So the weekend began, a Friday night full of excitement and anticipation. I looked at the Chelsea team to face Wigan and I smiled.

The little gremlin Doubt sat in the corner, tiny and huddled. It was a shame I did not notice the evil glint in his eye or I would have done something about it then.

Something like watching a few vids of our triumphs on TheChels.tv. But I didn’t.

And the little gremlin twitched and sneaked a few sly looks at me.

Saturday came, and in the long hours of a Saturday without a game the gremlin began to grow. By lunchtime he was stamping his feet and demanding attention; by teatime he had grown to twice his size and was lashing out at me if I got too close.

He demanded blood. But I was safe if I stayed away because he didn’t move from his dark corner.

Saturday night, he was chained and gagged. A few bottles of Hobgoblin saw to that, and though he had grown to twice my size by now, I didn’t care. He was captive and impotent. I slept well, full of anticipation and beer.

Sunday morning dawned dark. I could hear it downstairs, destroying the furniture, smashing the mirrors, tearing my hopes and dreams into shreds and daubing stuff on the walls with its own excrement.

I saw “Man U Champions” and “Blue Disaster” scrawled in the corner where he used to be held prisoner. I saw “Chelsea Implode” and “Red Heaven” writ large on the living room walls. I saw it, huge and monstrous, all slime and scales and red football shirts, red noses, red banners screaming obscenities and trampling over my barely twitching body, spitting on my barely breathing optimism.

By 4pm Doubt was the Champion. It had taken the Premiership away from Chelsea and was a worthy victor. We would lose, unluckily, but lose nevertheless. 2-0. Or 2-1. Or something.

I sat in front of the television, quivering, spouting gibberish, not just a shadow of my former self but the wreckage of a shadow of my former self. Doubt sat, for once quietly, and gloated.

The game began. Nic scored. I could see Doubt twitch and the smile begin to look a little false. The tug of the shirt, the penalty. I cheered. Doubt screamed a tirade of foul-mouthed abuse. 2-0. I could cry. Doubt was shrinking; it put me in mind of Dracula being hit by morning sunbeams.

The second half, goal of the weekend, Salomon Kalou-ou-ou, 3-0, I was crying. Doubt self-destructed, imploded like the fake obscenity he was, like evil in the face of all that was good.

Then Drogs, a-one, a-two, a-three, what was this? I filled the room with my euphoria; I filled the world with my self-belief, so much so that there was no room for any doubt.

When the final whistle blew, I had forgotten about the little gremlin, forgotten, in my elation and pride and tear filled ecstacy about Doubt. Champions of England, record after record smashed.

Tomorrow, when I see Doubt twitching in the corner, I will deal with it straight away. How?

Just by looking at this Chelsea team, that’s how.

Chelsea have again reached the FA Cup Final by defeating Aston Villa 3-0 in the semi final at Wembley Stadium.

Decisive goals from Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard proved to be more than ample on the day. Avram Grant’s Portsmouth will be our opposition, after they beat Tottenham 2-0 after extra time in the other semi.

Drogba was the only change from the side that beat Manchester United last weekend, returning in place of Nicolas Anelka. Hilario, the cup goalkeeper for the most part, was fit again and on the bench.

Villa, predictably, started with Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew up front with Ashley Young and James Milner wide. Emile Heskey was a sub.

The first flashpoint came in the fifteenth minute. Agbonlahor, despite having a handful of Mikel’s shirt, was felled by the Nigerians challenge. Howard Webb waved play on much to Martin O’Neill’s displeasure.

As it were, Villa failed to take advantage of a sloppy first half from Chelsea, and as ever, the Blues made they pay. Just beyond the hour mark, a poor clearing header reached Terry who snatched at a left foot shot. Though it was going wide, Drogba was on hand to poke it in for his 32nd goal of the season.

The second flashpoint was Webb’s decision to book Terry for a bad tackle on James Milner. O’Neill, incensed by this stage, demanded that Terry be sent off.

The second and third goals followed as Villa pushed forward. Substitute Michael Ballack hung a superb ball up at the back post for Malouda to net his 14th of the season, before Lampard expertly guided a placed shot into the bottom corner for his 22nd.

