BlueLion.

The final nominations are: Ballack, Carvalho and Joe Cole.

He won't rest any players. If he does, Mr Whelan will ensure Bruce doesn't get the transfer kitty he wants.

Ribery and Ramos are two additions I would love to see this summer.

Dave Whelan has said that Wigan won't let United steamroller them. If that is the view of the chairman, I am sure it will be emulated by the players.

Why are you buying it if you dislike it? That's just a waste of money - save your money for the following season's kits.

Most likely, Madrid appointed Schuster a good few weeks after Cappello left.

I can't see them beating United, but I feel they have got enough in them to get a draw. The league is United's to lose, if they are complacent heading into this game then surely they will slip up. They will not enjoy playing on that surface, so we do have a chance. All we can do is beat Longballton Wanderers and hope.

Match Report = http://www.talkchelsea.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=1789

Newcastle 0 - 2 Chelsea F.C. May 5 2008, Premier League, St James' Park, Newcastle Second Half goals from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda earned Chelsea three points against Newcastle. Ballack's header from a Didier Drogba free-kick settled the nerves, before Malouda confidently slotted home eight minutes before time to make the points safe, thus banishing memories of recent failures against the Magpies. The Blues were without a win at Newcastle in the league since a Dan Petrescu goal handed them victory in 2001, but the three points gathered have ensured that the race for the Premier League title between Chelsea and Manchester United will go down to the wire. With United thrashing West Ham 4-1 at Old Trafford, it was clear to Avram Grant's side that nothing else but a win was satisfactory, and the much-maligned Chelsea manager paid herald to this with his team selection. Frank Lampard was dropped to the bench along with Joe Cole, whilst Salomon Kalou, Ashley Cole and Claude Makelele were not included in the travelling sixteen. Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka operated on the wings, whilst Paulo Ferreira returned at full-back, allowing Michael Essien to fit alongside Ballack and John Mikel Obi in a three-man midfield, and Wayne Bridge started for the first time since late March. Newcastle, unbeaten in seven games heading into this crunch fixture, fielded former Chelsea midfielder Gérémi in midfield, whilst Mark Viduka was fit to play alongside Obafemi Martins and captain Michael Owen. Former Blues wingers Damien Duff was on the bench and would feature late on for the home side. Chelsea were slow to organise themselves in the opening exchanges as Newcastle stamped their authority on the game. Michael Owen wasted a glorious opportunity with merely five minutes played. Former United midfielder Nicky Butt launched a teasing ball into the path of the Newcastle number ten, who timed his run to perfection, only to flick the ball over the crossbar from eight yards with the outside of his boot. In hindsight, the striker should have used his left foot, but Owen was forced to take his chance quickly with Petr Cech bearing down on him. Habib Beye, former team-mate of Didier Drogba at Marseille, was enjoying his more attack-minded role as a wing-back, and his wayward cross spurned a good opportunity for the home side. Cutting inside Wayne Bridge, Beye looked to have done the hard work but mis-hit his pass with Owen and Viduka available. But their best opportunities fell within the space of a matter of moments, and but for excellent goalkeeping and instinctive defensive work from Chelsea skipper Terry, Michael Owen would have put the Magpies ahead. Martins worked his way into the box before feeding Viduka, whose shot was quickly smothered by the advancing Cech. However the goalkeeper could only knock the ball into the path of Owen who shot beyond Cech, only to see his effort cleared off the line brilliantly by Terry, who had fashioned his way behind his goalkeeper after initially making the block which stalled Martins' progress. Chelsea had been limited in their attacking play thanks to a well-marshalled defensive line for Kevin Keegan's side, with the visitors limited to long-range efforts from Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel which were wide. On the one occasion that the Blues fashioned an opening, Ballack's touch was poor meaning he could only screw the ball wide when in a good position. But Chelsea's ascendancy towards the end of the first half was evident and Keegan opted for his team to have a more cautious approach to the game after the interval, but the dominance of Avram Grant's side was clear for all to witness. Didier Drogba, who had crucially netted twice against Liverpool in midweek, was beginning to show signs of his quality after a thus-far inexistent performance. The Ivorian flicked Mikel's pass into the feet of Ballack, and only the tackle of Taylor prevented the shot from the German. Chelsea thought they had found the breakthrough from the resulting corner, but Terry's header was fractionally too high and cannoned off the crossbar. Malouda's deliver was brilliantly whipped, but the Chelsea captain could only power the ball against the woodwork from a difficult angle. The impetus was with the away side, and this pattern of play was to continue until Ballack's opener, seven minutes later. Faye committed a poor foul on the edge of the area, felling Malouda. Drogba's worked freekick found Ballack, who rose highest to head beyond Steve Harper. The Ivorian cleverly pretended to strike the ball, pushing Newcastle's line backwards, ensuring Ballack was not offside, before his wicked cross found the German to plant his header into the bottom corner. Ballack's tenth of the season was as crucial a goal as any he had previously scored for the Blues. Chelsea's goal had a somewhat negative effect, as it was the cue for Newcastle to come forward. Previously shackled to prevent Chelsea from working an opening, the home side were beginning to pour forward with freedom, and almost had an equaliser. Butt's misconnection saw the ball balloon into the box, and Owen was inches away from putting the ball into the net. The mis-hit pass from Butt completely bamboozled the defence, allowing Owen to steal in beyond John Terry, but he was unable to steer the ball beyond Cech. Chelsea were forced to make a substitute moments later as Alex da Costa came on for Ricardo Carvalho. The Portuguese had fell awkwardly after an aerial confrontation with Obafemi Martins, and was taken off as a precaution. Frank Lampard, introduced only a matter of moments beforehand, took time to reorganise the Chelsea formation as Grant relayed instructions to his team. And the tactical changes worked, as Chelsea secured the three points with a wonderful passing move. Ballack played a clever one-two with Essien before feeding Lampard, who cleverly slotted the ball through the Newcastle defence. Florent Malouda, much criticised for his lack of form since injury in December, gratefully received the pass and made no mistake as he slotted the ball beyond Harper from an acute angle. Michael Ballack had stung the palms of the Newcastle previously, and Essien's drive into the box was blocked by Harper in stoppage time. Chelsea weathered a final throw of the dice from Newcastle, setting up a grandstand finale to a remarkable season in the Premier League. ___________________________________________________________________ Match Fact : The Blues were without a win in five games at St James' Park prior to this encounter. Newcastle: Harper (7), Beye (5), Taylor (6), Faye (7), Jose Enrique (6) (and'Zogbia (6)), Geremi (6) (Duff (6)), Butt (7), Barton (5), Viduka (6) (Smith (5)), Owen (6), Martins (6) Chelsea: Cech (6), Ferreira (6), Terry (8), Carvalho (6) (Alex (6)), Bridge (6), Essien (8), Mikel (7), Ballack (7), Anelka (7) (Lampard (7)), Drogba (6) (Shevchenko (6)), Malouda (7) Attendance: 52,305 Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent) Man of the Match : Michael Essien

