Match Preview: Chelsea vs. Inter Milan

At the start of the season Chelsea were one of the favourites for the Champions League trophy, and indeed they have looked good in Europe this campaign, although suspicions persist as to whether they were truly tested in the group stages. Therefore, Inter were their first main test in Europe's premier club competition and they did expressed their calibre and quality a fortnight ago.

Inter might have won the first leg of their Round of 16 tie 2-1 in Milan, but Chelsea weren't particularly bad and do have a valuable away goal, which Carlo Ancelotti and the rest of the Chelsea unit will be quick to point out as a potentially crucial factor in how the two sides approach the game on Tuesday evening. Chelsea know that they have to score to progress, while a draw will be good enough for the Nerazzurri.

The Premier League side have failed to make it to the semi-finals only once in the past six years and reached the final in 2008. Last season the Blues were knocked out in the semis by Barcelona on the away goals rule. Chelsea are going strong in the Premier League this campaign too, as they are currently second in the table, two points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.

Inter have not gone past the Round of 16 in the Champions League for the past three seasons and in each of the last two campaigns they have fallen to English opposition. Last season they went out 2-0 on aggregate to Manchester United as a 0-0 scoreline at home was followed by a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford. In 2007-2008 it was Liverpool who knocked them out.

But this time Inter do have a genuine chance of progressing in Europe's top tier club competition. They might have conceded an away goal, but they have a one-goal advantage going to Stamford Bridge. If the Italian champions of the last four seasons can strengthen their backline and soak up pressure playing in a traditional Italian style, then they will be confident of getting a 0-0 draw and going through.

Jose Mourinho never lost a league game at the Bridge when he was the coach of Chelsea, losing only once there in all competitions, and this will be his first return to his old stomping ground since leaving the Blues in 2007. He has proclaimed his affection for Chelsea but will certainly be looking to knock out his former club.


FORM GUIDE

Chelsea

March 13 v West Ham United (H) - WON 4-1 (Premier League)
March 7 v Stoke City (H) - WON 2-0 (FA Cup)
February 27 v Manchester City (H) - LOST 4-2 (Premier League)
February 24 v Inter (A) - LOST 2-1 (Champions League)
February 20 v Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) - WON 2-0 (Premier League)

Inter

March 12 v Catania (A) - LOST 3-1 (Serie A)
March 7 v Genoa (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)
February 28 v Udinese (A) - WON 3-2 (Serie A)
February 24 v Chelsea (H) - WON 2-1 (Champions League)
February 20 v Sampdoria (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)


TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Yuri Zhirkov and Deco should both be available after having recovered from their respective injuries. Jose Bosingwa, Ashley Cole and Michael Essien are long-term injury casualties, while Ricardo Carvalho is out with a hamstring injury. Both Petr Cech and Henrique Hilario are suffering from injuries, meaning that Ross Turnbull could be given a start.

Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Turnbull, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Zhirkov; Malouda, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou; Drogba

Inter

Cristian Chivu is out with injury but Marco Materazzi is back. Davide Santon was not part of the Inter squad that lost to Catania on Friday and doubts persist on whether he will be taken to London. Mario Balotelli, who has struggled with injuries in recent times, is reportedly out of the squad for Tuesday's game.

Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti; Cambiasso, Mariga, Stankovic; Sneijder; Eto'o, Milito


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

The Ivorian international striker has been in excellent form so far this season and has 21 goals and six assists in 24 Premier League games, with three goals in the Champions League. He wasn't perhaps very prominent in the first leg against Inter at San Siro but Drogba will certainly be a huge threat at Stamford Bridge. Inter's otherwise strong defensive unit exhibited cracks on Friday night when they conceded three goals in Catania and the Drog, placed sixth in the Castrol Rankings, will be eager to take advantage of any defensive slip-up on Tuesday evening.

Diego Milito (Inter)

The much under-rated Argentine international striker scored in the first leg in Milan and made England international central defender John Terry look average. Milito has scored 16 goals and given three assists in 26 matches in Serie A and has struck twice in the Champions League. The 30-year-old has not accomplished much in Europe and as such he will be keen to light up the continent. Milito's attacking instincts, shooting accuracy and ability to hold the ball up and bring his team-mates into play will be an important feature for nter against a confident Chelsea side.

Chelsea Boss Carlo Ancelotti Vows To Break Jose Mourinho's Unbeaten Record At Inter

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is determined for his team to end Inter's record under Jose Mourinho of never losing back-to-back matches.

The Italian giants were beaten 3-1 at the weekend by Catania in Serie A, but Ancelotti is refusing to see this as a sign that winning will be easy.

Victory is necessary though, as the Blues are 2-1 down from the first leg at the San Siro.

"We will go out of our way to break that run," Ancelotti said on Monday, when reminded of Inter's record under Mourinho

"Losing their last game could put them under pressure but on the other hand the fact that they have now got to turn around that result and react well can urge the players on to react immediately.

"We mustn't think about Inter being out of form. They have shown themselves to be a top quality team and are very strong. We have to prepare for an Inter team that is playing their best football."

Ancelotti also confirmed that Ross Turnbull would be in goal for the hosts as Petr Cech and Hilario are both still injured.

