BlueLion.

Thanks a bunch mate

The away fans should be sent to the East Upper South IMO.

CFR Cluj versus Chelsea F.C. Champions League, Matchday 2, 1 October 2008, 19:45 KO, live on Sky Sports. Chelsea head to Romania to face competition new-boys Cluj. On their Champions League bow, the Romanian side beat AS Roma 2-1 in the Stadio Olimpico, and see themselves second in the group behind their opponents; Chelsea. The Blues breezed past the Girondins de Bordeaux and whilst Luiz Felipe Scolari will be cautious with his side's approach to playing Cluj, Chelsea will no doubt be favourites to take early control of the group with three points. Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka got the ball rolling for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a 4-0 win. Since the victory over Bordeaux, the Blues have gone on to draw 1-1 with Manchester United and crush Portsmouth 0-4 at Fratton Park, before heading to the midlands to face Stoke City. Cluj showed their determination to impress by coming from behind in Rome to win 2-1, but with 18 goals scored in their opening seven matches of the season, and just three conceded, the Blues look a safe bet for group qualification, even at this early stage. Match chat here!

Match report: http://www.talkchelsea.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=2722

Portsmouth 0 - 4 Chelsea F.C. September 24 2008, Carling Cup, Third Round, Fratton Park, Portsmouth Frank Lampard scored twice as Chelsea breezed past Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth in the Carling Cup. The England midfielder got the ball rolling ten minutes before the interval with a penalty after Michael Ballack had been hacked down in the area by Algerian defender Nadir Belhadj, before Florent Malouda hammered home a second moments later. Lampard and Kalou added goals in the second half as last season's finalists made it through to the Fourth Round. The Fratton Park crowd was expecting a response after their 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City at the weekend - a side Chelsea had previously tamed 3-1 - but they would have been disappointed when the home side lined up in a defensive 4-5-1 formation. Luiz Felipe Scolari demonstrated his intentions to show respect to both the opposition and the competition by fielding a strong line-up, which featured Didier Drogba in a starting role for the first time since the Champions League final in May. Whilst John Mikel Obi, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa were all rested, the Blues starting eleven featured the likes of John Terry, Lampard, Michael Ballack and Petr Cech, and the Blues seized the initiative early on, dominating play and creating several early chances. Portsmouth were limiting Chelsea through their defensive ploys, but the flair and quality of the visitors' attacking play could not be denied by any rearguard, and within minutes the Blues had fashioned several chances. Michael Ballack played in Drogba, who unleashed a rasping drive from all of 25 yards that David James happily saw fizz past the upright, before Kalou poked wide after being put through on goal with the goalkeeper advancing. But the home side could only hold on for so long, and on 36 minutes, Chelsea made their breakthrough. Ballack was cynically scythed down by Belhadj inside the area, and Frank Lampard made no mistake from the spot, scoring his second penalty kick against Portsmouth this season. Belhadj had earlier had the opportunity to open the scoring, but he had wastefully smacked the ball over the crossbar from Crouch's knock-down. Portsmouth were failing to create chances and even the pace of John Utaka and the physical presence of Crouch was doing little to deter the comfortable partnership of Terry and Alex at the back. On the stroke of half-time, Malouda added a second. Kalou's lay-off from Wayne Bridge's throw carved the Pompey defence in two, allowing the Frenchman to hammer a shot beyond James from fifteen yards. The goal signalled Chelsea's complete dominance in the game and a second strike of the season for Malouda suggests the former Lyon man has finally found his feet at the London club. A third goal was scored within four minutes of the restart, but the Fratton Park support barely knew anything about it. Ballack stroked the ball across the field to the waiting Salomon Kalou, whose ball across the six yard box glanced off David James' knee and into the path of an unaware Frank Lampard. The ball hit the England midfielder on the leg and bounced into the goal, and his low-key celebration in front of the Portsmouth home end perhaps demonstrated the embarrassing ease at which the Blues - kitted out in all-yellow - were tearing their team to shreds. Portsmouth seemed happy to help Chelsea score, as another howler by their defence allowed the away side to score a fourth goal. Distin was far too casual in his clearance, striking the ball against the bulking frame of debutant Branislav Ivanovic, before Kalou collected the loose ball, and drilled it beyond the hapless David James. Chelsea could have extended their lead but we happy to play keep-ball, as Scolari's side continued to demonstrate their dominance in matches, and their brilliant attacking play, that richly rewarded the travelling away supporters. With Stoke at the weekend, the manager will be hoping to continue this good form into October. ___________________________________________________________________ Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Pamarot, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Mvuemba, Kaboul, Hughes (Wilson), Belhadj (Traore), Crouch (Kanu) Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Bridge, Belletti, Ballack (Ferreira), Lampard (Sinclair), Kalou, Malouda, Drogba (Di Santo) Attendance: 15,339 Star Man : Salomon Kalou

