No Stoke Without Fire

March 6, 2010

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…

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City Do The Double

March 1, 2010

Chelsea crashed to a 4-2 defeat at home to Manchester City, after Carlos Tevez, Craig Bellamy and Frank Lampard all scored twice. There were two penalties, two red cards and the infamous Wayne Bridge handshake snub, in a match that only heated up in the second half. Florent Malouda continued at left back in the absence of Ashley Cole and Yuri Zhirkov, whilst Joe Cole was recalled, in place of…

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Bridge Back At The Bridge

February 26, 2010

It is a clash of two high profile Italian managers at Stamford Bridge this weekend, as Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea host Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City. City were knocked out of the FA Cup by Stoke City in their last match, whilst Chelsea were defeated by Internazionale in the Champions League. However, this match will draw plenty of attention as John Terry and Wayne Bridge meet for the first time since the…

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Advantage Inter

February 25, 2010

Internazionale will travel to Stamford Bridge in just under three weeks with a 2-1 lead to preserve, having defeated Chelsea at the San Siro. Diego Milito and Esteban Cambiasso scored for Jose Mourinho’s side, whilst Salomon Kalou scored for Chelsea. The Blues also lost Petr Cech to a serious looking injury in the second half. Florent Malouda was preferred to Juliano Belletti at left back for Chelsea, which mean that…

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Inter Battle We Go

February 24, 2010

The last 16 of the UEFA Champions League has thrown up an all star clash with Chelsea drawn against Italian giants Internazionale. More obviously, Carlo Ancelotti, formerly of AC Milan, clashes with former Chelsea coach and favourite, Jose Mourinho in one of the most eagerly anticipated matches in years. The San Siro is the venue for the first leg. The war of words has started, with Mourinho commenting that the…

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Deadly Drogs Does It Again

February 22, 2010

Chelsea laboured to a 2-0 win at Wolves thanks to another brace from Didier Drogba, taking his season total to 25 in all competitions. However, Manchester United’s crushing defeat at Goodison Park now sees Chelsea open up a four point lead atop the English Premier League. Paulo Ferreira made a rare league start at right back, whilst Florent Malouda started on the left of the midfield four. Drogba and Anelka…

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Thrown To The Wolves

February 20, 2010

Just four days out from the trip to play Jose Mourinho’s Internazionale, Chelsea have another less glamorous away trip to Wolverhampton, to take on Mick McCarthy’s side. Chelsea have a one point lead at the top of the table heading into this match, whilst Wolves are just a point outside the bottom three. Chelsea have injury problems, with Alex, Belletti, Essien, Bosingwa, Ashley Cole and Lampard all out of action….

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Cardiff Suffer The Blues

February 15, 2010

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….

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Cardiff Cup & Thrust

February 13, 2010

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…

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Bad Night Up North

February 11, 2010

Chelsea’s lead at the top of the table is a solitary point after the Blues crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Everton at Goodison Park. Manchester United’s draw with Aston Villa ensures that things remain very tight at the top as we enter the final third of the season. Yuri Zhirkov replaced Michael Ballack in the only change from the side that beat Arsenal and it took just sixteen minutes…

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