"It's not possible for Cech or Hilario to recover, so Turnbull will play and Rhys Taylor will stay on the bench like on Saturday," he explained.

"There's no chance of me taking a risk on Cech. Turnbull is a confident lad and we have confidence in him. Until now, Cech has not trained so it's impossible that he might play tomorrow.

"We have to play well as a team. Cech is injured, but Turnbull is a good goalkeeper who has played very well this season and improved every day.

"So, for me, it's not a problem. Cech has more experience than Turnbull for sure, but Ross is young and has enthusiasm to play. He wants to play and, for him, this will be a great, great experience."

There would still be time for a little socialising after the game though, depsite the intensity of the occasion.

"For sure if Mourinho wants a glass of wine after the game we can have a good conversation," Ancelotti smiled.

"This will happen regardless of the result."

Drogba: Make Some Noise

Didier Drogba has appealed to all Chelsea fans heading to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to take up position early and help make it a night to remember.

Anyone present for recent memorable Champions League nights in SW6, such as the victory over Barcelona in 2005 or the Drogba-inspired conquests of Liverpool in the past two seasons, knows the Bridge on such occasions can be a cauldron of noise and colour, and our leading scorer emphasises the benefits of a repeat on the team's chances against Inter cannot be underestimated.

'Tuesday is very important for the club, the Champions League is a competition we really want to win,' Drogba said, talking to Chelsea TV.

'I want to send a message to all the fans to come and make some noise on Tuesday and be behind us.'

The match will see first and second-places in the African Player of the Year, announced last week, go head to head as Drogba attempts to outscore Samuel Eto'o.

'I am very happy. I was not expecting this type of present,' Drogba said on winning the continental accolade.

'Eto'o is a fantastic player and I know on Tuesday he is going to come here and do his best. He had a great season [with Barcelona] but they gave the award to me and I am happy.

'I was the first player from the Ivory Coast to win the award and I have done it twice and it is amazing because I know what it means to the country. It is an amazing year for Africa [with the World Cup] and to be best player in Africa is fantastic and I hope there is more to come.'

Drogba is also one of the favourites to win Player of the Year in England given the goal-laden season he is enjoying and Chelsea's push for honours, but he remains cautious.

'It is a new challenge and would be great but for that I think we have to win something like the Champions League. It is very important for me and the club to win major trophies first and then to be Player of the Year would be fantastic.'

Flags or scarves will be laid out at seats around the stadium for tomorrow's game but please bring your own colour and singing voices, and please arrive early to raise the temperature ahead of kick-off.

Malouda: Focused On Football

In-form Florent Malouda believes past allegiances will be no distraction for Chelsea's players when they step out at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening.

The 29-year-old Frenchman, who scored one and laid on two others in Saturday's 4-1 win over West Ham insists Jose Mourinho's return to west London as manager of opponents Inter is a far bigger deal for supporters than it is for players.

'It is more important for the fans than the players, we as players just want to beat Inter, that's the main thing,' Malouda said. 'It will be an emotional game for him but for us, as you can see from the first game, it was not disturbing for the players here at Chelsea.

'We are not thinking about history, we are trying to make history. We don't care about the past, we are just looking to win and go through tomorrow evening.'

If we are to progress to the Champions League last eight we must overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in the San Siro. However we must not rush our play, according to the former Lyon man.

'We scored an away goal so normally we just need one goal to go through and I think wemust have patience against Inter and keep the balance of the team, so we won't rush to score an early goal, we have to be clever in this game and score, I hope, more than one goal,' he said.

'We have the experience of the first game where we had opportunities and just want to take those opportunities and score to go through.'

It is obvious from Malouda's relaxed demeanour that the afterglow from Saturday remains, and he was in relaxed mood alongside manager Carlo Ancelotti as he fielded questions in the Chelsea museum, temporarily converted to stage a pre-match press conference for the season's biggest game so far.

Asked to analyse the differences between Ancelotti and Mourinho, for whom he played just a couple of months under, Malouda responded light-heartedly, receiving a playful dig in the ribs from his coach, and the promise of a return to left-back duties if he kept it up.

'Physical differences?' he said, to laughter all around. 'It is difficult to answer, I didn't work with Jose for too much time but I appreciate both, and I would say that they both have a lot of experience as manager. There are so many differences I cannot answer the question, I just hope that Carlo will make me win my first Champions League.

'Both managers are trying to give the players they manage the ability to have confidence in their qualities and to use them at the right time,' he continued, straight face now on. 'That's the way they manage their team, they are close to their players and help get the best out of you when you play.'

Chelsea Deny Cole Reports

Chelsea have denied reports that defender Ashley Cole will not feature again this season and is behind schedule in his bid to recover from a broken ankle.

Cole suffered the injury to his left foot in the Blues' 2-1 defeat to Everton in February and recently returned from rehabilitation in France following an operation, which is understood to have been a success.

A report in a Sunday newspaper claimed that the England international could miss the remainder of the season and put his World Cup participation in doubt, but Chelsea have moved to quash the story.

The article also suggested that even the most optimistic reports from the Stamford Bridge medical team put his chances of making the England squad as "touch and go".

But describing such a claim as "nonsense", a Chelsea spokesman said: "The club's medical staff are delighted with Ashley's operation and the treatment he's received so far.

