Chelsea - The Blue Legends

The Blues also like it the Green way - The (Ad) Greenhouse effect

2013-04-04T16:38:00.001+01:00

Hey there my Chelsea fans,
Although we all are Blue blooded, its worth looking at this Green website!
Great idea and an even better project!

http://www.adgreenhouse.com/

Spread the word!

Please like their page, follow them on twitter and subscribe if you like it and to keep yourself updated with their new ideas!
Thanks
and KEEP following ;)
Keep the blue flag flying high!

Chelsea and England upcoming left back, Ryan Bertrand, inks new five year deal

2012-09-05T19:24:00.002+01:00

After receiving a call-up to the senior England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers the Blues' left-back has also been rewarded for his fine club form with a new contract

Chelsea have confirmed that Ryan Bertrand has signed a new five-year deal with the club.
The left-back has been at the Blues since 2005, when he joined their academy from Gillingham, but did not make his debut until 2011 after five separate loan spells to the lower leagues.

The 23-year-old is seen as a long-term replacement for full-back Ashley Cole but has recently been given a more attacking role on the left-wing, a position he played in his biggest game for Chelsea - the Champions League final, and his European debut, against Bayern Munich.

Bertrand has now made 15 starts for the Stamford Bridge outfit, adding four more appearances from the substitutes' bench, while playing a role in the club's impressive start to this season's Premier League.

The player's form and continued selection saw him make Stuart Pearce's Team GB Olympic squad for London 2012 this summer, before also being handed his England debut by Roy Hodgson in a friendly victory over Italy in August.

The Englishman has also now been called to the senior squad for the upcoming World Cup 2014 qualifiers with Moldova and Ukraine.

Bertrand had formerly represented the Three Lions across the youth age groups, and has since expressed his delight at making the step-up to the senior side.

Malouda misses out on Chelsea's Champions League Squad

2012-09-04T18:09:00.001+01:00

Chelsea have announced their squad for the Champions League group stages, and it's missing a very familiar face. Last season, neither Romelu Lukaku nor Ryan Bertrand were included in the list, both victims of the bizarre club-trained/association trained UEFA policy that appears to be designed to favour associations which use B-teams over those whose primary mechanism of player development is via loans. This time, Bertrand makes it - it's Florent Malouda who misses out.

That doesn't come as much surprise, considering Malouda has been completely uninvolved all year and was left off Chelsea's Super Cup squad for 'technical reasons'. He'll probably end up on the Premier League squad, just because we have more open slots, but there's every chance he just gets loaned out to some team in France as well.

The full squad is as follows:

A List

1. Petr Cech

2. Branislav Ivanovic

3. Ashley Cole

4. David Luiz

6. Oriol Romeu

7. Ramires

8. Frank Lampard

9. Fernando Torres

10. Juan Mata

11. Oscar

12. John Mikel Obi

13. Victor Moses

17. Eden Hazard

19. Paulo Ferreira

21. Marko Marin

22. Ross Turnbull

23. Daniel Sturridge

24. Gary Cahill

26. John Terry

28. Cesar Azpilicueta

34. Ryan Bertrand

35. Lucas Piazon

B List

46. Jamal Blackman

47. Billy Clifford

49. Aziz Deen-Conteh

54. Todd Kane

56. George Saville

58. Daniel Pappoe

60. Adam Phillip

Blue is for the B-List, which is for under-21s who've been with the squad for two years (i.e. not Lucas Piazon, who makes the main list), green is for club-trained players, of which we have one, and red is for association-trained players. We're limited to 22 senior spots because we've only got John Terry counting as club trained, which is laughable in light of Ryan Bertrand existing, but it's not a huge deal that we don't have a full squad. It's for six games, and we can mix things up later on. Remember that last year Bertrand didn't make the initial squad either, and he ended up starting in the final.

The Premier League squad should be far more straightforward. Chelsea have the requisite eight home-grown players, so there should be room for the likes of Malouda and Henrique Hilario. Assuming they're still around, of course.

Meireles departs for Fenerbahce

2012-09-03T22:05:00.003+01:00

The 29-year-old portugese has decided to leave Stamford Bridge after the club accepted a offer from the Turkish giants and has signed a four-year contract with Aykut Kocaman's side

Raul's trademark celebrations and
super goals will be missed!

Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles has left the club to join Turkish oufit Fenerbahce.

A fee has not been revealed but reports say the deal could be worth around £8 million, with Meireles signing a four-year deal at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

The Portugal international only made the move to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool before the transfer window closed last summer for a fee of £12 million.

Meireles made 42 appearances for The Blues last season, scoring twice and had been involved in every Premier League game for Chelsea this season, but was only used as a second half substitute in all three matches.

And the midfielder has now opted to join fellow former Liverpool team-mate Dirk Kuyt at the Turkish Super League club after failing to establish a regular place in the central midfield with John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard and Ramires the favoured partnership for Chelsea.

The Porto-born midfielder was said to be unhappy with after the club sacked Andre Villas-Boas, the man who brought him to London.

The arrivals of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Marko Marin only fuelled speculation that he could leave the West London club with Roberto Di Matteo taking on the task of rebuilding Chelsea's squad and replacing them with younger talent.

The departures of Yossi Benayoun and Michael Essien on deadline day seemed to have quashed speculation that Meireles could leave Stamford Bridge but after Fenerbahce made their move earlier today, it would appear Meireles was surplus to requirements under the Italian.

Mourinho a father like firgure to me says the new Madrid Ghanian

2012-09-02T10:59:00.001+01:00

The Ghanian hailed his former boss at Stamford Bridge, saying that his relationship with the Portuguese manager was the main reason behind his move to La Liga

Michael Essien has credited his season long loan move from Chelsea to Real Madrid to his special relationship with Jose Mourinho, who he sees as a father figure to him.

The pair originally worked together in London when the Portuguese trainer brought Essien to Stamford Bridge from Lyon in 2005 and the midfielder is now relishing the opportunity to work under his former mentor again.

"Everything happened so fast," reflected the 29-year-old at a press conference. "Mourinho called me and said he was ready to take me. I said yes immediately."

"That was more than enough for me to come here. I see him as a father because he was the one responsible for my move to Chelsea. We have a very good relationship, with a clear understanding of each other."

Essien has enjoyed several injury-laden campaigns at Stamford Bridge in recent years, struggling to only 14 appearances last season, something he is keen to change.

