Quarter Finals. The full draw is: Southampton v Portsmouth Reading v West Bromwich Albion Fulham v Notts County or Wigan Athletic Chelsea v Cardiff City Bolton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur or Leeds United Derby County v Birmingham City Manchester City v Stoke City Wolverhampton Wanderers or Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

Chelsea produced an efficient display to earn progression into the FA Cup fifth round after beating Preston at Deepdale. Fielding a strong starting eleven, Carlo Ancelotti was clearly taking the competition and his opposition seriously. The start of Darren Ferguson's reign at Preston had been a successful one, but Chelsea were in no charitable mood as they swept aside their Championship opponents with relative ease and with admirable style. Many a Premier League manager would have opted for a cautious approach to the match; looking to pay their hosts the optimum amount of respect and hope to hit them on the counter-attack. But Ancelotti's side were ruthless; at times demonstrating the attacking success of their January renaissance, and at others relying on their experience to brush aside a spirited Preston side, who can indeed take heart from a heart-felt effort that earned a standing ovation at full-time. Chelsea took the lead through Nicolas Anelka's eleventh goal of the season, before Danny Sturridge stabbed home a rebound after John Terry's initial header produced a good save from Andy Lonergan only 117 seconds into the second period. Chelsea's steely performance indicates they will not willingly relinquish their grip on a trophy they have won twice in the past three seasons, and with Premier League opposition in Manchester United and Liverpool already knocked out in the Third Round, the Blues have a great chance to retain their trophy once again. Nevertheless, things could have been different had Henrique Hilario not bravely beat away Chris Brown's knock-down as Richard Chaplow steamed in to convert. The Chelsea keeper was perhaps busier than he would have expected early on, but Chelsea composed themselves to show their superior quality. Danny Sturridge celebrates his third goal in as many games with skipper John Terry. Lonergan excelled to deny Yuri Zhirkov his first Blues goal as he rifled an effort goalwards after a clever exchange with Frank Lampard. The Russian was instrumental moments later when Lampard released him down the left to cross for Florent Malouda who tapped in, but a freekick had already been given; leaving Chelsea frustrated. The referee was only delaying the inevitable, however. Lonergan palmed away a ferocious Alex freekick to keep the scores level, but he was helpless as Nicolas Anelka capped off a superb counter with a measured finish that deceived the Preston custodian at his near post to give the away team the lead. Things would have been so much different for Darren Ferguson's side had Darren Carter poked home from close range, but he could only spoon the ball over the bar from three yards after Hilario had made a splendid save to deny Brown's looping header. As to be expected, Chelsea made Carter pay when Sturridge converted for his third goal for the club after Terry had his header saved, to effectively seal the tie. Joe Cole came on and almost added a layer of gloss to an effective Chelsea performance, but stabbed just wide from 15 yards, before Anelka and Sturridge had shots saved by Lonergan; no doubt Preston's star performer. The only downsides for Chelsea were injuries to Juliano Belletti and Frank Lampard; the latter removed as a precaution with twenty minutes left. To their credit, the Preston fans - outsung by the Chelsea faithful all match - applauded both men off the field, to which an honoured Lampard responded to in similar fashion, giving the thumbs up to the home supporters. And it was certainly a thumbs up from Carlo Ancelotti as his side march on towards the prospect of a third FA Cup since 2007 in impressive style. ___________________________________________________________________ Chelsea: Hilario; Ferreira, Alex, Terry ©, Zhirkov; Ballack, Belletti (Malouda), Lampard (J Cole); Deco, Anelka; Sturridge Preston: Lonergan; Hart, Mawene, St Ledger, Davidson ©; Chaplow, Jones, Carter (Parkin); Sedgewick (Mayor), Brown (Mellor), Wallace The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea's number 39 - Nicolas Anelka

Burnley vs Chelsea F.C. FAPL, 30 Jan 2010, Turf Moor, 1730 KO Brian Laws takes on Chelsea in his first home match in charge, as Carlo Ancelotti's table-topping Blues look to continue their march to the title. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss was not the universal candidate to replace the departing Owen Coyle - now on Bolton's payroll - and has already suffered two defeats in charge of his new side since taking over. The first was a Wayne Rooney-inspired demolition at Old Trafford against Manchester United in which the Clarets hit the post and found themselves denied time and time again by Edwin van der Sar. The second was a 1-0 defeat against Reading thanks to a goal from the exceptional young talent of Gylfi Sigurdsson, who slotted home with 87 minutes on the clock. Burnley were foiled by superb saves by Adam Federeci, who impressed at Anfield with impressive stops in front of the Kop End as the Royals recorded their second Premier League scalp to continue their FA Cup renaissance. Burnley, after a promising start to the season, have struggled somewhat. Despite doing what most have failed to do this season - leave the City of Manchester Stadium with a point rather than a trouncing - they have not recorded more than a single point away from home. Turf Moor has been their saving grace this season; beating the likes of Everton and Manchester United in front of their ferociously-vocal home supporters. It seems a long time ago that Burnley were celebrating knocking Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal out of the Carling Cup, and sampling the tantalising taste of a Final showdown with Manchester United. This season, Chelsea have hammered the northerners at Stamford Bridge and Arsenal (and Cesc Fabregas in particular) showed their class with a superb display at Turf Moor. Times have changed drastically for Burnley. Things have been hard for Burnley fans across the country. Their away day blues have been added to by the loss of manager Owen Coyle, whose prolonged move to Bolton was worthy enough to rival the Chelsea-Lyon transfer saga of Michael Essien's move to SW6, has left the club in turmoil and perilously close to the relegation zone. Whilst Turf Moor has been key to their success this season, the Clarets will not relish the visit of Carlo Ancelotti's side, who have now increased their unbeaten run to seven games. Having scored an impressive sixteen goals over their past four matches (and conceding only three in return), the Blues have recovered their form after a stuttering December that has seen the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United make ground up on the one-time runaway leaders of the Premier League. But their rivals' inability to take full advantage of Chelsea's shortcomings means that the Blues are just two points off top spot with two games in hand. And, as fate should have it, Arsenal and United play each other this weekend. This could be the day Chelsea take a massive leap towards the title. This could be the day the dream becomes a reality; that three years of frustration could be on the verge of coming to an end. It might only be January, but with the likes of Drogba, Essien, Mikel and Kalou missing, this could be a pivotal moment for Chelsea's season. Let's just hope to God that this time we make our chances count. MATCH CHAT HERE

Chelsea F.C. vs Birmingham City Last games: Chelsea: 2-0 (won) vs Preston Preston 2-1 (won) vs Everton MATCH CHAT HERE

Whatever we do we CAN NOT rush him back. If he nears full fitness and the club gamble on his knee, he will the end of the season, especially with meniscus damage.

Haha, good calls!

When we beat Hull 4-0 at the KC, after putting a couple past Birmingham and then Burnley whilst Arsenal and United draw, we'll beat the Gooners at Fortress Stamford Bridge and their little revival will come to a close.

Playing with a second striker does get the best out of Drogba... playing in a 4-3-2-1, with essentially two forwards behind him should as well.