Under-18s: Chelsea 0-3 Arsenal

October 9, 2010

Chelsea’s sluggish start to the Under-18 season continued into the month of October with a 3-0 home defeat against Arsenal on Saturday morning. Second half goals from Kyle Ebecilio, Alban Bunjaku and Josh Rees put a gloss on a scoreline not wholly deserved by the Gunners, who had goalkeeper Damian Martinez to thank for keeping them in the game in spells. After using such a settled team for much of…

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Didi Does It Again

October 4, 2010

Sometimes I wish I was a betting man, because Drogba scoring against Arsenal is now, it seems, pretty much a forgone conclusion. It was no surprise then, that in the 39th minute, up stepped our super striker to do it again, and deflate Arsene Wengers pre-match bravado that this would be the year they beat us. Every season it’s the same, it’s becoming as iconic as Liverpool’s ‘we’ll win it…

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The Loan Report: September 27 – October 3

October 3, 2010

In this week’s instalment of the Loan Report, a ten-goal thriller at Chesterfield for Rhys Taylor takes centre stage as we check up on Chelsea’s young loanees. Crewe’s Welsh goalkeeper has been in fine form so far this season and has been one of the reasons for the club’s impressive unbeaten run, which continued on Saturday despite dropping a three-goal lead to end up drawing 5-5 in what was an…

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Force Or Finesse? We’ve Both, Arsene!

October 3, 2010

The only thing I love more than beating Arsenal, is listening to the musings of their slightly senile manager. Unless he didn’t see it, that is. A lot has been made of our physical strength, and whilst we are the tallest and heaviest team in the league, with Arsenal being the shortest and lightest, it’s disingenuous of Wenger to suggest that’s all we have in our Arsenal. When asked about…

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Under-18s: Ipswich Town 0-0 Chelsea

October 2, 2010

Outings in previous seasons away to Ipswich meant those expecting an entertaining morning’s academy action were left disappointed. Dermot Drummy’s boys secured a third clean sheet of the season in a goalless draw which was unremarkable for almost the entireity of the match. Anton Rodgers’ second half dismissal was a rare talking point, and a disappointing one to boot. Chelsea started with Jamal Blackman in goal behind a backline of…

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Reported To UEFA, Already?

September 29, 2010

Reported to UEFA already and we’re only two games in, some things never change. Just like that of European referees, this time Belgian Frank De Bleeckere who seemed intent on continuing what almost feels like policy now, in making what we’ll kindly refer to as ‘odd’ decisions. This time though, it’s not a manager, player swearing or criticising officials, the opposition or UEFA in general, but our stadium security staff….

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Six For Six In Europe

September 29, 2010

As one 100% record ends, another continues with a second win in our Champions League Group ended with a 2-0 over French Champions; Marseille. With Drogba serving his now customary early competition suspension, and with Lampard, Kalou, and Benayoun all unavailable due to injury, it was important to get off to a good start. As it was, a goal didn’t come long after kick off, when John Terry knocked in…

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Deschamps Returns To The Bridge

September 28, 2010

The Champions League returns to SW6 this evening with the visit of Marseilles, former club of our enigmatic striker; Didier Drogba. The Ivorian hitman will however be absent from proceedings, serving his now almost traditional ban from the opening stages of the competition. However the links don’t end there, with Marseilles manager, Didier Deschamps, a former player on the Chelsea payroll. Deschamps signed in 1999 and made 47 appearances for…

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The Loan Report: September 20-26

September 26, 2010

As we reach the closing days of September, Chelsea’s loanees will be settled in at their homes for the 2010/11 season, and are preparing for the long winter stretch. Many are firmly established in the starting line-up, but for others, the challenge remains to work their way into regular consideration. Michael Mancienne is facing exactly that after a week in which he failed to appear in Wolverhampton old gold and…

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City Hoodoo Continues

September 26, 2010

Well that didn’t go entirely to plan, but then as we know from the Mourinho years, when a team sits back and defends for all their life is worth, it’s always difficult to break down. There were times we attacked and City had no less than six players back, often seven with the three mid-fielders sat in front of their back four. Anti-football? Maybe, but with over £250,000,000 spent on…

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