Jase

Let's not exaggerate what I said just because of the disaster I alluded to in the last point. Just want us to make the point gained at the a Emirates count and also beat one of the big teams - something that has hardly been done this season - convincingly if possible.

Did I specifically say it's about the title race? No. Maybe I did have that in mind and seem to imply that but even if we're not talking about the title race here, it's still important we win those games especially being at home to ensure we stay in the top 4 with everything being so tight at the top and in and around it at the moment.

Didn't watch the game and sounds like it was a very dull game. Having just seen the result and lineup, can't say I'm surprised by Mourinho's defensive approach to this game, except for the part where he went 4-3-3. It's his nature after all but given it is away from home, against one of the big teams, think I'm happy enough to see us getting at least a point though a win would have been great after drawing at OT and WHL and losing at Goodison Park. With this point, we certainly need to win our next 2 home games against Swansea and Liverpool to make it a good return. Otherwise, it will be a disaster. And anyway, happy also that we finally got a clean sheet in league, only our 2nd in the last 12 games!

You should ignore him mate. Did the same with Mikel last season. Disregards what others said or the news report and then treat his own saying or thinking as facts.

Just only saw the Sunderland goals and bloody hell! What on the earth was he doing for their second goal?!! He practically invited or rather charitably gave that space to Ki to have a shot. A bloody idiotic mistake and pathetic positioning!!! This feels a bit random in the midst of all this bashing.

Even if the heat map did show Mata did play in the no.10 position, it is different when he drifts into that position from wider areas on and off during matches and permanently playing like he was before, hence his form then was more consistent and better than now. And besides, choo choo spoke of the different role Mata has now under Mourinho than before. Tough to regain his form of old when he seems to be in and out of the team and not used or rather not suitable in a system that Mourinho is trying to implement here.

It's now P6 W2 D2 L2 for us when I have done match previews.

Couldn't watched the Sunderland game last night but judging by what I've read, seems like we were awful once again. Not sure if I should even be surprised at that anymore given how often it has happened this season. Before that game, I already had pessimistic belief that we will lose to Arsenal and given yesterday's happening, it has only made that belief even stronger. Will be more than happy to be proven wrong but just don't feel confident at all with the way we are performing right now.

Apparently, this is our kits for next season... Taking it with a pinch of salt though at this point..

Read the match preview to find out. Sunderland vs Chelsea Match Preview

*bump*

The League Cup Semi Final draw will take place tomorrow (18/12) after the ties. And the semi final is a two-legged tie that will be played in January.

I believe you have taken that from dodgy source. Ancelotti has never said that!

This feels like an underwhelming signing...almost like when Mourinho purchased Sidwell previously...

Drogba v Terry: Two of football's greatest warriors prepare to go head-to-head as Blues legend comes back to the Bridge

Chelsea vs Liverpool PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT English Premier League 29th December, Sunday, 2013 Stamford Bridge 16:00 Kick Off (UK time)

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS English Premier League 29th December, Sunday, 2013 Stamford Bridge 16:00 Kick Off (UK time)

Arsenal vs Chelsea PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT English Premier League 23rd December, Monday, 2013 Emirates Stadium 20:00 Kick Off (UK time)

Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS English Premier League 23rd December, Monday, 2013 Emirates Stadium 20:00 Kick Off (UK time)

