Drogba fires Blues into final

Chelsea will face Manchester United on 21^st May

I think Drogba silenced his critics especially Benitez last night after his display of wanting to win.

When you get a manager resorting to tactics of trying to undermine a player and influence a referee is beyond contempt.

I hope he is choking on his cornflakes this morning.

What a joy to see on the news a rather shattered and humiliated man.

After losing to Liverpool at this stage before it will be some game to look forward to in Moscow.

COME ON YOU BLUES!

[youtube width=”425″ height=”355″]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5812234135757124107&ei=SQ27SJTlDY6W2ALcouT2DA&q=chelsea+&vt=lf&emb=1 type='application/x-shockwave-flash' height='355' width='425'>

Chelsea will face Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final after a 3-2

extra-time victory over Liverpool in a thriller at Stamford Bridge.

A brace from Didier Drogba and a penalty from Frank Lamprad ensured that strikes from Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel proved to be nothing but consolations for the Reds.

Chelsea looked bright from the off and tested Pepe Reina with long-range efforts throughout the first-half.

Liverpool on the other hand appeared to lack ideas and found it difficult to bring

talismanic front man Torres into the game.

The hosts looked the most likely to find a breakthrough, and duly obliged on 33 minutes when Drogba rifled home.

Salomon Kalou broke clear on the right, although he appeared to be offside, and when his curling effort could only be parried by Reina, Drogba was on hand to rifle home the rebound from a tight angle.

After dominating large periods of the first-half, Chelsea allowed Liverpool back into the game during the second period and were made to pay when Fernando Torres levelled things up on 69 minutes.

Yossi Benayoun was able to break through a couple of challenges as he snaked in field and laid a perfectly weighted ball into the path of the Spanish striker to stroke calmly into the corner.

Neither side could produce a second during normal time, despite numerous opportunities at both ends.

It took just five minutes of extra-time for the game to spring back to life.

Michael Essien thought he had restored Chelsea’s lead after taking advantage of some shaky Liverpool defending to blast home. However, he was denied by a linesman’s flag.

Four minutes later though the Blues had the lead when Lampard coolly dispatched a penalty after Michael Ballack had been felled by Sami Hyypia.

After appearing to be sailing safely into the final, they were made to sweat when Babel rocketed a 30-yard effort past Cech, but Avram Grant’s men eventually managed to hang on.

Hampered

The slippery conditions hampered both sides but it was Chelsea who mastered them quicker.

Liverpool struggled to keep pace with the home side and their worries increased when Martin Skrtel was forced off with a knee injury in the 21^st minute and was replaced by Sami Hyypia.

Reina was forced to punch clear a long-range effort from Ballack but the goal Chelsea had threatened for most of the half arrived in style in the 33^rd minute.

The architect, as so often this season, was England midfielder Lampard.

He cleverly split the Liverpool defence to give Kalou the chance to run on and fire a shot that Reina could only palm into the path of the onrushing Drogba.
[youtube width=”425″ height=”355″]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2218940492996010738&ei=SQ27SJTlDY6W2ALcouT2DA&q=chelsea+&emb=1 type='application/x-shockwave-flash' height='355' width='425'>

Fizzed

The Ivorian does not miss such gifts and he sent a low drive fizzing into the net at the

near post to give Liverpool a 2-1 aggregate lead.

The Chelsea striker, clearly hurt by Benitez’s criticism of his ‘diving’, then ran the

length of the half to celebrate his goal in front of the Liverpool manager.

Chelsea’s domination almost brought them a second four minutes before the interval but Ballack’s measured free-kick veered just the wrong side of an upright.

Dirk Kuyt almost hauled Liverpool back into the tie three minutes after the restart but his shot met the outstretched leg of Cech before Ashley Cole cleared.

After Lampard’s 53^rd-minute volley was well held by Reina, Liverpool finally broke their goal scoring hoodoo when Benayoun carved out a chance for Torres.