Make no mistake, I'd take a repeat of those 120 minutes.

Chelsea vs Bolton Wanderers Premier League, 11 May, 15:00 KO, Stamford Bridge Chelsea take on Bolton Wanderers in their final Premier League game of the campaign. A win for the Blues, coupled with dropped points at Wigan for Manchester United, would see the Blues crowned Champions of the FA Premier League for the third time in four seasons. The top two are currently separated by United's superior Goal Difference, but all that would count for nothing if Chelsea gained three points against Gary Megson's side and if United falter at the JJB Stadium. Recent history in these fixtures favours both title contenders, though Chelsea need not be reminded of the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge against Bolton last campaign which effectively ended their title charge. The Blues enjoyed a 5-1 victory against the Trotters in 2005, and their overall record against the northeners would suggest three points for the Blues. Manchester United's record at Wigan is excellent, but the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Nani and Carlos Tevez may find it difficult to enjoy the expansive football played by the title favourites, and manager Steve Bruce would love nothing more than a victory against his former manager and mentor, Sir Alex Ferguson. The title is very much a huge possibility for the Blues. Keep the Blue flag flying high! Match chat here!

Very professional performance. The first half offered us little in an attacking sense but we marshalled the early Newcastle storm, albeit thanks to some woeful finishing and brilliant defending. The second half was completely different, and we blew them away. The first goal was genius and the second goal was excellently finished; brilliant vision from Super Frank. It goes down to the wire - but we have guaranteed automatic CL qualification with today's result - so anything else from this point is a bonus. The pressure is certainly on Manchester United - they have to beat Wigan, and I expect they may be somewhat complacent. We just can't afford to be cautious against Bolton, whom I expect to play for a 0-0. Game on!

Close friend of Senor Laporta, are you? How do you know that Barcelona won't sell - for that amount of money it would be incredibly hard to turn down. Furthermore we need a second consistent winger in addition to Joe Cole. Kakuta will take years to develop to the level that Messi is at already, and words can be idle.

That was so touching. Fantastic that the squad were invited to the funeral, and brilliant that they took time out from football to go and pay their respects. God bless.

You seem confident. Adam, the game kicks off at 4PM BST, though coverage begins at 3:30 on Sky, hence the confusion, it seems.

