What would have been classed as a simple match some three months ago, takes on an entirely different look as our woeful form leaves us ripe for the picking.

We’ve seen many ‘signs’ that improvement is only around the corner, spells in matches where it’s clicked again and we’re playing as we can, these are all too rare however, and teams are playing us with their tails up.

Wolves will fancy their chances against a Chelsea side bereft of confidence, and who’s line up is unlikely to spring any surprises.

With Ivanovic returning from suspension we should see him return to the centre of defence alongside JT, with the now traditional Paulo start, Jose finish at right back, and Cole on the left hand side.

Lampard will hopefully continue his return to full fitness alongside Essien and Ramires, with Mikel, Zhirkov and Benayoun all still unavailable. Drogba, Anelka, Kalou and Malouda will fill the three front spots, and one place on the bench.

Carlo spoke of his attacking options, and admitted they’ve been under par; “They didn’t score many goals in the last month but Didier Drogba has started to score and Florent Malouda scored against Bolton. ”

“The bad moment is behind them, now I hope Anelka can start to score as well.  Sturridge also has the quality; he will have more opportunity to play for us up front at the beginning of games.”

Chelsea loanee Michael Mancienne is one who’s able to give a good insight into what we may face from Wolves tonight; “It’s definitely going to be a tough game for Chelsea because Wolves need points and they’ve been playing well recently. ”

“The crowd at Molineux is good, they get behind the team and really support the boys, so they’ll make it difficult because it’s a massive game, a really important one for both teams. They’ve done well against the big teams and will be fired up for it.”

Speaking of his loan, he said; “I’ve got a bit of an injury at the minute so I’m staying at Cobham to get it right before I go back to Wolves on loan until the end of the season. Hopefully I’ll be back playing within two or three weeks. I was playing a lot before I got injured but the injury has gradually come on until the point where I couldn’t really run on it.”

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The leftovers are eaten, the alcohol has run dry, and football finally returns. Tonight we see the festive treat that is Arsenal vs. Chelsea at the Emirates.

Didier Drogba should be lining up against his favoured opponents and we will need him to be on form if we’re to have a chance of bagging all three points. Expect Anelka and Malouda to flank him, Anelka getting the nod ahead of Kalou for his ball retention skills.

The return of Frank Lampard could also be critical, with the midfielder brining some much needed stability and attacking nous to what has been an overly physical midfield since his absence, so expect Ramires to drop to the bench as Essien and Mikel take the other two slots.

The defence all but picks itself with Cole, Terry and Ivanovic certain to start, the only question is the right back position, and it remains to be seen whether Carlo will go for Bosingwa or Ferreira.

Speaking ahead of the match, Carlo Ancelotti stated; “I think that Arsenal are a little bit afraid about the performance of Drogba because he did very well against them, but this cannot decide the game, though obviously if Drogba plays at his best we have more opportunity to win.”

“It is an important game obviously because both teams are involved in the fight for the title. Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham has the opportunity and skill to fight for the title until the end.” He added; “I think it will be a race with balance because a lot of teams have the possibility to win, not just Chelsea and Man United.”

John Obi Mikel also spoke of his feelings in the build up to the match, saying; “Arsenal is Arsenal, they are trying to put this thing right with the big games playing against the big four, but lately they keep failing. I think they’re a very good team though, they’re playing well now and have been getting results to stay in the race.”

Reflecting on the extending break the United postponement allowed us, Mikel reflected; “We’ve had more time in training to get things right for this game, we know what we’re doing and are working together as a team, improving our physical condition, receiving tactical advice, so by the time we start the game we will be really ready and know what we are going to do on the pitch.”

“We often play well against Arsenal and I hope we will do again, if we do I am sure we will get those three points.”

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We went into the match hoping for a good performance and three points. We got the former, but sadly not the latter.

A Pavlyuchenko opener for Spurs deflated Chelsea early on, yet a Didier Drogba goal courtesy of a rubbish save by Gomes sealed a point at least, yet a penalty in injury time that wasn’t converted by Didier meant we had to settle for the one, rather than all three.

However there were enough positives to take away from the game that we can be hopeful for the next two fixtures against Manchester United and Arsenal.

Despite many of us having nightmares about Bale against Ferreira, the Portuguese defender put in a solid display, limiting Bale’s influence on the match.

Ramires also put in a good shift, showing strength and running constantly with some good passing and movement. He and Essien in the centre of a flat middle four looked better than they have together co-operating in a middle three.

It was also great to see Lampard in a blue shirt again. Frank will be understandably rusty yet his presence alone gives opponents something to think about, and if you’re wondering why he didn’t take the penalty that could have won us the game, see his post match interview on TheChels.tv to see why.

