BlueLion.

Match report - http://www.talkchelsea.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4177

Chelsea F.C. 3-1 Fulham Saturday 2nd May 2009, Premier League, Stamford Bridge, West London Didier Drogba celebrates his goal with Michael Ballack, Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda. Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba all found the net in an entertaining London derby at the Bridge. Nicolas Anelka fired Chelsea into the lead after just 51 seconds to send Stamford Bridge into frenzied celebration, but Erik Nevland's equalising goal with just over three minutes on the clock soon changed the atmosphere. However, Florent Malouda smashed the ball home from close range to restore Chelsea's lead, and a second-half strike from the in-form Didier Drogba completed a convincing victory. And in what was John Terry's 400th appearance for the club, it was appropriate for the Blues skipper to enjoy a typically imperious performance at the heart of the Chelsea backline as the team prepare for a crucial Champions League encounter with Barcelona. With the prospect of a European night against the Catalans on Wednesday looming ever-closer, Guus Hiddink elected to make a number of changes to his squad, but it was the actual formation that received much of the Dutch tactician's focus; switching from his favoured 4-3-3 to a more traditional 4-4-2, with Drogba and Anelka operating as strikers with Malouda behind them. Michael Ballack and Branislav Ivanovic were relegated to the bench as the Blues shuffled their pack. The game began at break-neck pace and it was the energy of Florent Malouda that crafted the opening goal. With just fifty one seconds on the Stamford Bridge scoreboard, the winger stole the ball out wide and exchanged passes with fellow France international Anelka. Receiving the ball back, he found Drogba with a delicate first-time pass and the Ivorian's lay-off to Anelka was inch-perfect - and Chelsea's top scorer made no mistake from five yards as he prodded beyond Mark Schwarzer. But before the celebrating Chelsea faithful could sit down after celebrating the opening goal, parity had been restored. The hosts' defence was caught napping, allowing Erik Nevland to break through along the Fulham right after Alex had failed in his attempts to play the offside trap. Racing into the area, the Fulham striker lashed the ball into the bottom corner beyond the despairing dive of Petr Cech. But there was no need for concern - Chelsea were back in the lead just after five minutes later. Anelka played Drogba into the area with a delightful slide-rule pass, and the Ivorian squared to the far post where Malouda's expert run had found him in the right position to lash the ball into the postage stamp of the goal at the Shed End. Once again, Stamford Bridge erupted into a cauldron of noise, but this time there was not to be a second goal conceded as Terry marshalled his defence - although a dipping volley from Nevland went just over Cech's crossbar as Fulham looked for another instant equaliser. Drogba then had a goal wrongly chalked off for offside before Nevland was forced to leave the pitch after a hefty collision with John Terry. After a couple of minutes of treatment, the goalscorer was forced to leave the pitch to the sound of light applause from the home crowd. Diomansy Kamara came on in his place. The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge had suddenly dropped as the game's tempo dropped dramatically as Chelsea looked to tighten up defensively. Terry's challenge saw an effort from Zoltan Gera deflect wide of Cech's upright before former West Ham defender Paul Konchesky launched an effort wide moments later. Danny Murphy then tamely shot wide from outside the area before Malouda had a shot blocked. Anelka and Malouda were enjoying productive spells as part of Chelsea's attacking triumvirate, and it was the former who fashioned chances for Lampard and Michael Essien, but Lampard's chip and Essien's arrowed shot both fell agonisingly wide. It was to be Essien's last contribution as he was taken off at half-time, as Michael Ballack entered the fray. With Hiddink’s mind clearly on Barcelona's visit to West London on Wednesday, Branislav Ivanovic came on to replace Alex, and Hiddink returned to a more familiar 4-3-3. The quiet Lampard had a decent chance to add a third but after intricate play involving Drogba, Ballack, Mikel and Malouda, the England international held onto possession for too long and was tackled by the tenacious John Pantsil, who was providing the only form of resistance at the back for the visitors. Fulham certainly weren't looking like a side who had conceded just 15 goals away from Craven Cottage this term before today's game. Drogba then crashed home his 13th of the season in some style, collecting Anelka's well-weighted ball into the box and then lashing it beyond Schwarzer. It was a typical finish from the Ivorian, who could have had a second had Lampard's passing not been uncharacteristically poor. Lampard was in fact not having a day to remember - his shooting had been wayward and the Chelsea vice-captain looked somewhat flat-footed amongst an athletic Chelsea midfield. Kamara fired wide as Fulham looked for some brief respite, before Lampard had a freekick palmed over excellently by Australian goalkeeper Schwarzer. Drogba then poked wide after sliding in to connect with Anelka's pass from the right wing in a move that was similar to the Ivorian's goal against Liverpool last month, with Anelka beating his marker before passing to his striking partner. It was to be the Ivorian's last major contribution to the game as he was substituted to a standing ovation from the Chelsea faithful - a goal and two assists for the Ivorian suggesting he is truly back to his best. Franco di Santo came on in place of the Chelsea number 11 as Chelsea played out the final 1 minutes without incident to claim an eighth win in ten under Hiddink in the Premier League. ___________________________________________________________________ The TalkChelsea.net Star Man award goes to... Florent Malouda, Chelsea F.C. The Frenchman enjoyed one of his most influential outings in a Chelsea shirt, and scored his seventh of the campaign to put pressure on second-placed Liverpool. Match Fact - Chelsea's victory over Fulham is the first against their neighbours since a 3-2 triumph in 2005 when Hernán Crespo scored a magnificent winner from a Joe Cole cross. Chelsea: Cech; Bosingwa, Alex (Ivanovic), Terry ©, A Cole; Lampard, Essien (Ballack), Mikel, Malouda; Anelka, Drogba (Di Santo) Fulham: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Dempsey, Murphy ©, Etuhu, Gera; Zamora (Dacourt), Nevland (Kamara)