Exposed

The Spaniard collected the ball in his stride just inside the penalty area before sliding it beyond the exposed Cech to make it 2-2 on aggregate - the 64^th-minute effort was Chelsea’s first at Stamford Bridge in nine games under Benitez.

Liverpool were now unrecognisable from the insipid team of the first-half.

They were pulling Chelsea apart in midfield and the home side were looking decidedly nervy for the first time in the game.

Both sides sought a winner, but the 90 minutes ended all-square and the contest went into extra-time.

Liverpool almost snatched the lead within minutes of the restart but Hyypia’s header fell wide of the post with Cech beaten.

Chelsea then thought they had done enough when Essien sent a 20-yard effort into the net, but it was rightly disallowed for offside.
[youtube width=”425″ height=”355″]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5418478282844361340&ei=1w27SK0thvbbApDt2PQM&q=chelsea+&vt=lf&emb=1 type='application/x-shockwave-flash' height='355' width='425'>

Composure

However, in the 98^th minute, Ballack was brought down by Hyypia inside the box and referee Roberto Rosetti pointed to the spot.

Lampard kept his composure to send Reina the wrong way and was in tears as he celebrated with his team-mates.

Worse was to come for Liverpool when substitute Nicolas Anelka got free on the right and pulled the ball back for Drogba to fire under Reina.

An error from Cech gifted Babel a late goal but Chelsea held on to reach their first UEFA Champions League final.
Watch the complete match  UEFA_Champions_League_Liverpool-Chelsea.avi

Chelsea 3 Olympiakos 0

A virtuoso performance in perfect harmony from two of the world’s best midfielders saw Chelsea romp home against Olympiakos at Stamford Bridge last night.

This was no ordinary victory, though. In the realm of the Champions League, where only the best get on, Chelsea were masterful.

Ever since his free transfer from Bayern Munich two years ago and his much-publicised mega-salary, Germany captain Ballack has found it difficult to live up to the hero status of England star Lamps.

While Lampard has shown again and again his value to the Blues, Ballack has had to overcome injury and poor form.

Romp at West Ham

But he has finally started to show the quality which saw Chelsea outbid Europe’s biggest teams to sign him. And he is doing it with the help of Lampard. Between them, the pair earn around £250,000 a week.

But last night they were priceless as Chelsea booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

A goal apiece — each helping the other to score — followed a similar show of excellence in the 4-0 romp at West Ham last Saturday.

And all on a night which could have been far more tricky for Avram Grant’s Blues.

With keeper Petr Cech unable to start because of an ankle injury which may yet keep him out of Saturday’s FA Cup clash at Barnsley, the omens were all in Olympiakos’ favour.

Add to that the referee was Manuel Gonzalez, who oversaw Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Liverpool last season, and it looked a bit dodgy.

Not for long though. The seeds of the partnership which looked so fruitful against West Ham were soon in full bloom.

Ballack scored Chelsea’s third at Upton Park but he was quicker off the mark against the Greeks.

Lampard flighted a perfect sixth-minute cross to the German, whose header beat Antonios Nikopolidis at the near post. It was a sweet moment for Ballack, who feared he may be dropped.

In the end it was Michael Essien who stayed on the bench in what proved a cute move by boss Grant. Joe Cole was another who proved himself in the Premier League clash and he was given licence to roam across the frontline last night.

Cole came close on a couple of occasions but it was dynamic duo Ballack and Lamps who put Chelsea out of sight.

With Olympiakos struggling to cope with an attack which flooded at them in numbers, the Blues’ new midfield partnership struck again after 25 minutes.

This time Ballack was sent free to face the keeper one-on-one.

But when his shot was deflected, guess who followed up and swept the ball into the open goal? Yes, super Frank was on hand to notch his 103rd goal for Chelsea. After Grant admitted the Champions League is the club’s priority this season, Lamps’ goal looked invaluable as this contest raced towards half-time.

Having produced an accomplished display in Athens, Olympiakos were expected to provide much tougher opposition in London than this.

