Chelsea Fc Thread

[Seapok]

Chelsea 3 - 1 Birmingham

Chelsea leapfrogged above Arsenal and moved into second place in the Premier League after brushing aside Birmingham.

Florent Malouda converted a Didier Drogba flick-on after three minutes while Salomon Kalou finished a solo run with a thunderous strike.

Malouda scored his second with a near-post header after the break.

Sebastian Larsson scored a penalty for Birmingham after David Luiz fouled Matt Derbyshire but Chelsea held on to move six points behind Manchester United.

Arsenal were held 3-3 by Spurs across London at White Hart Lane, allowing Chelsea to move above the Gunners on goal difference.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have won six of their last seven top-flight fixtures and are the form team as the season moves towards its conclusion.

Chelsea have five league games left - including a trip to Old Trafford to face United on 8 May, while Sir Alex Ferguson's team also face a match against Arsenal.

However, although Wednesday's results might have given Chelsea a glimmer of hope that they can retain their Premier League trophy, it was not a perfect evening for Ancelotti's team.

Fernando Torres came on as a second-half substitute for his 13th Chelsea appearance but did not really have a clear sight of goal and has now gone almost 900 minutes without scoring.

There were no such problems for Malouda, who converted Chelsea's first meaningful attack with a finish from three yards.

The goal came after Paulo Ferreira crossed from the right after controlling a raking pass from John Terry.

The home team were in total control and almost doubled their lead when Ben Foster struggled to deal with a long-range strike from Drogba that the keeper just managed to tip over his crossbar.

The visiting side did threaten to force their way back into the contest but Terry made a superb covering tackle to deny the recalled Aleksandr Hleb, who was poised to shoot, while Petr Cech saved Cameron Jerome's strike from a tight angle.

Drogba went close with an audacious attempt at a lob and drew a good save from Foster with a precise strike that threatened to find the bottom corner.

But Foster was powerless to prevent Kalou doubling Chelsea's advantage after the Ivorian capped a superb mazy run that left Roger Johnson and Stuart Parnaby trailing in his wake with a crisp shot from 20 yards that clipped the inside of the post.

If there was any doubt about the outcome of the match, the London side appeared to have made sure of three points when they scored a third just after the hour mark.

Malouda lost marker Liam Ridgewell at the near post and had plenty of time to head substitute Ryan Bertrand's cross beyond Foster.

The visiting side pulled a goal back when Larsson drilled a penalty into the top corner after Luiz had needlessly fouled Matt Derbyshire on the edge of the penalty area as the two players headed away from the danger zone.

And Derbyshire might pulled another goal back - and in the process set up an exciting climax to the contest - but after bearing down on goal the former Blackburn Rovers player snatched his low strike wide of goal.

[Seapok]

I'm trying not to get too excited but with a bit of luck we could actually still win the league!!

Malouda eyes perfect run

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda believes Carlo Ancelotti's side need a perfect end of season run in if they are to mount a serious title challenge.

The Blues got the better of Birmingham on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge, but the three-point haul still means the West Londoners are still six behind Manchester United.

It is the Red Devils' title to lose and Frenchman Malouda knows that the only way they will exert pressure on the leaders is if they can secure 15 points from a possible 15.

Chelsea started the campaign in top gear, although an alarming mid-season slump saw them slide down the table and Malouda believes the team are now back towards their best form.

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"The title race is open for the three teams and even though Arsenal drew, we are only second because of the goal difference," he told the club's official website.

"We have no choice but to win every game to put pressure on Man United. They have to play at Arsenal but we have to play our part by winning our games.

"We have to stay humble, we know where we are coming from. We had difficult moments we had to overcome to come back to the second place and now we have to play at our best level.

"We are out of the Champions League now and we have to give everything until the end of the season."

Malouda had been in a personal slump of his own prior to Wednesday's brace against Blues, having gone 15 appearances for the club in all competitions with just one goal.

He scored four times from the club's opening three league games to start the season and he is backing himself to end the campaign in style.

"Mentally and physically I feel strong again," he continued. "When you score two goals in a game you feel you are back to your best form.

"Maybe it is because we have fewer games to play and we have more time to prepare, but I am working hard in training to prepare the best of my form and have the result in the games. It is great also to have the confidence of the players around me."

[MSingh]

I'm trying not to get too excited but with a bit of luck we could actually still win the league!!

You've got more chance of West Ham scoring tomorrow & keeping a clean sheet..

[Seapok]

I'm trying not to get too excited but with a bit of luck we could actually still win the league!!

You've got more chance of West Ham scoring tomorrow & keeping a clean sheet..

