BlueLion.

Same here Tri-Blue. I think its fair to say we gave him his chance but he didn't take it. Even if he wins us the PL and UCL, I'll want him gone.

To be honest, my head says the Arsenal game will end up 1-1. Unless JT can galvanise the team again.

Lippi as manager and Clarke and Zola as assistants. Sounds good.

If that is Grant's ability to kick a ball, one can only wonder why he is our manager

Avram Grant?

Right back has always been a problem for us over the last ten or so years. We've had great full-backs who are quality defenders but poor going forward and the exact opposite - tis is true of Belletti and Ferreira, and Johnson was much the same. Brilliant in attack but lacking defensively.

Long time no see mate. Welcome back.

Match Report = click here

Sunderland AFC 0 - 1 Chelsea FC March 15 2008, Premier League, Gameweek 30, Stadium of Light, Sunderland John Terry netted his first Chelsea goal in 19 months to ensure three vital points in the race for the Premier League title. The Chelsea skipper, who had failed to score in competitive football for the Blues since their 3-0 victory over Manchester City in August 2006, rose highest from a Frank Lampard corner to head home and earn the West London outfit a useful win over Sunderland. And with title rivals Arsenal failing to beat Middlesbrough at the Emirates stadium, it was going to take a dogged performance to ensure the gap between third and second was cut to just three points. Avram Grant decided to rest Ricardo Carvalho and Claude Makelele; the experienced duo at the spine of the team having played the majority of Chelsea's fixtures over the past three months. In came the more physical presence of Alex da Costa to partner John Terry at the back, whilst Nigerian John Obi Mikel was preferred to sit in front of the defence. Didier Drogba replaced Nicolas Anelka in the only other change to the side that thrashed Derby 6-1 in midweek, with Carlo Cudicini continuing to deputise for Petr Cech. Chelsea began the match the more urgent of the teams as Sunderland's apparent game plan was to defend and allow the former champions to attack. After a strong spell of pressure, John Terry rose the highest at the near post from a superb Frank Lampard and thundered the ball beyond goalkeeper Craig Gordon to put Chelsea 1-0 up. It was the first goal of the season for the Chelsea skipper and he celebrated with the fans as the Blues looked to continue their recent good form. Kalou was rampant early on and his wing partnership with Joe Cole was paying dividends. Chelsea were using their width to open up the congested Sunderland defence but both Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack were looking slightly leggy and not fully match fit, an indication of the fixture congestion that Chelsea have been forced to battle through. Kalou played a brilliant one-two with compatriot Didier Drogba and would have had an easy tap-in had the excellence of Phil Bardsley not prevent him a one-on-one with Gordon. Cole went close moments later following a brilliant link-up between his namesake Ashley and Frank Lampard, but the Black Cats were standing firm. Avram Grant had selected Alex ahead of Carvalho due to the Brazilian's strength and power, but Chelsea were clearly missing the intelligence of Ricardo Carvalho, the regular marshal of the Blues' defence. Carlos Edwards wastefully volleyed over unmarked from 12 yards, though the angle was an inviting one and the Sunderland winger should have done better on his favoured right foot. Carlo Cudicini had to be at his best moments afterwards, brilliantly tipping away a wonderful free kick by Irishman Reid; the Italian shotstopper flinging himself across the goal to palm the ball away - a hallmark to the Carlo Cudicini of 2002/03 which saw the Chelsea goalkeeper earn the Premier League golden gloves. The pace of O'Donovan was causing problems for the Chelsea defence, though Carlo Cudicini reacted brilliantly to pluck the ball out of the air before the Sunderland player could head home moments before the same player headed weakly goalwards, only to see Cudicini get down smartly to clutch the ball with two grateful hands. The Italian was also fast off his line to deny the Irishman, who left a foot in as the Italian stole the ball away. Cudicini was incensed as memories of that fatal clash between Petr Cech and Reading's Steven Hunt were refreshed in Chelsea minds. Moments before the half-time whistle, Grant's side could have wrapped up the win when Lampard broke through. The in-form midfielder shot across goal, forcing a good save out of the Scottish international Gordon. The fast pace of the game would continue in the second half, though it was Sunderland who started the stronger following the interval. Cudicini could only palm away a stinger from Grant Leadbitter before Collins wastefully headed wide at the far post with just the goalkeeper to beat from the resulting corner. John Obi Mikel did excellently with 70 minutes on the clock to hack away a cross from the left and direct the ball out of play for a corner, before substitute Dwight Yorke began to turn the screw. The experienced midfielder launched a series of searching balls forward throughout the latter stages and the best chances that fell to the home side were a result of the Trinidad and Tobago player's long-range passing. Launching the ball to Kenwyne Jones, the former Southampton man headed straight into Cudicini's hands and later ballooned another attempt over the bar. Sunderland's main goal threat was uncharacteristically sluggish and lacking his usual composure in front of goal. Leadbitter spun excellently outside of the area and shot just wide of Cudicini's near post in stoppage time, whilst Drogba went close with a dipping free kick at the other end. Chelsea hung on for the victory to claim their ninth win in 12 Premier League matches. ______________________________________ Match Fact : At this stage last season, Chelsea had amassed 68 points – four more than their total thus far this campaign. Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Evans, Nosworthy, Collins, Edwards (Prica 62), O'Donovan (Yorke 73), Whitehead, Leadbitter (Harte 85), Reid, Jones Chelsea: Cudicini (8), Ferreira (6), Alex (6), Terry (7), Ashley Cole (7), Mikel (7), Ballack (5) (Essien (6)), Lampard (6), Joe Cole (7) (Wright-Phillips (6)), Kalou (7), Drogba (6) Attendance: 44,679 Referee: Mike Dean Man of the Match : Carlo Cudicini