"Contrary to reports, he's recovering extremely well from his injury and he's bang on schedule."

Cole is set to return prior to the end of the season and stake a claim for a place in Fabio Capello's plans.

The defender remains his country's first-choice left-back following Wayne Bridge's decision to rule himself out of contention for England selection.

Portugal Offering An Escape Route For Troubled Keeper Henrique Hilario

Chelsea supporters may not have much confidence in Henrique Hilario, but it seems their feelings are not shared by Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz.

And, when it comes to being popular, it is a safe assumption Hilario would prefer to have the backing of his national team manager than the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Not least because there is a World Cup coming up in June, when Hilario expects to be part of Queiroz's squad competing in South Africa. And the trophy is not the only thing at stake for Hilario.

He knows he could find himself in the most viewed shop-window of all time and that a string of good performances will not only win over some of his doubters, but probably secure him a multi-million pound move to a new club to end his misery in the Premier League.

No footballer would ever want to hear themselves described as 'not as bad as people think he is' or a 'weak link' or, worse still, 'a total liability.'

Yet these are just some of the descriptions attributed to the former Porto and Nacional keeper of late due to his faltering form for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Yet he kept a clean sheet in Chelsea's FA Cup quarter-final triumph over Stoke City and many a goalkeeper has perished against Tony Pulis's side this season.

Ridicule appears to follow him like a shadow, however, with there being a genuine disparity between his performances on the pitch and the criticism he receives off it.

Yet it seems Hilario has support in high places, just when he needs it. He remains in a fierce battle with three rivals to claim the back-up goalkeeping place to Eduardo in Queiroz's final squad.

Rui Patricio, Jose Moreira, Daniel Fernandes and Beto will also fancy their chances, but it seems Hilario remains at the forefront of Queiroz's thoughts after winning his first international cap in their 2-0 victory over China in an international friendly.

He played the second half of the game, kept a clean sheet and remains second in line. Queiroz said: "He has done well considering he hasn't always been first choice with his club. But he has experience and this counts for a lot."

Chelsea's first team coach Ray Wilkins added: "Supporters nowadays will always have a pop at the errors and as a goalkeeper, when you make a mistake you've lost a goal. But Hilario is experienced enough to come through all that."

Mourinho - I Don't Lose At The Bridge

Jose Mourinho is expecting a happy return to Chelsea, insisting he does not lose at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese coach enjoyed three trophy-laden years in charge of the Blues between 2004-07.

His success in England was built on the most formidable of home records, with Chelsea rarely tested never mind beaten in their own backyard.

Mourinho is set to return to west London on Tuesday with his current employers Inter Milan, with the Italians looking to defend a slender lead from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League clash.

A place in the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition is up for grabs, with Inter holding a 2-1 advantage.

Mourinho is confident the Serie A giants will be the ones to book a place in the last eight, with his record at Stamford Bridge suggesting the Blues have it all to do.

"Everybody knows Mourinho doesn't lose at Stamford Bridge," he said.

"My record is unbeatable. It is amazing - we were so strong for such a long time."

While Mourinho is keen to drag up the past ahead of the crunch clash, Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has warned that his mind games will not work.

The Germany international insists the Portuguese coach is 'history' and will not be allowed to stand in the way of the Blues' quest to land the only major trophy to have eluded them over recent years.

"Jose won two League titles, that is why he is so popular here," said Ballack.

"But that is history and now we have a new coach, with new players.

"This competition is the one we couldn't win until now. That is why we are so hungry."

Ancelotti: No Need To Rush

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confidence that goalkeeper Ross Turnbull will help the Blues to defeat Inter Milan in the second leg over their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Tuesday night.

Turnbull was in goal on Saturday for Chelsea’s 4-1 win over West Ham United which sent the Blues back into first place in the Premier League.

With first choice keeper Petr Cech still struggling with a calf injury and back-up Henrique Hilario suffering from a groin injury he picked up against Stoke City last week the young Englishman Turnbull will have to help Chelsea overcome a 2-1 deficit at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Ancelotti is positive that the 25-year-old keeper will assist Chelsea’s attempt to earn a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.

"We can play with a good goalkeeper on Tuesday. Ross was not involved a lot of time in the game but he did a good save in the last minute of the match,” he told The Sun.

"He played with confidence and a good game. There was no worry. This is important.

"He deserved to play this game because he trained very well in the last month to improve his quality. We have confidence in him. I think he will play Tuesday." Carlo Ancelotti insists his side will play a patient game against Inter on Tuesday night.

The Blues need to score and to win to overcome the 2-1 deficit from the first leg but with a single strike enough to go through to the quarter-finals, it is just as important to keep the Serie A side away from our goal over the 90 minutes.

'I don't think we have to score early,' says Ancelotti. 'We need to play well, in a game with balance, because then we can still score in the last minute of the game.

'We want to start the game well and play well but we don't need a goal straight away.

'The Champions League takes out a lot of energy,' he continues, 'not only physically but mentally and it is not easy. But we have to do a very good job to maintain concentration in every game.'

Inter don't come into the game in great form having lost to Catania on Friday and drawn three and won just one of the four league games before that. They have also seen red cards shown to Sulley Muntari, Walter Samuel and Ivan Cordoba in that period.