Sunderland vs Chelsea Match Preview

The Match Chelsea prepare to lock horns once again with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light - after the Blues recently came up on top in a pulsating 4-3 win in the Premier League - in the Capital One Cup quarter final tomorrow at 7.45pm UK time. This will be the first time the two sides meet in domestic cup competitions in 21 years and the first in the League Cup since 1985 where Sunderland beat the Blues 5-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. Chelsea have never won against Sunderland in domestic cup games – P4 D1 L3 – but enjoyed domination over the Black Cats having won 17 of their last 18 Premier League meetings. Sunderland have enjoyed home comforts and this game will represent their fourth successive home game in this season’s competition after overcoming MK Dons, Peterborough United and Southampton in the last three rounds. In contrast, Jose Mourinho’s men qualified for this round after comfortably disposing both Swindon Town and Arsenal 2-0 at the County Ground and Emirates Stadium respectively in the previous rounds. Chelsea head into this game on the back of 5 wins in their last 7 matches in all competitions – despite producing unconvincing performances – and lost just twice in that run. Their host, on the other hand, have been inconsistent and struggling for form at the bottom of the Premier League since Gus Poyet took charge of the club in mid-October. Poyet’s team have been unable to string together two positive results – apart from one occasion - on the spin with his side alternating between a win, draw and loss – LWLWWLDLLD. This game will offer some respite for both teams as zero points are at stake and greater freedom in expressing themselves against one another with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs. A win for Sunderland here would serve as a major confidence boost in their Premier League survival bid but it remains to be seen if Gus Poyet wants the distraction of two extra games in January should he beat his former side. For Jose Mourinho, winning tomorrow would mean his side is one step closer to claiming the first trophy available this season and increase the confidence level ahead of next Monday’s top of the table clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Past 5 Meetings – all in Premier League (P5 W5 F12 A6 CS1) 4th December 2013 – Sunderland 3-4 Chelsea 7th April 2013 – Chelsea 2-1 Sunderland 8th December 2012 – Sunderland 1-3 Chelsea 14th January 2012 – Chelsea 1-0 Sunderland 10th September 2011 – Sunderland 1-2 Chelsea Team News Sunderland Gus Poyet has no fresh injuries to deal with following Sunderland’s goalless draw against West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday. Jack Colback is rated doubtful after missing the aforementioned game with illness and will go through a late fitness test to determine his availability. Carlos Cuellar and goalkeeper Keiren Westwood are set to miss this game with a hip and shoulder injury respectively. Poyet’s starting XI selection will determine the level of ambition he has on this game given the more pressing concern of staying in the Premier League. However if his team selection in the 2-1 win over Southampton in the last round is anything to go by, then another strong line-up will be fielded to face his former charges tomorrow. Provisional Squad: Mannone, Pickford, Bardsley, Brown, Celustka, O’Shea, Dossena, Roberge, Cabral, Ki Sung-Yueng, Larsson, Giaccherini, Gardner, Johnson, Borini, Cattermole, Altidore and Fletcher Chelsea Jose Mourinho is likely to continue his rotation policy – as he did against Swindon and Arsenal – and rest certain players while giving others more game time. Branislav Ivanovic is suspended for this game having picked his 5th domestic yellow card of the season against Crystal Palace. Cesar Azpilicueta is set to replace the Serbian and start in his natural right back position for only the 3rd time 15 appearances this season – the previous two also came in this competition. Ashley Cole will start at left back after Mourinho confirmed of his inclusion last Friday in his press conference as his deputy Ryan Bertrand is still out with an injury for another week at least. Center back Gary Cahill was rested on Saturday due to pain in his quadriceps and it remains to be seen if he has recovered in time to start this game. Otherwise, John Terry and David Luiz are set to continue their central partnership in defence. Mark Schwarzer looks set to start once again in goal and the same applies for Michael Essien as both have played every minute of the Capital One Cup this season. Kevin De Bruyne should finally get his chance to impress the manager and Mourinho may well also give game time to Oscar and Samuel Eto’o to shake off their rustiness having just recovered from respective injury recently. Provisional Squad: Cech, Schwarzer, Blackman, Azpilicueta, Terry, Cahill, Luiz, Kalas, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Oscar, Mata, De Bruyne, Hazard, Schurrle, Willian, Eto’o, Ba and Torres Stats and Facts 1. Chelsea have reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup in 10 of the last 13 seasons. They have progressed in five of their nine previous ties in this run. (via BBC) 2. They have kept three successive League Cup clean sheets, all away from home. (via BBC) 3. The Blues have managed eight clean sheets in their last 12 away games in this competition. (via BBC) 4. Jose Mourinho has never lost a League Cup game as Chelsea manager (excluding penalty shootouts), winning 12 and drawing three of 15. (via BBC) 5. There have been three own goals scored in the last two meetings between Sunderland and Chelsea. (via BBC) 6. Chelsea have kept just 3 clean sheets in their last 10 matches in all competitions. In contrast, Sunderland have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 6 games. 7. Chelsea last failed to score at the Stadium of Light back in 2001 in 0-0 draw, 10 matches ago. 8. Sunderland have only failed to score ONCE in their last 14 matches at the Stadium of Light in all competitions. 9. Sunderland have only kept 2 clean sheets in their last 13 matches at the Stadium of Light in all comeptitions. 10. Sunderland are appearing in the quarter-finals of this competition for the seventh time, and first since losing to Crystal Palace in 2000-01. (via BBC) 11. The Black Cats are winless in their last five matches. (via BBC) 12. Despite playing just 5 domestic games this season, Michael Essien is one yellow card away from serving a one game suspension. Match Odds (Final Result/Full Time) Sunderland WIN - 5/1 DRAW - 14/5 Chelsea WIN - 8/15 *Odds obtained from SkyBet* TV Depending on where you are from, you can watch the match in the following channels: United Kingdom: Sky Sports 1/HD, Sky Go UK, Sky Sports 1 Ireland United States: beIN Sport Play, beIN Sport USA Middle East: Al Jazeera Sports Belgium: Belgacom 11+ India: Ten HD, Ten Action For additional regions, you can check out the TV schedule for the match here. There should be many match streams that can be found online if your local sports channels are not broadcasting the game or if you happen to be busy and cannot catch the game live, follow TalkChelsea on Twitter as it would provide live match commentary on the action. Click here to view the article

The amount of times AVB has been thrashed since coming to England is quite astonishing. Lost 5-3 and 5-2 to Arsenal, 4-2 to Chelsea, 4-1 to Inter (an average Inter!), 3-0 to West Ham (who played a 4-6-0!), 6-0 to Man City and 5-0 to Liverpool.

Wrong! The first leg of the Last 16 ties take place on 18/19 and 25/26th February before the second leg on 11/12 and 18/19th March.

About 2 hours or so from now.