The Blue Champion

Match Report: Chelsea 2 - 0 Marseille

2010-09-29T15:47:00.001+08:00

Chelsea remain top of their Champions League group after first-half goals from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka helped them to seal a comfortable victory over Marseille at Stamford Bridge.

Carlo Ancelotti's side is now ahead of Spartak Moscow on goal difference after the Russians defeated MSK Zilina 3-0.

Marseille, managed by former Chelsea player Didier Deschamps, now face a real struggle to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

Chelsea went into their Group F game on the back of two successive defeats to Newcastle in the Carling Cup and Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League.

Deschamps had called for his side to show the same physical prowess and counter-attacking guile that City used to overcome the Blues at Eastlands on Saturday.

But his plan went awry when Chelsea took the lead in the seventh minute with their first real attack of the game.

Florent Malouda's shot was deflected for a corner and when Gael Kakuta aimed it at the near post, captain John Terry stole in to flick the ball home.

It was a dream start for the English champions and it could have been better in the 13th minute had Malouda been able to prevent his 10-yard shot from going just over the Marseille crossbar.

Anelka, who was roundly booed by Marseille fans from the kick-off, brought a fine save from Steve Mandanda moments later after Kakuta's ball had sent him racing in on goal.

Chelsea's night got even better in the 27th minute when Stephane Mbia was harshly adjudged to have handled Michael Essien's attempted cross.

The Marseille defender was booked for the misdemeanour and Anelka rubbed salt into their wounds by tucking away the resultant spot-kick with ease.

Anelka was a constant thorn in the side of Marseille and he was just a yard away from grabbing his second in the 42nd minute when he tried his luck from 20 yards.

Marseille had barely troubled Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech in the opening period but the French champions picked up the pace after the restart.

Andre-Pierre Gignac, who had been largely kept well marshalled by Terry and Alex, sent an overhead kick straight at Cech.

In the 57th minute, Brandao tested Cech's readiness with a 25-yard effort that the Czech Republic international did well to hold on to.

Marseille replaced Gignac and Benoit Cheyrou with Andre Ayew and Mathieu Valbuena moments later as they looked for a way back into the contest.

Chelsea reacted to Marseille's changes swiftly with coach Carlo Ancelotti opting to replace Kakuta with Ramires on the hour.

Ashley Cole and Terry then combined to keep out a fierce shot from Souleymane Diawara.

Chelsea went close to adding a third in the 67th minute but a fantastic 35-yard free-kick from Alex hit the inside of the post with Marseille goalkeeper Mandanda well beaten.

Essien was guilty of hitting the right-hand upright in the 75th minute when Chelsea opened-up Marseille with another move of fluid simplicity.

Malouda fed Ramires in the inside-left channel and the Brazilian calmly laid the ball into the path of the onrushing Essien.

But the man nicknamed 'the Train' sent his thunderous right-foot shot against the post.

Chelsea removed Yury Zhirkov in favour of Daniel Sturridge and the youngster was later joined by teenager Josh McEachran, who replaced John Obi Mikel.

Moments later Sturridge squandered a simple chance to score when Anelka and Cole combined superbly down the left flank to provide him with the opportunity.

Sturridge met Cole's cross on the edge of the six-yard box but somehow managed to turn the ball beyond the far post.

In the 89th minute Essien was narrowly wide when Cole picked him out on the edge of the penalty area.

The Ghanaian looked to have done everything right but his left-foot effort spun inches beyond Mandanda's right-hand post.

It was the last chance of a game Chelsea had bossed throughout to leave them top of the group with a trip to Moscow looming in a fortnight.

Carlo Ancelotti Delighted With 'Important' Champions League Victory Over Marseille

2010-09-29T15:46:00.001+08:00

Carlo Ancelotti has spoken of his delight after Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Marseille on Tuesday night, but also took time to congratulate the French side on their own performance.

John Terry stuck out a toe to convert a Gael Kakuta corner to put the Blues 1-0 up after just seven minutes before Nicolas Anelka effortlessly converted a penalty to put the game beyond the French team after just 28 minutes.

Marseille came out much stronger in the second half, but can only blame themselves after poor finishing in front of goal.

Ancelotti recognized the importance of the three points after seeing group rivals Spartak Moscow run out 3-0 winners at MSK Zilina earlier in the day.

“The result was important because now we have six points, and we have a good possibility to finish in first place,” the Italian told Sky Sports.

“It wasn't an easy game. I think Marseille played well especially in the second half. We played very well in the first half and used the entire pitch to attack and created a lot of chances.

“It was more difficult in the second half, we played good defensively but we could have done better in possession.

“[Marseille] took alot of risks [in the second half] because they put more pressure in our half but [that] gave us alot of possibly to counter attack.”

After John Terry’s admission that Chelsea may have taken their foot off the gas in the second half with a Premier League clash against Arsenal at the weekend coming up, Ancelotti took a step back from that notion.

“We worked hard together to defend the result but the Premier League is a different story. We are in a good position. We are top of this group [in the Champions League] and we are top of the Premier League. Everything is OK.”

The French Connection: Chelsea's Dazzling Attacking Trio Give Marseille A Lesson In Gallic Flair

2010-09-29T15:45:00.001+08:00

If John Terry thought he had it bad running the gauntlet against Manchester City last weekend, it was nothing compared to the red-hot reception Nicolas Anelka received from one of Europe’s most passionate set of travelling supporters.

Every time France’s enfant terrible touched the ball, the 3,000 Marseille ultras whistled, booed and hissed with a unity that was deafening.

And this on Anelka’s home patch. Imagine the noise when the French exile, now retired from international football, returns to France for the corresponding fixture on December 8.

He will be about as welcome as the mowers stripping the Stamford Bridge grass while Florent Malouda, who was also booed but at a more muted level than his countryman, tried to pay tribute to Anelka’s coolness under fire.

Anelka had converted Chelsea’s 28th minute penalty with all the insouciance he had displayed in the League Cup against Newcastle a week earlier. His strategy? A two-step run-up and gentle roll of the ball into the net before heading in the direction of the Marseille fans to celebrate.

"He was under a lot of pressure because in France a lot of people were watching this game so he had many reasons to prove," said Malouda. "Here at the club everybody knows his quality and it’s great to see him play that way and show his quality to the world. It’s difficult for me to speak about [France and what happened at the World Cup] but I’m just happy for Nicolas and I’m happy to see the team play at that level."

A disapproving French public would have taken note of how the league champions were completely outclassed by Anelka and his friends. At the heart of the Champions League lesson was Chelsea’s French connection, who strutted their stuff with the elegance and certainty of a Parisian catwalk model.

Anelka smoothly led the line in Didier Drogba’s self-enforced absence, Gael Kakuta offered another glimpse of his dazzling potential on the right of Carlo Ancelotti’s front three and the ace in the pack once again was Malouda on the left flank, jinking between defenders, fizzing in crosses and testing the keeper from distance with a series of stinging drives.

The Three Musketeers put Marseille to the sword in the first half hour before relaxing their grip in the knowledge that bigger tests lie ahead, starting with a showdown against Arsenal here again on Sunday afternoon.

Malouda, who has carried on where he left off last season with a sensational opening to the new campaign that has yielded six goals and a creative hand in many others, admits he is playing the best football of his career.

"Yes, of course," he said, before adding with a twinkle in his eye: "I hear that for one year and a half now. Of course I know I’m 30 years old and it’s time to be in the best form of my life.

"I try every time to produce my best game. It’s not always easy but with the work I’m putting in training I get good fitness and I can reproduce this kind of performance week in, week out. It’s good because we have a lot of important games coming. We play Arsenal on Sunday and we have to win this weekend."

Unlike Anelka, who retired from the international arena after being given an 18-month ban by the French Football Federation following his ill-tempered role in the team’s summer debacle in South Africa, Malouda has been welcomed tentatively back into the France fold.

He recognised the significance of performing in front of an audience including France’s assistant coach Alain Boghossian ahead of the next round of Euro 2012 qualifiers.

"I was under pressure because next week I will be in France so if I want to spend a good week I had to win tonight," said Malouda. "It’s always strange when you play against a team from your country but I’m really happy with the result."

Kakuta was the least effective of the Frenchmen but his reputation for creating mayhem is enhancing by the week. Similarly to the Newcastle match, the teenager, controversially plucked from the Lens academy, faded after threatening to run amok and was substituted on the hour mark.

"He played a good game and he played for the team," Ancelotti said. "It is the most important thing for a young player because sometimes they want to show their ability and quality."

During a tie beamed live in France, Chelsea’s French connection had reminded their homeland what they are missing.

Reaction: Uncomfortable Step Forward

2010-09-29T15:41:00.001+08:00

Carlo Ancelotti was more satisfied with the position his team finds itself in following two Group F matches than the performance that put it there.

While opposing manager Didier Deschamps spoke of a gulf in class between the two teams on Tuesday night, the Chelsea coach was contrasting the two 45 minute spells that made up the2-0 win.

The first-half contained a goal from John Terry and another calmly-taken Nicolas Anelka penalty. The half-time score didn't flatter the Blues. But the French champions made it harder for their English counterparts after the break.

'The win was not comfortable because we had a difficult game in the second half,' pointed out Ancelotti.

'We played very well in the first half and the second half was more difficult because Marseille wanted to come back into the game and put more pressure on our midfield. We didn't play so well but we still had a lot of chances in the second half.'

Indeed Alex hit the post with a thunderbolt free-kick, as did Michael Essien in open play. At the other end, Alex was part of a defence that prevented Marseille turning spells of pressure into genuine chances.

'Marseille have good attacking play and they wanted to score and we had a good defence second half,' agreed Ancelotti

'In the second half we had more difficultly in playing from the back because they put more pressure on us there. They took a risk of conceding a counter attack and we did have the good chances but Marseille was in the game until the end.'

The manager praised the skill of Terry in turning in a corner at the near post for a seventh minute opener, and declared he was confident that Anelka would convert his first spot kick in the Champions League since Moscow in 2008.

'I have never seen Anelka afraid or nervous. He is always calm.

'Kakuta was good,' he added, the 19-year-old having started the game and supplied the delivery from which Terry scored.

'He was involved in the game and he plays for the team and this is the most important thing for a young player because sometimes a young player wants to show his ability and quality. It was important for us that he can play for the team and I have to congratulate him for the performance.'

Deschamps was asked whether fine details such as failure by a player on the post to stop Chelsea's first goal had cost his side dear, but he responded:

'You could say that was a fine detail and I prefer to concentrate on the decisive detail, the huge difference between the two sides.

'We were dominated both technically and physically and Chelsea had a very effective first half.

'We found really tough, hard to hold the ball up front, it kept coming back at us, and we lacked a little aggression in certain areas. We tried a bit hard second half and we had more of the ball but Chelsea could have got a third.'

The former France international captain also praised one of his nation's current crop, Florent Malouda, who was the outstanding player in the first half.

'Florent is in a great vein of form at the moment. He found space and technically his skill was superb. He works well in tandem with Ashley Cole.'

The win leaves Chelsea with six points out of six ahead of back-to-back matches with Spartak Moscow who have also won their two games.

'It is a good step this victory but the next two games will be very important,' announced Ancelotti, 'but we have a good chance to arrive in the first place.'

Florent Malouda: Arsenal Showdown Is Huge Challenge But Gunners Will Give Chelsea More Space Than Manchester City

2010-09-29T15:39:00.001+08:00

Florent Malouda has insisted that ‘big four’ rival Arsenal will be a huge challenge for Chelsea this weekend but expects the Gunners to give his team more space than Manchester City.

The Premier League champions suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend after being suffocated by Roberto Mancini’s counter-attacking style in a 1-0 setback at City of Manchester Stadium.

Malouda anticipates a more open game against Arsenal’s purist style at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

“Everybody knows the passing game of Arsenal,” observed Malouda. “They have quality. We have seen many times teams coming here and try to close the game and it depends if you score early in the game but I think that Arsenal have always played the same way with their passing game and technical quality and they try to do the same against everyone.

“Manchester City was a tough opposition and our first defeat. I will speak from our point of view. We must expect a good reaction in front of our fans. We lost against Man City and now we have an opportunity with a home game to get back the winning atmosphere.

“It will be a big challenge for us to win against a team of the 'big four'. Chelsea-Arsenal games are always important because they are just behind us and we want to increase the gap.

It won’t be easy because there are no easy games for Chelsea but now is time to recover and then we have time to think about Arsenal.”

Speaking after Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 Champions League victory against Marseille on Tuesday – their second comfortable victory in the competition this season – Malouda said it was important for the team to put the defeats to Newcastle United and City behind them.

“I’m happy because we had two defeats before this game and it was great to get back to winning ways,” he explained. “We take the lead in the group and now we want to confirm qualification for the next round.

“After seeing the first game of the season people think we are going to score four goals every time. Every game is different.

“We played at a very high intensity in the first half and paid the price in the second half. In the second half we were in control and we hit the post twice so winning was not really a problem.”

French Media: Bayern Are Winning Kakuta Chase

2010-09-29T15:36:00.001+08:00

French midfield starlet Gael Kakuta could sign a pre-contract agreement with Bayern Munich in January, according to a report in esteemed publication France Football.

The 19-year-old, who has been capped by his national team at every youth level, has been tipped for a bright future at the top of the game but is said to be frustrated that his potential has yet to be rewarded with a long run of games in the Chelsea first team.

Signed from Lens in 2007 it is believed that Carlo Ancelotti is eager to incorporate the midfield dynamo into his plans, especially given the trouble taken by the Blues hierarchy in clearing the player of any wrongdoing after he was slapped with a four month ban and huge fine for apparently breaking a contract to move to Stamford Bridge.

Kakuta is currently competing against the likes of John Obi Mikel, Ramires, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard for a starting place; a tough task despite his obvious quality.

Under contract at Chelsea until the summer, Kakuta is free to make contact with potential suitors six months in advance. German giants Bayern Munich are thought to be one of a number of top European sides, but with their pedigree and willingness to blood young players in the first team, it is thought they represent an agreeable option.

McEachran - I'm Ready

2010-09-29T15:34:00.002+08:00

Chelsea starlet Josh McEachran insists he is ready for first-team action.

The 17-year-old midfielder has featured in a number of Chelsea matches in recent weeks, coming off the bench on three occasions.

The young left sider was being tipped as a future England international before he even made his Chelsea debut, and he insists he is confident he can step up to the task of first-team football.

"I am quite a quiet boy but on the pitch I think I am quite confident and know what I am doing," he said.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has the same belief that McEachran can become a first-team player this year and he has already ruled out the prospect of letting him leave on loan.

"We won't be sending him on loan," said Ancelotti.

"He will stay here and play here. We now have one more player.

"It's a surprise because he is a very talented player and we prepared a program for him to improve but I think he is improving very quickly.

"I don't have a fear of rushing him because his character is good, he is focused.

"He has balance. He is not afraid or quiet. And for this reason I can say he can play."

Pat Nevin: Little Details, Large Consequences

2010-09-29T15:24:00.001+08:00

As Chelsea were narrowly losing a heavyweight contest in the north, columnist Pat Nevin was across the Atlantic watching some other sporting giants in action. He noticed similarities.

I think it was the late George Harrison who had an album called 'All Things Must Pass' and of course they must, even when it is an unbeaten start to the season. If you had to point to a couple of games at the start of the campaign which would be the hardest, then Man City away would probably have been one of them.

To say it was a close game is to under play it, the first goal for whoever was probably always going to settle it. Football can be like that sometimes, the width of a post can make the difference between a win or a loss. Had Ivanovic scored instead of connecting with the woodwork then who knows what would have happened. Actually even more than that, just consider JT and that penalty kick in Moscow. All the headlines, the history and millions of wise words written would all have been totally different.

This weekend I went to a football game myself, but not my usual style. I was in New York on a short family holiday and we went along to see the New York Giants play the Tennessee Titans at American football.

The Giants have always been my team, but I had never seen them live before and it was quite an occasion. Without going into any detail about a litany of fumbles, missed tackles and amazingly poor discipline, the Giants got whipped. But just like the round ball game, it seemed to tip in just a few very specific moments.

The final scoreline may have been pretty wide, but had the Giants touched down when only two yards out I think they would have won. That is sport, small moments can have large consequences.

On my return as I read some of the reports in the English papers that suggested Manchester City had finally arrived, I had a little inward smile. But for the width of a post the story would have been about City having spent millions and still being way off the pace. All nonsense of course, it is simple, it is going to be a tight affair this season, everyone will drop points and the difference in the end will probably still be pretty marginal between the top three or four. I say three or four because it remains to be seen whether or not Tottenham or Arsenal can sustain a real challenge this season to ourselves and the Manchester clubs.

Arsenal will get their chance at the weekend after the Champions League adventures, I just get the feeling that Arsene's men might just struggle to keep it going on all fronts. It could be a case of having a real go at either the Champions League or the domestic league competition. I only say that because the strength in depth in Manchester and here in SW6 looks to be a bit too much, but time will tell. In essence Chelsea can afford to lose this weekend's London Derby, in reality Arsenal cannot.

The same could be said about the match against Didier Deschamps' Marseille. If the French lose this one it will mean zero points from six, a nightmare start to the campaign. Chelsea on the other hand have three points in the bag already and three more would mean almost certain qualification, even a draw would not be a disaster. What it means in the simplest terms is that for a change a team will turn up at the Bridge and almost certainly have a real go at Chelsea. This is refreshing stuff as most plump for the most defensive system and hope they can sneak a breakaway goal.

We could be in for an unusually open game tonight, which is a real change for the Champions League group stages. The competition has many merits but there is sometimes a problem with either meaningless, predictable or over negative tactics in the early stages. Deschamps will not disappoint this time I suspect and European football at Stamford Bridge should be an exciting and unpredictable occasion. Isn't that what football is supposed to be about?

What football is not supposed to be about is 47-year-olds getting their boots on again, but worryingly I have taken a step closer to that. I have actually signed on pro forms for Chester, formerly Chester City. Madness I hear you cry and you would be right. I may well run five times a week, over an hour each time up and down Scottish hills, but getting the size 8 Pumas back on is still pushing it.

It all started as a bit of a joke to get Chester FC some publicity, but when they told me that they had to get international clearance for the contract I began to wonder. Happily it is all sorted out, I will be an unstripped squad player for the season along with former Arsenal striker Perry Groves. If they ask me to play for ten minutes in the last game when promotion is assured, then I might just have a go.

Suffice to say I just hope that any Chelsea fans who came to watch me in my days playing for the Blues agree to do the decent thing and NOT come and watch me now. Trust me it will not be the same.

Another mistake from yours truly was to set too easy a question for last week's quiz. Yes I now realize you all know that Salomon Kalou has a brother called Bonaventure. My inbox will never be the same, but thanks to the many, many hundreds of you who took part.

Champions League Preview: Chelsea vs Marseille

2010-09-28T14:40:00.003+08:00

Chelsea entertains Ligue 1 champions Marseille in their second Champions League group phase fixture looking to get back on track following consecutive defeats to Newcastle United and Manchester City respectively.

While the last-gasp loss to the Magpies in the League Cup will have been viewed as a mere blemish following the Blues' pulsating start to the season, defeat to City in the Premier League on Saturday will have hurt Carlo Ancelotti and his side decidedly more.

Carlos Tevez's second half strike condemned the Blues to their first league defeat since April but with both Arsenal and Manchester United failing to pick up victory, the setback at Eastlands proved to be a hindrance rather than a disaster.

If anything the meeting with Marseille could not come any quicker with Ancelotti undoubtedly desperate to move forward and get back on the winning trail after the disappointments of the last seven days.

Having comfortably dispatched of MSK Zilina a fortnight ago, Chelsea sit pretty at the top of Group F and will be confident of maintaining their position of supremacy at Stamford Bridge against a Marseille side that have hardly been firing on all cylinders thus far this term.

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps returns to his former stomping ground on Tuesday where defeat could see the French champions slip six points behind the top two qualification spots following the club's surprise 1-0 defeat at home to Spartak Moscow in their group stage opener.

After a stuttering start to the new domestic season that saw the Stade Velodrome outfit fail to win their opening two games following the penalty triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in the French equivalent of the Community Shield, their most recent successive wins over Arles and Sochaux will have helped restore belief.

Deschamps spent six months under Ancelotti as a player while the Italian was in charge at Juventus but he will be all too aware that he faces a tough challenge to get the better of the former AC Milan boss when he takes his talented Marseille squad to west London on Tuesday evening.

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Didier Drogba misses out on the chance to face his former employers as he continues to serve a three-match ban following his sending off in the quarter-final defeat to Inter last season.

Salomon Kalou (hamstring) and Yossi Benayoun (calf) are also unavailable for selection and Ancelotti confirmed on Monday that he will once again not be able to call on the services of England midfielder Frank Lampard with the 32-year-old still struggling with a hernia problem.

Possible starting XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cole; Essien, Mikel, Ramires; Anelka, Sturridge, Malouda.

Marseille

Souleymane Diawara and Loic Remy returned for Marseille in their 2-1 victory over Sochaux on Saturday and Deschamps is likely to stick with a similar line-up at Stamford Bridge.

Remy replaced Andre Ayew in the second half on the weekend and, after he created the winning goal for Lucho Gonzalez, could come into the starting XI instead of the Ghana star.

Possible starting XI: Mandanda; Azpilicueta, Diawara, Heinze, Taiwo; Remy, Cheyrou, Gonzalez, Cisse, Ayew; Gignac.

Drogba May Look Elsewhere

2010-09-28T14:38:00.001+08:00

Didier Drogba has hinted that he may not end his career with reigning Premier League champions Chelsea.

The Ivorian striker has been at Stamford Bridge since 2004 when he moved from Marseille.

Drogba, who has two-years left on his current deal, has played over 250 games for The Blues and previously stated he would end his career with the West London giants.

But the 32-year-old admits that things could change, and he told Canal Plus: "When I signed a new contract at Chelsea, I always said I wanted to finish my career here.

"But I am well placed to say that anything can happen.

"When I was at Marseille I said I would finish my career there but, one week later, everything changed."

Chelsea play Marseille on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, and Drogba is upset at missing the chance to line-up against his former club as he is suspended.

But he is desperate to make the second leg in France, adding; "I hope I don't miss the return match as the Velodrome has an exceptional atmosphere.

"I did not think I would miss this game, but that is a lesson in life.

"I have already warned my team-mates about the Stade Velodrone, I said forget about Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford, St James' Park - the Velodrome is unique."

Taye Taiwo: I’d Love To Move From Olympique De Marseille To Chelsea

2010-09-28T14:37:00.001+08:00

Ahead of Olympique de Marseille’s Champions League encounter against Chelsea in midweek, Taye Taiwo has confessed that he would love a move to the Blues, though he has equally stated that his thoughts are largely drawn by helping les Phoceens to a positive result on Tuesday evening.

Taiwo is a player who has previously been courted by Premier League clubs, and he has never hidden his desire to switch to England at some stage in his career. The forthcoming match is therefore causing him particular excitement.

