BlueLion.

The thing is, we can draw level with United. If we match their result against Arsenal in our match with Wigan and we then win our game over them against Everton, it will be level peggings ahead of their match against Blackburn. It's all very tight.

Three points behind. They have Le Arse next week - I fancy Wenger's side to snatch a draw.

You can't compare Messi and Mikel, they're completely different players completely. Mikel doesn't have the speed to be an advanced playmaker. His physique is built for a defensive minded chappy.

Updated

Manchester City 0 - 2 Chelsea FC April 5 2008, Premier League, Gameweek 33, City of Manchester Stadium, Greater Manchester Chelsea applied further pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester United by beating their cross-town rivals Manchester City. Chelsea were ahead inside six minutes thanks to a Richard Dunne own-goal, but the visiting side failed to extend their lead until the second half when Salomon Kalou rounded Joe Hart and slid the ball into an empty net. Carlo Cudicini denied Martin Petrov with an excellent parry and the Chelsea goalkeeper was also called into action to block Stephen Ireland's driven cross. Nicolas Anelka tested Joe Hart on two occasions, only to see both denied by the athleticism of the Manchester City shot-stopper. Electing to make six changes from the side that was defeated 2-1 in Turkey by Fenerbahce, Avram Grant decided to field former Manchester City players Nicolas Anelka and Shaun Wright-Phillips - the former having scored the goal against Chelsea which led to their only league defeat of the 2004/05 season. Alex replaced the rested Ricardo Carvalho who, like Didier Drogba, was not selected on the bench. Juliano Belletti started at right-full-back and deployed both Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel at the centre of midfield. Kalou replaced Joe Cole, who was on the bench along with Michael Ballack, Andrei Shevchenko, Paulo Ferreira and Henrique Hilario. Chelsea began the livelier of the two teams and were ahead through an unfortunate circumstance for City captain Richard Dunne. The Republic of Ireland international slid the ball into his own net when trying to cut out a cross from Nicolas Anelka, knowing that he had to try and divert the ball away or allow Essien a tap-in from five yards. He directed the ball into his own goal and beyond a bemused Joe Hart. For the second time in a week, Chelsea were ahead through an own goal. City were looking like a side who had only emerged as victors in three of their last 15 Premier League matches - though one was a 1-2 away triumph at Old Trafford in the Manchester Derby. Chelsea were dominating and memories were cast back to November when Chelsea thumped their opponents 6-0 at Stamford Bridge, and another comfortable victory seemed on the cards, but for a brilliant last-ditch challenge by Nedum Onuoha, preventing Nicolas Anelka a clear run at goal. Onuoha's challenge inspired City onwards, and went close several times as they closed the half the stronger of the two teams. Martin Petrov went wide with a driving effort from distance before Michael Johnson spurned an excellent chance to draw City level. The best chance fell to Stephen Ireland, who saw his shot brilliantly blocked by the stretching Belletti following excellent work by Benjani. Cudicini was almost fooled by the intelligence of Petrov, but he recovered to brilliantly palm away a brilliant shot by Martin Petrov - the Bulgarian seemed to be prepared to cross but instead arrowed an effort to the top corner, only to see the Italian 'keeper deny him. Defender Alex da Costa had to be at his best to deny Benjani a clear sight of goal - the Brazilian spreading himself well to block the former Portsmouth forward. City started the second half the more adventurous of the two teams but Chelsea were looking comfortable despite the pressure being applied on them. Ashley Cole, who had earlier cleared off the line, had Elano Bulmer effectively marked out of the game and the home side were missing the Brazilian's influence. Avram Grant replaced the ineffective Wright-Phillips who received a standing ovation from the City faithful, before being replaced with Joe Cole. The England winger's introduction had immediate effects as Anelka found space in the area, only to be denied once more by Onuoha, but it was not long before Salomon Kalou doubled the lead. Essien was again involved in the build-up, and his intelligent through ball between the two central defenders allowed Kalou the time and space to roll the ball in after taking it around Joe Hart. Hart, however, would not beat twice in similar fashion and denied Anelka brilliantly as the Frenchman looked to round the England you-21 custodian. Joe Cole's presence was causing problems and a delightful pass by Frank Lampard after a one-two with Cole gave Anelka the opportunity to wrap up the win, but his header was palmed onto the crossbar spectacularly by Hart before being pushed away by the young goalkeeper. A truly wonderful save that prevented his team from suffering further embarrassment. The final whistle blew and Chelsea can now focus on their crunch game with Fenerbahce at Stamford Bridge with renewed confidence. ___________________________________________________________________ Match Fact : Chelsea are 78 home league games unbeaten. Man City: Hart (7), Corluka (6), Dunne (5), Onuoha (6) (Jihai Sun (6)), Ball (5), Ireland (7) (Caicedo (6)), Gelson (6), Johnson (6), Petrov (7), Elano (5) (Vassell (6)), Benjani (6). Chelsea: Cudicini (7), Belletti (6) (Ferreira (6)), Alex (7), Terry (6), Ashley Cole (7), Essien (8), Mikel (6), Lampard (6), Wright-Phillips (5) (Joe Cole (7)), Anelka (8), Kalou (6). Attendance: 42,594 Referee: Chris Foy (6) Man of the Match : Nicolas Anelka

