Club America 1 - 2 Chelsea

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This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Chelsea F.C. 2 - 1 Club AmericaDisney Peace Cup - 14 July - Stanford University Stadium - 02:00 kick-offThis has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk New signing Florent Malouda scored and set up a goal on his Chelsea debut as the FA Cup holders began their preparations for the new league season with a 2-1 win against Mexican side Club America. This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk John Terry headed home the winner with little over six minutes remaining, although the game was not always plain sailing.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk America had gone ahead early on thanks to the deflected goal which wrong footed Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, but Jose Mourinho's side regained their composure and restricted the Mexican league runners-up with a dazzling display in the second half.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk However, the Chelsea manager was adamant that the majority of his squad would get a run-out, and only captain John Terry played the full 90 minutes as Mourinho utilized his team of Cup Kings to the full.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk New signings Steve Sidwell and Tal Ben Haim began the game, the former playing alongside Claude Makelele and vice-captain Frank Lampard in a three-man midfield. With a return to the team's favoured 4-3-3 formation, under-fire striker Andrei Shevchenko led the three-pronged attack which featured the Ukrainian and a fully fit pair of wingers in Arjen Robben and Joe Cole. Terry began at centre-half with Petr Cech in goals; the Czech international modelling Chelsea's new all-black goalkeeper shirt. Glen Johnson made his first appearance in a Chelsea Blue jersey for more than a year following his loan to Portsmouth last season, and reserve team captain Jack Cork completed the starting eleven, beginning the game in the left-back position. Florent Malouda was on the bench, along with Michael Essien, Carlo Cudicini, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Didier Drogba and a host of other big-name signings from previous summers.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Despite by their own standards a minimal-spending summer, Chelsea have still paid in the region of £17 million for Malouda and Danny Philliskirk from Oldham Athletic, with Claudio Pizarro, Steve Sidwell and former Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim all signed on Bosman transfers.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Speaking about his new additions to his side of cup winners, Jose Mourinho was quick to point out that Chelsea have not completely cut back on spending this season."Ben Haim is a player we looked at last season, and so is Sidwell. They just happened to be out of contract with their clubs so we can sign good players for nothing," the Portuguese tactician said to ChelseaTV. "We have alternatives, which we did not have last season," he explained upon the signing of Claudio Pizarro.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk But after nine bruising training sessions in which Salomon Kalou and Jon Obi Mikel all suffered minor knocks, Mourinho was more than pleased with his squad heading in this morning's early kick-off.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Naming his first eleven, he gave a first call-up to the Chelsea senior team to reserve team skipper Jack Cork. Normally a midfielder, Cork began at left-back.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk With the players ready for kick-off, it was Andrei Shevchenko with the first kick of the ball in a new era for Jose Mourinho's team - and era minus the Premiership trophy.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk The Blues struggled to immediately adapt to the blistering temperatures which peaked at 39 degrees Celsius during the first-half, and were chasing shadows for much of the opening exchanges. The Mexicans were playing with pace, precision and power; and the fact that they had had an additional week of preparation for the new season was obvious.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk After a sequence of passes, probing at either full back, Juan Carlos Mosqueda fired a tame shot goalbound in the first real effort of the match. Heading straight for the grateful hands of Petr Cech, the ball deflected off the boot of John Terry as he bravely attempted to block the shot, and wrong footed the Chelsea shotstopper. Wearing his protective head gear, Cech watched hopelessly as the ball squirmed past his outstretched right glove and into the back of the net.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Barely three minutes had passed, and Jose Mourinho's team had found themselves making a sleepy start and behind at an early stage - something all too common amongst the team last season.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk The Mexican fans were already in party mode, although Andrei Shevchenko was quick to remind them that Chelsea were not going to sit back and defend their goal.