BlueLion.

Having the away game first is a formula that was worked against Stuttgart, Barcelona, Porto, Olympiacos and Fenerbahce in recent times, I'm sure it will be the same against Liverpool. Just to finish them off would be wonderful.

Your son tells you right, OB.

To the contrary, I'm relatively confident about the game. I wish we would play against Liverpool as we did against United, but I am sure we will see a more conservative effort, but I expect us to get the job done.

I would give him until the Newcastle game, in fairness. Essien, Mikel and Ballack were insane yesterday, as a trio they performed excellently.

I hate to say it, but Fulham were absolutely amazing yesterday.

The arrogance of Old Purplenose is sickening. How can he even dare to field what was effectively a second-string side away to a side that don't accept failure? He got what he deserved for resting Ronaldo and Tevez, but they way we played yesterday meant those pair would have been able to change nothing at all. Really proud of the boys.

Remember Gerrard's dive against Bolton? Tal Ben Haim slaughtered him for it

Well I will definitely make one for 08/09, just make sure you join in in time

I would stick the same team that beat United. The boys have three days to prepare, it is more than enough time, although I am certain we will see Ferreira relegated to the bench for Makelele, with Essien playing at right-back.

The TalkChelsea match report, written by your's truly is available by clicking this link Got to agree, Ballack, Essien and Mikel were sensational.

Capello dislikes players getting the headlines, and even more so for the wrong reasons. But what gets me, Ferdinand kicks a steward, basically attacks Mikel Obi, bombards the referee with foul language and gets a slapped wrist, whilst Drogba is publicly crucified for his passionate argument with Ballack regarding the freekick.

Apparently, Benitez has compiled a video of Drogba's antics over the past four seasons, including all forms of cheating - diving, handballs, feigning injury and the like. Just shows how rattled that they really are - he is calling for Drogba to be watched by the referee at all times. That's probably so Sir Steven and Fernando can give their side freekicks whenever they break a nail. What's he gonna call next, a "Drogba Official" ?! This story has been all across the Tabloids. This thread has been made using snippets from people.co.uk

I know what you mean, why don't they do the nominations for these awards at the end of the season

Chelsea vs Liverpool Chelsea take on Liverpool knowing a win would see them through to the Champions League Final. John Arne Riise's own goal has put Chelsea in the driving seat in this semi-final tie, following their 1-1 draw ay Anfield. And after their 2-1 win over Manchester United, it is likely that Avram Grant's side will be in confident mood ahead of this crunch game. The second leg of this semi-final has proved Chelsea's undoing in recent seasons, falling foul to the Merseysiders in 2005 and 2007 with 1-0 defeats at Anfield whilst a 2-2 draw with Monaco in 2004 saw the French team progress to the final. However John Terry remains adament that home advantage will see Chelsea through to their first ever European Cup final, citing Chelsea's fans "are just as good as Liverpool's." Chelsea have no fresh injury doubts although they will assess the fitness of Salomon Kalou who was due to thigh strain in Saturday's victory over United. Match chat here.

I'd just respond with this: There is no noubt Ronaldo is a quality player, yet in big matches, it is Drogba that totally outshines Ronaldo. Drogba has scored goal after goal in cup final after cup final and has scored some hugely important goals for us this season, such as the winner at Valencia and the double against Arsenal. And yet for all his quality, Ronaldo is hardly seen. Albeit a cameo appearance, all Ronaldo did today was win a few freekicks he wasted. Ashley Cole had him in his pocket whilst Drogba caused first Vidic and Ferdinand, and later Brown and O'Shea problem after problem with his power and pace, and yet when he is clearly man-handled in the area he is awarded nought - in comparison to Ronaldo who falls over his own boot and blames it on Ashley Cole when the latter is yards away, before spurning a good chance. Like I say, Ronaldo is a very good player, but his contribution in big matches is very much limited to a dribble or two before being tackled.

Updated for: Wigan, home, Premier League Everton, away, Premier League Liverpool, away, Champions League Manchester United, home, Premier League

I was tempted to go for Alex's goal against Boro, but his one against Villa was superb. Shevchenko's run and the finish was magnificent for a defender.

Take about captains setting an example, the hypocrisy of the media disgusts me. Gallas and Ferdinand have acted like spoilt children in recent times, but today it was Terry who stopped Chelsea players from being booked by pushing them away and talking to the referee himself, yet he is still labelled as a trouble-maker. Hopefully Senor Capello will take notice of Terry's true colours.

