Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea And Arsenal Set For Super League

A leading football finance expert has warned organisers of the English Football Association’s Women’s Super League that it may take decades for the league to be a commercial and playing success.

A year from now the FA Women’s Super League will begin with eight teams playing in the competition’s inaugural season. However, Professor Simon Chadwick of Coventry University is sceptical about the league’s short-term success due to England’s social history.

He says: “I think we live in a largely male dominated society and in social terms, women have only started to break down the barriers in the last 30-40 years so I wouldn’t say it is going to be a commercial or playing phenomenon overnight, it’s going to take decades to do it.

Following 16 bids from many existing women’s teams, only eight clubs made the cut for the new league after having to provide information on financial and business management, commercial and marketing, facilities, players and support staff. They are Arsenal Ladies, Birmingham City Ladies, Bristol Academy Women, Chelsea Ladies, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Everton, Lincoln Ladies and Liverpool Ladies.

Chadwick points to the lack of social and structural organisation currently in the women’s game as a problem the new competition will face.

He says: “I think in industrial terms men’s football has got first mover strategic advantage over the women’s game. The structures, culture, resources and organisation are there the organisation is there; women’s football doesn’t have that. It has to set up its own structures and organisation and it has to create an attractive commercial proposition. However, it’s not doing that in isolation, it’s doing it up against competition from the men’s game.

“I would love to see it prosper because I dislike many of the macho aspects of the game as we know it. There’s a strong need for there to be a greater female contribution for the development of sport in this country but I think sadly we are not going to get that any time soon. It will take decades rather than years.”

One reason why The FA developed the new league (under former chief executive Ian Watmore) was to compete with the USA in an attempt to get the best players playing in England. Chadwick believes that it is a completely different situation in the USA because the men’s game there doesn’t have the history that it does in England.

He says: “If you look at the development of women’s football in the USA it’s got completely different social cultural foundations. In Britain men play and women watch.

“Although that’s changed, that’s what it’s been historically. On Shrove Tuesday men always played and women watched. The gender DNA of football is based on that. We are trying to engage in genetic modification to change football from a men’s game to a family game but the cultural heritage is already set. In the USA they didn’t have that and that’s why women’s football in places like china Norway and the USA is taking off. Women in this country have had a subsidiary role in the last 150 years.”

According to The FA, 1.1million girls currently play football in England. Chadwick does see a positive future for the women’s game in and believes it could attract a good television deal and sponsors. However he thinks it will never run alongside the men’s Premier League.

He said: “I think what it will be is that it will become well established but it won’t be mass market it will be a very strong niche market. If you look at MotoGP and Nascar it’s incredibly strong commercially but its not strong in this country, it’s a niche sport. It’s not the NFL, it’s not the NBA - it appeals to a particular set of people.

“I think women’s football could become strong and vibrant and there could be some nice sponsors involved with good TV deals. The national team may prosper and win something like the World Cup but I don’t think it will become mass market like the Premier League has become.”

Britain’s Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe thinks the Super League will be a catalyst for more female participation in football.

He commented: “It’s fantastic that the Women’s Super League is a step closer to getting off the ground. Women’s football is one of the fastest growing sports in the country but there is still room for further growth. The Super League will shine the spotlight even brighter on the women’s game, encourage more young women to take up the sport and help develop stars that will represent the ever-improving women’s national team.”

Chelsea Among 14 Premier League Clubs Blacklisted By Credit Agency

UK credit agency Riskdisk has “suspended” credit ratings for 14 of the 20 English Premier League clubs, including title-chasing Chelsea, according to a report in London’s The Times newspaper.

Aston Villa, Liverpool, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Everton, Fulham, Hull City, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Stoke City, Wigan Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers are the other clubs with a suspended rating.

Companies trading with the blacklisted clubs are advised to withdraw credit terms - but the rating only takes into account clubs’ publicly listed financial results, and only concerns the clubs’ operating companies, not their holding companies. Rob McLaughlin, the director of Riskdisk, said: “The ratings do not predict what a wealthy backer may do. They are based on information available from sources such as Companies House and from the courts. There is no assumption made that a shareholder may put more money in.”

In January, another credit firm, Experian, blacklisted eight clubs and placed five on its “financial critical” list, though it also suggested that Manchester United, Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers represented “good risks” for potential lenders.