He added: "I have had some fitness problems in the past, but I'm strong. If I wasn't ready to play here in the first place, I wouldn't have signed on.

"Real Madrid have very, very good players, but I'm ready to feature anywhere Mourinho asks me to. It'll be a great feeling to win titles this way."

I came to Chelsea to win trophies alongside world-class players says the newly arrived Moses

2012-08-27T20:04:00.001+01:00

The 21-year-old expressed delight at being given the chance to play with such an array of talent, after initially being surprised to hear of the club's interest in him

New Chelsea signing Victor Moses has revealed he moved to Stamford Bridge in order to win silverware, admitting it is an honour to play for the Champions League holders.

The 21-year-old had been the subject of prolonged speculation over the summer with reports constantly linking the winger with a transfer to west London, a deal that was officially completed on Friday.

The Nigerian admits the Blues' interest shocked him at first, but says he was delighted to make the switch to the reigning European champions, something he believes any player would have done.

"When I first heard that Chelsea had come in for me I was surprised, but I had a call from my agent saying they were really interested in me and what did I think," he told the club's official website.

"I said they are the European champions and anyone would like to play there and now that everything is sorted, I am delighted to be here.

"I am happy to come back to London as I grew up here and it is a great honour to play for the club that won the Champions League."

Roman Abramovich has dug deep into his pockets this summer in a bid to avoid a repeat of a disappointing sixth-placed finish in the Premier League table last year, only qualifying for the Champions League as eventual winners.

Eden Hazard, Oscar, Marko Marin & Cesar Azpilicueta are among the names already brought in, as well as Moses, and the spending has paid off so far with Roberto Di Matteo's men sitting pretty on top of the table with three wins from their first three matches.

The former Wigan attacker says he is looking forward to working with some of the best players on the planet, while insisting he will do his best to add to the team in their hunt for titles.

"There are a lot of world-class players here and I am here to do my best for the team and to help them win more trophies," he added.

"The club has done well for the past few years, they have achieved a lot, and I am delighted to be able to play with these world-class players.

"I just want to ask the fans to sit tight, there is more to come from Victor Moses and I hope to do my best for the club and that there are more trophies to come in the future."

Blues confirm on Moses transfer, but 'Did we really need him?'

2012-08-23T20:04:00.002+01:00

The Blues finally get their man at the fifth attempt as they finally meet the valuation Dave Whelan had in mind for his winger and Roberto Di Matteo will sit down with him soon

Wigan Athletic have accepted a bid for Victor Moses, 21, from Chelsea after finally meeting the valuation set by the club.

The midfielder was on the receiving end of four unsuccessful bids by Roberto Di Matteo but Dave Whelan has finally agreed to sell the player on the fifth attempt.

The club announced on their website that they had given Chelsea permission to speak to Moses as the move looks set to go through sometime this week.

The 21-year-old played the full 90 minutes against his potential new club last weekend but failed to get on the score sheet as Di Matteo's men were 2-0 victors.

His versatility would prove key to Chelsea this season as he can either play out wide or as a central striker and would be a useful tool as they look to chase reigning champions Manchester City all the way in the Premier League.

Moses has played for England Under 16, 17, 19 and 21s but has since pledged his allegiance to his country of birth Nigeria and is now a member of their senior line-up.

His stand-out moment at international level saw him pick up the Golden Boot for England Under 17s in their World Cup.

At the end of the day.. the real question is that considering the amount of quality we already have, did we really need him?

Hazard bags 3 assists in his debut home game as Chelsea reach at the top of the table

2012-08-23T16:41:00.001+01:00

It was the night Stamford Bridge turned into the Garden of Eden as Chelsea returned to the top!

Fernando Torres scored the decisive goal as Chelsea came from behind to beat a spirited Reading at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard opened the scoring with a powerful first-half penalty after Eden Hazard, who impressed once again, had been tripped by Chris Gunter.
Reading equalised shortly after through a thunderous Pavel Pogrebnyak header, before Petr Cech let a Danny Guthrie free kick squirm from his grasp and into his own net.
But Adam Federici followed suit, allowing a Gary Cahill shot to skid away from him, and with less than ten minutes remaining, Torres was left with the simplest of finishes after good work by Juan Mata and Ashley Cole.
Branislav Ivanovic swept into an open goal in stoppage time, with Federici out of his area after attacking a corner.
Hazard, who had caught the eye in his Premier League debut against Wigan, was involved inside two minutes, racing onto a pass from Mata on the left hand side, but the Belgian’s shot across goal failed to find the target and rolled wide.
Just five minutes later Chelsea went closer, as a lovely fluid passing move involving Torres and Ivanovic launched an attack for the returning Ramires, but the midfielder chose to test Adam Fedrici rather than play the Chelsea striker in with the goal at his mercy, and the Reading keeper palmed the ball away.

Reading launched a counter-attack from Federici’s save, but lone striker Pavel Pogrebnyak flashed his shot wide, before Torres would get his first chance of the match.
The Spain international displayed some excellent trickery to deceive Jem Karacan and Kaspars Gorkss to make space in the penalty area, but his shot was blocked and flew to safety.
It was more Chelsea skill that would create the chance for the opening goal, as Hazard had his standing leg tripped in the box by Gunter, leaving match official Lee Mason with the easy decision to award the penalty.
Lampard stepped up and drilled low and powerfully to Federici’s right and, though the shot stopper dived the right way, he had little chance of keeping the spot kick out.
The home side’s lead lasted little more than five minutes though, as Pogrebnyak headed Reading level.
Garath McCleary exchanged a quick one-two with Danny Guthrie before finding the Russian, who showed expert movement to beat Gary Cahill and head into the top corner beyond Cech.
And, just before the half hour mark, the visitors were in front after John Terry gave away a free kick for a foul on Jobi McAnuff around 20 yards from goal.
Guthrie blasted low and hard at Cech, but the 30-year old spilled a regulation save and could only watch the ball trickle into his net.
Chelsea had chances to equalise before the interval but Hazard fired over from distance before crossing for Torres, who nodded just wide, while Alex Pearce was inches away from extending the visitors’ lead, but could not connect with an Ian Harte free kick.
The Blues wasted no time in attempting to get back into the game after the break as Torres pulled back to the edge of the box for Ivanovic, but the defender’s shot sailed a long way over the bar.
But, with his side unable to break Reading down in the early stages of the second half, Roberto Di Matteo handed Oscar his Stamford Bridge debut, in place of compatriot Ramires.
Oscar was immediately among the action, nicking the ball away from Karacan, who upended the Brazilian and picked up a yellow card.
With over an hour played, Chelsea were finally able to carve out a second half opening and after some pinball in the box following an Ivanovic pass, the ball fell to Hazard, but his shot was blocked by Pearce when Federici may well have been beaten.
Di Matteo was forced into another change as the hosts chased the elusive equaliser and replaced John Obi Mikel with Daniel Sturridge.
But it was a defender who would pull the scores level in the 70th minute, when Cahill’s speculative long range effort bounced in front of the outstretched palms of Federici, who pushed the stinging shot into the bottom corner.
The equaliser appeared to have given Chelsea the impetus to press for a winner, with Juan Mata going close with a shot, beating Federici but curling wide.
And it was Mata again who went close with ten minutes remaining, scuffing wide after an Ivanovic cross cannoned into his path.
Just moments later though, Chelsea scored the winner as Ashley Cole darted onto a pass inside the box and squared for Torres, who got ahead of the resolute Reading backline and tapped into an empty net.
There were suspicions of offside surrounding the goal, but Chelsea took the three points in their first home game of the season as Federici came up for a corner and left his goal exposed, allowing the hosts to break through with Hazard, who gifted Ivanovic an open goal in the dying moments.

