If You Know Your History

Well What Can I Say?!?!!?

2007-04-12T18:30:00.000+01:00

Last update 18/3/07

Seriously where has the days and time gone too!!!

I can't believe that it has been almost a month since I last entered a post. And what an exciting time we as fans of Chelsea Football Club have had!!!

Reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup
Reached the semi-finals of the Champions League
ONLY three points behind the Ure of ManUre

and there is a distinct possibility of THREE, yes THREE meaningful meetings with ManUre in the space of 14 days which could see the Premiership title decided and two major Cup-Finals contested - one at Wembley and one in Athens.

So lets recap and get back up to date.

March 18th I posted goals of our victory of Sheff Utd at the Bridge, then on Monday 19th March we went to Tottenham and won 2-1 with two fantastic strikes by the Shev and SWP.

After International break we played Watford at Vicarage Road and won 1-0 with a last gasp Salomon Kalou goal, then on the following Wednesday we played our first leg at home to Valencia in the Champions League and drew 1-1, then just a few days after, on Saturday at home beat Tottenham AGAIN in the Premiership 1-0 and with ManUre losing later on that afternoon, Chelsea's deficit at the top of the Premiership was cut to just THREE points.

Then Tuesday just gone. Probably Chelsea's finest performance under Jose Mourinho, especially in the second-half saw us defeat a Valencia side 2-1, who hadn't been beaten at home in the Mestalla by an English team for 40 years. (As long as I have been a Chelsea fan).

And that is about it at the moment.

Sunday I am off to Old Trafford for the FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn, but before then I am sure there is lots to write about, especially now we have to play Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final to which the title of this blog is dedicated too!!!

More later

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The Goals Against Sheff Utd

2007-03-18T17:03:00.000Z

1-0 Sheva's Strike

Salomon makes it 2-0

and finally Ballack's header makes it 3-0

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What A Week That Was!?!?!?!

2007-03-18T13:04:00.000Z

First there was the classic FA Cup draw with Tottenham after being 3-1 down, but really we should never have been 3-1 down in the first place.

Then away to Man City a few days later and we win that with a Frank Lampard penalty and then yesterday beating Neil Warnock's Sheff Utd 3-0, giving Chelsea a SIXTH STRAIGHT Premierhip win, without conceding a goal.

Then in between the games there has been a 'piranha' press feeding frenzy on the futures of Messrs Jose, JT and Frank Lampard. Michael Essien has no doubts about where he wants to be. He signed a new five year deal on Monday.

But what about Jose? Jose has said time and time again that he WILL stay with the club until his contract expires in 2010. The press are saying that Jose will be sacked at the end of this season - whether he wins any more trophies or not!!!

On Monday Chelsea travel to Tottenham for the cup replay and will be looking for a much better performance than the one they gave at Stamford Bridge over a week ago (at least in the first-half).

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FA Cup

2007-03-12T19:04:00.000Z

Should Chelsea overcome Tottenham in next Monday's replay then Blackburn will be our semi-final opponents.

It is highly unlikely that the venues for the semi-finals will be decided before the semi-final replays have been decided.

If you saw the game yesterday as a neutral you must have felt that you were in football heaven - what a game, what a classic - two teams showing the world what English FA Cup football is all about. Who says the FA Cup is dead!!!

As a Tottenham fan, you must be gutted that your team threw away a two goal, but judging the pre-match comments that I had read, you were going to Stamford Bridge in more expectation than hope.

As a Chelsea fan, you are wondering what the hell happened for the Blues to be 3-1 down at half-time. 3 goals conceded in the first half at Stamford Bridge!!! It was a complete nightmare without taking anything away from Tottenham and their fans. All 6,000 + packed into The Shed!!!

But we witnessed it, we saw it and come the half-time whistle - it was a relief to hear it!!!

But credit where credit is due. Jose swung it around and did it his OWN way. A Kalou equaliser four minutes from time gave Chelsea a deserved draw more for their fightback in the second half than for their performance in the first half.

Either The Shev could have won it for Chelsea or Defoe for Tottenham in the very last minutes but the game ended a draw and we all have to go through the emotions all over again on Monday (19th March), for the right to face Blackburn Rovers in the semi-final.

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Valencia in the Champions League

2007-03-09T18:07:00.000Z

We avoided the Manure of Man Utd and the Scum of Liverpool and we got Valencia of Spain, after the massacre in the Mestilla from Tuesday night.

But first we need to concentrate on the FA Cup against hopefully a tired Spurs side on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

And if there are any Americans visiting this site - ITS FOOTBALL - not SOCCER

More to come later

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Chelsea Flag Waving B4 Porto

2007-03-07T12:33:00.000Z

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Chelsea 2-1 Porto

2007-03-07T12:02:00.000Z

A great night at Stamford Bridge saw Chelsea overcome the challenge of FC Porto to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the third time in as many years.

On current form, THE MOST unlikeliest hero was Michael Ballack who volleyed Chelsea through with eleven minutes to go. This after Porto had taken an early lead.

Three minutes into the second-half, after a dismal first half, Arjen Robben equalised for Chelsea.

Below enjoy the goals again

COME ON CHELSEA!!

Who do you want in the draw which takes place on Friday or who do you think Chelsea will get in the quarter-final draw?

Robben makes it 1-1

Ballack 'The Hero' volleys for 2-1

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Goals and Cech's Saves from the Portsmouth Game

2007-03-05T12:22:00.000Z

Didier's 29th Goal of the Season

Kalou makes it 2-0 (Both goals assisted by Ashley Cole)

Finally could these saves help Chelsea to win the title for the 3rd year on the trot?

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Portsmouth 0-2 Chelsea

2007-03-04T05:55:00.000Z

Whether Chelsea retain their title and win it for a third successive year remains to be seen, but the CHAMPIONS are not giving up their title without a fight.

Goals by Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou gave the boys a 2-0 at Portsmouth's Fratton Park, a game that Chelsea HAD to win after ManUre's 'lucky' result at Anfield earlier in the day.

Fratton Park is quite a happy hunting ground for Kalou. Earlier in the season he scored a memorable hat-trick for the reserves as they thumped Portsmouth reserves 5-0.

The star of the show and Chelsea's saviour was goalkeeper Petr Cech. Cech made two fabulous saves in a five minute spell late in the second-half when Portsmouth were at their most dangerous. First Cech parried and clawed the ball away from a Cole header whilst diving the 'wrong' way and then minutes later Cech swooped down low to his right to keep another header from Kanu from crossing the line.

After, in the post match conference Jose made the point that having Petr Cech about would earn Chelsea the right to ten to fifteen points a season.

Jose said "WIth Petr Cech in the goal all season, how many more points would Chelsea have?" He carried on by saying, "They (Portsmouth) have two good chances and Petr Cech has to say I am here and I am the best."

On pressure Jose said "The belief is there. We know how football is. When we were top of the league last season and everybody was saying there is pressure on Chelsea. I was saying no there is no pressure on Chelsea. There is pressure on second place because the second place cannot lose points."

"This season I think that too, the second cannot lose points. We are second because we are second. We cannot afford to make mistakes."

For Tuesday's Champions League return against Porto at Stamford Bridge, Jose confirm that Captain John Terry would not play. JT is under strict orders to rest following the kick in the head in last week's Carling Cup final. JT is expected to have another precautionary scan either Monday or Tuesday.

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In Memory - Peter Osgood: 1947 - 2006

2007-03-01T19:13:00.000Z

A year ago today I was at work when I heard the news that the ‘King of Stamford Bridge’ had sadly passed away at the young age of 59. I admit I rushed to the loo and shed a few tears to mourn the passing of an absolute Chelsea Legend.

I was fortunate to see the great man in action on many, many occasions and even had the opportunity to try a save an ‘Ossie’ special in goal. Notice the word try. As soon as I had positioned myself in goal, quick as a flash the ball was in the net - it was an honour LOL.

Along with another late Chelsea great, Ian Hutchinson, I was treated along with a massive group of Chelsea fans (including my wife) to the special Ossie ‘hospitality’ when he and Ian used to own a pub in Windsor. Because of their special brand of hospitality they didn’t have the pub too long because legend says that they were always buying Chelsea fans who visited plenty of drinks.

For the record Ossie’s Chelsea career reads: Played 380 and scored 150 goals.

Because of his hard living off the football field, Ossie’s England career was restricted to just a handful of appearances. Had Ossie ‘towed’ the line - he would have been an England ‘great.’ But our Ossie towing the line, he just wouldn’t have been Peter Osgood - King of Stamford Bridge!!!

The Shed looked up and saw a great star
Scoring goals past Pat Jennings from near and from far
And Chelsea won as we all knew they would
And the star of that great team was Peter Osgood

Osgood, Osgood, Osgood, Osgood
Born is the King of Stamford Bridge
Buried deep into the penalty spot of the ‘Shed End’ lies the ashes of Peter Osgood - The KING OF STAMFORD BRIDGE!!!

PETER OSGOOD 1947 - 2006 RIP

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CARLING CUP: CHELSEA 2-1 ARSENAL

2007-02-26T19:51:00.000Z

Relive those wonderful Didier Drogba goals from the Final in Cardiff yesterday.

Didier's 1st Goal

Didier's 2nd Goal

There isn't really anything left to write about the game that hasn't already been written, but there is an awful lot that can be written between now and the end of the season.

REMEMBER!!! I am not a five minute fan who WILL desert Chelsea should ManUre win the League - I WAS THERE WHEN WE WERE SHIT AND I WILL BE THERE AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!!

So KEEP THE FAITH and BOOKMARK THIS BLOG!!!!

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NEWSFLASH - JT BACK

2007-02-24T15:05:00.000Z

John Terry WILL play in the Carling Cup Final!!!!

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Chelsea v Arsenal - Carling Cup Final

2007-02-24T14:47:00.000Z

Well the weekend hasn't got off to the best start. ManUre has just beaten Fulham after being a goal down, with Ronaldo scoring the winner in the 88th minute.

So the Champions are nine points behind and have to win the game in hand against Man City in two weeks time - but thats for another day.

What a week Chelsea have had. Beating Norwich in the Cup, drawing Tottenham in the next round, drawing with Porto in the Champions League and the 'kids' that are Jose and Wenger starting the off the field mind games, typical in the build up to a mjor cup meeting between the two sides.

As for the game itself. Well there is no John Terry. Robben looks like he will be fit and Essien will start as centre-half as he has done so magnificently in recent months.

I am not going to the game. Simply because I just can't be bothered to put up with all the difficulties of travelling to Wales along with 70,000 plus other people.

So if you are going to the game - then I wish you a safe journey.

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OK £80million loss, BUT

2007-02-19T19:54:00.000Z

the but is.. Chelsea has frozen ticket prices for next season for Premier League matches which include season tickets, members, OAPs and children. (Chelsea say that the freeze equates to a 6% in terms of inflation). Only the corporate will suffer price increases.. well they can afford it can't they and do they sing???

Nah course they don't. They spend all their time eating and drinking all they can to get their money's worth whilst watching the game 'through beerglasses.'

Chelsea has also announced that they will introduce reductions for the Champions League group games and will continue substantial reductions for FA Cup and Carling Cup home games, subject to away team approval.

In the draw for the Quarter-Final of the FA Cup, Chelsea got a home draw against Tottenham to be played on Saturday 10th March or Sunday 11th March.

Way before then Chelsea travel to Portugal to play Porto on Wednesday in the Champions League and then on Sunday, Chelsea play Arsenal in the final of the Carling Cup in Cardiff.

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Chelsea Times 17/02/07

2007-02-17T09:31:00.000Z

Its been a quiet week on the Chelsea front but starting today the action starts to hot up with Chelsea taking on Norwich City at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup and then on Wednesday, Chelsea travel to Portugal to face Jose's old club Porto in the Champions League.

Then next Sunday Chelsea face the Gooners from Cashburton Grove in the final of the Carling Cup in Cardiff. By the time Chelsea play their next Premiership match at 5.15pm on Saturday 3/3/07 at Fratton Park, Portsmouth, the boys COULD BE and I say again COULD BE, 12 points behind League leaders Man Utd.

The only bit of news to report is that Chelsea Football Club have teamed up with YOU TUBE to provide an internet platform for ALL fans Chelsea.

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I Just Had To!!

2007-02-11T18:34:00.000Z

Post the article below before it gets edited to appear elsewere. Once it does appear I will give you the link:

"I really feel that I have right of reply to an article posted on the 5th Feb that headlined 'The lack of Chelsea back-up that Mourinho must account for.'

What is the writer on? Where has this writer been?

Jose Mourinho has proved that he is The Special One and I am not going to even mention TWO Premiership titles and a Carling Cup success. Why? Because I am not and don't have to. This article is all about what Jose has acheived this season and before any silverware enters the cabinet.