But all they had to show for the first period was a cross from Vassilis Torosidis which had keeper Carlo Cudicini mildly flustered before Paulo Ferreira cleared. Apart from a late flurry, that was the sum of Olympiakos’ threat.

Not Chelsea’s though. Just after the break they won a corner on the right and it was three.

Lampard delivered a bending cross which Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho touched on for Salomon Kalou to tuck home the third.

Terry was magnificent

It was more proof of Chelsea’s utter domination and made their bid to be crowned kings of Europe more credible.

A scoreline which was already the most convincing of any of the first knockout-phase games pressed home their claims.

At the back, John Terry was magnificent in winning every aerial challenge while marshalling the defence to make the visitors look more like tourists.

Grant could afford to withdraw Kalou, Lamps and Joe Cole in a second period which should have seen Drogba on the scoresheet as well.

His effort was wrongly ruled offside, though it barely mattered.

Chelsea march on in another competition and now face Barnsley with their hopes of making this a memorable season even greater than before.

The third of four English sides to reach the last eight in Europe, this is becoming as intense a race as the Premier League.

And with Lamps and Ballack in this kind of form, anything is possible for Chelsea.

Chelsea Stadium/Chelsea v Reading

February 16, 2008 Posted by larry50 | Blogroll, Chelsea CFC | | 1 Comment

Premier League - Anelka shines as Chelsea win

Premier League - Anelka shines as Chelsea win

Sat 12 Jan 2008

A depleted Chelsea side showed the stomach for a title fight with a 2-0 win at home to Tottenham as Nicolas Anelka made a sparkling debut.

Juliano Belletti and Shaun Wright-Phillips both scored fine goals - one in each half - while Anelka played the final half-hour, the day after signing from Bolton, and hit the crossbar.

Chelsea made light of a host of absentees including Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and John Terry against a poor Tottenham side who rarely threatened.

It made a sedate return for Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech, hoping to stay fit after an injury-blighted season. The Czech’s work was restricted to a few catches and basic saves as Juande Ramos’s side were stifled.

Spurs were overmatched in midfield, with the central duo of Jamie O’Hara and Kevin Prince Boateng completely out of their depth. Both have promise, but neither is ready to take on the Premier League’s top sides.

The visitors had made a decent start, looking fairly comfortable for the first 20 minutes with Ledley King adding steel to the centre of defence.

Radek Cerny, controversially preferred to Paul Robinson in goal for Tottenham, caused an early alarm when he flapped at a free-kick but otherwise Chelsea produced little.

But that midfield weakness told in the 19th minute, when neither O’Hara nor Boateng saw fit to close down Belletti as he cut inside from the right.

The Brazilian had an age to set himself and let fly from 30 yards, powering the ball past the helpless Cerny and into the top-right corner.

Aaron Lennon proved Tottenham’s main threat as they sought an equaliser, tormenting Ashley Cole with his pace and dribbling.

Yet too frequently the England man’s delivery into the box lacked precision. When he finally did pick out his man, Steed Malbranque volleyed straight at Cech.

On the hour mark Chelsea’s new £15 million man came on to a rapturous reception, replacing the disappointing Claudio Pizarro. The Peruvian was given the chance to prove himself with Drogba away and Andriy Shevchenko injured, but was woeful.

The number of fans who had already bought shirts with Anelka’s name on the back were testament to his importance for Chelsea’s title bid.

He nearly made a spectacular impact, as Wright-Phillips found him with a deft backheel and Anelka’s left-foot shot brought a brilliant diving save from Cerny.

The Frenchman largely played - understandably - like a man who has barely met his new team-mates, let alone trained with them.

Pascal Chimbonda’s angled cross snuck just beyond the far post but it was not long until Wright-Phillips sealed the result for Chelsea.

Joe Cole twisted and turned past his man before laying the ball back to the winger, who fizzed a low shot into the left corner from the edge of the box.

Spurs boss Juande Ramos was ready to admit defeat, and brought on an extra defender - Younes Kaboul - for Boateng six minutes from time.