© goal.com

Hazard impresses on his Premier League debut cruising Chelsea to a comfortable win!

2012-08-19T21:03:00.000+01:00

Roberto Di Matteo's side claimed all three points in their opening game of the 2012-13 campaign with two goals in the first seven minutes still unchallenged by full-time

Chelsea got their Premier League campaign under way with three points against Wigan as goals within the first seven minutes from Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard secured a 2-0 win.
The Blues, who were beaten in the Community Shield by Manchester City a week previously, handed a Premier League debut to Eden Hazard, and the £32 million summer signing from Lille was the catalyst as the visitors flew out the blocks to take the lead after just two minutes at the DW Stadium.
In what was a swift counterattacking move, Hazard rolled Ivan Ramis in the middle of the pitch before releasing Ivanovic and the Serbian made no mistake as he fired home to leave Ali Al-Habsi with no chance.And Wigan were soon two behind as, with just six minutes gone, the Belgian again wrought havoc on the home side's defence, escaping a challenge from Maynor Figueroa before Ramis, enduring a nightmare start to his Latics career, came across and bundled the 21-year-old forward over for a penalty.
Lampard made no mistake from the spot, drilling the ball low underneath Al-Habsi's arms to put the Champions League holders two goals to the good.
Wigan fashioned their first chance of the half after 18 minutes when Emmerson Boyce crossed over from the right towards Franco Di Santo and, although the former Chelsea man did well to climb between David Luiz and Ivanovic, he could only direct his header onto the top of the net.

Roberto Martinez's side came more and more into the game as the half wore on and Victor Moses, who could be on his way to Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes, came close to pulling a goal back as he flashed an effort across goal but Petr Cech was on hand to divert the ball behind for a corner.
Chelsea were struggling to hit top gear in spite of their pulsating start to the match and Di Santo could have halved the deficit in stoppage time of the first half but, after racing onto a clever through ball from Figueroa, he failed to beat Cech when through one-on-one after a loose first touch narrowed the angle.

Wigan continued to push forward in search of a way back into the match with Di Santo and Moses both shooting wide shortly after the break but Fernando Torres then had the chance to put the game beyond the hosts with his first real sight of goal.
The Spaniard gambled in behind the Latics' defence after Ryan Bertrand had headed on but, despite touching the ball past Al-Habsi, Ramis successfully chased back to clear off the line.

Oscar was then introduced just after the hour mark for his Chelsea debut and, after replacing the impressive Hazard, he came close to opening his account for his new club but his low shot across goal drifted inches wide of the post.
Martinez's men refused to lie down and were looking the most likely as new signing Arouna Kone headed wide following a corner before Jordi Gomez acrobatically fired over the bar.
Luiz then came close to adding a third for the visitors but his header was comfortably claimed by Al-Habsi and the Blues, despite struggling to build on their impressive start to the game, saw out the final minutes to pick up the 2-0 victory.

Jose Bosingwa departs to join Queens Park Rangers

2012-08-17T19:19:00.000+01:00

Queens Park Rangers have signed defender Jose Bosingwa on a three-year long deal following his release by Chelsea

Good luck from us Jose.... Time to move on!

The 29 year-old full-back, who arrives on a free transfer following his release from QPR's West London rivals, becomes Mark Hughes's eighth summer signing.
Bosingwa's signing comes too late for him to take part in Saturday's season opener against Swansea at Loftus Road.

However, manager Hughes hailed the arrival of the double Champions League winner and told the club's official website: "I am delighted to bring a player of his undoubted quality to the club. He has got plenty of pace, great technical ability and all the attributes you need to be a top player."
He added: "Jose has a lot of versatility which is something I like my players to have. He can operate right across the back and can also play the holding role in midfield.
"He's another Champions League winner, the third in the squad now with Park Ji-sung and Djibril Cisse, and will add invaluable experience to the group.
"His experience is really important to us. He understands the Premier League and he understands what it takes to win games. He has got a winning mentality and that is what I want to have around the place."

© Yahoo!

Chelsea vs Manchester City Preview

2012-08-11T19:01:00.001+01:00

Who will start the new season with a bang?

The lil' geniuses less likely to start the game?

Juan Mata is unlikely to feature for Chelsea following his involvement at the Olympic Games, so Roberto Di Matteo could opt for a 4-3-3 formation with Raul Meireles joining Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel in midfield.

Ramires and Eden Hazard are likely to support Fernando Torres in attack, while the Italian will decide between Gary Cahill and David Luiz at the back. Marko Marin will miss the match with a hamstring injury.

Roberto Mancini is still yet to field anything like his first-choice line-up during pre-season, making it difficult to predict how strong a team he will select for this match.

The match fitness of some of their Euro 2012 competitors, such as Samir Nasri and Nigel de Jong is in doubt, while Vincent Kompany is struggling with a calf injury and is unlikely to be risked, so Kolo Toure could feature at centre-back.

David Silva and Mario Balotelli went all the way to the final with their countries in Poland and Ukraine and will therefore likely be kept among the substitutes.

Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez have all seen plenty of pre-season action and should be involved in the starting XI, but Gareth Barry is injured and Micah Richards will not play after representing Great Britain at the Olympics.

DID YOU KNOW?

