Chelsea Fc Thread

[Seapok]

Portsmouth v Chelsea

Fratton Park

Saturday, 2 February

Kick-off: 1500 GMT

Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day. Featured game on Score and Final Score.

Jermain Defoe is expected to make his Portsmouth debut at home to Chelsea and Benjani Mwaruwari could also figure.

Centre-back Sylvain Distin (hamstring) is almost certain to miss out, with Hermann Hreidarsson recalled.

Midfielder Frank Lampard could be on the Chelsea bench after returning to training, though he is not match fit.

John Terry remains out with a fractured foot, Andriy Shevchenko (back) is also expected to miss out and Ricardo Carvalho serves a one-match ban.

Portsmouth (from): James, Johnson, Pamarot, Distin, Hreidarsson, Davis, Diarra, Hughes, Pedro Mendes, Kranjcar, Baros, Defoe, Benjani, Diop, Mvuemba, Lauren, Aubey, Wilson, Begovic.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Alex, Ben-Haim, Ivanovic, A Cole, Bridge, J Cole, Wright-Phillips, Sidwell, Ballack, Pizarro, Lampard, Anelka, Malouda, Sinclair, Makelele.

Chelsea boss Avram Grant:

"I was at Portsmouth [as director of football] at the beginning of the year and I had a wonderful time.

"I enjoyed every minute of it. I like the club and the city and it will be exciting to go back as a manager.

"Harry has made huge progress. We know how they was before and now they are a legitimate team in the top of the table. He is a great manager."

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp:

"Jermain Defoe is the sort of player we've only dreamed about getting at Portsmouth. To actually have him here is fantastic.

"He's a top, top player, a real goalscorer and needs to be playing, but he didn't have that at Tottenham who have other terrific strikers in Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane.

"We've wanted him for a long time and he's another great signing for us."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

Chelsea go to Portsmouth aiming to set a new club record of 10 straight victories in all competitions.

Avram Grant's quadruple-chasing west Londoners are now in a three-way fight for the Premier League title, trailing the top two by just four points. Significantly, Manchester United and Arsenal are still to visit Stamford Bridge.

Portsmouth were outclassed by a Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Manchester United on Wednesday night at Old Trafford. Now they play the eighth and last Premier League fixture against the "Big Four" clubs, and are yet to register a victory against them (three draws, four defeats so far).

How Harry Redknapp would love to register his 50th Premier League victory as Portsmouth manager (both spells), in this fixture.

The Londoners have gained five more victories on their Premier League travels, than Pompey have mustered at Fratton Park. But defeat here would be Chelsea's 100th loss away from home in the Premier League.

Chelsea are defending a 100% record against Portsmouth in the Premier League of nine wins out of nine, in which 19 goals were scored and just one conceded. All four previous Premier League visits to Fratton Park have been won by 0-2 margins.

CLUB FORM

PORTSMOUTH

Highest realistically achievable after Saturday's matches: 8th

Lowest could fall: 10th

1. Won two of the last eight league outings.

2. The only club holding a 100% record from Premier League matches in which they have opened the scoring (won all eight).

3. Involved in five goalless draws in this Premier League campaign; more than any other club.

4. Kept 12 clean sheets in the Premier League last season; already managed 10 this term.

5. On the longest current run in the Premier League without a score draw of 22 matches since holding Manchester United to a 1-1 stalemate at Fratton Park on 15 August.

6. Gained only three of their seven Premier League victories on home turf (against Bolton, Reading and Derby), and picked up just 15 of their 37 points at Fratton Park.

7. Drawn six home games in the Premier League; only Liverpool match that.

8. Put three goals past Derby in their most recent league game at Fratton Park, after six successive blanks.

9. Conceded just three goals in seven home league games, since the classic 7-4 hammering of Reading on 29 September.

10. An away trip to Bolton follows this, before the FA Cup fifth round tie against Championship Preston at Deepdale, and a home league clash with Sunderland.

CHELSEA

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 3rd

Lowest could fall: 3rd

1. Won the last nine in all competitions, and undefeated in 12.

2. Lost one of the last 29 league and cup matches.

3. Not dropped a point in five matches, since that epic 4-4 home draw against Aston Villa on Boxing Day. Not won six league games on the spin since their run of nine on the bounce between 31 January and 18 April last season.

4. Hoping to add the scalp of Portsmouth to those of Newcastle (h), Fulham (a), Tottenham (h), Birmingham (a) and Reading (h) gained in their last five league outings. Won 16 Premier League matches; only Manchester United (18) and Arsenal (17) have won more. Also, dropped 19 Premier League points; only Manchester United and Arsenal have dropped fewer (15 each).

5. Conceded 16 Premier League goals, at one every 135 minutes (two hours 15 minutes) on average; only Manchester United (11) have a tighter defence.