We shall see, its unlikely I know but imagine if we beat the manc's and so do the gooners.....all 3 teams finishing on very similar points, how exciting will that be!

[MSingh]

I'm trying not to get too excited but with a bit of luck we could actually still win the league!!

You've got more chance of West Ham scoring tomorrow & keeping a clean sheet..

all 3 teams finishing on very similar points, how exciting will that be!

Yeah, i won't be able to contain myself & will probably just explode with excitement all over a Doris in Nana...

[MrRed]

I'm trying not to get too excited but with a bit of luck we could actually still win the league!!

You've got more chance of West Ham scoring tomorrow & keeping a clean sheet..

We shall see, its unlikely I know but imagine if we beat the manc's and so do the gooners.....all 3 teams finishing on very similar points, how exciting will that be!

Imagine .... John Lennon

[carmine]

I'm trying not to get too excited but with a bit of luck we could actually still win the league!!

You've got more chance of West Ham scoring tomorrow & keeping a clean sheet..

We shall see, its unlikely I know but imagine if we beat the manc's and so do the gooners.....all 3 teams finishing on very similar points, how exciting will that be!

Words fail me at the very thought of it.

[Seapok]

I'm trying not to get too excited but with a bit of luck we could actually still win the league!!

You've got more chance of West Ham scoring tomorrow & keeping a clean sheet..

all 3 teams finishing on very similar points, how exciting will that be!

Yeah, i won't be able to contain myself & will probably just explode with excitement all over a Doris in Nana...

Just make sure you blow your load over a doris and not a darren down Nana way you dirty boy! haha

[Seapok]

Chelsea 3 - 0 West Ham

Fernando Torres finally broke his scoring duck in a victory that maintained their challenge for the Premier League title and left West Ham United rooted to the bottom of the table.

Chelsea's £50m British record capture from Liverpool emerged as a late substitute to end a barren scoring sequence stretching over 903 minutes, with the goal that kept Carlo Ancelotti's side in second place, six points behind Manchester United with four games left.

The Spanish striker, making his 14th Chelsea appearance since his January move, was mobbed by elated team-mates as he turned in a rain-soaked penalty area with six minutes remaining to send a left-foot finish past keeper Robert Green.

Torres' goal was sandwiched in between a close-range finish from Frank Lampard seconds before the interval and a spectacular strike from Florent Malouda, with an unwitting assist from Torres, in stoppage time.

The storm clouds gathered over Stamford Bridge as well as West Ham's Premier League survival hopes, with a torrential downpour making the surface treacherous and thunder and lightning providing a spectacular backdrop, forcing the floodlights to go out for a short spell.

Chelsea deserved their win, with David Luiz hitting the bar and substitute Nicolas Anelka having a shot scrambled off the line after he was played in by Torres at the start of his impressive 14-minute cameo.

West Ham, however, will rue a succession of missed opportunities to claim a precious point, especially a simple chance turned wide by substitute Robbie Keane after 73 minutes with Chelsea protecting a one-goal advantage.

The day belonged to Torres, though. Relief and joy were clear on his face, and on those of his team-mates and coach Ancelotti, when that elusive goal finally arrived in front of the Matthew Harding Stand.

Chelsea are still rank outsiders to chase down United, with a visit to Old Trafford to come, but this win will keep hope flickering while West Ham now face an increasingly desperate battle to survive, especially as they were robbed of newly-crowned Football of the Year Scott Parker because of an Achilles tendon injury.

Torres was once more confined to the bench as Didier Drogba led Chelsea's attack, and almost set up the opening goal inside two minutes when he played in Malouda, who should have done better than give Green the chance to make the block.

Chelsea enjoyed almost total supremacy in possession and territory in the opening exchanges, but West Ham survived to flourish and fashion opportunities of their own as the half progressed, with Freddie Sears prominent.

He did well to hold off Ashley Cole in a straight race down Chelsea's right flank, crossing for Jonathan Spector to test keeper Petr Cech with a header low down at his near post. Sears then almost broke the deadlock himself, only for Cole to clear his close-range effort off the line.

West Ham looked to have survived to see out a satisfying opening period - a satisfaction snatched away as Lampard gave Chelsea the lead seconds before the interval. It was a goal perfectly simple in its creation, Drogba playing in Cole, whose cross was an open invitation for Lampard to fire high past Green from 12 yards.

As the storm rattled around Stamford Bridge, some of the floodlights were effected and the pitch was close to unplayable in part.

Ancelotti and Avram Grant - his counterpart and predecessor - were both forced to make changes to compensate for what looked like serious injuries early in the second half. Michael Essien collapsed holding his knee and was replaced by Yossi Benayoun, while West Ham's Mark Noble was stretchered off, Keane coming on.