Manchester City suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of rivals Manchester United in last year's Community Shield, but have won the prize three times – in 1937, 1968 and 1972.

Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa, will host this year's tie as Wembley is in use as part of the Olympic Games in London.

The match will be played away from a national stadium – either one of the two incarnations of Wembley in England or the Millennium Stadium in Wales – for the first time since 1973 when it was played at City's former ground, Maine Road.

Maine Road hosted the match five times in all, while the game has been played at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge more than any other stadium bar Wembley.

Chelsea beat City at home in the Premier League last season, but suffered defeat at the Etihad Stadium by the same 2-1 scoreline.

Overall, the Blues have the edge in the head-to-head statistics, having enjoyed 55 wins to City's 43, with 36 matches between the two sides resulting in a draw.

Chelsea have won the Community Shield four times, with three of those victories coming since the turn of the millennium in 2000, 2005 and 2009. They also won in 1955.

Roberto Di Matteo, taking charge of his first game as permanent manager, is the fourth Italian to take the reins at Stamford Bridge after Carlo Ancelotti, Claudio Ranieri and Gianluca Vialli.

EDEN HAZARD is playing!

Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas: 'I like it creative'

2011-06-26T18:22:00.000+01:00

Former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas claims that he will run the club in a democratic manner, insisting that he is not a dictator.

The 33-year-old was appointed as the successor to Italian Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked after a trophyless season at Stamford Bridge. In contrast, the young Portuguese manager created history by becoming the youngest ever tactician to win a European trophy - adding the Europa League to a domestic double last season.

Discussing his managerial style, Villas-Boas told The Mirror: "I’m no dictator.

"I encourage freedom of choice in football. Players can only achieve their true potential if they are not shackled and are able to stand on their own two feet.

"Creativity in my players is important. I love the unpredictable part of the game.

"I strongly believe that players have to express themselves to their full potential, they must be able to make choices during the game."

Villas-Boas also admitted that he has landed his dream job, and hopes to fulfil his managerial potential in the role.

"I want success. I have expectations and want to look back on a career I can be proud of," he said. "I want to win championships, I want to explore other leagues and embrace different social and cultural behaviour.

"This job is all I ever wanted. I accept people may view it as a gamble employing someone so young, but if I didn’t believe I could succeed what is the point?"

Villas-Boas was the seventh manager in Roman Abramovich's eight-year reign as Chelsea owner, succeeding Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and Ancelotti.

Someone like Modric is what Chelsea need - Wilkins

2011-06-17T16:20:00.002+01:00

Former England man backs Torres to shine next season and denies the Blues squad is too old to compete for the Premier League title after losing out to United this term

Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has backed the Blues to spend big in the summer to keep up with the Premier League elite, and supports their attempts to sign Tottenham star Luka Modric.

With league winners Manchester United already splashing the cash on Blackburn defender Phil Jones and Manchester City expected to spend big again, Wilkins believes Chelsea need to do the same simply to keep up.

"If you're left behind in the transfer market you'll be left behind in the Premier League," said Wilkins, who was talking at the announcement of the FA Cup's sponsorship deal with Budweiser.

"Yes, there will be money spent I'm sure with all the clubs throughout the Premier League. Modric has been mentioned to Chelsea, he'd be a great addition to any squad. That type of player is what you're looking for."

With Blues stalwarts John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba all the wrong side of 30 there have been suggestions that the three-time Premier League champions need an injection of youth after seeing the league title slip out of their hands to Manchester United this season.

When asked if the Chelsea team was too old, Wilkins, who helped the Blues to a league and cup double in 2010, said: "No, not at all.

"I've been with them, I know their fitness levels and they are quite superb so there's really no problem as far as the age is concerned. It just needs a little tinkering here and there and they will be fine.

"They are a wonderfully gifted bunch of guys and they will be back. They will be pushing for it next year, they have a wonderful desire to win, as a unit they are different class. They just need that little additive [to the squad] and I'm sure they will be fine."

In the last transfer window Chelsea splashed out £50m on Fernando Torres but in 18 games the Spaniard managed just one goal, and Wilkins believes such a hefty price tag can weigh heavy on a player's shoulders, but backed the former Liverpool man to return to glory next season.

"I believe you will see him come to the fore next year, no question about it, he's a wonderfully gifted guy and there is no reason why he shouldn't flourish," said Wilkins.

"Lots of players would say it [a big price tag] wouldn't matter but I suppose at the back of your mind you are still worried about it. You'd want to produce and I think he feels disappointed that he hasn't been able to deliver the type of goals that Chelsea wanted but that will happen next year I'm sure."

A Blue Day - A Blue Brazilian Day !

2011-03-20T20:51:00.002+00:00

Late goals from Brazilians David Luiz and Ramires saw Chelsea grind out a 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge

While £50m man Fernando Torres, preferred to both Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka up front, fired another blank, it was their other big January signing Luiz who broke the game open with a 79th minute header.

Ramires then clinched the points with a super solo effort in stoppage time as Chelsea jumped above City into third place.

It was Luiz who was the real star, as he also won the free-kick that led to the opening goal and produced a masterful display at the back in a superb individual performance.

Up until that moment though it had looked like a well organised Manchester City side would pick up a handy point in their bid for Champions League football despite being without their star man, Carlos Tevez, who failed a pre-match fitness test.

However, they now risk being caught by Tottenham for fourth spot for the second successive season, with Harry Redknapp's side only four points behind them with a game in hand.

Chelsea can still harbour outside thoughts of a crack at the title. They are nine points behind leaders Manchester United but still have to play Sir Alex Ferguson's men and have a game in hand.

The first-half was played at breakneck speed which made it reasonably entertaining fare even if chances were at a premium.

It was City who started the brighter and they had a decent effort after only six minutes when Yaya Toure drilled a decent low drive towards goal only for Petr Cech to get down quickly to push it away.

However, Chelsea soon started to get on top but struggled to create chances against a suffocating City backline marshalled superbly by Vincent Kompany.

The Belgian blocked an effort from Frank Lampard in the 37th minute while Torres's only real chance to shoot was ended by a crushing, but fair tackle, from the similar imposing Nigel de Jong.

Chelsea had a handball shout when the lively Salomon Kalou had a cross blocked by Joleon Lescott, but 0-0 was just about right at the break.

The second-half followed a similar pattern, Chelsea on top, but City coping. Florent Malouda fired straight at Joe Hartafter good work from Torres and Kalou; a Branislav Ivanovic header was blocked by Kompany; but it is mere bits and pieces stuff as a draw looked inevitable.