Terry looked back to his best after his recent absence, putting in a commanding performance both at the back, and the front, leading the team by example on many occasions. These things only bode well for the future.

Speaking after the match, Terry said; “I thought we fully deserved to win the game, especially second half we dominated. Spurs started very well, got the goal and made it difficult at times but that was more like the Chelsea we all know.”

“Playing like we did the second half, things are back to normal. The hunger, the spirit, the determination – we pressed a lot better, especially in the second half and that is what we want from a Chelsea side. You can lose or draw games, I think the fans appreciate that, but it is when they don’t see the passion that it hurts.”

Terry stated; “I’ve never doubted the players, never doubted the manager, never doubted the football club, nothing much has changed from last year when we won the Double and let’s not forget that. We were the best team by a long way and at the moment no team has hit their top form.”

“The last couple of weeks we would all admit that some of the passion for no one reason was not there but we have it back now. Hopefully the game on Monday night between Man United and Arsenal will be a draw, that will suit us.”

“Then we have got Man United to come to the Bridge and we go away to the Emirates which is always tough, but things are looking up.”

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry (c) Cole; Ramires, Mikel, (Drogba h-t), Essien; Kalou (Sturridge 67), Anelka, Malouda (Lampard 77).

Goal: Drogba 69.

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An absorbing match at White Hart lane saw Chelsea come away with a point, yet had it not been for a late Didier Drogba penalty miss, we could have won the match.

The goal came courtesy of Drogba, and poor keeping by Gomes, and Chelsea on the whole looked better than in recent weeks.

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This afternoon Chelsea face Spurs at White Hart Lane, in what begins a run of matches that could shape the destiny of our domestic campaign.

After Spurs, our two following matches are against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge then Arsenal at the Cameldome. If November felt bad, December could end a lot worse.

Tottenham have been in good form recently and have surprised almost everyone with the Champions League performances and group standing, whereas we know only too well how our recent run of matches has ended.

This match could be the turning point in our recent horrible run of form, everything is pointing to a win for Tottenham. We’re still missing key players, and Bale vs Ferreira looks a nightmare waiting to happen.

Yet how many times in the past has the underdog (and we are the underdog in this match) surprised everyone? Tottenham are flying, that could turn to complacency.

Chelsea are stabilising, if Carlo’s words are to be taken at face value, how much could that steady the boat and allow the players to concentrate on the football?

In terms of personnel available to Ancelotti, Lampard is still one more week away from returning to action and may play in a practice match on Thursday, ahead of the United match. Terry is fit yet Bosingwa can’t play after his injury midweek.

Speaking about the reasons behind our recent slump, Ancelotti noted; “I think there is more than one reason.
The first is maybe the players are not 100 percent fit, the second is that we played too slow and the third is we need more focus when we shoot.”

Expanding on his reasoning, he said; “First I think that I can speak about Didier. Didier is not fit 100 percent, he had malaria and this caused fitness problems. He is not quick enough in this moment.”

“The second reason is maybe we are too slow to arrive in front, so there is no space to pass the ball to our players. When I say that we play too slow from the back, I think this is one of the reasons we had more difficulties to score,” said the Italian.

“But if we look at the game against Birmingham we had many chances to score but missed the last passes or the shots, so this is maybe the third reason.”

Michael Essien certainly believes we can turn the corner, stating that we have the players to do the job.

“It is always very difficult to go to White Hart Lane, but we do have the players to do it. We just have to play our game, concentrate on our football and come out onto the pitch with a winning spirit. The game plan is simple, go out there and get the three points.”

“We focus on the game, not the crowd. We know they will be singing and shouting and it’s down to us to concentrate, play our football and try to win the game. We have to get ourselves back to winning ways. We were a bit unlucky against Everton, but now it is time for us to turn things around because we have not been winning games and it is not good.”

Speaking about his role in the team, Essien noted; “My role hasn’t changed, I just try to follow the attack, I manage to get some goals but without Lamps I haven’t tried to get more forward.”

“I always work hard for the team and I just want the team to win three points no matter who we play. That’s what’s most important to me.”

To us too Michael, so go out there and get them this afternoon, and play like Champions.

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So another match and another defeat, thankfully in a match where nothing other than a record was at stake.

We’re through to the next round as group winners, but qualification does little to mask the problems on the pitch at present.

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So the blip continues with two dropped points at home to Everton this afternoon.

We’d had the lead courtesy of a Drogba penalty, as well as dominating the first half, however the second half was another story, with Everton rampant and Chelsea on the back foot.

Despite the setback, who did you think performed the best in a blue shirt?