The news comes in the week that European soccer’s governing body Uefa revealed the outline of its new “financial fair play” policy, aimed at protecting the game from the potentially crippling long-term effects of debt and limiting the inflationary influence of hyper-wealthy backers. Under the new terms, clubs will be expected to return to break-even figures via a staggered transition period. Losses will be expected not to exceed €15 million up to 2014 (€5 million over three seasons if not underwritten by club owners) and €10 million up to 2017. Uefa will reserve the right to exclude those clubs which fail to bring their finances under control from European competition. According to their most recently available accounts, fifteen Premier League clubs are currently operating at a loss.

Uefa inspectors will also be called in to investigate clubs where wages exceed 70 per cent of turnover, or where debt is in excess of annual revenue, in order to ascertain that such imbalances are sustainable. Clubs will no longer be allowed to harness debt other than to invest in infrastructural projects or to develop youth systems. Debt is an enormous problem in European football, particularly in the “big five” leagues: England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France. According to figures released by Uefa as part of its European Footballing Landscape study, net debt across the continent - including so-called “soft loans” from benefactors - stands at around €7.7 billion.

Sport Media Scores For Chelsea Football Club

Chelsea Football Club has reached an agreement with Trinity Mirror's Sport Media to publish the club's official magazine and matchday program from next season.

Sport Media won the three-year contract after a competitive tender process. The deal, which kicks off in July, comes on the back of a partnership that is already underway to produce official books for the club.

Sport Media will manage a dedicated team of writers (based at Stamford Bridge and the club's Cobham training facility), graphic artists and advertising sales staff. The team will report to Emma Wilkinson, Chelsea Football Club's head of communications and community affairs, who says:

'We are excited to be working with Sport Media - their approach has been really professional and they have a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for taking Chelsea's publications forward next season.'

Chelsea publish 12 monthly magazines (each issue is sent to over 45,000 members and season ticket holders, as well as being sold in leading retailers) and around 25 matchday program each year.

Mark Dickinson, business development director of Sport Media says: 'The opportunity to work closely with a top team like Chelsea over the next three years is one we approach with relish, and we can't wait to get started. We have loads of great ideas.'

Sport Media is an award-winning set-up with a track record for producing outstanding football program and magazines. Their national publishing list extends from Davis Cup program and an exclusive magazine for this year's Ryder Cup to bookazines with the Daily Mirror.

The book deal, negotiated by Neil Blair of The Christopher Little Literary Agency on behalf of Chelsea, and James White of Sport Media, will see Sport Media publishing all the club's official books for the next two years.

Richard Milham, head of global merchandise at Chelsea FC, says: 'Chelsea is excited to be working with Sport Media as our publisher. They have an excellent track record publishing sporting titles and working with big sporting organisations. Our hope is that Chelsea fans will read some interesting and insightful books about the club.'

James White, business development manager at Sport Media says: 'We are delighted to be working with a club of Chelsea's stature and hope this will be the start of a long and successful partnership. Chelsea have a large and loyal fanbase, and we look forward to producing a series of fantastic books for them.'

Chelsea Launch Inside Right Initiative

The Chelsea first team squad was joined by two British war heroes at Stamford Bridge last week as they launched a new initiative for returning soldiers.

The Inside Right program will help veterans adjust to civilian life after returning from active service, using football as a tool through a program of social activity, and offering veterans access to coaching qualifications and the opportunity to undertake different volunteering roles.

We are joined by Everton, Portsmouth, Colchester United and Lincoln City on the scheme, which will be managed by the Football Foundation.

John Terry, who was at the event alongside Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry VC and Major Phil Packer, is pleased the club is able to help.

'I am really pleased that Chelsea and four other football clubs are playing their part in helping our servicemen and women return to civilian life,' he said. 'They have risked their lives serving our country and they are the real heroes in my opinion, and we are rightly proud of them.

'I am fully behind the Inside Right program and it is perhaps football's way of recognising all of our military personnel for the sacrifices that they make on our behalf.'

Lance Corporal Beharry VC was also delighted to see the initiative begin, and believes a sense of unity can help returning servicemen and women avoid the social problems that often arise when they are discharged.

'Inside Right is a great idea,' he said. 'It can be a big adjustment when you return home after serving abroad, so to be part of a team again will give our men and women a real boost just when they need it.'

Inside Right is supported through funding from the Royal British Legion, the Ministry of Defence, ABF The Soldiers' Charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund and Comic Relief. The Mental Health Foundation and Combat Stress are also key stakeholders in the program’s development.