However, then Luiz found himself inexplicably down the left wing in an attacking position and won a free-kick near the corner flag. Drogba, on at this stage for Torres, whipped in a superb free-kick and Luiz got his unmistakeable mop on the ball to head into the corner for the opener.

So settled into their gear of containment were City that they struggled to react to going behind, and they never really threatened an equaliser even with bad-boy Mario Balotelli being brought on to try and end a troubled week on a redemptive high.

Instead it was Chelsea who got the second in fine style as Ramies picked up the ball around 40 yards out; he then skipped past Aleksandar Kolarov and Lescott before ending his mazy run by smashing the ball past Hart to clinch all three points.

Carlo Ancelotti believes that 'Born To Score' Fernando Torres will soon start scoring goals for Chelsea !

2011-03-12T10:32:00.002+00:00

Italian admits win against Manchester United boosted team's spirits which will follow on with an opener for The Spaniard in the upcoming games.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes that Fernando Torres will soon be back on the score-sheet because the striker was born to score.

The record signing from Liverpool has had a quiet start to his career in a blue jersey as he has not scored during his first month featuring in the Blues offensive line.

Ancelotti believes that the Spanish international’s talent will shine through and told reporters last week, “I do not ask my strikers to score.”

However, Fernando Torres himself confessed he has to find the back of the net again if he wants to help the Blues land any silverware this season as he vowed to in January.

Some people have cast doubts on whether Torres will go the whole season without scoring for the Blues, but Ancelotti does not think this will happen.

"It is impossible, because he will score. He will score, sure, because Torres was born to score."

Chelsea came from behind to defeat Premier League leaders Manchester United 2-1 at
Stamford Bridge on Tuesday triggering a renewed belief in Chelsea backroom that the trophy can be retained by the West London club.

The Italian boss stayed optimistic through Chelsea’s inconsistent spell at the end of 2010 and is convinced that if the players themselves believe they can win, it can motivate the team as a whole.

"If some players think that we can win the title, I think that it's a good idea because this can give them good motivation," he added.

"Manchester United can lose the title. Compared to us, Arsenal are closer to them, and maybe they can have more possibility to reach first place.

"For us, it's very difficult to think this but obviously we want to win all the games that remain until the end of the season.

"We reached fourth place and we want to maintain this and, if possible, to improve this."

Frank believes in Chelsea and so do we !!

2010-12-15T18:44:00.003+00:00

Frank Lampard has found it tough to watch Chelsea's slump from the sidelines - but feels Carlo Ancelotti's men may just have turned the corner.

The Blues have slipped down to fourth in the Barclays Premier League after their worst run of domestic form in a decade, their last victory coming against Fulham on November 10.

However, but for a stoppage-time penalty miss from Didier Drogba in last Sunday's 1-1 draw at Tottenham, Chelsea would have been back to winning ways.

Lampard has been out for three and a half months after hernia problems, but returned to action as a late substitute against Spurs.

"Every season you have patches and ups and downs and hopefully this is one to get out the way early and refocus," the England midfielder said on Chelsea TV. "It is easy for me not being involved to sit back and say it has been really bad, but it is a difficult league and we started off like a house on fire.

"We have had a bit of a hiccup and maybe we stopped doing the things that made us so good early in the season.

"Hopefully the Spurs game was a bit of a turning point."

Injury Returns - Franks Lampard, John Terry, Micheal Essien

Chelsea pass through Wolves with ease while increasing their lead

2010-10-23T18:26:00.005+01:00

Chelsea made it eight consecutive home clean sheets in the League against Wolves today following a tense game inside the Bridge which saw Jose Bosingwa play 78 minutes of football.

Florent Malouda joined Carlos Tevez at the top of the scoring charts after he netted his seventh league goal of the season midway through the first half, before Salomon Kalou came off the bench to make sure of the win.

With second-placed Manchester City playing Arsenal on Sunday, the Blues know they will at least retain the two-point advantage they went into the weekend once the rest of this round of fixtures is completed.

The champions seemed content for Wolves to keep the ball and hit them on the break. Although it was a tactic that paid off, they could have gone behind on six minutes when Matt Jarvis's cross was diverted goalwards, but John Terry was on hand to block it.

Jose Bosingwa completed his return from a long-term injury lay-off by making his first start for Chelsea in a year, and he made his presence felt.

The Portuguese full-back played a neat one-two with Didier Drogba - also returning after missing Chelsea's last two matches through an illness - and he fired in a low strike that Marcus Hahnemann blocked well with his feet.

Terry headed wide from a Drogba free-kick delivery, but the offside flag was already up, before David Edwards could only head a tame effort at Petr Cech from Jarvis's cross.

Jelle van Damme rose to meet another good Jarvis ball but could not get sufficient power on it, and Chelsea raced right up the other end and scored.

Nicolas Anelka charged up the left wing before feeding Yuri Zhirkov, who pulled his pass back from the by-line to tee up Malouda for a simple finish.

The home crowd made it a debut to remember for Stephen Hunt. The Ireland winger collided with Cech while playing for Reading four years ago, with the scrum cap the Czech keeper still wears today a reminder of the skull injury he received in that notorious incident.

Hunt is well used to the abuse from the Blues faithful, having scored at the Bridge on his debut for Hull City last season, and he almost repeated the trick just moments after replacing Van Damme for the second half.

Richard Stearman flicked on a corner at the near post and Hunt dived in to meet the ball with a header that was blocked on the line by Michael Essien.

Whislt Josh McEachran made his 3rd Premier league debut with impressive 10 minute football and nearly found Drogba once with an assist.

Not long afterwards, Kevin Doyle forced a good low save at the near post from Cech as Wolves continued to press in the knowledge that, as long as Chelsea's lead was still just the odd goal, they had a chance of levelling.

However, for all the chances they created, they were not able to test Cech sufficiently, with Nenad Milijas firing a pair of strikes too close to the keeper, and Doyle glancing a header from a corner right at him.

In the midst of all this, the threat of a killer second from Carlo Ancelotti's side was ever-present. Malouda fired an effort wide while Hahnemann had to come out of his area to block at the feet of Drogba.

Kalou finally put the result beyond doubt when he capped off a flowing move which saw Drogba find Essien with his back to goal. Essien played a first-time pass into Kalou's path, and the Ivorian swept the ball through the legs of Hahnemann.