Not quite as simple as that, I don't think. Arsenal are on a rot, yes - but they will raise their game for this Sunday.

Daniele De Rossi Sorry, I just don't think either of those players would bring anything to the club we don't already have in Lampard, Ballack and Joe

I think this game will be tough but Spurs are on the rot and we are going to want revenge. A 1-0 would be adequate.

Good odds for Franco.

Results BlueLion, DavidEU - 16 Adam.k, OllieCFC - 14 Mungii - 12

Updated

Roman would make an excellent decision to appoint Zola as a coach, though I believe Lippi is the best candidate with Zola as his assistant.

Poetic truth. Brilliant.

I heard Millwall are looking for a new manager

Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea FC Chelsea travel to White Hart Lane looking for their tenth win in 13 Premier League matches. A single goal from captain John Terry was enough to ensure Chelsea earned three points away to Sunderland, whilst Frank Lampard notched four goals against Derby County in a 6-1 humiliation at Stamford Bridge. Knowing that three points will take them level second with Arsenal and the Gunners to visit Stamford Bridge at the weekend, Wednesday night's fixture against Spurs offers Chelsea the opportunity to gain revenge for their defeat to Spurs in the League Cup Final as well as turn the screw in the title race. Match chat here!

Ultimately it is the result that wins matches and we just did enough to win. It was a typical Chelsea away performance - not play well but still do enough to get the win. Three points are a must and I happy we got the result. Chelsea fans were in fine voice today, well played to them.