Ancelotti Puts Faith In Attack

Carlo Ancelotti insists that Chelsea's brand of attacking football can sweep them to the Premier League title.

Chelsea goes to Manchester United next weekend brimming with confidence after destroying Aston Villa 7-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Four goals from Frank Lampard, two from Florent Malouda and another from substitute Salomon Kalou, gave Chelsea their second seven-goal haul of the season at Stamford Bridge.

Villa's in-form striker John Carew had briefly stunned the Blues with a 29th-minute equaliser but Chelsea were back in front before the interval and then slammed another five past stunned Villa in second-half.

It took their goal tally to 82 for the season and 12 in their past two outings since shaking off their Champions League exit to Inter Milan and a disappointing draw at Blackburn.

Chelsea face United at Old Trafford next week knowing victory will put them two points clear of their rivals at the top of the table.

The Blues briefly went back to the summit with victory over Villa but United's 4-0 win over Bolton restored their one-point advantage.

Now the Chelsea coach believes they have found the key that can land them the title in his first season at the club.

"When we play our best attacking football, we are able to overcome any defence," said Ancelotti.

"It is important that we play our best football until the end of the season in the Premier League and the FA Cup.

"We can make this a fantastic season if we finish in the right way."

Since Chelsea's defeat by Inter in Europe and their disappointing 1-1 draw at Blackburn last Sunday, the Blues have swept aside Portsmouth 5-0 at Fratton Park and Villa, their FA Cup semi-final opponents, 7-1.

Chelsea have switched back to a more familiar 4-3-3 formation and the change has given them renewed belief they can win the title with goals galore.

"We always want to play attacking football and this is how we started on Wednesday against Portsmouth, with an attacking team, which is why we are now the top scoring team in the Premier League," added the Italian.

"I think we have shown that we have the mentality to recover well and the players performed how I would have liked us to."

The architect of Villa's downfall was 31-year-old Lampard. He opened the scoring and went on to hit four - two of them from the penalty spot as he reached 151 goals since joining from West Ham in 2001.

The quartet made him the club's third highest goalscorer in its history - overtaking legends Roy Bentley and Peter Osgood - and the midfielder was understandably delighted with his achievement.

"I'm very proud," declared Lampard. "I've passed Peter Osgood, I took a few more games, but I'm very honoured to be among those sort of names."

The Chelsea midfielder now believes they have silenced the critics who were ready to write off their title challenge and he insists they will go to Old Trafford with no fear.

"People will write us off, it is very easy to write us off from the outside," added Lampard. "But all we can do is play football. We have put it right in the last two games but we know there are big games are to come, particularly next week.

"We will look at that game with confidence. We understand the importance of it and United will understand that as well. We have to prepare right for it. It is nice to go into the game with confidence and out of that little rut we've been in. Our passing and movement against Villa was fantastic - it was great football and that is when we are at our best."

Lampard Targets United Clash

Frank Lampard has set his sights on Chelsea's title showdown with Manchester United after the Blues demolished Aston Villa.

Lampard scored four times in the 7-1 romp at Stamford Bridge to set up an enthralling clash at Old Trafford on Easter Saturday.

The Red Devils still hold a one-point advantage over their rivals following their 4-0 win at Bolton, while Arsenal have slipped four points behind the leaders after being held 1-1 at Birmingham.

Chelsea enjoyed a 1-0 success over Sir Alex Ferguson's reigning champions on home turf back in November and Lampard feels that triumph, coupled with their victories this season over the Gunners and Liverpool, proves they can claim top spot.

Lampard told reporters: "We know the quality of the players we have, we've shown that over the course of the season.

"We've beaten Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal playing different formations.

"Now we have to focus on what we have to do - we look forward to going to Old Trafford."

Lampard felt obliged to make peace with the West London club's fans after their UEFA Champions League exit and the disappointments of the shock home defeat by Manchester City and recent draw at Blackburn.

The England midfielder, who has now hit at least 20 goals in six successive seasons and has moved up to third in Chelsea's all-time scorers list, believed the rout of top-four hopefuls Villa was one of their finest he has been involved in.

He added: "We've had a few poor performances recently and we have to apologise to the fans for that.

"But hopefully this makes up for those and now we can concentrate on what we know we have to do because if we win all our remaining matches, we will be champions.

"We have to forget the little rut we have had and concentrate on the target.

"It's up there with our best performances. There was a 6-0 against Manchester City and then a 2-0 against Villa last season, when it could have been six or seven.