At the time of writing, Chelsea Football Club is still involved in FOUR competitions: Premiership, Champions League, FA Cup and there is a Carling Cup final to look forward to in a couple of weeks against London rivals, Arsenal.

Are Arsenal still involved in four competitions? Nope only three (Come Wednesday night it could be two). Are Man Utd still involved in four competitions? Nope only three.

Chelsea's season as Champions began very well. Beating Man City 3-0, followed by a surprise defeat at Middlesbrough. Then the team went on an unbeaten run of thirteen games in ALL competitions (including two matches against Barcelona) before the defeat at Tottenham in November. During this period Chelsea lost TWO goalkeepers in one game at Reading in October - Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini.

In the next nineteen games in ALL competitions Chelsea lost twice. Away to Werder Bremen in the Champions League and to Liverpool in the Premiership. Well when you lose Carvalho on the morning of the match and the team has Crouch and Kuyt to face up to without recognised central defenders - what else do you expect? You can hardly expect the returning Petr Cech to perform miracles can you?

Since the Liverpool defeat Chelsea hasn't lost and hasn't conceded a goal and Chelsea now have Captain John Terry back making his first start for two months in Saturday's victory against Middlesbrough.

There have been a lot of politics going on at Stamford Bridge, lets not deny the fact. Jose has had his hands tied - ie the selling of Gallas and Huth on the last day of the transfer season, not being able to buy through the January transfer window. Why wasn't he allowed to buy? Well you had better ask Kenyon or Mr A, or was it that Jose (The Special One) felt that he didn't need to buy anybody because he knew that he had the right players to do the 'job' for Chelsea in the difficult period they were going through.

Only Jose Mourinho would use Michael Essien at a centre-back and get away with it. Essien has been Mr Chelsea this season with his powerful and dynamic performances in midfield. Only Jose would juggle various players at the problematic right back spot and almost get away with it.

I am referring to the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham where he had Ferreira at right-back till half-time then changed Ferreira at right-back with Boulharouz and then changed Boulharouz once Tottenham went 2-1 ahead. This is the game that 'lost' the title for Chelsea should Chelsea not win it this season.

Jose has used Ferreira, Boulahrouz, Geremi and now Lassana Diarra and after brilliant recent displays Diarra could have finally solved the right-back problem.

For two months Chelsea had been without John Terry, Ashley Cole hasn't really produced his Arsenal form, The Shev hasn't scored the goals that everyone, included me, expected but you just cannot dispute the man's work rate for the team. Michael Ballack though has been the major major disappointment.

Jose called Ballack one of his 'untouchables,' untouchable by a football I think. Ballack has been a disappointment, a major disappointment. When Ballack and Sheva signed I had many dreams of that sublime through ball being fed to Sheva from Ballack and Sheva running on and scoring goal after goal. Sometimes it looks to me that Ballack doesn't even know that 'The Shev' is on the pitch.

In addition to the above list of injuries - Joe Cole hasn't played, Boulahrouz got injured at Aston Villa, Wayne Bridge has been injured, players of the reserve team have been sent out on loan who could have been used, for example Michael Mancienne a centre-half who is getting rave reviews at Q.P.R. Adrian Pettigrew another reserve centre-half is on the injury list and now Chelsea has Ashley Cole on the long-term injury list.

So to end with. Chelsea are six points behind Man Utd in the Premiership, in the final of the Carling Cup, in the 5th Round of the FA Cup and in the last 16 of the Champions League - and this has been achieved without 'back-up' players."

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The Goals from the Middlesbrough Game

2007-02-11T15:19:00.000Z

Didier Drogba 1-0

Xavier's og made it 2-0

Lastly another Dids free-kick special made it 3-0

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Right Result Today!!

2007-02-06T18:49:00.000Z

Firstly lets get the bouquets out for a really special person who during her lunch hour today went off to Stamford Bridge and got me a ticket for the Champions League game against Porto at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday March 6th.

With my season ticket in hand she was politely told that due to the demands of UEFA, my seat was not available and that I would have to move to a different part of the ground.

Taking no regard to calling me before purchasing said ticket she opted for the 'Shed End Upper tier' without hesitation. When she called me after she had my ticket in her hand, my immediate reaction was YES!!!

Back in the SHED!!! The Shed where I had spent most of my life supporting the Blue Boys and now I am going to back in the SHED (albeit in its all-seater form) cheering on the boys for an extremely important 2nd Leg of the Champions League round of the last 16.

Why get so excited you may ask? Well practically the 'Shed End' isn't open to season ticket holders!!!

And the 'Shed End' should be the home of Chelsea fans ALL Chelsea fans and not be part of the away end for visiting fans!!

Now this is where it gets good. Many unofficial fan sites have been calling for the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge to be increased to a level where the opposition team basically 'shits' themselves for the duration of the time they are on the pitch.

One of the ideas that have been circulated amongst fans who want to sing, chant and basically get on the nerves of the 'JCLs' (Johnny Come Latelys) and the 'Plastics' is to buy their tickets in the first instance for the Shed End LOwer and the Shed End Upper.

Chelsea do have the 'hardcore' in the Matthew Harding Stand, which is the stand that houses season ticket holders and singers primarily, but by orchestrating this campaign to get 'singers' in the Shed, can only do wonders for building and sustaining a match atmosphere at Stamford Bridge, just like the old days (crowds of 8,000 LOL).

So be warned. Any reader that is going to the Porto game and is seated in the 'Shed End Upper or Lower' that does not sing or chant is a PLASTIC, JCL and you will feel my wrath on this blog until the day you die and go to hell!!!!!

To read the latest on the 'Shed' Update.

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OnLine Petition for the 'Little Clubs.'

2007-02-04T14:08:00.000Z

"The F.A is yet to make a decision about which venue will be used to host the 2006/07 F.A Trophy Final and I believe that the decision makers at the F.A may need a little bit of help in making this most difficult of choices.

Aren't you fed up of having to view this crowing spectacle in the confines of Villa Park?

No matter which non-league team you support or whether your team even makes it to the pinnacle of this competition, the idea of holding the final back at its old hunting ground must be something that cannot be ignored.

In summary, I am creating this petition to campaign to the F.A to host the 2006/07 F.A Trophy final back where it belongs, at Wembly Stadium. If you agree with this suggestion, please make every effort to sign this petition and send it on to everyone you know for them to sign. Let’s make this proposal a reality people."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am sure the author of this petition will not mind me reproducing his/hers words, after all it is for a good cause.

Before the 'old' Wembley was demolished the FA Trophy was played there, so why are the FA dithering with this decision.

The FA Trophy BELONGS at Wembley!!!!

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

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Charlton Athletic 0-1 Chelsea

2007-02-04T13:41:00.000Z

Three points at The Valley yesterday keeps the Champions on the coat-tails of Man Ure who play at Tottenham this afternoon and what a welcome sight to see John Terry back albeit in a cameo role as a last minute substitute.

It was difficult for me to keep up with the activities at The Valley because I had to work. UUURRRRGGGGGHHHH!! Working on a Saturday which I hate at the best times, but to work on a Saturday during the football season is sacrilege.

It was just as well that Chelsea didn't play at home, I would not have been impressed.

Frank scored the only goal of the game with one of his specials (see vid below) and Petr Cech showed yet again why he is the No.1 Goalkeeper in the world. The saves he made weren't that special, but in the context of yesterday's victory they were very special indeed.

I firmly believe that with Petr Cech, John Terry back and Michael Essien returning to his usual midfield position (Chelsea have missed in dynamism in midfield), Chelsea can crank it up and go on and overtake Man Ure and claim the Premiership title for the third season in a row.

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Goals from the Blackburn Game

2007-02-04T13:17:00.000Z

Enjoy once again the goals from the Blackburn game at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday evening.

Didier Drogba 1-0

Frank Lampard 2-0

Salomon Kalou 3-0

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Chelsea 3-0 Blackburn Rovers

2007-02-01T00:27:00.000Z

Although Chelsea were convincing winners over Blackburn Rovers this evening at Stamford Bridge, there is one major concern which has overshadowed the team's continued chase of leaders ManUre.

Ashley Cole was stretchered off in the 2nd half after appearing to have trodden on the ball whilst making a flying empasse down the left wing. Early reports suggest that Cole's injury is serious as Jose said in his post match interview that Cole could not walk on his injured leg. Jose also added that it was too early to make a concrete diagnosis and the full extent of the damage will not be known for a couple of days.

Another area of concern is that the crowd this evening fell way short of a sellout - 38,000 against 42,250.

Granted Blackburn would not have been expected to have sold their full allocation of tickets, especially for a midweek visit to London.

Chelsea fans excuses could be Blackburn are not that big enough attraction for a Wednesday night, Porto tickets for the Champions League start to go on sale for the home leg on Monday. Carling Cup final tickets are currently on sale until a few days before the final, and there is the travel to Cardiff and the additional expenditure of accommodation (if required), food and drink and the rest of it all that goes with the toll of a Cup Final day. Oh yeah toll. Well to get into Wales from England, you have to pay a toll fee, which I gather is not cheap, even for a normal car.

At least you don't have to pay to get out of Wales LOL LOL LOL!!! Although I think I would rather pay to GET OUT then pay to get in!!!

Talking of availability of Carling Cup Final tickets, Chelsea has announced that season-ticket holders have a five day window (which ends on Friday 2/2/07) to secure their seat.

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. Season ticket holders should be given at least TWO WEEKS to buy their tickets and the remaining tickets and period should be equally divided for the members.

Sometimes it really grates me how long season ticket holders get to obtain their additional match tickets, Chelsea really do not give enough consideration to the financial implications of season tickets holders trying to juggle finances to obtain these tickets for the 'extra' games. And Chelsea DO sell tickets way way too early!!!

I mean. Porto in the Champions League is not until the 6th March and we have only just reached the 1st day of February!!!!

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FA CUP 4th Round - Chelsea 3-0 Nottm Forest

2007-01-29T20:35:00.000Z

Chelsea's reward for defeating League One side Nottingham Forest is a home tie against either Blackpool (also League One) or Norwich City (from the Championship). Both these sides have to play again after a 1-1 draw at the weekend.

The tie at Stamford Bridge is due to be played on the weekend 17th/18th February 2007.

Should Norwich City prevail in the their replay and win the right to play the Champions, who will ever forget back in 2002 the fantastic goal scored by Gianfranco Zola, voted by the fans as Chelsea's Greatest ever player against Norwich City in a FA Cup replay, the year that Chelsea won the LAST ever FA Cup final at Wembley.

If you need to refresh your memory, then check out the video below.

As for Nottingham Forest.

Well they came to Stamford Bridge in their thousands turning the Shed End into a sea of 'Red and White.' What didn't work for me though was the constant reference to 'history' and two European Cup successes. Considering both of these triumphs were nearly thirty years ago, the average age of those Forest fans suggested that they were not around when these trophies were won and here they were singing and giving it the big one on a day where their present day team fell far short and I mean far short of their predecessors!!!

I know it sounds cliche and there were many Robin Hood headlines waiting to be written, but yesterday was a day where the rich stayed rich and the poor stayed poor.

For the record Chelsea won 3-0 with all the goals being scored in the first-half from Shevchenko, Drogba and Mikel. Chelsea should have scored a lot more goals and if Chelsea had won 6-0, Forest fans would have had no complaints. On the day, the players of Nottingham Forest froze and they froze big-time.

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Scott Sinclair's Wonder Goal for Plymouth v Barnet - FA CUP 4th Round

2007-01-27T20:51:00.000Z

Probably one of the best goals Scott Sinclair on loan at Plymouth Argyle will ever score.

Enjoy and thanks to Green Piskie

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FA Cup 4th Round: Chelsea v Nottingham Forest

2007-01-27T18:44:00.000Z

I will quite happily wager you any amount of money that if you asked any Nottingham Forest fan why they are in the equivalent of the OLD Division Three, apart from the obvious answer 'we are shit' they would not be able to give you an accurate, articulate answer to their football club's troubles.

It really seems only 'five' minutes ago that Forest were Kings of English football, they were Kings of European football and they were just Kings of Football especially when they had the greatest footballing double act of Peter Taylor and the late great Brian Clough as their management team.

Just ask any Derby County fan!!!!

On Sunday at Stamford Bridge, Forest come to town hoping to cause another shock, after they beat Charlton Athletic at the City Ground in the third round. Currently joint top of League One, Forest look set to regain the Championship place they lost last season and then for the fans hopefully regaining their position in the top flight of English football.

Manager Colin Calderwood (apologies for the previous error) is the man charged with leading Forest back to their former glories. You can find Calderwood's Forest record here.

I can remember travelling to the City Ground on a cold damp Wednesday night only to see Chelsea get thumped 6-0. What do you do in the circumstances?