'In Italy they have a problem with this,' reckons Ancelotti, 'they have been drawing a lot but this is a different competition, with different referees and different atmospheres.'

Chelsea are more concerned with an injury list that will again see several major players missing on Tuesday.

'I don't think too much about this because all the teams in this moment have this problem,' the manager says. 'It is important but you cannot do anything about traumatic injuries, it happens.'

For the British sports media, there will only be one story that occupies them in the build up to this week's game - Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge.

'Mourinho deserves to have a good reception because he did a fantastic job,' says Ancelotti. 'Together with Roman [Abramovich] he put a team into the best position in the world.

'I just hope that in the future, in a very long time, when I come back to Chelsea, I'll have this same reception.'

Cole Bombshell For England

Ashley Cole’s World Cup dreams are virtually over after it was revealed he will not play for Chelsea again this season.

And even the most optimistic reports from the Stamford Bridge medical team put his chances of making the England squad as 'touch and go'.

Cole broke his left ankle on February 11 against Everton and underwent an operation to have three pins inserted in the bone.

He has spent three weeks in Biarritz undergoing intensive rehabilitation but is still on crutches and cannot put any weight on the foot.

There is still major swelling around the injury and Chelsea doctors fear his recovery has fallen behind schedule because of the seriousness of the break.

A Chelsea source said: "Ashley is still in a bad way. We were hoping he would be further on in his recovery but the signs are not good as far as the World Cup is concerned. At best, it's touch and go for South Africa.

"It's hugely unlikely he will play another league game this season and that only leaves the FA Cup or Champions League finals to prove his fitness."

That would not be enough time for Cole to convince Fabio Capello that he is fit enough to travel to South Africa.

Capello's 30-man preliminary squad joins up on May 17 and travel to Austria where the England boss will cull seven players.

The Italian has made it clear he will not risk ANY injured players in the tournament which leaves him with a major problem at left back.

Wayne Bridge does not want to be considered for England duty while John Terry is in the squad.

That leaves the inexperienced pair of Leighton Baines and Stephen Warnock as Capello's only options should Cole be ruled out.

Barcelona To Battle Manchester United And Chelsea For Angel Di Maria

Benfica winger Angel Di Maria looks like being one of the major names in the summer transfer window with Barcelona the latest club to show an interest in the Argentinean.

Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona are already considering a summer swoop but face competition from Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Catalan giants believe they can secure Di Maria for less than they would have to pay for Franck Ribery as Pep Guardiola aims to sign a replacement for Thierry Henry on the left side of their attack.

Di Maria has a buyout clause of 50 million euros but Benfica will reportedly accept a fee of close to 25 million.

Alongside Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United, fellow Spanish giants Real Madrid are also keeping an eye on developments.

Reports in recent months claimed Chelsea had sent Frank Arnesen on scouting trips to watch Di Maria whilst Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson sees him as the long term replacement for Ryan Giggs.

Chelsea Midfielder Deco Hopes To Join Corinthians After World Cup

Portuguese international midfielder Deco has said on Brazilian television that he expects to leave Chelsea at the end of the season and hopes to join Corinthians.

Speaking to the "On the Road" program, Deco said: "I am anticipating a return to Brazil. I would like to go to Corinthians but if I have another good proposal from a club in Brazil I will end up going."

Deco explained that he will leave Chelsea after the World Cup as he has "some family problems" even though his contract expires at the end of the 2010/2011 season.

The 32-year-old added: "I want to go back to Brazil… the dream of playing for Corinthians is perhaps the only thing in my career left to achieve."

Deco has played 18 games for Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea side in 2009/2010, scoring two goals and providing one assist. He was an unused substitute for the 4-1 victory over West Ham on Saturday.

Reaction: Confidence Flo-Ing

Having watched his team run out comfortable winners against the only London side to have previously taken a point off them, Carlo Ancelotti was confident the Manchester City defeat is now out of Chelsea's system.

It could have been one of those afternoons when it all went badly wrong with West Ham equalising Alex's opener with a goal they had barely threatened. But the side that drew 1-1 with us at Upton Park in December and on their visit to Stamford Bridge last season were blown away by a second-half Didier Drogba brace and a Florent Malouda goal.

'We played a good match and were better in the second half,' decided Ancelotti as he assessed the 4-1 win that put Chelsea back on top.

'It was important to have a good performance and to return to playing our football with confidence. I am happy for this, not only for the result. Now we want to maintain this concentration and determination because every game could decide our future.

'It was important to have a good reaction after losing to Manchester City. We had that against Stoke City and improved on that in this game. It was a bad day against Manchester City and we came back the right way.'

Key to the win was the performance of Malouda who not only scored the third goal but tortured West Ham right-back Jonathan Spector all afternoon, supplying the delivery for Chelsea's first two goals; two of 16 crosses from the France international during his 86 minutes on the pitch.

'That was the best performance of Florent Malouda,' praised his manager.

'He did very well, worked for the team, did fantastic assists for goals and I hope that he will play like today on Tuesday. He won't play left-back,' Ancelotti smiled.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola had surprised many with his team selection by leaving out the creative Alessandro Diamanti in favour of player s he believed could do a better job counter-attacking.