Could it get much worse for Leicester? Well, considering I'm going to go into my school in Leicestershire wearing a Notts Forest tee-shirt, yes

We all follow Chelsea, over land and sea AND LEICESTER Long time before we see them again in the league I guess.

Reports today linking RA with an £80 million move for Messi. Fantastic player and a move I would love to see go through, but that amount of money is sickening.

Yup, ours players in the Championship have been brilliant not just today, but all season. Hats off to them.

Updated. I watched the Stoke-Leicester game and it was a terrific encounter. The Stoke fans invaded the pitch when the referee blew for a foul

FA PREMIER LEAGUE Champions: Manchester United or Chelsea Runners-Up: Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal Champions League Qualification: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool UEFA Cup Qualification: Tottenham Hotspur (Carling Cup), Portsmouth (FA Cup), Everton or Aston Villa (League), Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers or Manchester City (Intertoto Cup), Manchester City (UEFA Fair Play) Promoted: -/- Relegated: Derby County, and two from Reading, Bolton, Fulham or Birmingam also relegated. CHAMPIONSHIP Champions: West Bromwich Albion Runners-Up: Stoke City UEFA Cup Qualification: Cardiff City (FA Cup) Play-Offs: Hull City, Bristol City, Watford, Crystal Palace Promoted: West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City Relegated: Scunthorpe, Colchester United and Leicester City LEAGUE ONE Champions: Swansea Runners-Up: Nottingham Forest Play-Offs: Doncaster, Leeds United, Southend United and Carlisle United. Promoted: Swansea, Nottingham Forest and one from Doncaster, Leeds United, Southend United and Carlisle United Relegated: Luton Town, Port Vale, Gillingham and Bournemouth LEAGUE TWO Champions: Milton Keynes Dons Runners-Up: Peterborough, Hereford Play-Offs: Rochdale, Stockport, Darlington and Wycombe Promoted: MK Dons, Peterborough, Hereford and one from Rochdale, Stockport, Darlington and Wycombe Relegated: Wrexham and Mansfield BLUE SQUARE PREMIER (CONFERENCE PREMIER) Champions: Aldershot Town Runners-Up: Cambridge Play-Offs: Cambridge, Torquay, Exeter and Burton Albion Promoted: Aldershot Town and one from Cambridge, Torquay, Exeter and Burton Albion Relegated: Droylsden, Stafford Rangers, Farsley Celtic and Altrincham

Updated

(Belated) Results BlueLion = 16 points Birmingham 0-1 Everton, 2 points Bolton 0-2 West Ham, 0 points Derby 1-2 Aston Villa, 2 points Portsmouth 1-1 Newcastle, 2 points Reading 2-0 Fulham, 0 points Sunderland 2-2 Man City, 2 points Tottenham 4-1 Middlesbrough, 2 points Liverpool 2-0 Blackburn, 2 points Man Utd 1-0 Arsenal, 2 points Chelsea 2-0 Wigan, 0 points Adam.k = 16 points Birmingham 1 v 2 Everton, 2 points Bolton 0 v 1 West Ham, 0 points Derby 0 v 3 Aston Villa, 4 points Portsmouth 1 v 2 Newcastle, 0 points Reading 0 v 1 Fulham, 4 points Sunderland 1 v 1 Man City, 2 points Tottenham 2 v 0 Middlesbrough, 0 points Liverpool 2 v 0 Blackburn, 2 points Man Utd 0 v 1 Arsenal, 2 points Chelsea 2 v 0 Wigan, 0 points

Birmingham v Blackburn, 15:00 Chelsea v Bolton, 15:00 Derby v Reading, 15:00 Everton v Newcastle, 15:00 Middlesbrough v Man City, 15:00 Portsmouth v Fulham, 15:00 Sunderland v Arsenal, 15:00 Tottenham v Liverpool, 15:00 West Ham v Aston Villa, 15:00 Wigan v Man Utd, 15:00 Deadline = 14:00, 11 May

(Belated) Results Adam.k = 26 points Arsenal 2 v 0 Reading, - 6 points Blackburn 0 v 2 Man Utd - 0 points Fulham 1 v 2 Liverpool - 4 points Middlesbrough 1 v 1 Bolton - 2 points West Ham 3 v 0 Derby - 2 points Wigan 1 v 2 Tottenham - 2 points Aston Villa 2 v 1 Birmingham - 4 points Man City 1 v 1 Portsmouth - 2 points Newcastle 2 v 1 Sunderland - 4 points BlueLion = 10 points Aston Villa 3-1 Birmingham - 4 points Man City 1-1 Portsmouth - 2 points Newcastle 2-1 Sunderland - 4 points