Wright-Phillips could have added to his tally late on from another Joe Cole assist but shot just wide of the left post.

There was still time for Anelka to latch on to a Wright-Phillips pass and crash a left-foot shot against the underside of the bar.

The ball bounced in front of the line and away, but even ‘Le Sulk’ could afford to flash a smile. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Bolton 0-1 Chelsea 7th Oct Oct

Bolton 0-1 Chelsea

Kalou scored with an opportunistic goal for Chelsea Salomon Kalou scored the only goal as Chelsea won in the Premier League for the first time since 25 August.

It was Chelsea’s first Premier League goal in 460 minutes, Kalou scoring from a tight angle after hesitation between Abdoulaye Meite and Jussi Jaaskelainen. The Bolton keeper made decent saves from Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda.

Bolton created several chances and Petr Cech denied Kevin Davies, El-Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka, while Stelios Giannakopoulos clipped the crossbar. Boss Sammy Lee went into the fixture having left midfield duo Kevin Nolan and Gary Speed out of the squad.

It was a brave move but the team he did select can perhaps consider themselves unfortunate to lose after taking the match to Chelsea and, in the first half at least, creating numerous openings.

Nonetheless, the result means Bolton have lost three of their four Premier League matches at home and have collected just five points from their nine games to remain anchored in the bottom three.

For Avram Grant, it was his first Premier League victory as Chelsea boss and gives his team back-to-back wins after the Champions League defeat of Valencia in midweek.

Chelsea threatened within a minute, Jaaskelainen saving Kalou’s flicked header, but it was Bolton who stamped their authority over the opening phase of the match.

Danny Guthrie forced Cech into an early save, while the Czech keeper was forced into action again to deny Davies after the stand-in skipper ended a driving run with a low strike.

The visiting team, at the ground where they clinched the Premier League title in 2005, slowly began to assume control of the midfield.

Lampard, back in the side after a thigh injury, made clean contact from 20 yards. Jasskelainen spilled the shot but the ball fell to a Bolton player.

Kalou twice created opportunities for Malouda, first with a brilliant curved pass and then with a header. Malouda wastefully drilled his first strike over the crossbar while Jaaskelainen made an excellent low save from his second effort.

Bolton’s enthusiasm, though, was clear to see and they continued to push forward whenever possible.

Terry, wearing his mask, struggled to contain Davies while Cech saved from Ivan Campo and, after a superb Bolton break, denied Nicolas Anelka.

The home team were made to pay for the moment of hesitation between Meite and Jaaskelainen as they attempted to clear a header into the box.

Kalou seized his chance to steal between the two, resisting an attempt from Meite to wrestle him off the ball before putting Chelsea ahead.

Bolton might have immediately restored parity - and gone into the break on level terms, but Steve Sidwell escaped what appeared to be a handball inside his own area.

Diouf was the next to threaten, climbing to meet a Davies cross but denied by Cech.

Claudio Pizarro replaced the injured Kalou at the break and failed to hit the target with two ambitious strikes, while Joe Cole also missed from distance.

Bolton continued to enjoy their fair share of the play but lacked the penetration they found in the first half.

They had a decent chance when Sidwell was penalised for handball 19 yards from goal but Anelka’s strike cleared the crossbar by some distance.

Substitute Giannakopoulos shaved the crossbar with a header in injury time.

“We missed many, many players through either injuries or red cards but we dominated the game.”

Ajax let Chelsea talk to Ten Cate

Ten Cate was assistant at Barcelona before taking over at Ajax

Ajax have given Chelsea the green light to open talks with boss Henk ten Cate about adding the Dutchman to the coaching set-up at Stamford Bridge. Ten Cate is expected to join Chelsea as assistant to Avram Grant, who recently succeeded Jose Mourinho as Blues boss.

“Ajax have reached agreement with the English club about the immediate transfer of Henk ten Cate to Chelsea,” said an Ajax statement.