Plain sailing in the end for the Blues and a real tilt now at defending the Cup and doing their first League/Cup double. Will Avram Grant come back to haunt Chelsea?

Chelsea’s defence of the FA Cup reaches a pivotal stage at Wembley, with the semi final against Aston Villa. Still smarting from their 7-1 crushing at the hands of the Blues a few weeks ago, Villa must produce something altogether improved if they are to figure in the final come May.

For Villa, James Milner is under an injury cloud, as is Richard Dunne, though the former is expected to play. It has to be remember that before the 7-1 match, O’Neill sold a dummy that many of his experienced players were injured – all but Heskey played.

There are no new worries for Chelsea, who are buoyed by the news that Branislav Ivanovic may well feature as a substitute. Nonetheless, the right back position is in safe hands with the wonderfully consistent Paulo Ferreira showing the form of old, having finally been granted an opportunity to impress.

Chelsea and Villa have clashed seven times in the FA Cup, with Villa winning four of those clashes. However, Chelsea have won the most recent two, the most recent being the 2000 Final at the Old Wembley Stadium. Roberto di Matteo scored the winner in the 72nd minute after David James flapped at the corner.

Ladbrokes has installed Chelsea as strong 4/7 favourites, with the draw paying 11/4. Villa are at long odds to turn over the Cup holders, at 5/1.

Chelsea advanced to the FA Cup semi finals with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Stoke City at Stamford Bridge. John Terry scored one and created one as the Blues cruised into the last four, looking to defend the trophy won under Guus Hiddink at the end of last season.

Former Chelsea favourite Robert Huth was wearing the captain’s armband for Stoke City and nearly created the opening goal. The German latched on to a Rory Delap long throw, only for Sidibe to head over the bar.

Mikel then cleared off the line from Whitehead, after Hilario’s punch only reached the edge of the area. But Chelsea turned the pressure up midway through the half and were duly rewarded with the opening goal.

Malouda’s corner caused confusion in the Stoke defence, leading to a rushed clearance. Terry was alert enough to lay the ball back to Lampard, whose blast took a slight deflection on the way past Sorensen and in. The Danish keeper made a super save just before half time to deny Drogba and keep the visitors in the game.

Lampard crashed a half volley over the bar after a long throw from Ivanovic, whislt Huth headed a Stoke corner well wide as the second half commenced. However, Chelsea’s lead soon doubled and the tie was safe, as John Terry scored a fabulous header. The Chelsea skipper lost his marker Huth, before powering a header past Sorensen from Lampard’s corner.

Hilario made a sharp save to deny Ricardo Fuller late on, but despite a spirited performance, a Stoke comeback was always out of the question. 2-0 to Chelsea, and Aston Villa to face in the semis.

Hands up who would rather have played Manchester City this weekend? Just me I expect. With hindsight, I’m guessing most people would rather see Stoke at the Bridge this weekend after the battering we got from City.

My main reason for not wanting to see Stoke at the Bridge this weekend, though, was fear of a battering of a different sort. That said, it’s hard to imagine any more injury woes this season, so we just have to get on with it.

Consider this, though. Stoke have lost just five games on the road this season. That’s less than four other teams above them in the Premier League, and don’t think for one second they’ll be fielding a weakened side against us.

Tony Pulis doesn’t understand that sort of nonsense and will use what he’s got as effectively as he can. So with this being Stoke City’s only chance at silverware – some might argue ours too given recent form – we can expect a very tough game, in more ways than one.

Carlo Ancelotti is starting to come in for a bit of stick from Chelsea fans now, who are starting to see the light fade at the end of what is proving this season to be a very long and windy tunnel, so he’ll be looking for solid performances in this match given the fundamental errors that cost us against Manchester City. Players alike, particularly with the gutter press continuing their relentless pursuit, will be looking for a solid and hopefully uneventful match.

Pause and take a deep breath while we consider who Carlo won’t be able to pick for this match. Belletti and Ballack are suspended; Essien, Cech, Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa continue long-term recuperation from injury; Zhirkov and Deco are doubtful, as is Carvalho who returned from international duty with a knock.