I'm certain we will win this one. 3-0 probably. Give Fenerbastards a footballing lesson.

1-0 Own Goal by Manchester City's Richard Dunne A sliding tackle made by Dunne forces the ball into the net though Essien would have scored had Dunne not have netted. Assist by Nicolas Anelka. Here we go again. Latest scores across the Premier League: Aston Villa 1-0 Bolton Goalscorer - Gareth Barry [AV] Blackburn 1-1 Tottenham Goalscorers - Dimitar Berbatov [TH]; Gamst Pedersen [bR] Fulham 0-0 Sunderland Newcastle 1-0 Reading Goalscorer - Obefemi Martins Wigan 1-0 Birmingham Goalscorer - Ryan Taylor

I was thinking that. Were they pissing on other people as well?

Cheers, Badboy.

That isn't good news at all. He's look a forlorn figure ever since Mourinho left.

Spot on. We've took a step backwards and everyone knows we have. The sooner he leaves the sooner we can prepare for next season and an onslaught on the PL title.

I'm curious about the team selection - he must be resting the likes of Carvalho, Ballack and Cole for the Fenerbastards game. I think we shall win this - it would take us three clear of Olympique Arsenais

To be honest... their second goal was out of this world. Absolute screamer.

Who promoted Kezman to Captain Obvious?

I was hoping Didier kicked Grant's arse back to Isreal.

Shouldn't Fergie and Grant be the other way around? If so I'd be inclined to agree with the twat.

I was being positive

Actually CM, I've 100% with you. I still go to watch games to support the club and the players but until Grant goes I shalln't see the club in the same light. The most decent thing the man could do is walk out at the end of the season so that he and the club are left with some integrity.

Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool Villa 2-1 Bolton Blackburn 2-1 Tottenham Fulham 1-2 Sunderland Man City 0-2 Chelsea Newcastle 2-1 Reading Wigan 2-1 Birmingham Everton 4-1 Derby Middlesbrough 0-4 Man Utd West Ham 1-3 Portsmouth

Spot on. We've faced worse odds against better teams.

:thumbsdown: Had a decent game in my opinion, unlucky not to be on the scoresheet one way or another. I'm as confident going into the home game on the back of a 2-1 loss as a 1-0 win. We have the away goal; the pressure's on them.

In my opinion, that is not a loss. We are a completely different team at Stamford Bridge. I'm not overly confident but I have faith that we can progress with relative ease next week. Being behind on aggregate gives us an extra incentive to go on and attack.

What an abysmal performance. Absolutely woeful in the second half, they had the game there for the taking at the interval - and they spectacularly fucked it up. Grant is going to get a lot of stick for his team selection and substitutions, but the bottom line is that that second half showing was one of worst performances we have made this season. I'm still confident that we can go and win at Stamford Bridge - it only takes a 1-0 win for us at home to progress, though I don't fancy our chances in fairness. Woeful. Absolutelty woeful.

I have little doubt we will beat them over the tie, bt this game has 0-0 written all over it.