“I’m so excited,” he smiled to Ligue1.com. “I’ve been waiting so long for this opportunity to play at Stamford Bridge, so long for this opportunity to play against Chelsea and show them what I can do, and maybe at the end of the season if Ashley Cole is leaving, then they’ll be thinking of who can replace him and hopefully they’ll think of me.”

The Nigerian is not content to go to London simply to be lambs to the slaughter.

“We’re going to try to win, and to beat Chelsea, you have to play well at both ends of the field,” he stated.

“We know it’s going to be very difficult because Chelsea are a great team that everyone knows all about. They have good players all over the park and they work so hard. Whenever you lose the ball, you have to stay compact, but at the same time, you can’t go there to defend either.”

Having lost against Spartak Moscow at Stade Velodrome in their opening encounter, OM won’t want to begin their campaign with successive defeats, as they did in Ligue 1.

Jon Obi Mikel Insists Manchester City Defeat Will Not Derail Chelsea

2010-09-28T14:35:00.002+08:00

Jon Obi Mikel is convinced the defeat to Manchester City will not derail Chelsea's bid for silverware.

Mikel, 23, has played a key role in the Blues' stunning start to the Premier League season. They, however, suffered a blip at Eastlands as they fell to a sole Carlos Tevez strike.

Speaking to the club's official website, Mikel insisted his team-mates were set to get back on track in Tuesday night's Champions League clash against Marseille.

He said: "We knew one day in one game this would happen but we went out there to win the game.

"We played very well but obviously we didn't handle the counter-attack, but we knew there would be hard times in the season and that was one of them.

"We have to keep our head up. We have to keep training, keep working hard and on Tuesday we'll go out to win the game. That loss won't be a distraction to any of the players.

"We knew there would be difficult games and that was one. Obviously we lost the game but it is not the end of the season, we have to keep going. We have to come back from this game, play well, focus and do things well that we didn't do right in the last game.

"With this team when we lose a game we try to come back in the next game. Tuesday’s game will be the start of it.

"We will go out there, give a good performance, create chances and score some goals."

Ancelotti: Attacking With Anelka

2010-09-28T14:32:00.002+08:00

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Frank Lampard will not take part in Chelsea's game against Marseille on Tuesday night.

Our midfield maestro needs more time to recover before playing and is not expected to take part in Sunday's clash with Arsenal, nor represent England during the international break.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash, Ancelotti said John Terry will start the game as well as Nicolas Anelka, while Didier Drogba misses the fixture due to his two-match ban.

'Lampard can't play on Tuesday. If he doesn't play with us, he is not able to play for the national team.

'He needs more time than we expected for his rest. After these games there will be an international break and he will be ready for the games after the international break.

'For now we have to choose [who else to play] up front. Sure we will start [Florent] Malouda and Anelka but we will have to choose the right position up front.

'It could [Daniel] Sturridge or [Gael] Kakuta, I could put these two players in, they are ready.

'From the beginning, McEachran will go on the bench; he will be ready to go onto the pitch if it is necessary. John Terry will play.'

Questions were raised over Anelka's mind set going into the game, following a turbulent time with France during the World Cup.

But knowing the striker better than most, Ancelotti insisted the striker will not be affected by the fact our opponents are from his homeland, nor that the game will be live on French television.

'Nicolas is always quiet,' reported the manager. 'I don't think he will be afraid or scared because the game is on French television. He is in a fantastic moment and he will play for the team as he always does.

'He is able to play in every position up front. For his kind of skills he is perfect to play up front because he has speed, he has quality and he can support the players who come back from midfield.

'He is a fantastic striker for this reason. He is able to play in every position on the pitch.'

Having managed former Blue Didier Deschamps for six months while at Juventus, Ancelotti knows the opposition manager well, and the way his side plays.

However, the Italian was keen not to single out one individual Marseille player as a threat to Chelsea.

'OM [Olympique Marseille] is a good team, with good organization,' said Ancelotti. 'They use attacking play and they are quick.

'We know everything about the individual skills they have but it is difficult to say who is the most dangerous. Usually the most dangerous players are the strikers.

'My players will know everything about the opponent but the most important thing is our play. Obviously we will know the skills of the opponent's team but we must play our way. If we play our best, we will win.'

The game comes on the back of consecutive defeats, which could spur the side into action, but Ancelotti believes the Blues will not think of the previous performances when playing tomorrow night.

'I don't ask them to have a reaction,' insisted the Italian. 'We just have to play our football.

'We have to pay attention and get the points from this game. I don't need to see a reaction from my players; they will have a good game because it is an important game for us to arrive at the top of the group. It is just for this.'

Reserves Report: Chelsea 3 - 1 Liverpool

2010-09-28T14:29:00.002+08:00

Nathaniel Chalobah, Fabio Borini and Adam Phillip were the scorers in a deserved league win over Liverpool at Cobham on Monday afternoon, following up well on an away win at Newcastle earlier this month.

Chalobah's goal was the first at this level for the 15-year-old; Borini's strike was the best of the game and Phillip repeated his feat at St James Park of scoring having come on as a sub. Two of the goals came from Gokhan Tore assists.

Chelsea were down to 10 men by the time the third goal went in during the final quarter of an hour, Liverpool having pulled their goal back to make it 2-1 just before the break.

Jose Bosingwa continued his comeback from injury with 70 minutes in this game and the Portuguese international right back was forward early on supplying an over-hit cross and then a shot, but it was Tore who first tested the Liverpool keeper with a low effort.

Martin Hansen, the man between their posts, soon had to react sharply to keep out a Borini shot which he saved onto the near post.

Liverpool were then asked to survive a succession of goalmouth scrambles, the closest they came to conceding coming from a Borini shot which pushed over from close range.

Chelsea had started well but were fortunate when they left Danny Wilson unmarked at the far post but the Liverpool centre-back headed a Jonjo Shelvey cross over.

The Blues were soon back down the other end and Sala almost forced one of the Merseysiders' defenders to slice a cross into his own net. From the corner, the home team scored, Chalobah meeting Tore's delivery to head down into the turf, the ball bouncing high and into the net despite the presence of a man on the post.

On 25 minutes Steve Holland was forced into a change when Milan Lalkovic on the run appeared to pull a hamstring. Kaby came on as a direct replacement.

Jan Sebek in the Chelsea goal saved on 27 minutes when Billy Clifford, who initially had done well to cover back and win the ball, gave it to David Amoo. But again Chelsea responded well to a chance allowed to our opponents.

A swift attack was finished off by Borini who received a good pass from Tore and finished it with style, shooting across the keeper and just inside the far post. Twenty-seven minutes had been played and Liverpool were finding it hard to get hold of the ball.

Bosingwa showed he is still not quite up to full speed as he struggled to keep pace with the powerful Amoo down the flank on one run but the cross came to nothing.

However on 42 minutes Liverpool crossed again from the left and this time Rohan Ince's clearance was poor, Fernandez finding the net from the edge of the area to make it 2-1.

Danny Pappoe had a firm header cleared off the line near the beginning of a second half that begun with two Chelsea changes. Adam Phillip came on for Tore who had been struggling with an injury before the interval, and Aziz Deen-Conteh replaced Jacob Mellis, that one aplanned sub due to Mellis's presence in tomorrow's Champions League squad.

Liverpool nearly scored an equaliser that wouldn't have reflected the balance of the game when Sebek failed to meet a corner and the ball was headed wide just at the far post, and Pappoe conceded a foul for which he was booked as the Blues play lost a little of its impetus.

There was a save from Kaby from a tight-angle as the home side did stretch Liverpool at the back just beyond the hour before the scheduled removal of Boswinga on the back of the Mellis substitution and two injuries meant a man disadvantage for the final 20 minutes.

The 10-men continued to look strong and the game was made safe on 77 minutes when Borini made the most of a great ball by Billy Clifford into the corner, skinning the full back and crossing low for Phillip's first-time finish that went in via a deflection off Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom.

The away team, understandably given their numerical advantage, had the better of the final minutes but couldn't find a way through the imposing Pappoe/Ince central defence. There was much for manager Steve Holland to be pleased about against a club traditionally strong at this level.

Abramovich Building Private Nightclub Under Stamford Bridge

2010-09-28T14:21:00.007+08:00

When you've already got a £300 million yacht, what else is there to spend your money on besides a private night club nestled under your football club's stadium?

According to the London Evening Standard, Abramovich is building a £20 million nightclub under Stamford Bridge's East Stand -- where the garish and overpriced Purple nightclub once was.

Work on the luxuriously appointed space, which has capacity for up to 500 “close friends”, is at an advanced stage and could be complete by December.

The venue — complete with a four-metre-high waterfall and hydraulically-operated stage — is likely to be mainly for the Russian billionaire's own entertainment use but could also be rented out for parties, according to Building magazine.

The centrepiece of the space, which will have what the source called “a gritty industrial design motif”, is a waterfall that will greet guests when they enter and descend the staircase at the entrance. It cost an estimated £150,000 to install.

Given the problems that arise when footballers go out at night, this could prove to be a genius way to corral and contain their exploits. Plus, when Roman makes it rain around club-goers who aren't "close friends" it can get messy.

Referee Andre Marriner Was Too Weak In Chelsea's Defeat To Manchester City

2010-09-27T15:37:00.002+08:00

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti criticised referee Andre Marriner, claiming he let Manchester City continually foul his players.

Ancelotti complained that City's intimidating midfield were allowed to apply too much pressure and made 'dangerous' tackles. He also said Marriner must have 'left his whistle at home'.

The Italian said: 'It was a physical game. One player against another player is not dangerous but there were times when one of my players suffered three fouls at the same time.

'When that happens he has to whistle. He couldn't whistle because he had left his whistle at home.'

City boss Roberto Mancini refused to alter his stance afterwards that Chelsea would win the League. He said: 'I am serious that Chelsea are the best team in the Premier League.'

But City midfielder Nigel de Jong suggested his boss was endulging in a bit of kidology.

De Jong said: 'He hasn't put that message across to us. Maybe it is to take the pressure off. We're surprised he said that.'

'Champions League Is My Motivation,' Says Ancelotti

2010-09-27T15:33:00.003+08:00

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti says he wants to make history by winning the UEFA Champions League with the Blues.

“What I achieved last season was special – but now the Champions League is my motivation," he said.
“I will treat winning the league and Champions League equally.

“I want to create history; I want Chelsea to create history. It is my desire for the club.”

And ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match against Olympique Marseille, Ancelotti says he's not afraid of using 17-year-old midfielder Josh McEachran, who featured against MSK Zilina .

“He can play in the first team with no problems," said Ancelotti.

“Without Lampard and Benayoun we do not have too many midfielders, and if we need him I will use him.

“He’s very young, but he has shown fantastic ability and quality, and I’m not afraid to play him in the Champions League and other important games.’’

Carlo Expects City Challenge

2010-09-27T15:31:00.001+08:00

Carlo Ancelotti fully expects Manchester City to challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title this season.

The Eastlands giants ended Chelsea's 100 per cent start to the season on Saturday after a 1-0 victory thanks to Carlos Tevez's solo effort.

City manager Roberto Mancini claimed on Friday that Chelsea would retain their title.

However, Ancelotti expects a genuine challenge to come from the side backed by Sheikh Mansour's millions.

"They are fantastic players, a very good squad. They can fight for the title."

Ancelotti believes his side will bounce back from the defeat at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Chelsea face a home Champions League clash against Marseille before taking on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge and then travelling to play Aston Villa, where the Blues were beaten 2-1 last season.

"We lost also last year here, it's not a good pitch for us," he said.

"But we stayed at the top of the table, every game is a big test for us.

"Strange performance, but it can happen you are not able to score, this is football.

"You have to play against a strong team with a good performance.

"If you don't play at your best it's normal you don't score a goal."

Manchester City Beat Chelsea At Their Own Game, But Both Teams Still Suffer From The Same Weakness

2010-09-27T15:28:00.001+08:00

Ridiculous as it may sound, Chelsea were almost the perfect opponents for Manchester City at a sun-dappled but curiously subdued City of Manchester Stadium.

As befitting a team that had plundered 20 goals in its first five Premier League fixtures, the reigning champions and Double winners did not arrive at the home of the world’s most cash-rich club with an inferiority complex.

Carlo Ancelotti named his starting line-up the day before the game, grinned ‘Good team, yeah?’ and sent them out to bulldoze City into submission.

Yet the formula of solid defence, three midfielders imperiously winning the possession battle and a trio of attacking assassins who can create and kill in equal measure came unstuck in a way that may have been familiar.

Essentially, Chelsea was out-Chelsea-ed. Not by the modern Chelsea. Ancelotti has set his team up in a framework that allows artistry and expression. City bore more than a passing resemblance to the team that Jose Mourinho built at Stamford Bridge – patient, cautious and strong but deadly on the counter-attack.

It was a template that proved equally successful at Inter Milan and one that Roberto Mancini, Mourinho’s predecessor at the San Siro and another catenaccio afficianado, is closely acquainted with.

Like Mourinho at Chelsea, Mancini has used the oil millions at his disposal to create a team that thrills only in spurts, and like Chelsea, the inclusion of three holding midfielders creates an engine which can fail to offer a creative, match changing, spark.

Both Mancini and Ancelotti fielder three holding midfielders in their starting line-ups, with Michael Essie and Yaya Toure the more creative of each trio.

With such systems, both coaches can rest assured that ball retention and solidity can power the front three, but in the matches where they require that extra bit of guile, that creative spark to unlock the door, both sides can be left wanting, despite their undoubted wealth of talent.

David Silva, who is being given the time by manager and fans alike to grow into the playmaker role just off the main striker, offers the greatest prospect of fantasy and Adam Johnson is a speedy dribbler in the Arjen Robben mould. Mario Balotelli is an unknown quantity but should lift punters off their seats when he is fully fit and let off the leash.

For all their undoubted dynamism, the likes of Carlos Tevez and James Milner are not going to win too many prizes for aesthetic appeal.

That will bother Mancini not one jot. The feisty Argentinean, with captain’s armband now hugging his bicep to illustrate his importance to the City cause, and versatile Milner promise to be cornerstones of Mancini’s team.

Other building blocks are neatly fitting in place. Nigel de Jong, magnificently tigerish against Chelsea, and Gareth Barry have emerged as the midfield anchors, Vincent Kompany is the defensive leader and Joe Hart has the swagger and athleticism to be the best Premier League last line of defence since Peter Schmeichel.

Yet the trick that Mancini has not yet mastered – and will probably need to this season if he is to maintain his status as the Premier League’s most stylish touchline prowler – is to turn City into a relentless winning machine.

Mancini’s team have habit of conjuring wonderful one-off victories – the 4-2 triumph at Stamford Bridge last season being the most obvious exhibit in their gallery of memorable wins – followed by perplexing failures to chalk up points.

The 3-0 early season victory over Liverpool, another big gun who came to Eastlands with the intention of gathering three points not one, was followed by a last-minute 1-0 defeat at Sunderland and a 1-1 home draw against Blackburn Rovers.

Mancini blames this on the absence of a honed winning mentality. The dressing room hopes to win but do not yet expect it, he argues.

This is a convenient explanation but does not satisfactorily answer why the former golden boy of Italian football has not settled on a formula that works against all opposition. Or even a template that can be tweaked to work against both the high rollers and the mid-rankers.

At this stage of their evolution, City’s greatest strength is their ability to soak up pressure and hit opponents on the counter-attack. Tevez’s goal was a classic example. City won the ball, Toure released the team’s talisman into oceans of space and the Argentinean’s desire, speed and confidence in his capacity to seize the moment did the rest.

Against opponents who defend deep, put nine outfield men behind the ball and leave 30 yards between the lone frontman and most attack-oriented midfielder, City have tended to struggle.

When they are expected to take the attack to their opponents, they have a habit of reverting to type and then flailing around in search of a plan B when the wheels come off.

Given the attacking riches at Mancini’s disposal, this will be tolerated for only so long. It is right that Silva is given time to adapt to the unique demands of the Premier League that can leave even the head of the even the most gifted player spinning. Likewise, Balotelli, Toure junior and Jerome Boateng, sure to be a key figure in the defence as the season progresses, also deserve to be cut some slack.

But there are enough experienced Premier League performers in the most expensively assembled squad in England for City to be effective against all-comers here and now.

After all, they won’t play Chelsea every week.

Chelsea And Juventus Set For January Battle For Santos Sensation Neymar

2010-09-27T15:25:00.002+08:00

Chelsea face fierce competition from Juventus for Brazilian wonderkid Neymar .

The Blues were chasing the 18-year-old striker in the summer transfer window – a pursuit that caused controversy with claims of an illegal approach as well as Pele and Robinho getting involved and trying to persuade the player to stay with his club, Santos FC.

The teenage sensation ended up staying at Santos, but, according to the People, Chelsea and Juventus are set for a battle for the player in the January transfer window.

And the paper says that the Serie A side has already launched negotiations with Neymar’s representatives.

Santos are reportedly asking for a staggering £32 million for their star.

Florent Malouda: Winning The Champions League Is Our Main Target

2010-09-27T15:23:00.001+08:00

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda says the club's dream is to lift the Champions League at Wembley in May.

Malouda has been in outstanding form this season, and already has six Premier League goals to his name.

The 30-year-old told the Daily Star Sunday that it is European success which drives the club on.

"It's a big target for this club to win the European Cup," he said.

"Coming so close has been frustrating and we really do feel this is the year we can win it”

The strength in depth of the Chelsea squad, Malouda believes, holds the key to their success.

"The manager can put one team out on a Saturday and another out in the week. They would both be world class."

The dynamic French midfielder also thinks that their manager Carlo Ancelotti is the perfect man to lead them to glory, both at home and in Europe.

“I think our manager is one of the most proven managers there is," he said.

"Every single player at the club is having a lot of fun playing under him and he wants the Champions League as much as us. This can be the season for us."

Malouda insisted, however, that any talk of the Blues taking their eyes off the Premier League should be quickly dismissed.

He said: "Any talk of us putting more importance on the Champions League than the Premier League is wrong - we know how important both are to the club and the fans.

"We want them both. We know how hard that will be but we have a fantastic squad.”

Reserves Welcome The Reds

2010-09-27T15:20:00.001+08:00

The reserves welcome Liverpool to Cobham this afternoon as they aim to continue their impressive start to the league season. It's a game that can be seen live on Chelsea TV.

A 3-2 win at Newcastle just under a fortnight ago followed up a promising display in the 1-1 draw against Everton at Stamford Bridge, and coach Steve Holland is looking to take momentum from those two games into this one, despite missing several key players due to the first team's fixture with Marseille tomorrow night.

'It's a big game, we've had a good start so far,' Holland said. 'It's a shame the game was arranged during a Champions League week, we would have really liked to have played Liverpool with our full strength reserve side against theirs, but both clubs have European games and that will affect the selections I am sure.

'Nevertheless it's not a fixture we are used to, Liverpool are a big club with a reputation for having good younger players so it's one we're looking forward to.'

Having come back from falling behind inside two minutes to snatch a late win at St. James' Park, Holland was delighted with his side's character.

'Particularly when you consider that five of the team that started against the reserves started against the first team the other night,' he pointed out, 'so it was a big group effort on the night, and we'll possibly have Jose Bosingwa in to get some game time.

'He played 55 minutes in a specially-arranged game last Wednesday, and this falls nicely for him, so the plan is that he progresses his fitness with some more time. Other than that it is likely to be a similar squad to that at the Newcastle game which came off the back of the trip to Slovakia.'

That means there will be places in the squad for Adam Phillip and Michael Woods, who have both returned to action after a year on the sidelines. It was Phillip's injury-time penalty that snatched victory in the north-east.

'He's had an awful year in that he's been injured for nearly all of it,' said the coach. 'In his last reserve game he scored a hat-trick at Portsmouth, then got injured in training and hadn't played since, so that was his first time on the pitch and it was a nice moment for him, also for the medical staff, after toiling away for a year.

'It was a nice moment for everybody to get the winner with the last kick of the game. The pair are slowly building up, but it will be slow. When you have been out for a year it has to be step by step and we are being very careful to avoid a setback.'

Match Report: Manchester City 1 - 0 Chelsea

2010-09-26T13:07:00.002+08:00

After handing Chelsea the title the day before, Roberto Mancini watched his Manchester City side promptly snatch it away again as Carlos Tevez's second-half strike ended the champions' 100% record.

In a tactical battle with defences largely on top throughout, Tevez's moment of inspiration just before the hour proved to be decisive.

Chelsea were unable to halt the South American's burst from halfway and he found the perfect finish too, through Ashley Cole's legs and in off the post.

Carlo Ancelotti's men battled hard to force an equalizer, but, just as they had done for most of the contest, they failed to open up a disciplined City defence and came no nearer than the header Branislav Ivanovic struck the bar with before half-time.

It rather showed up the opinion Mancini offered that Chelsea would win the title easily, and signalled City can join Manchester United and Arsenal in harbouring genuine hopes of glory next May as well.

It was slightly strange that the build up to a game between the Premier League's biggest spenders should be centered around respective injury problems.

Yet that is exactly how it turned out, Ancelotti claiming he had just 12 fit players, which was one more than Mancini.

Defensively, City are struggling with neither Joleon Lescott nor Jerome Boateng - who did make his debut as a late substitute - considered fit enough to start.

And once Wayne Bridge had failed a pre-match fitness test on a thigh injury it was anticipated would keep him out for another fortnight anyway, Mancini went for 19-year-old Belgian Dedryck Boyata, normally a centre-half, to make only his fourth league appearance.

Boyata rewarded his manager with a solid contribution to an obdurate defensive performance from City.

Only once were the Blues opened up properly, and that had nothing to do with the teenager.

In fact it was Tevez who drifted away from Florent Malouda as he anticipated a return pass to Didier Drogba, who had just taken a corner on the Chelsea left.

Tevez's movement gave Malouda the space to curl a deep cross to the far post, where Alex nodded it back to Ivanovic.

The Serbian had two goes at putting Chelsea in front. The first came bouncing back off the bar, giving him a second header to go for, this time Joe Hart making a comfortable save.

Apart from that, both goalmouths were largely underused.

Knowing this was their biggest test of the season so far and without Frank Lampard to drive them forward from midfield, Chelsea were content to play within themselves, keep a fairly rigid shape and let City expend their energy trying to break them down.

For their part, the home side failed to get sufficient support to Tevez, who worked incredibly hard up front on his own but was limited to speculative long-range efforts.

Under such circumstances, it was hardly a surprise it began to get a bit tetchy and Pablo Zabaleta's booking for a reckless sliding tackle on Ivanovic gave way to a period of play scarred by physical confrontation.

The first two minutes of the second period produced as much intense action as there had been in the whole of the first.

After Hart had pushed a curling Nicolas Anelka shot away from danger, Michael Essien should have done far better with the near-post corner than send his header sailing over the bar after being picked out completely unmarked.

City responded with their first meaningful assault on the Chelsea goal, which forced Cech to make a decent low save to deny Silva.

It proved to be the prelude to the deadlock being broken.

Yaya Toure and the nippy Silva deserve mentions for their short pass and running off the ball respectively after Ramires had conceded possession just inside the City half.