Tony Pulis, however, has no such worries. Aside from missing Ryan Shawcross through suspension, Pulis can look to a full squad with the likely return of Matthew Etherington and Danny Higginbotham from recent injuries.

As much as the FA Cup is loved for its excitement and ability to throw the form book out of the window, what would be really nice to see at the Bridge this Sunday is a game free from drama, injuries, schoolboy error and referees trying to get themselves in the spotlight.

A Chelsea win, 2-0 without fuss, please.

Chelsea dispensed with Cardiff City 4-1 in the FA Cup fifth round, courtesy of goals from Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalou. Cardiff’s goal was, at the time, an equaliser scored by Michael Chopra, but in reality, they were never in the hunt.

It took just two minutes for the Blues to take the lead and it was Drogba’s 23rd goal of the season that did it. John Obi Mikel’s flighted ball caught the Cardiff defence flat footed, leaving Drogba to finish confidently.

Hilario, in for the rested Petr Cech, had to make a superbly acrobatic save to deny Anthony Gerrard for Cardiff. However, they were not to be denied an equalizer, Chopra heading past Hilario in the 33rd minute.

Chelsea took the lead again in the 50th minute, a lead they would not relinquish. Drogba found Ballack, who’d timed his run with the perfection of a seasoned forward. The German finished like one too, gently dinking the ball over the goalkeeper with his left foot for his fifth goal of the season.

With 22 minutes left, Sturridge made the game safe with his fourth cup goal in three matches. He played the ball into the feet of Drogba, before hedging his bets and continuing his run forward. Fortuitously the ball dropped to him, but there was nothing lucky about Sturridge’s composed finished.

There was five minutes left when Kalou completed the scoring. Ferreira, who had impressed all night, sent in a wicked cross that the forward did well to divert towards goal, his header finding the top corner. Chelsea will now be heavy favourites to defend the FA Cup.

Cardiff City travel to Stamford Bridge for an FA Cup fifth round tie against Chelsea, having won all four previous League Cup and FA Cup ties against the Blues.

As is becoming tradition, Carlo Ancelotti named his side ahead of kick off. Hilario is the goalkeeper, whilst Ferreira, Alex, Carvalho and Zhirkov make up the back four. Mikel, Ballack, Lampard and Joe Cole are in midfield and Drogba is partnered by cup specialist Daniel Sturridge in attack.

Cardiff will likely be missing Gavin Rae and Joe Ledley from their midfield whilst Stephen McPhail and Jay Bothroyd are in doubt after picking up injuries in the midweek victory over Peterborough. Peter Whittingham and Michael Chopra are fit, however, and will be two players to keep an eye on.

Cardiff’s last trip to Stamford Bridge was in 1983, for a match in the old Second Division. Pat Nevin and Colin Lee scored in a 2-0 Chelsea win. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 16 FA Cup ties at Stamford Bridge, 14 of those were victories. Arsenal were the last team to win a cup tie there, in the 2003 quarter final.

Ladbrokes has installed Chelsea as very, very short priced favourites at 1/7 for this match. The draw is paying 13/2, whilst a Cardiff upset is at very long odds, paying an immense 16/1.

Chelsea eased through to the fifth round of the FA Cup, defeating Preston North End 2-0. It was a professional, clinical performance from Chelsea with goals from strikers Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge enough to guarantee that there’d be no “cupset” from Darren Ferguson’s side.

Ancelotti was true to his word, sticking with the side he named 24 hours earlier. Hilario, Ferreira, Alex, Zhirkov, Belletti and Sturridge were some of the lesser used players who started the game.

Chelsea lost Belletti to injury early. His repalcement was Florent Malouda which saw Deco move into a deeper midfield role. Hilario showed confidence in coming off his line in the early exchanges, constantly relieving any signs of Preston pressure.

Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan denied Zhirkov and then Alex in significant attacking moments for Chelsea, but eight minutes before half time he was powerless to stop Anelka scoring the opener. The Frenchmen cut inside from the left and hit a sweet strike that took a slight deflection, enough to take it past Lonergan before he could react.

Hilario made a super save and Ferreira nearly scored an unlikely 30 yarder before the half was out. Indeed, it only took a few minutes for Sturridge to make the game safe.