Sing 'We WANT Seven.'

And they say Chelsea have no history!!!!! But in those days we had a sense of humour. Following Chelsea then, you had too!!!!!

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Scott's FA Cup Glory

2007-01-27T18:17:00.000Z

Scott Sinclair, the future of Chelsea, who is currently on a month's loan at Plymouth Argyle scored today in his team's FA Cup 4th Round tie at Barnet.

According to reports Scott's goal is a goal that is worth sourcing for and watching.

Plymouth won 2-0.

Should any reader find a vid of the goal (before I do) please post the link in the comments section.

Thanks in advance.

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Shevchenko Goals v Wycombe Wanderers

2007-01-27T11:48:00.000Z

1-0

2-0

Lets hope there are many more Sheva goals to come!!

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Chelsea Times 27/01/07

2007-01-27T10:05:00.000Z

Business commitments took me away for the best part of the week from the world of Chelsea and not being able to afford the ownership of a laptop I had no access to cyberspace from my location in the North West of England and I certainly WAS NOT going to pay £2 per ten minutes Internet access in my temporary lodgings.

So if there is a mystery benefactor who enjoys this blog and can't get enough of this blog who wants to donate a laptop for my own personal and exclusive use - then leave a comment or get in touch with me LOL LOL!!!

Failing that I will just have to save up for one then!!!

So what has happened at Chelsea this week.

Well Jose is still with us. Chelsea still hasn't made any transfer window signings and with only FOUR days left signings do not look very likely!!!

Chelsea reached the Carling Cup final on Tuesday night, beating League Two Wycombe Wanderers, and I didn't see the game!!!

The Shev scored twice in the above game and now all I want the Shev to do is to repeat his exploits in the Premiership starting with Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night.

Before that, Chelsea entertain once proud and twice winners of the European Cup and now residing in League One, Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in the 4th Round of the FA Cup and The Shev starts again.

A full FA Cup preview will appear later.

Reports this morning suggest that inspirational Captain John Terry is close to making a return to first team action. Bout time I think!!!!

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Sheva Should Have Started Yesterday!!!

2007-01-21T09:43:00.000Z

What player would you have wanted to start at Anfield yesterday. An ineffective lightweight like Salomon Kalou or an ineffective but vastly experienced Andriy Shevchenko?

Me. I would have gone for The Shev. The 17 minutes that the Shev got yesterday was no more than a token appearance to perhaps pacify RA's desire to see his £30m investment play.

All week Jose had planned his formation with Carvalho playing at the back. Carvalho wakes up on Saturday morning unwell and the week's planning goes straight out of the window. Essien has to move into the back four instead of perhaps playing the Makelele role and Mikel is added to the team instead. Personally I would have preferred Diarra to start because he can play the Maka holding role.

Two Liverpool goals in the first eighteen through basic defensvie errors - and before you think that I am blaming Ferreira and Essien for those errors - I am not. THEY ARE NOT CENTRAL DEFENDERS!!!

There are people to blame however for Chelsea's current crisis. Lets start with Abramovich and his so-called advisers, add Kenyon to the list along with Buck, Tenebaum and the rest and I do apportion some blame to Jose and his management team.

All this squabbling about money and signings has to stop and stop now!!! Chelsea need to concentrate on getting inspirational Captain John Terry fit again as soon as possible, if not pay the damm money and get in a decent centre-half.

OR

Cancel Michael Mancienne's loan spell at QPR and bring him back and put him in the side. I would rather see a 19 year old centre-half who may be brilliant or may be rubbish, play in a position that he knows about and not players who are making up the numbers.

OR

Get Adrian Pettigrew fit ASAP and cancel his potential loan to Wycombe Wanderers.

Both of the above players can play centre-half. They have done it throughout their careers and I have seen them play for the reserves on many occasions and if they EVER played for the first team they will not let us, the fans, down!!!

Take Essien out of his normal position and Chelsea lose the power and drive of his midfield play and Chelsea lose the power TOO!!

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When Saturday (and Sunday) Comes!!!

2007-01-19T17:25:00.000Z

This weekend is the weekend that Liverpool play Chelsea and Arsenal (my favourite team aka as Emirates XI LOL LOL) take on the ManUre of Man U at Cashburton Grove.

Will the points difference come 6pm Sunday night (UK time) be six, nine or three between the Champions and the current League leaders?

Thanks to TV I am able to watch the Liverpool game on TV (Saturday) and I will watch the Arsenal game on Sunday (in the company with my daughters bf who happens to be a Gooner!!!) The amount of times I have told my offspring to get 'partnered up,' with people who either like football (geddit?) or who support Chelsea (just think of all those arguments saved LOL LOL)!!!

Anyway the main purpose of today's entry is to tell you about a game that I will be watching on Saturday (live at the ground, and don't get me wrong I would have loved to be at Anfield and any other ground that Chelsea play, but today's finances are strictly restricted to Chelsea Home League games).

Tomorrow I will be going to support one of the many local clubs in my area and the club that I am going to support, VCD Athletic are playing at home against West Auckland Town in the FA Vase competition.

VCD Athletic play in the Kent League and West Auckland Town who are based near Darlington, play in the Northern League.

The game had been in doubt for the last two days due to the horrible weather, but as I write, the game is definitely on and will kick off at 3pm UK time.

Why VCD Athletic you may ask? Well. A colleague at work plays for VCD Athletic and he told me of a match that he played at Wisbech Town in the previous round of the FA Vase and that the crowd was in excess of 300. (Now before you laugh at the attendance figure, we are taling about two teams playing in the lower leagues of England's footballing pyramid).

The whole idea of the public paying to watch footballers playing at a semi-professional level further down the pyramid than say the Conference, Conference North and Conference South got me thinking.

Why would 300 plus people from a 'small' Cambridgeshire town want to watch a football match without the named stars, without the glitz and hype, without the TV and press???

All I could think of was that these people 'supported' their big named club, but either couldn't afford to go to the games, the location of where they lived made the journey difficult or it was easier to support their 'local' club, no matter the level.

Then I did a 'little' research on VCD Athletic and discovered the League they play in is the Kent League, which is one League beneath the Ryman League South, two Leagues beneath the Ryman League Premier, three Leagues beneath the Nationwide Conference South and Four Leagues beneath the Nationwide Conference.

So technically in FIVE years time (including this year), VCD Athletic could be a Football League side. And why not?? Currently VCD are in fourth place in the Kent League, only a few points behind leaders Whitstable Town.

With the greatest respect to the Anorak's (coat that is LOL) I intend to become one tomorrow. My day has bet set and planned like a military operation. I shall be armed with my camera, after all we are talking about a 'new' ground being added to my list, got to buy a VCD scarf, badge, programme and any other souvenir that is available and make VCD Athletic my 'project' for another football team to follow!!!

Get to the ground by 12.30, watch the Liverpool v Chelsea game in the clubhouse (which kicks off at 12.45pm) watch VCD v West Auckland Town (kick off 3pm) and then sink copious amounts of booze with the players (hopefully in celebration) after the game.

After all it is THE FA VASE.

As well as the 'haps' for the Chelsea game, bookmark this blog for the whole story on VCD Athletic v West Auckland Town sometime over the weekend - pictures and all!!!

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Chelsea Times 17/01/07

2007-01-17T18:30:00.000Z

Well it is almost the end of the 17th day of the January transfer window and still there has been no signings.

Significantly too, the 'Special One' is still Chelsea manager. To be honest with you I half expected Jose to have left the club by now - especially after reading all about the 'turmoil' at the club last week.

Will he stay or will he go? What do you think?

Anyway for today's Chelsea Times edition

Bolton's Ben Haim IS NOT coming to Chelsea!!!

Chelsea Youth starlet, Scott Sinclair has gone on a month's loan to Plymouth Argyle.

Petr Cech has been given the ALL CLEAR to continue full training. Won't it be nice if Petr, complete with protective headgear returned for the Liverpool game on Sunday?

Fans FC report that AC Milan's coach Carlo Ancelotti WILL not be joining Chelsea should Jose quit the club in the Summer.

And finally ChelseaMad report that 'The Shev' will play at Anfield on Saturday, replacing the ineffective Salomon Kalou in attack with Didier Drogba.

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Chelsea 4-0 Wigan - THE GOALS!!!

2007-01-15T19:37:00.000Z

Frank's Deceiving Free-Kick!!

Man of the Match, Arjen Robben's Solo Goal with a little help!!

Chelsea's Third Goal. Should be Robben's but IT is a Kirkland og!

No doubt about who the fourth goal belongs too!! - WHO LET THE DROG OUT!!!

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Chelsea Times 15/01/07

2007-01-15T18:48:00.000Z

Jose Mourinho claimed on Saturday after Chelsea's 4-0 drubbing of Wigan that he 'had a £50m player returning on Monday (today). That player of course is goalkeeper Petr Cech who is expected to return for Chelsea at Liverpool on Saturday. Should Petr return, he will be wearing the protective skull cap that he hae been wearing for the last 2 months.

Its still almost a week before the Chelsea match at Liverpool and the banter is already starting with the following stories from Liverpool Online.

Carragher Ready for Chelsea

Liverpool ready for Chelsea

Kuyt Says 'We are ready for Chelsea.'

Finally on the subject of Chelsea v Liverpool, the Academy lost at Liverpool on Saturday in the 4th Round of the FA Youth Cup 2-0 at Anfield.

The Reserves are in action at Stevenage Borough FC playing Tottenham and Ben Sahar who came on as a 2nd half substitute against Wigan on Saturday, starts this evening.

19 year old Reserve James Simmonds has joined Championship side Cardiff City until the end of the season

Finally the boys won 4-0 on Saturday and Arjen Robben proved how much he has been missed not just by scoring one goal and causing Wigan's 'keeper Chris Kirkland to concede an own goal, but by his overall play in general. I though Arjen Robben was outstanding and the fans were too!!!

The fans certainly made their feelings known to the Chelsea 'establishment' by chanting Jose's name throughout the game and chanting the song, 'Stand up for the Special one,' which drew applause every time the song was sung.

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Chelsea Times 13/01/07

2007-01-13T10:18:00.000Z

Today's issue of Chelsea Times deals with one subject and one subject only - JOSE MOURINHO!!

In one popular UK newspaper this morning there is a raging and screaming headline that JOSE and FRANK LAMPARD will be leaving Chelsea to go to Real Madrid at the end of this season.

With Jose issuing the Chelsea hierachy a 'back me or sack me' ultimatum, has Jose pulled the plug on his Chelsea career? and will his departure come sooner rather than later?

I fear the worse. Jose will be GONE. Its a simple enough logical statement to make because throughout this week there has been no 'official' denial or confirmation regarding the speculation about our 'Special One.'

Even Jose hasn't said Yes or No. All he can say is 'I Love Chelsea.' WTF is that all about, he is also telling us to forget about the newspaper stories and be like him and don't read the stories, but Jose you don't need to read the stories because YOU are the story and YOU know what you are gonna do!!

Again Chelsea Football Club is forgetting about the people that make Chelsea Football Club, because if it wasn't for these people there WOULD NOT BE a Chelsea Football Club, a club that I have supported since 1966.

I am talking about the fans. Fans that pay good hard earned money to follow the club that they love and Chelsea Football Club are treating the fans (including me) with CONTEMPT, the Club are being DISRESPECTFUL to the fans and basically the Club's present handling of the situation is nothing short of DISGRACEFUL!!

We have been down this road before. With Ranieri, with Sexton, with McCreadie and the rest and now its the turn of the 'Special One, our Jose Mourinho.

The man who came to Chelsea and gave BACK-TO-BACK PREMIERSHIPS TITLES and the man who is fighting to give us a THIRD consecutive title.

Jose Mourinho whilst he is still Chelsea's manager will need to dig deep and prove another side of his outstanding managerial quality and that is to make sure the players he selects every time Chelsea play are focussed, ready and prepared for each and every game from today against Wigan Athletic to the last game of the season.

There is no doubt the players know what is going on and there is no doubt that a few of the players or maybe all of them will become uncertain about their own future and this will cause a destabilising situation within the squad and perhaps morale will lower.

With Chelsea still involved in FOUR competitions Jose needs to stand firm and be counted as do all the players and staff.

The fans already do a 'magnificent' job supporting the team, but the fans need to do more starting today.

I cannot wait to get to Stamford Bridge this afternoon, purely to witness the reaction of the fans and pray that any reaction is given with a positive attitude.

COME ON CHELSEA!!!

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Chelsea Times 11/1/07

2007-01-11T20:04:00.000Z

Well its the 11th Jan today, tomorrow is the 12th and there are still no signings during this January transfer window.

There is one link that I will want you to view today and that is the 'idiot' for Chelsea TV named Neill Barnett who calls himself the 'Spy in the Camp.'