The rest of it was all the South American's own work as he ran ferociously at the visitors' defence, jinked to his right, then blasted a shot through Cole's legs and into the net off the inside of Cech's right-hand post.

Twice Essien tried to level from long-range. Twice his radar was way off and the ball sailed over.

Alex glanced a header wide after Boyata had marred his effective performance by getting booked for chopping down Yury Zhrikov, but with Cole also belting a shot into the side-netting, Chelsea ran out of ideas.

After beating the Chelsea twice last season as well, City are rather getting to like this.

Reaction: It Was Not A Good Day

2010-09-26T13:02:00.002+08:00

Carlo Ancelotti watched his side suffer a second defeat in a row yesterday, something the Italian has not become accustomed to.

Since the beginning of this campaign, Chelsea has looked unstoppable, but yesterday proved we're still susceptible to counter-attack football, with Manchester City completing a 1-0 win.

Following another tense encounter against Newcastle midweek yesterday was no different as end-to-end football took place inside the City of Manchester Stadium.

'We wanted to play better, obviously because we didn't play how we wanted,' admitted Ancelotti after the game.

'We saw the power of Man City in midfield; we lost a lot of possession and were not able to play the football we wanted.

'We gave the ball to them and gave them the opportunity to score on the counter-attack. We maintain the top of the table but we lost this time.'

But rather than blame any individual performance for yesterday's outcome, Ancelotti was certain it was collective errors which ended in defeat.

'That was not a good performance as a team and so for this reason every player did not have a performance which was their best. As a team we didn't play well.

'But it is difficult to judge this team after one defeat. We lost one game but our moment is very good, we are doing very well.

'It was not a good day but this team has a very good mentality.'

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini agreed with his fellow Italian by insisting Chelsea cannot be written off by this one performance alone.

'Chelsea will probably win the title,' said Mancini. 'It is not possible that they can score four, five goals every game. Sometimes they have to play like yesterday.

'Carlo is one of the best managers in the world. I am happy for me, I am sorry for him yesterday but he can't win always.

'If they find space it is easy to score a goal but if they don't have the space to counter-attack it makes it hard. Our players played very well, defended very well, and this helped,' he added.

One change which drew attention in this fixture was the removal of Didier Drogba 20 minutes before the end, when he was replaced by Daniel Sturridge.

It allowed Nicolas Anelka to take up the central striker's position, while fresh-legged Sturridge roamed up and down the right wing.

'I wanted to put more speed in front with Anelka and Sturridge and to use the speed of Sturridge, he was fresh, so I took this decision to change Drogba,' said Ancelotti.

'We have on the bench this opportunity to change the players. We have young players; [Josh] McEachran played 10 minutes and played well. We have to have confidence in the young players.'

But following last year's 2-1 defeat at Eastlands, Ancelotti had one more thing to say: 'This is not a good place for us. Man City is a very good team. They have the possibility to win the title.

'They are growing quickly and will be an opponent for the title.

'They played how we expected because they had a compact shape in their half and they used a lot of power to catch the ball and play counter-attack. We knew this,' added the Chelsea manager.

John Terry Is Only Fooling Himself

2010-09-26T13:00:00.001+08:00

John Terry moaned like fury to the referee at the final whistle. Then he moaned some more, and kept on moaning. It was a hopeless and rather lame outburst of anger from the former England captain, who must have known in his heart that Chelsea had been outmuscled, out-thought and outplayed by Manchester City.

So often it is Chelsea who crush opponents with their steamroller combination of power, strength and efficiency.

Not yesterday. Not against a team set up to destroy by City manager Roberto Mancini. Not against a midfield display of immensely disciplined force from man of the match Nigel de Jong.

Maybe it was a shock to Terry and his Chelsea team-mates that they were on the receiving end here – and that they could do absolutely nothing about it.

But that was the truth of it yesterday.

Didier Drogba, the most feared striker in the Premier League, was taken off 20 minutes before the end by Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti – for the very obvious reason that he’d been made to look like a pussycat rather than a lion by the desire and determination of the home defence.

Drogba went past his manager to the ignominy of the dug-out with a look of surprise on his face. It was not a surprise to anyone else in the ground.

It was a moment of great symbolism – the moment the myth that Chelsea would stroll to the title this season was dispelled.

The idea that you could pick a season’s champions after just five matches was always nonsense, but it was a notion that had gained wide enough currency to be endorsed even by rival managers like Mancini.

There had even been talk of Chelsea becoming the new ‘Invincibles’, and not losing a league match all season as Arsenal did so famously six years ago. More nonsense.

Defeat here revealed much more about Chelsea than their five opening victories against the makeweights of the Premier League. Ancelotti had declared in advance that it was the first big test for his team this season – and it was an examination they failed badly.

City players were first to almost every loose ball, and were the more inventive team in a generally tight and dull match dominated by negative tactics.

Drogba was not the only Chelsea player to have a duff day. Their new Brazilian midfielder Ramires was overwhelmed, and it was his mistake – dwelling on the ball in midfield and being robbed by James Milner – that led to the counter-attacking winner from Carlos Tevez.

Florent Malouda’s elegance was conspicuous by its absence, while both Terry and Branislav Ivanovic were less than comfortable in defence.

You had to say they were more like Chelsea invisibles than invincibles.

The contrast with City, particularly in the second half, was often stark. If Terry and his pals go away thinking they were the victims of a football mugging, they will be fooling only themselves.

A wall of noise from the home fans greeted the final whistle. There could be no doubting that Mancini is beginning to fashion a team that is ready for the marathon battle of an English season.

De Jong was a tower of strength and, in his image, City have become hard to beat – and that is crucial for any side with ambitions to break into the top four.

To become champions, however, they will surely need to add more adventure and flair to their team. And they will need to score more goals.

Yesterday they had just two significant scoring attempts in 90 minutes despite being the superior side. They have scored only seven goals in six league matches so far.

You cannot win a title playing a whole season with three defensive midfielders.

It will be fascinating to discover whether Mancini, who thus far has appeared to be the most archetypal of Italian managers, is a leopard who can change his spots.

Ancelotti Tips Chelsea To Bounce Straight Back From Manchester City Defeat

2010-09-26T12:59:00.002+08:00

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti expects his team to bounce back immediately from their surprise defeat to Manchester City.

Ancelotti admitted his team was off colour but stressed that their first league defeat in six months is only a minor setback.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, he said: “We are disappointed but must look forward to maintaining our position at the top of the table. We did well five times but lost one time. It was not a good performance as a team and so far this season every player did not have a performance like this.

“It’s difficult to judge this team because of one defeat. We lost one game. Our momentum is good. We are doing well. This team has a very good mentality.”

Ancelotti admitted his team was subjugated by the tactics of City.

“We suffered the power of Man City in midfield,” he said. “We lost a lot here. We were not able to play our football in the opposition’s half. We gave them this possibility to get the ball and hit us on the counter-attack.

“It is not a good place for us. They played how we expected. They put a compact shape in their half and used a lot of power to play the counter-attack. We knew this.”

Ancelotti believes the team built by the big-spending Sheikh Mansour can run Chelsea close for the title.

“Yes, I think so,” said the Italian. “There is every possibility. They are growing quickly and can be a runner for the title.”

Asked about when injured players such as Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou and Yossi Benayoun will be fit to return, Ancelotti said: “We will play one more game without these players and then they should be fit after the international break.”

Malouda Warns Of Marseille Threats

2010-09-26T12:57:00.001+08:00

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda insists Marseille will provide a difficult test for the Blues as they welcome back former player Didier Deschamps to Stamford Bridge.

The ex-Chelsea midfielder is relishing his return to the club as Marseille manager having played one season with the Blues until the summer of 2000.

Marseille won the French title by six points last season after a wait of 18 years and Malouda insists they will be a lot tougher than MSK Zilina.

Chelsea beat Zilina 4-1 in Slovakia a fortnight ago to start their Champions League Group F campaign in style, but France international Malouda says Marseille will want to make their mark against the English champions.

"Marseille will be a difficult one because if you look at the recent years the French teams have done well in the Champions League," said Malouda.

"Last year they had two teams in the last eight. It is big for Marseille, they were champions last year and were waiting a long time, so they will want a good start.

'They won't want to come to Stamford Bridge and lose 4-0 like Bordeaux did two years ago. I can tell you it will be difficult in both games. Over there it is a big atmosphere but we are used to that."

Marseille's current squad contains former Manchester United and Real Madrid left-back Gabriele Heinze and ex-Porto midfielder Lucho Gonzalez.

They have made some big changes in attack where last season's leading scorer Mamadou Niang, who contributed 18 goals to the league campaign, has moved on along with Bakary Kone and Fernando Morientes.

The strikers have been replaced by two France players in Loic Remy, whose transfer was held up due to concerns over a heart condition, and Andre-Pierre Gignac.

Deschamps, 41, insists that it will be a tough job to return home from Stamford Bridge with any reward because of Chelsea's strength in depth.

"Returning to Stamford Bridge will give me great pleasure," added Deschamps. "Although the stadium itself is renovated and much bigger, the wonderful ambience which I experienced remains.

"Chelsea has a very competitive European team with something like 20 internationals - a great compensation if you have injured or suspended players.

"Not only does Chelsea want to win this trophy, they are among four or five teams which can legitimately expect to do so. They won the Premier League title last season and are already performing really well.

"I know their manager Carlo Ancelotti well. He was my coach for six months at Juventus and I also often played against him. I like his style of football and I'll also be pleased to see Carlo again."

Scouting Report: Josh McEachran - Chelsea And England

2010-09-26T12:55:00.002+08:00

Name: Joshua McEachran
Age: 17
Club: Chelsea
Nationality: England
Position: Midfielder

The League Cup has long provided a platform for England's top level clubs to blood fringe talent and the midweek defeat of Chelsea by Newcastle was no exception. The Pensioners, at one stage, found themselves 3-1 behind but were afforded an avenue back into the tie upon the introduction of Josh McEachran. Although the schemer had only 36 minutes he quickly became the go-to player for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

A week earlier he made his Champions League bow, becoming the first player born after the competition's inception in November 1992 to feature at that level. He was a late substitute against Zilina.

Primarily an attacking midfielder, McEachran has already earned comparisons with Jack Wilshere of Arsenal. Indeed, the more optimistic among the England fans have already postulated a Gerrard/ Lampard style tactical decision for the two at senior level for the Three Lions.

McEachran is comfortable in possession and moves easily through defenders while dribbling. He favours his left-foot and has a clever and inventive range of passing. He has proven himself to be an effective dead-ball specialist throughout his short career so far and is beginning to earn slots on the Chelsea bench for key matches.

The teenager has been at the club since the age of eight. He was plucked from the Oxford Mail Boys League, where he had been playing for Garden City. McEachran featured prominently for the club through various under-age ranks and had his first training session with the first team at the age of only 15.

McEachran formed a key part of Dermot Drummey's FA Youth Cup winning side last season, forming an effective central partnership with Irishman Conor Clifford. Indeed, he provided the captain with the winning goal in characteristic fashion in the closing minutes of the final's second leg against Aston Villa. Although naturally a prompter, McEachran is not averse to winning the ball back high in opposition territory. He was nigh-on unplayable in the games against Villa and marked himself out as the outstanding prospect in the Blue ranks.

His international career is burgeoning too, helping England to win the most recent edition of the Under-17 European Championships against Spain. It took McEachran a few games to truly hit his stride but he was excellent in the semis against France and in the final against la Rojita.

The Chelsea academy, which was revamped by Roman Abramovich, has come in for criticism in recent years as the club has failed to promote a regular first team player from within since John Terry's emergence around a decade ago. Should McEachran and his classmates graduate those words will have to be eaten.

Josh McEachran Ready For The Big Time At Chelsea, Says Carlo Ancelotti

2010-09-26T12:52:00.002+08:00

Out of defeat has come a ray of light for Carlo Ancelotti, whose disappointment after Chelsea's Carling Cup exit on Wednesday was tempered by the emergence of Josh McEachran.

The 17-year-old midfielder made his home debut as a substitute in the 4-3 defeat by Newcastle in midweek, having appeared briefly in the Champions League win at MSK Zilina the previous week.

And such was the teenager's composure that Ancelotti will have no qualms putting him in to face Marseille at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Chelsea has problems in midfield with Yossi Benayoun added to an injury list already containing Frank Lampard, McEachran's role model in the senior squad.

The Oxford-born teenager has been fast-tracked from the Chelsea side that won the FA Youth Cup last season into the first team squad, and has also been called up for the England under-19 squad to face Cyprus next month.

Ancelotti certainly has no doubts about the teenager's temperament and ability. "He can play in the first team right now, without problem," said the Chelsea manager.

"He is very young but he showed fantastic ability and quality. So it is possible. If we need him he is ready to play the Premier League and the Champions League. I am not afraid to put a young player in important games because he has fantastic quality."

The comparisons with Jack Wilshere at Arsenal are inevitable, but McEachran's upright stance and tidy style are more reminiscent of a young Scott Parker.

"It's difficult to say who he is like because to have a 17 year-old with his personality and character is amazing – he was not afraid to play in the last game," added Ancelotti, who will not consider letting him get first-team experience elsewhere.

"We won't be sending him on loan. He will stay here and play here. We now have one more player. It's a surprise because he is a very talented player and we prepared a program for him to improve but I think he is improving very quickly.

"I don't have a fear of rushing him because his character is good, he is focused. He has balance. He is not afraid or quiet. And for this reason I can say he can play.

"There is a possibility he can play a part against Marseille. We may need someone because without Lampard, without Benayoun we don't have a lot of midfielders. And if we need him I think we can count on him.

"He has the ability to change the game – he can make a difference." Sir Trevor Brooking has seen the same attitude and ability, having watched McEachran star when England U-17s won the European Championship, beating Spain in the final: "Josh is left-footed, really good on the ball, and sees a pass. He's one of those where you've got to decide where to play him, he can play wide or tucked in. He also has a good attitude."

McEachran admits he could score more goals and has been encouraged to study the way Lampard gets into the penalty area. "I want to score more goals.

Chelsea say to me 'look at Frank Lampard'. I need to get into the box more," he told the club's website.

"Last year was really good for me. I didn't perform very well in the early stages of the Youth Cup but in the semi-final and final I thought I picked up my game and played well.

"Then came the European under-17 Championships. They say it was the strongest crop they have had for 10 years, and hopefully a few of us can push on."

Youth Report: Chelsea 2 - 4 Southampton

2010-09-26T12:46:00.002+08:00

Chelsea's youth team fell to a second straight 4-2 defeat at Cobham on Saturday, as Southampton returned to the south coast with three points.

Two Bobby Devyne strikes early in the second half had looked to have given the Blues a chance after they had fallen 3-0 behind in the first period but a penalty shortly afterwards denied any hopes of completing the comeback.

Chelsea started well when Amin Affane released left-back Reece Loudon, and his cross was almost turned goalwards by Buomesca Na Bangna, who then sent a header straight at the Saints goalkeeper after Toddy Kane had kept the move going.

Chelsea goalkeeper Jamal Blackman then launched a counter-attack with an excellent long throw, allowing Devyne to run through, but he slotted his effort just the wrong side of the far post.

Both sides were looking threatening and tidy, but it was the visitors who went in front on the quarter-hour, a cross from the right headed home by an unmarked attacker from 10 yards.

Chelsea responded well, and Na Bangna was unfortunate not to convert after Bobby Devyne had sent an angled ball over the Southampton defence, his looped effort slightly misjudged and underhit.

It was harsh on the Blues then that they went two down in the 23rd minute, a free-kick only half cleared, and when the ball was returned it fell nicely for a Saints player in space, who had time to control it and slot home between Blackman and the near post.

At the other end an Amin Affane free-kick resulted in a scramble in the Saints area, eventually cleared before a Chelsea toe could poke the ball home.

The third arrived on the stroke of half-time, when Southampton's left winger was allowed the time to cross and pick out his centre-forward six yards out, who sent a simple header in off the post.

Chelsea were handed a penalty in the opening couple of minutes of the second period, which Devyne dispatched neatly to the goalkeeper's left.

The deficit was reduced further before the hour when schoolboy John Swift's excellent lofted pass put Devyne through and he made no mistake, lifting the ball up and over the keeper to score his second.

Swift's joy was cut short two minutes later when his challenge inside the Chelsea area gave the Saints a penalty of their own, and although Blackman saved the initial effort, the taker hammered home the rebound.

The Blues continued to press but could not find a route to goal, and it was Blackman who kept the score down with a late flying save from a powerful drive.

Carlo Ancelotti Brushes Off Roberto Mancini's Claims That Chelsea Will Walk To Premier League Title

2010-09-25T18:18:00.002+08:00

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti will renew his long running friendly rivalry with fellow Italian Roberto Mancini tomorrow as his Chelsea side travel to Eastlands to face big spending Manchester City.

Mancini emerged triumphant when the two teams met last season at Stamford Bridge thanks to a Carlos Tevez double, which inspired City to a 4-2 victory, arguably the Citizens' best performance of the season.

However, Ancelotti’s men bounced back from that defeat to claim their first championship after a three year barren spell.

Chelsea have continued that form into this season and are currently setting the pace at the top of the Premier League table, such impressive early form that Mancini has already claimed that they are certain to be champions once again this season.

Whether Mancini’s admission is just the latest episode in the various managerial mind games that are common place in today’s game is unclear, but Ancelotti doesn’t believe his old team-mate is up to the latest round of kidology.

“I think it is not a mind game, I know him very well, for this reason he knows us very well, he knows our ability, and I think that's what he thinks. It is not dangerous for us,” Ancelotti said to the club’s official website.

The pair have a long running friendship which dates back to their days representing the Italian national side together in the 80s and early 90s, whilst they were rivals when in charge of the two Milan clubs as recently as three years ago.

“We were team mates in the past in the national team, I met him two months ago in Manchester and the relationship is very good”, Ancelotti said of his respect for his Manchester City counterpart.

“He is very competitive and he has experience, he has ability to read the game”.

Ancelotti, formerly of AC Milan is quick to remind Mancini that he narrowly edges the head to head meetings, and stresses that he is keen to extend that margin tomorrow afternoon.

“Sometimes he won, sometimes I won. 8-7 and three draws, I want to improve my lead.”

Despite Ancelotti’s narrow advantage in the head to head contests between the pair, Mancini will look back fondly at his sides victory over the champions last season, but Ancelotti claims that his side possess even more confidence now than they did at that point last year.

“[Last year] was the past, it was a difficult moment for us when we lost at home but now is a different story. We have more confidence compared to last year, we are in a good moment and we can do better compared to the last match at Manchester," he said.

In fact, City did the double over Ancelotti’s men last season, with former manager Mark Hughes in charge for the 2-1 win at Eastlands.

In both fixtures Carlos Tevez proved to be a pivotal figure in Chelsea’s downfall and Ancelotti admits that he is an admirer of the former Manchester United and West Ham front man.

“He is the most dangerous player of Manchester City, he has quality” said Ancelotti.

“He has power and very good mentality. I appreciate his kind of play and we have to pay attention.”

Charles Kabore: Olympique De Marseille Can Beat Chelsea In The Champions League

2010-09-25T18:17:00.002+08:00

Chelsea can be beaten by Olympique de Marseille in the Champions League, Charles Kabore has declared in La Provence.

The holding midfielder insists that les Phoceens are not considering the prospect of losing heavily at Stamford Bridge next midweek, despite acknowledging the fact that Carlo Ancelotti has a powerful side at his disposal.

“We can’t say whether we will lose 5-0 or 2-0. We may win,” the 22-year-old Burkina Faso international declared. “Chelsea have good forwards and great defenders. It has been three or four years that they have played together; they know each other by heart.

“No team is unbeatable. All teams make mistakes. Chelsea are not unbeatable. I believe.”

Kabore is expected to be rested by Didier Deschamps during Saturday evening’s encounter against Sochaux in Ligue 1 as les Phoceens attempt to continue rejuvenating their season, which started in extremely dubious circumstances as they lost both of their opening Championnat encounters.

The former Libourne-Saint-Seurin man is expected back in the starting XI when OM travel to London on Tuesday.

Tevez Reveals Chelsea Talks

2010-09-25T18:15:00.001+08:00

Manchester City star Carlos Tevez admits he came close to signing for Chelsea when he left Manchester United.

Tevez locks horns against Chelsea, aiming to boost City's title hopes with a win over the reigning champions.

The Argentine ace admits he could have been playing for Chelsea instead of Manchester City after holding talks with Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti prior to his switch to Eastlands.

"When Man United didn't want me, I had a conversation with Ancelotti but there was never any concrete offer," revealed Tevez.

"I only ever talk about proper, written offers - and that was the case with City."

Meanwhile, Tevez insists he stands by his criticism of City boss Roberto Mancini's training methods.

Tevez was unhappy with Mancini last season when claimed the Italian's double training sessions left the players drained.

"I think I was right to say that," noted Tevez. "This season, because the games are coming so thick and fast, there isn't time for double training so I am relieved it's not an issue. But I still stand by what I said.

"Roberto and I had a good chat at the end of last season and everything was left really nice. It was simply two guys sitting down in a room and chatting honestly and openly and sorting things out."

Tevez also revealed he was shocked to be handed the captain's armband by Mancini this season in place of Kolo Toure.

"It did surprise me. For one thing, my English isn't fantastic and communicating in the dressing room isn't always easy.

"But it's certainly having a positive effect on my game. Before maybe I would disappear from games for 10 or 15 minutes, but now I can't afford to do that.

"I've got to concentrate 100% all the time."

Carlo Ancelotti Keen To Manage Ghana - Domenico Ricci

2010-09-25T18:14:00.002+08:00

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has a desire to turn his hand to African football, and would like to coach the Ghana national team, claims his friend Domenico Ricci.

Ancelotti has proven a hit in Italy and England, and in future wants to grapple with the illusions and reality of African football as he widens his reach.

For his part, Ancelotti has maintained his immediate future rides on Chelsea as he continues to attract riches at Stamford Bridge following their impressive start to the season.

"I can say that Ancelotti's thoughts have shifted from the Ivory Coast to Ghana," Ricci, an African football expert and agent, told Premium Calcio.

"There are various people involved too. A famous Milan player who is a midfielder and still playing will be his assistant."

Last week reports in England claimed Chelsea were ready to offer Ancelotti a contract extension.

Cech: Clean Sheets Are Crucial

2010-09-25T18:12:00.001+08:00

Petr Cech believes defensive miserliness has been as much a reason for our excellent league start as the attacking play at the other end.

It is the forward-thinking players that have grabbed the headlines, helping themselves to 21 league goals in five games, but Cech and his defence have yielded only Scott Parker's consolation strike at West Ham in that period, and the goalkeeper is keen to point out it is at the back where the best sides lay their foundations.

'Sometimes getting clean sheets and not conceding can be more crucial than scoring the goals. When you don't concede basically you only need to score one goal,' said the 6ft 4in stopper.

'We can say that because you can only build a team from defending well, it helps obviously when you need to start well. When you start scoring a lot of goals it is a big bonus.'

