Arne Riise gives Chelsea the advatange?
April 23, 2008
John Arne Riise’s injury time own goal earned Chelsea a 1-1 draw at Anfield in the first leg of the Champions League Semi-Final. Arne Riise’s headed own goal from a Salomon Kalou cross in the fifth minutes of injury team even the tie up after Dirk Kuyt had given the home side the lead three minutes before the half time break.
Liverpool had chances to extend their one goal lead in the second half but they will have to score in the second leg next Wednesday to stand a chance of progressing to the final. Chelsea may have taken the lead in the first half when Didier Drogba was brought down on the edge of the Liverpool penalty box by Jamie Carragher. It looked like a foul on the edge of the box and a resulting red card for Carragher but the referee waved away appeals from Drogba.
Liverpool’s first chance of the half fell to their talisman Fernando Torres, a neat ball from Steven Gerrard found Torres who shot straight at Chelsea keeper Petr Cech. Liverpool did take the lead when Kuyt tackled Frank Lampard on the edge of the Chelsea box, a mistimed shot from Javier Mascherano found Kuyt who slotted the ball past the on rushing Cech.
The second leg takes place next Tuesday will the ball firmly in Chelsea’s court thanks to Liverpool’s John Arne Riise’s putting the ball in is own net.
City kids are alright!
April 17, 2008
Manchester City’s youth team won the FA youth cup last night beating Chelsea 3-1 in front of 20,000 at the City Of Manchester Stadium. The team, mostly consisting of scallies drew in the first leg 1-1 at Stamford Bridge and it didn’t look good for them going 1-0 down within a couple of minutes.
The City kids came back with goals from skipper Ben Mee and winger Vladimir Weiss. Top scorer David Ball grabbed a third from the spot to seal the victory and the trophy for the first time since 1986 after losing two years ago to Liverpool.
The youth team in the last few years havs provide City with numerous players including Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha, Michael Johnson, Stephen Ireland and the latest Daniel Sturridge who could have played a part in the final but missed out due to injury.
So the kids at City are alright and Sven should be looking forward to more young guns in the coming years!
Chelsea insist that the title race is not over
April 15, 2008
Avram Grant has refused to accept that the title race is over despite only claiming a point against Wigan Athletic last night.
The Chelsea boss does admit that his side have lost ground to Manchester United, but still believes that the Blues have what it takes to take the spoils come May.
Following Emile Heskey’s injury time strike at Stamford Bridge last night, Chelsea are now five points behind the leaders, having played the same amount of games. With a difficult fixture at Goodison Park on Thursday, the omens don’t look good for the former Israel coach.
Many pundits are actually predicting that United will have already sown up the Premier League title before their trip to Stamford Bridge on April 26th.
Chelsea’s lacklustre first half performance last night indicated to many that even they have become resigned to the fact that the Premier League trophy is staying in Manchester. Yet, keeper Petr Cech has echoed his manager’s defiance by stating to the BBC that –
“We are not happy with the fact we dropped two points but the message from the dressing room is that it is not over yet,”
The extent to which this is heartfelt, or merely covering up the growing questions surrounding Avram Grant’s future, remains to be seen.
Cech set to play against Latics
April 14, 2008
Avram Grant is said to be preparing to launch Petr Cech back into the Chelsea squad to face Wigan Athletic this evening.
Cech, 25, suffered extensive facial injuries as a result if a training ground accident recently and if selected to play, it is thought that he will be forced to wear a chin guard in addition to his now characteristic head guard.
Should Cech not make it, then Grant will be forced to include Hilario in his starting eleven as Carlo Cuddicini is also ruled out through injury. It is also thought that if Hilario gets the nod, then eighteen year old reverse side stopper Rhys Taylor will take his place on the bench.
Chelsea are currently six points behind leaders Manchester United, and they know that nothing less than a win will do this evening. The Blues also travel to Everton on Thursday evening, knowing that they could be level with the defending champions before they play their next competitive fixture.
That would make United’s visit to Stamford Bride later in the month a real championship decider and in many ways prove many people wrong regarding Avram Grant’s ability to fill the seat of “the special one”.