I think for certain Carvalho is the best centre half in English football, possibly in the world. Both have varying qualities, as oxfordblues points out - JT would die for the cause whilst Riccy is just overall possibly the better defender. But at the end of the day, they're both fucking amazing

Very impressive performance. I know it was against a struggling side but Portsmouth didn't play that badly against us in fairness, but we were very comfortable and efficient. 4-0 flattered us a bit in fairness, we just had luck on our side it seemed, but great to see Frank amongst the goals and I hope Kalou's recent good form earns him a run in the team some time.

Got it, thanks Jim

The way the replies are displayed is a bit awkward IMO. Anyone else have any thoughts? Or this there a way for me to change my own personal settings?

Good good, I don't expect to see him much but its nice to know we have cover.

I'd prefer Appiah as well, but with Mikel fit, the player we sign is basically going to be a reserve player - they can't play in the UCL, for example/

Chelsea F.C. 1 - 1 Manchester United September 21 2008, Premier League, Stamford Bridge, London Salomon Kalou came off the bench to head home a late equaliser to preserve Chelsea's home record. Park Ji-Sung had put the visitors ahead after Dimitar Berbatov's shot bounced off Petr Cech's stomach, allowing the Korean to give Sir Alex Ferguson's side the advantage. Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou were eventually introduced, with the latter heading past Tomas Kuszczak to earn the Blues a 1-1 draw. It is Chelsea's second consecutive home league draw under Luiz Felipe Scolari, but the Chelsea manager will be pleased with the work ethic shown by his players and the desire and determination to equalise against the champions. Scolari elected to keep the basis of the side that beat Bordeaux in midweek, but with Deco injured in the warm-up, Michael Ballack was called in at short notice to play against Frank Lampard at centre midfield. Manchester United began with Rooney and ex-Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov up front, with Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo both on the bench for the visitors. The champions began on the front foot, and were putting Chelsea under tremendous early pressure, but pressure the home side shook off with ease. Rooney hammered a shot over the bar after intercepting a stray pass from Petr Cech, and Darren Fletcher miscued a shot wide, but United were failing to show any conviction in the final third of the field. The Chelsea midfield was missing the drive of Michael Essien and the attacking flair of Deco, but with John Mikel Obi starring, the home side began to take a hold of the game, even though they lost Ricardo Carvalho to injury with twelve minutes played. Suffering from a knock to the knee, the Portuguese was replaced by Alex da Costa, and the big Brazilian played excellently throughout. Moments previously, Joe Cole should have put Chelsea in the lead, but drove wide when one-on-one with Edwin van der Sar. A long ball up field caught the United defence asleep, allowing Cole to steal in behind Jonny Evans - drafted into the side to replace the suspended Nemanja Vidic, though the England midfielder's shot lacked accuracy and went wide, with van der Sar stranded. It was through a mistake by Chelsea's number one that handed United the initiative, only moments after he had brilliantly denied Rio Ferdinand with an excellent block. Patrice Evra out-muscled Jose Bosingwa inside the box before cutting back to Berbatov. The Bulgarian attempted to curl a shot which Cech almost managed to hold on to, but the ball rolled into the path of Park who finished with the Czech goalkeeper stranded. Chelsea looked for an immediate response but United were defending valiantly, reducing Chelsea to long-range efforts. Anelka and Alex had efforts from range, the latter saved by substitute United goalkeeper Kuszczak, but the Blues were failing to break down a tough United rearguard action that suggested Sir Alex Ferguson was more than happy with a single goal lead. At the interval, Scolari replaced Florent Malouda with the fit-again Didier Drogba, and the Ivorian's mere presence appeared to galvanise the Chelsea team. Within minutes, Chelsea resumed control of the game, and through Drogba, now had an additional target man up front. Joe Cole continued to frustrate the home crowd with poor play on 65 minutes, firing straight at Kuszczak after being released by a raking ball from Michael Ballack, before Anelka had a nightmare in front of goal. With six goals scored in five pre-season matches and three thus far in the campaign, it would have been easy to have bet your life on the Frenchman scoring after Joe Cole teased a cross between Rio Ferdinand and Kuszczak, but Anelka - unmarked and less than two yards out - failed to make any contact at all with the ball. The striker had fired wide under pressure from Ferdinand only moments earlier, and Chelsea's lack of quality in the final third, and lack of concentration when they managed to break down the United defence, was quite apparent against the champions. But the misses only made Chelsea become more determined to pull back level. Cue a Luiz Felipe Scolari master-stroke. The Brazilian tactician took off Michael Ballack, before switching to a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield, with Anelka and Drogba up top, and Cole and Kalou out wide in the midfield. Within six minutes of the Ivorian's introduction, he was on the score sheet; heading home from Mikel's quality free kick with ten minutes left. The Blues tried their hardest to snatch a winner late on, and only a desperate lunge from Gary Neville stopped Kalou from scoring again; the United captain throwing himself to block the effort. The final whistle sounded to sighs of relief and sighs of disappointment, but Scolari will certainly see this as a point gained, rather than two points lost. ___________________________________________________________________ Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho (Alex), Terry, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Joe Cole, Ballack (Kalou), Lampard, Malouda (Drogba), Anelka Man United: Van der Sar (Kuszczak), Neville, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Fletcher, Hargreaves, Scholes (Ronaldo), Park (O'Shea), Berbatov, Rooney Attendance: 41,760 Star Man : Alex