Football works in mysterious ways. The way they crushed Real will mean there is a lot of emphasis on them to attack, and much of the pressure will be on them to come and attack. The way we played on the counter today could mean this works to our advantage.

Best day of my life, to be Frank

There's a big difference between Avram Grant and Guus Hiddink... I'd like Bilic tbh. Speaks word-perfect English to boot.

Order of sour grapes to go for anonymous West Ham fan, please, waiter.

The best way to stop an away goal? Attack like we've never attacked before, if you ask me.

All the pressure is on Barcelona. I'm not worried. Yet.

Arsenal vs Chelsea FA Premier League Sunday 10th May 2009, Emirates Stadium, North London Chelsea head across the capital for their fourth London derby in three weeks. Having already dispatched the Gunners 2-1 in recent weeks in the semi finals of the FA Cup, Chelsea will go into this fixture in good confidence despite never having won at the Emirates in two attempts. However, a 1-0 win over West Ham and a 3-1 triumph over high-flying Fulham mean that the Blues will be brimming in confidence. Match chat here.

Chelsea vs Barcelona UEFA Champions League Semi Final, Second Leg Wednesday 6th May 2009, Stamford Bridge, West London Chelsea face Barcelona in a crucial Champions League encounter. The Blues are one win away from a second consecutive Champions League final. Guus Hiddink's side don't need reminding the magnitude of this match, and neither does any Chelsea fan. Match chat here.

Wish they'd do what a load of other PL and Championship clubs do - some up with 4 templates, let the fans vote and then produce a final kit. Very disappointed with our home strip for next season.

Great news, deserves a contract after his consistent performances this season. Could be better than Makelele in the future.

Goalie kits looks quite abstract to be fair I like it though, but I wouldn't go out and buy it. Since its the away GK kit, does that mean we're keeping the orange one?

I'd play Cech, Mancienne, Alex, Ivanovic, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Belletti, Stoch, Anelka and Di Santo for a combination of youth and experience, with the big boys, ie. Ballack and Lampard, on the bench.

I think we've shown them to be severely overrated by the media, yet again. Expect us to finish the job at the Bridge, like United did.

Agreed, the fixtures certainly work in our favour.

Wouldn't say no, he plays wonderful football in my opinion. Speaks fluent English as well.

http://www.talkchelsea.net/forum/index.php...amp;#entry67872

F.C. Barcelona 0-0 Chelsea F.C. Tuesday 28th April 2009, UEFA Champions League Semi Final, First Leg, Camp Nou, Barcelona Jose Bosingwa keeps Lionel Messi quiet as the makeshift left-back defends for Chelsea. Heroics from Petr Cech ensured Chelsea left the Camp Nou with a credible 0-0 draw against Barcelona. With the Catalan giants the overwhelming favourites to win both on the night and the tie overall, it is a result that will please Blues boss Guus Hiddink, who oversaw the superb rearguard action of his Chelsea side. The visitors were not without chances themselves, as Frank Lampard curled wide early on before Didier Drogba was denied by a fine double save from Victor Valdes. Michael Ballack also headed over but it was Cech and his imperious defence who deserve the plaudits. Solid from start to end, Cech saved crucially from Thierry Henry and then Samuel Eto'o when one-on-one. The scoreline means all is to play for at Stamford Bridge, with both sides needing to score to progress. The last three meetings between these two European giants have been won by the team playing the home leg second, and Chelsea will be keen to continue their excellent home record against the Catalans of four famous victories from five matches. Hiddink elected to field Michael Essien out on the right wing as he shuffled the Chelsea pack. Alex returned to defence as Branislav Ivanovic moved back to the fullback position. As expected, Jose Bosingwa played at left-back against Lionel Messi, and John Mikel Obi retained his position in the Chelsea midfield as Nicolas Anelka dropped to the bench. Florent Malouda continued on the left wing. Chelsea crafted the first chance of the opening exchanges when a rare foray into the opposition half saw Malouda cut back to Michael Essien after escaping the attention of Dani Alves. Essien teed up Lampard, but the England midfielder's shot was wayward and curled wide of the upright. In response, Barcelona had a shot by Messi blocked by John Terry - the Catalans were struggling to find their deadly rhythm against a disciplined defensive unit. Ivanovic and Alex made hurried clearances as Barcelona balls into the box were only partially dealt with by Cech, as the hosts pushed forward. Pinned back, Chelsea were being trapped in the confines of their own defensive third, as all ten outfield players rushed back to defend against the pass-and-move tactic employed by Pep Guardiola. Xavi had a freekick deflected over by a solid Chelsea wall after Alex had conceded a needless freekick by fouling Messi, who was looking to be Barcelona's main attacking outlet. Ballack found himself in the referee's notebook when he hacked down Henry, although the Frenchman showed no sign of injury when he fashioned a chance on 33 minutes; cutting inside Ivanovic and forcing a decent parry out of the Chelsea goalkeeper. Cech had his angles well-calculated and a strong pair of wrists denied the Frenchman. But Barcelona's commitment to attack was leaving them wide open at the back, and they were almost exploited by the in-form Drogba. Bosingwa played a ball forward, and pressure from the Ivorian led to a rushed pass back from Marquez. Pouncing on the ball, Drogba's shot was blocked by Valdes, who then made a sensational recovery to claw the ball away from the Chelsea number 11 as he looked to steer home the rebound. It was the best chance of the half and a more composed finish would surely have seen the Blues take the lead. Michael Ballack then spurned an equally good opportunity at the start of the second half when he headed over from Drogba's delivery after Alves had fouled Malouda out wide. It was a great opportunity for the German international, and one you would have expected him to have converted. It stayed 0-0. Marquez was then carried off the pitch with what appeared to be medial knee ligament damage, and Carles Puyol replaced him - and found himself in the book inside 10 minutes. The Spanish defender will now miss the return leg, and with his Mexican teammate injured, Barcelona will have to field a makeshift centre-back pairing at Stamford Bridge. Messi then volleyed over after a training ground corner routine saw Xavi find the Argentine unmarked, before Cech palmed away a stinging drive from the right boot of Alves. Barcelona were quite clearly in the ascendancy but Chelsea's rearguard action was showing no signs of crumbling, especially with the assured Cech behind them. Alves curled over with a freekick and only a superb Cech save denied Eto'o after he had nutmegged Terry and left Alex chasing his shadow, but the outstretched leg of the goalkeeper preserved the clean sheet. Henry went down looking for a penalty under a Bosingwa challenge moments later before the Portuguese fullback superbly stopped Messi in his tracks. Ivanovic's superb sliding tackle denied Iniesta the space to move forward as Chelsea continued to hassle and harry the hosts, and Juliano Belletti - a substitute for Lampard - was enjoying a typically tenacious cameo appearance at his former home. Barcelona substitute Bojan wasted a glorious opportunity to win the game when he headed over from Alves' cross, and Cech then denied former Arsenal star Aliaksandr Hleb when he raced off his line to deny the Belarus midfielder. It finished 0-0, with Chelsea becoming the first side to keep a clean sheet at the Camp Nou this season. It sets up an intriguing second leg at the Bridge. Game on. ___________________________________________________________________ The TalkChelsea.net Star Man award goes to... Petr Cech, Chelsea F.C. Faultless from start to finish, the Czech made a phenomenal save from Eto'o when one-on-one with the African. Match Fact - prior to tonight's encounter, Barcelona had scored in every game at the Camp Nou this season. Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry ©, Bosingwa; Mikel, Ballack (Anelka); Essien, Lampard (Belletti), Malouda; Drogba Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés; Alves, Marquez (Puyol), Piqué, Abidal; Iniesta, Touré, Xavi ©; Messi, Eto'o (Bojan), Henry (Hleb)

So glad I don't have to regret saying that

Chelsea vs Fulham Saturday 2 May 2009, Premier League, Stamford Bridge, 3PM KO Chelsea host Fulham at Stamford Bridge in their third London derby in the space of two weeks. Victories against Arsenal and Fulham, coupled with credible goalless draws with Everton and Barcelona have not only seen Chelsea re-establish themselves in their typical imperious form under Guus Hiddink, but also put their defensive woes behind them with three successive clean sheets. It was poor marking which cost Chelsea two points at Fulham under Luiz Felipe Scolari, but the 0-0 at the Nou Camp will give the Blues the confidence they need at the back to get the job done. Match chat here.

These sort of game reminds me why Petr Cech is, in my opinion, the world's greatest goalkeeper.

Who cares, I say. Its behind him.

Played alright last night if you ask me. Would swap him for Deco, maybe?

I feel more confident about this than Liverpool away. For some strange reason I think we'll sneak it.