"This is right up there because we were playing a very good team. They've got good players throughout their team so when you do that to them, well, you can't say enough about the performance."

Chelsea With Take On Manchester United With ‘Utmost Confidence’ - Ray Wilkins

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has admitted the Blues will take on Premier League title rivals Manchester United full of confidence after thrashing Aston Villa 7-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men gave their title hopes, and their goal difference, a significant boost following Saturday’s demolition of Villa, however United’s 4-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers means the champions remain top of the table by a point.

Next weekend sees the Blues head to Old Trafford in a match which could go a long way to deciding the Premier League title and Wilkins admits the west Londoners are up for the challenge.

“We will go to Manchester United with the utmost confidence because we are playing good football, defending well and attacking with pace and power," Wilkins told Press Association Sport.

"We are looking a good side again.

"I am not sure what message it [beating Aston Villa 7-1] sends out, but as far as we are concerned in the camp, we are delighted with the way things are going.”

The 53-year-old also conceded he believed the title race could still be decided on the final day of the season and predicted more twists and turns to come.

"We are playing some very good football and the work ethic is absolutely top draw,” he added.

"We have a group of winners. The goal difference is in our favour but I still think there are many more twists and turns to come and I think it will go to the wire.

"The guys were first class. They played some lovely football and scored some very good goals and their work ethic was first class.

"The winning is the most important part but is always nice to score lots of goals."

Chelsea saw Frank Lampard hit four against their FA Cup semi-final opponents, while Florent Malouda scored twice and Salomon Kalou completed the rout.

Chelsea Striker Didier Drogba Rules Out Marseille Return

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has ruled out a return to Marseille despite constant speculation that he could again play for the club where he made his name.

The 32-year-old hitman spent a season at Marseille in 2003/2004 and scored 18 goals in 35 appearances for OM.

Drogba is widely quoted in France this morning following an interview with Orange Sport and the Ivorian striker says: "A return? Not likely... My name comes up often when it comes to boosting subscriptions. We must be realistic. I am not greedy financially, but I reached a certain level that I hope to keep."

He also backed Marseille to finish the season strongly after winning the French League Cup last night: "It could maybe start the latter part of their season and maybe they could go on and win the Championship."

In 2009/2010 Didier Drogba has scored 27 goals in 31 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea side but he missed the 7-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday due to injury.

Fabulous Frank

Charlie Nicholas was full of praise for Frank Lampard after his four goals inspired Chelsea to a 7-1 rout of Aston Villa.

The England midfielder's quartet - two of which came from the penalty spot - will make the headlines but Nicholas, watching the game in the Soccer Saturday studio, insists Lampard's all-round display was excellent and helped Chelsea turn a potentially tricky match into a canter.

"Even at half-time when they (Chelsea) were 2-1 up, there was a lot of tension in the air. They didn't play brilliantly in the first half, Villa didn't do a lot wrong and if anything, I thought Villa were the slightly better team," Nicholas told Soccer Saturday.

"But Lampard dragged them out of the situation, and now that Ballack is not in there beside him you can see the freedom he's got.

"We spoke earlier about relieving the free space for people like Steven Gerrard, Lampard's the same type of intelligent footballer. He can see space, he works off people when they leave it for him and he's quick to pick it up.

"And I know he's got four goals today but his all-round performance, he was the guy that took them to the next level."

The Blues only led 2-1 at the interval and seemed set for a thorough test in the second period, but they ended up making light work of Villa and Nicholas says a large part of that was down to two-goal winger Florent Malouda.

"You did think that Chelsea might start to rock a little bit. The full-backs are still a problem, Peter Cech's back in goal but you can see he's needing a couple of games to get going.

"But when the second half started, Villa completely collapsed and Chelsea were ruthless.

"Malouda looks like a man refreshed. He's enjoying the system he works in, he's scoring a few goals but he's taking part in the game.

"He's not just staying rigid wide left, he's getting inside, he's scoring goals, he's looking the complete player again and he's bang in form.

"It's a big statement but of course next up is Manchester United away!" said Nicholas.

Europe-chasing Villa can get swift revenge over Chelsea in the sides' upcoming FA Cup semi-final, but Nicholas thinks that following the crushing defeat at Stamford Bridge, Martin O'Neill's men could embark upon a poor run.

"It just happens sometimes in football that over 45 minutes, things don't go right and the heads go down. And maybe there is that bit of mental fatigue where they just submit and accept it, but it was dismal and the toughest thing for Martin will be to pick them up."

