BlueLion.

Barnsley 1 - 0 Chelsea F.C. March 8 2008, FA Cup Round 6, Oakwell, Barnsley ***Click on image to enlarge*** Kayode Odejayi's thumping header ensured Barnsley progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals at the expense of holders Chelsea. The possibility of back-to-back FA Cups was shot down when Odejayi beat Carlo Cudicini in an aerial challenge to power the ball into the net. Chelsea were below par throughout the game and at times were second best to the Championship side who were excellent value for their visit to Wembley in a delicious semi-final tie. The Tykes have now disposed of the 2006 and 2007 cup winners - Liverpool and Chelsea - and after such battling performances against the two Premier League sides, Simon Davey's side now have a realistic chance of going the distance and lifting the FA Cup. For the trip to Oakwell, Avram Grant decided to shuffle his pack, though the team selected would easily have graced the Champions League - Terry and Carvalho operated at centre-half with Wayne Bridge and Juliano Belletti recalled. Essien replaced Lampard whilst the in-form Salomon Kalou was dropped to the bench, Malouda favoured over the young Ivorian striker. Barnsley's captain Brian Howard, once of Chelsea, set the early tone but his effort was wild and off-target, as Barnsley launched an opening salvo of attacks at the West London side. Nicolas Anelka was an isolated figure as widemen Malouda and Joe Cole were forced to track back and defend, whilst Odejayi was using the physical aspect of his game to upset both John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. The big centre-forward was proving to be a nuisance for the visitor's defence - an indication that Alex da Costa would have been more suited to mark the Barnsley striker than the ex-Porto defender Ricardo Carvalho. Cudicini was the more tested of the two goalkeepers, with Luke Steele - hero of Barnsley's epic win at Anfield in the last round - a mere spectator of the proceedings. The Italian was almost beaten when Ferenczi struck the frame of the goal before Odejayi broke free, only to see his shot from a tight angle blocked by the legs of Cudicini. It was a frenzied display by the home side who were showing no signs of respect for the Premiership big boys. Robert Kozluk was in inspired form for the Tykes and was clearly enjoying his battle with Joe Cole. Kozluk had twice denied Cole shooting opportunities early on and was called into action a further two times to block efforts from the Chelsea number 10. The Blues were beginning to wake up but the smell of an upset was in the air. The second half began as the first ended, with Chelsea dominating possession. However, the FA Cup holders were not able to carve open any serious scoring opportunities, though Joe Cole was once again denied by Robert Kozluk - this time the big defender making a wonderful last-ditch challenge to prevent the England winger from opening the scoring from eight yards out. Chelsea were becoming desperate and wasted chances by Shaun Wright-Phillips and the anonymous Florent Malouda were beginning to show signs of anxiety from the Londoners. Avram Grant was in no mood for a replay, and decided to throw on the forward pairing of Pizarro and Kalou - whilst Kalou was in top form, the Peruvian had found life hard in the Premier League and was finding as little joy against a well-marshalled Barnsley backline. Barnsley were defending admirably and breaking with pace, and the more Chelsea attacked the more Barnsley looked to exploit them. Knowing the home crowd were behind them, Devaney launched a beautiful pass into the penalty area where it was met by Odejayi. The big forward had failed to find the net since September, but he took the opportunity well and beat Cudicini in the air. The defending from Chelsea was appalling as they all stood motionless whilst Cudicini attempted to block a cross even Petr Cech would have struggled to reach. Oakwell erupted into a cauldron of emotion as the Tykes switched formation to nine defenders and just Odejayi up front - a tactic that would frustrate Chelsea for the remaining 25 minutes. John Terry ballooned over from sixteen yards and Nicolas Anelka was being pushed further out wide with every passing moment. The lack of Didier Drogba's presence was obvious and Chelsea were missing Frank Lampard in midfield. The minutes passed like seconds as Chelsea pressed for an equaliser, but their day was epitomised when Wright-Phillips volleyed over in stoppage time. Cue the referee's whistle, cue the celebrations - Barnsley were going to Wembley for a FA Cup semi-final, Chelsea were going out. ______________________________________ Match Fact : Barnsley have only ever reached the FA Cup semi-finals on three occassions - in 1910 they were beaten finalists, in 1912 they won the competition and now in 2008. Barnsley: Steele (6), Van Homoet (7), Foster (6), Souza (6), Kozluk (8), Campbell-Ryce (7), Hassell (6), Howard (6), Devaney (8) (Togwell (6)), Odejayi (8) (Coulson (6)), Ferenczi (6). Booked: Kozluk. Chelsea: Cudicini (4), Belletti (3) (Pizarro (5)), Terry (5), Carvalho (4), Bridge (4), Essien (4), Ballack (5), Malouda (1) (Kalou (5)), Wright-Phillips (3), Anelka (4), Joe Cole (6). Booked: Carvalho. Attendance: 22,410 Referee: Steve Bennett Man of the Match : Kayode Odejayi