The bloke is an embarrassment, but he knows his stuff!! What do you think??

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Wycombe 1-1 Chelsea

2007-01-11T18:02:00.001Z

This post is the 101st post to this blog.

Awareness to this blog is growing - slowly but surely. Ratings on various sites are growing daily but on the other hand are slipping too.

According to 'official' UK stats there are 3.8million Chelsea fans in the UK. The rest of the UK 'hate' Chelsea, now if that is the case, why no comments? Why is there not one comment left on a daily basis?

Are my readers left without opinion? After all football and especially Chelsea are about opinions but has no one got an opinion???

Bookmark this blog, make your opinion and lets have a debate - make it worth my while continuing this blog!! Thank you

As a Chelsea supporter I think I have had one of the worse days of my life today as 'worms' who have had no opinion in the past have dug themselves out of the ground and given me the 'biggun,' about last night's result.

WYCOMBE WANDERERS 1-1 CHELSEA

WTF. Its a two legged match and Chelsea has the advantage of the second leg at home at STAMFORD BRIDGE on Tuesday 23rd January, by that time Chelsea and Chelsea fans can expect the following players (who were unavailable last night) available for this game.

Petr Cech
John Terry
Ricardo Carvalho
Didier Drogba
Arjen Robben
Andriy Shevchenko

Jose will make no mistake. He will play his full strength side for the 2nd leg, subject to availability, injuries and suspension. AFter all the Carling Cup was his FIRST MAJOR trophy he won in his first season at Chelsea.

Last night we saw Ferreira and Essien in central defence and Wayne Bridge up front in a 4-3-3.

OK Bridgey scored and didn't he take his goal well, despite getting busted up in a collision with the Wycombe's goalkeeper, who ended up looking like a patch work quilt with all those plasters on his face!!!

But at the end of the day Chelsea wasn't good enough. Kalou is seriously out of his depth. Wright-Phillips bless him, is so short of confidence and Makelele got himself booked and misses the Liverpool game!!!

As far as I am concerned. It has taken 2 1/2 years to have a 'blip'. Chelsea are 2nd in the League. Won their Champions League group (which was the toughest), on the verge of another final and in the 4th Round of the FA Cup.

If you want to know about the bad times, leave a comment and I will tell you all about it!!!

REMEMBER

I WAS THERE WHEN WE WERE SHIT!!

COME ON CHELSEA!!

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Wycombe in the Carling Cup

2007-01-10T18:42:00.000Z

In about an hour's time the boys kick off their first leg of the Carling Cup Semi-Final against Wycombe Wanderers at The Causeway.

Whatever the performance, everybody is looking for Chelsea to fail and fall short and no matter that this tie is a two-legged affair, a Chelsea defeat this evening will send the Chelsea 'haters' into overdrive.

Chelsea travel to Wycombe without the injured players plus Carvalho and Drogba who are both suspended thanks to silly bookings received at Villa Park at the start of the New Year. So Jose has stated that Ferreira and Essien will be the centre-half pairing.

Yet again poor Sheva was slaughtered in the press for 'not scoring' against a League Two side - so what chance has he against another League Two side then, especially as he cannot get the goals in the Premiership???? (And before you kick off I am being ironic). So if Sheva gets a part in tonight's proceedings, unless he scores a ton, he is going to get slated once again... typical of the press in this country.

Apologies for the lack of Chelsea Times yesterday, but the system that hosts my blog wasn't up and running and there was no way I was gonna wait for it to come back up!!!

So without links. John Terry was fined £10,000 by the FA after his 'improper conduct' towards Graham Poll after the Tottenham game in Novemeber 2005.

Chelsea still hasn't signed anybody ten days into the 'transfer window.!

Petr Cech is available for selection - subject to the medical team's green light.

The FA Cup game against Nottingham Forest has been set for Sunday 28th January, kick off 2pm and will be televised live on the BBC.

CHELSEA TEAM:

Hilario

Geremi
Ferreira
Essien
A Cole

Ballack
Makelele
Mikel

Wright-Phillips
Kalou
W Bridge

Subs:

Yves Ma Kalamby (GK)
Morais
Lampard
Sahar
Sinclair

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Chelsea Times 8/01/07

2007-01-08T18:13:00.000Z

So for today's Chelsea round-up and most importantly is that John Terry HAS admitted the FA charge of improper conduct after the game at Tottenham and the FA is expected to announce their punishment tomorrow (Tuesday). Prepare for JT getting a ban.

Still no signings as of yet, but Inter's boss as expressed an interest in taking Sheav back to Milan

It doesn't look like SWP is going to West Ham after all.

Teamtalk report that there has been no Chelsea comment on speculation regarding the future of Jose Mourinho. And according the Fans FC, the Russian FA is confident of keeping Hiddink to the length of his contract.

And in today's 4th Round FA Cup draw Chelsea got a home tie against League One side Nottingham Forest. Forest beat Charlton on Saturday 2-0 and on Wednesday Chelsea play Wycombe in the Carling Cup who beat Charlton too!!!

Forest's manager Colin Calderwood, says 'he is relishing the tie,' according to Teamtalk.

That's it for today. Bookmark this blog and come back tomorrow for the next installment of Chelsea Times.

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Chelsea Times 7/1/07

2007-01-07T15:00:00.000Z

If you woke up this morning with a warm feeling after Chelsea's 6-1 trouncing of plucky Macclesfield then perhaps media reports that Jose MAY leave in the Summer will turn that warm feeling to cold. Not only was the story published in a couple of papers I saw this morning, the news is really HOT on the Internet wire.

Here are a selection of stories - make your mind up!!!

Belfast Telegraph - JM off to Italy!!

Fox Sports - Hiddink to replace Mourinho?

William Hill - 9/4 Mourinho to quit Chelsea in the Summer!

Soccernet - Hiddink to replace Mourinho?

The Sporting Life - Another story on Hiddink replacing Jose!

I think you get the idea - perhaps there IS something in it!!

Moving on finally the media are catching on that the presence of German International and Captain, Michael Ballack is not all that it should be.

For me Ballack is a waste of space and a waste of time!!!

Teamtalk say that senior players want to see Jose about Ballack's contribution.

The Times headline 'Chelsea unrest over Ballack.'

Milan Baros agent 'claims' Chelsea are interested in signing the Villa man. Yeah right and pah!!! - Sky Sports.

And lastly for today, left-back Wayne Bridge told Sky Sports its not easy retaining motivation when you are not a regular player. Wayne I am sure your new four year contract and the money involved is enough compensation!!!

Don't forget bookmark this blog and come back tomorrow for more Chelsea Times and no doubt more about Jose and Gus.

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Macclesfield Town - Credit to League Two

2007-01-06T20:38:00.000Z

They say everybody has their 'fifteen minutes of fame. Today Macclesfield Town's Goalkeeper Tommy Lee, formerly a ManUre trainee has had his.

In today's papers, quite rightly he was giving the biggun about the possibility of turning over the Champions in their own back yard and then with only 47 minutes gone on the clock, his team trailing 2-1, Lee gets himself sent-off for pulling down Chelsea's Andriy Shevchenko in the penalty area.

Without a substitute goalkeeper, David Morley went in goal and to be fair the heavens opened and Macclesfield conceded another four and Chelsea ran out 6-1 winners.

Tommy Lee's sending off was the turning point of the game. Up to that point 'The Silkmen' were giving Chelsea a battle and their fans were magnificent in their support of their team currently residing second bottom of League Two.

More performances like the one Macclesfield showed today and there is no reason why the club cannot avoid the drop.

The players and the fans should be proud of their team's contribution to today's game and Macclesfield under the guidance of The Guv'nor Paul Ince are a credit to League 2.

Prior today, Macclesfield was unbeaten in ten and had won their last four.

Chelsea has their own hero today in Frank Lampard who scored his first Chelsea hat-trick and only the second of his career.

Jose revealed that Frank should not have played, but he did because Lassana Diarra was punished for arriving forty minutes late for a team meeting.

16 yr old Michael Woods played the last twelve minutes and 17 yr old Ben Sahar played the last fifteen minutes.

The draw for the 4th Round of the FA Cup takes place on Monday 8th January at 1.30pm (UK time).

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Chelsea Times 6/01/07

2007-01-06T19:48:00.000Z

First lets get on with the official reaction from Chelsea's 6-1 trouncing of Macclesfield Town this afternoon in the FA Cup

Jose laughing at his 'dark moment' and praises hat-trick man Frank Lampard

The Daily Star from Bangladesh reports that Michael Essien has won the BBCs African Player of the Year.

According to Liverpool FC Online they reckon that Chelsea are interested in Blackburn's Lucas Neill. Good to see the scousescum get turned over by Emirates XI this evening.

Dynamo Kiev look for Sheva return.

According to The Sporting Life, Chelsea are after Villa's Milan Baros and Charlton' Darren Bent. The Darren Bent story is probably the more believable of the two, but with Bent injured and out for 4-6 weeks, seems that Pardew wants to 'cash in.' Hmmm perhaps the buying club shouldn't pay anything until Bent is fit!!!

With regards to Milan Baros - YOU HAVE GOT TO BE HAVING A LAUGH!!!!

And lastly for today, The Sun suggests that Villa and Spurs have entered the race for the signature of Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Don't forget, book mark this page and comeback tomorrow to see what other news gems that have been found for your entertainment!!

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Chelsea v Macclesfield Town

2007-01-05T17:50:00.000Z

Its FA Cup third round this weekend and lets get the brutal truth out of the way first (cos I know there will Macclesfield fans visiting here later), that if Chelsea do not win by at least THREE clear goals then I will be extremely disappointed!!

I mean no disrespect to Macclesfield Town, to their fans and to the 'Guvnor' Paul Ince, but Chelsea are Champions and 2nd in the Premiership and Macclesfield Town surviving on home gates of 2,000, at the wrong end of League Two but and a BIG but are on unbeaten run of ten games!!!

Although Macclesfield home gates average 2,000, The Silkmen are bringing over 4,000 fans to the home of the Champions and yet again The Shed End will be decked out in Blue and White and not for the first time in recent years the Blue and White will not be Chelsea's . And yes you have guessed it, no doubt Chelsea will be outsung AGAIN by visiting fans!!!

I hope not. Can you imagine the embarrassment of being 'outsung' by a League Two team. OMG!!!

I sincerely wish every 'Silkman, Silkwoman and Silkchild' an enjoyable day out and please do enjoy yourself, but 'may the result go against you.'

SEE YOU TOMORROW

Check out my friends at The Offside that have found a story that Macclesfield's Matty McNeil looks like Borat. Personally I think the story should have been headlined as 'From Fruit and Veg to Stamford Bridge,'.... see what you think.

Read Jose's respect for Paul Ince 'The Guvnor.' Oh its all very nice.

Poor old Ashley, Happy to take a Premiership break according to Teamtalk. Perhaps he wants to do my job for less than 1/100 of what I earn in his week.

A warm Chelsea welcome awaits Paul Ince and his Macclesfield team.

If You Know Your History, here is your guide to the full facts and figures of Chelsea v Macclesfield Town.

And according to ChelseaFC.com, Macclesfield are not going to 'park the bus.'

There is the possibility that Jose is considering 'resting' his stars, despite the long injury list and that could mean promotion from the Academy/Reserve team for 17yr old Israeli International Ben Sahar, 16yr old Michael Woods (who was the centre on the tug-of-war with Ken Bates and Leeds Utd) and possibly my favourite Academy player, Scott Sinclair. Who is Theo Walcott??

Just as I was compiling this entry I found this news about Chelsea's squad to face Macclesfield on Saturday and three of the four names above are in the squad.

COME ON CHELSEA

ENJOY YOUR DAY MACCLESFIELD!!

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Chelsea Times 5/01/07

2007-01-05T16:54:00.000Z

Welcome to a new feature - CHELSEA TIMES!!

Don't worry about surfing around and sourcing the news about your favourite football club. Bookmark this blog and you can get an instant digest each and every day!!!

(Please bear in mind though that this feature will be available between 5pm and 7pm UK time, each and every day

COME ON CHELSEA!!

Sheva has scored more goals than Veron ever did for Chelsea!! - Times Online

Chelsea crisis?!?!?! What crisis?!!?!?! Remember I was there when we were shit. According to Frank Lampard there is no crisis - The Star

According to the bastion of all British broadsheet newspapers, or is The Guardian a tabloid now??? I don't know I am a 'red-top reader, Petr Cech could return for Chelsea against Liverpool on Jan 20th.

They do like a rumour over at Fans FC. They reckon Jose is after 33yr old Valencia defender Roberto Ayala. Can imagine it now.... Ay.....ala oh oh, ay......ala oh oh. Nope it hasn't got the same ring as Tiago.