"The Villa fans like a moan and a groan and I think they're away again next week so they can get it out of their system, but this will take a lot of coming back from," he added.

Chelsea And Spurs In Fight To Land African Starlet

Tottenham and Chelsea are competing for the new rising star of African football.

Nigerian striker Sani Emmanuel has had trials at Chelsea who were impressed by the 17 year-old.

But so were Tottenham, where the player voted the best player in tournament by FIFA in the world Under-17 championships in Nigeria earlier this season, was offered an extended stay.

Emmanuel plays for the My People football club in Nigeria and had a brief spell with Swedish club Bodens BK.

Tottenham appear to have the edge in the race to sign Emmanuel and rather than ask for a transfer fee, the My People club want a long-term relationship with the club Emmanuel joins.

It will mean trials for promising players and donations of kit and equipment.

Arizona Club Joins Chelsea U.S. Youth Soccer Network

Chelsea Football Club increases our partnerships with America's leading youth soccer clubs to seven with the announcement that Sereno Soccer Club of Phoenix joins our growing U.S. youth club network.

Chelsea FC chief executive Ron Gourlay said: 'Sereno Soccer Club has been developing soccer for more than 30 years in Arizona and this partnership will assist them in taking it to the next level and expanding their reach and impact on the game.

'Our youth club network is designed to create long-term growth and sustainability of soccer in America by supporting elite youth clubs that provide the best soccer instruction and experience for local players.'

Sereno director of coaching David Robertson expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: 'We see this as a very positive step forward for our players and coaching staff. Getting access to the Chelsea FC Youth Academy programming and coaches will help us to ensure that our training programs are world class. We're also excited to give kids from all over the Valley access to Chelsea FC coaching through Sereno-Chelsea sponsored events, camps and clinics right here in Phoenix.'

Sereno SC is one of the leading soccer education and training organizations in the U.S. They are perennially ranked the no. 1 youth soccer club in Arizona. Over the past 30 years, the club has produced 46 Arizona State champion boys teams, 80 Arizona State champion girls teams, nine regional champions, three national finalists and one national champion.

Chelsea's U.S. youth club network supports the development of soccer in America and Sereno Soccer Club will learn the Chelsea FC coaching philosophy and curriculum, host training sessions and camps with Chelsea coaches, benefit from Chelsea-sponsored tournaments and participate in player exchange programs.

Chelsea announced our first youth soccer club partnership with CASL of North Carolina in July 2008. Other Chelsea U.S. youth club partners include Match Fit Chelsea of New Jersey, LAFC Chelsea of Los Angeles, the Baltimore Bays, the Le Jardin Academy based in Hawaii and Solar Soccer Club of Dallas.

Chelsea Expands U.S. Youth Soccer Partnership To Dallas

Coinciding with the Chelsea Academy's visit to the United States to play in the Dallas Cup this week, Chelsea Football Club has announced a partnership with Solar Soccer Club of Dallas, one of America's leading youth soccer clubs.

As part of the Chelsea youth club network, Solar Soccer Club will learn the Chelsea FC coaching philosophy and curriculum, host training sessions and camps with Chelsea coaches, benefit from Chelsea-sponsored tournaments and participate in player exchange programs.

Chelsea FC chief executive Ron Gourlay said: 'Our youth club network is designed to create long-term growth and sustainability of soccer in America by supporting elite youth clubs that provide the best soccer instruction and experience for local players.

'Dallas is a great sports city in America and the growth of soccer there at both the youth and professional level is significant. Partnering with Solar allows us to continue to help the development of soccer in Texas by staying closely connected to the community through a top club. Solar's mission of Soccer Excellence Through Development is perfectly aligned with our youth club network goals.'

Solar director of coaching Kevin Smith expressed his excitement: 'This is a big deal for our club and for youth soccer in the Dallas area.Chelsea is very selective in clubs they ask to join their network so for us to be on board further proves that Solar is among the elite clubs in the country. Using Chelsea FC's training curriculum and having their coaches involved with our kids will take our club to the next level. It's an exciting time for us.'

With more than 30 years in developing top soccer players in the Dallas area, Solar SC is proven to be a benchmark of elite soccer programs in the U.S.Solar SC alumni include a number of current professional players such as Corben Bone (Chicago Fire), Drew Moor (Colorado Rapids), Kenny Cooper (Plymouth Argyle) and more.

