Season review

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Ah right Well December's up, I'm going to write January either tomorrow (match report due today...), then we need Tomo to do February for Wednesday...

[Tomo 21,751]

Ah right Well December's up, I'm going to write January either tomorrow (match report due today...), then we need Tomo to do February for Wednesday...

ill get it done by tonight

[Tomo 21,751]

February

February began with the main noise being about the high profile signings of Fernando Torres and David Luiz from Liverpool and Benfica respectively but the match at the Stadium of Light came to soon for the pair to make their debut's, Chelsea, looking to avenge the shocking 3-0 home loss in November, got off to a bad start when Phil Bardsley gave the black cats the lead, goals from Frank Lampard from the spot and Soloman Kalou gave Chelsea the lead before Keiran Richardson's free kick brought Sunderland level before half time. The second half however Chelsea dominated and were rewarded by goals from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka to walk away from wearside with a fantastic 4-2 win.

The rest of the week was filled with Fernando Torres press, especially as his debut could be coming against the club he came from ,Liverpool,. David Luiz could also be making his debut in one way or another. The match did not go to plan whatsoever and Kenny Dalglish's team came away with a smash and grab 1-0 win, El Nino had a nightmare debut although David Luiz came on for the last 20 minutes and looked very promising furthering what i personally thought in the first place, that David Luiz should have started and Fernando should have been left out till Fulham.

A local derby at Craven Cottage followed on Valentine's day and David Luiz followed up his impressive cameo against Liverpool with a man of the match display here despite giving away a late penalty, which i still personally think was harsh. The performance was frustrating however and the way most of the team were in cruising mode in the second half you would have thought Chelsea were 5-0 up, they weren't however it was 0-0 and saw the Blues fall 5th and out of the champions league places.

Next up for Chelsea was a FA Cup replay against Everton at Stamford Bridge, without both Fernando Torres and David Luiz, it was another inept display from the double holders but it looked like they got away with it when Frank Lampard fired home in extra time, but a late Leighton Baines free kick took the match to a penalty shoot out, which given the recent history of Chelsea V Everton games was probally predicted. Missed penalty's by Nicolas Anelka and Ashely Cole made sure the 2 year hold Chelsea had on the FA Cup was only going to last another couple of months.

Given the worrying league position Chelsea's Champions League last 16 first leg tie away to Copenhagen had added significance that winning the tournament might be the only way they will still be in it next term, a double from Nicolas Anelka gave Chelsea breathing space to take back to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are half way to the quarter finals and given a extra added boost by 4th place Tottenham losing to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, all Chelsea have to do now is beat Manchester United and they are back in the top 4, thats all though.

thoughts?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Excellent, I'll get my arse in gear and do January.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Chelsea FC season review – January

23rd May 2011, In Articles, by Alex Hinsley December had finally seen the slump temporarily halted thanks to a battling victory over Bolton, but that result had done little more than paper over the cracks. However, January would show Roman Abramovich’s unfaltering financial backing of the club and of Carlo Ancelotti – but the need for£75 million worth of investment during the winter transfer window surely begs the question of how much faith the board truly had in Ancelotti at the time.

As is typical with the turn of the new year, the games were coming thick and fast. Three games in the space of a week saw contrasting results and emotions amongst the Blues faithful, with Aston Villa the first team to face Chelsea in 2011. In an entertaining but ultimately-frustrating 3-3 draw, Chelsea found themselves 2-1 down before going 3-2 up thanks to John Terry’s 88th-minute volley. It seemed to be the goal that would arrest the Chelsea slide and build on the foundations set by the Bolton win, but the proverbial Big Bad Wolf came in the form of young Ciaran Clark, who headed home a stoppage time leveller to leave the elated Chelsea fans deflated instantly.

And further woe at the hands of Midlands opposition came at the hands of lowly Wolverhampton Wanderers and a single Jose Bosingwa own goal reduced Chelsea to embarrassment. The Blues hit the post through Didier Drogba, whilst Salomon Kalou brought a number of excellent saves from young goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, but in truth, Wolves were worthy winners and Chelsea needed a response immediately. Nevertheless, it would be this sort of result and performance that would ultimately cost the Blues the title.

Thankfully, seven-goal drubbings tend to have positive impacts on teams, and such a rout of second division Ipswich certainly helped the cause. Daniel Sturridge and Frank Lampard both netted braces, whilst Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and a Carlos Edwards own goal gave Chelsea a trademark seven-goal thrashing to help increase confidence thanks to a much-needed win. Most importantly, perhaps, was seeing Lampard and Anelka back on the scoresheet – Lampard after months out with injury, and Anelka after a ten-game dry spell. Form and confidence were re-emerging, and two consecutive wins over north-west opposition would see that return sped up dramatically.

Blackburn were the first to feel the edge of the Chelsea sword as Branislav Ivanovic and Nicolas Anelka inspired the Blues to victory at Stamford Bridge, before a magnificent away performance at Bolton saw the Blues comfortable 4-0 winners. Didier Drogba got the ball rolling with a simply stunning goal from distance, before Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Ramires added second half goals. The camaraderie shown for Ramires’ first Chelsea strike – with all ten outfield players mobbing the Brazilian midfielder – was testament to the turnaround both in player morale and in results. The performances were returning and the Chelsea tenacity was as evident as ever.

That resolve was highlighted at Goodison Park when Salomon Kalou led a second-half revival to earn a 1-1 draw. Everton had bombarded the Chelsea goal and went ahead – inevitably – through Louis Saha, but a combination of the Ivorian’s precision finishing and the nigh-unbeatable form of Petr Cech ensured what neither team needed… a dreaded weekend replay.

But with the Blues’ Premier League form returning – added to the excitement aroused by the signings of Luiz and Torres in the winter transfer window – ensured January was the turnaround in fortunes that would form the basis of Chelsea’s fabulous revival in the second half of the season.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I was going to do it once Feburary was posted? I'll do it tomorrow

Get your ass in gear, bitch!