Suwon 0 - 1 Chelsea

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Chelsea F.C. 1 - 0 Samsung Suwon BluewingsFriendly - 17 July - Home Depot Center - 20:00 kick-offChelsea maintained their winning run in pre-season, with Didier Drogba's deadly finish ultimately proving the difference in a game the West London outfit bossed from start to finish.Before netting the winner, Drogba had hit the base of the post when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and Michael Essien had two fabulous scoring opportunities - the first a bullet shot onto the crossbar and the second a brilliant volley from six yards which was superbly saved by the Samsung Suwon Bluewings goalkeeper.The Korean team to their immense credit, however, managed to hold Chelsea for eighty minutes and provided a more-than-suitable test for Jose Mourinho's team heading into the new league campaign. And with David Beckham and LA Galaxy awaiting the Blues on Saturday in an eagerly-anticipated game, the FA Cup and Carling Cup holders will be heading into the game full of confidence after two wins and two excellent performances.True to his word, José Mourinho fielded two completely different teams for each half as the Special One continued to experiment with his highly-diverse squad. Seemingly set upon using a 4-3-3 formation with two wingers, the squad were all glad to gain another 45 minutes of match fitness.For the match, José Mourinho made only several changes to the team that started against Club America. Petr Cech continued in goal, but his backline was slightly different to how it had been against the Mexicans - John Terry was partnered by Glen Johnson who played at right-back in the 2-1 victory at the weekend. Paulo Ferreira began the game at right-back, but would later move to the opposite flank before being replaced. Sam Hutchinson started at left-back after impressing greatly in the second half against the Mexican side. Makelele was replaced in the starting line-up by Michael Essien, as Steve Sidwell and Frank Lampard continued their midfield pairing for another 45 minutes. Up front, there were changes also, with Salomon Kalou starting.Hilario was on the bench and would come on at half time, as Carlo Cudicini was rested after picking up a minor knock in training. Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba started on the bench with Claude Makelele and another host of big name stars. Michael Ballack was still recovering from injury, and Wayne Bridge had returned to Cobham to recover after pelvis surgery. Amongst the substitutes was Scott Sinclair, recently granted the number 17 shirt at the club after being confirmed as part of the first-team squad for the 2007/08 season.In the Bluewings team were a host of Korean internationals, including Cho Won Hee, Baek Ji Hoon and Lee Kwan Woo. Brazilian Eduardo had also been called up to the national team of his home country, but had not been capped.Though not as active in the transfer market as in previous seasons, Chelsea showcased yet another controversial new signing in the game against their Korean rivals. Their new electricity yellow kit was given its debut, and fans had little difficulty in distinguishing Chelsea from the blue kits of their opponents. And if Salomon Kalou's orange boots went well with the new shirt, Didier Drogba's yellow ones must have got on famously with the unique new shirt.In a great gesture to their fans, the Chelsea and Bluewings players kicked black footballs with the words 'Right to Play' into the crowd prior to kick-off.The Blues started at a lively pace, but after just seven seconds a flag was raised against Andrei Shevchenko for offside. The Ukrainian captain apologized to his colleagues moments later when he made a brilliant run against the Bluewings defence. Turning two defenders with two deft touches, he brought the ball under control before taking it under another player. Yet for the Ukrainian's sharpness, he was left with too little space and was eventually crowded out, with midfielder Cho Won Hee tracking back to block the Ukrainian's run. Shevchenko's shot deflected off the boot of Won Hee, into the grateful arms of Kim Dae Hwun in the Bluewings goal.The first real chance came eight minutes later. Frank Lampard won and took the corner for Chelsea, with captain John Terry heading the ball into the danger area. Michael Essien was in the right place at the right time, but could not direct his effort and watched in dismay as it crashed off the crossbar. Moments later, Salomon Kalou's clever back heel found Steve Sidwell, but the midfielder's shot was well over. The Bluewings had begun to create chances for themselves, however, with the Brazilian Eduardo managing to break through the Chelsea backline on one occasion, only to blaze wide. Their own aerial threat was underlined when the tall Mato came up from the back for their first corner of the game. The Bluewings number 2 failed to direct his header, and Petr Cech watched as the ball went out of play for a goalkick.On 34 minutes, Michael Essien must have thought he had broken the deadlock. The Ghanaian midfielder's ingenious volley at the near post was destined for the bottom corner but to his immense credit, Kim in goal for the Bluewings pulled off a wonder-save to deny the midfield dynamo. Chelsea fans were used to seeing goalkeeping heroics in Petr Cech, but even Jose Mourinho applauded the Bluewings goalkeeper for his bravery.The best chance for the Bluewings came on 38 minutes, when a dipping shot by the Bluewings captain Kwan Woo went just over Petr Cech's goal.But for all of the first half's open attacking play, Chelsea were making few chances. The Bluewings had a chance of their own just