Chelsea announced our first youth soccer club partnership with CASL of North Carolina in July 2008. Other Chelsea U.S. youth club partners include Match Fit Chelsea of New Jersey, LAFC Chelsea of Los Angeles, the Baltimore Bays, Le Jardin Academy based in Hawaii and Soreno Soccer Club of Phoenix.

Match Report: Chelsea 7 - 1 Aston Villa

A first-half brace from Frank Lampard gave Chelsea the advantage against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea went ahead in the 15th minute when Frank Lampard converted a low cross from Florent Malouda at the far post. But in-form John Carew grabbed his ninth goal in eight games when he finished off a curling cross from Ashley Young.

Lampard restored Chelsea's lead from the penalty spot in the 44th minute after Yury Zhirkov had been brought down by James Collins.

Chelsea started brightly enough with Deco finding Anelka inside the Villa penalty area in the third minute.

But the France international shot into the arms of Brad Friedel at his near post.

Drogba, who scored twice in the 5-0 midweek demolition of Portsmouth, was rested according to assistant coach Ray Wilkins.

Frank Lampard tried to surprise Friedel in the 14th minute with a low drive from fully 30 yards but the American goalkeeper was untroubled by the bounce.

But Chelsea went ahead a minute later when Florent Malouda's low cross was turned home at the far post by Lampard.

It was the England midfielder's 18th goal of the season in all competitions.

Villa's Stephen Warnock required treatment to a head injury after a collision with Joe Cole in the 23rd minute.

Controversy erupted in the 27th minute when John Obi Mikel appeared to elbow with James Milner.

But referee Peter Walton booked Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov for protesting about Mikel's elbow and took no action against the Chelsea midfielder.

However, Villa were jubilant in the 29th minute when they equalised through John Carew.

He converted a superb curling cross from Ashley Young at the far post to score his ninth goal in eight games.

Moments later Yury Zhirkov, who was clearly at fault for allowing Carew to ghost into space at the far post for Villa's goal, was booked for a foul on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Deco followed his Chelsea team-mate in the book moments later for a foul on Milner in the 40th minute.

But Chelsea restored their lead in the 44th minute through a Lampard penalty.

Referee Walton adjudged Zhirkov had been fouled by Villa defender James Collins as he burst into the penalty area and Lampard converted the spot-kick with ease.

Chelsea went 3-1 up in the 57th minute when Malouda finished off a sweeping move by the hosts.

Deco's clever ball inside the full-back found Zhirkov in space and his cross was met perfectly by Malouda for the France international to score his 12th of the season.

Chelsea gave away a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the penalty area seconds later when Paulo Ferreira fouled Agbonlahor.

But Milner's effort was straight into the defensive wall to the dismay of the Villa fans.

Chelsea made Villa pay in the 62nd minute when Lampard grabbed his hat-trick, and his 20th of the season, with his second penalty of the game.

Zhirkov was again fouled, this time by Richard Dunne, and Lampard beat Friedel to become the joint third-highest scorer in the club's history.

His treble put Lampard level on 150 goals with club legends Roy Bentley and Peter Osgood.

It was a game of landmarks for the Blues with John Terry becoming the club's all-time record captain. His 325th appearance eclipsed former great Ron Harris.

In the 68th minute, rampant Chelsea made it 5-1 when Ferreira and Lampard combined to set-up Malouda for his second of the game.

In the 82nd minute Kalou sent a curling shot around Friedel's right-hand post but he found the target a minute later when he drilled the ball past Friedel from 18 yards.

Lampard then made it 7-1 with his fourth of the game in added time as Villa's 10-match unbeaten run came to a crashing halt.

Rocha Accuses Malouda

Portsmouth defender Ricardo Rocha has accused Florent Malouda of deliberately hitting him in the face and feels the Chelsea man should have been sent off for the offence.

Rocha was stretchered off during Wednesday's 5-0 defeat to Chelsea after appearing to be caught in the face by an elbow from Malouda.

Former Tottenham man Rocha was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured cheekbone, but it has been discovered he only suffered bad bruising in the incident.

"I think it was a bad one from Malouda," Rocha was quoted as saying in The Sun. "He just hit me and did not try to get the ball.

"The pain was so great I thought something was badly damaged. That is why I went to the hospital.

"These kind of actions are dangerous and it should have been a red card. But he just got a yellow."

Meanwhile, Malouda has protested his innocence and says Rocha had no problem with him after speaking to him at the end of the game.

