Chelsea 1 - 1 Man U

Too much talk of revenge going into this early season clash – this was really about getting 3 points, creating a 9 point gap, putting down a marker and extending a home unbeaten record to a staggering 85 games. United started with the orange primadona on the bench along with “Tevez the Troll” which meant Berbatov (Sulky Mk2) and Shrek started up front. Unfortunately we lost Deco in the warm up and Rickey within 10mins of the kick-off (to be replaced by Alex) so it was a pretty frantic opening quarter. Man U started the brighter and put down an early marker when Cech had to save sharply from Ferdinand of all people. We were being ripped apart and it was no surprise when Park chipped in from close range after Cech could only deflect a snap shot from Berbatov's into his path. van der Sar eventually left the game on 30mins after earlier appearing to bring down Malouda for a clear penalty but this was a Mike Riley game so we should have known better – free kick to Man U ! and slowly we started to get back into proceedings

Much like the CL final, the second half was a very different affair with the introduction of Drogba (after the lunacy of Riley not letting him on at the start) and with many more chances coming our way. United sent on Ronaldo for Paul Scholes 10 mins later but he ws largely ineffective. It was all Chelsea and Joe Cole wasted great opportunity on 65 mins, shooting straight at Kuszczak after being beautifully put through by Ballack and then Anelka, having his worst display in a blue shirt by far couldn’t even tap into an open net from 3 yards out. Eventually the pressure paid off when Kalou rose unmarked from a jedi free kick to head home with 10mins to go. It was nearly 2 – 1 seconds later as Neville deflected another Kalou strike over the bar.

But in the end United hung on for a point and so there was no 9 point gap or much of a marker put down but the home unbeaten record was extended to a staggering 85 games – COME ON U BLUES

Chelsea 4 - 0 Bordeaux

Its an unchanged Chelsea side that starts our Champions League campaign at home to Bordeaux so once again the Jedi sits in the Maka role and Anelka is the lone striker.

From the start its zippy and nippy stuff with Deco pulling the strings and once again Ash and Bosingwa are regularly pushing on up the flanks. In fact its Deco and Bosingwa who combine on 14mins for Bosingwa to whip in a cross that is dispatched with a rare Lampard header. That’s 1-0 and cruising – even Anelka wants in on this as his fierce drive is turned away for a corner 5mins later. Its 30mins of campaign Chelsea and on the half hour the lead is doubled by Joe Cole flicking in a near post corner from Lamps. Its nearly 3-0 three minutes later when Lamps screws the ball wide from 8 yrds out.

No changes at half time but Bordeaux start with a little more purpose. Shamak looks more lively and useful so its no surprise to see Ballack introduced just after the hour for Deco who had just picked up a petulant yellow card. Lauren Blanc responds with a double like for like substitution. Its all a bit too intricate for the Blues now with too many attempted 'slide rule' passes being cut out. With just over a quarter of an hour to go its Belletti on for Joe Cole but Scolari is not happy - its all too casual and he wants more - so do we. There's 9mins to go and Jedi dances through the Bordeaux defence, Lamps back heels a through ball to Malouda who drives it home - wonderful goal. Scolari takes him off to let him milk the applause and on come Kalou. Rickey clatters the bar with a free header on 86mins and Anelka shaves the outside of the far post with a drive before Beletti thunders another against the bar on 92mins only for the rebound to be followed in by Anelka to make it four. An emphatic win for the Mighty Blues.

Man City 1 - 3 Chelsea

Up to the City of Manchester Stadium for the Robinho vs Chelsea show. Drogba's on the bench as a potential bit player and Joe Cole is wearing the Terry Butcher memorial head bandage after his battles for England earlier in the week.
Less than 15mins on the clock and would you believe it, Rickey give up a soft free kick on the edge of our box, we set up an awful wall and lo and behold, Robinho pops it into the corner - you couldn't write this stuff - could you ?? Well it only lasts 4mins though as a JT header comes loose off Joe Cole and Rickey's there to crash the ball home. Its then end to end stuff for the rest of the half with the Blues going closest as Malouda hits the bar, Anelka plants an open goal chance straight at the keeper and Ash sends one just over the bar from 25 yards. One goal from 7 on target attempts may not be enough here ! We'll need more that one point after the scousers beat Man U earlier this morning.
No changes at half time and the game starts in similar vein - however, there's 52mins on the clock and Chelsea stroke the ball end to end with a flowing move that finds Lamps on the edge of the box and he buries the ball across Joe Hart in the City goal. Another great move on 59mins finds Anelka on penalty spot and is bundled to the ground by Richards - a stonewall penalty denied ! Its still very open as, on 63mins, Rickey saves a certain equalizer by throwing himself full stretch across Stephen Ireland and the Lamps drills in a screamer that is saved by Hart. Another great passage of one touch passing and the ball is slid into Anleka from Joe Cole and even he cant miss from 10 yards 3 -1 to the Blues and on comes Belletti and Drogba (for Joe Cole and Malouda) with 20mins to go.
Its gonna get tight now as JT is loudicrously sent off on 76mins when he pulls down Jo with both Rickey and Belletti covering so he could never be the last man. Vidic got a yellow earlier in the day for something far more blatant and closer to goal - absolute farce but what should we expect from Mark Halsey. Alex is on for Anelka and it really could have been "backs to the wall" but the mighty Blues play out the last 10mins in consummate style. It ends 1 - 3 just to show that showboating, even Brazilian showboating isn't everything.
Come on U BLUES !!!!

