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.