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With the snow now finally retreating and normality returning to the southern part of England, Chelsea take on a slippery situation of their own as Everton roll up to Stamford Bridge.

John Terry returns at the centre of defence just as Alex undertakes surgery that will see him out for around six-eight weeks, as does Michael Essien after missing three matches due to suspension. Lampard is still not yet ready to return.

Didier Drogba should lead the line with Kalou and Anelka, with Florent Malouda expected to remain in the mid-field with Mikel and Essien as Zhirkov is still not yet match fit.

In Friday’s press conference, Ancelotti spoke of Terry, saying; “John Terry is able to play, he trained well all this week, completely, and didn’t have a problem. He was in good condition and tomorrow will start.”

The Italian reported; “He trained without problem this week, I think the problem has gone. Maybe for the next game he will be 100 per cent because he has trained just three days but in the games he can improve his condition and it is not so important that he has to be 100 per cent.”

Ancelotti added; “Terry is important for other things. He has good control of the defensive line, he can speak and support the other players and can show character also.

Speaking of Essien’s return, Carlo noted; “‘Michael Essien like John Terry brings personality, brings character, bring qualities on the pitch, without Lampard we have difficulty in scoring goals from midfield. Essien was able to score and also for this reason it could be important to have him against Everton.”

With Essien about to make his 200th appearance for the club, the Ghanaian stated; “I am very happy in England, very happy in London and very happy playing for this club, I am so lucky to play for Chelsea, I couldn’t ask for more. I am at one of the biggest clubs in the world and I’m really enjoying my football.”

On his future with the club he said; “I hope there will be another 200 games. I have no plans to leave Chelsea, I owe this club a lot and I want to pay Chelsea and the fans back with my performances. I hope I can help the team win more trophies. If the chance comes to finish my career here I will take it but in football you never know, we will see what happens.”

Looking at the challenge Everton with bring, Ancelotti reflected on the importance of the match; “We’ve lost top of the table, didn’t score a lot of goals but now the most important thing is that we want to close this period. We have to close this period with a victory. It is not so important to stay top now, it is important at the end of the season, and we must focus on this game.!

“I put pressure on my players for this game. I want to see everything we can do, character, personality, good play, because I think it is one of the most important games for us in the season.”

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Our poor away record continues with a draw away to Newcastle at St James Park. As with the Birmingham match, we had a lot of possession yet couldn’t make it count.

It’s clear that we’re missing players, and this is a point more than gained in the last Premiership match, but four points from the last 15 is not the form of champions.

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Despite the massive amounts of snow around the country, it appears this afternoons match between Newcastle and Chelsea is going ahead.

The Newcastle website currently states; “Staff at Newcastle United are doing everything they can this weekend to ensure that despite the heavy snowfall, Sunday’s Barclays Premier League game with Chelsea can go ahead as scheduled.”

It adds; “Aside from the task of making the pitch area playable, health and safety concerns are being addressed too. The club are working closely with Newcastle City Council and extra staff have been brought in to help make public areas in and around the ground safe and accessible.”

With Terry, Lampard and Zhirkov all still unavailable through injury, and Essien still serving his suspension, Carlo named his team in the press conference on Friday.

We should expect to see Cech in goal, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Alex and Cole at the back, with Ramires, Mikel and Malouda in the middle three. Anelka, Drogba and Kalou will start in the front three position.

At the press conference, Carlo spoke of Ramires and of his early performances; “‘We have to clarify that Ramires is Brazilian, but he is not a Brazilian kind of player. He is a very good defensive player, very aggressive.”

The Italian added; “This moment is not a good moment for the team, and his position is not 100 percent his position, he was better in the second half against Zilina, and arrived two or three times to shoot with power.”

Reflecting on the adaptation period all players go through, he said; “He is 23 years old, he changed country, language, everything, so it is not easy to immediately show your quality. A lot of fantastic players had the same problems, last year Yury Zhirkov had difficulty to adapt.”

Likening it to his own experiences, he said; “I want to mention Michel Platini, when he came to Italy, his first six months was very poor, so it’s normal, so you need to have time to adapt.”

With Newcastle striker Andy Carroll on form for the Magpies, and Chelsea on one of their worst runs in years, Serbian international Ivanovic spoke of the importance of staying focused; “We have to play and show our character and the power of our team. Newcastle is a good team but they have lost a couple of games this season at home. We have to show we can go there and be ready for them.”

Ivanovic continued; “Everyone in this club believes that we have to fight for every game and every point. For me Newcastle is one of the key games this season because it is coming at a difficult moment. We have to stay focused, we have to take part in our training sessions with high intensity, this is important for us and the future of the season. ”

“We have to concentrate, show we are the best and win the game.”

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