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Shevchenko received the ball on the near touchline, and took on his marker; beating him with ease. Running into trouble, he back heeled the ball to a refreshed Frank Lampard, but the England midfielder failed to connect correctly with the ball and his left-footed effort was skewed high wide, and not at all handsome.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk The Ukrainian striker was in the mood for goals, and a genius-of-a-pass from Frank Lampard was complimented by an awesome first touch. Getting behind the defender, Shevchenko guided the ball around the rushing goalkeeper, who pulled the Ukrainian striker to the ground with the ball nowhere in sight. However, in the nature of this 'friendly' exhibition match, the referee was not keen to award a spot kick and the Mexicans cleared.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Cole and a quiet Arjen Robben switched flanks after both wingers failed to beat their opposing full-backs, to immediate success. Cole cut inside his defender and unleashed an angle drive destined for the top corner, but second-choice goalkeeper Navarrete pulled off a fine save at his near post to punch the ball away for a Chelsea corner kick.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Minutes later, Lampard and Shevchenko displayed a fine knowledge of each other's game as Lampard drove the ball through the heart of the America defence. Shevchenko's first touch was graceful, but a wonderful covering tackle from Duilio Davino prevented the Ukrainian a first goal of the season as he prepared to pull the trigger.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Finally coming to grips with the pace of the Mexican's game, it was Glen Johnson who led from the back with a number of towering headers, quick footwork and clever passes as Chelsea attempted to hold the Club American defence within their own half.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Insua beat Cork with ease moments later, but Johnson made a wonderful header to prevent Mosqueda from reaching the ball with Cech stranded.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Insua was put through by Mosqueda, and but for a wonderful tackle by Steve Sidwell, would have had clear sights of Petr Cech's goal. Sidwell immediately leapt to his feet as Insua dramatically dived to the floor and spread the ball to the excellent Claude Makelele, deployed in the sweeper role to brilliant effect.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk The whistle for the end of the first half followed half a minute of additional time for stoppages, of which there were very few. Mourinho threw all of his cards of the table, with nine changes. Only Glen Johnson and John Terry remained of the original line-up.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Replacing Cech was Carlo Cudicini, and Jack Cork was replaced by Sam Hutchinson. Ben Haim who had been solid in his game alongside Terry did himself no harm, and was greeted by a hug and handshake from Jose Mourinho as Ricardo Carvalho replaced the Israel international. The midfield completely changed, with Wright-Phillips and Essien replacing Lampard and Sidwell, and Diarra taking over the holder role from Makelele. Debutant Florent Malouda played alongside Didier Drogba, scorer of 33 Chelsea goals last campaign, and the forward three was complimented by Cote D'Ivoire striker Salomon Kalou in his bright orange boots.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk The changes brought instant improvement to the team, as the energy of Essien, Kalou and Malouda was too much for the tiring Club America team to prevent.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk A clever flick from Malouda and a perfect left-footed volley from Didier Drogba fizzed away from the goalkeeper, but Navarette was equal and held well. Moments before, Malouda had bamboozled the Mexican defence and squared to Kalou, who miskicked and his fresh-air-shot amused Jose Mourinho.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk But for all of the Blues' possession, they were doing precious little. Essien shot from 25 yards but his shot fizzled a yard wide of the right-hand upright, and his header from Malouda's corner looped over the bar. Glen Johnson who had headed narrowly wide in the first half from a Robben delivery tried his luck but mistimed his header and the ball was grabbed by the thankful Navarette.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk A brilliant piece of skill by Hutchinson which saw him turn a defender and leave him on his back-side gave the 17-year-old plenty of space, and his ambitious cross was not dealt by Navarette, who flapped at the ball. The ball dropped to Malouda, who spun and put the ball under the goalkeeper, through the legs of one defender and around the foot of another.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk He celebrated his debut goal with Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, but with fifteen minutes remaining, the Disney Peace Cup was there for the taking for the Chelsea team.