It has been said that today's opponents Manchester City will pose our first real test of the Barclays Premier League campaign, but Cech is keen to point out the benefit hindsight offers.

'It was a tricky start because last season at the beginning we went to play Wigan away and lost, it is not an easy game,' he said. 'Although we won 6-0 there, if you see the first 40 minutes it was a tough game.

'We scored at the perfect time and then two at the start of the second half and it finished 6-0 but for 40 minutes that game was really tough and we had to play well to make things happen and win the game. It is never easy to win a game in the Premier League wherever you go.'

That said then, he knows City will provide a stern examination as they aim to show their own title credentials. Cech believes the Eastlands club has everything in place to challenge, but may still need to gel as a unit.

'Money can't buy the success, you need a good team to win something, you need the spirit and the atmosphere in the dressing room and the club generally to be successful. You can put the best players together but it never means you will have a good team,' he explained.

'You have to have the players to build that spirit and atmosphere. If everyone is thinking about their ego then you can have a great manager, a great squad, great facilities but never a great team.'

Despite their vast outlay over the summer, it remains one of their cheaper acquisitions, goalkeeper Joe Hart (a £600,000 signing from Shrewsbury Town) who has Cech's attention after replacing Shay Given as City's preferred choice.

'I think it has been difficult for him at the start, he can see how highly rated, and rightly, Shay Given is, then suddenly got in front of him and had to show to everybody he deserved to play,' said the 28-year-old. 'He started with a fantastic game against Tottenham and has been playing well, started for the national team, and he came into the spotlight.

'Now people will watch him in a different way, he is not one of the candidates to be England's number one, now he is the number one and he has more pressure on. So far he has been doing really well.'

This afternoon's affair pits the league's two tightest defences against each other. Cech will be hoping that it is he who has the quieter afternoon.

Old Friends, New Rivals

2010-09-25T18:11:00.001+08:00

Carlo Ancelotti has been discussing his relationship with his friend and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.

The pair played together for Italy in the 1980s and '90s, and were rivals in Milan for four years as they managed the city's two footballing giants. Now they face off again in England, with high expectations on both.

Ancelotti has enjoyed a near perfect start to the season while for Mancini, there are problems with both form and fitness. The former Leicester City player has already publicly conceded the championship to Chelsea.

Asked whether this was just kidology, Ancelotti remarked: 'I think it is not a mind game, I know him very well, for this reason he knows us very well, he knows our ability, and I think that's what he thinks. It is not dangerous for us.

'To be under pressure is normal, above all when you have a team you have to build the mentality of the team, it is not an easy job, he is doing his best and I hope the club appreciate his job,' said the Chelsea man of his counterpart.

'We were team mates in the past in the national team, I met him two months ago in Manchester and the relationship is very good.

'He is very competitive and he has experience, he has ability to read the game.'

Despite City's double over us last season (Mark Hughes was manager for one of those games), Ancelotti still has the upper hand against Mancini.

'Sometimes he won, sometimes I won. 8-7 and three draws, I want to improve my lead,' he smiled.

'[Last year] was the past, it was a difficult moment for us when we lost at home but now is a different story. We have more confidence compared to last year, we are in a good moment and we can do better compared to the last match at Manchester.'

That was a 2-1 defeat in December, when new captain Carlos Tevez's free-kick earned City all three points, and the Argentine scored two more at Stamford Bridge in February.

'He is the most dangerous player of Manchester City, he has quality' said Ancelotti. 'He has power and very good mentality. I appreciate his kind of play and we have to pay attention.'

It is in defence where City have problems, with only three recognized defenders fit, though Joleon Lescott and Jerome Boateng may figure.

Lescott has been troubled by a groin injury that has kept him out of City's last three games, while Boateng has not featured at all since his summer move from Hamburg after aggravating a knee injury when he was accidentally struck by an in-flight meal trolley.

Pablo Zabaleta is earmarked for the right-back role, Mancini only has youngster Dedryck Boyata, plus midfielders Gareth Barry and James Milner available to fill the role if neither Lescott nor Boateng are deemed to be fit enough.

'I do not know what I am going to do just yet. I will speak with Joleon and Jerome, but if they are not available I am not sure. Maybe Boyata, but I am not sure,' Mancini conceded.

Emmanuel Adebayor should be fit to make the bench after a recent spell out with a dead leg, but former Blue Shaun Wright-Phillips joins Aleksandar Kolarov and Mario Balotelli on the sidelines with a knee injury.

'I am disappointed we have all these injuries at the moment," added Mancini. 'I only have 11 players who are 100% fit.'

Ancelotti: Countering The Counter

2010-09-25T18:09:00.001+08:00

Carlo Ancelotti is calling on his players to learn lessons from the two defeats against Manchester City last season before going into today's match at Eastlands.

Happily the six points lost in those fixtures were not enough to prevent Chelsea crossing the finishing line first in the race for the title last campaign, but with City expected to be among the challengers this season there is no guarantee similar-slip ups wouldn't be more costly this time around.

The game at Stamford Bridge in February especially, when despite going a goal down Roberto Mancini's side came back to run out 4-2 winners, was one that highlighted City strengths.

'It was not a good moment for us, we played well the first half but second half we lost balance and conceded goals from the counter-attack,' Ancelotti recalls.

'For this new game we have to remember this is one of the reasons we lost and we have to pay attention to counter attacks, because we want to play attacking football.'

Carlos Tevez who scored twice in that game remains but the pace of Craig Bellamy, who also netted two goals, is no longer available to Mancini and there are likely to be other changes in their team from seven months ago, included in midfield where they have added Yaya Toure from Barcelona.

'I think compared to last season they are trying to put more strength and more power into midfield where they are using three midfielders and they have good skills.

'In England you have to be able use quality and you have to be able to use strength and power. You play against some teams who have a lot of power so you have to have in your team both power and quality.

'They can use maybe [James] Milner as a left winger, he is a runner, and I think for this reason they want to put more strength and power in midfield and use Tevez in front with the support of Milner and David Silva.'

Looking at his own side, Ancelotti believes his players are now up to full speed, including the World Cup participants who suffered both summer disappointment and a truncated pre-season.

'You can see from the condition of Ashley Cole, Anelka, Malouda in games that they now are 100 per cent fit,' he points out.

'I am watching the same John Terry as last year - a player focused, concentrating on the training ground, good leadership, good performance on the pitch. This is not a surprise.

'We are not looking for revenge for last season in this game. The motivation is that we want to maintain our lead at the top of the table. This game is an important step for us because it is away and it is at Man City. It will be difficult but our aim is this.'

Premier League Preview: Manchester City va Chelsea

2010-09-24T17:25:00.002+08:00

Roberto Mancini currently stands at a crossroads in his career at the helm of England's richest club. This season the Italian must deliver unprecedented success with the Eastlands outfit or face being discarded at the first opportunity.

Mark Hughes' dismissal is testament to the ruthlessness that now pervades at the top of the Citizens hierachy, and after the transgression of being pipped to the Champions League last season, another stay of execution will not be afforded to Mancini should he miss this season's targets.

A humbling exit in the League Cup on Wednesday at the hands of West Bromwich means even more onus will now be put into success in the more important competitions. That City can dismiss that defeat and suggest it will help in their fight for the Premier League title is demonstrative of how the club is mixing it with the big boys now, and they will have to mix it with one of the biggest when champions Chelsea visit on Saturday.

Recent history is in favour of the light-blue billionaire's club in this fixture, with City beating Chelsea home and away last season, ending a run of eight successive defeats at the hands of the Londoners. However, Mancini will have to prepare his side to face a particularly lethal Blues side this time, with Carlo Ancelotti's men enjoying an exceptionally free-scoring run up to this game in the league.

The Citizens will have to rely on their impressive defence to shut out the Blues, and with only two goals conceded in their last five fixtures, will offer their opposition a sterner test than they have faced so far.

How Mancini must have looked on in envy as he witnessed his compatriot Ancelotti move from the Italians' old battleground in Serie A and instantly claim success in the Premier League. It is believed that Mancio was keen on taking over the Stamford Bridge hotseat after Guus Hiddink's departure, but as fate would have it he pitched up further north, whilst his old Milan rival had already started winning on the route to winning trophies in London.

Ancelotti will be well aware of the tactical astuteness of the man in the opposition dugout on Saturday after years of sparring in the San Siro. And it is no doubt that City represent the first real test for the Blue juggernaut that has steamrolled over all opposition thrown in its path in the Premier League so far. 22 goals scored with only a single conceded leaves little doubt as to who is the Premier League's form team at the moment.

The club is firing on all pistons, but it is yet to be seen whether it can carry momentum into matches against the stronger sides and the Blues will have to do that to keep up their perfect league start with a sixth win. Certainly some momentum was lost when Chelsea, like their opponents this weekend, were sent crashing out of the League Cup at the hands of Newcastle inside Stamford Bridge.

But, much as Mancini excused City's exit in that competition, so did Ancelotti Chelsea's. This particular Italian tactician has the not inconsiderable task of defending the Premier League title and winning the Champions League this season, after — two feats that he will be quick to remind his old foe are not achievable at Manchester City just yet.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester City

Mancini has voiced his concerns that the Citizens are facing an injury crisis ahead of Saturday's showdown. With Aleksandar Kolarov, Jerome Boateng and Wayne Bridge sidelined and Micah Richards struggling to recover from a hamstring injury, the Italian may face issues over who to station at left back.

In attack, Adebayor's continuing injury and Roque Santa Cruz's ineligibility mean the Citizens will again have to rely on Carlos Tevez and Jo as their only striker options for the match.

Possible starting XI: Hart, K.Toure, Zabaleta, Richards, Kompany, Barry, Milner, de Jong, Y.Toure, A.Johnson, Tevez.

Chelsea

Salomon Kalou and Yossi Benayoun both pulled up injured in Chelsea's defeat against Newcastle and both seem certain to miss the trip to Eastlands.

However, Ancelotti will be boosted by the return to fitness of influential duo Frank Lampard and John Terry. Lampard has recovered from a hernia operation and should start whilst the captain was withdrawn with a knock on Wednesday but is expected to feature again on Saturday.

Possible starting XI: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Anelka, Malouda, Drogba.

Carling Cup Hangover Could Hamper Chelsea At Eastlands

2010-09-24T17:23:00.002+08:00

Do Chelsea have any weaknesses? It is a question many will have answered in the negative during an imperious five-match winning streak at the start of their Premier League campaign.

But last season there was at least one major fault line in Carlo Ancelotti’s team and it is one that may be exposed again on Saturday when they visit Manchester City.

The trip to Eastlands is the first major test of the season for Chelsea and it might be more difficult than the odds indicate – the league leaders 2.22 in the early betting and City 3.75.

City won 2-1 in this fixture last season – a reverse that was just one in a string of poor away results for Chelsea against the teams just outside the elite.

Ancelotti’s players were able to raise themselves for the biggest away games last season—winning at Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool—but it was their opponents who seemingly found the extra motivation when Chelsea visited the teams that filled places four to ten in the final league table.

In that category, Chelsea had just one win (the late-season 2-0 victory at Liverpool) out of seven. They lost four (at City, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton) and drew two (at Birmingham and Blackburn).

Chelsea’s wide-margin wins in their first two away games have been against early strugglers—6-0 at Wigan and 3-1 at West Ham—and have told us nothing new.

Clearly they have the ability to win anywhere, as last season’s results at United and Arsenal proved, but for now they are something of an enigma in the tougher away games against teams such as City.

For once, all the negative headlines might just have a point this week. When the critics jump on the nine Premier League teams that were knocked out of the Carling Cup, with claims such as ‘Crisis deepens’ and ‘Poor start to season continues’, it could be worth taking note.

At the same stage of the Carling Cup last season, six Premier League teams were knocked out and all six went on to lose the following weekend in the league.

Another striking statistic is that, of the seven Premier League teams who were out of the Carling Cup by this stage last season, five went on to finish in the bottom six.

So much for the Carling Cup being a competition of little significance, because as a barometer of early-season form among Premier League clubs, it appears to be very significant indeed, even allowing for all the squad rotation.

In the three seasons since the Carling Cup calendar was rearranged to the current schedule, midweek cup losers have lost 15 out of 21 in the Premier League the following weekend, with just four winners – only two of which were against teams that were coming off a midweek cup win.

And in each season at least four of the bottom six had been knocked out of the Carling Cup by this stage – a good indicator of the probable strugglers.

If the pattern continues, Manchester United are bankers at Bolton on Sunday, while West Ham could spring an upset at home to midweek cup losers Tottenham. And don’t be surprised if Blackburn are beaten at Blackpool, who did not play in midweek.

Frank Lampard To Miss Chelsea's Next Three Games Following Setback In Recovery

2010-09-24T17:21:00.002+08:00

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is believed to be in line to miss the club's next three games owing to his injury recovery problems.

Goal.com UK had previously revealed exclusively that the 32-year-old had aggravated his groin injury during training, amid fears that the England international's fitness related problems could continue further.

The former West Ham United midfielder last played when the Blues beat Stoke City by a 2-0 margin, as he hobbled off the pitch owing to an injury.

Following surgery to correct a hernia problem, Lampard was to return to make an appearance against his former club West Ham earlier this month.

But it now appears that the setback that occurred in training may see the player remaining sidelined for a protracted period, as The Guardian reports that the midfielder is likely to miss the west London club's next three matches.

Chelsea travel to play Manchester City on Saturday, before hosting Olympique Marseille at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. This is then followed by a blockbuster clash with Arsenal.

Chelsea Target Marek Hamsik Set To Stay At Napoli Until 2015

2010-09-24T17:18:00.002+08:00

Long-term Chelsea target, playmaker Marek Hamsik, is poised to extend his Napoli contract until 2015.

The 22-year-old midfield maestro has been linked with a host European clubs, most prominently Chelsea, but his agent says that he has now agreed a deal to stay at Italian side Napoli where he is both star player and captain.

Hamsik’s agent Juraj Venglos told Napoli.net, “It’s a contract more financially advantageous than previous offers. Both Marek and Napoli are satisfied with the extension.”

Hamsik, who captained Slovakia at the World Cup Hamsik is one of the greatest talents in European football, who, although young, is a complete midfielder.

Hamsik has wonderful technique, demonstrated by his goal-scoring, his wonderful vision, excellent passing, great crossing and dazzling dribbling skills. He is also well-built and strong enough to compete at the highest level.

Although Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is thought to be a big admirer of Hamsik and is very familiar with him from his days in Serie A, it looks as if the Italian has lost out for now.

Chelsea & Manchester United Keep Close Tabs On Wesley Sneijder's Stumbling Contract Talks At Inter

2010-09-24T17:17:00.001+08:00

Manchester United and Chelsea are on the alert after Wesley Sneijder's agent claimed that the player's negotiations regarding a new contract at Inter have broken down, The Daily Mirror reports.

The Serie A giants apparently wanted the midfielder to sign a new deal that would last until 2015, but his agent is now claiming that the Milanese have "broken their promises".

"Financially we can't work out a deal. Negotiations have been called off and will only be restarted if Inter will show some willing," Soren Lerby, Sneijder's representative, said.

The 26-year-old was a key part of last season's treble-winning team under Jose Mourinho, but has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford and that may yet become more likely if relations with his current club continue to regress.

Drogba: 'Chelsea Can Score In Any Game At Any Time'

2010-09-24T17:15:00.002+08:00

Didier Drogba has warned anyone trying to stop him and Nicolas Anelka that the club's strikers are just as good at setting up goals as scoring them.

Chelsea have already hit an incredible 21 goals in five league games so far this season - 29 in all competitions - and go to Manchester City on Saturday with confidence at an all-time high.

City are certain to mark five-goal Drogba and six-goal Nicolas Anelka tightly but the Ivory Coast star says it won’t prevent another team-mate putting the ball in the net instead.

Winger Florent Malouda already has seven goals this season, for instance, while Salomon Kalou has five - many of them set up by Drogba.

Drogba said: "There are players in our team who can score goals but those same players are capable of giving assists.

"It helps if I can go outside to the right or left to make some space and I know that Nico (Anelka) or Flo (Malouda) will move up front in that situation. They both show that understanding and the desire to score goals, so it makes things really interesting.

"And you can’t forget what Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge have brought us because they give fresh legs and different options. We know we have the quality in the dressing room to make the difference at any time in any game.

"This is going to be important in tight games because our opponents will know that a chance could come from a good pass by a striker or by a good strike from a midfielder.

"It’s good to have so many players with these qualities and to be able to make goals from different situations."

Chelsea scored a club record 142 goals in all competitions last season as they won the Double (103 of them in the Premier League) but already look on course to overtake that total this time. And Drogba reckons Chelsea’s goal power is a result of years of playing together - with a large proportion of the squad having been at Stamford Bridge for many seasons.

"The fluidity comes because we know each other so well now and that makes things easier for you on the pitch," he said. "That understanding is there because we’ve been together such a long time so we know more or less what we have to do."

Jon Obi Mikel Admits He Would Be Scared To Face Chelsea Attack

2010-09-24T17:14:00.001+08:00

Jon Obi Mikel has admitted his relief that he doesn't have to face Chelsea's fearsome attack.

The Blues have begun the defence of their Premier League title in a free scoring fashion, with 21 goals being fired in. This ruthless edge has seen them collect all 15 points available while rivals Manchester United and Arsenal have dropped four behind.

With the first big test of the season coming this weekend with the match against Manchester City, Obi Mikel was in confident mode the attack would keep up the club's momentum.

"If I was a defender playing against Chelsea, I would be very scared because you don't know where we're going to come from - we have Ashley Cole bombing forward on the left side all the time," the Nigeria midfielder as quoted as saying by skysports.com.

"So it is hard to know what to expect when we have all these players bombing forward all the time.

"If you look at our front three, none of them have a static position, they are all moving around.

"It is the same with the midfield although I tend to stay a little bit more because I cannot afford to leave that position.

"Playing that way helps us a lot while the other team is thinking about whether to follow Nicolas Anelka's runs, Frank Lampard or Michael Essien."

Levallois SC To Name Stadium After Didier Drogba

2010-09-24T17:07:00.001+08:00

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will have the honour of seeing a stadium named after him in France, according RMC.

The French fourth division club Levallois Sporting has announced that its new stadium will be named after Didier Drogba during the inauguration ceremony on September 29 in the town of Levallois-Perret near Paris.

Drogba had played youth football with Levallois when he was 15, before moving to Le Mans in 1997.

The club said Drogba would be present at the ceremony.

Match Report: Chelsea 3 - 4 Newcastle United

2010-09-23T19:01:00.001+08:00

Newcastle's Shola Ameobi sent 10-man Chelsea crashing out of the Carling Cup with a 90th-minute winner in a seven-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, who lost Salomon Kalou and Yossi Benayoun through injury, had taken a sixth-minute lead through young left-back Patrick Van Aanholt only for United to storm back and lead at the interval thanks to goals from Nile Ranger and Ryan Taylor.

Shola Ameobi made it 3-1 to United four minutes after the re-start but two goals from Nicolas Anelka (69, 86) looked to have taken the tie into extra-time.

However, Ameobi headed the winner from a Jonas Gutierrez corner in the 90th minute to earn United a deserved place in round four.

Chelsea made a dream start when left-back Van Aanholt crowned his full debut with a goal.

The left-back drilled an angled shot into the corner after being set up superbly by Gael Kakuta.

But Newcastle were level against the run of play in the 26th minute.

Shane Ferguson's left-wing cross caused problems in the Chelsea defence and when John Terry failed to clear, Ranger stole in on the blind side of Van Aanholt to level.

Ranger then squandered a great chance to put Newcastle 2-1 in front on the half-hour.

Great work by Gutierrez on the left saw him deliver a low cross into the Chelsea six-yard box but the ball spun off the foot of Ranger to the relief of home fans.

Chelsea centre-half Jeffrey Bruma was lucky to escape with just a yellow card for a foul on Ameobi in the 32nd minute as Newcastle continued to dominate.

Taylor punished Bruma and Chelsea for the foul when the Newcastle midfielder sent the ball around the wall and into the top corner.

Ameobi then caused more problems for Chelsea in the 35th minute but his angled shot was cleared off the line by Van Aanholt.

Taylor was lucky to remain on the pitch in the 40th minute when he brought down Van Aanholt but referee Phil Dowd opted to lecture him instead of producing a second yellow.

Chelsea made two changes at half-time with striker Kalou and defender Alex replacing Gael Kakuta and Terry.

But the changes had little time to take effect as United went further in front in the 49th minute.

Paulo Ferreira's pass went straight to the feet of Ameobi who ran on unchecked to fire a 25-yard drive beyond Ross Turnbull.

It was the first time Chelsea had conceded three goals at home since Manchester City's 4-2 demolition of the Blues in February.

The night got worse for Chelsea in 53rd minute when Kalou went down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

The Ivory Coast striker was taken off on a stretcher and replaced by teenage midfielder Josh McEachran.

The youngster was quickly into the game and Tim Krul had to be alert to save his 20-yard shot in the 59th minute.

The misery continued for the Blues in the 62nd minute when Benayoun turned his ankle and was forced to leave the field.

It left the home side down to 10-men but still they battled on with Alex sending a 20-yard effort against the outside of the right-hand upright.

Chelsea reduced the deficit in the 69th minute when Van Aanholt's cross was turned home by Anelka.

In the 82nd minute, a cross from Lovenkrands was met by Ranger at the far post but Turnbull saved at the second attempt.

It allowed Chelsea to sensationally equalize in the 86th minute when substitute Cheik Tiote was harshly adjudged to have fouled Alex and Anelka scored from the spot-kick.

Ferreira smashed an 88th minute volley against the upright as Chelsea looked for a winner.

But it was Newcastle who earned a place in the fourth round when Ameobi rose above Bruma to head the winner from a Gutierrez corner.

Two Chelsea Starlets Leave Drogba Drooling

2010-09-23T19:00:00.002+08:00

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has praised the club’s latest batch of youngsters, suggesting the Carling Cup affords them the perfect opportunity to impress Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti. In particular, the Ivorian singled out Josh McEachran for special praise, intimating the 17-year-old Englishman has all the necessary credentials to become a first team regular at the club.

McEachran is widely considered to be the most promising of Chelsea’s emerging talent, having starred during the club’s Youth Cup triumph last season, and again for the England Under-17s in the recent European Championships.

Ancelotti is rumoured to have rejected several offers to take the starlet on loan during the summer, suggesting the club feels the former public schoolboy has the necessary credentials to make inroads into Chelsea’s first team this season.

Already a regular in the England Under-19 setup, Drogba claims the prodigious youngster, alongside the more established Gael Kakuta, is the finest prospect he has ever seen at the club.

Speaking ahead of their League Cup tie against Newcastle United, the towering forward told Chelsea TV: “These kind of games gives us a chance to see our young players who did well last year.

“It's good for them to have some minutes on the pitch and to see the difference between being a reserve and a Premier League player.

“They will improve and this game is going to be good for them.

He continued: “McEachran is one of the best midfielders I have seen since I have been here. Him and Kakuta are very good players.