And another one from our friends at Fans FC. After press speculation that Shaun Wright-Phillips is going to West Ham, Fans FC reckon Shaunie could be going to Newcastle Utd to join up with ex-Chelsea star Damien Duff.

What next? Hmmmmm Howabout the matter of a FA Cup-tie with League Two's Macclesfield Town.

COME ON CHELSEA!!

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It Could Have Been Nine Points, It Should Have Been Four, But its SIX!!!!

2007-01-02T22:12:00.000Z

For the first time in the Premiership this season Chelsea failed to score a goal. For their failure and a 0-0 draw, Chelsea is now six points behind leaders Man Ure.

For their dominance in possession and for their attempts on goal 14 to Villa's 2, Chelsea should have comfortably wrapped this game up before half-time.

But there is more bad news for Chelsea. Khalid Boulahrouz damaged his medial ligaments in his knee and is out of action for a minimum four weeks. Carvalho and Drogba were needlessly booked and BOTH now miss the Carling Cup 1st leg at Wycombe Wanderers a week tonight and we still haven't signed anyone in the transfer window which is now TWO days old.

John Terry is NOT expected to play again until Chelsea's next home match against Wigan Athletic on January 13th.

So in a week's time when Chelsea line up at Wycombe in a major cup semi-final, Chelsea will have no 'defence.' LOL LOL

Talk about doing things the hard way!!!

I WAS THERE WHEN WE WERE SHIT!!!!

COME ON CHELSEA

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Chelsea Team at Aston Villa

2007-01-02T19:11:00.000Z

Here's the team to play Aston Villa at Villa Park, kick off 8pm

Hilario

Ferreira
Carvalho
Boulahrouz
A Cole

Essien
Makelele
Lampard

Wright-Phillips
Drogba
Kalou

Simple straightforward 4-3-3

Interesting that two of the players whose comments by Jose were 'hunted' in the UK press, start tonight. Shaunie and Salomon!!!

COME ON CHELSEA

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Fortunately.......

2006-12-30T21:36:00.000Z

.... when Chelsea play their next League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Tuesday 2 Jan 2007, Michael Ballack will NOT be playing as he will be suspended after collecting five yellow cards (the fifth being collected on Boxing Day against Reading).

Why do I say fortunately?? Well if Jose (Our Special One) won't drop him, the only way out of the team for Ballack is either suspension or injury!!!

Although Ballack has scored a Champions League goal (albeit from a penalty) and the odd goal or two or three in the Premiership, what has the man contributed to the team?

Well apart from conceding needless free-kicks, which have generated goals for the opposition (Reading and Fulham) spring to mind - I would say absolutely nothing!!

I have said in a previous post that Ballack strolls around like someone taking their dog for a walk in the park, now (courtesy of my son) I say that Ballack strolls around the football pitch like he owns it and has the divine right to be on it.

Maybe he has a case if he was playing for Germany or his old club Bayern Munich, but this is Chelsea and this is the Premiership and Chelsea are the CHAMPIONS!!!

Ballack HAS NO comprehension of the Blue shirt, the history, the Blue badge and the fans (plastic or not) that support and follow the club, the badge, the shirt. For a man of his supposed class and calibre, his performances in the Chelsea shirt have been nothing short of disgraceful.

I can name a whole list of players that were rubbish playing for Chelsea FC down the years, but rubbish or not, these players gave their all for the shirt, the club, the badge and the fans which pales Ballack's contribution completely into oblivion.

Not so long ago Jose said that Ballack was one of his untouchables. Now unless Jose can see something different from the rest of us - did Jose mean that the ball doesn't touch Ballack? Somehow I doubt it!!!

So what does Jose mean exactly???

I don't know, you tell me!!

REMEMBER - I WAS THERE WHEN WE WERE SHIT!!!!!!

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I WAS THERE WHEN WE WERE SHIT

2006-12-29T19:32:00.000Z

I am watching Chelsea TV as I write this entry and what you read below is a copy of an email that I have sent to Chelsea TV tonight, in particular to the presenter Neil Barnett who thinks he is the dogs bollocks, but in reality is nothing but a four-eyed bald-headed twit.

Here comes the copy:

-------------------------------

Dear Neil

I don't expect a reply or this email to be read out because all my previous emails have been ignored in the past.... but man you are priceless

First the good news about JT - seeing him run at Cobham on Chelsea TV was extremely encouraging.

Now down to you - as I say you are priceless!!!!

You said that Steve Clarke said "If we get outsung by Fulham tomorrow we might as well shut Stamford Bridge down."

You said "there you go a challenge for you Chelsea supporters."

You claim that you have been writing, reporting for Chelsea for the last 20 years. Even you must realise that 'your hardcore' singers can't afford to go to games anymore and that they have been replaced by the greencoated, corduroy trouser, brown shoe wearing brigade with more money than sense, that do not have a clue how to support the team they are watching.

So please do not patronise the remaining hardcore fans that can afford to get into Stamford Bridge and do their best not to get outsung by the visiting fans and please do something about the hierachy that really seems to want to distance themselves from the 'REAL' Chelsea fan who nowadays has to do their singing from the pub or from indoors.

Regards
41 Years A Blue

Proud Season ticket holder and singer in the MHL Stand

---------------------------------------------

There you go. I don't expect a reply and I don't expect my opinions to be broadcasted - well they haven't before, perhaps the hierachy are afraid of the 'real' fans telling the truth!!!

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Just Opened

2006-12-29T14:58:00.000Z

'If You Know Your History' is pleased to announce the opening of an online shopping store in conjunction with the nice folks at Amazon where you can buy all items related to Chelsea Football Club in a safe and secure environment.

Please take a few minutes to click the links below and have a look around and you might find something you like from a range of books, CDs, DVDs, Videos and a whole lot more.

If You Know Your History Online Chelsea Store

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John Terry Has Back Surgery

2006-12-29T09:46:00.000Z

Captain marvel John Terry, underwent keyhole surgery on his back in France yesterday, and if you believe everything that has been reported, JT could be out for as little as EIGHT DAYS to as much as THREE MONTHS.

Whatever length of time JT is out, Chelsea are already missing him - conceding six goals in three Premiership matches and with the draw against Reading on Boxing Day the gap at the top of the Premiership is now four points.

General opinion is that JT will be back in four weeks, but for me his return cannot come quick enough.

The following is a list of games that JT will miss (should his absence be four weeks):

Fulham (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Macclesfield Town (H)
Wycombe (A)
Wigan (H)
Liverpool (A)
Wycombe (H)

Chelsea's owner Mr Abramovich, spoke last week about the 'days of Chelsea's spending being over,' and that he wanted to see more players from the Reserves and Academy forcing their way through to the first team in years to come.

Tomorrow against Fulham, Jose has a great opportunity to do just that. With Boulahrouz suspended, Jose can call up reserve team defender Adrian Pettigrew to make his first team debut.

I watch alot of Reserve team football and I know that Pettigrew won't let the team down. He is big, strong, good in the air and has a fair amount of pace.

Whatever happens, its squeaky bum time, starting tomorrow against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

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Micah Richards Set to Sign???

2006-12-28T10:28:00.000Z

The rumour mill is gathering pace and it looks set that Man City and England International, Micah Richards is joining Chelsea when the January transfer window opens. The fee is expected to be £18m.

This morning, Man City's manager Stuart Pearce has denied that Chelsea has made an approach although he did say that City has contacted Chelsea about taking a player or two from them. Does that mean that SWP is on his way back to Eastlands?

If Richards signs, his arrival will end Chelsea's right-back problems but their centre-half difficulty will continue with JT out for a few more weeks.

But Richards is tough, young and uncompromising and there is no reason why he cannot fill the void. Two positions for the price of one!!!

Jose Mourinho has admitted that he has considered using Didier Drogba as an emergency centre-half, but with Joe Cole and Arjen Robben both out with injuries and the unfortunate Andriy Shevchenko struggling for goals, this move seems unlikely.

Jose could always switch Ballack to defence - give the lazy git something to do LOL LOL!!!

Fortunately Chelsea has only ONE more league to play before the transfer window opens and if Richards does sign, I would imagine that JM will pitch him straight in against Aston Villa on Jan 2.

One club that will be hoping that the Richards move goes through is League One challengers Oldham Athletic. They will receive a massive 25% of the fee - a clause in the contract - when Richards went to City.

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You Have Just Got To Laugh!!

2006-12-27T10:18:00.000Z

Here is the vid of Cole's/Essien combined own goal with less than five minutes to go at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

The result means that the Champions are four points behind ManUre and without sounding too pessimistic look set to drop further points whilst a certain Mr Michael Ballack continues to wear the Blue of Chelsea.

Ballack was less than impressive yesterday - strolling around as if he was taking a dog for a walk in the park. Giving away too many free-kicks and generally not getting 'stuck' into the game.

Whilst 'The Shev' is getting all the criticism for not scoring, Ballack is getting away with it.

However the fans are starting to get fed up and after the game yesterday Ballack was booed off the pitch and unless Ballack changes his act, style of play the boos will get worse. Am I bothered? No cos I will be one of the booers!!!

Captain John Terry has missed the last three Premiership games and Chelsea has conceded six goals and Chelsea will continue to concede until JT returns or JM decides to go out into the tranfer market as quick as possible once the clock has turned midmight on Jan 1 2007 to buy a central defender.

For many Chelsea fans it is a worrying time - oh dear haven't you been spoilt!!!!

For me I am not worried at all simply because I have seen my Chelsea win the title twice (more than I expected in my lifetime) and I WAS THERE WHEN WE WERE SHIT!!!

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I Am Ready, Just Waiting for the Others

2006-12-25T11:15:00.000Z

Yeah I know its Christmas Day, and yeah you might think I am sad posting this morning, but I am ready and I am waiting for the others in my house to get their skates on before we all head out for lunch to a family members house.

So whilst I have anything up to an hour before we leave, I'd thought I would give it a go now because later I will be worse the wear and tomorrow I have an early start to get to Stamford Bridge for the Reading game.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

For forty-four minutes on Saturday Chelsea looked like they would rack up an impressive score-line against Wigan at the JJB. Heskey had different ideas - pulled one back right on the stroke of half-time and the second-half became a different story.

Heskey equalised and Chelsea looked very capable of losing the game that in fairness they should have wrapped up much much earlier than they did.

Chelsea have sorely missed the presence of Captain John Terry. Two league games missed and four goals conceded against two teams that like to play rough, tough and straight down the middle. Battles that JT would have relished.

So the script was written for Chelsea to break Wigan's hearts AGAIN just like last season and so they did.

Deep deep into injury time Arjen Robben cut in from the left and hit a sweet shot into the bottom corner of the net to give Chelsea an 'undeserved' win - but thats why WE ARE CHAMPIONS..

See the goal again

Tomorrow the Champions take on Reading at Stamford Bridge and there really isn't much more to say other than the build-up to the match is all about Hunt and Sonko who were the Reading players involved in the injuries sustained by Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini.

I just hope that nothing more sinister than the verbal abuse these two individuals will expect to receive happens, and that the players, officials and supporters of Reading FC enjoy their trip to Stamford Bridge in relative comfort and safety.

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Wigan v Chelsea

2006-12-23T15:19:00.000Z

The Champions kick off their Christmas campaign in less than two hours against Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium.

Remember last season. First game. Wigan's first EVER appearance in the top flight and their hearts were broken with Hernan Crespo's magnificent late late winner?!?!

View the goal again below and lets hope Wigan hearts are broken again at around 7pm UK time, because it is conceivable that Chelsea could be top of the League for Christmas!!

COME ON CHELSEA

John Terry had a night out this week and won himself a cool 87k by betting 2.5k on number 26, which is his shirt number.

Didier Drogba won a Barclay's award for scoring ten Premiership goals this season and Geremi is reported to have told JM through the press to carry on waving his imaginary cards!!! TUT TUT

In today's Carling Cup draw for the semi-final, Chelsea was drawn away at Wycombe Wanderers in the first leg. Wycombe remember knocked out Charlton Athletic at The Valley earlier this week.

Wigan's De Zeeuw is relishing his battle with Dids today and says 'I don't care if my nose gets broken again.' Nor would I if mine had been broken five times before as in the case of De Zeeuw. De Zeeuw also said that his wife has arranged for nose surgery once the hard man defender retires from the game.

Anyway for regular readers and those passing through, if I don't get a chance to post again before Santa's visit, please allow me to WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and I hope all of your dreams come true.

Take Care

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1st of Three Semi-Finals?!?!?!!?

2006-12-21T19:28:00.000Z

Chelsea snared the victory at St James' Park Newcastle last night 1-0 in the Carling Cup 1/4 final. The only goal of the game was scored by Man of the Match and the man in form Didier Drogba, who came on as a sub with 17 minutes to go.

Just goes to show how drab the whole game and the performance of most of the players was - that Didier Drogba gets the Man of the Match award LOL LOL LOL!!!