Attendance: 41,752

Aston Villa v Chelsea

2010-10-15T18:37:00.000+01:00

Chelsea's six first team players not available, can they keep hold of the top seat in the premier league table

Match Facts

Chelsea have fired in more shots on target (54) than any other team in the top flight.
Aston Villa have committed 118 fouls, more than any other team in the Premier League.
Didier Drogba has set up five goals, the join-most in the Premier League along with Nani.
Villa have dropped eight points this season from winning positions, the joint-most in the Premier League.
78% of the goals Villa have scored have been netted in the first half, a higher percentage than any other team.
Aston Villa have lost only one of their last 12 Premier League matches at Villa Park
Aston Villa have lost only one of their last 11 Premier League home games against Chelsea
Chelsea haven’t lost back to back away Premier League games since 17 October 2009 when they went down 1-2 at Villa Park.
Frank Lampard has scored nine Premier League goals against Aston Villa, more than against any other team.
Only one team (Manchester City) has prevented Chelsea from scoring in their last 26 Premier League matches.

Aston Villa will be looking to maintain their excellent home form against Chelsea in Premier League action on Saturday.

The Midlands outfit claimed a 2-1 win over Carlo Ancelotti's side at Villa Park last term while the Blues have only one league success at Villa since the turn of the century.
Nicolas Anelka scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea claimed a 1-0 win at Villa in 2009, although that was their only league win from their last 11 trips.
Chelsea come into the contest on the back of a 2-0 success over rivals Arsenal while Villa suffered their first defeat under Gerard Houllier after losing 2-1 at Spurs.
Ancelotti's troops are four points clear at the summit of the league table and will need to win at Villa in order to maintain their advantage over the chasing pack, which is led by Manchester City.

Villa news

French boss Houllier will be without striker Gabriel Agbonlahor after he underwent a minor groin operation following their defeat at White Hart Lane.
Midfielder Fabian Delph (knee) is a long-term absentee, while a leg injury curtails Emile Heskey's availability so Norwegian hit-man John Carew is certain to start with wingers Stewart Downing and Marc Albrighton supplying the ammunition from out wide.
England international Ashley Young, who made his first competitive start for his country in Tuesday's goalless draw with Montenegro, could be given a free role behind Carew.
Villa will be without defender Curtis Davies as he has joined Championship outfit Leicester City on a month's loan.

Blues news

Chelsea have suffered a double blow ahead of the game with the news that Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard will miss out.
Drogba, who has been one of the club's star performers this term, is missing with a virus while Lampard is not yet fit after a groin strain.
However, Ancelotti is boosted by the availability of England defender John Terry who is fit despite missing out against Montenegro in midweek.
Jeffrey Bruma, who withdrew from midweek action with the Holland's Under-21s due to a tight hamstring, took part as anticipated in full training on Thursday.
However, Italian tactician Ancelotti is without the likes of Yossi Benayoun (Achilles), Alex and Salomon Kalou (both thigh) through injury.

Possible starting XIs:

Aston Villa: Friedel, L Young, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Downing, A Young, Carew.
Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Essien, Mikel, Ramires, Malouda, Kakuta, Anelka.

Chelsea to prepare a €50 Million Bid for Palermo Star Javier Pastore

2010-10-15T17:27:00.001+01:00

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a €50 million bid for Palermo superstar Javier Pastore.

Rosanero president Maurizio Zamparini placed an exorbitant figure on the 21-year-old's head, in hopes the big European clubs would allow the player to remain in Sicily.

But the Blues do not want to deprive themselves of the Argentine international any longer.

Zamparini aims to keep Pastore until at least the end of the season - if not longer - and hopes he staysl due to the strong ties he has with the city.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Milan and Manchester City are also interested in the player according to reports from across Europe.

Neymar shows eager for Chelsea - 'Its like a dream for me'

2010-10-10T21:03:00.001+01:00

When Chelsea tried to swoop in for the brightest talent in Brazil, it was like War Cry in Brazil, where the legends of the Brazilian football like Pele, President of the country all pleaded with the kid not to leave his current club Santos for Chelsea.

I don’t understand such extreme steps taken by the people in Brazil and the club to keep hold of the whizkid, when likes of Arsenal have already swooped in for other talented youngsters like Denilson, Wellington.

Operation 'Neymar Must Not Go' swung into action at his club Santos - and the great and the good were called on to persuade the 18-year-old genius he should stay home and continue his football education.

Eventually, after much soul-searching and a family pow-wow, the teenager caved in and accepted the Santos decision to rebuff Chelsea's £25million offer.He signed a new contract until 2015 and there were parties in the streets in celebration.

But Neymar's burning desire to join Chelsea has never gone away.He believes that to establish himself as one of the world's top players, he must experience the thrill of the Premier League and the joy of mixing it with the elite in the Champions League.

Neymar has supreme confidence in his own ability and realizes he cannot become a true superstar by playing his club football in South America.

He wants to be ranked up there alongside the stellar names of Messi and Ronaldo.

Speaking to the reporters Neymar said: "A player with a winning mentality like I have has to play in the best places like Chelsea. Santos is my club. I love it. But it is not at as high a level as the English Premier League.”

"I want to go where I can become a world-class player. I have ambitions to be the best player in the world. But more than that, I want to play in the top tournaments and if I do well and I deserve to be voted the best, then that will be fantastic.

"I watch Premier League football all the time, whenever I get the chance, and I enjoy the speed of the game and that it is so straight-forward and direct. That is something which really appeals to me.

"Chelsea have some fantastic players like Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard and I would love to play with them. I don't know where I would fit in because that would be up to the coach. But I can play however they want me to. I'm confident in any position."

There is a view that Neymar's slight build and the fact he is only 5ft 8in mean he could not cope with the physical side of English football.But he laughed: "I would just escape the challenges and dribble past the defenders. If you are positive and strong in the mind you can achieve what you want to."

When asked how does he see the future panning out?

Neymar said: "It was a family decision not to move last time. I spoke with my mother and father and it was decided it was best not to go at that time. But I'm preparing to move. I will be in a better state of mind and ready for it next time.

"There are already Brazilian players at Chelsea, Alex and Ramires. I know of Alex because he used to be at Santos although it was a while ago. And I played with Ramires for the national team, but I haven't had a chance to talk with him about Chelsea yet. I'm sure we will though."

Neymar's overseas agent, Pini Zahavi, said: "I have been following this boy since he was 16. I believe that he has the potential to be at the level of Pele, Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo. He has everything and the most important thing is he scores goals.