Chelsea continued to be in the ascendancy, with Lampard forcing a fine save from Green and Luiz - who had received treatment after being flattened by Cech in an accidentally collision - striking the bar from 25 yards with West Ham's keeper well beaten.

West Ham, however, were still posing a real threat as Demba Ba and Keane both forced saves from Cech in the space of seconds, pursuing what could have been a priceless point.

Their best chance of the game came and went with 17 minutes left when Spector looked to have presented Keane with the simplest of finishes, only for the Spurs loanee to sweep a careless effort wastefully wide.

It prompted Ancelotti to send on Torres for Drogba, the striker setting up Anelka only for his cleared off the line by the scrambling Danny Gabbidon.

Torres was in electrifying form, even defying the weather conditions that forced the ball holding up in the penalty area to score his first goal in 732 minutes as a Chelsea player - with Malouda's thunderous finish proving the final flourish in a satisfying Chelsea win.

[Seapok]

Interesting article........http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1382910/Frank-Lampard--Chelseas-title-titan.html

[carmine]

Interesting article........http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1382910/Frank-Lampard--Chelseas-title-titan.html

You have'nt had much to say about that magnificent win at the weekend. Are there dark forces conspiring the hand you the title?

Edited May 3, 2011 by carmine

[smokie36]

Interesting article........http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1382910/Frank-Lampard--Chelseas-title-titan.html

You have'nt had much to say about that magnificent win at the weekend. Are there dark forces conspiring the hand you the title?

You mean the Russian handshake?

[Seapok]

Interesting article........http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1382910/Frank-Lampard--Chelseas-title-titan.html

You have'nt had much to say about that magnificent win at the weekend. Are there dark forces conspiring the hand you the title?

I was away the weekend mate, I watched our game though and you could say I was very pleased to get the 3 points, I can't wait for the game Sunday, you have to admit we have been excellent, nobody gave us a chance of catching Utd two months ago! :-)

[MrRed]

Interesting article........http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1382910/Frank-Lampard--Chelseas-title-titan.html

You have'nt had much to say about that magnificent win at the weekend. Are there dark forces conspiring the hand you the title?

I was away the weekend mate, I watched our game though and you could say I was very pleased to get the 3 points, I can't wait for the game Sunday, you have to admit we have been excellent, nobody gave us a chance of catching Utd two months ago! :-)

Whats changed? we are playing with you

[smokie36]

Who's replacing Carlo then?

[BIGTOE3]

Who's replacing Carlo then?

BT

[cardholder]

Who's replacing Carlo then?

Personally, I would go for Butch Wilkins.

[StevieH]

it isn't ancelotti who wants replacing, it's that clown abramovich. 72m on torres and luiz?

[Sparkles]

Torres cost 50,000 quid ,can't even make the run on side.

Luis cost 25,000 quid gets taken off at half time because he couldn't cope with Rooney and Hernandes.

They will stay and Anceloti will be sacked,that's the Chelsea way.

[carmine]

Torres cost 50,000 quid ,can't even make the run on side.

Luis cost 25,000 quid gets taken off at half time because he couldn't cope with Rooney and Hernandes.

They will stay and Anceloti will be sacked,that's the Chelsea way.

Its a small club being run like Real Madrid.

The whole Terry/Bridge/whatshername thing derailed last season for him but he came through. Next there was the curious case of Ray Wilkins being sacked and Drogba running around crying about it. Then a new no 2 is appointed seemingly without consultation with him

I think Mr A has done a fine job under very trying circumstances. I'm sure he'd be very welcome at Tottenham.

[StevieH]

torres needs the team building around him really - and for years chelsea's setup has been designed to get the most out of drogba and lampard.

what the hell's happened to essien by the way? shadow of the payer he was since that latest injury.

[smokie36]

Just for you Seapok....here's some footage of your hero....and then youself celebrating!

[carmine]

Just for you Seapok....here's some footage of your hero....and then youself celebrating!

CHELSEA RETARD

[Seapok]

Haha whats wrong with that? just some geezer getting very excited seeing his beloved team score, we've all pulled stoopid faces before whilst celebrating. Sooo bit of an anti-climax for us this season, still did amazingly well to finish 2nd after such a poor few month. Onwards and upwards, can't wait for the Asia Tour in July, looking forward to seeing who we buy.....just hoping Carlo will still be in charge for the start of the next season.

[Seapok]

Carlo keeps his poise and his job I'm hoping!