Only a few hours before the game kicked off, Jose apologised to Everton and Andy Johnson for the remarks he made about Andy Johnson being a 'diver after Chelsea won at Everton 3-2.

It didn't take Jose long to get himself back in the news, when he brandished the imaginary card signal for ref Chris Foy to issue when Butt fouled Arjen Robben for the free-kick which led to Didier's fine goal. Foy didn't give the yellow card.

Come on Jose - your recent actions/comments are really starting to irritate me!!

Enjoy Didier's goal again and again and again......

Next up Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

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'Engaging Brain Before Opening Mouth'

2006-12-19T20:43:00.000Z

In a game that in all honestly Chelsea should have won comfortably, especially after the way the team started in the first fifteen minutes, events during and after the game have overshadowed the three WONDERFUL goals that Chelsea scored to secure a vital win and gain three points at Goodison Park on Sunday.

The event in discussion is the 'dive' that Everton's Andy Johnson took over Hilario during the first half to try and win Everton a penalty. Before anybody jumps up and down, TV pictures proved that Johnson didn't dive, TV pictures proved that Boulahrouz pushed Johnson before his tumble took place.

In can be said that Johnson's tumbling antics were exaggerated, but had the ref had clear sight of the push I am sure a penalty would have been awarded.

A couple of weeks ago my boss put up a sign at work (in jest I must add) about 'engaging brain before opening mouth,' despite many opportunities that Jose would have had before facing the media post match to view the incident from all angles, it seems that mouth went into overdrive regardless.

What I find interesting today though, apart from reports that Everton plan to sue Jose for defamtory remarks, is that Andy Johnson has not said that Boulahrouz pushed him, even though TV replays showed that he did.

Johnson said "I was very disappointed with the comments made by Jose Mourinho after Sunday's match with Chelsea. I do not consider myself a diver. I feel greatly disappointed my integrity as a footballer has been unfairly questioned in this way. I believe the incident highlighted by Mr Mourinho was badly misinterpreted by him.

I did not dive. I merely jumped out of the way of Chelsea's goalkeeper as he came out at my feet. I was not trying to get a penalty. I hope the Chelsea manager will retract his statement."

OK AJ. TV pictures show you were pushed. Why not admit it that Boulahrouz pushed you in the back? Why did you have lots of words with Boulahrouz after the incident if you are claiming what you have said is true? Why don't you come out and say that Boulahrouz pushed you and your tumble was due to the force of the push.

If you didn't dive why was your manager, David Moyes, trying to get Jose to look at the evidence again on the monitors, when HE (David Moyes) felt you were pushed?

Jose - Watch the tape again, show some humility and say sorry I got it wrong.

If you haven't seen Chelsea's goals from Sunday's match, check the post below and watch and enjoy!!!

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Three VERY VERY Special Goals

2006-12-18T18:08:00.000Z

Ballack v Everton (1-1)

Lampard v Everton (2-2)

Drogba v Everton (2-3)

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Everton 2-3 Chelsea

2006-12-17T19:42:00.000Z

I have to admit I am drunk as a skunk - Barcelona lost in Japan, Chelsea won 3-2 and the URE of Man U lost at West Ham 1-0. What a day and happy days!!!

There will be more when I sober up simply because I don't think it is fair to express an opinion on the failures of others whilst the influence of an afternoon's intake of alcohol has been enjoyed whilst watching the victory of the Blues and the defeat of the Reds.

LOL LOL LOL!!!

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Everton v Chelsea

2006-12-17T10:44:00.000Z

I don't normally get nervous before Chelsea play a football match, but this morning I woke up with a feeling of nervousness and anticipation.

Chelsea head to Goodison Park looking for three points to continue the pressure on League leaders Man Utd at the top of the Premiership.

Although Everton are not in particularly good form and minus their talisman in Tim Cahill, Everton is still a difficult place to go to.

Last season's 1-1 draw proved that. That draw became the first points that Chelsea had dropped and already this season as we all know Chelsea have dropped more points at any stage of Jose Mourinho's tenure.

Expect Hilario to continue in goal and lets hope Carvalho returns to the centre of defence after being withdrawn on Wednesday night against Newcastle.

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Michael Ballack - A Jose 'Untouchable'

2006-12-16T13:30:00.000Z

Ever since Michael Ballack 'dived' at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League game against Bayern Munich, I have disliked the man and although Ballack is now a Chelsea player, my opinion of the man has not really changed.

Michael Ballack - "who is he, who is he?"

I know he is Germany's Captain and an extremely good player at International level and he was an Icon at Bayern Munich but for Chelsea he is Mr Invisible.

Where is he and what has he done? Ok he has scored a few goals in Blue against Werder from the penalty spot and League goals against Portsmouth, Sheff Utd and Bolton, but other than that what has been his contribution to the team in general?

There isn't an answer because he HASN'T contributed anything.

During the Summer when both Ballack and Shevchenko signed I couldn't believe that Chelsea had signed two superstars and I kept on visualising sublime Ballack passes into the path of Shevchenko running on and scoring plenty of goals with Ballack receiving plenty of 'assists' stats.

It just hasn't happened!!!

Up and until a few weeks ago I was in awe of the man. Michael Ballack a superstar in football terms playing his football at the home of the Champions at Stamford Bridge. At the start of the season when Ballack was nursing a minor injury I got close up to the man when he was walking from one part of the ground to another and I was surprised to see how big a man he is.

Ballack is tall and extremely broad across the shoulders, so with his physical status how can he go 'missing' on a football pitch.

But missing is what Ballack does and he does it very well. It was my son who first started to complain about the lack of Ballack's presence on the football field and for the last few games, where possible, I have been following Ballack's presence and I am sorry to say that I find him 'wanting.'

A Jose Untouchable? Don't make me laugh!!

For the last few games against Levski, Arsenal and Newcastle Utd Chelsea have played with ten men on the pitch - its no wonder we can't kill off teams!!

Jose doesn't shy away from grabbing the bull by the horns. Look how many times he has pulled 'The Shev' off the football pitch?

So Jose, its time to re-evaluate your list of 'untouchables' and relegate Ballack to the bench and play someone who wants to play for Chelsea Football Club and not just be happy with turning up at the bank week after week to dip into a £130,000 per week wage.

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Porto in Champions League

2006-12-16T13:08:00.000Z

In Friday's Champions League draw in Nyon, Switzerland Jose Mourinho and Chelsea were drawn against Jose's old club Porto FC.

As Chelsea won Group A, they also won the right to play the second leg at home. I believe in a two legged competition it is much better to play the first leg away first!!

It won't be the first time that Jose will face his old club. Soon after Jose joined Chelsea after leaving Porto, both team were drawn in the Champions League group stage. Chelsea won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge and in the return Porto prevailed 2-1.

A similar set of results will see Chelsea in the last eight of the Champions League competition.

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Drogba's Late Goal Against Newcastle

2006-12-16T12:10:00.000Z

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Essien's Wonder Goal against Arsenal

2006-12-16T12:04:00.000Z

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Normal Service Resumes

2006-12-16T11:29:00.000Z

You would have noticed that my last entry was eight days ago. Funny where has eight days gone and what has happened in those eight days.

To be honest I don't really know. One minute I was looking forward to compiling entries to this 'brilliant' blog in readiness for the Arsenal game and giving the Emirates XI and their fans a right old going over and then the the next minute I had a crisis.

Crisis for me came in all forms. The first form of crisis was my beloved PC, my world to the WWW, wasn't performing as it should have (now it is and I will try not to overwork you again Darling!!)

The rest of my own crisis is so hard to explain - so I won't bother trying to. All I know is that this blog is back and will be regularly updated in the hope of entertaining you.

So to get up-to-date here is a review of whats happened this week in the colourful world of Chelsea Football Club.

Against Emirates XI a last gasp wonder strike by Michael Essien saved a point for the Blues and in fairness Chelsea could have won the game in the last minutes from either Michael Essien or Frank Lampard.

Against the Toon Army from Newcastle on Wednesday night - a very depleted team to boot - Chelsea struggled to win and the only goal came from Didier Drogba late into the game.

Still a win is a win and Chelsea sit five points behind the leaders Man Ure.

Next up is a tough trip to Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon - kick off 1.45pm UK Time.

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Chelsea v Emirates XI 10/12/06 PtII

2006-12-08T17:53:00.000Z

Didier Drogba's 2nd goal against Emirates XI in the Community Shield a couple of weeks before the Premiership win at The Bridge on the video below

Although the fans of Emirates XI wouldn't agree, to beat your rivals twice in the space of a couple of weeks - THAT'S WHY WE'RE CHAMPIONS!!!!

Here is the 2nd of Dids goal in that CS game - if you can find the first please post and let me know!!

COME ON CHELSEA!!

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Chelsea v Emirates XI Sunday 10/12/06

2006-12-08T15:17:00.000Z

The day after this goal went in at Stamford Bridge, Emirates fans from all over the world went mad and could not believe how lucky Didier Drogba and Chelsea were to get this winner. Look at the video again and you will see that Emirates XI's Senderos pushed Drogba onto the ball which actually came off Dids knee!!!!!

If the same happens again on Sunday, I will take it LOL LOL

More to follow!!!

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Chelsea 2-0 Levski Sofia

2006-12-06T18:43:00.000Z

Chelsea comfortably confirmed their Champions League Group A top spot with a 2-0 win over Bulgaria's Levski Sofia on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge.

Two firsts became two goals as Andriy Shevchenko scored his first European goal in the Chelsea Blue and Shaun Wright-Phillips scored his FIRST ever goal for Chelsea too, after some 17 months and fifty plus appearances.

Credit where credit is due. Levski had lost ALL of their previous Champions League group games, after becoming the first team from Bulgaria to qualify for the Champions League, an achievement in itself!! But they came to Stamford Bridge and helped to contribute to an entertaining game of football and Levski was unlucky on a couple of occasions not to have scored a consolation goal for themselves; scant reward for their entertaining and enterprising endeavour.

The draw for the Champions League knockout stage is on Friday 15th December and the Champions League competition resumes matchday in February 2007. Given that the Champions can now focus on catching Man Utd at the top of the Premiership, the Carling Cup Quarter-Final against Newcastle two weeks today and the small matter of the FA Cup which begins on Saturday 6th January 2007.

Before that is the small matter of Chelsea v Arsenal this Sunday at Stamford Bridge. Hopefully a positive result against Emirates XI will finally end their hopes of Premiership ambitions for this season.

Countdown to the big match starts soon!!!

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Shaun Wright-Phillips FIRST Ever Chelsea Goal v Levski Sofia

2006-12-06T18:19:00.000Z

Shaunie's first EVER Chelsea goal and didn't he take it well!!!!

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Sheva's First Chelsea European Goal v Levski Sofia

2006-12-06T18:12:00.000Z

Enjoy the goal again and again. Sheva's first in Europe for Chelsea and lets hope it will not be his last.

This was Chelsea's first goal in Tuesday night's 2-0 over Levski Sofia.

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Chelsea Team v Levski Sofia

2006-12-05T18:45:00.000Z

Chelsea's team has just been announced and it is quite a shocker. A shocker to the extent that there is no Carlo Cudicini in the starting line-up and not even on the bench.

In fact THERE is no goalkeeper on the bench!!

Now since the rule change for substitiutes (5 for Domestic games and 7 for European games) I CANNOT remember Chelsea never having a substitute goalkeeper on the bench.

As you know Petr Cech is injured and new signing Magnus Hedman is ineligible for the Champions League until January.

Chelsea's Team:

Hilario

Ferreira
Carvalho
Boulahrouz
Bridge

Ballack
Essien
Lampard

Shevchenko
Drogba
Robben

Subs: A. Cole, Geremi, Diarra, Kalou, Wright-Phillips, Morais, Mikel

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Champions League Time!!!

2006-12-05T17:47:00.000Z

Chelsea look set to win Group A in the Champions League tonight against Levski Sofia at Stamford Bridge. A win will guarantee top spot that is for certain, but if Chelsea lose and Werder Bremen win in Barcelona then Chelsea will finish 2nd, as they did last season when Liverpool won their group.

If both games end in a draw Chelsea will still top the group.

I can't see any other result than a Chelsea win simply because Levski have lost ALL of their previous five Champions League games this season plus Chelsea won comprehensively 3-1 in Sofia earlier on in the group.

Levski will be without their international goalkeeper Georgi Petkov who is recovering from knee surgery and Levski's coach, Stanimir Stoliov, has to choose between 18 year old and 19 year old goalkeepers, Nikolai Mihailov and Bozhidar Mitrev respectively.

Captain John Terry is suspended and Jose Mourinho has already stated that Makelele will be rested and Ashley Cole will be on the bench. So straight away you know that Wayne Bridge, who recently signed a new four year contract, will start the game.

