BlueLion.

Sunday 29 November 2009, the FA Premier League, the Emirates, North London Didier Drogba scored twice as Chelsea thrashed Arsenal to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League. After Manchester United beat Portsmouth 4-1 at Fratton Park yesterday, Chelsea's lead was cut to just two points, but a comprehensive victory over London rivals Arsenal sees Carlo Ancelotti's side renew their five point advantage over the Red Devils. Didier Drogba opened the scoring with a deft finish on 41 minutes, before an own goal by Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen moments before half-time gave Chelsea a commanding lead at the interval. Arsenal mounted a second half fight-back but Andrei Arshavin's finish was rightfully disallowed after a foul by Eduardo. Drogba completed a stunning victory with an equally-brilliant freekick deep into the second half. The win means Arsenal are eleven points behind Chelsea, though the Gunners have a game in hand. Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti was quick to praise his team's excellent team ethic, and was complimentary towards the hosts who made it "very difficult" for the visitors at times. It was Arsenal's first defeat at the Emirates since their 4-1 at the hands of the Blues back in May under the tenure of Guus Hiddink, and the encounter was made even feistier by Nicolas Anelka, Ashley Cole and William Gallas all lining up against their one-time employees. Cole was at the centre of torrents of abuse from the Arsenal faithful, but it was fellow ex-Arsenal star Nicolas Anelka who was at the centre of the game's first talking point, when he was seemingly hauled down inside the penalty area as he looked to pull the trigger. Chelsea had had a decent claim for a penalty kick, and moments later Drogba headed straight at Manuel Almunia in one of the half's better opportunities. Frank Lampard was back for the Blues after missing their last two games, and the Chelsea ace was at the heart of everything good the visitors were producing. Cole; centre of a chorus of boos from the supporters, rached through after being played in by skipper John Terry, and his teasing cross was met by Drogba on 41 minutes to open the scoring. It was a tidy finish from the Ivorian, and moments later a second devilish delivery from Cole had Chelsea finding the back of the net. This time the England defender whipped in a first-time ball after combining with his namesake; Joe, and Thomas Vermaelen could only look on as he poked the ball beyond his own goalkeeper. A sudden double blow had Arsenal against the ropes as Chelsea reached the interval without being seriously troubled by Arsenal. Wenger responded by bringing on Theo Walcott, and the ex-Southampton man had an immediate impact on Arsenal's approach play, though the hosts were denied a route back into the game when referee Andre Marriner ruled out an Arshavin strike after Petr Cech had been obstructed. Branislav Ivanovic, Terry, Cole and Ricardo Carvalho were all magnificent at the back for Chelsea and their midfield and strike force were also enjoying splendid performances. Arsenal were having a hard time breaking down the Blues' formidable defence - clearly missing Dutch forward Robin van Persie. The only sour note for Chelsea was an injury to Ashley Cole, though Yuri Zhirkov had marked his return to full fitness in midweek against Porto, and Paulo Ferreira proving to be an able replacement in the closing moments. Lampard nearly deflected in a Drogba shot that had bounced off Gallas but Almunia made a good save to push the ball away to prevent Chelsea from increasing the lead, but he was helpless as Drogba powered home a sumptuous freekick on 86 minutes to complete the perfect afternoon for the Stamford Bridge outfit. ___________________________________________________________________ Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traoré; Song (Walcott 46), Denilson; Arshavin, Fábregas ©, Nasri (Rosicky 65); Eduardo (Vela 56) Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry ©, A Cole (Ferreira 72); Mikel; Essien, Lampard; J Cole (Deco 67); Anelka, Drogba (Malouda 87) The TalkChelsea.net Star Man was Chelsea's number 11; Didier Drogba

We'll end their run of draws with another victory!

I feel sorry for Rovers having to face us to be honest

Fuck yes.

Well we've just put Arsenal in their place.

Sunderland v Oxford United / Barrow What a draw for either Barrow or Oxford!

When you look at our fixtures during the period of the African Cup of Nations, I don't see why we can't win all five of those games. The likes of Burnley aren't exactly the same as playing United at Old Trafford, and so on.

Blackburn vs Chelsea 02 December 2009, Carling Cup, Ewood Park, 2000 KO With a place in the Carling Cup semi finals up for grabs, Chelsea face Blackburn at Ewood Park. Match chat here.

Man City vs Chelsea 05 December 2009, EPL, Eastlands, 1730 KO Chelsea head to the blue half of Manchester to face Mark Hughes' City side. Match chat here.

Probably end up being something like this; Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Essien, Ballack, Malouda, Joe Cole, Drogba, Anelka/

I agree with you there, but that's a sign of his youthful naivety - PL experience will teach him the better option.

I believe I remember someone saying Joe was at a trial that day for a team that wore red. Probably borrowing a friend's shirt, as it looks a little too large for him.

He looked really sharp when he came on, I was impressed. I've seen him at youth and reserve level and he has been consistently good, I was concerned that with all the hype and pressure he might not have been able to deliver on his debut. Some fancy flicks and a couple of decent shots; a promising start.

