BlueLion.

For me, Joe is a better playmaker than any other we could sign. He always was a central player until Mourinho made him a winger, and even under TSO he drifted in a lot.As of next season I would love to see a team in this mould, but whether it will happen is a different thing altogether.CechAlves/Belletti, Terry, Carvalho, Ashley ColeEssienLampard, Ballack/MikelJoe ColeKarim Benzema, Drogba

I've been watching Rangers vs Lyon, and I've been watching Lyon's strike force in particular. It consists of Kkarim Benzema who turns 20 next week and Hatem Ben Arfa who is barely 18. Both have electric pace and phenomenal close control, they would be absolutely perfect in our attack as they can operate as strikers or in a wide position, very much in the Kalou mould although much better at it in my opinion. It won't be long before these two attract attention from the likes of Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid, so I believe we should snap one of them up. Personally, Benzema is the better of the pair IMO, and I think he would be able to cope with the pace of the Premier League. His goalscoring record is quite something this season, and would be a perfect long-term replacement for Drogba if/when he leaves.What do you think?

I've heard he is going to snub us and sign for Barcelona.

It might sound stupid, but Cech is too tall for penalties in my eyes. Sounds absolutely ridiculous. But he doesn't have the same agility as a smaller goalkeeper, and his reading isn't that good.

He was absolutely fantastic in the middle of the park last night. He is brilliant on the wing and is as good in the centre. And I completely agree, why waste money when he have arguably the best playmaker in the premiership? Play Malouda and SWP on the wings with Joe Cole behind the strikers. Would be brilliant.

I have top admit that Canizares was fucking amazing last night. One of those games where the goalkeeper shows his worth, I'm afraid.

Well in fairness, no manager can change the style of play immediately, it is going to be a gradual, long-term change. But maybe by next season we will see a difference.

At least half a dozen. Just one of those days, just a good thing we have qualified. The players didn't seem too bothered about the game to be fair.

I think a 4-0 draw, personally :P

To be honest, winning the EPL is a reality. We obviously have the quality to do so, but we will face a real test over the next month or two. If we get through the ACoN in the top four, we have a shot.

I can say 'shit' in Russian, is that good enough?

I feel more confident with Cech but Carlo is easily the next best goalkeeper in the league. With him in goal I feel as confident as ever, Cech just seems more commanding.

I quite agree. Expect to see the likes of Ben Haim, Bridge and Sidwell to feature.

It was one of those games that we were always going to have to grind out a result. The only teams that come to SB and play football are top six teams, all others sit deep and hope to hit us on the break. There is no chance of anyone getting a win at the Bridge, and they know that with our quality we will eventually break them down and get the goal. We have shown that in the last two games, whilst we might not be playing good football, we are efficient and continue to get the mecessary results.

Completely agree. He didn't have his most productive of days but he chased the ball down throughout the game and that was enough commitment for me to give him MOTM. Cheers for reading the report

He deserved it, the silly bastard.

I feel like laughing like a madman That's blown the title race wide open. City lost as well, so less pressure on us. Next week, if Liverpool beat United and we win at the Emirates - we go top.

Spiderman strikes again!

Benzema is far more promising than Huntelaar, in my opinion. Lyon lost 1-0 away to Caen yesterday. But they played a weakened side because they have a vital CL fixture. Marseille 2 - 0 Monaco Caen 1 - 0 Lyon Lens 1 - 3 Le Mans Lorient 2 - 1 Sochaux Nancy 0 - 0 Valenciennes Saint Etienne 2 - 0 Metz Strasbourg 3 - 0 Rennes Toulouse 1 - 0 Lille

Its a fantastc piece of literature. Hats off to the author.

Saint Stevie looked fucked off when he was substituted. Why will Liverpool never win the league under Beneitez? Because he obviously values the CL over the EPL Silly fuck

Its slower than normal for me, but only about a second or two longer than usual, so nothing noteworthy.

No. But can you imagine any of the songs in this forum, bar ones that are already terrace chants, being sung at Stamford Bridge?

I have a feeling this may be a draw, but I hope we can progress with a win. Whatever the result is, it will have no affect on the table for us, as we are guaranteed first place.Teams we can face in the next round:(Teams in bold have finished second in their group, and are included in the second-seed teams for the draw)PortoMarseilleBesiktasLazioWerder BremenReal MadridOlypiakosCelticLyonRangersAS RomaPSVFenerbahceSevilla