"Chelsea showed interest in Neymar a long time ago. The team needs this type of player and it's a perfect match-up. Santos is a great club and the people in charge are fantastic. I'm sure they will recognise that the boy has to progress.

"I understand why they wanted to keep him. But he needs to have his life and to become the best he has to leave Brazil."

Neymar expresses his feeling of being honoured to have been connected to Chelsea in some way, ' I believe that being would be a happiness for me rather been there for wealth' - 'It will be a dream come true for me'

Gunners got shot twice as Chelsea 4 points clear on top !!

2010-10-03T19:15:00.000+01:00

Thia pic explains it all !!!

Didier Drogba scored his sixth goal of the season with an outrageous backheel to give Chelsea the lead five minutes before half-time, before Alex scored a rocket of a free-kick five minutes from the end.

The defeat leaves Arsenal in fourth place above Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion on goal difference.

Ivory Coast striker Drogba has now scored 13 goals in his last 11 appearances against the Gunners, but none like his effort here. The much-improved Ramires spied Ashley Cole's run down the left and picked him out with a slide-rule pass. The England left-back squared a low ball to Drogba, who knocked the ball in off the near post with his heel as he span in front of a bamboozled Sebastien Squillaci.

The goal was a blow for the Gunners, who had begun the match in confident fashion and could have been ahead right from the off when Bacary Sagna's cross from deep was sent wide by a diving header from Marouane Chamakh.

The Moroccan's effort took a slight touch of Alex, and from the resulting corner Squillaci's flick-on came to Laurent Koscielny, who put his header over the bar from close range.

The match continued in that same high tempo, high quality vein, with Arsenal's midfield faring better than expected against their more muscular blue-shirted counterparts.

Andrei Arshavin had two efforts saved by Petr Cech, while Samir Nasri fired wide from the edge of the box after selling Ramires a dummy.

The champions had decent chances of their own, with Michael Essien glancing a header from a corner wide and Drogba forcing Lukasz Fabianski into action at the near post after another penetrative pass from Ramires.

A tighter start to the second half finally gave way to a flurry of action around the hour mark. Ramires denied Chamakh an effort with a well-timed tackle in the area before Samir Nasri flashed a dangerous ball across the six-yard box that neither Chamakh nor Arshavin could reach.

Right away at the other end Nicolas Anelka left Squillaci for dead and took the ball around Fabianski, but the keeper had sent the former Arsenal striker wide enough to send his shot into the side-netting.

Arsenal forced plenty of corners in the latter stages, with Chamakh sending a header wide from one of Nasri's deliveries.

Chelsea almost killed the match off when they broke from another corner, but Ramires had just strayed offside when he latched on to Anelka's through ball.

However, the Blues wrapped up the win over their London rivals five minutes from time when Alex fired an unstoppable free-kick with the outside of his boot that swerved round the wall and into the top corner to seal a fourth straight victory over the Gunners for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Drogba comeback boosts Chelsea

2010-10-03T00:50:00.000+01:00

Team Match News

Midfielder Frank Lampard will miss out with a groin problem. Didier Drogba is back after being suspended for the midweek Champions League game against Marseille. Chelsea are also without injured striker Salomon Kalou(thigh) and midfielder Yossi Benayoun (calf).

Arsenal will be without captain Cesc Fabregas(hamstring) while England Under-21 full-backKieran Gibbs (calf) is also sidelined. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (elbow) remains doubtful, meaning Lukasz Fabianski is again set to deputise after impressing in the midweek Champions League victory at Partizan Belgrade, while midfielder Abou Diabyreturns to the squad after an ankle problem.Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), Nicklas Bendtner (groin), Aaron Ramsey (leg), Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie (both ankle) are still absent.

Match Stats

Didier Drogba has scored 12 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions against Arsenal.

The Gunners have only been able to win two of their last 17 matches against Chelsea.

Arsenal have won more times away at Chelsea (6) than any other team in the Premier League era.

Nicolas Anelka has scored seven goals in his last 11 Premier League starts against Arsenal.

Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea and Manchester United since their win at Stamford Bridge in November 2008: P9 W0 D1 L8 F5 A20.

Chelsea have fired in more shots on target than any other team (47), ahead of Arsenal with the second-highest tally of 41.

Both goals Chelsea have conceded have been from shots from outside the box.

Mike Dean has awarded five penalties in the last seven games that he has taken charge of a Chelsea match in the Premier League.

Andrey Arshavin has created 3.33 goalscoring chances per game in the Premier League this season, more than any other player in the league.

Michael Essien has averaged 95 touches per game this season, more than any other top-flight player.

ODDS

Chelsea 3/4, Draw 11/4, Arsenal 9/2

Big blow for Chelsea as well as England as Lampard unavailable for a few weeks !!

2010-09-27T23:44:00.000+01:00

Chelsea announced today that Frank Lampard will be sidelined for another two weeks, forcing him to miss important games for club and country.

The midfielder has already been out for a month but his recovery from the hernia problem has been much slower than expected.

As a result Lampard is unavailable for tomorrow's Champions League match against Marseille and the clash with title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

He will also miss England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro on 12 October as Chelsea say he will not be fit again until the match at Aston Villa the following Saturday.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti said: “He can't play tomorrow. We need to have more time than we expected. In seven days there will be an international break and he will be ready for the first game after that. He didn't play with us so he will not be able to play for the international team.”

Without Lampard, England began their qualifying campaign with two impressive victories over Bulgaria and Switzerland.

The 31-year-old, though, has been missed by Chelsea in the last week as they have lost to Newcastle in the Carling Cup and Manchester City in the Premier League.

Midfielder John Obi Mikel said: “Frank is an important player for this team, we know that. He has showed consistency over years but we have a lot of players who can do a similar job. It's been a massive loss but we are coping well.

“We have played four games without him and lost one. We have scored a lot of goals without him but we can't wait to have him back. In the meantime we will have to keep going. When this team lose a game, we always want to come back. We will focus well and tomorrow will be the start of it.”

The defeat at City was Chelsea's first in the Premier League this season having won their opening five games.

Injuries to Salomon Kalou (thigh) and Yossi Benayoun (thigh) meant Ancelotti was short of experienced substitutes as they trailed City at Eastlands.

The Italian put on 21-year-old Daniel Sturridge and 17-year-old Josh McEachran as well as Yury Zhirkov, while City manager Roberto Mancini introduced £43million worth of talent in Emmanuel Adebayor, Adam Johnson and Jerome Boateng to defend their 1-0 lead.

