FA Youth Cup: Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal

January 20, 2011

Last season’s FA Youth Cup run ended with a dramatic late winner in front of a healthy crowd at Stamford Bridge. Some things don’t change. In front of over 7,000 fans at the home of the English Champions and defending Youth Cup holders, a brace from Milan Lalkovic – including a stoppage time winner – ensured that the Blues will continue their defence of the trophy for at least one…

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Fed Up With The Midweek Away Games?

January 19, 2011

I am a Season Ticket holder in the MHU and also an away season ticket holder. Having taken early retirement, this matter is less of a problem for me than others in terms of time and other commitments, but I feel strongly that it needs to be addressed. This note attempts to build on a passionate piece @daspecial_1 (Sam) wrote on ‘Vital Chelsea’ after hearing the Blackpool game was today…

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Young Blues Set For Arsenal Triple Header

January 19, 2011

It’s a fixture which is keenly anticipated regardless of the level at which it’s played. Chelsea vs Arsenal conjures up all manner of memories from down the years – we’ll leave you to reminisce about your own – and the coming thirteen days could add fresh moments to savour. Granted, the fixtures come at youth level, where the two clubs will go head to head three times in that spell,…

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We All Follow The Chelsea, Or Not….

January 18, 2011

We will follow the The Chels(ea) Over Land and Sea … and Leicester… and Fulham… and Blackpool… and Copenhagen…or maybe not. Financially, this is not a good week to be a Chelsea fan. Hot on the heels of a demand of money with menaces yesterday to stand in a cow shed in Fulham came the news that the much anticipated away game at Blackpool had been switched to a Monday…

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Won’t Somebody Think Of The Children?

January 18, 2011

Despite being a long-time supporter of the club, I will be the first to admit I have often concerned myself with purely first team affairs, and have only known the names of a handful of the younger players at the club. However in recent times, partly due to seeing them warming up, or simply warming the bench, the successful Youth FA Cup run and the impending ‘Financial Fair Play’ regulations,…

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First Step On Road To Recovery

January 16, 2011

Ivanovic and Anelka returned to haunt Blackburn Rovers again as Chelsea returned to winning ways with a rather nervous 2-0 win over Blackburn Rover at Stamford Bridge. Branislav Ivanovic got his fifth goal of the season to put Chelsea ahead, before Nicloas Anelka made it three goals in two for him to ensure three points for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Given Carlo Ancelotti’s pre-match comments about Josh McEachran being ready to…

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The Harding Perspective: Blackburn

January 15, 2011

I should state that first of all I am not entirely sure as to what formation Blackburn are likely to opt for, but I expect the personnel to be similar to the team below. Pedersen perhaps tucked in with Olsson operating from a slightly wider berth. I expect the tactic to be similar to the one they employed against Liverpool with a lot of success: pace, pace and some more…

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A Statistical Preview: Blackburn Rovers

January 14, 2011

CHELSEA vs BLACKBURN ROVERS 15/01/11 Chelsea meet Blackburn Rovers at the Bridge as they get back to the Premier League after an emphatic 7-0 demolition of Ipswich Town. Daniel Sturridge is the man of the moment having scored 7 goals in 2 games, 5 coming in the reserves in a 7-3 win over rivals Spurs. Daniel recorded a 31.0% accuracy rate (shots on target of total shots) and averaged 0.714…

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FA Youth Cup: Sunderland 0-2 Chelsea

January 13, 2011

The current FA Youth Cup holders got their defence of the trophy off to a strong start on Wednesday lunchtime with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Sunderland. Second half goals from Nathaniel Chalobah and George Saville ensured that Chelsea came away from the tie with a place in the fourth round, and a meeting with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. The match, which was originally scheduled for mid-December but repeatedly fell…

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Where Are They Now? Jackie Crawford

January 10, 2011

Jackie Crawford joined Chelsea from Hull City in 1923 for a fee of £3,000. He was signed as a right winger but was soon asked to switch to the left to make room for Alex Jackson. He went onto produce some outstanding displays and appeared in an all-star front line which included Hughie Gallacher, Alex Cheyne and Andy Wilson. An eternal optimist, Crawford was highly influential in the Chelsea dressing…

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