“Gael won the European Under-19 Championships with France in the summer and is improving being with us.”

Injury Worries For Ancelotti

2010-09-23T18:58:00.002+08:00

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti was more concerned with injuries to Gael Kakuta, Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou than he was by their Carling Cup exit to Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

A last-minute goal from Shola Ameobi earned Newcastle a place in the fourth round in a seven-goal thriller in west London. But the loss of two key players and a talented youngster were uppermost in the mind of the Italian coach ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Eastlands.

''Kakuta had a problem on his leg after the tackle in first half while Benayoun's injury is his calf and Kalou hurt his thigh,'' said Ancelotti. ''We will know more on Thursday but they don't look good. The will miss the next few games.

''These things can happen in football. It was a strong tackle on Kakuta and he was unlucky. The problem with his back is from the fall.''

Ancelotti was at odds with the Newcastle bench when the Italian waved an imaginary card at referee Phil Dowd in a bid to get Taylor sent off in the second half.

''I tried because this is football,'' he joked. ''Maybe it is the last time I do this. I was excited because the match was very good. We were 3-1 down with 10 men and I was excited by this but I showed respect for everyone.

''I am disappointed with the result but happy with the performance. We had a fantastic reaction when down 3-1 and it was 10 against 11. There was good spirit and personality from the young players. The game was very difficult but at the end we are happy for the performance of our players.

''The Carling Cup is not our priority. We have a very big game this weekend. We wanted to give opportunity to our young players to improve their skills and rest some of first team players. I am not so disappointed.

''We did our best. I am disappointed for the result because we conceded four goals, but the performance was good.''

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton insisted he never saw any untoward actions from Ancelotti and was, not surprisingly, delighted by the performance of his players. He was disappointed with the penalty award when Alex went down under the challenge of substitute Cheik Tiote.

''We showed great character and great finishing to get back in the game,'' said Hughton. ''But I never saw anything from Ancelotti. The equalizer for them to get back 3-3 was the softest penalty you will ever see and it got them back in the game. Fortunately, it was us that stopped the game going to extra-time.

''I didn't think it was a penalty. That is an understatement. It disappointed me because at that stage we hang on and win 3-2. If we had not got the winner and it had gone to extra-time, it would have been a travesty.

''This was a game that most people felt we couldn't win irrespective of what side they put out. It speaks volumes for the players in the changing room. Hopefully it will give us the momentum to go into the next few games.''

Frank Lampard Could Miss Chelsea Trip To Manchester City After Breaking Down In Training

2010-09-23T18:56:00.002+08:00

Frank Lampard is doubtful for Chelsea’s crunch Premier League trip to Manchester City after breaking down in training.

Lampard, who had hernia surgery at the start of the month, was originally pencilled in for the visit to West Ham 12 days ago but fears his return to action could now be delayed even longer.

He has aggravated his groin in training this week and told friends at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night that he faces a race against time to make the eagerly anticipated City clash.

The durable midfielder, who has been a virtual ever-present in the Chelsea starting line-up since joining the club in 2001, has now missed the Double winners’ last four games, as well as England’s two Euro 2012 qualifiers earlier this month, since limping out of Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Stoke on August 29.

His possible absence presents another headache for manager Carlo Ancelotti, whose team were reduced to 10 men in the second half of the 4-3 Carling Cup defeat to Newcastle on Wednesday after Salomon Kalou, Yossi Benayoun and Gael Kakuta all broke down.

Kalou was stretchered off with a thigh injury, Benayoun limped off with a calf injury while Kakuta was substituted at half-time with a back problem.

Ancelotti confirmed that Kalou and Benayoun were due to have scans this morning but are likely to miss “the next few games”.

If Lampard is absent against City, new £17 million midfielder Ramires, a disappointment against Newcastle, is likely to step into the breach once again.

Another alternative would have been to push Florent Malouda back into central midfield but Kalou’s absence means the Frenchman will probably be stationed on the left of a front three.

Italian Press: Ancelotti Makes Contact With "Kaka Argentino"

2010-09-23T18:54:00.001+08:00

According to reports in Italy, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has made contact with Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore in an effort to lure the 21-year-old to London next summer.

The prodigiously gifted Argentina international was linked with a £40 million move to Manchester City a fortnight ago, and has in the past attracted the attentions of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but Sport Italia suggest Ancelotti has held informal talks with the Palermo star, who is said to be enthused by the prospect of a move to the Premier League champions.

Pastore, whose burgeoning reputation is reflected in the youngster’s tenuous nickname of “Kaka Argentino”, recently denied reports linking him with a move to Inter Milan but Sport Italia indicate the player could be available in the summer.

Ancelotti’s Serie A ties suggest Chelsea are the frontrunners, but Manchester City’s superior financial clout would enable Roberto Mancini to rival his Premier league counterpart given Palermo’s £40 million valuation.

Pastore was strongly linked with a move to Manchester United when he was a teenager plying his trade for Huracan, in the Argentinean Clausura, but at the time the midfielder was said to have a complex third ownership deal which is commonplace in South America, and it subsquently put Sir Alex Ferguson off pursuing the talented playmaker.

Chelsea Move For Real Madrid Medical Chief Carlos Diez

2010-09-23T18:52:00.002+08:00

Chelsea have made an offer to Real Madrid chief of medical services Carlos Diez to make the switch to London, according to AS.

Diez has been in charge at the Bernabeu for two years and has helped stars such as Pepe back to full fitness after long-term injuries. His wealth of experience carrying out medicals and getting the 'Galacticos' in top shape has been pinpointed by the Blues as an area to improve their setup.

It is not yet known whether Diez is ready to move to the Premier League or what exact role he would take. Chelsea currently boast a staff of 15 medical and fitness staff.

Ancelotti Vows To Be Careful With Fitness Of Michael Essien

2010-09-23T18:49:00.002+08:00

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has promised not to ask too much of Michael Essien after he spent last season on the sidelines.

Essien, 27, has been pivotal to the Blues' dominant start to their Premier League title defence. Despite his tremendous form, his knee still bears the scars of the ligament injury that wrecked his previous campaign.

Speaking to reporters, the Italian was eager to hand the Ghanaian a rest when he can. This is expected to start with last night's League Cup match against Newcastle United.

“We missed him last year. His injury was very bad for us," Ancelotti was quoted as saying by talkSPORT.

“His contribution was fantastic. We hope he stays fit he is like a new signing for us but he needs rest.”

Reaction: Disappointment But Few Regrets

2010-09-23T18:42:00.002+08:00

There were mixed emotions for Carlo Ancelotti following tonight's exit from the Carling Cup.

The first emotion was disappointment, as we lost 4-3 to Newcastle inside Stamford Bridge, but the second was pride as he watched a 10-man Blues side battle back from 3-1 down to equalize.

'I am disappointed for the result, this is normal,' explained the Italian, 'but I am happy for the performance, absolutely happy.

'We had a fantastic reaction when we went down 3-1, playing 10 against 11.

'We showed good spirit, good personality, especially from the young players and this is good for us.

'This was a competition for the young players, they needed to have experience and they had a fantastic experience tonight.

'It was very difficult but at the end we can say that we are happy with the performance of our players and that's it.'

It was a testing night for Chelsea. Having put out a young side, Ancelotti then had to watch as Gael Kakuta, Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou all picked up injuries.

'We had three problems,' said Ancelotti. 'Kakuta had a problem on his back, Benayoun on his calf and Kalou had a tight muscle.'

But even with that in mind, the Italian had no regrets about playing the side he did.

'This [Carling Cup] is not our priority, we have a very important game on the weekend and I wanted to rest some players.

'This was one reason. The second was because we wanted to give our young players an opportunity to improve.

'I am not so disappointed. We had the ability to look at players with a lot of character, this is good for us. In the future we can count on these players.

'I want to judge the match, not my players. We did our best. We are disappointed with the result obviously. We conceded four goals. But the performance was good.'

Another man who was quietly impressed by the comeback was Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton, who said: 'We had the best opportunities in the game to kill the game off but they came back.

'The equalizer was a soft penalty but at that stage we were heading for extra time. Both sides could have done without that and fortunately for us we stopped it.

'This speaks volumes for the changing room and the players I have in that changing room. Hopefully it will give us a momentum to go into the next few games,' added Hughton.

League Cup Preview: Chelsea vs Newcastle United

2010-09-22T16:29:00.002+08:00

Chelsea are currently in the form of their lives as they welcome Newcastle United to Stamford Bridge for a third round tie in the League Cup.

Since tasting defeat to Manchester United in the Community Shield, Carlo Ancelotti's charges have gone from strength to strength by scoring 25 goals in all competitions since. The emphatic nature of this statistic is showcased through the goals-per-game ratio, which puts the west London club at over four goals a match.

They have also begun well in their quest to claim the European crown, as their first game in the Champions League - away to MSK Zilina - saw them travel to Slovakia and obtain a 4-1 victory.

However, the Italian boss is expected to field a few of his fringe players for this encounter, keeping in mind the tough set of fixtures that lie ahead.

Ancelotti's men have a trip to Manchester City this weekend, with Olympique Marseille breathing down their necks in the Champions League. They then have a blockbuster fixture against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, before a visit to Aston Villa which will be followed by the long distance trip to Russia to take on Spartak Moscow.

So the League Cup tie is likely to be used by the manager as a way to give his non-regular players a run out.

Newcastle United has had a relatively decent start to the season, which began with a loss to Manchester United on the opening day. But that was followed by an emphatic 6-0 victory over Aston Villa. Their recent loss to Blackpool also proved to be a minor hiccup, as they outclassed and outplayed Everton in a recent 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.

The manager of the Tyneside club, Chris Hughton, has confirmed that he will use this encounter to give some of his fringe players a chance to put in a strong performance and challenge for a first-team spot.

Hughton said: "We will use the squad and there will be significant changes.

"I don’t mind the supporters who are travelling down knowing that. We have a lot of options and there will be changes to the team."

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Jose Bosingwa is still out with a knee injury and is expected to return only about two to three weeks from now, while fellow defender John Terry sat out the game against Blackpool owing to a rib injury. Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti would be loath to risk his skipper in a game that is not as significant as the ones ahead, and should likely give the centre-half a rest - should he be fit in the first place.

In the meantime, midfielder Frank Lampard was recently reported as still recovering from a hernia operation, which makes him a doubt for this game. Even if fit, the former Milan boss may choose to ease him back into action by bringing him on during the latter stages of the game.

But all said and done, it is a League Cup tie and changes are to be expected.

Possible starting XI: Turnbull; Bruma, Alex, Ivanovic, Van Aanholt; Zhirkov, Ramires, Benayoun; Kakuta, Sturridge, Borini.

Newcastle United

The shoulder injury to goalkeeper Steve Harper means that Tim Krul will start, while it could be argued that the Dutchman would have started anyway since this is a League Cup tie.

The Toon boss Chris Hughton has confirmed that he will ring in the changes, so a few fringe players can be expected to make the cut into the line-up.

Meanwhile, defender Sol Campbell has put in a few appearances for the reserves and has been pushing for a start, and could be given the look in for this game.

Possible Starting XI: Krul; Taylor, Tavernier, Campbell, Kadar; Donaldson, Vuckic, Ferguson, Lovenkrands; Ameobi, Ranger.

Carlo Ancelotti Wants Chelsea Youngsters To 'Show Their Quality' In League Cup Run Out

2010-09-22T16:28:00.001+08:00

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has challenged his young stars to "show their quality" when handed a League Cup run out on Wednesday night.

The Blues meet Newcastle United in the third round of the competition, with the Italian set to hand starts to Daniel Sturridge, Gael Kakuta and Jeffrey Bruma.

Speaking to the club's official website, Ancelotti welcomed the opportunity to see his starlets in action.

He said: "It is a good experience for them to play this kind of game. They are involved this season more compared to last season and when there is an opportunity I want to give them the opportunity to play and show their quality."

The 51-year-old added: "They were involved in the last games, Sturridge played in the Champions League, Kakuta played two games, Bruma played in the last game against Blackpool and they will get more opportunities to play.

"The academy did a good job in the last years and now we have the young players ready to play in our squad. Obviously against Newcastle it is important to win to maintain a good atmosphere here but the most important thing is that these players can show their quality for the team."

Ancelotti also confirmed that Frank Lampard was not yet ready to return following hernia surgery, but skipper John Terry should feature.

"JT is fit to play and maybe can play on Wednesday for 45 minutes which could help Bruma, but Lampard is not available," he stated.

Drogba Eyes Record Breaking Quadruple Success

2010-09-22T16:27:00.002+08:00

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has set his sights on an unprecedented quadruple clean sweep of the game's biggest trophies this season.

Drogba, 32, has played a key role as the Blues have begun the defence of their Premier League crown in dominant form. Despite also lifting the FA Cup in manager Carlo Ancelotti's debut campaign, the failures in the Champions League and League Cup led to disappointment.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Ivory Coast international was determined to help his club battle on all fronts.

"It's very difficult, this is a very difficult thing to achieve," Drogba said.

"Why not? If we do it it will be an amazing season. I think to keep the title will be difficult, even if people see us as one of the best teams with Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

"But it will be difficult this season. That's why we're here - we want to prove we are the champions and we want to keep the Premier League trophy."

John Terry Looking Forward To Seeing Youngsters In League Cup Action

2010-09-22T16:26:00.001+08:00

Chelsea skipper John Terry has urged the youngsters on League Cup duty to grab the opportunity and increase the competition for first team places.

The Blues face Newcastle United on Wednesday night in the third round tie and manager Carlo Ancelotti has promised changes. The Italian's decision should see Patrick van Aanholt, Jeffrey Bruma, Daniel Sturridge and Gael Kakuta introduced to the fray.

Terry is sure the mix of young and old players could bolster the club's bid for silverware in all competitions.

"We have a great squad of players mixed with some very good young players who are making their mark on the team," Terry was quoted as saying by skysports.com.

"These opportunities are not only great for them but also for our youth system and credit goes to everyone working hard in the academy.

"The manager has spoken about the importance of strength in our squad this season and competition for places is always a good thing."

Michael Essien Disappointed With Milovan Rajevac's Recent Decision To Part Company With Ghana

2010-09-22T16:25:00.001+08:00

Ghana and Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has told Citi FM he was disappointing with Milovan Rajevac's decision to abandon the Black Stars job.

The midfield general, who is tipped to stage a comeback to international duty early next year, said he is confident that the Ghana FA can find a suitable successor.

“It’s very sad for me to hear that the coach has left but straight up these things happen,” the Chelsea ace said.

“I will leave everything for the FA to appoint a new coach. They will look around and choose the right person for the team.”

Asked about his recent goal scoring heroics, he said, “I have no secret; I just try to give my best when I am on the field.”

Drogba Hits Out At Chelsea's Doubters

2010-09-22T16:23:00.002+08:00

Didier Drogba says he is in confident mood as Chelsea prepare for a potentially tough test against Manchester City.

After disposing of West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, West Ham and Blackpool with a glut of goals, Chelsea faces a more realistic assessment of their title credentials when they head to Eastlands on Saturday.

However, Chelsea won six out of six against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool last season, and Drogba is in confident mood.

Speaking at the London Soccer Dome, he told the Daily Express: "I don't think we have had an easy start. People say that because we won all our games, but those games were not easy. At Wigan we struggled in the first half but managed to turn it around.

"City will be a good test to see if we can deal with better opposition. After that it is Arsenal - another big one - so it's a crucial period.

Turnbull's Test

2010-09-22T16:21:00.002+08:00

Ross Turnbull prepares for a first start of the season on Wednesday against the side he supported as a boy.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper grew up in Durham, and was a huge Newcastle United fan before turning professional with their local rivals Middlesbrough.

'A lot of my family were supporters too and we had season tickets when we were younger so I'll be looking forward to the game,' Turnbull said. 'Everyone likes to play against their boyhood team, so I'm looking forward to it.

'My hero was Alan Shearer up there, like everyone else! He was the legend, but they had some great keepers, Pavel Srnicek, Shaka Hislop and Shay Given so it was great to watch them.

'Family and friends have been asking if I'm playing and it's really something to anticipate. It's one I think I'll enjoy, and it's one we want to win, we want to progress in the competition and ultimately win it.'

We have a strong recent history in the Carling Cup with victories in 2005 and 2007, as well as a Final defeat to Tottenham in 2008, but we have been eliminated early in the past two seasons and it is something the squad wants to address.

In order to progress we will need to beat a Magpies side which has impressed since returning to the top flight this season.

'They seem to have done fine since they've been back up in the Premier League,' Turnbull assessed. 'I look for their results but my interest doesn't go much further than that anymore, and I'm sure they will have a good season.'

The goalkeeper's attentions have been more on his own game, and he is delighted to get the chance to impress at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, with Petr Cech rested and Hilario injured.

'I am enjoying training, I work hard with the other goalkeepers and this is a chance for me to play so hopefully I can show people what I can do. Everyone wants to play football and it's a good chance for me to play well', he said.

'I'm not sure what the manager plans to do with the Carling Cup side, last year Big Pete was rested but whether that continues I don't know, it is his decision and I'll go along with it but from a personal point of view I'd obviously like to continue if we get through.'

Ancelottti Owes Chelsea's Great Start To Zinedine Zidane

2010-09-21T16:42:00.002+08:00

Chelsea's excellent start to the season owes a debt of gratitude to Zinedine Zidane, and a lesson he taught manager Carlo Ancelotti a decade ago.

Chelsea have taken to the defence of their Premier League title with an indecent appetite for goals, 21 so far from just five games following Sunday's 4-0 victory over Blackpool The rich vein of form being tapped at the moment by Chelsea's fluent attacking play is the sum total of Ancelotti's 17 years of experience as a player and 15 as a coach.

One of the most important lessons Ancelotti learned was during his time at Juventus, when he was given the responsibility of teasing the best out of Zidane, a player that Ancelotti describes as the finest he has ever had under his charge.

Ancelotti found that the only way he could do it was to ditch his preconceived ideas about tactics and systems and adopt a more pragmatic formation that would provide Zidane with a stage on which to demonstrate the full extent of his genius.

“Before, when I started to train, I had an identity which I put on my teams,” Ancelotti said.

“I didn't look at the characteristics of my players. I wanted to play 4-4-2 for the first two years. After that, I changed my ideas.

“It changed at Juventus — Zidane didn't want to play on the left, but in the centre, so I changed my formation for my players. I changed characteristics. There is not a winning shape: you can play 4-4-2, 4-3-1-2. There is no shape guaranteed to win.

“Now I look at the skills and characteristics of my players and put the right shape in the team for these players.”

Ancelotti has brought that flexibility with him to Chelsea. He started out by imposing the diamond midfield formation that had brought him two Champions League crowns at Milan. It worked well and Chelsea led the division, but he recognized the potential for something more creative and realized a return to the 4-3-3 system that had been introduced by Jose Mourinho five years earlier might better suit the players at the club.

It is worth pointing out that Mourinho himself stumbled upon the formation during his first season in charge, as he too had begun his reign favouring a 4-4-2 system.

The great difference between Mourinho's 4-3-3 and Ancelotti's is that under the Italian the attacking trio have been given the license to play off the cuff, to play with instinct and invention, to create the kind of unpredictable football against which it is nigh on impossible to defend.

“We use possession more and more attacking play. In the past, Chelsea played a different way,” Ancelotti said. “When we attack, my idea is to give the players some information, but they have to use their skill, mentality and personality. They have free play for the players in front. Defensively, it's different. They need discipline.”

Chelsea have no player in quite the same league as Zidane, but as a team they are playing with a collective wit and verve that is proving too much for every team they have encountered so far this season. This weekend's trip to Manchester City, followed by a home game with Arsenal, is very different propositions, and Chelsea may well adapt their tactics accordingly.

However, the spontaneity and relish with which they have begun the season suggests they will be itching to score a hatful past their more illustrious opponents too.

Florent Malouda Convinced Chelsea Will Prove Premier League Title Credentials

2010-09-21T16:41:00.001+08:00

Florent Malouda has declared Chelsea are ready to prove their Premier League title winning credentials by beating Manchester City and Arsenal.

The Blues have made short work of lesser lights West Bromwich Albion, Wigan Athletic, Stoke City, West Ham United and Blackpool in the early weeks of the season. The quality of opposition has led some critics to deminish the achievement, with sterner tests against the two high-flyers lined up.

However, the France international insists everyone will see the strength of Carlo Ancelotti's side in the next fortnight.

"People don't believe what we have done up until now has been that great because they say we have had easy games," he said. "This will show we're ready for any kind of opposition.

"A lot of people see these two games as a test but we're ready. For us it could be our opportunity to prove that we're champions and we will defend our title at any price. Both will be tough opponents but we have confidence in ourselves and the way we are working.

"We're trying to improve on what we did last season. We didn't come back thinking we are champions so it will be easy. We know there is going to be pressure but we have experienced players who are ready to handle that. We're much better under pressure so now we just have to stay calm.

"Manchester City was the only team to do the double over us last season and that could be a big motivation for us. I know they're getting better and bought a lot of good players.

"There will be a big atmosphere and their players will be waiting for that game. Maybe it is a way for their team to show they're ready to challenge for the title so we are going there to defend our title. Last year was difficult for us but we'll go there to try and get the points.

"We're aware that the season is long and you don't win anything in September. We have to carry on and keep our focus.

"I know it's going to be tight until the end of the season and when the other teams drop points we must try to take the opportunity. We're ready to succeed, that's why in training we work very hard.

"We are using our experience of last year and know nothing is easy. We won the League by one point on the last day so we're preparing for the same situation this season.

"There are always compliments when you win and scoring lots of goals but if you lose balance you can always have a bit of a surprise."

The Sky Is The Limit

2010-09-21T16:39:00.001+08:00

Graeme Le Saux believes there is no limit to what Chelsea can achieve this season.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have made the best start to a Premier League campaign, winning their first five games and racking up a goal difference of +20 in the process.

It has led to suggestions that they can repeat Arsenal's invincible season of 2003-04 and although Le Saux did not go that far, the former Chelsea full-back admitted anything is possible.

"They have started the season fantastically and their goal difference is incredible," he told Sky Sports News HD. "They looked like they've got a settled side and a fantastic manager as well - it couldn't have been a better start for them.

"The big test will come at the weekend against Manchester City but I feel quite confident, the way they are playing, on a big pitch as Eastlands is that they can go there, play as well as they have been and keep their form going.

"But I think the biggest issue will be to keep the focus and not feel that, come Christmas, that they have peaked too soon. It's important to have a good start but maintaining that through to Christmas is crucial.

"But with the squad they've got, the sky is really the limit."

Much has been made of the way the current Chelsea side are now cutting loose and really putting sides to the sword.

Under Jose Mourinho they were renowned for getting ahead in games and then closing them out. But 33 goals in their last 13 Premier League games - and only one defeat - is starting to win the cynics over.

And Le Saux, who made 280 appearances in two spells at Stamford Bridge says that is down to Carlo Ancelotti, who has transformed the atmosphere around the club.

"It's a different approach," he said. "Certainly you've got to give Jose Mourinho a huge amount of credit for what he achieved at the club but at the same time he had a style which he played in, and Carlo Ancelotti has really invigorated the team.