Already a topic on this in the Football Talk forum

Chelsea F.C. 6 - 1 Derby County March 12 2008, Premier League, Gameweek 29, Stamford Bridge, West London ***Click on image to enlarge*** Frank Lampard netted four goals as Chelsea thrashed bottom club Derby County to close to gap at the top to five points. With another game in hand over title rivals Arsenal, Chelsea could be just two points behind their London rivals when they face Tottenham next week and Avram Grant's men are yet to face both Arsenal and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The result was in little doubt from the beginning of the match as Chelsea looked for an early breakthrough, but Derby rarely threatened and Chelsea were good value for their 2-0 half-time lead, courtesy of the in-form duo of Lampard and Salomon Kalou. Avram Grant elected to field the same side that beat West Ham 4-0 at Upton Park in Chelsea's last Premier League encounter, resulting in Didier Drogba being limited to a place on the substitutes bench. Derby were without key midfielder Giles Barnes for the match at Stamford Bridge, knowing they were edging ever closer to the drop. The Chelsea manager was met with a number of boos as the proceedings got underway, though Grant seemed unfazed as his Chelsea side looked to extend their unbeaten home record to 77 games against the statistically worse side in the Premier League. Chelsea's shock dismissal from the FA Cup against Barnsley had resulted in an unusual atmosphere of silence and tension at Stamford Bridge, though the excellent attacking displays of Nicolas Anelka, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard were demonstrating reason for optimism. Lampard hit the post early on at the end of a sweeping move, turning away from his marker before prodding the ball against the frame of the goal, though the England midfielder's efforts were not to go unrewarded as he won a penalty for his team on 27 minutes. Making his trademark late run into the danger zone, Joe Cole's clever reverse ball found Lampard who was fouled by Dean Leacock, an early substitute for the unfit Alan Stubbs. Lampard dusted himself down and dispatched the penalty to give Chelsea a harshly-awarded yet deserved breakthrough. A defensive disaster followed as Derby proved the catalyst of their own downfall. Frank Lampard's raking ball forward unleashed Anelka but the Frenchman was blocked by the sliding challenge of Roy Carroll. The former Manchester United goalkeeper only succeeded in passing directly to Kalou, who coolly guided the ball into the empty net from thirty-five yards. It was the young Ivorian's tenth goal of the season and an indication of his importance to the team. The floodgates were well and truly open and but for several harsh offside calls, Chelsea could have had a 4-0 lead by half-time. Michael Ballack was deemed to be beyond the last defender before he smashed an effort past Carroll, whilst Joe Cole was flagged for trying to poke the ball home. Kalou had the opportunity to finish Derby off before the interval, but his effort was well palmed away by Carroll before Anelka was blown for offside. Chelsea were totally dominant and it was only a matter of time before the third goal was scored. Anelka had a wonderful opportunity to add to his tally of two goals since arriving from Bolton; the Frenchman heading wide under pressure from Darren Moore. Joe Cole came close to applying the killer blow following Lampard's mazy run, which saw the Chelsea vice-captain take on and beat seven Derby players but his drilled cross from the by-line was too venomous for Cole to control and fire home. But his efforts were not unrewarded as the Chelsea number 10 clinched his goal just beyond the hour mark, but not before supplying Lampard the easiest of tap-ins to put Chelsea even further ahead following a beautiful one-two between Cole and Anelka. Cole fired home following Anelka's effort which was well-saved by Carroll, but the goalkeeper could only watch on as Cole struck to put Chelsea in the comfort zone. Lampard got his much-craved hattrick moments afterwards, cutting inside and launching a bulleting drive into the bottom corner. A classy finish from the England player, his fourth was even better. Playing a one-two with Cole, and out-muscled Leacock and powered the ball home with Carroll wrong-footed. Derby earned a consolation as David Jones fired home from close range but the Rams had been put the slaughter at Stamford Bridge. ______________________________________ Match Fact : Chelsea are 77 home league games unbeaten. Chelsea: Cudicini (6), Ferreira (6), Carvalho (7), Terry (6), Ashley Cole (6), Ballack (7) (Drogba (6)), Makelele (8) (Essien (6)), Lampard (10), Joe Cole (9) (Shevchenko (6)), Anelka (8), Kalou (8). Derby: Carroll, Edworthy, Stubbs (Leacock 16), Moore, McEveley, Sterjovski, Ghaly (Earnshaw 52), Savage, Pearson, Lewis (Jones 58), Miller. Attendance: 39,447. Referee: Chris Foy Man of the Match : Frank Lampard

If its true, it is the perfect ending to the week.

I can see a United - Chelsea final at the end of the tunnel. Providing the team plays well, they are the two best teams left IMO.