Chelsea F.C. 1 - 0 Middlesbrough March 30 2008, Premier League, Gameweek 32, Stamford Bridge, West London Chelsea returned to second in the Premier League following their hard-fought victory over Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough. Defender Ricardo Carvalho's first goal of the season proved the difference as the defender rose highest to bullet home Wayne Bridge's superb free-kick after five minutes, though Boro were denied three times by the woodwork at Stamford Bridge. Brazilian striker Afonso Alves was first denied by the goalpost from 35 yards before he headed agonisingly against the crossbar whilst unmarked inside the six-yard box. Middlesbrough defender David Wheater followed up but he too sent his headed effort against the frame of the goal. It was a hard-fought victory against a tenacious Boro side who have greatly improved in recent weeks; earning impressive draws away to Aston Villa and Arsenal. Chelsea captain John Terry celebrated with Carlo Cudicini at the full-time whistle; the defender embracing the Italian shotstopper knowing that this win would add to the team's morale heading into Wednesday's crunch fixture in the Champions League away to Fenerbahce. Frank Lampard was an absentee for Chelsea and the Blues' midfield was lacking the creativity of the England international's passing and long-range shooting. The home side would rely on Didier Drogba to lead the Chelsea line, joined by the in-form duo of Salomon Kalou and Joe Cole. Michael Essien returned to midfield alongside Ballack and John Obi Mikel who was a replacement for the rested Claude Makelele and Juliano Belletti came into the defence. Wayne Bridge was offered his first start since the defeat to Barnsley whilst Nicolas Anelka and Andrei Shevchenko were amongst a host of substitutes. Cudicini continued in the absence of Petr Cech. Chelsea started brightly and Didier Drogba was oozing confidence. The Ivorian cut inside of his marker and unleashed a driving effort against the chest of Mark Schwarzer from all of forty yards. The shot was too hot to handle and had Kalou have beaten David Wheater to the ball, Chelsea may have taken the lead within the space of two minutes. Yet the home side were not to be denied, and Wayne Bridge's freekick from the left-hand-side into the penalty area found Ricardo Carvalho, who headed home from all of fourteen yards. It was a brilliant goal by the Portuguese centre-half; a perfect mix of power and placement. Delighting his manager, Carvalho had given Avram Grant the start he had hoped for. The Blues were dominating the early exchanges, and could have gone 2-0 up had Drogba not wasted Kalou's brilliant cross. The Ivorian winger had brilliantly fooled his marker and earned his team a corner which he took himself, but his compatriot could only head wide under pressure from Wheater, who was marshalling the Boro defence. Boro were beginning to get back into the game by the end of the first period, though Carlo Cudicini's smart save following a rifled effort from Stuart Downing was all that the visiting side had conjured in an attacking sense. Chelsea had taken their foot off the gas; clearly comfortable with their one-goal lead. Kalou had a shot blocked following a brilliant work from Michael Essien who magnificently flicked the ball into the Ivorian's path, but his route to goal was blocked by a combination of Boro pressure and a weak first touch. Joe Cole shot weakly at Schwarzer before Drogba wasted a glorious chance when he headed over from eight yards whilst unmarked in the area. It was a fabulous chance and would have guaranteed the three points for a side bidding to go 78 home leagues matches unbeaten. The second half saw Shaun Wright-Phillips introduced and he shot narrowly wide from an acute angle after being threaded through by Joe Cole, and the Chelsea number 10 himself fired weakly straight at the Middlesbrough goalkeeper. John Terry headed straight into the arms of Schwarzer from a Belletti corner on 55 minutes before Michael Essien's dipping volley from the edge of the area whistled inches over the crossbar. Wright-Phillips shot wastefully over from 12 yards and the longer the game went on at 1-0, the more confidence Middlesbrough gained. The Boro side seemed to galvanise themselves for one less push for an equaliser, and substitute Afonso Alves seemed to make the difference. Beating the offside trap on the counter-attack, Alves beat the onrushing Cudicini to the ball and looked to have slotted the ball home from 35 yards, only to see his effort rebound off the post before being cleared by John Terry. The same player had already wasted a wonderful chance from eight yards, glancing a header wide whilst unmarked, and headed again at the goal frame before Weather followed up, the defender heading also against Cudicini's crossbar. The rebound fell to ex-Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere, who blazed over under pressure from John Terry and Wayne Bridge from seven yards. ___________________________________________________________________ Match Fact : Chelsea are 78 home league games unbeaten. Chelsea: Cudicini (6), Belletti (4), Carvalho (8), Terry (7), Bridge (6), Ballack (6) (Wright-Phillips (6)), Essien (6), Mikel (7), Joe Cole (6), Drogba (6) (Alex (6)), Kalou (6) (Anelka (6)). Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor, O'Neil (Johnson 79), Cattermole (Shawky 89), Boateng, Downing, Sanli (Alves 64), Aliadiere. Attendance: 39,993 Referee: Phil Dowd (4) Man of the Match : Ricardo Carvalho