Stoke City versus Chelsea F.C. Chelsea end September with a potentially tricky assignment away at Stoke. The Potters took a point from Liverpool at Anfield, and after already toppling Aston Villa 3-2 at the Britannia, the new boys will be up to the task of facing one of the Premier League giants - Chelsea. The Blues have a perfect away record so far this season, beating Wigan 1-0 at the JJB and thumping Man City 3-1 in their own back yard. Luiz Felipe Scolari's side will hope to continue their decent start to the season which has seen them register four wins from six in all competitions, and remain unbeaten at home in the Premier League since early 2004. Match chat here!

Portsmouth versus Chelsea FC Chelsea head south to face Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth in the third round of the Carling Cup. Last season's finalists have already played against Pompey this term, thrashing them 4-0 at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season. With Chelsea in fine attacking form, having netted 14 goals in their opening six games of the season, and Pompey letting in six away to Manchester City, Scolari's side will fancy their chances at Fratton Park. Match chat here!

Now you've said that, Cech and Carlo will get fucked against Stoke

I agree 100%. JT's looked a little off-pace at the start of the season, I just think its a confidence thing and as he gains match fitness over the next couple of games, his performances will improve. Riccy is the 'better' of the two, but its hard to compare because as Esk says, they're different types of centre-halves.

I wouldn't say he's fantastic but he is certainly a solid player. Used to play for Hertha in the Bundesliga. Has worked with LFS before so I assume Scolari knows what he's doing.

It would work when we're chasing the game I think, but I like the way the 4-1-4-1 works.

Agreed.

Cech - 6 - Did nothing wrong, in my opinion, did everything right, was just unfortunate with the goal. Bosingwa - 6 - Little threat going forward and did get caught out a couple of times but was solid. Alex - 7 - Our best player without a doubt. Put his body on the line, made some great tackles and a terrific block. Terry - 5 - Looked average today. Off the pace and missed Ricardo. Some torrid passes and even his tackling was off. A.Cole - 6 - Much the same as Bosingwa, but got caught out going forward even more. Some woeful passing. Mikel - 7 - Had a good game, did everything he was required to, great ball for Kalou's equaliser. Ballack - 6 - At times he looked anonymous, other times he was brilliant. Good run out for him. Lampard - 6 - Lampard looked off as well. Some poor passing today, but tracked back and helped out. Joe Cole - 5 - Didn't have a good game at all. Some piss poor crosses and missed two sitters. Just not his day. Anelka - 5 - How did he miss? Malouda - 5 - Didn't get into the game, a shame as he's had a decent start to the season, but both wingers were average in fairness. Drogba - 5 - Looked off pace as well, looked sluggish but this was to be expected on his Bridge comeback. Kalou - 7 - Only on for about 15 minutes, but offered more than anyone else. Simple header, and tracked back as well.

Difficult game in midweek too, but I'm sure we can bounce back. Mikel and Alex were brilliant.

Well, certainly showed his love for United today 7 yellow cards for them.

Hate the cunt, but I wouldn't mind him playing for us tbh.

At least that's some consolation

I'm not happy. We pissed all over them for forty five minutes in the second half and had three great chances. Anelka? What the actual fuck? I'm very frustrated and I'm sure when I calm down I'll see that in fairness a draw isn't the worst of results, but we should have won that game. 3 games at home and 2 draws... I don't want that pattern to continue. Three points at Stoke next weekend please. Fucking Arsenal are top as well