Renamed the topic

In the papers today we're to sign him for £35 million and then loan him back to AdM for the rest of the season.

You're welcome

Done

Saturday 21 November 2009, the FA Premier League, Stamford Bridge, West London Chelsea convincingly beat Wolverhampton Wanderers to maintain their five point lead at the top of the Premier League. Florent Malouda gave the hosts the lead with a superb effort from long range with just five minutes played, and a quickfire brace from the brilliant Michael Essien put the game beyond Wolves with the first half barely half complete. An excellent performance was capped off with a goal from Joe Cole; his first for over thirteen months, as Chelsea maintained their superb start to the season. The Blues have now won eleven out of thirteen Premier League fixtures this season, and seven from seven at Stamford Bridge, and were comfortable throughout. Mick McCarthy's side tried to match Chelsea's system and play expansive attacking football, but were ultimately undone by the Blues' superior quality, in spite of a number of absentees for the hosts. Influential trio Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack joined Deco and José Bosingwa on the treatment table, so Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel returned to the starting line-up as Carlo Ancelotti made seven changes to the team that beat Manchester United. Chelsea were boosted by the return to fitness of Ashley Cole and John Terry, and there was a place on the bench for French starlet Gael Kakuta. The Blues were able to show off the strength-in-depth of their talented squad as they took the lead after just five minutes. Jody Craddock's poor clearance was picked up by Frenchman Florent Malouda, and the former Lyon man lashed the ball home from twenty five yards to give the hosts the perfect start. Chelsea's brilliant displays this season have been testament to their attacking supremacy, and only seven further minutes had passed by the time they had increased their tally. Having sent the Blues on their way to another three points, Malouda then found Michael Essien from a corner, and the Ghanaian duly converted for his second goal of the season. Wolves were reeling from an early double blow from their hosts, and by the time Essien put Chelsea 3-0 up after just twenty one minutes, Mick McCarthy's side could have been forgiven for wanting the half-time whistle to be sounded early. Joe Cole, Malouda and Essien in particular were dominating the midfield, and though Wolves should be credited for their attacking play, they were guilty of giving the Chelsea trio too much space to exert their influence on the game. The West Midlands side improved as the half progressed, however, and only a stunning reflex save by Petr Cech denied Sylvain Ebanks-Blake from reducing the arrears before half-time. Wolves weren't given much respite and found themselves even further behind following a patient start to the second period from Chelsea. Joe Cole's shot squirmed under the glove of Wayne Hennessey to give Chelsea a handsome and deserved 4-0 lead, and the England star wheeled away to celebrate his first goal since October 2008; also against Birmingham opposition in the form of Aston Villa. Chelsea had worked their fourth goal brilliantly, with the move starting with goalkeeper Cech, and a brilliant Anelka run and Kalou lay-off later, Cole arrowed his effort into the bottom corner. Essien then saw a shot skim the outside the post as he went looking to complete his first Blues hattrick, and a superb save onto the bar from Hennessey denied him from doing so with a drilled effort from range. Chelsea seemed content with their lead, and Ancelotti made sure to bring on Kakuta, Fabio Borini and debutant Nemanja Matic for some valuable first-team football. Kakuta showed glimpses of brilliance and went close twice in the dying minutes; finding the side netting from an acute angle and then flashing an effort from distance just wide. Wolves were fortunate to see just four goals past them on a day where Chelsea were ruthlessly efficient and brilliant in attack - the Blues' march to the title goes on. ___________________________________________________________________ Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Cech; Belletti, Alex, Terry ©, A Cole; Mikel; Essien; Malouda (Matic 69); J Cole; Anelka (Kakuta 58), Kalou (Borini 77) Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-5-1): Hennessey; Halford, Craddock, Berra, Stearman; Edwards, Henry ©, Surman, Castillo (Knightly 52), Jarvis; Ebanks-Blake (Keogh 61). The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea's number 5 - Michael Essien

That lead didn't last too long, United were stunningly good against Everton.

Arsenal vs Chelsea 29 November 2009, EPL, Emirates Stadium, 1600 KO Chelsea head to face Arsenal in a massive London derby. Match chat here.

FC Porto vs Chelsea 25 November 2009, UCL, Estadi do Dragao, 1945 KO Chelsea head to Portugal to face FC Porto in a crunch Champions League group match. A win for Chelsea would see them finish Group D as winners and give them a potentially more-favourable draw in the next round. However, the Blues have never beaten Porto away from Stamford Bridge, having lost 2-1 and drawn 1-1 under Jose Mourinho at the Dragao. Match chat here.

Welcome to the forum, mate

There's already someone called Steve, sorry mate.

I think Badboy is saying that you should not be in South Africa if Robbie Earle pisses you off

I can't believe anyone could say that of any person, let alone someone who played over 200 games for the club and spent 10 seasons between the posts for us. Sick.