COME BACK SHORTLY FOR THE FIRST NEWS OF CHELSEA'S STARTING LINE-UP!!

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Getting in the Mood for Levski Sofia

2006-12-04T21:10:00.000Z

Enjoy once again Didier Drogba's hat-trick against Levski Sofia in Bulgaria from the Group A Champions League game played in September.

More of the same tomorrow Didier, if you please!!

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So

2006-12-04T18:14:00.000Z

So. No sooner had the draw for the 3rd Round of the FA Cup been made which saw 'The Silkmen' of Macclesfield Town drawn away to the Champions, Macclesfield's chairman Rob Bickerton announced that the club would provide FREE travel for the 'Silks' fans to the game at Stamford Bridge.

What a great honour and what a great gesture.

Mind you Macclesfield are likely to make almost £500,000 from their appearance and there is every likelihood that the game could go 'live' on TV either on Saturday 6th Jan or Sunday 7th Jan.

Macclesfield can expect an allocation of about 6,000 tickets and the fans will be housed in 'The Shed End,' of Stamford Bridge come matchday.

What is it with teams in Blue and White, taking over our 'end?' LOL!!

Macclesfield are currently bottom of League Two and their new manager ex legend of Man Utd, Liverpool, West Ham, Paul Ince has found out that he his eligible to play against the Champions.

Story goes that Incey has already been on the phone to our very own Frank Lampard.

When Chelsea played Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup a few weeks ago, Villa's chairman Randy Lerner dipped into his pockets and paid for those Villa fans to travel to the game on organised coaches.

Why am I telling you this!!! Well with all this generousity going around, on Chelsea's official site announced today, tickets are on sale for the Carling Cup Quarter-final at Newcastle United on Wednesday 20th December (yep five days before Christmas) and along with match tickets, you can BUY a train ticket for £33 per person to get you there.

Spot the irony - enough said!!!

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FA Cup Draw - Its Macclesfield Town

2006-12-03T15:31:00.000Z

Chelsea has been drawn at home to Macclesfield Town in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. In the draw made this afternoon the Chelsea match was the second to last tie out of the 'hat.'

The tie will be played over the weekend of 6th/7th January 2007.

No doubt the folk of Macclesfield Town will be jumping for joy, because as always at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea games are sold-out and Macclesfield Town will enjoy a very BIG payday.

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The '92 Club'

2006-12-02T19:52:00.000Z

Have you ever heard of the '92' Club?

If you have then good for you. If you haven't, the '92 Club' is opened to those that have visited every single Professional League Football ground in the Country and the membership is so select that not many individuals have achieved it.

Nowadays with clubs moving locations for one reason or another, the '92 Club' will have to be renamed one day as the '150 Club'!!! LOL LOL

Myself personally I have visited and watched matches at 52 different grounds but I admit that my total does include one or two non-league sides (but one of them York City, which I visited twice in a season was a Football League club. Chelsea in the League and Chelsea in the FA Cup).

Also included in my total are the grounds that Chelsea played in the European Cup Winners Cup at Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) and Tromso (Norway).

Plus there is a visit to the San Siro included when I watched AC Milan play Cagliari.

Obviously my visits to these grounds were to watch Chelsea play of course, but the one visit to Dartford FC (at Watling Street) when Peter Taylor was manager, Dartford played Merthyr Tydfil and lost 2-0 and there have been many countless trips to Welling United too. Chelsea have sent a team or two, but I have seen some cracking games at Park View Road including a FA Cup tie when Welling United hosted Blackburn Rovers and lost by a single goal.

Here is the full list of grounds that I have visited and watched a football match:

Man Utd - Old Trafford
Chelsea - Stamford Bridge
Bolton Wanderers - Burnden Park
Portsmouth - Fratton Park
Aston Villa - Villa Park
Arsenal - Highbury
Everton - Goodison Park
Tottenham - White Hart Lane
Fulham - Craven Cottage
Wigan Athletic -Springfield Park
West Ham Utd - Upton Park
Blackburn Rovers - Ewood Park
Newcastle Utd - St James' Park
Watford - Vicarage Road
Charlton - The Valley

Cardiff City - Ninian Park
Birmingham City - St Andrews
Preston NE - Deepdale
Derby County - The Baseball Ground
Burnley - Turf Moor
Southampton - The Dell
West Bromwich Albion - The Hawthorns
Wolverhampton Wanderers - Moulineux
Plymouth Argyle - Home Park
Norwich City - Carrow Road
QPR - Loftus Road
Sheffield Weds - Hillsborough
Leicester City - Filbert Street
Crystal Palace - Selhurst Park
Luton Town - Kenilworth Road
Barnsley - Oakwell

Oldham Athletic - Boundary Park
Swansea City - Vetch Field
Blackpool - Bloomfield Road
Brighton & Hove Albion - Goldstone Ground
Rotherham - Millmoor
Millwall - The Den
Leyton Orient - Brisbane Road

Notts County - Meadow Lane
Bristol Rovers - Eastville
Shrewsbury Town - Gay Meadow
Wrexham - Racecourse Ground
Grimsby Town - Blundell Park

York City - Bootham Crescent
Welling United - Park View Road
Dartford - Watling Street

Wimbledon - Plough Lane
Wimbledon - Selhurst Park

Wembley

SK Slovan Bratislava - Tehelne Pole Stadion
Tromso IL - Alfheim Stadion

San Siro - AC Milan v Cagliarli

There are some wonderful memories in the list above. Some sad and some happy and I would like one day to become a member of the '92 Club' and write or blog about my experiences and perhaps take the challenge further by visiting as many of the non-league grounds and watching a game, because if it wasn't for the football that the part-time footballers play in this country, we would never ever have the strong League system that we have now.

Have you ever heard a part-time player moan about how many games he has to play a week, plus hold down a job????? NO of course you haven't!!

So if there is anyone interested in sponsoring me with a nice car, laptop, mobile phone, decent camera, expense account and a decent salary for me to go travelling around ALL the grounds in the country, relating and reporting back my experiences, then either post a comment or contact me on abis15@aol.com with Sponsor in the subject line and lets discuss it.

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Peaceful and Relaxing Weekend

2006-12-01T19:30:00.000Z

I can enjoy a peaceful and relaxing weekend in the knowledge that my beloved Blues are not playing, that Liverpool and Arsenal have 'shot' themselves out of the Premiership title race with recent dismal results and although Man Ure are three points clear of the Champions and play at Middlesbrough in the early evening of Saturday, I am going to do a 'Jose Mourinho' and not worry about it.

Why?

Cos like Jose, I KNOW that Chelsea will be back at the top of the Premiership before too long.

A solitary Michael Ballack goal on Wednesday evening was enough to bring the points back to London and had Chelsea won by three or four goals, I doubt very much if Bolton would have complained, so much was Chelsea's domination of the game and Jussi being the busier of the two goalkeepers.

You can enjoy Michael Ballack's goal again and again (his third in the Premiership) in the video footage posted below.

Please though take a moment to sign the online petition at the link below:

http://www.gopetition.com/online/10254.html

SAVE SCARBOROUGH FC

Chelsea's next game is Tuesday 5th December when they entertain Bulgaria's Levski Sofia in the final League game in Group A of the Champions League.

Two Minutes of Your Time PLEASE!!

2006-12-01T18:50:00.000Z

It is so easy to become a supporter of a BIG football club in the UK. For example any team in the English Premiership.

But consider this for a second! What about those folks that follow a football club at a lower level and have stayed with that club through thick and thin and through the good times as well as the bad. More bad times than good I would imagine.

OK. Take the folks in the Northern seaside town of Scarborough. Only a few seasons ago they were enjoying the status of a Football League club and came close to humbling the mighty millionaires of Chelsea Football Club in the FA Cup. A few years before that they did cause a major shock in the League Cup beating Chelsea 3-2, after being 2-0 down.

Today Scarborough FC are facing closure. Currently playing in the North Division of the Nationwide Conference, two leagues beneath the Football League, unless Scarborough can sell their McCain Stadium ground and be allowed to build another ground elsewhere in the town, the club will die!!!

Unfortunately the wine drinking, prawn sandwich eating members of the local council WILL NOT let Scarborough Football Club sell the ground and move.

By selling the ground, the club can expect to raise £4m which will be enough to build a new stadium and pay off the club's debts and then the club can move forward into a brighter and better future.

But like most situations in this madcap country of England, Government and Local Councils NEVER EVER EVER like to help their own first.

So please take a minute or two to sign an online petition at this link: http://www.gopetition.com/online/10254.html

and on behalf of a Chelsea fan of over 40 years, a BIG thank you

2006-12-01T15:58:00.000Z

Bolton 0-1 Chelsea: Ballack's Goal

Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea Team News

2006-11-29T19:01:00.000Z

The squad has been staying in the North West since they left Cobham on Saturday.

After the pulsating game against Man Ure on Sunday, Jose and the team need to reproduce the results that the boys have produced at the Reebok in the last two seasons.

2-0 when we won the first title in 50 years in 2005 and 2-0 which put the 2nd title out of doubt in 2006.

Can Chelsea reproduce the same again tonight.

Without a game on Saturday, Chelsea NEED a win at the Reebok as it is possible that Man Ure, the League leaders, could be nine points ahead come the end of the weekend!!

If you are wondering why Chelsea do not have a game at the weekend, it is because Newcastle United (who would have been our opponents) have a UEFA Cup tie on Thursday evening. As Chelsea has a Champions League tie against Levski next Tuesday, there was no room for movement or adjustment due to inappropriate and sufficient rest-time. SO!!

A win for Chelsea tonight is a must!!

And here is the team news:

Cudicini

Geremi

Carvalho

Terry (c)

A Cole

Makelele

Essien

Ballack

Lampard

Shevchenko

Drogba

Chelsea subs: Hilario, Boulahrouz, Mikel, Kalou, Wright-Phillips

COME ON CHELSEA

British Press Witch-Hunt Against 'The Shev'

2006-11-29T17:52:00.000Z

The negative British press frenzy against Andriy Shevchenko especially after the ManUre game on Sunday has been absolutely DISGRACEFUL!!!!!

The bloke has done nothing nothing wrong, except in the media magnifying lenses, not scored the goals he was brought for.

OK his goal return his poor - but to score goals you need the service from your fellow team mates and simply put, Sheva has NOT had the service. I am including the likes of Ballack, Frank, Essien, Joe Cole and Arjen Robben (when they have been on the pitch).

When Sheva and Michael Ballack signed (both on very very BIG money), I would have to be re-incarnated FIVE times and work till I am 65 each time to earn what they are earning.

I had these dreams and visions that Ballack would feed 'The Shev' sublime through ball passes for him to run onto then for Sheva to shoot on sight and hopefully ending in celebrating many many Sheva goals.

It hasn't happen and I believe, Ballack has been a serious let-down and he WAS a disgrace against ManUre on Sunday - AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE.

Ballack fed Sheva one pass in the second-half which was wonderful - except it was overhit - and that was it - Ballack's one and only contribution to my pre-season dream.

What Sheva has done in his arrival and this is aimed at those BLINKERED to Sheva's contribution to the team, IS make Didier Drogba a Chelsea hero. Not only for the goals Dids has scored so far this season, but for the turnaround in his performance of play since the tail end of last season.

It is obvious to me, that Drogba KNEW Sheva was coming last season and simply Dids cleaned up his act.

Gone went the diving, moaning and the general 'cheating' of his game and in came a hunk of a centre-forward, playing the English way of how a centre-forward plays. Strong, attack minded, defensive-minded when needed and the ability to score sensational and crucial goals.

(go back through the archives to see them).

Today one British 'red-top' is suggesting that Sheva is on his toes in January back to Italy and to AC Milan on loan.

After the last couple of days of absolute shameful and disgraceful negative press, I am surprised that Sheva hasn't already packed his bags and left the country!!!!

2006-11-27T22:10:00.000Z

Carvalho Equaliser v Man Utd

After ALL Chelsea ARE Champions!!

2006-11-27T19:05:00.000Z

The pre-match build-up was all about the League leaders Man Utd taking on the Champions Chelsea, at the Theatre of Dreams Old Trafford.

When in reality its Chelsea that should have been treated as the underdogs especially with Man Utd's record of Premiership title wins since the Premiership was formed.

When the Premership was formed and first won by Man Ure in 1992/93 only Blackburn Rovers in 1994/95 and Arsenal in 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04 won the Premiership title to sink the Man Ure dominance of English League football and then 'the new kid' on the block, Chelsea, went on to win two titles in successive years. And not even the 'mighty' Emirates XI from Cashburton Grove can boast successive Premiership titles to their name.