"He has given them a lot more freedom to express in forward areas and they've still got a very good backbone as they have had for many years.

"The way he has got players like (Florent) Malouda and Salomon (Kalou) creating so much, plus the players he has added means they are a well-balanced and well-blended team.

"When you have such a good start to the season you have to keep that focus in every game you play. But Carlo Ancelotti has such a relaxed and consistent attitude - I've seen it at the training ground the atmosphere he's created - that it will be a case of business as usual."

John Terry And Wayne Bridge Doing Battle Again

2010-09-21T16:37:00.001+08:00

Alleged love rivals John Terry and Wayne Bridge have found another arena in which to do battle. Although this time it's not for the affections of lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel, but rather supremacy in Call of Duty computer warfare.

According to a major national newspaper, the two men - who had a very public falling-out after allegations Terry had an affair with Bridge's ex Perroncel - are now competing on the popular Xbox 360 game.

A team of City players are said to regularly take on their Chelsea rivals in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

And as well as Terry on the opposite side to Bridge, the City full-back has another of his arch rivals to contend with - Ashley Cole.

The two men - also former Blues team-mates - were former rivals for the England left-back slot until Bridge retired from international football over reports of the Terry-Perroncel affair.

And again it appears they are both leaders in their fields as the sharpest shooters in Call of Duty from their respective clubs.

Cole leads a gaming line-up that is said to include Terry as well as star midfielders Florent Malouda and Michael Essien, and striker Didier Drogba.

As well as Bridge, City's Call of Duty stars boast internationals Shaun Wright-Phillips, Carlos Tevez, and Micah Richards among them.

According to the newspaper, the players 'take the game really seriously' and 'communicate through their headsets and discuss battle plans'.

Ricardo Carvalho: It's Harder To Play For Chelsea Than Real Madrid

2010-09-21T16:35:00.001+08:00

The only missing trophy on Ricardo Carvalho's CV at Chelsea was a Champions League medal. The 32-year-old defender left the club this summer after six years, and in doing so has once again reunited himself with Jose Mourinho, the man who brought him to Stamford Bridge in 2004.

But while Spain's Primera Division is touted as being the best in the world, with superstars such as Leo Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo flaunting their talent, and while Spain may be the world champions, Carvalho reckons it doesn't compare to playing in England.

"When I went to Chelsea it was much more difficult for me than coming here," Carvalho told Goal.com exclusively. "I grew up in Portugal and football there is very similar to the football here in Spain. I think it is a lot harder to play in the Premier League. Players are physically much stronger in England. In that sense, it is harder to play for Chelsea than for Real Madrid. And playing there is what has really improved me as a player. I had six very happy years at Chelsea."

That's hardly surprising, given that in that time Carvalho won three FA Cups, three league titles and reached a Champions League final that Chelsea narrowly lost on penalties. But for all the success, Carvalho decided to call time on his stay at Stamford Bridge in order to rejoin Mourinho and be a part of his revolution at the Bernabeu.

"I had an agreement with Chelsea," he added. "It was written in my contract that if after five years another big club came in for me then they would release me if I wanted to leave. And I was ready to go. I spent six years at Chelsea and I left with some great memories."

The football in England may be much tougher but there are different expectations playing for a club like Real Madrid. Carvalho, who has started in every game so far, including the midweek defeat of Ajax in the Champions League, feels that the fans don't get behind their team as they do in the Premier League.

"The pressure on the players is higher here," he said. "For example if you don't play very well the Real fans will quickly start booing you. I guess you just have to learn to accept that. If you don't play well and the crowd starts booing, then you just have to start running more and try to play better!"

And Carvalho is happy enough to once again be playing under his mentor Mourinho. The Portuguese defender has been with his boss at Porto, where they won the Champions league together in 2004, at Chelsea and now at Real Madrid. If anyone knows Mourinho well then it is Carvalho, and he doesn't feel that the manager's adventures in Italy with Inter have changed him too much.

"No, not really," he said. "Jose just has his own style and his own way and that remains. Yeah sure, he has a changed a little of course, but for me he is still the same person and the same coach."

That tends to suggest that Mourinho still very much likes to be his own man. Whether that will work for him or against him at Real Madrid only time will tell. But the impression the 'Special One' left at Chelsea has taken until Carlo Ancelotti to be wiped away.

In the interim, a slew of managers have come and gone, including big star names such as Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink. And Carvalho doesn't hide away from the fact that Scolari's appointment was a disaster as far as the players were concerned.

He said: "Two seasons ago we had some great problems. Scolari came in for five months and then Hiddink was there till the end of the season. It was a bad time for the team. There was no connection between the players the coaching staff and the management [under Scolari]. But that has all changed now and there is much more togetherness. And that makes it much easier."

However, Carvalho feels that the one person who was unfairly dealt a blow in the post-Mourinho transition was Avram Grant. The Portuguese defender feels that the Israeli coach deserved a lot more credit than he was given for his time in charge.

"You know he did a good job for the club," he said. "He took us to the Champions league final and we could have won it. And with him we fought till the last match in the league. And all this straight after Mourinho."

But that is all in the past now as Carvalho sees a stronger Chelsea under the calming influence of Carlo Ancelotti, as last season's double proved. And he is not at all surprised at how well the Londoners have started the new season.

He said: "Chelsea have some absolutely great players. They are tough and they are physically strong. They will be a challenge for the league and also for us in the Champions League. "

How ironic then, if at the end of the season it is Carvalho's former club which prevents him from winning a second Champions League medal, and deny Real Madrid that elusive tenth title in the process.

Home And Away: Ramires

2010-09-21T16:30:00.002+08:00

The new boy in Chelsea's midfield has been adjusting quickly to life in west London and the Premier League.

HOME

How do things work at Cobham for you?
Talking wise I talk to a lot of the Portuguese speaking players, and in the dressing room I sit next to Daniel Sturridge and Jeffrey Bruma, they are both very calm and tranquil.

Which of your team-mates impressed you this weekend?
The whole team was impressive, but when I try to watch a game I try to focus on the players in my position so that I can learn more and see how they work on the pitch. Lately I have been very impressed with Essien, Mikel and Lampard.

What did you notice about your first match at Stamford Bridge?
To play every game in a stadium like that is a motivation, I was so impressed with the fans supporting their teams.

What's the most memorable dressing down you've experienced at half-time?
When I arrived at Cruzeiro, my team in Brazil before Benfica, it was only one week and things hadn't been going well. The assistant manager decided to have a meeting, and everyone was told off, with lots of shouting!

What is 'home' for you?
When I think of this word I think of family, friends and holidays, anywhere where you have people that care for you. Whether you are performing or not you always have these people beside you.

How is the search for a home?
I found an apartment in London already, and I will be near to Alex.

AWAY

Which other sports do you like watching on TV?
Tennis and golf, though I don't understand it very well but I am watching and learning a bit more.

Any famous friends outside of football?
No, I don't think so.

How much of London have you seen so far?
On my first day off I did a tour to see all the main attractions. Not on a big bus no! I was in a van and the driver drove me around, and let me out at places, so I saw Big Ben, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace.

What is your favourite place to escape from it all?
I like to be at home with my wife and my baby boy, who is five months old.

Pat Nevin: Peak Power

2010-09-21T16:26:00.002+08:00

Another game another stellar performance, this time against Blackpool at the weekend. Well it certainly was in the first half anyway and even the second period could have and should have produced a few more goals. Just like West Ham the week before and even against Zilina, there was a degree of energy conservation when the game was well out of the opposition's reach long before the full 90-odd minutes were played.

Last week from me there was a thought that our Didier wasn't absolutely firing on all cylinders in the East End, even if he did create two goals. This week I make no apology in talking about our star striker again, this time in total and absolutely glowing terms. There were points in the Blackpool game when you actually began to feel a bit sorry for their defenders, after all there were usually only two or three marking him most of the time and that clearly wasn't nearly enough on the day.

Obviously there was his goal, but there were plenty of other moments that beggared belief. Just think of two, the time he flicked the ball over his opponents in the box only to be denied by the keeper's legs and then the scissors kick pass down at the Shed End which was wonderfully inventive and almost perfectly executed. He was on the day unplayable to all intents and purposes.

The goals scored and assists stats already this season are phenomenal from a player who is absolutely at the top of his game when he is in the mood, which is most of the time at the moment. It immediately begged the question, is there anyone even close to him as the best striker in the world right at this moment?

Well the weekend at least made the debate interesting because there were some fine displays on show in the Premier League. Fernando Torres has finally begun to look like he might be getting back some of the fantastic form he has shown in the past few years after a quieter period. I feel he lost a bit of pace when he injured his hamstring, but the explosiveness looks like it is not gone forever after all.

There was also a quite superb hat trick from Dimitar Berbatov for Manchester United that any striker would be delighted to score, even if it was just in training. With Rooney not quite back to his best and the Bulgarian under pressure to deliver, he has looked very impressive this season. That said, I do not think there are many in the game who could hand on heart say that any of these players is hitting the heights that Drogba is on such a consistent basis.

There was a joy and a freedom about the Ivorian's outlook on Saturday that said loud and clear that he is at the peak of his powers. If he steers clear of injury and he remains just as happy then sit back and enjoy watching one of the finest strikers of not only his, but of any generation. Maybe the little rest from the jaunt to Slovakia sharpened him up and amazingly Chelsea are probably in a position to give him a rest now and again. On Saturday, Lampard, Terry and Anelka were all missing and I struggled to see that this made the team considerable weaker. What other squad could say that of such quality players? Answer none, I suspect.

So Wednesday sees Newcastle visit the Bridge, with I would imagine at least some trepidation. They will be hoping that Carlo does a Fergie and drops about ten players for this one and I for one wouldn't complain if he did. This campaign has to be managed if it is going to get close to last season's dizzying heights.

As I sat in the press box at Old Trafford last week and listened to the groans of the United faithful as the team v Rangers in the Champions League was read out, I understood the disappointment. If you have forked out a lot of money to see your team, maybe travelled a long way (apparently many United fans have to for home games), then it is galling to see Smalling instead of Rio or Hernandez instead of Berbatov. The good thing for Chelsea fans is that if the likes of Drogba, Lampard and Ashley Cole are missing then Anelka, Malouda and Zhirkov are far from disappointing substitutes; right at this moment I still reckon it would be well worth the admission fee.

Match Report: Chelsea 4 - 0 Blackpool

2010-09-20T16:21:00.002+08:00

Chelsea moved four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a comfortable victory over new boys Blackpool at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea destroyed Ian Holloway's side with four first-half goals - two from Florent Malouda and others from Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba.

Blackpool improved in the second half and Branislav Ivanovic had to clear off the line from DJ Campbell while substitute Gary Taylor-Fletcher brought a fine save from Petr Cech.

It took just two minutes for Chelsea to take the lead when Drogba's corner was flicked on by Branislav Ivanovic and Kalou supplied the finish at the far post.

It was the Ivory Coast striker's fourth league goal of the season and Chelsea's 22nd in total so far this season.

Michael Essien almost made it two in the seventh minute but the midfielder's 20-yard shot was too high.

But Chelsea doubled their lead in the 12th minute when Kalou put Drogba clear of the Blackpool defence.

Instead of having a shot himself, Kalou's international team-mate chose to cross superbly for the unmarked Malouda to fire home his fifth goal of the season.

Branislav Ivanovic almost made it three seconds later but his header from a Malouda corner fell just wide of the upright.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was forced into his first save of the game in the 16th minute when he tipped a shot from Alex Baptiste around the post.

Chelsea made it 3-0 on the half-hour when Ashley Cole fed Drogba and the Ivory Coast striker's shot on the turn was deflected past Matthew Gilks. It was Drogba's fifth of the season.

Chelsea were now in rampant form and only some poor decision-making from Cole prevented Blackpool from falling further behind.

The England left-back should have made it four to the home side seconds after Drogba's goal but his cross-shot went wide of the far post.

In the 38th minute another Chelsea attack almost brought yet another goal.

Paulo Ferreira headed the ball into space for Kalou to collect but his cross was smashed wide by Malouda.

Another simple Chelsea move sliced Blackpool open in the 41st minute to make it 4-0 to the champions.

Drogba's ball over the top to Kalou was inch-perfect and he crossed for Malouda to fire into the bottom corner.

Gilks then thwarted Drogba in the 44th minute as the Chelsea forward looked to make it five.

Blackpool almost reduced the arrears in the 49th minute when DJ Campbell rounded Petr Cech but Ivanovic cleared the ball off the goal-line.

Moments later Luke Varney squandered a chance for the visitors when he volleyed over from eight yards.

Chelsea had lost the initiative and a 20-yard shot from Varney was deflected just over the bar as the visitors, for once, enjoyed the upper hand.

On the hour, substitute Gary Taylor-Fletcher brought a fine save from Cech with a curling shot which was going in until the Czech Republic international tipped it over the bar.

Seconds later Holloway removed Elliott Grandin and Varney and replaced them with Brett Ormerod and Marlon Harewood.

But Chelsea squandered a chance to go five in front in the 63rd minute when Drogba put Kalou in the clear but a poor touch allowed Gilks to save his eventual shot.

Moments later a cross from Drogba was met by Malouda but the France international's far-post volley was tipped over by Gilks.

In the 66th minute, Malouda spurned another hat-trick chance by firing wide of the left-hand upright.

Essien sent a rising shot over the crossbar 10 minutes from time and Drogba did the same four minutes from time.

Didier Drogba Wanted More Goals Against Blackpool

2010-09-20T16:19:00.001+08:00

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has praised his side after a 4-0 rout of Blackpool maintained the Blues' perfect start to the season.

Despite creating a host of chances in the second half, all the goals were scored in a first-half blitz thanks to strikes from Salomon Kalou, Drogba and a Florent Malouda brace, but Drogba believes more goals could have been scored.

"It's fantastic you know I think we have improved and we try and score the most goals we can and we scored four in the first half and I think in the second we had seven chances," Drogba told Sky Sports after the game.

"I think it was a little bit of a lack of concentration [to not score more], poor position on the last pass, so this is something we have to think about even though we had a great result today."

With both captain John Terry and vice-captain Frank Lampard missing through injury, the armband was given to Drogba for the match and the Ivorian claims it was an honour to be captain whilst hoping his team-mates can get back to fitness quickly.

"It's fantastic you know, I've been here for six years. But it's always better to have them [Terry and Lampard] out on the pitch. I want them to come back quickly but it was an honour and pleasure for me to be captain today," he concluded.

Juventus & Chelsea Set To Lose Race For Sevilla Winger Jesus Navas

2010-09-20T16:17:00.001+08:00

Juventus and Chelsea could be out of the race to sign Sevilla winger Jesus Navas, as Arsenal are reportedly in pole position for the 24-year-old.

The Bianconeri were interested in Navas to fill the right-wing position, as the side believes it requires further strength.

Los Nervionenses have put a €25 million price-tag on the talented player, and the Gunners seem to be the most interested in the winger.

Itasportpress.it also claim that the Gunners and Navas have agreed to terms verbally, but more discussions will be required to finalize an official deal.

Sevilla are currently in second place in the league, on seven points from their three matches.

Chelsea Plan £9m Summer Move For German ‘Lampard'

2010-09-20T16:15:00.002+08:00

Whilst it would be hard to imagine why Chelsea would need any new faces at Stamford Bridge given their stupendous start to the new season it does seem that Carlo Ancelotti continues to plan for the future and a move for 20 year old German international Toni Kroos would helpfully act as a useful successor to Frank Lampard’s berth in the side in years to come.

Even though there may be a tendency to think of the Bayern Munich man as a new ‘Ballack’ he is far more like Lampard in his style of play. He is acting, direct and has an eye for goal, unfortunately he appears to have little hope of breaking into the Allianz Arena picture any time soon.

Kroos had a great season last term on loan at Bayer Leverkusen but was reticent about making such a move a permanent one, the £9m rated youngster would no doubt jump at a move to the Premier League champions.

Carlo Ancelotti Anticipates 'Fantastic' Match Between Chelsea And Manchester City

2010-09-20T16:14:00.001+08:00

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is expecting a "fantastic" match between his side and Manchester City next week.

Roberto Mancini's side beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 at the DW Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as Chelsea were extending their 100 per cent record this season, beating Blackpool 4-0.

City got the better of Chelsea in their last outing at Stamford Bridge in a 4-2 defeat for the hosts, but Ancelotti is keen to carry on his side's unbeaten run.

"I think that next week we have important games," he told BBC Sport. "We have started very well, we wanted to do this, we are happy for this moment and we want to continue.

"Obviously Man City will be a fantastic match, we have to pay attention but we want to do our best."

Nicolas Anelka and John Terry were both rested at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but Ancelotti is expecting them both to be fit for this coming Saturday.

He said: "I think that we have a very good squad. At this moment I wanted to give a rest to Anelka, Terry had a little problem last night and we wanted to play [him], so he rested and we hope he will be fit next week."

Ancelotti also indicated he would rest a host of first team regulars for the League Cup meeting with Newcastle United in midweek.

He continued: I want to give thew chance to the younger players. We have fantastic younger players and I want to give them the opportunity to show this quality, but it will be a strong team.

Frank Lampard also sat out Sunday's victory over Blackpool and Ancelotti hinted he will not be involved against Newcastle.

He said: For Wednesday, I don't know. We hope he will be fit for Man City.

Ancelotti Urges Fringe Stars To Shine

2010-09-20T16:11:00.002+08:00

Carlo Ancelotti is ready to utilize the depth in his Chelsea squad after they went four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 4-0 drubbing of Blackpool at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian will use the Carling Cup to blood his youngsters before welcoming back England men John Terry and Frank Lampard against Manchester City at the weekend.

Two goals from Florent Malouda and other strikes from Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba put paid to Blackpool in a sensational opening half yesterday.

But Chelsea is entering a period where they play two games per week and Ancelotti is ready to use all his resources.

"We will need to use all of our players," said Ancelotti. "The squad is so strong that we can change players to offer something different to the team or change the shape if we want to.

"We want to show, during this season, that we can adapt to any game - this can be our strength."

But victories over West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, West Ham and Blackpool have hardly stretched Chelsea and Ancelotti accepts their biggest test so far will come against City in the Premier League at Eastlands on Saturday.

"It is important to have confidence in our play - we have that," said Ancelotti.

"We know the next game in the league will be more difficult.

"It is an important test for us next week but it is also an important test for them. We have not played against the top teams but we are playing well. It is necessary for us to do it against the top teams."

Ancelotti confirmed that Terry and Lampard should be fit after injuries to face City but he also revealed their Carling Cup team against Newcastle on Wednesday will predominantly be filled with youngsters.

"Frank is training, he is not 100% yet," said Ancelotti. "He will be able to play against Manchester City. Terry had a problem with his ribs and was not able to play, but he should be okay in two or three days.

"We will change a lot of players for the Carling Cup because we want to use this competition for our younger players."

Reaction: Confident For Big Test Ahead

2010-09-20T16:09:00.001+08:00

Enjoyment at the sheer spectacle of the first half against Blackpool and understanding that his team couldn't extend the 4-0 lead in the second half were the primary emotions expressed by Carlo Ancelotti after the latest win.

The visitors from the north-west coast were cut apart on numerous occasions on their return to Stamford Bridge after 14 years, and Chelsea had Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba goals and another Florent Malouda brace to show for it, but chances weren't taken second half and Blackpool had moments of their own, some spurned, some saved by Petr Cech.

Ancelotti admitted his team did take their foot off the accelerator that has been pressed firmly to the floor for much of the season.

'Blackpool had a good reaction after the first half, they made some chances to score and also we didn't play so well,' the manager said.

'After 4-0 up it was difficult to maintain concentration and stay in focus in the game, we had a lot of opportunities to score but it was not fantastic play like the first half.

'The first half was very good for us, it was a pleasure to watch my team playing like we played first half.

'But I am not angry about the second half because I know very well there are a lot of games in this period and maybe the players are looking to these next games. Maybe they lose a little bit of concentration during the game.'

Ancelotti also looked ahead to after the win that kept the team four points clear. He spoke about the midweek cup match against Newcastle and next weekend's visit to Manchester City. Some are saying it is only in that game that everyone will see if Chelsea are very good this season; pointing to a perceived easy set of fixtures so far.

'It could be that it is an easy start,' said Ancelotti. 'We didn't play against the top teams but we played very welland this is the most important thing. Now it is important to maintain the same level of play against the top teams but I think that we are able to do this.

'It is important to have confidence in our play and now we have confidence and we know very well that the next game will be more difficult. It is an important test to show the same level of play away against a fantastic team like Manchester City.'

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was fulsome in his praise of the performance that beat his side, describing Chelsea as 'light years ahead'.

'We have seen some teams underestimate us but the champions certainly didn't,' he said.

'Some of the movement they showed I hadn't seen before and that caused our players problems.

'I have seen in the flesh now how good Drogba and Essien are. I have seen some football in my life and the way Chelsea played is an absolute credit to Mr. Ancelotti and their players. Some of their moving and passing and running is phenomenal.

'The tactics I tried to adopt didn't work,' he admitted, 'but we looked much better when in the second half we played the way we normally play, which is with four strikers, and we did cause them some problems.

'I expected it to be closer but we drew the second half and at half-time, I certainly didn't think we would do that.'

Ancelotti reported that he expects Frank Lampard to be fit in time for the Man City game and John Terry, who was missing against Blackpool due to a rib injury, will be 100 per cent in two to three days.

He also reiterated his intention to make plenty of changes for Wednesday's Carling Cup game.

'I am confident I will put out a very good team because we have young players who are ready to play for us,' he explained.

Playing With Pleasure

2010-09-20T16:08:00.001+08:00

If it looked like the players were enjoying themselves on Sunday afternoon, it is because they were.

A first-half display of attacking football to rival anything else in the world saw us race into a 4-0 half-time lead against Barclays Premier League newcomers, with a goal apiece for Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba and a pair for man of the match Florent Malouda, who explained afterwards just what a good time the lads were having.

'It was a real pleasure for us players on the pitch, and for the fans it was too. We really enjoyed it and we'll have to do it again,' said the Frenchman. 'We work hard every day in training, we have our system and shape, we have our philosophy and when you get results at the weekend it's a real pleasure.'

Captain for the day Drogba admitted we should have had more in the second half.

'We try to score the most goals we can in the game. We scored four in the first half and in the second we had so many chances, but I think it is a lack of concentration or bad decisions in the last pass. It is something we have to think about but the result was great today,' said the Ivorian, who was delighted to be asked to wear the armband in the absence of both John Terry and Frank Lampard.

'It's fantastic, I've been here for six years, this is my seventh,' the 32-year-old smiled. 'It is always better to have them on board and on the pitch, and I want them to come back quick even if it was an honour and a pleasure to be captain today.'

Malouda was also pleased to keep a clean sheet, which he believes was more important to adding to the score in the second half following on from games against West Ham and Zilina, where we conceded late consolation strikes.