'It was tough after Chelsea's second goal,' said the former Stamford Bridge favourite. 'Before that we looked okay and Scott Parker in the middle was dominating the scene. But then John Terry came through the middle and we made a mistake because Behrami and Spector both went to challenge him and Terry put the ball wide.The cross was perfect as you'd expect from a quality player like Malouda. The rest was easy for Drogba.

'That is the difference. Teams like Chelsea really punish you when you make mistakes. I believe the score at the end was too much. It doesn't reflect the game.'

It took until the final minute of the second-half for West Ham to properly test Ross Turnbull for a second time in the game and the Chelsea league debutant keeper was up to that task.

'Turnbull was not involved a lot of times but he did a good save at the last minute and he played with confidence. This is important,' said Ancelotti.

'He deserved to play this game because he has trained very well.I think he will play on Tuesday.'

Ancelotti Praises Malouda Show

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti labelled Florent Malouda the best player on the pitch after his side's 4-1 win over West Ham.

The Blues went back to the top of the Premier League with the win, although they were held 1-1 at half-time by the Hammers at Stamford Bridge.

Malouda was a constant force down the left and his performance paid dividends as he drove Chelsea to a comfortable victory after the break.

The Frenchman set up Alex to head home the opener, and crossed for Didier Drogba to score the second before adding a third himself.

Ancelotti told Sky Sports: "He was the best player on the pitch today.

"He scored a fantastic goal, did a fantastic assist for the first goal and the second goal for Didier."

Despite the scoreline, it was not an emphatic performance from Chelsea, which makes the result even more impressive.

And Ancelotti says confidence in the squad will be high ahead of the visit of Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.

"We scored four goals and it was an important performance for us to improve our confidence," he added.

"In this period it is very important to have confidence because every game is important, every game can decide the future.

"I think the first half we played well. It was unlucky because West Ham broke with a fantastic shot from distance.

"But we played well and we wanted to maintain balance, we wanted to maintain confidence in our play.

"We did in the second half because we scored the second goal and had good control of the game until the end of the match."

The Blues go top as Manchester United do not play until Sunday, as the race for the league title starts to hot up.

Although the win puts them back on the summit, Chelsea's Italian tactician knows there is still a long way to go this season.

He remarked: "There will be a long race to win this title.

"There are strong teams - Manchester United, Arsenal - so we have to maintain our confidence and we have to maintain our play."

"We want to play our best every game.

"I knew very well that in England there are very strong teams, but we have stayed in the top for eight months and we want to stay until the end of the season."

Ross Turnbull played his first ever Premier League game for Chelsea between the sticks, and he could do nothing about Scott Parker's superb strike in the opening period.

The former Middlesbrough keeper is likely to play against Inter in midweek as Ancelotti confirmed that Petr Cech and Hilario are not expected to recover from their injuries.

He said: "Hilario and Petr Cech I think are not able to play on Tuesday."

Chelsea Special: Florent Malouda Develops Into A World-Class Star

With last weekend's FA Cup tie against Stoke City forcing Chelsea's players to wait to truly put to rest the memory of their Premier League capitulation against Manchester City, today's emphatic victory over local rivals West Ham United was just what the doctor ordered.

It was a familiar name that adorned the scoresheet in the 4-1 win, with Didier Drogba netting twice in a game the home side controlled throughout, but also could only make their superiority count in the second half.

For all their dominance in the possession statistics, however, the game could have gone in a very different direction if it hadn't been for one player — and not the Ivorian hit-man. Instead it was Florent Malouda who masterminded this victory, torturing Jonathan Spector throughout the first half and finding a cutting edge in the second that led to an assist (giving Drogba the easiest of headed chances) and a goal he fully deserved.

It was just the latest in a long line of impressive performances from the 29-year-old, who has been one of his side's most consistent performers this season. It is hard to remember the last time he had a truly poor game.

This is the Frenchman's third season in London, but he has not always enjoyed the best of times. The former Olympique Lyonnais star joined the club for around £13 million in 2007 with a big reputation, having just been voted the best player in Ligue 1, but initially struggled to make an impact in a new league and unfamiliar surroundings.

He was — prematurely, but perhaps not unfairly — labeled a bust, despite the likes of Drogba and Cristiano Ronald having similarly struggled to adapt in initial seasons before blossoming into stars of the highest order.

After settling down Malouda was making that sort of progress last season, although Luiz Felipe Scolari's unsuccessful tenure as manager rather obscured that fact. But his goal at the end of the season in the FA Cup final, under the watchful eye of caretaker Guus Hiddink, underlined the truth that everyone seemed to have missed — that he had finally arrived as a major threat in Chelsea's A-list line-up.

And then Carlo Ancelotti rode in, and Malouda had to prove himself all over again. Ancelotti's proposed diamond formation seemed to have no natural spot for the Frenchman, but he was gifted the spot on the left of the diamond after injuries to other midfielders and took the opportunity with both hands, developing a rapport with Ashley Cole that went a long way to propelling the Blues to their fantastic start.

Despite that, Ancelotti seemed reticent to play him in the biggest games — against Liverpool, or Manchester United — something that Malouda did not take kindly too.

