Milan Lalkovic took centre stage this week as his sixth goal of the season – and the 96th scored by a Chelsea loanee in 2013-14 – ensured the run of Blues scoring for over clubs this campaign entered an unbroken 30th week. There were assists for Marko Marin and Thorgan Hazard most notably elsewhere, whilst the rest of the crop largely continued in their familiar roles as the die has…
FA Youth Cup: Newcastle United 2-3 Chelsea
Chelsea’s love affair with the FA Youth Cup continues unabated as another cracker of a tie saw them best Newcastle United 3-2 in a tense Quarter Final affair fraught with controversy, confrontation and drama. The Blues went ahead through Dominic Solanke’s eighteenth goal of the season but they found themselves behind at the break – and for the first time in the competition this season – as Olivier Kemen’s dubious…
Chelsea’s Charity Heroes
In the middle of January, I received word from that well-known rascal, Walter Otton, that he’d be having a launch for his collection of short stories, appropriately enough called “Shorts”, together with a fundraiser for the Regenerate charity which is increasingly becoming part of the fabric of the SW6 family. He promised music, light entertainment, a presentation, plus a raffle. I promised I’d be there. Having interviewed Walter last year…
The Loan Report: March 3-9
Romelu Lukaku and George Saville share the headlines in this week’s edition of the Loan Report as the English-based pair took us up to 95 goals from Chelsea’s now-combined 31 loanees (more on the latest to join the ranks later), and ensured that the run of consecutive weeks in which any one of them has scored a goal ticks over into a 29th unbroken, covering the entirety of the 2013-14…
Under-21s: Chelsea 1-0 Middlesbrough
Chelsea continued their recent run of good form at Under-21 level with a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at Aldershot on Saturday. The Blues may have had a weather-affected February but many of the group took part in the emphatic win over Milan in the UEFA Youth League and came into the match in good form. Isak Ssewankambo scored the only goal of the match with an hour on the clock…
Under-18s: Chelsea 0-3 Fulham
A Chelsea Under-18 team packed with Under-16 schoolboys lost 3-0 to West London neighbours Fulham on Friday afternoon, their second home defeat in the space of a week. Dean O’Halloran gave Steve Wigley’s side the lead midway through the first half, Patrick Roberts doubled it just before the hour, and Aaron Redford came off the bench to round things off in style late in the game. Despite the relative comfort…
The Loan Report: February 24 – March 2
Romelu Lukaku returned from injury this weekend and needed little more than twenty minutes to make his presence felt. His tenth goal of Everton’s season was also the 93rd produced by a Chelsea player away on loan and was enough to not only secure a 1-0 win over West Ham United, but also ensured the loanee goalscoring streak continued for a 28th successive week of the 2013-14 season. Headliners Lukaku…
Spring and Roundabouts
Spring brings a feeling of renewal; a fresh start. Supermarkets are advertising product discounts for a “spring clean”. The crocuses and daffodils are out – Hyde Park was looking stunning, albeit somewhat overcast today. For those of us of the Christian faith, the great season of Lent is upon us. And at the risk of being accused of attempting to steal the thunder of my dear friend, Driver on The…
Under-18s: Chelsea 0-2 Leicester City
Chelsea’s Under-18s went down to a first home defeat of the season on Saturday as Leicester City claimed an impressive 2-0 win at Cobham. Second half strikes from Danny Rowe and substitute Chris Dusabe were enough for the Foxes to take all three points back home with them, and they did so deservedly after putting in a committed and disciplined display. Adi Viveash’s team selection was the usual mixture of…
UEFA Youth League: Chelsea 4-1 Milan
Chelsea confirmed their credentials as the team to beat in the inaugural UEFA Youth League as they made it seven wins from seven by demolishing Milan 4-1 in the Round of Sixteen. Lewis Baker was the star of the show as he scored two terrific goals, whilst Jeremie Boga and Alex Kiwomya also got in on the act as Dermot Drummy’s boys joined Barcelona as confirmed last eight participants. Ahead…