"I went in their dressing room after the game and Rocha had just come back from the hospital," said Malouda.

"He has not broken anything and it is not as bad as it looked. He said no problem and it is OK.

"When I jumped I was only looking at the ball. I didn't mean to hurt him."

Carlo - Blues Deserve Title

Carlo Ancelotti believes his Chelsea players have no doubts about their ability to land the Premier League having topped the table for much of the campaign.

The Blues surrendered top spot to Manchester United after a recent run of two defeats and a draw in five league games and have just seven matches to reclaim pole position.

However, the Blues went some way to overcoming the lean spell, which coincided with their UEFA Champions League exit to Inter Milan, with a 5-0 thumping of Portsmouth on Wednesday.

With just one point separating Chelsea and United, Ancelotti insists the spell was merely a dip in confidence and is now vowing to lead the Blues to their first title since 2006.

"Maybe in the players' minds there were doubts, having come so close for the last few years," Ancelotti told the Daily Express.

"But we deserve to win this title. The players believe now, because we have been at the top for eight months.

"We want to get back there and stay there, to win this title. This is the time for Chelsea to win.

"We are through our bad spell now. I told the players we had to go back to basics, have confidence in our football, and do the simple things right."

The former Milan and Juventus boss has won just one league title in management, the 2004 Scudetto with the Rossoneri, but insists he is well equipped to cope with pressure at the top while predicting a typically tight finish.

"In this job there is always pressure," he added. "Every game. If you don't win, you have problems. It's the same here as in Milan.

"I lost the championship once in Italy with Juventus after being nine points clear with eight games to play in 2000.

"You think you're sure to win the title in a situation like that. The table says you'll win it - but you don't."

Game Over For Football’s Sugar Daddies

English football’s super-rich owners, including Roman Abramovich and Sheikh Mansour, face drastic curbs on their influence under Uefa proposals.

The extent of the crackdown on “financial doping”, championed by Michel Platini, the Uefa president, is laid bare in a 60-page document seen by The Times. In it, Uefa sets out its detailed plans to force clubs towards break-even, allowing them to spend only what they earn.

Owners would be allowed to inject cash to cover losses for a transitional period, but the amounts will be restricted and closely monitored.

Over the initial three-year period of regulation up to and including 2015, owners would be allowed to cover losses totalling $45 million (about £40 million). The “acceptable deviation” from break-even would then fall to £30 million over three years and then less, with the amount to be determined.

In other words, an owner such as Sheikh Mansour would eventually be permitted to put less than £10 million a year into Manchester City on average, unless the money is spent on infrastructure or the youth team, which have no limits on investment. That compares with City’s most recent loss of £89.69 million.

While Platini has talked for months about introducing “financial fair play”, the working draft has brought those proposals into sharp focus.

The European Club Association continues to haggle with Uefa for concessions. It is arguing for a five-year accounting period, rather than three, and for owners to be allowed to invest extra funds through equity rather than debt.

Platini is determined to bring in regulations that will mark a watershed in the English game.

While the proposals will be phased in over several years, many clubs will have to make significant changes — drastic in the cases of Chelsea and City — if they are not to fall foul of the new regulations and face a possible ban from European competition.

Ashley Cole To Return For Chelsea In April - Report

Chelsea have received a huge boost with the news that Ashley Cole should be available for selection in less than a month's time, The Mirror reports.

The left-back was expected to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining an ankle injury in the Blues' defeat to Everton in February and has spent time recovering at a retreat in France.

However, the former Arsenal star is progressing far better than expected, and it is claimed that Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti expects him to be ready to face Stoke City on April 25.

This would be a huge bonus for the Londoners in their pursuit of Premier League glory, but more than that it would put Cole back in the frame for the upcoming World Cup.

Speculation has been rife as to who could fill the void on the left side of England's defence in South Africa, with Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock the frontrunners following Wayne Bridge's international retirement.

However, if Cole can prove his fitness and form before the end of the season, Three Lions boss Fabio Capello will only have to bother about who to take as his reserve left-back.

Chelsea Must Banish Thoughts Of Being Nearly Men, Says Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti says his Chelsea players must eradicate their self-doubts to have any chance of winning the title, having grown used to being nearly men in the last three seasons.

Chelsea began Saturday afternoon's game against Aston Villa a point behind Manchester United at the top of the table having finished as runners-up in successive years and third last term since last winning the championship in 2006. Ancelotti admitted yesterday that those near misses, and their on-going frustrations regarding securing the European Cup, could be unnerving with critical games to come.