"Before the match against Birmingham [on Boxing Day, a game in which he was sent off], I talked to the coach to tell him about my frustration," he told L'Equipe in a controversial interview late last year, where he also complained Frank Lampard received too much credit.

"The frustration is above all for the big games. I'm ready to look elsewhere. Finding another club is not a problem. But the club has closed the door to any departure, whether it be in January or in June. The coach is counting on me. We'll see from now until the end of the season."

And what we saw today was a winger at the top of his game. Malouda was at times unplayable as he weaved down the left and occasionally floated inside, and did more than any other player to ensure Chelsea got the three points they desperately needed.

What is more, he has been playing that way — with the odd exception — for a good month now. Ancelotti is quickly coming to rely on the player only six months ago he seemed unsure of. He acknowledged as much as he withdrew Malouda late on so Stamford Bridge could give him the round of applause his performance deserved.

Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Lampard are the traditional threats people think of when they assess Chelsea's danger. Malouda is quickly adding himself to that list — and for that he deserves a lot of praise.

Match Report: Chelsea 4 - 1 West Ham United

Chelsea went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League with a comfortable win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge.

Brazilian defender Alex headed Chelsea in front in the 15th minute but Scott Parker levelled with a stunning volley on the half-hour mark.

Didier Drogba rose unmarked to restore Chelsea's lead in the 55th minute before Florent Malouda's 20-yard effort in the 76th minute and Drogba's second put Carlo Ancelotti's side one point clear of Manchester United at the summit.

Chelsea goalkeeper Ross Turnbull made his league debut for the club and looked confident enough ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 return leg against Inter Milan.

The keeper, third choice all season, will be asked to play against Inter, who lead 2-1 from the first leg, due to injuries to Petr Cech and Hilario.

Chelsea were given a sterner test than they would have wanted by a West Ham side that went in 1-1 at the interval.

Ancelotti's side had the better of the early exchanges but West Ham should have been ahead in the 13th minute.

Mido's low cross from the byline found Araujo Ilan unmarked just eight yards out but the West Ham striker blazed his effort over the crossbar.

The miss proved costly for West Ham as Chelsea went ahead two minutes later through Brazilian defender Alex.

The Hammers failed to clear a corner from Malouda and when the ball was returned to the France winger, his cross was headed home by the unmarked Alex.

It was the defender's first goal of the season but it could have been worse for the Hammers seconds later.

Another cross from Malouda caused panic in the West Ham defence and a deflection off Matthew Upson looked to be heading for his own net until goalkeeper Robert Green just managed to palm it away to safety.

In the 27th minute, Chelsea carved West Ham open again and Frank Lampard's curling cross found Drogba at the far post only for the Ivorian to miss the target.

But West Ham were level in the 29th minute when former Chelsea midfielder Parker sent a 25-yard volley over Turnbull and into the top corner.

Turnbull could do nothing about Parker's effort but once again Chelsea were guilty of failing to defend a throw-in.

The goal stunned Chelsea and their response was predictable and rapid. In the 35th minute, Green had to dive at full-stretch to keep out a 20-yard low drive from Lampard.

Two minutes later, Nicolas Anelka tried his luck from 20 yards but the ball was comfortably collected by Green.

Malouda was a constant threat to West Ham and five minutes before the break he sent over another dangerous cross but Paulo Ferreira could only direct his header into the arms of Green.

Chelsea almost restored their advantage when a 53rd minute cross from Malouda just eluded Michael Ballack at the far post.

But the home side were ahead again in the 55th minute and the driving force was captain John Terry.

The Chelsea defender surged forward to the edge of West Ham penalty area and allowed Drogba to lay the ball off to Malouda on the left wing.

The France winger delivered another pinpoint cross into the six-yard box and this time Drogba headed home from point-blank range for his 26th goal of the season - his 20th in the league.

The Chelsea fans began chanting "There's only one England captain" as England coach Fabio Capello watched on from the West stand.

Moments later Chelsea were denied a third by a great save from Green who dived to his right to tip away a header from Alex.

In the 65th minute, Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole was given a chance to shine before Capello when he replaced Anelka.

It was followed moments later by a double substitution for the Hammers - Junior Stanislas replaced Kieron Dyer and Mido made way for Carlton Cole.

Malouda made it 3-1 to Chelsea in the 76th minute with a 20-yard shot into the bottom corner.

It was a fitting reward for the France winger who had set up both of Chelsea's earlier goals.

Chelsea were then denied a fourth in the 85th minute when Lampard's glancing shot hit the far post.

Drogba completed the scoring in the 89th minute with his 27th goal of the season - finishing off from close range after Green had palmed a Lampard shot into his path.

I’d Do An ‘Henry’ For England

Frank Lampard last night admitted he would do a Thierry Henry if it meant getting England through to the World Cup final.

Henry was crucified and labelled a 'cheat' for not owning up to a blatant handball in France's play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland four months ago.

Yet when asked what would he do if that happened to him in a World Cup semi-final, Lampard reckoned he would follow the Barcelona star's lead.

He would cough for the offence only after the match to save himself from a lynch mob.

The Chelsea midfielder admitted: "You know, I probably wouldn't say anything!

"I felt a bit sorry for Henry, because it was an instinctive action.