'Most important was to keep the clean sheet because we couldn't do it against Zilina in the Champions League, it was important for us because we are confident up front and it is good for the defence to keep a clean sheet, so there was no disappointment in the second half,' he explained.

Next up in the league is a trip to Manchester City, which according to many will be our first big test of the new season. The players though are not so sure.

'We just want to win the league, we are not focused on Manchester City, we have to play all the teams,' Malouda responded. 'People are thinking about Man City because they don't give us credit for what we have done until now.

'We have to stay focused as we did last year, and can achieve great performances against big teams. We have a lot of games to come and we play to win every game.

'The season will be long and you don't win in September. We have to carry on and keep our focus, because we know there will be great expectation from our fans. You have to be on top at the end of May, and we're fully aware of that.'

Premier League Preview: Chelsea vs Blackpool

2010-09-19T17:11:00.003+08:00

He may have an eyebrow with more of a mind of its own than Roger Moore's but Carlo Ancelotti is certainly the man with the golden, erm, team-talk, as his Chelsea side already sit top of the Premier League with four wins out of four and no sign of letting up.

Admittedly the fixture computer has been kind to the league champions, who have not had to face a decent side yet and on Sunday have a chance to make it a perfect five against Blackpool, a team who conceded six at Arsenal. And the Seasiders will have their work cut out to keep the Blues out - no-one has stopped Chelsea from scoring in their last 23 Premier League home games.

But it isn't all sunshine and lollipops, as this week's 4-1 Champions League win at MSK Zilina showed: Chelsea raced into a four goal lead, but then conceded a comic goal, which bounced off Branislav Ivanovic's face, and looked miles from champions after that.

Still, the stats are in Chelsea's favour - 50 goals in their last 12 Premier League games, conceding just five. Wowzers.

Before anyone starts writing off Blackpool bear in mind that they are currently fourth in the league and have won two of their three away games this season. Yes, they were at Wigan and Newcastle, but the Arsenal 6-0 drubbing aside, the Seasiders have hit six goals without reply on the road.

And unbelievably, history is on their side: the last meeting between Chelsea and Blackpool was in the League Cup in 1996 and the Seasiders stunned the Blues by winning the second leg 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, though it proved in vain as the Blues had already won 4-1 at Bloomfield Road.

But the differences between the two sides in 2010 are vast - Blackpool boss Ian Holloway admitted yesterday the club didn't have a washing machine to clean dirty kit and come Sunday evening they could well be in a spin.

TEAM NEWS:

Chelsea

Chelsea will have to do without free-scoring midfielder Frank Lampard who has not recovered from hernia surgery in time, but star striker Didider Drogba returns from suspension mid-week to lead the line against the Seasiders.

Right-back Jose Bosingwa is out with a knee injury, but Ashley Cole is available for the left-back spot after being rested against MSK.

Possible Starting XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Cole; Essien, Mikel, Malouda; Drogba, Anelka, Kalou.

Blackpool

The man with the poshest name in Premier League football - Gary Taylor-Fletcher - will return for the Seasiders after missing last weekend's victory at Newcastle with a calf problem

Alex Baptiste, who scored a cross shot against Wigan, could also be back in action having been sidelined with a fractured hand.

Possible Starting XI: Gilks, Baptiste, Eardley, Crainey, Evatt, Adam, Vaughan, Varney, Campbell, Taylor-Fletcher, Grandin.

PREDICTION:

Not hard this one really, no matter how much of a football romantic you are. The Blues rarely drop points or even concede goals at Stamford Bridge, and while Blackpool's record on the road isn't too bad so far this season, their wins have come against relegation rivals.

Expect a comfortable home win.

Chelsea 4 – 0 Blackpool

Ancelotti Focused On Blues Despite Father's Illness

2010-09-19T17:09:00.001+08:00

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists his father's illness in Italy is not preventing him from focusing on his job at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian returns home to see his father at every opportunity but, while he accepts it is emotionally difficult, he has a first-class support system -- both at the club and back home.

"My father is not well," said Ancelotti. "He's an old man. Whenever possible, I fly back to Italy to see him.

"He has good support from my sister, so we don't have a problem for this reason.

"It's not difficult to keep my focus. I've spent a lot of time here and, when I'm not here, I have good support from my assistant.

"Everyone knows my situation. I don't have a problem managing the team for this reason. It's difficult, emotionally, when it's your father ... but this is life. I have to do my best to stay close to him.

"I will go back on Monday. But I will not miss the Carling Cup game against Newcastle next week."

Roman Abramovich Set To Make Financial Club Cutbacks

2010-09-19T17:07:00.003+08:00

Chelsea’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly told the club that their big spending days are over.

The Russian has been in control of the Premier League champions since 2003, but has told officials and executives that the club will now have to live within their means and that cutbacks will be necessary in order to stabilize finances at Stamford Bridge.

This has led to players having their bonus payments reduced, which basically means a pay cut, and when addressed at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground earlier in the week by chairman Bruce Buck, they were told that the club will now have to generate the money first in order to bring new players to Stamford Bridge.

The Russian forked out over £230 million in his first two years with the club, signings the likes of Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and defender Ricardo Carvalho, as well as some of the least successful signings such as Damien Duff and Adrian Mutu, all for substantial sums.

The cutbacks will also mean slashing catering costs and coaching staff numbers at their Cobham training ground.

However players who signed a contract before 2009 will still have their win bonuses guaranteed.

Despite the cutbacks at Chelsea, Abramovich is still owed £726m by holding company Fordstam but the club has recorded a staggering loss of £493m since the Russian took over.

Chelsea Set To Offer Carlo Ancelotti A New Contract To Extend Stamford Bridge Stay Until 2014

2010-09-19T17:06:00.001+08:00

Chelsea is reportedly in line to offer manager Carlo Ancelotti a new contract that will tie him down at the club until 2014.

It is believed that the west London outfit's owner, Roman Abramovich, is pleased with the progress than the Italian has made since taking over last year.

The former Milan boss guided the club to a historic double last season, as the Blues won the Premier League and the FA Cup.

It has also been reported that the Russian owner is delighted with the manner in which the team went about achieving success last term, as Ancelotti's charges scored over 100 goals en route to being crowned the champions of England.

Now The Mirror claims that the 51-year-old boss is expected to be offered a new deal that should keep him in his post until 2014.

Ancelotti's still has two years on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, which is thought to be worth about £3 million-a-year.

Salomon Kalou: Smells Like Team Spirit

2010-09-19T17:05:00.001+08:00

Rival sides are going to have to up their game if they are to take on Chelsea, as striker Salomon Kalou says that team spirit in The Blues clubhouse is very much in evidence.

In an interview with Chelsea TV, the 25-year-old said the squad's results speak for themselves.

'We are winning every game and it doesn't matter which player is in the team,' he remarked. 'It's good to know that we have a great team and great people that want to work together.'

Such camaraderie will be put to the test this Sunday when Chelsea take on Blackpool, a match that Kalou knows could put an end to his side's successful streak.

He told the news source that because Blackpool - currently fourth on the table - are new in the league, they go out on the pitch willing to give anything a try each time, which means Chelsea need to be careful as the game could prove one of the most difficult of the season.

Kalou isn't the only one to believe that the Blues have what it takes - manager Carlo Ancelotti made similar remarks last week, revealing how pleased he is to have so many players firing on all cylinders at this early stage.

Mikel: Achieving Our Aim

2010-09-19T17:03:00.001+08:00

Sometimes though, they are simply impossible to ignore, and when you take a look at the Barclays Premier League's list of top passers there is a Chelsea man at the top - John Mikel Obi has completed 299 of 310 attempted, a completion rate of 96 percent - three percent higher than Arsenal's Abou Diaby, and seven percent greater than Manchester United's Darren Fletcher, his nearest rivals in the holding midfield role.

Everybody seems in agreement that the 23-year-old Nigerian has upped his game in 2010/11, and long may it continue.

Upon discovering the statistics, the midfielder was as shocked as he was impressed.

'No?! 96?! Wow!' he laughed. 'It's good isn't it? It is a surprise, but I know that passing, even when I was little, was the thing I had, I hardly gave the ball away in youth football.

'When I came into senior football and at a higher level in competitive games I started to give passes away. Since coming into the Premier League it has been harder.'

He believes it is testament to how well the whole side has begun the campaign, with 17 goals scored in our four matches to date, and just one conceded.

'It shows how good Chelsea are at the moment, it is not just me,' Mikel said.'Everyone is working hard, pre-season was misleading because we lost a few games, people were coming back from the World Cup at different times, but now is the most important time and we're very fit, playing well and happy.'

Mikel has long been a fan of the possession games played by both Arsenal and Barcelona (Barça had 74 percent possession against Panathinaikos in midweek, compared with our 53 percent against Zilina), and while they are impressive, he believes it is Chelsea that are the best side to watch at the moment due to our more attacking, dynamic approach.

'The styles of football are different, they do play more of the ball, more passes in the midfield, they don't rush most of the time, and we can do that sometimes, but we play the ball around and can be more physical, we are ready to play any way,' he argued.

So how would he go about trying to stop the Blues were he an opposition manager?

'I don't know, it is not for me to worry about!' smiled the number 12. 'Most sides try to get men behind the ball and stay deep on the edge of their area, they sit back and it's not a problem if they lose, they expect to, but they try to make it difficult for us.

'When we get an early goal it always helps because the game becomes more open, so that is what we have to aim for against Blackpool on Sunday.'

The visit is the Seasiders' first to Stamford Bridge since 1996, when they emerged with a 3-1 win in the League Cup. They still went out though, as we had already won 4-1 at Bloomfield Road.

Some statistics can be useless.

Building Bridges Tackles Descrimination

2010-09-19T16:52:00.002+08:00

Chelsea utterly condemns anti-Semitic behaviour and operates a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of discrimination, as shown by the new Building Bridges campaign aimed at eradicating prejudice from Stamford Bridge.

We are proud of our record in tackling racism and discrimination, and you can play your part.

A number of people have been banned from Stamford Bridge and prosecuted, and Chelsea will not hesitate to do so again if there is sufficient evidence.

The technology involved in identifying culprits is continually improving, as seen with the new CCTV system at the stadium this season.

Ancelotti Denies Blues Are Cruising

2010-09-18T12:50:00.002+08:00

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti insists they are top of the Barclays Premier League on merit even if they have yet to face any of their title rivals so far this season.

Chelsea have scored 17 goals in the league this season and conceded just once in victories over West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, and West Ham.

The Blues face newly-promoted Blackpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with fans expecting another goal feast.

Chelsea's first real test will come away at Manchester City at the end of this month but Ancelotti maintains his team is ready for anyone.

"It's an important moment now," said Ancelotti. "We have a lot of games and we don't have time to train properly, but we are ready to play against a strong team.

"We have more knowledge and for that reason, we are doing well. There's no fear, now, which is good. The players are all involved in the team and there's a good atmosphere. If we can maintain this atmosphere, I think we can have success this year.

"To think about the game against City is too far away. Blackpool are a good team and have won two away games, at Newcastle and Wigan, and are showing good skills in the Premier League.

"We have to pay attention. They are no easy games. Our moment is nice. It's good now, but we want it to continue.

"We have fantastic ability up front. We have to put a kind of football on the pitch to showcase this quality. Balance is important in football.

"If you have players with skill and ability, you can show this balance. You have to find that balance and be able to attack and defend."

Chelsea will be without England midfielder Frank Lampard on Sunday as he is yet to fully recover from his hernia surgery.

Ancelotti also wants to rest some of his first-team players with midfielder Ramires, right-back Paulo Ferreira and striker Salomon Kalou likely to be handed a first-team start.

"Lampard will be out," he added. "I don't think he'll be able to play on Sunday, but he will be ready to play in the Carling Cup next week.

"He's training but we don't want to take a risk. He has to put more power in his adductor, so he'll have to train again."

Two-goal Nicolas Anelka is likely to spearhead the attack alongside the returning Didier Drogba with Daniel Sturridge standing down.

Anelka scored twice in the midweek win over MSK Zilina in the Champions League although his 'handcuff' goal celebration got more column inches than is well-taken double.

Anelka was banned for 18 games by the French Federation for his part in the country's World Cup mutiny and the player then announced his retirement from international football.

But Ancelotti says Anelka got a raw deal from the French authorities.

"I spoke with Nicolas for him to explain to me the celebration," said Ancelotti.

"He said it was against the France Federation. I agree with him. I think he's had a bad deal. I don't know if he's upset, but he's putting in fantastic performances. Maybe, for this reason, he has more motivation to play well.

"Obviously, if he stays here to train he can maintain a good physical condition, but for a player it's better to play for a national team."

But Sturridge will think himself unlucky not to continue in attack, especially after scoring against Zilina in the 4-1 win in midweek.

However, Ancelotti has already told the 21-year-old that, despite his efforts on Wednesday, he needs to improve still further.

"He played an important game on Wednesday and scored," conceded Ancelotti. "It's not important for me if he's playing in the Champions League or the Premier.

"He's a Chelsea player with good quality. He could do better. I expected more of him on Wednesday and he knows this.

"He has fantastic ability, and I'd like to see these skills and ability more in a game. He scored with fantastic movement, but we need to see more of that."

Ancelotti Weighs Up Options Without Lampard

2010-09-18T12:47:00.002+08:00

Carlo Ancelotti is planning changes to his side for the visit of Blackpool, but hasn't settled on a starting 11 yet, although he knows he will again be without Frank Lampard.

The vice-captain is yet to recover fully from surgery on his groin and will continue to train individually over the weekend to strengthen muscle in that region.

Jose Bosingwa remains out although the right-back's return is imminent, but contrary to some media reports Yossi Benayoun is available for selection. Yom Kippur that keeps fellow Israelis Avram Grant and Tal Ben Haim from attending West Ham's game on Saturday will have ended before Sunday.

Benayoun is one of the players in the frame to take the place vacated by Lampard's absence, as he did in Zilina midweek, although no decision has yet been made.

'He [Benayoun] played very well first half, taking the right positions and he made two assists,' Ancelotti says.

'It is a new position for him but he can play that position because he is intelligent and we need to have intelligent players in midfield because then we can rotate places there.Yossi will take up the right positions.

'But Ramires played a good game against West Ham and he is fresh,' the manager adds, emphasising he has yet to choose the side.

'Lampard will be fit next week, for the Carling Cup I think. He is training but we don't want to take a risk.'

No-one will be surprised if Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole start versus Blackpool, both having remained at Cobham while the team was playing in Slovakia, and this rotation of the squad in the opening month is important to the team's prospects according to Ancelotti.

'I try to put my idea of football to the team but it is not my team because this club had a precise identity before I came here,' he claims.

'I have my idea of football, we changed something last year and now I think we have more confidence in our play, we have more knowledge, and for this reason we are doing well.

'We know every game could be difficult for us but the atmosphere is good now. The players are all involved in the team and I am happy for this, and if we can continue the atmosphere we can have success this year.'

People outside Chelsea have pointed to our early fixtures and claimed we will not have faced a true test before we travel to Manchester City next weekend, but Ancelotti is ignoring such talk.

'To think about the game against Man City is too far, we have to think game by game. Blackpool is a good team and they have won two games away, they are showing good spirit and so we have to pay attention, this is not an easy game.'

Finally the manager has also reacted to one of this week's hot topics - bad tackling in the Premier League, as raised by Arsene Wenger.

Firstly Ancelotti sent good wishes to Manchester United's Antonio Valencia who broke his ankle on Champions League duty.

'Valencia was unlucky because the defender didn't make a bad tackle. I want to wish him a quick recovery.

'The tempo of the game here is different from other countries but I don't think that here there are more bad tackles.

'There is fair play here and I have trust in the referees. If there is a bad tackle then the referee can judge.'

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool And Tottenham Tracking Werder Bremen Star Marko Marin

2010-09-18T12:45:00.001+08:00

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are all considering moves for Werder Bremen starlet Marko Marin, according to the Daily Mail.

Though a potential bidding war may significantly alter transfer fees, an estimated €18 million (£15m) bid is anticipated to be enough to land Marin, who remains under contract until 2013.

The 21-year-old has been touted as the "German Messi", having recently starred in Bremen's comeback against Tottenham in midweek.

However, after allowing Mesut Oezil join Real Madrid this summer, Bremen are unlikely to let their latest star player leave.

Daniel Sturridge Blasts 'Arrogant' Slurs Aimed At Him Following Manchester City Exit

2010-09-18T12:44:00.002+08:00

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has revealed the hurt he felt as he was labelled "arrogant" following his Manchester City exit.

Sturridge, 21, quit the Blues in July 2009 after coming through the Eastlands youth academy. Reports at the time stated the England youth striker's exorbitant wage demands due to an inflated ego had seen him move down south.

However, Sturridge has hit back at those claims and insists the slurs couldn't be further from the truth.

He said: "I had some negative things around me when I joined the club.

"It was very hard for me to handle because I did not have my family around me. It was a hard stage in my life, not only in my career, but in my life as well.

"Some people had the opinion that I was an arrogant guy and I didn't work for the team and that hurt me a lot.

"It hurt me because I didn't believe it. Never in my life have I been an arrogant guy and it was very hurtful to hear people say things like that about me because I know I am not that type of person.

"Obviously, you then go home sometimes and feel very, very upset and you don't know what to do. For me, when that type of stuff was going on, it was very hard for me to be alone. I just want to show everyone that I am not that type of guy.

"When people meet me they realize I am actually not that type of guy. I am just trying to get as far as I can in football. Hopefully, I can push those things aside and prove to people that I am not like that.

"It was hard me for because I am young. It was difficult moving from Manchester to London. I was away from my family for about four or five months when I first joined the club.

"I am used to having them around me. In the second half of the season, it was different because they were with me and raised my spirits.

"It was very difficult for me at the beginning to get used to life alone because I was not used to that. When I was here on my own, the players helped me a lot. They put their arms around me and told me to keep my mind on football and not worry about anything because my time would come.

"Now I feel I am a Chelsea player and part of everything. The team has been here has been together for a long time and it was very hard for me to become a part of things. The boys made me very welcome when I first joined the club, they showed me a lot of love.

"I was very happy they did that for me because sometimes it is hard when you join the club as a new player and you don't know anyone.

"But I believe I have become a better player and I hope I can play more often with these world class players.

"Carlo Ancelotti is the best manager I have worked with. He gives you huge confidence and has huge faith in me. Hopefully I will be able to repay him."

Nicolas Anelka Confident Goals Will Continue To Flow For Chelsea

2010-09-18T12:42:00.001+08:00

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka sees no reason why the goals should dry up any time soon, after the Blues opened the new campaign with 21 strikes in five games in all competitions.

Anelka bagged a brace himself in the 4-1 Champions League win against MSK Zilina on Wednesday evening, but he thinks that the scoring success is down to the sheer number of players in the squad who have an eye for goal.

"Chelsea is a good team, we have a lot of big players and everybody can score, it is good for [us] and we just try to show it to everybody on the pitch," the 31-year-old told his club's official website.

"It is good for the confidence of the team because teams know everybody can score.

"We will try to do the same, even better. We start well and I hope it will continue in the same way."

Having so many good players available though does mean that some high-profile names have had to accept that they are not automatic starters for every game.

"We know a lot of players will sometimes be on the bench to rest," he added.

"We have so many games we know it is going to be tough this season and we have to rest, so everybody accepts it because we want to win.

"If you need a rest to be fresh to win games we will accept it."

Anelka agrees that one player who could make an impact this season is his young French compatriot Gael Kakuta, who has two substitute appearances in the Premier League to his name this season.

"I think so. He gets used to the first team now, he is playing every day with us, he is a good player and will show it," he asserted.

Ancelotti: Talking Tactics

2010-09-18T12:40:00.002+08:00

Carlo Ancelotti has been discussing the team's cavalier style of football, and how it compares to sides he has coached in the past.

The goal-mad season of 2009/10 has continued into 2010/11 with 21 strikes already registered in just five games, and you have to go back to Boxing Day since we last failed to score in a domestic game.

For Ancelotti, this was not always the case, despite playing in and coaching memorable Milan sides.

Regarding his playing career, which saw him lift consecutive European Cups with the San Siro club, he said: 'That team didn't score a lot of goals because it was a team with a precise identity defensively, a lot of offside and a lot of pressure, but we didn't score a lot.'

Reminded they had once scored eight in one game, he claimed it may well have been down to his admission from the team at half-time.

'I remember we scored eight at Foggia, I remember very well because I played just the first half, and we were losing 2-1! Capello took me out and we won 8-2!' he laughed.

'The Italian team doesn't want to concede goals, it is a different mentality. When you score here you have more space to attack and counter-attack, the small team if they are losing want to come back in the match, so we can use more counter-attack, not because here there are weaknesses compared to Italy.

'The team in the bottom of the table here will play against a team at the bottom in Italy, and the English team wins.'

Since his arrival in England just over a year ago, he has turned the Blues into the great entertainers, and for once the neutrals are purring over our play.

'I changed the kind of play; we use more possession and attacking play,' he explained. 'In the past Chelsea played in a different way. I think the players enjoy this kind of football, they are all involved and for this reason can show their ability. It is the key.

'All the players, not just the strikers, can score. We have a lot of talent and for this reason we can score a lot of goals.'

After a dalliance with 4-4-2 last season, the Italian seems to have settled on 4-3-3 as his system of choice, but he had no pre-conceived ideas upon his appointment.

'I was not sure, I wanted to look at the skills of my players and put in the right shape for these players,' Ancelotti said. 'Before when I started to train I had a precise identity to put in my teams and didn't look to the characteristics of my players.
'I wanted to play 4-4-2 always for the first two years. At Juventus I changed, I had Zidane and didn't want to put him on the right or the left, he wanted to stay in the middle of the pitch and for this reason I changed my idea.

'From that time I wanted to look at my players and pick the right shape for them. There is not a winning shape, you can play 4-4-2, 4-3-1-2, there is not a winning one.'

Ancelotti expects this long-term injured right-back Jose Bosingwa to play in a training ground reserve match against Fulham next Wednesday.

Wilkins: Hard-Working Holloway

2010-09-18T12:30:00.002+08:00

Blackpool may be new opposition in the Premier League but should they play in the image of their manager, Ray Wilkins knows very well what to expect on Sunday.

The Chelsea assistant shared five years with Ian Holloway when they were at Queens Park Rangers in the early 1990s, firstly as a team-mate in midfield and then with Wilkins as player/manager.

Holloway would later follow into the Rangers hot seat as well as managing Bristol Rovers, Plymouth, Leicester and now the Seasiders.

'When I had the pleasure of playing with Ian at Queens Park Rangers he had such a fantastic work ethic,' Wilkins recalls.

'That is something you see coming through in his teams and the way they play. First and foremost they work extremely hard and then the quality comes out afterwards.

'Because of how hard he is prepared to work it doesn't surprise me that he has had success, and I am very pleased for him.'

QPR fans must consider the era when Wilkins and Holloway graced Loftus Road as one of success. In the first season of the Premier League, 1992/93, their fifth-place finished was higher than any other London side.

'It was a good time, we had some good players,' Wilkins confirms. 'We did well for the resources that Queens Park Rangers had.