Carlo Ancelotti says he will not cry if he is shown the door by Chelsea after Sunday's final Premier League game of the season at Everton.

The Italian confirmed on Friday afternoon that a meeting will be scheduled next week but he has no idea whether he will be given the sack.

But if that is the case, Ancelotti - who has failed to secure a trophy this term - insists he would have no problem with the decision, although he would like to stay on.

He said: "The club have to judge my job - be objective.

"If they decide to change, it's not a problem. You won't see me crying or doing something. I will accept the decision of the club and find another 'solution'."

Chelsea won the domestic double last term and Ancelotti admits he never imagined he would find himself in the firing line 12 months later.

"No, but this is football," he said. "I'm not surprised about this.

"When I started my experience here in England, if someone had told me that we would win the FA Cup and the Premier League in two years, I'd have been happy.

"In these two years, I have to be happy because the team, last year, was fantastic.

"This year was not so good. But we can learn from this experience to do better next season."

Despite suffering such a dramatic reversal of fortune, Ancelotti insisted he was still able to enjoy the campaign.

"I am happy when I work, and so I have enjoyed this season," he said.

"I trained for 15 years in this work and, sometimes, I was able to win. Other times, I was not able to win. "But every time I was happy at the end of the season because I'd worked.

"Sometimes I'd worked well, other times I'd made mistakes. But this is my work. I want to stay and maintain my work."

After failing to win a trophy, that is highly unlikely to happen, with owner Roman Abramovich having sacked the previous two managers who did likewise.

Ancelotti was brought in partly because of his reputation as a Champions League specialist, with Abramovich craving success in that competition more than any other.

Despite nearly masterminding the greatest comeback in Premier League title history, Ancelotti's fate was arguably sealed when Chelsea failed to reach the Champions League semi-final for a second successive season.

The Italian hinted at the significance of that defeat when he revealed his best and worst memories of his time in charge.

"The best memory was the (Premier League) victory against Manchester United (last season), and the worst the defeat against them in the Champions League."

[Seapok]

<deleted> annoyed is an understatement!!

Ancelotti sacked by Chelsea

Chelsea have announced that Carlo Ancelotti has left the club after a trophyless season at Stamford Bridge.

It has long been expected that the Italian would leave the London club, despite winning the Double in his debut campaign in England in 2009/10.

And Chelsea confirmed the inevitable decision to part company with Ancelotti in the wake of a defeat at Everton on the final day of this season.

The Londoners finished second to Manchester United in the Premier League and reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League before being eliminated by the same opponents.

But Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was not impressed with the least successful season since taking over in 2003 and has terminated the three-year contract Ancelotti signed on his arrival from AC Milan in the summer of 2009.

The club said in a statement on their official website: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Carlo Ancelotti parted company with the club today (Sunday, 22nd May).

"The owner and board would like to thank Carlo for his contribution and achievements since taking over as manager in July 2009, which included winning the Double for the first time in the club's history.

"However, this season's performances have fallen short of expectations and the club feels the time is right to make this change ahead of next season's preparations.

"Carlo will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge, where he will be given the reception and respect his position in our history deserves.

"Chelsea's long-term football objectives and ambitions remain unchanged and we will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager.

"There will be no further comment until that appointment is made."

[salty]

It didn't take him long. With several of the side near or past their sell by date I think the job could be a poisoned chalice for whoever takes over unless of course Abramovitch is going to spend wisely.

The media will salivitate over the perceived runners and riders until the next appointment. Going Dutch perhaps.

[Abrak]

By the way huge credit to Ancelotti who has handled himself with enormous dignity throughout this whole drama.

[carmine]

By the way huge credit to Ancelotti who has handled himself with enormous dignity throughout this whole drama.

Very true, a real gentleman. Six mangers in eight years under the Russians reign. The fool has learnt nothing and i'd say he was one of the main reasons they did'nt achieve their "expectations." I also have a feeling that if Abramovich and that tit Bruce Buck or whatever his name is, had stayed out of things it might have been a different story right now.

However, we at Tottenham delight, as ever, in Chelsea's failure seapok.

[smokie36]

By the way huge credit to Ancelotti who has handled himself with enormous dignity throughout this whole drama.

Very true, a real gentleman. Six mangers in eight years under the Russians reign. The fool has learnt nothing and i'd say he was one of the main reasons they did'nt achieve their "expectations." I also have a feeling that if Abramovich and that tit Bruce Buck or whatever his name is, had stayed out of things it might have been a different story right now.

However, we at Tottenham delight, as ever, in Chelsea's failure seapok.

I can only echo these sentiments and delight in the aging shambles at the Bridge......mugs.