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Sinclair was added to the team in place of Johnson to give the team more ambition going forward. Wright-Phillips was brought down on the near touchline, and Malouda's whipped free-kick found the straining neck muscles of John Terry, whose downward header beat the diving Navarette and put Chelsea in the lead for the first time in the match.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk America tried to get back into the game but a well-marshalled defence kept the Mexicans at bay.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk But there are plenty of things to be pleased about for Jose Mourinho as the full time whistle went. Florent Malouda's goal and assist, along with excellent debuts for Ben Haim and Sidwell, and a solid Glen Johnson were amongst some of the best.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Bring on the Suwon Bluewings.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Squads and RatingsThis has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Johnson, Ben Haim, Terry, Cork; Makelele, Sidwell, Lampard; J Cole, Shevchenko, Robben.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Second half (4-3-3): Cudicini; Johnson (Sinclair 76), Carvalho, Terry, Hutchinson; Essien, Diarra, Wright-Phillips; Malouda, Drogba, Kalou.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Goals: Malouda 74, Terry 83Booked: DiarraThis has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Club America (4-3-3): Navarrete; O Rojas, R Rojas, Davino, Rodriquez; Villa, Arguello, Mosqueda; Insua, Fernandez, Mendoza.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Second half (4-2-3-1): Navarrete; O Rojas(Tena 64), Cervantes, Iñigo, Zavala; Sanchez, JC Mosqueda (Sub 64); Infante, JJ Mosqueda, Mendoza (Martinez 69); Marquez.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Goals: JC Mosqueda 3Booked: JC Mosqueda, JJ MosquedaThis has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Chelsea RatingsThis has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Cech - 6 - Had little to do, good communication, could do nothing about goal.Cudicini - 6 - Barely touched the ball.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Johnson - 8 - Impressed greatly, strong in the air and quick in the tackle.Diarra - 6 - Started at anchor, finished at RB. Made rash challenge.Terry - 7 - Typical performance, capped with goal.Ben Haim - 6 - Had little to do, but communicated well with Cech and Terry.Carvalho - 7 - Dominating performance by the Portuguese.Cork - 6 - Made one or two mistakes, solid game.Hutchinson - 6 - Impressed whilst attacking.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Lampard - 7 - Looked fresher, played some excellent balls.Makelele - 7 - Did his job without fuss, excellent game.Sidwell - 6 - Did nothing wrong, excellent tackles.Wright-Phillips - 5 - Very quiet after first fifteen minutes of second half.Essien - 7 - The powerhouse demonstrated his defensive and attacking prowess.Sinclair - 5 - Failed to settle, poor crossing, made intelligent runs however.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Robben - 5 - Very quiet, lacked the service.Shevchenko - 6 - Tried his best, 100% effort. Little to do.Joe Cole - 6 - Back to his full fitness, but a way to go to recapture his form.Malouda - 8 - Goal and assist on debut.Drogba - 6 - Had a few chances, linked well with Kalou and Malouda.Kalou - 6 - Missed a golden chance, but teased defenders.This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Referee - Kevin Scott - 4/10This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Chelsea - Stats - Club AmericaThis has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk 2 - Goals - 1 4 - Shots on Target - 3 8 - Shots off Target - 61 - Blocked Shots - 0 7 - Corners - 19 - Fouls - 10 0 - Offsides - 31 - Yellow Cards - 2 0 - Red Cards - 0 51% - Possession - 49% This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Star ManThis has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk This has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Glen JohnsonThis has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk Views of the BluesThis has been illegally copied and pasted from CFC-Fans.co.uk

I thought we looked very promising last night and our fitness was surprisingly not a problem... I think Sheva looked sharp and Johnno looked like he had a point to prove, Sidwell showed his quality and Maka had a good first half, Cork and Hutchinson did well and Scotty did well when he came on, Malouda looked good and his set-piece delivery is something Jose will have to consider but it's only pre-season and we shouldn’t get carried away just yet.

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Great game were brilliant especially for a first pre season game. Totally dominated the 2nd half and could have easily scored more although credit where credit is due Club America were actually very good especially in the 1st half. Good goal Malouda but what on the earth were the 2 club America guys doing lol it went straight past them as well as a bad mistake by the keeper. JT goal was brilliant, typical JT. Overall a very good game special mentions to Johnson, Hutchinson and JT all were excellent throughout.btw did anyone see JT at the end of the game COR!!!! lol going to have a lovely dream now hehe.

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