"I think it's probably easier to own up after the game. At least you're through then! That is probably the wrong thing to say, isn't it? But if I did own up and it cost us the game, I would probably be lynched when I got back to England."

Lampard does not want to tempt fate. But he told ShortList magazine he is looking forward to England reaching their first World Cup final since 1966.

And if it all goes down to penalties, he will be first in the queue to take one - despite messing up in the quarter-final against Portugal in 2006.

He added: "I'm a regular penalty-taker and I think, if that's the case, you're obliged to volunteer."

So would he be going for power or placement? Lamps revealed: "Well, I've tried to place it before and I mucked it up against Portugal. I think if you're really confident, then place it. But if you're a bit nervous, put your foot through it."

Joe Cole's Chelsea Gamble

Desperate Joe Cole is prepared to put contract talks with Chelsea on hold as he embarks on a last-ditch, 10-game campaign to save both his season and his England World Cup place.

Talks between Cole, 28, and Chelsea have stalled again, with the club unwilling to award him the pay rise he wants to put him in the same league as the top earners at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted yesterday he was “100 per cent” certain Cole would be a Blues player next season, but refused to confirm whether he will be in the team against his old club West Ham today.

Cole though, is remarkably set to gamble on being a free agent in the summer and has put off any further talks in a bid to win back a permanent place in Ancelotti’s team.

A source close to Cole said: “It is now a football matter for Joe. It is not about money or length of contract. It is simply about playing football and winning his place back in the team. That is all he cares about.”

Cole will be out of contract at the end of this season and both Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as Tottenham, are showing interest.

Ahmed Al-Muhammadi Not A Chelsea Target - Agent

The agent of ENPPI wing-back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, Nader Shawki has dismissed reports that English Premier League side Chelsea have shown interest in signing the player.

Speaking to FilGoal.com, Nader Shawki dismissed those speculations.

"The reports which say that Chelsea want to sign Al-Muhammadi are totally untrue. There are no talks with them over any deal," Shawki said.

"However, Al-Muhammadi has some offers from other English sides.

"I will sit down with ENPPI football director Alaa Abdul-Sadek within the coming few days to discuss the possibility of letting Al-Muhammadi leave the club at the end of the season."

Shawki declined to reveal the names of the interested clubs.

Al-Muhammadi, a 22-year-old right-sided midfielder, was on the verge of joining English side Sunderland in the January transfer window but ENPPI eventually turned down their bid.

He made no secret of his desire to experience European football after attracting a host of suitors over the past few years.

Al-Muhammadi, whose jinking runs down the right flank always cause troubles for opponents, played a key role in helping Egypt win an unprecedented third successive Nations Cup title in January.

He will be granted his wish of playing in the English league when the season ends, Abdul-Sadek said.

"We promised Al-Muhammadi that we will allow him to leave in the summer," he revealed.

"We are considering three offers for him to settle on the best possible choice for him and the club."

Losing To José Mourinho Would Be Unthinkable, Admits Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard has already staved off two potential indignities of late. Unlike Gary Lineker, he has avoided having to dress up as a sandwich, his face peering out between plastic tranches of ham and foam tomatoes, when filming the latest Walkers Crisps advertisement in Kent. Then, in a kickabout at Sandwich Technology school, his five-a-side team have edged out a comically dismayed Lineker's in a penalty shoot-out. Yet, if that provides some light relief, swerving the biggest ignominy of all could be distinctly trickier.

Chelsea confront Internazionale on Tuesday with a first-leg deficit to retrieve and Lampard's mentor, José Mourinho, blocking passage to the Champions League quarter-finals. This afternoon's visit of his former club, West Ham, must feel like a distraction with the main event to come. The England midfielder will have had almost three weeks to stew over that 2-1 defeat in San Siro: time to curse the non-award of a penalty for a trip on Salomon Kalou, or the profligacy that has marginally tilted this tie towards the Italian champions. Time, too, to wonder what the Special One may concoct for the return. "It plays on your mind but we have to tell ourselves the tie's in the balance," Lampard says. "The frustration is we should never have lost that first game, but now we have to be careful. Inter have good players and a very clever manager who'll come with a plan. But to go out to José? Yeah, I guess you could call that unthinkable."

That admission is natural, yet prompts immediate reflection. "You know what? I try and take all that emotion out of it. I've got more respect for José Mourinho than for any other manager I've worked with because of what he did for me. I want to win the game, but it's not like I want to get one over on him. I just want to go through to the last eight. If you'd asked me at the start of the season who I'd want to win the European Cup if it wasn't going to be us, I'd have been happy to see José win it. He was great for me and I'm still close to him."

Mourinho was staggering for Chelsea. The Portuguese will be granted a tumultuous reception on Tuesday for what will be his second return to the ground where his name was once bellowed as he plundered two Premier League titles, two Carling Cups and an FA Cup in little more than three seasons. He will be welcomed as a returning hero with affection extended by those his team directly oppose. Chelsea have signed nine senior players since his departure in September 2007, of whom only Nicolas Anelka and Branislav Ivanovic are established first-team regulars. It may be awkward for the managers who have come and gone since to acknowledge, but the core of this squad remains Mourinho's.

