Match Report: Chelsea 2 - 0 Marseille

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.