But Ancelotti believes his squad has strength in depth and said: “I have a lot of options. It is normal to have two or three injuries but this isn't a problem.

“We have a good mix of young players who are improving and players with experience. I don't think at 30 years old the players are old. They have ability to play fantastic games.

“Our defeat to City was not just because we didn't have skills from the players that went on the pitch, it was this kind of game. We weren't able to change the game from the beginning or with the substitutions. The young players are ready for the Champions League.”

Asked about the difference in quality between Johnson and 19-year-old Gael Kakuta, who could start in place of the suspended Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, Ancelotti added: “Kakuta is a fantastic player, maybe better than Johnson. It depends on your point of view.”

Money can't buy you leaders - who will be Manchester City's Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard or John Terry?

2010-09-25T11:47:00.000+01:00

It's not all about the millions you spend, but the characters you find...

It's now over two years since Sheikh Mansour and his merry men rode in to Eastlands with more than enough money to make Manchester City title challengers, but it's fair to say that progress has been slower than expected since that heady day in August 2008.

And it's not as if Mansour, after announcing his arrival with the £30 million signing of Robinho and a failed coup for Manchester United-bound Dimitar Berbatov, has been reticent in displaying his ambition to take City to the top — indeed the only thing he's been a bit shy with is the small matter of actually attending the games.

Despite that, like Roman Abramovich before him Mansour has made several textbook moves from New Billionaire Football Club Owner 101 in the pursuit of instant success; namely buying a whole new team of players at vast cost, upgrading all the facilities in and around the stadium to world-class standard and, of course, sack a fairly popular manager because he just isn't quite making things happen fast enough.

City certainly started from further adrift of the leading lights than pre-Abramovich Chelsea (fourth in 2003) did, but progress has not nearly been as rapid, despite equally vast sums being poured into the club. Within two years of the Russian's arrival Jose Mourinho was lifting the league title at Stamford Bridge — an outcome that City already look unlikely to replicate come May.

Perhaps City need to find their own Mourinho — after all, whether Roberto Mancini is really the man for the job still remains up for debate, nearly a year after his own controversial arrival.

But while Mourinho will always be inextricably linked with the club's halcyon days, what is equally striking about Chelsea's rise and subsequent stay at England's top table is the players that have led the charge. John Terry, Frank Lampard and later Didier Drogba — all three have rapidly become the heart and soul of the club (to a mixed reception at best from neutrals), both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

The two Englishman, with Terry the more vocal and Lampard considered the more thoughtful, have regularly been credited with grabbing the rest of the squad by the throat and leading them into battle. Drogba — once he overcame his persistent penchant for diving and calling every disputable decision "a disgrace" — has seemingly joined that top table, a group of field generals that Carlo Ancelotti, and before him Mourinho, regularly paid tribute to.

The question then, when comparing the nouveau riche City with the bourgeois Blues, is where are those characters at Eastlands? It is still early days in the transition, with squad turnover still very high — but perhaps that's part of the problem. City are clearly searching for leaders, but are they finding any?

One of Mancini's biggest decisions at the start of the season was whether to continue with Shay Given as his No.1, or opt for the younger Joe Hart. With the two of roughly equally ability on the field, did Hart's quickly apparent communication and leadership skills play a part in the Italian's call, as well as his longer term viability and rich vein of form? It's hard to believe that wasn't a factor.

Mancini has been keen to increase the English influence in his squad, no doubt aware that Premier League winners have traditionally contained a core of home-grown talent. Many of those names — Gareth Barry, James Milner, Adam Johnson — are intended to become key parts of the side for many years to come, but it remains to be seen whether they can take on the other responsibilities Mancini seems to be aware the squad still needs.

"At some clubs you do not have to change mentality," Mancini conceded earlier this week.

"For Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea it was already there. Chelsea have been at the top for so many years. They have the mentality that we need here, because when a club has been happy to play for the middle of the table, or just to survive, it is difficult.

"[City's players] need to learn from those who treat even the training days like it is a match; they are here one hour early, they are thinking of the job all the time and when they finish they stay for massage to be ready for the next day and then just go home, relax and start thinking again.

"That is what I want to be normal for my players, but it may take one or two years."

City humbled Chelsea twice last season, which is as much a testament to the undoubted quality already present within their squad as a damning indictment of the lack of leadership and team resolve elsewhere.

It's often easy to find motivation for games against the big sides, it's the run-of-the-mill league games that often require a core of demanding and cajouling leaders.

This season, City have already seen off Liverpool with something approaching disdain in front of their own fans (and the live television cameras), but then failed to grab all three points when Blackburn Rovers came to town a few weeks later. That's where titles can be won and lost, and those two dropped points already highlight the lack of concentration and consistency that Mancini is so keen to rectify.

Another victory against Chelsea on Saturday won't necessarily illustrate City now have everything in place to challenge. In terms of ability, we perhaps already now that to be the case.

But coming against opponents they been keen to emulate for the last two years, it might put a mirror to the qualities — and characters — they still need to find.

What will be interesting, then, is seeing which City players answer the search.

Thats the way you do it - Fergie !!

2010-09-16T23:05:00.000+01:00

Chelsea and Arsenal delivered a 10-goal blitz to kick off their Champions League glory bids in stunning style.

Twenty-four hours after Manchester United stuttered to a 0-0 home draw with Rangers, the London sides showed Alex Ferguson exactly how it is done.

Essien 13' | Anelka 24' 28' | Sturridge 48' | Oravec 55'

Arsenal bashed Braga with six of the best and the Blues fired four past minnows Zilina.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said: "What pleased me most was the quality. It was a fantastic, flowing game and I hope people enjoyed it.

"Barca played exceptionally well on Tuesday and we played exceptionally well too.

"I have always believed in this team. What they achieved at 20 years of age was remarkable for me. Now they are 22 and 23 and we continue to grow."

Chelsea thumped Slovakia's Zilina thanks to a Nicolas Anelka double and goals from Michael Essien and Daniel Sturridge.

Striker Sturridge, 21, said: "Scoring my first European goal is something I have dreamed of since I was a kid.

"I'm delighted and, hopefully, there will be many more to come.

"We played the ball quickly and wanted to make moves in the attacking half of the field and defend well - and that worked.

"There are a lot of world-class players in this team and, hopefully, I'll be playing a lot more often with them.

"The fans got behind their team but we were strong. We came here to win and to get three points on the board is fantastic."

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