One of its key performers is in his debt. The impact Mourinho had on Lampard is measured in more than mere winners' medals. It says everything that the 31-year-old, by his own admission, considered joining him in Milan at the beginning of last season before opting at the last to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge. "He gave me self-belief," the midfielder says. "He carried that aura around with him. It's very obvious that he believes in himself as a manager, and as a man, but he had this way of transmitting that confidence to his players. He just tried to make me believe in the player I could be, and helped me get to where I wanted to be. It was sad losing someone like that who you respect, but what he gave me stays with me. I'm a better player and a better person for having worked with him.

"The reason he's been a successful manager everywhere he's been is because of the atmosphere he creates in the dressing room by getting close to his players, working with them, respecting them. All of us who worked with him had that. He creates a real spirit, a family atmosphere, and he gets that extra 10% out of his teams by doing that. That's why you'll find the players who worked with him will talk about the times he was with us with such fondness.

"We didn't get any of his 'mind games' before or after the first leg. I met him in the tunnel before kick-off, then he said a quick hello to most of the lads as he walked past our coach after the game – he was in pretty good spirits, as you'd expect. He'll talk ahead of the second game with one eye on the match, and say what he wants to say, but he won't make it personal. There's too much respect there for that."

The Portuguese and Inter represent a daunting obstacle blocking Chelsea's pursuit of a treble. The league leadership can be regained from Manchester United this afternoon, while Aston Villa await in the FA Cup semi-finals. Securing the European Cup, the trophy that eluded Mourinho's Chelsea, has long been Roman Abramovich's objective. "What happened to us last season against Barcelona in the semis – knowing we should have beaten the best team in Europe only, for one reason or another, to go out – still hurts," says Lampard, suppressing a shudder at the memory of Tom Henning Ovrebo's judgment and Andrés Iniesta's stoppage-time equaliser. "Another year passes and you haven't won it, and it hurts more and more. We know this squad isn't going to go on forever. The closer you get to tasting that success, the more bitter it is when you miss out.

"But that's why the club brought Carlo Ancelotti in last summer, because of the fantastic experience he brings with him, particularly in this competition. He's proven in Europe after what he achieved with Milan. The year they beat Manchester United in the semi-final and Liverpool in the final [2007] they had a fantastic team. He brings that know-how to us. He knows what is needed, particularly in the knock-out phase. That's why the game against Inter will be as much of a battle between two great managers as it is two teams. In Ancelotti, we've got a manager who can help us take that extra step.

"Everything that's happened this season must have been an eye opener for him: when you've played and coached all your career in Italy, coming to England must highlight the cultural differences in the game. That goes for the football and the style of play, the atmosphere, to the press – in Italy there's probably more attention paid to the football itself, whereas here there's also the off-the-field stuff which he wouldn't have encountered before. But he's done well. The frustrating thing is, as a group, we haven't been able to pull away at the top of the Premier League. That's down to the players. There have been times when we thought we'd push on, but then gone out and lost points."

Chelsea have not been alone in stuttering when they had expected to stride on. January was littered with wins, but there were only two victories last month together with that first-leg defeat in Italy. Key players have been lost to injury and Gianfranco Zola's West Ham may sense vulnerability across the capital. Concede today and Chelsea will have already shipped more goals this season than in any campaign since 2003-04. "But now's the time to put that consistent run of wins together," Lampard says. "There are three teams in it, but big teams put together a run in this situation. From now on in, we have to have that strong mentality to handle other sides playing before us and knocking us off the top of the league. We have to get our heads round that and go on a run of wins. But we've got the players to cope with that.

"For the last three seasons we've lost the league for different reasons. Last season we had a terrible patch at the end of [Luiz Felipe] Scolari's reign but, when Guus Hiddink came in, we were probably the best team in the country and lost once in four months. We did the same under Avram Grant, starting virtually in mid-table but almost nicking the league. That's the consistency we'll need. You learn from those close failures. We know what went wrong back then, and we have to copy what went right. The treble is still there for us.

"These could be a special five months. At Chelsea we have great potential and we're fighting on all fronts. We want to win big things – the Champions League in particular – and then, come June, there's the World Cup, the biggest tournament a player can participate in. World Cups define careers. We'll go to South Africa full of confidence. All this is exciting, mouth-watering, but one thing at a time. First West Ham, then Inter." A reunion with Mourinho awaits.

Palermo's Pastore Staying Put

Serie A outfit Palermo insist they have no intention of selling star man Javier Pastore.

The Argentine playmaker is reported to be attracting interest from afar, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus all said to be keen.

However, Palmero director Walter Sabatini is adamant the 20-year is going nowhere.

"Pastore will not be sold," he claimed.

"It won't happen in June, neither next season. He represents the future of this club and this is why we won't accept any bid for him."

Palermo have invested heavily in the stars of tomorrow over recent years, having offloaded a number of the more experienced members of their squad to bigger clubs.

Abel Hernandez, a teenage forward from Uruguay, is also believed to have caught the eye of potential suitors, but once again Sabatini insists there is no chance of a deal being struck.

"Abel Hernandez is another of our youngsters who will not be going anywhere," he continued.

"It is not true that Arsenal have made an offer for him."

The Sicilians are currently flying high in Serie A and have their sights set on a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification.