Chelsea travelled to Marseilles hoping to break the winless run in the league and thereby becoming the first English club to win every game in group phases of the Champions League. But, as our recent form suggested, this was going to be no easy task, and so the case prove to be, as Olympique de Marseilles registered a 1-0 win through a late Brandao strike.

Carlo Ancelotti stated in his pre-match interview that he was looking for a performance from his team and three points weren’t that important, considering we are already assured of top place finish this sounded like a logical demand from the Italian. His team selection also justified this, with McEachran being the only youngster to start the game. His counterpart, Didier Deschamps, was facing his former side for the first time since his Monaco side knocked us out back in 2004.

Chelsea began the game like a team that had won the group and were casual in their play, but Marseilles looked like a team that had a point to prove and this was also evident in a packed Stade Vélodrome. The French side made a quick start and caught Chelsea on the back foot.

The French side made a quick start and caught Chelsea on the back foot, with Valbuena’s shot coming off the bar and then Remy went close, as the Blues were forced to sustain the early pressure. Instead, it was Chelsea who could have had the first goal when Malouda was fouled by Diawara, the Referee Vladislav Bezborov pointed to the spot, but then changed his mind after consultation with his Assistant.

As game went on Chelsea tried to improve the tempo but without much success. Gabriel Heinze put the ball into the net just after the half hour mark, but was ruled offside. As the half wore to a close, the combination of Bezborov and Diawara was again at work, this time Kalou was fouled from behind, but again the Russian Referee, who was officiating in his first game in the Champions League, didn’t gave a penalty.

With key decisions going against us, we went into half-time level with Marseilles. Those decisions could have lifted the team who were clearly second-best in the opening 45 minutes.

The second half begin with Carlo Ancelotti making a tactical change to his team, McEachran took a more advanced role and Essien reverted to a more defensive position.

Even with that change our performance didn’t improve much. Carlo Ancelotti cut an anxious figure as he saw his side again failing to live up the expectations.

Didier Drogba, who spent a season in Marseilles before joining Chelsea, was cheered throughout the game and the standing ovation he received on his substitution would have left some of the neutrals amused. John Terry was the next to be substituted as the game looked destined for a draw. Paulo Ferreira was given the Captain’s armband as first Sturridge, and then Bruma came on.

Chelsea’s quest to remain unbeaten in the group stages looked on course, up until when Brandao struck on the 81st minute, poor defending let Taiwo in from the right and his shot was deflected to Brandao, thereby giving Cech no chance.

Chelsea were dealt another blow when Bosignwa had to be taken off due to a hamstring injury as we looked for an unlikely equaliser in the dying moment of the game but to no avail, with Sturridge going the closest.

It was another uninspiring performance from the Blues, who looked short of confidence at the moment and are not being helped by key decisions going against them in this wretched run, but will buoyed by the performance of Josh McEachran, who played the whole game, and impressed everyone with his calmness and maturity, something which is not expected from players of his age.

Carlo Ancelotti was searching for answers after the Newcastle result and I’m sure he didn’t find any after this performance. He needs his key players to stand up and deliver for him in the next fortnight, but till then he can only look for positives as he seeks to improve his team’s performance. He said; “Not 100 per cent, but some things were good. The first half was good,”

“Defensively we did well, I think. We lost the possibility to counter-attack. We could have had a penalty in the first half.

“Defensively there was tactical discipline and I asked for this from my players. We didn’t have a lot of opportunities to shoot and score, we need to be more clear with the final ball.”

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.

Despite this, who did you think was the best player on the day?

You voted the man of the match for Marseilles as Josh McEachran. Thanks for voting.

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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.

Marseilles security chief; Guy Cazademont, alleged that he was “grabbed around the waist” by Chelsea’s security officials as he was removed from Stamford Bridge before last nights match, with the French club vowing to refer the matter to UEFA.