Ajax expect a deal to be finalised quickly but Chelsea are yet to comment.

The statement from the club continued: “After being approached by Chelsea, Henk ten Cate asked the Ajax management last week for permission to start negotiations with the Premier League side.

“After internal deliberations, Ajax granted permission.”

Ten Cate, 52, was formerly assistant to Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard and helped the Catalan club win the Champions League and Spanish title in 2006.

He took over at Ajax at the start of last season and led the club to joint top in his first campaign, with the club losing out on the title by goal difference.

Ajax did win two domestic cup competitions but Ten Cate has endured a more difficult time during the current campaign.

The club went out of the Champions League in the third qualifying round after being beaten by Slavia Prague and were knocked out of the Uefa Cup by Dinamo Zagreb.

Ten Cate’s last game in charge of the Amsterdam outfit was Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Sparta Rotterdam, when he and some of the club’s hierarchy came in for criticism from some fans.

But Ten Cate defended his Ajax record and said afterwards: “What must I say about that? Under my leadership we have played 41 games, gained 92 points and scored over a hundred goals.”

And with clubs currently having a break from domestic action because of players undertaking international duties, it could mean the appointment is in place in time for Chelsea’s next Premier League game - at Middlesbrough on 20 October.

Steve Clarke was Mourinho’s assistant and Chelsea are thought to want him to remain on the staff, despite Ten Cate’s arrival.

October 8, 2007 Posted by larry50 | Blogroll, Chelsea CFC | | No Comments

Chelsea Carling Cup 4-0

Nice to see a good game last night against Hull who contributed a lot to the game.

They were all good goals and may it continue in the same vein in the Premiership.

Even better news was Manchester United getting knocked again in the early stages.

Their defence was dire to say the least and the youngsters on show are not in the same league as Arsenal’s youngsters. This is the side even though its early days are my pick to win the Premiership if they hold their nerve. I really cannot see my Chelsea boys winning not with the early points difference already and club instability.

Chelsea CFC-A sad day

A sad day for Chelsea and all the fans who have stuck with the club for all of those barren years.

The ‘’special one” brought to life a sleeping giant with great success and I hope that Roman does not live to regret his actions.

I believe that he has to stop recruiting his friends as players and board members and start taking notice of people that understand the English concept of football and let them get on with the team.

He is hell bent on Champions League football and on winning the title, however who can

guarantee that.

We will have to see how much damage and backward steps the club incurs.

Suppose we will now see a lot more lost games now.

Larry

Mourinho’s departure was confirmed by Chelsea in a stark, one-sentence statement in the small hours of Thursday morning.

“Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have agreed to part company today by mutual consent,” it said.

Mourinho’s Chelsea honours

2004/2005 - Premier League Champions, League Cup winners

2005/2006 - Premier League Champions

2006/2007 - League Cup winners, FA Cup winners

JOSE MOURINHO FACTFILE

1963: Born on January 26. Father Felix Mourinho was a former Portugal goalkeeper.

1992: Takes first high-profile role in football when being appointed to work under Bobby Robson at Sporting Lisbon after middle-ranking jobs at Estrela Amadora and Vitoria Setubal. Begins as Robson’s translator before becoming involved in team affairs.

1993: Moves on with Robson when the veteran coach goes to Porto. In three years at Porto, the team win two league titles.

1996: Joins Barcelona in the summer of 1996 as assistant coach to Robson.

1997: Stays on at the Nou Camp after Robson departs, taking up a role under new coach Louis van Gaal.

2000: Takes his first head coaching job at Benfica but lasts just nine games before resigning due to problems in the boardroom.

2001: Appointed coach of Uniao de Leiria and guides the club into the top five of the Portuguese league midway through the 2001-02 season.

2002: Joins Porto in January and the club overcome their poor start to the league season to finish third. In Mourinho’s first full season in charge, Porto win the treble of domestic league and cup, and UEFA Cup.

2004: Having already successfully defended their Portuguese league title, Porto win the Champions League title in Monaco on May 26 with a 3-0 victory over Monaco.