As far as the Latics are concerned, Jason Koumas and Michael Brown are both eligible after serving their suspensions whilst Erik Edman is the only long term injury victim ruled out.
Three English teams into the semi-finals
April 10, 2008
It’s been a good couple of nights for the English teams in Europe with three teams going into the Champions League semi finals. Arsenal were the only losers 4-2 to Liverpool on the night going out 5-3 on aggregate. Chelsea turned around a first leg defeat against Fenerbahce winning 2-0 on the night to go through 3-2, Ballack and Lampard with the goals.
Many fans though that the performance wasn’t great but Avram Grant’s team have managed to make a 3rd semi final against Liverpool in 4 years.
Manchester Untied sealed their place last night with a 1-0 win over Roma to get a 3-0 overall win. United’s place in the next round was never in doubt and Roma even missed a penalty in the first half before Tevez stuck the only goal of the night.
In the four tie Barcelona beat Schalke 04 thanks to a goal from Toure Yaya, the Spaniard’s going into the next round thanks to a 2-0 aggregate score.
The semi final line up has already been arranged and Liverpool will meet Chelsea, the first leg at Anfield. Manchester United meet Barcelona playing at the Nou Camp in the first leg.
Liverpool win the derby and the Toon start to hit form
March 30, 2008
Liverpool managed to pull away from Everton in the league with a win in the Merseyside derby beating Everton. After a first win in three months Newcastle thrashed Spurs at White Hart Lane and Chelsea grabbed a 1-0 win over Boro.
Liverpool 1 – 0 Everton
After losing Cahill for the season Everton had to make a few chances to the side where as Liverpool had to replace Mascherano with Lucas.
The only goal of the game came in the 7th minute. A corner wasn’t cleared properly by Everton and Alonso nicked the ball from Yakubu, Kuyt passed wide to Torres who slide the ball past Howard. Minutes later Lee Carsley could have been sent off for a high tackle on Torres on the edge of the area. Howard Webb who was always going to have a tough time only showed a yellow.
Liverpool went on to have good chances in the half with Bable, Kuyt and Gerrard having good changed, the Liverpool captain hitting the post.
In the second half Everton could have put themselves on level terms, Osman with a near post header put they looked tired and missed Tim Cahill in the attacking third. Gerrard nearly double the lead late on with a drive from the corner of the box, Howard tipped over. Liverpool now hold the double over their neighbors and five points clear in 4th.
Chelsea 1 – 0 Middlesborough
Like the Liverpool game the home side took the lead early on, a deep freekick from the touchline found Carvalho who looped a header from all of 14 yards. The home side only looked like grabbing an second late on with Wright-Phillips slotting wide once and thumping over after nice play from Kalou.
It was the away side that had the best chance, a ball over top started a 50-50 with Cudicini and Alves. The Brazilian took the ball round the Italian keeper and then shot from about 30 yards to the open goal. With Chelsea defender getting back on the line the were relieved to see the ball hit the post. That wasn’t Boro’s only chance with them hitting the bar twice at a corner, Alves and Wheater with the headers.
Tottenham 1 – 1 Newcastle United
The away side had a great opportunity to take the lead when Habib Beye smashed a shot against the bar. Spurs took the lead though Darren Bent his eighth goal of the season. Just before the break Nicky Butt grabbed the away sides first goal of the match sweeping in a shot into the far corner from 20 yards.
The game really kicked off in the second half, a foul on Martins resulted in a free kick on the edge of the area which Geremi fired in with a little help from Viduka who moved from the wall. The third from Owen came from a Martins run from the touch line and a flick from Viduka.
Before the fourth went in for the home side a Berbatov header was saved well on the line. The final goal came from Martin who took the ball round the last Tottenham man and slotted past Robinson. A great result for King Kev and his Newcastle team are starting show a little confidence.
Sinclair joins Crystal Palace
March 27, 2008
Championship side Crystal Palace have snapped up Chelsea striker Scott Sinclair until the end of the season.
Sinclair,19, had previously been playing his football at fellow Championship rivals Charlton Athletic, but only made three appearances at The Valley – all of which as a substitute.