:mellow: Why did he rotate? The team was working brilliantly with Kalou and Joe Cole supporting a striker, and considering we only have Derby and Sunderland to play within the next 7 days, surely only one or two changes would have been warranted.

Its more down to the fact Barnsley wanted to win. Chelsea players don't give a shit as long as they get their £120000 a week.

Updated

Amen

Sunderland 0-2 Everton, 15:00 Tottenham 1-1 West Ham, 15:00 Wigan 0-2 Arsenal, 16:00

Sunderland Vs Chelsea Chelsea face a tough trip to the Stadium of Light to face Roy Keane's Sunderland next weekend. Completing their run of games against teams in the lower reaches of the Premier League table, Avram Grant and Chelsea will be hoping for a repeat of their 2-1 win two seasons ago. Sunderland are a vastly-improving side and are now two points above the relegation zone, though just two wins in six has left them in contention for the drop. Match chat here!

Amen. I want to know what RA was thinking when he decided to replace the best manager in our history with a muppet who couldn't organise a piss-up in a pub.

I was laughing.

I think everyone is taking last night's result a little bit too far. Its the kick up the arse the players need. Grant's team selections have been poor but the team he fields should be able to beat Spurs and Barnsley. The players deserve some stick as well, hopefully it might make them realise that they have to play for the fans and each other from now, and not for Grant or anyone else. Plus, surely Grant is clinging to his last chance now?

Well played Barnsley. They showed heart last night, I hope they enjoy their visit to Wembley.

Carlo had a stinker last night. As much as I love the player, he just isn't up to the standard.

Grant's incompetence has lost us our two chances of silverware in the space of 13 days. Its simple, he has to go.

I'm in the same boat. I'm not the biggest fan of the kit but it isn't as bad as I expected it to be.

I am disgusted by that performance. I have supported Chelsea since the age of four and I honestly cannot think of a worse performance. The only player on the pitch who earned his place in the team was Joe Cole, even Terry and Carvalho had off nights. If a trophyless season results in Grant's sacking, so be it. In the space of a fortnight he has blown the only possibilities of silverware this season. If Barnsley can beat us, I can't wait till a trip to the Nou Camp. Abysmal.

Rio went the right way, would never had heard the end of it had he saved it. A win against Barnsley and a semi-final line-up of Boro vs Pompey and Chelsea vs West Brom would be perfect. This trophy is almost certainly our's, as long as we don't fuck up tonight.

Because of Cech's reputation, he just walks back into the team, which is a shame for Carlo, but its wonderful having a second-choice keeper that is better than 90% of the rest of the goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Used it on the Olympiakos match report

