BlueLion.

I don't think you're getting what I'm saying. Mascherano is a defensive midfielder so his contributions aren't so obvious, but I can now realise what an excellent job he has done all season now I have learned to appreciate his role.

Rothen is a brilliant player, should go to l'OL

Fair point. Anyone have any info on the goalkeepeing kits? Colour, templates?

Good, the lad is past his best.

I doubt we'll see him ever with the form our top three centre backs have shown this season. Strong team, worried about there being no Ballack or Lampard though. Hope Essien plays as well as he did against Wigan, he and Shaun need big games tonight to give the striker support.

I don't believe you mean that. I'm still angry after Monday night, but we have to move on. What's done is done and we can't change it.

He'll blow all of it on Kaka, probably.

This news has cheered me up.

The thing is, Ben Haim was one of the best defenders in the league when he was at Bolton. Shame things haven't worked out - but Alex, Carvalho and Terry are the best around in my opinion. Good on him for dumping TSNO in the shit.

I'm not jumping deck. I may only be 15 years old but I chose my football team ten years ago this May and I am sticking by them till my dying day/

Bastain Schweinsteiger would be a good buy IMO.

Chelsea F.C. 1 - 1 Wigan April 14 2008, Premier League, Stamford Bridge, West London Chelsea failed to close the gap on Manchester United following a 1-1 home draw with Wigan. The result leaves Chelsea five points behind the Champions, effectively ending any harbouring title hopes for the Blues. Chelsea were below-par in the first half and only the introduction of Joe Cole provided entertainment to the Stamford Bridge faithful. Michael Essien's stunning strike opened the scoring, but as Chelsea poured forward looking to secure the win, Wigan hit the home side on the break and Emile Heskey capitalised on the space provided to head beyond Petr Cech. Cech was one of many changes manager Avram Grant made to the Chelsea side, with the Czech fit following a collision with team-mate Tal Ben Haim. Juliano Belletti was restored at right-back, with Michael Essien replacing the unavailable Frank Lampard. Florent Malouda deputised for the rested Joe Cole, whilst Ricardo Carvalho was rested in favour of Alex da Costa. Wayne Bridge played at left-back. Nicolas Anelka led the Chelsea line in place of the injured Didier Drogba. Chelsea began at a lively tempo but were not showing many signs of ambition, as both sides opted to pass the ball around and allow each player to have a touch. Yet Chelsea were fast on the break and Anelka flashed a header wide after brilliant work by Salomon Kalou - the Frenchman directing his headed effort beyond the far post. The France international made much out of nothing when he looped an Essien cross goalbound, only to be denied by Chris Kirkland. The Wigan keeper was at full-stretch, and it took all of the England international's quality to lift the ball over the crossbar. Whilst Chelsea were relieved to have Petr Cech fit once again, Kirkland was demonstrating his worth to manager Steve Bruce. Skoko cleared off the line for Wigan but the Latics were not without chances of their own, as Antonio Valencia forced a decent save out of Petr Cech from distance; the Czech getting his body behind the ball and pushing it for a corner. Scharner blasted over wastefully late on in the half but the Chelsea goal remained intact. Joe Cole was introduced to the fray in place of Malouda at half-time and the home side were immediately galvanised by his mere presence and technical excellence. Chelsea were creating more chances and it was only a mixture of an inspired Kirkland performance and the goal frame that prevented the Blues from taking the lead. Terry crashed a volley against the crossbar from 9 yards; a Belletti corner evading both Wigan centre-halves before Chelsea's talismanic captain powered the ball against the woodwork, before Kalou was superbly denied by Kirkland. However, on 55 minutes, Michael Essien fired beyond the England goalkeeper from 22 yards with a blistering strike. Kalou fed Anelka, who brilliantly held the ball up for the Ghanaian, who powered the ball home with the perfect mix of power and placement beyond the outstretched arm of the Wigan shot-stopper. It was a goal that was met with as much relief as joy, and Joe Cole's introduction had put a spring in the step of the Blues. Joe Cole shot narrowly over from 18 yards moments later as Chelsea looked to build on their lead, before Michael Ballack went close with a freekick. Kirkland denied Alex da Costa with a smart reflex save, tipping the ball away after a Belletti corner was met by the big Brazilian. But the longer the game progressed with the score at 1-0, the more confident Wigan became, and two excellent chances fell their way in the last five minutes, Sibierski's sharp turn saw him denied only by a strong parry by Cech, but Heskey later volleyed home in stoppage time from a Koumas cross to turn the title race in favour the current champions. ___________________________________________________________________ Match Fact : Chelsea are unbeaten in 80 home league matches. Chelsea: Cech, Belletti, Alex, Terry, Bridge, Ballack, Essien, Obi (Shevchenko 90), Kalou, Anelka, Malouda (Joe Cole 46). Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Boyce, Kilbane, Valencia, Skoko (Koumas 56), Palacios, Taylor (King 79), Heskey, Bent (Sibierski 64). Attendance: 40,500 Referee: Andre Marriner Man of the Match : Chris Kirkland

Grant will go in the summer, I hope. I can only think his appointment was until the end of the season to add some stability to a sinking ship. Finishing second is a good starting point for next season - and a new manager. It guarantees European football and therefore we have the chance of luring in a big name

And people want Ballack and Kalou to leave? Have you been watching the 06/07 season review, guys?

Had a good match, made some excellent catches. No chance with their goal, I doubt any keeper would have saved it from such a short distance away.

Tonight wasn't his fault, misschief. The team we played should have beat Wigan. If Mourinho had put that team out, and we hadn't have won the match, no-one would be calling for his head.

I have, no chance of winning it now. United have to drop six points from their last four games. That means they have to lose two of their matches. Even if we beat them, I highly doubt Blackburn will manage a victory against them, let alone West Ham or Wigan. And I doubt we will manage another win this season with performances like that. Agreed. Like I say, he should have brought another striker on but the team we played should have thrashed Wigan.

Everton Vs Chelsea FC Everton host Chelsea as the Merseyside team look to apply pressure on fifth-placed Liverpool. Everton emerged with a draw against Birmingham City at the weekend, whilst Chelsea dropped points in the title race with a 1-1 stalemate against Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge. Chelea must win this game to apply pressure on Manchester United, though they have a five-point advantage with just four games remaining. Match chat here.

Two seasons without a league title is nothing compared to Liverpool, so their fans still living in the past can kiss my arse. We deserved to win but we didn't, just like we won when we didn't deserve to against Boro. Football evens itself out eventually, but when its Chelsea it evens out when you don't want it to. Very frustrating.

United have won the title. Well done to them, they have deserved it. Poor display by Chelsea, but you can't blame Grant for this one. We had a crucial game at Everton and the team he chose is good enough to put four past that Wigan side. Chris Kirkland was absolutely immense for Wigan, he won them a point tonight. Maybe Grant should have brought on a second striker with 10 minutes left to kill the game, but Wigan scored the one chance they created. We hit the crossbar and forced three magnificent saves out of their goalkeeper. That's football, I guess.

Already posted the Blues team up, Hingis, and Lampard isn't playing A family member is ill, so Frank is fit for Thursday.

The official site is wrong. Confirmed on Setanta - Belletti comes in for Lampard, with Essien reverting to midfield and the Brazilian at right back. Pizarro replaces Belletti on the bench.

I can confirm, Cech is starting.

Team: Petr Cech Essien Alex Terry Bridge Lampard Mikel Ballack Anelka Malouda Kalou