A Chelsea statement on www.chelseafc.com said; “There were a number of incidents at Tuesday evening’s game involving the away support, all of which are being fully investigated by Chelsea Football Club. We won’t be commenting further until those investigations are complete and the results have been shared with UEFA.”

There were allegedly a number of issues both inside and outside the stadium, that seemed to be the result of actions by Marseilles supporters, we can’t vouch for what happened outside but in the Shed Lower, we were certainly subjected to coins and other such items being thrown from their direction.

In the main their supporters were loud, jovial and good natured, even if we couldn’t understand most of what they said, and we know that it would have been a small number of idiots ruining it for the rest of them.

Whether Marseilles complaint is a valid one, or just a smoke screen for their supporters actions, remains to be seen.

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 the opener at the near post from a Kakuta corner in only the sixth minute, the travelling supporters behind the goal were silenced albeit briefly.

Terry’s first goal of the season was a cute flick of the ball just inside the post, with the outside of his boot, after Kakuta had played in a low pacey corner which surprised the Marseilles defence.

Chelsea continued the half with Anelka, Malouda and Kakuta all involved often, and the left side of Malouda, Zhirkov and Cole looking the most likely in road for a second goal.

However it was from the right that the second goal came, by way of an Essien cross and Marseilles defender; Stephane Mbia hands. Penalty it was, and up stepped Anelka to roll a cheeky shot past the keeper, and answer some of the constant jibes from the Marseilles supporters.

Chelsea almost made it 3-0 when Alex’s hit a vicious free Blues looked to put it out of reace-kick from 30 yards that hit the inside of the post and Essien smashed a shot against the post as we looked to kill off the match, however a third goal looked increasingly likely as time went on.

Marseille had a few opportunities to score, but thankfully their shooting was wayward and their final ball often found wanting. After the match, Carlo Ancelotti remarked; “We played very well in the first half and the second half was more difficult because Marseille wanted to come back into the game and put more pressure on our midfield. We didn’t play so well but we still had a lot of chances in the second half.”

He added; “In the second half we had more difficultly in playing from the back because they put more pressure on us there. They took a risk of conceding a counter attack and we did have the good chances but Marseille was in the game until the end.”

Three points, 100% record, top of our group and no fresh injuries. With the Arsenal match on the horizon, this was a professional job well done.

Chelsea(4-3-3):Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry (c), Cole; Essien, Mikel (McEachran 87), Zhirkov (Sturridge 72); Kakuta (Ramires 61), Anelka, Malouda.
Scorers Terry 6, Anelka (pen) 27

Referee Frank De Bleeckere from Belgium
Attendance 40,675

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 Chelsea, making his debut in the 4-0 win over Sunderland in August, and going on to lift the FA Cup later that year.

Deschamps didn’t exactly set the world alight in his time here, that’s not to negate his contribution that season, where he brought a steady and calm influence to the matches he played.

Since leaving Chelsea he’s forged a successful managerial career with Monaco, Juventus and now Marseille, as well as being linked with the Chelsea job on a number of occasions during our managerial merry-go-round.

As you all know, Carlo, a former manager of Deschamps at Juventus, took the hot seat and the rest is history, today the two men pit their wits against each other in Europe’s premier corruption competition.

Speaking before the match, Carlo confirmed the continued absence of Frank Lampard; “He can’t play tomorrow. If he doesn’t play with us, he is not able to play for the national team. He needs more time than we expected for his rest. After these games there will be an international break and he will be ready for the games after the international break.”

“For now we have to choose up front. Sure we will start Malouda and Anelka but we will have to choose the right position up front.” He added; “It could Sturridge or Kakuta, I could put these two players in, they are ready. From the beginning, McEachran will go on the bench; he will be ready to go onto the pitch if it is necessary. John Terry will play.”

Speaking about the threat our opponents pose, he said; “My players will know everything about the opponent but the most important thing is our play. Obviously we will know the skills of the opponent’s team but we must play our way. If we play our best, we will win.”