Chelsea 1 - 1 Spurs

This has to be seen a 2 points dropped despite a solid performance from spurs that rode their luck and ultimately frustrated all our options. To be fair we should have been 3 up before Bent picked up a lucky ricochet off of Lamps to level the half (in the 44th minute). Prior to that farce, Ess had crashed a drive against the bar and Lamps almost pulled off an outrageous chip over Gomes before Belletti put the mighty Blues ahead from a corner.

The second half was much like the first with lots of pressure but fewer clear chances and only an angles shot from Ashley Cole posed any real threat to Gomes.

So 2 points dropped and back to reality - which may be no bad thing after the euphoria of the opening day

COME ON U BLUES

Off we go... Chelsea 4 - 0 Portsmouth & Wigan 0 - 1 Chelsea

I've been travelling on business quite a bit and now having a well earned holiday so the posts have not been what they should be over recent weeks. With all the Lampard and Robinhio speculation its been another month where the mighty Blues have hardly been out of the press so it ws nice go finally get to the start of the season last week..... and what a start it was, watched on my laptop thanks to the wonders of a slingbox and good wifi connection (if you haven’t tried a slingbox yet you really should - access your set top box anywhere in the world).

Portsmouth were despatched 4-0 with a swagger that came mainly from the boot of Deco who's home debut was outstanding and topped off with the fourth goal. Bosingwa looked very handy as an attacking right back and Lamps looked at home alongside Ballack and Jedi. No Drogba (still recovering from his knee operation) so the line was led by Le Sulk and Joe Cole with Deco floating between midfield and the left side of a front three. Pompey were poor and we'll have tougher tasks - like Wigan away next week.

So 7 days later and its up to the JJB - I'm still on hols and no Sky coverage this time so its over to one of those dodgy free footy sites for a 3" screen experience. Its almost the same line up except for Essien replacing Jedi in the holding role. The start is equally impressive though - Deco curls a superb free kick into the top corner with 4mins on the clock. The mighty Blues are one up and you fear for Wigan though to their credit they respond in fine style and have the better of the rest of the half without really looking loke scoring - so at halftime it remains 0-1.

The second half is much as the first with Wigan pressing and Chelsea playing off the break so its no surprise that Scolari makes a change by bringing on Kalou for the ineffective Joe Cole. Wigan are really making the mighty Blues (in all black today) work for everything - no swagger in the boots this week. Maybe its the after effects of the internationals earlier in the week but its all a bit flat. Last 5mins and Bruce goes 3 at the back, taking off Melchiot and putting Henri Camera on as another striker and its almost a repeat of the Bridge last season as Cech turns a goal bound Capo strike round the post. Anelka off and Malouda on to waste a few more minutes only for Kalou to give away a dangerous free kick about 25yrds out but fortunately it comes to nothing and Chelsea run out the clock.

Champaigne last week and a stale pint of bitter this week but its still six points from six - Come on U Blues

Kiss the badge.... Kiss my ...

Pardon my title but ....
Is it just me or is this whole Frank Lampard thing just getting a little tedious.
"I want to stay, this is my home" says our Frank. "He told me he wants to stay for many years" says Big Phil .... but within minutes the agents are in saying that the situation is far from resolved.
What's the problem ? Sign the contract and put the matter to bed. Oh no its never that simple - apparently ! Its all about 4 years vs 5 years, £130K pw vs £150k pw, one year extensions vs contract commitments. So what price loyalty, what price sticking with the club and fans that stuck by you - clearly this is out of place in the modern game and frankly (sic) we shouldn't be surprised.
Personally I'd like to see Lamps stay but I doubt it will happen
JMHO

Scolari (..woa oh oh oh) Part 2

Ok so that was an impressive press conference from a guy who we were told would struggle to make himself understood as he didn't speak much English.

Within 20mins, Big Phil had the world's media eating out of his hands and dispelled any doubts we might have had – this guy is definitely the real deal. Now if can handle the dressing room egos the way he handles the press we should be in for something a bit special .... and to that precise point he was asked "are you a special one ?" The reply was an immediate "yes".... quickly qualified by saying he was special to his family, friends and his country – and only 'so-so' as a manager. Somehow I doubt that !