'Simon Barker or Holly would come into midfield with me and the other one would play wide. We always played 4-4-2 with Gerry Francis as manager. There were Trevor Sinclair and Andy Impey, before that was Andy Sinton, and up front was Les Ferdinand and then Roy Wegerle.'

Holloway's distinctive West Country accent was little heard among those other voices in the dressing room back then.

'When he first joined us he was quiet, so he has changed a touch!' points out Wilkins.

Chelsea's record against newly-promoted sides stands up to inspection, with our last defeat against a side fresh to the top-flight coming over nine years ago.

'Blackpool must be playing good football because they are creating chances and scoring goals,' notes Wilkins, 'and coupled with the work ethic that Holly will demand then you are going to get some results.

'But our record shows we approach these games in the right fashion so that is how we have to approach this one.

'It is up to us to work as hard as Blackpool and to play our football. We have been playing some very good football and everyone who has taken part in the team has contributed very well, so we have to think about our play, do what we want to do, and hope that our run will continue.

Chelsea On Alert As Neymar Goes Off The Rails With Santos

2010-09-17T16:41:00.002+08:00

Chelsea may have to reconsider their pursuit of Brazilian wonderkid Neymar, who has been fined by Santos and ordered to work with a psychologist after a series of worrying episodes.

The 18-year-old opted to sign a new contract with Santos rather than move to England last month, but his advisers expected a new bid from the Barclays Premier League champions next summer.

However, Neymar has since been accused of petulant and reckless behaviour, culminating in a foul-mouthed outburst against his manager on Wednesday night.

The gifted forward also argued with captain Edu Dracena on the pitch after being told not to take a penalty kick and he is said to have then refused to pass the ball to any of his team-mates during the closing stages of 4-2 win against Atletico-GO.

Santos boss Dorival Junior was visibly shaken after the game and said: 'In seven years as a coach, I've never had such a problem with indiscipline.

'It is a difficult problem, grave, serious and will require effort from us all. At all times we feel that an act of indiscipline, whether from Neymar or a boy from academy, we will punish it.

'I love him, but there was a new event. We will have to act the same way (as always).'

Santos subsequently fined their starlet an undisclosed amount and in a statement warned: 'The club will demand deep changes in his behaviour on and off the field, with his colleagues and opponents and will support the player so this moment of difficulty can be overcome.'

Neymar's father admits that seeing a psychologist could help a player who has gone from happy-go-lucky teenager to a world star in a short space of time.

Dorival Junior added: 'I don't know what is happening to him. I'm trying everything I can to help. From the moment he is out of my reach, I don't know (what happens).

'The directors are finalizing details to hire that worker (a psychologist). I think that it will be interesting and beneficial.'

The coach has previously defended Neymar against criticism, but the player's crimesheet is growing at an alarming rate.

At the weekend he caused a mass on-pitch fracas by standing on the foot of a Ceara defender because he felt targeted.

In May he was left out of a match and ordered to do extra training for breaking a curfew by four hours when celebrating a team-mates' birthday.

Last month he escaped punishment from disciplinary chiefs after he accused a referee of being a thief in a post on Twitter. He argued his page was hacked, but his father has threatened a ban on his Twitter account.

Finally realizing the error of his ways, Neymar apologized after learning his punishment.

'I'm here to say more than sorry and (I expect) no pardon,' he said, almost in tears. 'I acted wrongly, I left even my father and mother shocked. I'm ashamed of what happened.

'I say sorry to Dorival, sorry to Edu, who is the team captain, and to my team mates. I apologize to kids who look up to Neymar. Forgive me for what I did.'

Atletico-GO boss Rene Simoes, who witnessed the outburst against Dorival Junior warned that Brazilian football was creating a monster, while team-mates and the Santos home crowd also rounded on him.

New Brazil boss Mano Menezes handed Neymar an international debut in August, but warns he must get his act together.

'He needs to know how to behave as a stand-out player in Brazilian football and later out there in world football,' said Menezes.

'If we allow these (things) to happen with such frequency in his club, in no time it will get transferred to the Brazil team.'

Malouda Hails Chelsea's Finishing

2010-09-17T16:40:00.001+08:00

Florent Malouda has hailed Chelsea's goalscoring prowess as they focus on a return to Premier League action against new-boys Blackpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Chelsea took their goal tally for the season to 21 in five games with a 4-1 away victory against MSK Zilina in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The Blues scored 142 goals in all competitions last season, including 103 in the Premier League, and Malouda says their ability to score throughout the team is one of the keys to their success.

"I think that's our strength, we play a system where everybody knows what he has to do and players come in and out and the result is still the same," said Malouda.

"Everybody can score and it is difficult for the opponents. We have to maintain that good atmosphere and keep our focus because we play every competition to win, obviously it will be difficult but we have to be really hungry.

"We're playing good football but every game is different and at the end we made scoring look easy but we just try to start each game playing well first and look for an opportunity. That's what we did."

Malouda also insists the Blues are destined to win the Champions League this season because the final is being played at their 'lucky' Wembley Stadium.

Chelsea have won three out of the last four FA Cup finals at the national stadium and the France international is confident the Blues will return to Wembley at the end of the campaign to lift the top prize in European club football.

"It is a sign for us that the Champions League final is being played at Wembley," declared Malouda.

"We have won there a lot in recent years and it's a big objective for the club. Our aim is to be there again in May and to win.

"We love playing there as we have shown by winning three FA Cups in the last four years. We have a good feeling every time we go there and maybe it is our destiny to be there in May.

"That's what I wish and every player in the squad is thinking about that in their minds. We have to be ready to get through the group phase now but we have to be ready for the knockout phase as well."

Chelsea's win over Zilina was a stroll for Carlo Ancelotti's side. A brace from Nicolas Anelka and another from Michael Essien put the Blues in command at the interval and Daniel Sturridge made it 4-0 three minutes after the break.

Zilina, to their credit, continued to fight on and Tomas Oravec scored a consolation goal when Petr Cech failed to hold a cross.

Ancelotti was clearly not happy with their second-half performance and Malouda agreed they were "sloppy".

"We controlled the game in the first half but we didn't play at our best level in the second and were a bit sloppy," he added.

"We have to be aware we can't afford to play like we did in the second half. We want to finish first in the group stage. It is really important for the draw."

Carlo Backs Euro Campaign

2010-09-17T16:39:00.002+08:00

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes this season could be the year they finally win the elusive UEFA Champions League trophy.

The Blues have been virtual ever-presents in Europe's illustrious club competition without being able to get their hands on the silverware.

Once again the Champions League is high on the club's priority list and they have started in fine fashion with a 4-1 win over MSK Zilina.

Ancelotti believes Chelsea have matured and are now ready to not only reach the semi-finals of the competition but to be victorious in the final.

The Italian is also delighted to have a fully fit Michael Essien back in the ranks, labelling his availability as better than any summer signing.

"Chelsea has the maturity to win the Champions League in this season," Ancelotti told Sky Italia. "It is the cup that is lacking at this club.

"There's a particular attention towards this tournament as Chelsea has reached the semi-finals five times in the last seven years.

"The season's started well and fortunately we still have room for improvement.

"Chelsea's best purchase? I think Essien is better than a new player. We missed him last season because he is one of the world's best midfielders.

"We are pleased he immediately returned to his levels. He found his fitness and I hope that he retains it for the whole season."

Chelsea Game Was A Footballing Lesson - Zilina Coach Pavel Hapal

2010-09-17T16:37:00.001+08:00

Slovakian side Zilina started their Champions League campaign with a home match against Chelsea, but they were unable to cause an upset. Head coach Pavel Hapal wasn't too disappointed with his side's 4-1 loss though and was quick to admit that Zilina were taught a footballing lesson.

"We have to remember that Chelsea are one of the best teams in the world and they played very well tonight. They made very quick moves and were very clinical," Hapal was quoted as saying by uefa.com.

"That was the main difference between the teams, because we matched them at times. You could see there is a huge difference between the teams, especially in terms of pace and passing. Everybody can see what quality they have.

"For us it was a footballing lesson; we saw the way the modern game is going. We lost, but I am not disappointed. We lost to a stronger team. It's a shame we didn't get a second goal, because we had a few chances to score again."

McEachran In The Record Books!

2010-09-17T16:35:00.001+08:00

Carlo promised that this would be the season that youth would be given its chance and last night he didn’t let us down.

With Daniel Sturridge leading the attack, and scoring, we were later treated to cameo appearances from three of our most promising youngsters.

Gael Kakuta was the first of the three youngsters, from the bench to make an appearance, closely followed by Josh McEachran.

Neither of the duo looked out of place and with minutes to go Patrick van Aanholt joined the fray.

Now although there wasn’t perhaps sufficient time for any of the three to make a dramatic change to the game, especially with Chelsea in cruise mode having secured the three points, Josh can rest assured that his appearance has made the record books.

Apparently, young Josh is the first player to feature in the competition (Champions League) who was born after its inception in 1992.

Now that can’t be bad can it!

Reserves Report: Newcastle United 2 - 3 Chelsea

2010-09-17T16:33:00.002+08:00

A double from Milan Lalkovic and a last-gasp Adam Phillip penalty earned Chelsea reserves an excellent win against Newcastle at St. James' Park.

The young Blues, missing several who had travelled to Zilina for the Champions League game on Wednesday, fell behind in the second minute but reacted well after a barrage of pressure to overturn the deficit, the nippy Lalkovic twice keeping his cool to slot home, only for a Newcastle equalizer to come in the second half.

It looked like it would finish level, and in truth it was probably Newcastle who had edged it, only for substitute Phillip, playing his first competitive reserve game in a year after injury, to race through and attract a foul by the sprawling Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul. The forward then despatched the penalty himself to secure three big points.

Newcastle went in front inside 90 seconds through Ryan Donaldson, whose won a challenge with Nathaniel Chalobah just outside the area and sent a dipping half-volley into Jan Sebek's bottom right-hand corner.

It was the worst imaginable start against a Newcastle side with former England defender Sol Campbell at the heart of its defence, the 36-year-old still working his way back to full fitness after a summer transfer from Arsenal.

Patrick McLaughlin tested Sebek with another low effort five minutes later but the goalkeeper saved well.

Chelsea were surrendering possession all too quickly in their own half, and when they did get the ball forward, Newcastle's high-lined defence caught the forward players offside. Part of the problem it seemed was Chelsea's own defence sitting too deep inside its own half, and coach Steve Holland could be heard encouraging his youngsters to step forward.

Nile Ranger had the ball in the net in the 15th minute but was flagged offside, and then the forward headed over from a corner as the home side continued to have the upper hand.

On 26 minutes Jacopo Sala had Chelsea's first effort on target, a curling free-kick that lacked any real venom and was easy for Magpies goalkeeper Krul to claim. It seemed to galvanize the Blues a little though, and a succession of corners followed.

The equalizer came from Milan Lalkovic, latching on to a through ball and calmly slotting low across Krul from the right-hand channel and into the bottom corner.

The sides would only be level for a few minutes before the Slovakian Lalkovic put Chelsea in front with another tidy finish, this time converting Aziz Deen-Conteh's pull-back after the left-back had overlapped and seared into the Newcastle area. Campbell, it seemed, was still a yard off the pace. No surprise given the breakneck speed at which Chelsea had moved the ball from one end to the other.

The turnaround was a major surprise for anyone who had seen the first 25 minutes, and it almost got better just before half-time when a loose ball fell to Sala just before the break, though the Italian could only fire high at the far post.

Less than two minutes into the second half Sala did hit the net, but his goal was chalked off for offside after Tore had picked him out.

At the other end Deen-Conteh showed his defensive capabilities with a superbly-timed tackle inside the area, a challenge that will have impressed the 3,700 inside St James' Park.

Newcastle began to press again though and Chelsea was forced to defend stoically, Joan Edmundsson curling just over after Rohan Ince had half-cleared with a header.

The home side wouldn't have to wait long for an equaliser though, after Ranger managed to keep possession under pressure from Billy Clifford and square for Haris Vuckic, his fellow striker, to slot home.

Sebek had to make another important save to maintain parity with 15 minutes remaining, when sub Phil Airey shot low and hard, and it looked as though this game may have a winner.

In a bid to make sure it was Chelsea, Holland introduced Kaby for Daniel Pappoe, Chalobah dropping into centre-half, and then Adam Phillip made a return from the bench with eight minutes remaining after a lengthy period out through injury - it was his first competitive reserve outing in a year.

Vuckic volleyed inches wide from distance and then Sebek had to make a fine double save, first from the Slovenian and then from Airey who had followed up his initial parry to keep his side in it.

Then, with seconds of injury time remaining, Phillip raced through and was brought down by Krul to ensure a penalty for Chelsea.

The sub took the ball himself and confidently strode up and stroked hit shot hard into the bottom left-hand corner to win what had been an entertaining encounter, making the long trip home all the more pleasant.

Coming To Terms With Mixed Zone

2010-09-17T16:26:00.001+08:00

So the game is over, three points have been earned and thoughts turn to a swift exit from the stadium to catch the flight back to England. Only one responsibility now awaits the players after a Champions League game - the post-match mixed zone.

That is a Uefa-designated requirement for Champions League and Europa League football, the playing staff of each side must pass through an area between the tunnel and the team coach where members of the press and media wait to answer questions that will feature in the next day's reports of the action.

It is not an event that takes place in domestic football, other than at Wembley where the procedure applies in much the same way.

Players are not obligated to stop and talk, and following a bad result you may find that, understandably, numbers who do donate a few minutes of their time to share their thoughts drop.

The manager too has his requirements. Following the game, Carlo Ancelotti must do a 'flash' interview - that is, straight after the final whistle - with the national TV broadcaster, in England's case that is either ITV or Sky, before entering a press conference shortly afterwards. These tend to last between five and 10 minutes, but can take longer depending on the amount of translation required for foreign media.

For example, the coach of an English side who speaks little English may need questions, and his own words, translated into his native tongue, then into English and finally into the language of the opposition side and its local media - it is a time-consuming process, although some coaches have been known to translate themselves.

The man of the match, or players that contributed largely to victory, may also be requested by the TV crews as they come off the pitch - at Zilina, it was Daniel Sturridge who spoke to Sky's Guy Havord, while Petr Cech spoke to the Slovakian broadcasters in his native Czech.

The mixed zone (which at Stamford Bridge runs across the East Stand touchline, between the tunnel and the corner flag) is split into four sections, one for TV rights holders and club channels (Chelsea TV), one for other TV channels, one for audio media (radio) and a final one for written press and internet. Even here there is further seperation with, for example, the Sunday paper journalists requiring different words from those to be used the next day.

These are where most quotes you will read from the players over the subsequent days after a game will have come from, an area where hundreds of journalists have been known to compete for the prime locations. At the Bridge, we are fortunate to have plenty of space though at other grounds there has been the sight of Didier Drogba conducting interviews in a car park on the way to the coach. Last night at Zilina, it was a small, classroom-sized room behind the changing rooms, with media men and women crammed in behind a barrier and the players streaming past.

The day before a game, there is also a press conference, usually at the stadium but sometimes at a training ground (last year Jose Mourinho opted to conduct his at Inter's training ground, an hour's drive from the San Siro), involving the manager and one player - on Tuesday Cech joined Carlo Ancelotti in fielding questions, with clubs required to use Champions League-themed backdrops incorporating the competition's sponsors' logos.

It all makes for a busy time, for players, managers and media, but it simply has to be to satisfy the worldwide interest in football's elite club competition.

Match Report: MSK Zilina 1 - 4 Chelsea

2010-09-16T18:01:00.001+08:00

Chelsea cruised through their opening Champions League game with a demolition of Slovakian side MSK Zilina in Group F.

The damage was done in the opening half with two goals from Nicolas Anelka and another from Michael Essien.

Daniel Sturridge added a fourth early in the second-half before Tomas Oravec scored a consolation for the home side.

Zilina began impressively with Momodou Ceesay firing high over the bar in the fourth minute.

The small ground was at its capacity of 11,000 and the home side were giving their fans something to shout about in the early stages.

Chelsea won their first corner in the ninth minute but Yossi Benayoun sent his shot into the arms of Martin Dubravka.

The English champions then wasted a free-kick on the left edge of the penalty area when Sturridge fired high over the bar from 20 yards.

But the Blues went in front in the 13th minute with a simple goal. Essien put Anelka clear on the left wing and when the cross arrived, Florent Malouda stepped over it for Essien to fire home from eight yards. It was the Ghanaian's third goal in two games.

Zilina almost levelled in the 15th minute when a free-kick from Robert Jez was fumbled by Petr Cech but the Chelsea goalkeeper managed to stop the ball going into the net.

Zilina's Bello Babatounde then headed straight at Cech in the 23rd minute after a fine cross from Ceesay.

But Chelsea went 2-0 up in the 24th minute when Malouda put Anelka clear and the former France international slipped the ball under Dubravka.

Sturridge almost made it 3-0 in the 27th minute but his 25-yard drive was tipped around the post.

But the Blues punished the home side from the corner which followed when John Terry's header hit the bar and Anelka pounced to score his second from point-blank range.

Malouda should have made it 4-0 in the 37th minute but his shot was blocked by Mario Pecalka after Yury Zhirkov had pulled the ball back to him from the touchline.

Cech was forced to make a fine save four minutes from the break when he dived to push a shot from Admir Vladavic to safety.

Zilina then squandered a real chance when Babatounde headed wide from an unmarked position on the edge of the six-yard box.

However, Chelsea increased their lead in the 48th minute when Benayoun played a superb ball through for Sturridge who rounded the Zilina goalkeeper and slipped the ball home.

Zilina responded immediately and Cech was forced into a fine save to deny Vladavic.

The home side finally reduced Chelsea's advantage in the 55th minute when Cech spilled a cross and the ball rebounded off Branislav Ivanovic before Oravec bundled home.

Zilina then went close to getting a second when Vladavic sent a rising drive just wide and substitute Tomas Majtan was inches away from hitting the target with an angled drive in the 65th minute.

Chelsea was living dangerously, but with a three-goal cushion they could afford to.

Ancelotti was distinctly unhappy on the touchline as the home side attacked in numbers.

The Slovakians had to be admired for their endeavour although Chelsea were hardly in top gear in the second half.

With 10 minutes left, Chelsea opted to hand a full debut to 17-year-old midfielder Josh McEachran. He replaced Benayoun who was applauded off for his fine performance.

Essien forced a fine save from Dubravka in the 82nd minute as the Ghanaian midfielder looked for another goal but it was the last real action of the game as Chelsea ran out easy winners.

Anelka Explains Goal Gesture

2010-09-16T17:59:00.002+08:00

Nicolas Anelka fired two first-half goals to put Chelsea on the way to a comfortable 4-1 victory over MSK Zilina and then revealed the meaning of his 'handcuff' goal celebration.

Anelka set up Michael Essien's 13th-minute opener before scoring twice himself after 24 and 28 minutes as Chelsea cruised to victory in Slovakia.

Daniel Sturridge scored his first Champions League goal three minutes after the interval before Zilina's Tomas Oravec netted a consolation for the home side.

Anelka, banned by the French Football Federation for 18 games because of his part in the World Cup mutiny, was hailed as the "key" to Chelsea's victory by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The 31-year-old has since insisted he will never play for his country again but admitted his gesture was aimed at the French authorities and he knows other France players will understand.

"It was just something for the French Federation about what happened at the World Cup," said Anelka.

"What happened in summer is in the past, now I'm 100% focused for Chelsea."

When asked if he would ever consider playing for France again, he replied: "No, never. It was just a joke about what happened. I'm not angry."

Anelka's movement in attack in the absence of the suspended Didier Drogba was pivotal, according to a satisfied Ancelotti.

"The key was Anelka, he played a fantastic game," said the Italian. "He created space, he had opportunities, he was the key for this game.

"He can play the position in front, sometimes we use him more wide, sometimes he plays in the middle but he shows the same skills if he plays wide."

Malouda: London Calling

2010-09-16T17:58:00.002+08:00

Florent Malouda admits even with just one group game completed, Wembley is on the players' minds as we pursue European glory.

This season's Champions League Final will be held at the national stadium in north-west London, an arena that has been both kind and familiar to Chelsea in recent years, with 10 appearances there since its reopening in May 2007.

After our 4-1 win at Zilina, in front of 11,000 spectators in a damp Slovakia, Malouda admitted the glamour of the Final seemed a long way off, but by no means unimaginable.

'We have it in mind because it is Wembley, it is like our home, and we try every year,' said the Frenchman. 'Of course we are at the beginning and trying to finish first in the group, and we have to play game after game. We will see in May if we can be at Wembley.'

On a soggy night without key players Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, the goals continued to flow - four in Zilina make it 21 for the season in five games - and Malouda believes other teams need to beware of our potency in front of goal.

'I think that's our strength, we play a system where everybody knows what he has to do and players come in and out and the result is still the same,' he explained. 'Everybody can score and it is difficult for the opponent teams.

'We have to maintain that good atmosphere and keep our focus because we play every competition to win, obviously it will be difficult but we have to be really hungry.

'We're playing good football but every game is different and at the end we made scoring look easy but we just try to start each game playing well first and look for an opportunity. That's what we did.'

Michael Essien's strike after 12 minutes was his third in two games, and his team-mate is delighted the Ghanaian is back and firing after seven months out at the end of last season.

'He is a machine, a train, and I am really happy to see Michael get his fitness,' said the 30-year-old. 'He is playing full of confidence, he is top and he is scoring goals. I think he will give more to the team and the best is still to come.'

Nothing could be more ominous for opponents Blackpool this weekend, though with Lampard hopeful of a return, it may be that he takes a more defensive role than the one he has fulfilled in the England man's absence.

Daniel Sturridge Hoping For More First-Team Opportunities After Scoring Against MSK Zilina

2010-09-16T17:56:00.002+08:00

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge is hoping that he will get more first team opportunities after he scored during the 4-1 win over MSK Zilina on Wednesday evening.

The 21-year-old sealed the win with Chelsea’s fourth of the night and he was pleased to get off the mark for the season, stressing that he wanted to feature more for the first-team.

"It was great to get off the mark this season. Hopefully I will be playing a lot more with these players. Hopefully I will show my abilities," Sturridge told Sky Sports.

The former Manchester City striker also praised the way the team set about what could have been a difficult away trip.

"We wanted to play the ball, work it, make sharp movements and defend well - it paid off for us in the end," he added.

As well as getting off the mark for the season, Sturridge’s goal was also his first in the Champions League, and he is keen for it to be the first of many.

"Scoring in the Champions League - I have been dreaming of this since I way a young boy, hopefully there is many more to come," he continued.

"I was delighted be a part of this and hopefully I’ll be playing with these world class players to make my grade."

The only minor blemish in Chelsea’s display was their failure to keep a clean sheet, but Sturridge still believed that the team defended well on the whole.

"I think the boys played some great football at the back today, Zilina had the fans behind them and the defence played pretty well today all in all - the defence played quality tonight," he added.

"We came out here to win and were delighted to do that. The Champions League is a knockout competition and it’s fantastic for the team."