Chelsea F.C. 2 - 1 Manchester United April 26 2008, Premier League, Stamford Bridge, West London Michael Ballack's brace meant Chelsea emerged victorious in their table-topping clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. In a moment that left Sir Alex Ferguson red in fury, the German captain stayed ice-blue as he expertly dispatched the spot-kick. It was the sharp eye of the assistant referee that awarded the penalty kick, and all of Stamford Bridge waited with baited breath as Ballack stepped up. Some could not watch, hiding behind their match programmes as Edwin van der Sar was booked for delaying the kick. But Ballack, arguably the coolest head in West London, did not falter. It was a foregone conclusion when the former Bayern Munich playmaker placed the ball on the spot; for Germans and penalty kicks compliment each other so well. The result leaves the two sides separated only by the superior goal difference of the Red Devils, with just two fixtures remaining in the Premier League. Chelsea took the lead through Ballack on the stroke of half-time before a rare error from Ricardo Carvalho saw Wayne Rooney equalise for Sir Alex Ferguson's side. However a Michael Essien cross was handled by Michael Carrick and Michael Ballack belted the ball beyond Edwin van der Sar to earn his side a deserved victory. With one eye on Wednesday's Champions League second leg against Liverpool, Avram Grant elected to field John Obi Mikel in midfield, replacing the rested Claude Makelele, whilst Salomon Kalou replaced Florent Malouda in the left wing position. Frank Lampard was absent following the death of his mother, so Michael Essien returned following European suspension. Manchester United fielded a highly-changed team, with Ryan Giggs and Anderson amongst the players drafted into their starting line-up. Wayne Rooney began up front and Nemanja Vidic returned from a knee injury, but both Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo were both relegated to the substitute's bench with a key game against Barcelona on Tuesday evening. The opening changes saw Chelsea dominate, enjoying the majority of possession and fashioning chances right from the off - a clear indication of their desire to push the Red Devils right to the wire. Michael Essien's dipping volley flew narrowly over whilst Joe Cole lashed a drive from 10 yards against the woodwork. Chelsea's superiority was underlined by the amount of chances they were creating, but despite forcing Edwin van der Sar to race off his line to deny Kalou and Joe Cole, the home side were failing to create clear-cut opportunities. Sadly, Nemanja Vidic was stretchered off with a mouth injury after the defender had collided with Drogba. The Serbian went to clear with his head but was caught by the Ivorian's knee, forcing one of his teeth to slice open his lip and upper gum. Apparently concussed, he was replaced by Owen Hargreaves; the former Bayern Munich man moving to right-back. Chelsea were forcing United into their own half and it was the drive of Essien, the power of Drogba and the trickery of Kalou that left Wayne Rooney isolated against John Terry and the ever-impressive Ricardo Carvalho. On the few occasions they did venture forward, United's build-up was halted by the excellence of Ashley Cole, who was offering nothing to Luis Nani. The Blues were rewarded for their excellent first half display when Ballack headed home. Drogba exchanged passes with Joe Cole before launching a teasing cross between the United centre-halves and van der Sar, allowing Ballack room to head beyond the Dutch goalkeeper. Following the break, Chelsea continued to pass at speed and at times imitated the free-flowing movement of their great rivals, yet it was their efficiency that was proving decisive until Ricardo Carvalho's error allowed Wayne Rooney to level matters. Paulo Ferreira's freekick was played to the centre-back's feet, but the Portuguese carelessly passed straight to Rooney, who smashed the ball beyond Cech with aplomb. United were somewhat fortunate with the way their equaliser was fashioned, but Sir Alex Ferguson's side had stepped up a gear since the half-time interval and Giggs and Anderson were beginning to make a bigger impact on the game. Yet despite this, further injury woe hit the champions, as Rooney was forced to limp off after pulling his groin, and was replaced by Cristiano Ronaldo. United were in the ascendancy and it took a good save from Cech to deny Giggs. The Welshman fashioned the opportunity well, teasing John Terry before smashing the ball goalwards, only for the Czech goalkeeper to deflect the ball wide with his knee. But Chelsea were not to be denied and would have taken an 80th minute lead but for a good save from Edwin van der Sar - the Dutch goalkeeper spreading himself well to smother Drogba's wonderful freekick. Chelsea were taking heart from their defensive display, and Ashley Cole was beating Ronaldo with every tackle. Eventually, their pressure told and they regained the lead thanks to Ballack. Essien's driven cross was judged to have been handled by Carrick, and Alan Wiley made no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Ballack stepped up and sent van der Sar the wrong way, and Chelsea survived late pressure from the champions to earn three points. First Ashley Cole denied Ronaldo before Shevchenko's volleyed clearance signalled the end for United, who slumped to their fifth defeat of the season. But for Chelsea, the title is still very much a realistic target. ___________________________________________________________________ Match Fact : Chelsea are unbeaten in 81 home league matches and 101 in all domestic competitions. Chelsea: Cech (6), Ferreira (6) (Anelka (6)), Carvalho (7), Terry (7), Ashley Cole (8), Ballack (9), Obi (7), Essien (9), Kalou (6) (Shevchenko (6)), Drogba (6), Joe Cole (7)(Makelele (6)). Man United: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic (Hargreaves 14), Silvestre, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson (O'Shea 65), Nani, Rooney (Ronaldo 63), Giggs. Attendance: 41,828 Referee: Alan Wiley Man of the Match : Michael Essien

Have that. Sir Alex, eat my shit.

FUCKING HAVE THAT! WHAT A CROSS AND THAT HEADER WAS SUBLIME!!! COME ON YOU BLUES!

He's not playing Ronaldo. We have a huge chance of getting three points.

I'm sure we'd have done the same to be honest.

We can all put money to his name, mate. Its all bullshit. He'll stay if we win the European Cup.

Nice work Jim, love the Joe Cole one in particular