After Sunday's epic encounter at Old Trafford, Man Ure may still have a three-point lead at the top of the table and despite Man Ure taking the lead with a first-half Saha goal, Chelsea came back in the second-half with a Carvalho header from a Lampard corner, and proved their critics wrong with a second-half performance of Champions class.

And that's what Chelsea are - Champions!!!

It was a game of two halves - Mau Ure in the first half and Chelsea's in second, however I suspect had Michael Ballack been more involved during the course of the first half as he was in the second, Chelsea may have prevailed further than the one point they earned.

Chelsea Team v ManUre

2006-11-26T15:49:00.000Z

Chelsea Team:

Cudicini

Geremi
Carvalho
Terry (c)
A Cole

Makelele

Ballack
Lampard
Essien

Drogba
Shevchenko

Subs:

Hilario, Ferreira, Boulahrouz, J Cole, Robben

....And Chelsea HAS No History?!?!?!

2006-11-25T10:28:00.000Z

There are not many professional football clubs that can boast a record of achievement that Chelsea can in meetings with Salford Utd/Man Ure/Man Utd at Old Trafford.

Going back in time and exploring the history of matches between the two clubs (and Chelsea has no history BIG DIG), of 72 clashes, Man Utd has won 31 and Chelsea has remained unbeaten in the other 41 of those matches, winning 18 of them.

You may say but Chelsea has won only 18, but we have drawn the another 23, and to me Chelsea's record at Old Trafford is one to be proud off. As I said there are loads of other teams that would love the record that Chelsea has got at Old Trafford - loads of teams!!!

I have only been to Old Trafford once to watch Chelsea play the home team and that was way back in Sept 1977 when I was a mere whippersnapper. If memory serves me right, my trip to Old Trafford came not long after the legend that was - Marc Bolan, T-Rex - tragically died in a car crash in SW London.

In the away end staring straight down the vociferous Stretford End, the lanky 6ft plus Bill Garner scored the only goal of the game after ninety seconds and from then on in, Chelsea defended the hordes of attacking Reds like John Wayne defended the Alamo and Michael Caine defended Rorke's drift in the film Zulu.

Remember Claudio Ranieri's first game in charge for Chelsea which came at Old Trafford in Sept 2002. A stunning strike from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and two from Tore Andre Flo and the game included the remarkable goal-line clearance from Graeme Le Saux, then the following season Chelsea returned to Old Trafford and won 3-0. Jimmy scored one and Eidur got the other two.

Chelsea's last victory at Old Trafford came after the title was lifted for the first time. Remember Tiago's stunner after Man Utd took an early lead and remember when the stands were almost empty when the Red Devils completed their end of season lap of honour???? In that same season Chelsea won 2-1 in the 2nd leg of the League Cup semi-final which was to become Jose first major trophy for Chelsea.

Last season was a different kettle of fish. A Darren Fletcher goal was enough to seal a 1-0 League win for Utd, but it wasn't enough to stop Chelsea claiming their second title in successive years.
Surprising to me was the amount of ManUre fans admitting that Fletcher's goal was a fluke. No doubt trying to take a sample of urine. But didn't Chelsea do that on Saturday 29th April when Chelsea's 2nd title was won, beating ManUre at the Bridge 3-0.

The Possibility

2006-11-23T20:24:00.000Z

I am just loving the possibility that Bugs Bunny (above) A.K.A Ronaldinho and Company could be close to ending their reign as Champions League Champions and competing in the UEFA Cup if they fail to beat Werder Bremen in the Nou Camp in two weeks time.

Just bring on ManUre on Sunday

CL MATCHDAY 5 CHELSEA v WERDER BREMEN

2006-11-22T19:16:00.000Z

Carlo Cudicini

Geremi
Boulahrouz
Terry
Ashley Cole

Makelele

Essien, Mikel, Ballack

Joe Cole
Didier Drogba la li la li la

Chelsea subs: Hilario, Ferreira, Morais, Diarra, Wright-Phillips, Robben, Shevchenko

COME ON CHELSEA

Ole,Ole,Ole

2006-11-20T18:46:00.000Z

No I haven't gone mad or Spanish - OleOle is the latest of the 'new Football Blogs on the Block.'

Currently they are running a competition to send two bloggers to the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan at the beginning of December - Barcelona are one of the teams who will be playing.

The winners will get full press accreditation and will be writing for Ole Ole and on full expenses! Not bad eh?

I was going to enter but two things stopped me. First I didn't think this blog was good enough to enter and compare to all the other wonderful footie blogs out there in Web World and secondly I couldn't have gone anywayLOL LOL!!

But what a trip of a lifetime for the eventual winners and good luck to all.

Go along to http://oleole.com and cast your vote.

Ole Ole is a relatively new blog. They are looking for writers and contributors so if you fancy yourself as a bit of a 'hack' - then go for it, you have nothing to lose but everything to gain.

http://oleole.com

I am not getting paid for this plug. I just think Ole Ole is well worth a mention and has real potential.

Talking about getting paid. I would love to be able to write about what I know about and that is football but more passionately Chelsea Football Club, so if there is anybody out there that wants to give me a go, let me know please!!!

If you are a blogger and want to exhange links, again let me know and we will do something about it.

2006-11-19T18:11:00.000Z

Geremi's Wonder Free-Kick Against West Ham

2006-11-12T10:47:00.000Z

Didier's Hat-Trick and Sheva's Goal Against Watford

Chelsea 4-0 Watford

2006-11-11T22:07:00.000Z

You know it is a sobering thought watching a football match. Four days earlier Chelsea bumped off Aston Villa in the Carling Cup 4-0 and Villa's manager Martin O'Neill was truthful in his post-match interview that Chelsea fully deserved their win and not once did O'Neill use any excuse that losing Barry and Laursen in quick-time either side of half-time was a contributing factor to Villa's demise.

I woke up this morning thinking that due to Watford's recent unbeaten run, Chelsea would have to play at their best, but in total honesty Chelsea didn't have to and without disrespecting Watford Football Club and their manager Adie Boothroyd (apart from his Italian Mafia dress sense) Watford didn't make Chelsea play their best because Chelsea didn't have too.

Once the first goal went in after twenty-seven minutes, Chelsea scored another three in forty-two minutes. Three to Drogba and one to Shevchenko. Eight goals in few days - Four to Dids and Two to Shev, watch out Man Ure!!!!

Didier Drogba. What a change in a player. His first hat-trick at home scoring his 12th, 13th and 14th goal of the season, his 6th, 7th and 8th of the Premiership season and The Shev, two in a matter of days, times are looking extremely good for Chelsea Football Club with on TWO weeks away to the clash of the season so far when Chelsea take on the Ure of ManUre.

Drogba's all round game has changed. Since the news that the Shev was finally on his way to the Blues last season, Didier has cut out all the histrionics of his game, defended better, attacked brilliantly and scored some important and some sensational goals - remember Liverpool and Barcelona!!

Drogba's goals this afternoon were standard for a forward of his class. But it was great to celebrate his hat-trick at the Matthew Harding Stand of the ground, my season ticket end of the ground, with him this afternoon.

And of course the Sheva's goal was standard as well - and he came to my side of the stadium after he scored Chelsea's third.

Adie Boothroyd's reaction "We were not unlucky. They were far better than us and we got what we deserved. They are an exceptional team, they were terrific today."

And with those words - Boothroyd said it all for me!

Carling Cup v Aston Villa

2006-11-08T20:10:00.000Z

Chelsea team:

Cudicini

Geremi

Boulahrouz

Carvalho

Bridge

Makelele

Essien

Lampard

Ballack

Drogba

Shevchenko

subs: Hilario, Diarra, J Cole, Wright-Phillips, Kalou

Aston Villa Team:

Sorensen

Bouma

Laursen

Mellberg

Hughes

Davis

McCann

Petrov

Barry

Agbonlahor

Angel

subs: Taylor, Ridgewell, Baros, Osbourne, Berger

COME ON CHELSEA!!

One Question?!?!?!?

2006-11-07T03:40:00.000Z

Why did Jose use Shaun Wright-Phillips as a second-half substitute instead of Joe Cole?

Answers on a postcard please.... or in the comments section.

2006-11-07T03:37:00.000Z

Maka's Goal Against Tottenham - Wonder Strike

Could This Be The Time?

2006-11-04T12:33:00.000Z

The Champions travel to 'Three Point Lane' on Sunday looking to keep the pressure up on League Leaders Man Utd.

Three Point Lane is so-called because Chelsea has not lost there in the League since August 1987 when Tottenham won 1-0. If my old memory serves me right Nico Claesen scored the winner.

Since then Chelsea has won ELEVEN times. The most famous and extremely enjoyable victories came in 1997 when chelsea won 6-1.

This game was Spurs manager Christian Gross's first game in charge and lanky Norwegian striker, Tore Andre Flo scored a hat-trick.

Records and runs have to end sometime we all know that, but I just cannot help having the feeling that Chelsea will be too good for Spurs and will leave 'Three Point Lane,' with another Three Points.

Can't Be Bothered. There is DEFINITELY Some Sort of Conflict!!!

2006-11-01T20:23:00.000Z

Can't be arssed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you want to see Frank and Didier goal's in the Nou Camp against Barcelona from the Champions League on Wednesday night then click the link below:

http://chelsea.theoffside.com

COME ON CHELSEA!!

Shit Host

2006-11-01T20:07:00.000Z

I tried to preview last night's game in the Nou Camp but this 'shit' system would not allow me to update.

Its not the first time this shit system has not let me update when I want too. But when you are 'up' for a particular game and had a shit day at work, the last thing you want is for your 'host' to have a bad shit day as well.

Anyway subject to this shit post being updated and accepted the next two posts will show Frank Lampards astonishing equaliser (Chelsea's first) and then Didier's last gasp equaliser, deep inot injury time which one upset Frank Rijkaard cos of the length of injury allowed (6 mins) and then the ref playing only 5mins 15 secs. Oh well Frank enjoy the UEFA Cup

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL!!!!

Thats Why We're Champions!! Sheff Utd 0-2 Chelsea

2006-10-28T18:24:00.000+01:00

What have Barcelona, Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers and Sheff Utd in common with each other?

They failed to SEVERELY test Chelsea's third choice goalkeeper Henrique Hilario.

Imagine you are the manager of any of the above clubs surely you tell your players 'get in and get yourself amongst him.'

But no-one has and Hilario has played four games, won all four and conceded one goal and EVEN saved a penalty, a poorly taken penalty at that but a penalty save nonetheless.

This lunchtime at Bramall Lane Chelsea strolled to an easy 2-0 win over new-boys Sheffield United.

The goals came in a six minute period either side of half-time through from a 35 yard free-kick from Frank Lampard and the second from a Michael Ballack header from a super Frank cross down Chelsea's left.

Sheffied Utd's Danny Webber missed a penalty in the 17th minute when his poor effort was easily saved by Hilario as Hilario dived to his left.

I do miss travelling to away games. I would have loved to have gone to this game simply because I have been to Sheffield many times on business and it is such an easy place to get to and the scenery along the M1 through Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and even the South Yorkshire countryside before Sheffield is a joy to behold.

If you are a fan of Robin Hood and Pride and Prejudice written by Jane Austen - you will know what I mean!!

Carlo back in Squad

2006-10-27T21:25:00.000+01:00

Carlo Cudicini who was knocked unconscious at Reading two weeks ago is back in the Chelsea squad and has travelled North before Chelsea play Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

The match kicks off 12.45pm UK time.

Also in the travelling party is Andriy Shevchenko who didn't travel for the Carling Cup tie at Balckburn.

Chelsea can expect a tough time against Utd managed by the no nonsense tough talking Neil Warnock and they will also have to feel the effect of a 26,000 partisan home crowd.

A win will put Chelsea back to the top of the Premiership for a few hours and with Man Utd having to travel to Bolton, who knows the stay at the top could be for much longer.

Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Chelsea

2006-10-26T19:29:00.000+01:00

After Chelsea beat Blackburn away at Ewood Park on Wednesday evening, 2-0, the goals scored by Joe Cole and Salamon Kalou, Chelsea was drawn at home to Aston Villa in the 4th Round of the Carling Cup.

The game will be played on Wednesday 8th November at Stamford Bridge.

Next up for the Premiership Champions is a Premiership game at new-boys Sheffield United on Saturday.

The game kicks off at 12.45pm

And then (hasn't it come round quickly?) on Tuesday night (Halloween Night) Chelsea play Barcelona in the Champions League at the Nou Camp.

Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea

2006-10-25T06:32:00.000+01:00

Chelsea start the road to Cardiff tonight when they take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park in the third round of the Carling Cup.

What type of team will Jose start with?

All I can tell you is that Jose declared 'All outfield players are fit.'

COME ON CHELSEA!

Shevchenko's 1st Chelsea Home Goal v Portsmouth

2006-10-23T12:48:00.000+01:00