BlueLion.

Youth team

I definitely can't make it unfortunately. Shame, I went to the one in 2006 and it was top.

AC Milan 0 - 5 Chelsea F.C. August 3 2008, Russian Railways Cup, Stadium Lokomotiv, Moscow, Russia Nicolas Anelka netted four goals as Chelsea tore apart Serie A giants Milan. Completing an impressive pre-season which saw the Blues net nineteen goals in five matches, whilst conceding only one, Chelsea were a class apart from Carlo Ancelotti's injury-hit side, dominating proceedings and demonstrating that their new-found attacking freedom should be rightly feared by all in the Premier League. Frank Lampard opened the scoring with a deflected free-kick, before Anelka pounced to volley home a delightful second. The Frenchman was rampant and fired home after an error by Milan goalkeeper Kalac, before adding another two goals in the second half. The result is clearly a pleasing one for the Blues, who will now look ahead to their opening league game against Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge. With exceptionally-high morale and the players oozing confidence, Manchester United will no doubt be looking over their shoulder come the beginning of the new Premier League campaign. However, despite the impressive result, goalkeeper Petr Cech remains adamant that the crushing defeat over the Rossoneri was heavily influenced by the superior fitness of the Blues, who began their pre-season two weeks ahead of their Milan opponents. 'There is still a lot of work to do,' Cech said, casting his mind to Chelsea's potentially tricky opening salvo of league matches. Branislav Ivanovic was deployed at right-back ahead of Paulo Ferreira, and Luiz Felipe Scolari elected to rest Portuguese star Deco, instead offering Michael Ballack his first pre-season football. Michael Essien was dropped to the bench as Malouda began on the left wing. Milan were not without big names themselves, as Kalac, Maldini, Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Kaladze, Pirlo, Seedorf and Gattuso all featured in Moscow. Milan kicked off, but without a recognised striker the team had no shape and were immediately on the back foot. It took the Blues less than two minutes to open the scoring; midfielder Frank Lampard on the score sheet. Firing in an inswinging free-kick, the ball took a slight deflection off of a Milan defender, fooling Kalac and directing the ball through the goalkeeper's legs. An ideal start was capped off less than five minutes later as Anelka superbly doubled the Blues' lead. Malouda's cross-field ball, searching for the diminutive figure of Wright-Phillips, was only partially cleared by the Milan defenders, allowing Anelka the opportunity to volley home from outside the box. It was a clinical finish and testament to the confidence of the French striker. Chelsea were totally monopolising in possession and territory, and Ambrosini; acting as Milan's forward, was totally isolated against the Chelsea backline. Wright-Phillips volleyed over from 20 yards as the Blues continued their offensive onslaught, but a series of unforced errors by the Milan side appeared to be giving Scolari's side a helping hand. Closed down by Anelka and Malouda, veteran defender Maldini passed the ball back to Kalac, who inexplicably slipped and kicked nothing but air, allowing Anelka to steal in and slot the ball home. Milan as an attacking force were inexistent, and their defensive displays were leaving much to be desired. All that Milan could offer in return was a fierce drive from Pirlo. The Italian, famed for his long-ranged shooting, failed to test Petr Cech, who watched on as the ball sailed high and wide. Anelka headed wide moments later as Chelsea hit the Italians on the break. Ivanovic beat Favalli, but his ball into the box took the slightest of deflections and Anelka couldn't readjust himself in time. Wright-Phillips spurned a similar chance moments later, but the Blues were unable to add to their impressive half-time lead. Ballack, eased into his first pre-season action under Scolari, was replaced at high-time by Deco, and it took the Portuguese magician only a matter of moments to make his mark. Splitting the defence to find Malouda, Deco's pass allowed the Frenchman to launch a teasing cross between the goalkeeper and his centre-backs to the far stick, were Anelka headed home with aplomb. A stunning hat-trick was made all the more impressive by the quality of Chelsea's attacking play in the build up to the finish from Anelka. Deco was at it again moments later, combining once more with Malouda down the left flank. The Portuguese midfielder's pass found Ashley Cole, whose clever knock down allowed Malouda to pick out Anelka once again, and his compatriot made no mistake as he slid in to add his fourth goal of the afternoon. Deco tested Kalac himself with a blistering drive before the end, and Wright-Phillips' darting run was also denied by the goalkeeper. Malouda narrowly volleyed over with 80 minutes played, before Deco cracked an effort wide on his right foot. The result is an excellent one for Luiz Felipe Scolari ahead of Chelsea's league opener at the Bridge, and the form of Anelka is a welcome reprieve to the manager with Claudio Pizarro and Salomon Kalou unavailable. ___________________________________________________________________ Chelsea: Cech [6] (Cudicini [6]), Ivanovic [7] (Ferreira [6]), Alex [6], Terry [6] (Carvalho [6]), A Cole [7], Ballack [6] (Deco [7]), Mikel [7], Lampard [7], Wright-Phillips [7] (Sinclair [6]), Anelka [10] (Shevchenko [6]), Malouda [8] Attendance: Approx. 20,000 Referee: Yuri Baskakov Star Man : Nicolas Anelka

Ivanovic has impressed me a lot since he came to Chelsea, his attitude has been excellent. As a full-back, he reminds me very much of a traditional defender; tall and imposing, who takes no nonsense. That's what I like about him, and I'm sure he will more than challenge for the RB spot this season.

Hah we can all dream, but Milan are only in the UEFA Cup next season, which is testament to their decline.

To some extent, I agree with you. Friday was the much stiffer test but as you say we had luck on our side today.

Nicolas Anelka, take a bow.

A very good first half. Milan started to get into it with about 10 minutes to go before half-time, but they have done very little around the box. They are clearly missing their strikers, and obviously Kaka, but regardless of whoever is playing for them, this has been an absolutely top first half performance. Mikel, Lampard and Ivanovic have been very influential, and Anelka looks very sharp. The third goal was lucky, but what pleases me is that Anelka followed the ball into the box looking for that slice of luck, which is something he didn't do too often last year. His confidence is obviously high and its hugely pleasing. Balley has been quiet but this is a good work-out for him as he is still getting into good positions, and Malouda has been working very hard out on the wing. A good team performance, a few errors here and there but thats what one would come to expect from pre-season matches when fitness and sharpness isn't quite at its best. But we look very strong indeed. Keep it up, boys

I love the orange goalkeeper shirt. Its different.

A Shevchenko hat-trick wouldn't go amiss

Correct, Rajkovic is on a loan deal at Twente.

That guy would give Juninho a run for his money.

True, but I just get the feeling we're going to win something this season.

Slightly harsh. Maybe it was the wrong choice of wording, but after they scored the goal they seemed reluctant to go on and attack. Don't get me wrong, I'm well well aware of the fact that in the second half we had some opportunities, but if you look at the mannerisms of the players, the full-backs were rarely venturing forward and Lampard was dropping a lot deeper around the hour-mark. It seemed to me that the mentality was changed the defensive, and try and hit them on the counter, much like Lokomotiv were trying to do in the first-half. However, the Russians were much better in the second half and that was testament only to their superior fitness. They had about two decent efforts and scored a goal, whilst we had opportunities to score three or four but wasted them. But most importantly, as I say, its the performance rather than the result, and the players looked tired in the second half - which is good. The Russians were a lot fitter than us that but run-out will be beneficial come Sunday morning. Hopefully we can win against Milan and wrap up what has been a relatively pleasing pre season.

Yeah, in terms of colour its quite similar. In fact, I've been pleasantly surprised with all of the new kits, they all seemed a little bland at first glance but they're all starting to grow on me.

I feel a familiar sense of confidence heading into this season, but its a confidence I haven't felt since 2005/06. I genuinely believe we can go on and take the PL by storm.

I've got to hand it to you, as much as I want to decapitate you for getting that song in my head, lyrically that is phenomenal

Hopefully Robinho can take penalties

Early kick-off for this match, we need to be a lot more clinical in front of goal. Its all fine and dandy netting goals for fun against piss-poor teams, but we need to improve against Milan.

I know, he continues to frustrate the fans. If only it was Deco who was in that position...

Noticed the Deco one, top notch Jim.

Can't believe that. Great in the first half, and all of a sudden we just bottled it in the second half.

Fantastic first half performance, exceptionally professional and a sublime goal from Essien. Very pleasing, and the new kit looks beautiful.

I have high hopes for Sinclair; off the current crop of youngsters in the youth and reserve teams, he and di Santo have impressed me and shown they possess the necessary quality to be very much a part of Scolari's long-term plans.

I have every faith that FM15 will show his true qualities this season. Robinho would be a bonus to a squad more than capable of realistically winning two trophies, but as mentioned previously, we already have the necessary firepower and defensive mettle to win the league.