June 2 - Appointed manager of Chelsea.

2005: January 28 - Mourinho charged with improper conduct by the Football Association after comments he made after the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

January 30 - A Sunday newspaper reports Mourinho, chief executive Peter Kenyon and Ashley Cole had a meeting in the Royal Park Hotel at Lancaster Gate - allegations constituting an illegal approach. Less than a week later the Premier League launch an inquiry.

February 23 - Following a 2-1 defeat at Barcelona - in which Didier Drogbawas sent off - in the first leg of the Champions League first knock-out round, Mourinho claims Barca manager Frank Rijkaard went into referee Anders Frisk’s dressing room at half-time. UEFA’s official observers said they witnessed nothing untoward.

February 27 - Chelsea win their first trophy under Mourinho, the Carling Cup, with 3-2 win over Liverpool. Mourinho is involved in more controversy, having wandered along the touchline in front of the Liverpool fans putting his fingers to his lips. Mourinho is later “reminded of his responsibilities” by the FA.

March 8 - Chelsea beat Barcelona 4-2 at Stamford Bridge to reach Champions League quarter-finals.

March 10 - Mourinho fined £5,000 for comments after Carling Cup semi-final match against Manchester United.

March 21 - UEFA charge Mourinho, assistant boss Steve Clarke and security official Les Miles with making “wrong and unfounded” statements about the allegedmeeting between Frisk and Rijkaard.

March 23 - FA charge Mourinho, Chelsea and Ashley Cole in relation to alleged ‘tapping-up’ hotel meeting.

March 31 - Handed two-match touchline ban and 20,000 Swiss francs (around £9,000) fine by UEFA’s control and disciplinary body. Club fined 75,000 Swiss francs (£33,000).

April 30 - Chelsea seal Barclays Premiership title with 2-0 win at Bolton, prompting Mourinho to say he was keen to sit down and discuss extending his stay at Stamford Bridge.

May 4 - Jose Mourinho agrees terms on a new five-year contract.

June 1 - Found to be in breach of Premier League Rule Q, governing managers’ conduct in relation to Chelsea’s illegal approach to Arsenal full-back Cole. Fined £200,000 by the Premier League, later reduced to £75,000 on appeal.

2006: April 29 - Chelsea beat rivals Manchester United 3-0 to win their second consecutive Premiership title and Mourinho’s fourth domestic title in a row.

2007: January 10 - Mourinho rejects claims that he has faced dressing-room unrest with summer signing Michael Ballack’s contribution to the team.

January 11 - Rumours Mourinho could leave Chelsea in the summer surface after he accused the Stamford Bridge board of refusing to back him in the January transfer window.

February 27 - Wins a second Carling Cup, beating Arsenal 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium.

April 15 - Secures an FA Cup final meeting with Manchester United with a 2-1 extra-time win over Blackburn. Shares a hug with Abramovich, raising suggestions of a warming in relations between the pair.

May - Loses Champions League semi-final to Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool on penalties and sees United wrest the Barclays Premier League crown from Stamford Bridge. Gains some revenge with an extra-time win over United in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

During the close season only Florent Maloudaand Juliano Belletti arrive in cash deals, with Arjen Robben, Glen Johnson and Lassana Diarra departing to balance the books as the lavish spending of previous seasons remained a thing of the past.

July 12 - Warned newly-appointed director of football Avram Grant not to interfere with team affairs.

August 12 - Chelsea set a new record of 64 unbeaten home matches in the English top flight with a win over Birmingham.

September 2 - After a good start to the season Chelsea lose 2-0 at Aston Villa, prompting Abramovich to leave the directors box before the final whistle.

September 18 - The Blues follow up an uninspiring home draw with Blackburn with a lacklustre 1-1 stalemate with Rosenborg in the Champions League. Only 24,973 supporters attend the match and boos ring out at the final whistle. Mourinho admitted: “Of course I am alarmed. I am not happy.”