Chelsea F.C. 3 - 0 Olympiakos February 19 2008, UEFA Champions League Round of 16, First Leg, Karaiskákis Stadium, Athens March 4 2008, UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Second Leg, Stamford Bridge, West London ***Click on image to enlarge*** An early salvo from Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard ensured Chelsea progressed into the Quarter Finals of the UEFA Champions League. With an aggregate score of 0-0 after a dull game in Athens, Ballack opened the scoring in the return leg with a fine header before England midfielder Frank Lampard added a second from close range. Salomon Kalou wrapped up an impressive win for the Blues, who along with Arsenal and Manchester United, progress to the next round of the tournament. The first leg was an intriguing affair though both teams seemed content to play out a goalless draw. Chelsea had the better of the game with Florent Malouda testing Nikopolidis from range and Ricardo Carvalho going close with a close-range header, though the Greek side had their own chances - Djordjevic testing Cech with an excellent free kick. The complexion of the second leg may have been completely turned upside-down had Salomon Kalou connected with a punt upfield, but the young Ivorian's touch let him down. For the return game, Avram Grant had no fresh injury worries although Petr Cech was unfit to play due to injury which would also rule him out of crunch FA Cup and Premier League fixtures against Barnsley and Derby County. His replacement was Carlo Cudicini whilst Nicolas Anelka was dropped in favour of Didier Drogba in an otherwise unchanged line-up to the team that crushed West Ham 4-0 at Upton Park despite having Frank Lampard dismissed. Chelsea came out with masses of confidence and could have taken a two-minute lead had a combination of the post and the assistant referee's flag not deemed Joe Cole offside as he shot inside the box. Much like Nicolas Anelka's early effort against West Ham that was ruled out, it was a tight decision but replays indicated that the linesman was correct with his decision. But the home team were not rueing missed chances for long as German international Michael Ballack powered home a bullet header from six yards. Winning a throw in down the left, Ashley Cole passed to Lampard who in turn lofted a delightful ball to the near post where Ballack was left unopposed to power the ball home. A trademark finish from the German and a trademark 'Jah!' celebration to boot, the German proving he has the capabilities to perform in midfield along with the Chelsea vice-captain. Ballack forced a fine save out of Nikopolidis on twenty-five minutes, with the rebound falling to the unmarked Lampard who netted his 103rd goal in a Chelsea jersey. A simple finish by Chelsea's top-scorer; with four goals in his last five matches. Chelsea were dominant and Olympiakos were offering little in return to their hosts, and could have scored a third late on in the half through Makelele - the Frenchman uncharacteristically shooting from range. The effort was on target but directed straight at the goalkeeper. Makelele could have scored his first goal since November 2006 had his finish been more clinical, turning brilliantly on the edge of the area before testing Nikopolidis, but not before Kalou had put the game beyond the Athenians with a poacher's finish. A Frank Lampard corner bounced awkwardly in the penalty area before the striking instinct of the young Ivorian saw him in the right place at the right time to net his first Champions League goal for the club. Lampard should have scored moments afterwards but dragged his shot wide from an increasingly difficult angle after being thread through behind the Olympiakos defence. Joe Cole went close as the second half progressed but it was not until the last eight minutes that the Greeks began to show any of the class which earned them a 3-1 away win at Werder Bremen. Substitute Fernando Belluschi powered a beautiful effort onto the crossbar with Cudicini beaten and the same player saw a free kick well palmed away by Cudicini. The Italian goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to save a headed effort from Paraskevas Antzas as Chelsea progressed to the last eight in style, with the prospect of four British teams in the semi-finals should Liverpool dispose of Internazionale. ______________________________________ Match Fact : Chelsea are 60 games unbeaten at home in all competitions. Chelsea: Cudicini (6), Ferreira (6), Carvalho (6), Terry (6), Ashley Cole (7), Ballack (9), Makelele (8), Lampard (7) (Essien (6)), Kalou (6) (Malouda (6)), Drogba (5), Joe Cole (7) (Wright-Phillips (6)). Booked: Lampard, Ferreira, Terry. Goals: Ballack 6, Lampard 25, Kalou 48. Olympiakos: Nikopolidis, Zewlakow, Julio Cesar, Antzas, Pantos, Ledesma (Belluschi 53), Patsatzoglou, Torosidis (Sisic 75), Djordjevic (Leonardo 57), Stoltidis, Kovacevic. Booked: Pantos. Attendance: 37,721 Referee: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain). Man of the Match : Michael Ballack

Thats fantastic, good turnout.

21 in 67 games, which isn't the worst of records if truth be told, especially as 19 of those appearances are from the bench.

So who's off to the match? I have family commitments so its a no-go for me.

They look terrific

Avram Grant has ruled Petr Cech out of action for the next seven days. The manager issued an update on the ankle injury, suffered by the Chelsea keeper in training on the eve of the Champions League match versus Olympiacos. 'He's getting better but it will take about one week more,' Grant said. He reported no other injury problems ahead of the Barnsley FA Cup tie with one more training session to be completed. From the official website. Because of this, it appears Carlo will play against Barnsley and Derby, we shalln't miss Petr too much.

BlueLion - 2 David - 4 Adam - 2