Chelsea FC 2 - 0 Sunderland Premier League, 8 December, 15:00 KO, Stamford Bridge, LondonAndrei Shevchenko's first-half header saw Chelsea put Sunderland to the sword at Stamford Bridge as Frank Lampard wrapped up the points with a late penalty.The three points was essential heading into the Christmas programme and with a top-three clash against Arsenal at the Emirates next weekend, the FA Cup holders enter the London derby in fine form. However, the small matter of facing Valencia at home in the Champions League must first be attended to - but with talismanic striker Didier Drogba facing a long spell on the sidelines after knee surgery, the Blues head into a key part of the season without their major goal threat.Sunderland arrived at Stamford Bridge after recording their first clean sheet since the opening day of the season, but with Roy Keane's side having failed to have won a single away game all campaign, there with little chance of his team performing an upset on the road. A draw or better for Chelsea, who began the day in third place, would see their unbeaten home run extended to 71 in the league as well as maintaining the pressure on pacesetters Arsenal and Manchester United. It was the perfect opportunity to pull clear of Liverpool who languished in fourth - the Reds were defeated in the day's late kick-off to solidify Chelsea's position in the table.With the luxury of having already qualified for the next round of European competition, Avram Grant chose to field the strongest possible side. Yet with injury and suspension taking its toll on the Chelsea side, it was hardly a first-choice starting eleven. With precautions being taken over Petr Cech, it was Carlo Cudicini who maintained his position in goal. The backline was unchanged from the West Ham game a week earlier, save that Ashley Cole replaced Wayne Bridge at left-back. Ballack was still out and Malouda was given time to fully recover from injury, so Mikel and Lampard anchored a four-man midfield as Grant opted to field a 4-4-2 over his preferred 4-3-3 method. Wright-Phillips and Joe Cole operated on the wings whilst Kalou supported Shevchenko up front. Andrei Shevchenko made only his eighth start of the campaign, but rewarded his manager with the opening goal.The game began at an electric pace, with the home side surging forward. Their early pressure was almost rewarded, as a succession of corners lead to Kalou heading against the crossbar. Joe Cole's whipped corner found the Ivorian youngster in space, and his towering leap left Darren Ward and the Sunderland goal at his mercy, but his effort ricocheted off of the underside of the woodwork and eventually cleared to safety.Chelsea were camped in the Sunderland half, but Roy Keane's side were well drilled in defence, as they had demonstrated at Old Trafford earlier in the season away to Manchester United. John Terry was given licence to roam forward and play as part of the midfield as Wright-Phillips switched to a more central role. However, for all of Chelsea's dominance, they were creating few chances. Lampard and Kalou combined before the Ivorian made a darting run into the box. John Terry did well to shield the ball from a Sunderland defender, allowing the Chelsea number 21 several yards of space in the box. He did well to beat his man and delivered an inch-perfect cross to the far stick. Shevchenko duly scored - the Ukrainian skipper flinging himself to connect with the ball to make the breakthrough. It was Shevchenko's fifth goal of an inconsistent season, but despite his bit-part role in the team, he demonstrated his ability to find himself in the right place at the right time and get his name on the score sheet once again.Shevchenko's diving header put Chelsea on the road to victory with twenty-three minutes of time elapsed.Sunderland were limited to just a couple of half-chances in the first-half, with Kenwyne Jones' low drive the best of the opportunities. The former Southampton striker made a yard of space for himself but his effort was straight at Cudicini, warming the gloves of the goalkeeper. At the other end, whilst Chelsea were limited to a number of long-range efforts, they continuously tested Ward with a series of testing crosses, but failed to get the second goal their first half display warranted. Penalty claims for the home side were turned down by the referee, but there was time for Wallace to end up in the referee's note book.Higginbotham and McShane were excellent in the second period as they limited Chelsea to long range efforts. Shevchenko went close when he looked to lob Ward from outside the area. The goalkeeper's clearance was weak, and Shevchenko looked to pounce. With the goalkeeper bearing down on him, he did well to clip the ball towards the far post, but the shot was directed off-target.Jones had a brilliant opportunity to level for Sunderland, but he headed wide from a tight angle with Cudicini rooted to the spot. He did well to lose Alex following good work by Wallace on the wing and should have done better, but Alex did just enough to recover and distract the big striker to head wide. Greg Halford's strike was straight at Cudicini and substitute Murphy blazed wide from range.But Chelsea tied up the game when Alex was tugged in the box. Lampard's delivery after Joe Cole won a freekick on the wide left saw the Brazilian go for the ball, but Higginbotham was determined not to let him pass and get a hold of the defender's shirt. Lampard duly scored from the spot; his 98th goal in Chelsea colours. The win means Chelsea are three points behind leaders Arsenal and four clear of Liverpool, although both teams do have games-in-hand over both the Blues and second-placed Manchester United.Lampard and Shevchenko celebrate the 76th-minute penalty dispatched by the England midfielder._______________________________________The Manager's Reaction : Avram Grant's post match interview saw the Chelsea coach satisfied with his team's performance. "It was a very mature performance," began Grant. "we looked for opportunities to find the second goal which we got in the second half with a penalty. I must say it was good work from the team."Match Fact : In Avram Grant's tenure in charge of Chelsea, he has won 12, drawn three and lost just one of his 16 matches.Chelsea: Cudicini (6), Belletti (6), Alex (6), Terry (7), Ashley Cole (8), Wright-Phillips (6), Mikel (6), Lampard (7), Joe Cole (7) (Sidwell (6)), Kalou (7) (Pizarro (6)), Shevchenko (8).Subs Not Used: Hilario, Bridge, Ben-Haim. Goals: Shevchenko 23, Lampard 76. Sunderland: Ward, Halford, McShane, Higginbotham, Collins, Miller, Leadbitter (Stokes 70), Etuhu, Whitehead, Wallace, Jones (Murphy 67).Subs Not Used: Gordon, Yorke, Cole. Sent Off: Miller (88). Booked: Wallace. Attendance: 41,707 Referee: Peter Walton Man of the Match : Andrei Shevchenko