"Maybe, in their minds, there could be this thought that they keep coming so close in the Premier League and the Champions League for the last few years," said Ancelotti. "But it's better to tell ourselves that we can win this title. Chelsea haven't won the title for a long time, so we need to win it this year. We have been at the top of the table for a long time and we want to get back there and stay there now. This is the time for Chelsea to win it.

"The players know they have been at the top for eight months. For this reason they should believe they can finish as winners. Up to now I think we have deserved to win it. After the game against Portsmouth on Wednesday [a match won 5-0 to hoist the team from their stodgy recent form] there was a different atmosphere in the squad: they were more excited, more confident. We need to show against Villa that our bad period is over so that we can look forward with optimism to the United game next weekend."

Chelsea have been stripped of defensive options for Saturday’s visit of Villa – the only team still to lose in the league this calendar year – with Ricardo Carvalho having joined Ashley Cole, Branislav Ivanovic and José Bosingwa on the sidelines. Ancelotti suggested Ivanovic could yet return from a knee injury ahead of schedule for the game at Old Trafford next Saturday and the club are hopeful that Cole will be fit enough to feature in the game against Stoke City on 25 April.

The Italian was in jovial mood despite the pressure he is under to claim silverware, joking that he had quit smoking "though only 30 minutes ago" and suggesting that, should Chelsea secure the title in May, he might consider giving up for good. "I said that once before, at Milan, when I promised myself I would give up if we won the Champions League in 2007, but I never said when [I'd quit]," he added. "I could do the same now but, again, I won't say when I'll stop. Though it's very difficult to smoke in England, no?

"I once lost a championship after being nine points clear with eight games to play when everyone thought we'd win the title. The table said we'd win it. That was with Juventus in 2000 and we ended up needing to win our last game against Perugia, but the rain was unbelievable. We waited an hour-and-a-half in between the first and second halves, and Lazio ended up winning it.

"But it's nothing to do with destiny. If you are better, you'll win the title. I am an optimist and our destiny is still in our own hands. I think that [Sir Alex] Ferguson and [Arsène] Wenger will be thinking the same thing. We'll see against Villa whether we have come out of that difficult period we've been in.

"But we've gone back to basics – playing football and defending well – and our focus is there. We have to have confidence in our play and do the basics right. Then we'll see."

Cech Has Eyes On The Title

Chelsea ace Petr Cech believes six Premier League wins out of seven could be enough to secure this season's league title.

The rare for the title is the tightest it has been in a number of years with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all separated by just two points.

Chelsea sent out a message to their two rivals on Wednesday by putting lowly Portsmouth to the sword with a 5-0 victory at Fratton Park.

There is all to play for in the final straight and Cech admits his team-mates will have to do it the hard way with a trip to Man Utd on the horizon.

"There are seven matches yet to be played in the league and I think that six victories and one draw or, of course, seven wins, would secure the championship title," Cech told his personal website.

"Out of the title contenders we are having the toughest run in. Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa are all sides chasing fourth spot and on top of that we play Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"Anyway, if we want to clinch the title, then we have to cope with it."

Cech made his first-team return in Chelsea's midweek romp and the Czech Republic ace felt no ill effects from his calf injury.

"It is fine, I did not even feel it on the soft and tough pitch," he concluded.

Chelsea Defender John Terry Believes Arsenal Can Win The Premier League

Chelsea defender John Terry has acknowledged that Arsenal cannot be discounted from the Premier League title race.

The Gunners have lost all four games they have played against the Blues and fellow title rivals Manchester United this season, but now find themselves only two points off the top spot and one point behind the Blues.

Terry admits that the resolve of Arsene Wenger's side has surprised him.

“When we beat them in November we were 11 points clear and I wrote them off," he told the London Evening Standard.

"But fair play to them, they have had a few players out with injury and have a fairly young side but they're difficult to play against when the lower teams go to the Emirates.

"It is such a big pitch and the way they play, it's difficult for the lower teams to deal with them. Against the big sides they can lose those games because there is not a big difference between the big teams at all.”

Chelsea currently sit a point behind Manchester United in the table, and after being five points clear at one point this season the England international admits that if they don't win the league Carlo Ancelotti's side will have only themselves to blame.

“We have done a bit better in the big games this season but have dropped points in games we should have won," he said.

“It's going to go right to the wire and we're looking to keep going right to the death. It is important as a group of players to focus on one game at a time.”