The striker joined Chelsea back in 2005 from the then League Two outfit Bristol Rovers – he has also played for Plymouth Argyll and Queens Park Rangers – both of which whilst being on loan.
Sinclair did feature in the Carling Cup for Chelsea earlier in the season, scoring on his debut in the third round victory over Hull City
United move further ahead as Chelsea go above Arsenal
March 23, 2008
It was billed as Super Sunday on Sky Sports, for me it was a super time 6 hours in the pub about 6 pints and then two pizzas afterwards and some good football! It turned out to be an important Sunday in the race for the title. Chelsea came from behind to move ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United romped to a 3-0 win after Javier Mascherano was sent off for two yellow cards, the second one for dissent.
Manchester United 3 – 0 Liverpool
The first game of the day ended in a win for the home side helped by Javier Mascherano who was sent off in the first half for two bookings. United should have taken the lead earlier on when Wayne Rooney had two one-on-one against Reina. They did take the lead when Wes Brown won the ball in the middle of the park and then found himself on the end of a Rooney cross to head past Reina. The Liverpool keeper was in no man’s land which allowed Brown to head into an empty net.
Mascherano was booked first for a rash challenge on Paul Scholes, his second was given for dissent just before the break. The Argentinian ran 20 yards to referee Steve Bennett and despite being told to go away he continued to argue and received his marching orders. It was a stupid half for the midfielder who never looked like staying on the park with constant fouling and petulant arguing with Bennett, rather silly after the mid-week antics of Ashley Cole.
United had to wait till late on the second half when Ronaldo headed in from a corner and then substitute Nani struck from 20 yards to seal the 3-0 nil win.
Chelsea 2 – 1 Arsenal
Chelsea held onto their unbeaten home run coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 and move into second place in the league. After a dull first half the away side took the lead from a corner at the near post. Frank Lampard was caught napping as Sagna headed in just after the second half kick off.
Avram Grant then made a double substitutions bringing on Bellitti and Anelka. The change worked as three minutes later Drogba stuck a lose ball away. Then on 82 the substitutes combined to create the winner. Bellitte’s cross was flicked on by Anelka to find Drogba who shot on the turn to give the home side the lead.
All in all a good day of football, Javier Mascherano’s sending off will be a talking point but Sir Alex will be sitting happy tonight five points clear of second place Chelsea.
Sunderland 0 – 1 Chelsea
March 15, 2008
Early on Sunderland had a penalty shout when John Terry pulled down O’Donovan but the appeals were waved away by Mike Dean. John Terry then grabbed his first goal this season and in 61 games when he headed in a Lampard corner.
Andy Ried had a corner had a free kick saved by Cudicini in the first half and in the second half they pilled on the pressure, Leadbitter, Collins, Jones and Whitehead all had good chances to draw level. Sunderland can feel hard done by who gave a good account for themselves and only suffered their 5th deafeat at home this season.
Reaction to “Battle of Britain” draw
March 14, 2008
Arsenal and Liverpool face a battle of Britain tie in the quarter finals of the Champions League after being drawn together in this mornings draw.
1999 winners Manchester United will face Roma, who disposed of Real Madrid in the last round whilst Chelsea face Fenerbahce. The other tie of the round paired Schalke 04 with Barcelona.
In terms of the semi final draw the winner of the Arsenal v Liverpool tie will face Chelsea or Fenerbahce whilst Manchester United or Roma will face either Schalke 04 or Barcelona.
Looking a little deeper into matters, if Chelsea dispose of Fenerbahce which they should do with some ease, England will be guaranteed a place in the final of Europe’s elite competition.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool personnel have acted quickly to convey their disappointment at drawing each other rather than a continental side. Speaking to the BBC, Liverpool CEO Rick Parry stated –
“I think we’d hoped to avoid an English team. But, statistically, an all-English tie was bound to happen and it’s happened to us. I guess at least we’ve avoided a trip to Turkey.
Quite right Rick – think of all those air miles you will save whilst providing the good old arm chair fan with some compelling viewing.
The Pieman cant wait for the Champions League to take centre stage again and believes that the winner of the impending Manchester United v Barcelona semi final will ultimately lift the trophy in May.
Do you agree with The Pieman’s prediction – leave us a comment!