Terry headed a corner goalwards, but was denied by the impressive Lonergan. However, Sturridge was on hand to lash home the rebound with panache, the youngster wheeling away in jubilant celebration.

There were to be no genuine scares for Chelsea as Hilario kept safely throughout, thought to their credit Preston never gave in. A pleasing performance though, as Chelsea’s defence of the FA Cup gathers pace.

Deepdale plays host to an FA Cup fourth round tie between Preston North End and Chelsea. Preston North End reached this stage by thrashing Colchester United 7-0, whilst Chelsea were victorious over Watford 5-0.

Curiously, Carlo Ancelotti has named his side already and without doubt it is one strong enough to beat Preston. Hilario, Ferreira, Alex, Terry and Zhirkov make up the back five, Belletti, Ballack, Lampard and Deco the midfield four, whilst Anelka and Sturridge are paired in attack.

Compare this to the side that played Preston in the FA Cup fifth round in 2002: Cudicini, Stanic, Desailly, Petit and Babayaro at the back, Zola, Lampard, Dalla Bona and Le Saux in midfield and Gudjohnsen and Hasselbaink up front. Chelsea won 3-1, Gudjohnsen and Hasselbaink scoring after going behind early, Mikael Forssell wrapping up the win in added time. Preston were managed by a young David Moyes at the time.

Since advancing to the fourth round, Preston have appointed a new manager in 37 year old Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex. His only match in charge thus far was a 4-2 away defeat to Bristol City.

Preston defender Sean St Ledger will come up against Nicolas Anelka for the first time since the controversial World Cup qualification play off. Rod Wallace and Neil Mellor, once the new Ian Rush, are two players with Premiership experience who will line up for Preston.

Daniel Sturrige will be looking to step up again after his two goal showing against Watford, whilst the versatile Belletti’s value is once again demonstrated by his selection in midfield. Ferreira, Alex and Zhirkov will look to impress for a regular place in defence.

Ladbrokes are offering very long odds on a Preston “cupset”, the home side are 9/1 to win. The draw is paying 9/2, whilst the Chelsea victory is a very short 2/7.

Following Chelsea over the years has brought many highs and lows, but one of the strangest set of memories for me goes back over forty years to the 4th round in January and February of 1969.

Over the previous four seasons we’d reached the sixth round, two semi-finals and lost to T*tt*nh*m in the first all-London final.

Dave Sexton was manager having taken over from Tommy Docherty fifteen months earlier. Chelsea were riding high in the top division although January had given a blank return in the league.

Having disposed of Carlisle at home with goals from Bobby Tambling and Peter Osgood, I huddled around the cheap transistor radio on the Monday lunch-time at school … “Preston North End will play … number eight … Chelsea.”

The long train journey to and from that Lancashire mill town were split by a pretty unremarkable game with the Match of the Day cameras balanced on scaffolding over a small grim stand (unlike our palatial Shed!) followed by the rush home to catch the goalless highlights on the box. Well, surely it would be a simple task to dispatch the northerners at the Bridge on the following Wednesday?

It had all seemed so simple, but whilst leading 2-0 with goals from Birchenall and Hutchinson the floodlights failed. Cue the usually offers of ‘two bob’ for the meter while we waited and waited, but no, the match was abandoned. We’d have to re-play the replay.

There was no choice, thousands of schoolboys came to the same conclusion; ‘hop the wag’ – play truant for the Monday afternoon rearranged fixture. But what travesty was happening. Preston scored and despite continual Blues pressure the 90th minute approached and we were on our way out.

“On the pitch” was the whisper, “get the game abandoned – Spurs have done it before, so can we.” Now remember that this was before the advent of “added time” and Fergie’s watch hadn’t even been made yet, but unbelievably in the 94th minute, Webby gets the equaliser – great, it’s going to be extra time!

Yet it wasn’t, because in the 97th minute Charlie Cooke grabs another. The incredible tension transformed in the space of three minutes to unbelievably joy.

What a game in a marvellous season, we didn’t win anything, but we stuffed United 4-0 at Old Trafford, newly promoted QPR 4-0 at the loft and Webby hit his first goals for the club in a hat-trick at Ipswich. Portents of successes were to follow very soon.