before the half-way period, with their captain Lee Kwan Woo volleying wide from outside the area. Petr Cech took no chances and covered his far post with a despairing dive, but the angled drive was wide of the mark.It was to be the last action of the half as the referee blew for half-time. Jose Mourinho succeeded in baffling the Chelsea TV commentators with his numerous changes. Only Paulo Ferreira of the starting eleven remained on the pitch, the Portuguese moving to left-back. He was joined by Ricardo Carvalho and Tal Ben Haim at central defence, with Lassana Diarra playing at right-back. The young France international had finished the game against Club America in that role. Hilario completed the defence, the third-choice goalkeeper filling in for Petr Cech. Assuming the captain's armband, Claude Makelele began at defensive midfield, with Shaun Wright-Phillips and John Obi Mikel playing in free roles behind the front three of Robben, Drogba and former Lyon winger Florent Malouda.Kim in goal for the Suwon Bluewings was having a magnificent game, and did well to react to a bullet shot from Didier Drogba. The Ivorian captain did well to keep Shaun Wright-Phillips' pass in play, and when most expected him to cross from his angled position, he instead rocketed a shot towards goal. Kim did well to react and punch the ball away, and even better to keep Florent Malouda's follow up out of the goal.Mere seconds later, Malouda tried his luck once more, with his fizzing shot from 25 yards bouncing awkwardly, but punched behind to safety by the goalkeeper. From the Frenchman's corner, Arjen Robben tried a low drive destined for the bottom corner, but his effort was hacked away by Mato, just moments after the defender had a ball in the face from Wright-Phillips.The team's second half performance was almost capped when Drogba was brilliantly put through by Wright-Phillips. Certain to score, Drogba's low shot seemed to be heading in, only to see it hit the post. On 58 minutes, Eduardo turned Tal Ben Haim three times consecutively before Ricardo Carvalho put the Brazilian under considerable pressure. Eduardo's shot went well wide of Hilario's post in the Bluewings' first meaningful attack of the second period.Later on, a free kick was well-placed by the Bluewings midfielder Jin Woo, but Hilario was equal tot he strike and strode across his goal to catch with ease.The ball was up the end moments later, and Kim was forced to smartly react to deny Wright-Phillips on the seventy-minute mark.A scare for Chelsea came when Eduardo broke free of his markers and was one-on-one. Hilario came racing out of goal and Young Rok looked to scoop the ball past him, but his tame effort was stopped by Lassana Diarra inside the penalty area.Scott Sinclair came on moments later as the Bluewings made a triple substitution, and the young English midfielder had a say in the best move of the match.Spreading the ball to Florent Malouda, the Frenchman then crossed to Wright-Phillips in the penalty area. Kim tried to reach the ball, but Wright-Phillips instinctively chipped the ball to Drogba. After missing an easier chance earlier, the Ivorian made no mistake in volleying home past a stranded Kim to seal the victory and an impressive all-round performance by the Cup Kings.Squads and Ratings First-halfChelsea(4-3-3) Cech; Ferreira, Johnson, Terry, Hutchinson; Sidwell, Essien, Lampard; J Cole, Shevchenko, Kalou. Second-half(4-3-3) Hilario; Diarra, Ben-Haim, Carvalho, Ferreira (Sinclair 69); Wright-Phillips, Makelele, Mikel; Robben, Drogba, Malouda. Chelsea RatingsCech - 6 - Excellent performance, covered his goal well but little danger.Hilario - 6 - Smothered free-kick easily but looked shaky in periods.Ferreira - 6 - Started well, made some excellent runs going forward.Diarra - 7 - Did well to block Young Rok's effort, was excellent going forward.Terry - 7 - Typical John Terry performance - strong in the air and superb in the tackle.Ben Haim - 6 - Had little to do, but communicated well with Cech and Terry.Carvalho - 7 - Dominating performance by the Portuguese.Glen Johnson - 6 - Had little to do, but bossed the Bluewings strikers.Hutchinson - 6 - Not quite the performance of Saturday, the young left-back did well.Lampard - 6 - Seems to have recovered from a long season.Makelele - 7 - Brilliant display by Chelsea's captain for the second half.Sidwell - 6 - Did nothing wrong, had a few efforts. Promising.Wright-Phillips - 8 - Much more involved display, was brilliant with Mikel. Man of the Match candidate.Essien - 7 - The powerhouse demonstrated his defensive and attacking prowess. Unlucky not to score.Sinclair - 6 - Started move which lead to goal. Tricked defenders with his speed.Mikel - 6 - Linked well with Wright-Phillips and Malouda.Robben - 7 - More involved, switched flanks with Malouda to deadly effect. Unlucky not to score.Shevchenko - 6 - 100% effort yet again. Would benefit playing with Malouda and Robben.Joe Cole - 6 - Quiet, needs to regain match fitness.Malouda - 7 - Like Robben, he did his job superbly.Drogba - 7 - Missed an early chance but took his goal superbly.Kalou - 6 - His orange boots teased defenders. Referee - 4/10Chelsea - Stats - Samsung Suwon Bluewings1 - Goals - 0 7 - Shots on Target - 23 - Shots off Target - 45 - Blocked Shots - 0 10 - Corners - 211 - Fouls - 13 2 - Offsides - 11 - Yellow Cards - 0 0 - Red Cards - 0 58% - Possession - 42% Star ManShaun Wright-PhillipsViews of the Blues

Yeah, I think Diarra looked very sharp in defence today. Second thoughts could be high for SWP maybe, I think he had a brilliant second half. Put in a great ball for Drogba to score. As well as that, I think everyone played pretty well today.