6. Kept 14 clean sheets in the highest league; only the Red Devils surpass that with 15.

7. Won three Premier League games from losing positions; only Arsenal and Blackburn have won more matches in which they were trailing (four each).

8. Collected 50 cards, of which five were red in Premier League competition; only Blackburn and Fulham have also had five players sent off. Only Blackburn players have been shown a higher total number of cards in the Premier League (52).

9. Already equalled the number of league defeats suffered last season (three); and the number of times their opponents have scored first (eight). Also failed to score in one more games than last term (five this season, four in the whole of 2006-07).

10. After this, Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge, then League One Huddersfield in the fifth round of the FA Cup, before the resumption of the Champions League, away to Olympiakos, and the Carling Cup final, against Tottenham at Wembley.

KEY PLAYER NOTES

PORTSMOUTH

BENJANI MWARUWARI is Portsmouth's top scorer with 12 Premier League goals.

Sylvain DISTIN is the only outfield player to have started every one of Portsmouth's Premier League games this season.

David JAMES has kept goal for every minute of every one of Pompey's league matches this term.

If selected:-

JAMES will be making his 156th consecutive Premier League appearance. This run started in goal with Manchester City on 17 January 2004.

Lassana DIARRA will be facing a former club. The 22 year old French midfielder made 31 appearances (13 in the league) for Chelsea between July 2005 and August 2007.

Glen JOHNSON will also be facing former team mates. The 23 year old England international made 40 league appearances and scored three goals in four seasons for the Londoners from July 2003.

CHELSEA

Didier DROGBA and Frank LAMPARD are Chelsea's top scorers with nine goals each.

DROGBA, LAMPARD and Salomon KALOU are the clubs' joint leading marksmen in the Premier League, with five goals each.

LAMPARD is one shy of 100 goals for Chelsea.

DROGBA is a hat-trick short of 50 Premier League goals in Chelsea colours.

If selected:-

(When fit), LAMPARD will be making his 550th club career appearance (West Ham, Swansea and Chelsea).

Suspended:-

Ricardo CARVALHO (one match)

HEAD TO HEAD

Chelsea have kept clean sheets in eight of their nine Premier League meetings with Portsmouth.

The Londoners are on course to complete the double over Pompey for the fifth time out of five in the Premier League

It's 21 league matches and over 50 years since Pompey last tasted victory over the Blues - a 3-0 top flight triumph at Fratton Park on Boxing Day 1957.

Home and away

League (inc PL): Portsmouth 19 wins, Chelsea 29, Draws 21

Prem: Portsmouth 0 wins, Chelsea 9, Draws 0

at Portsmouth only

League (inc PL): Portsmouth 13 wins, Chelsea 12, Draws 9

Prem: Portsmouth 0 wins, Chelsea 4, Draws 0

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Portsmouth 0-2 Chelsea

3 March 2007 - Ref: Mark Halsey

Chelsea scorers: Drogba 33, Kalou 82

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Chelsea 1-0 Portsmouth

25 August 2007 - Ref: Alan Wiley

Chelsea scorer: Lampard 31

REFEREE

Howard Webb (Yorkshire)

[Seapok]

Portsmouth 1-1 Chelsea

A debut goal from Jermain Defoe helped Portsmouth earn a point against Chelsea in a pulsating game at Fratton Park.

Nicolas Anelka's hooked volley from Joe Cole's lay off gave Chelsea the lead after a goalless first half.

Defoe levelled for Pompey just eight minutes later as he raced on to a Milan Baros flick and coolly slotted the ball past Petr Cech.

Noe Pamarot hit the post for the home side as Chelsea were denied a 10th successive victory.

Defoe replaced Benjani in Pompey's attack with the Zimbabwean striker's future still unresolved amid his on-off deadline-day move to Manchester City.

Portsmouth more than held their own against their visitors in the opening half with the impressive Lassana Diarra pulling the strings in midfield against his former club.

Neither side could gain the upper hand and both sets of players restricted to shots from distance, with Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda shooting well wide for Chelsea and Baros and Niko Kranjcar for the hosts.

The game sprung into life 10 minutes before the interval when Ballack's header was cleared off the line by Kranjcar, while at the other end Portsmouth were unlucky not be given a penalty when Juliano Belletti appeared to handle Baros' attempted flick in the area.

And there was more frustration for the hosts from the resulting corner as Pamarot crashed his header against the post with Cech well beaten.

The best chance of the half was saved for the final minute, but Anelka saw his shot from a tight angle well saved by James and Ashley Cole's effort from the rebound was ballooned well over.

The second half started brightly and Baros should have given Portsmouth the lead three minutes after the restart.

Defoe danced into the penalty area but could not get his shot away in time, and the rebound fell kindly for Baros who saw his tame shot easily gathered by Cech.

At the other end Ashley Cole played a neat one-two with Malouda but the England left-back saw his shot well blocked by Herman Hreidarsson.

However, Chelsea did take the lead 10 minutes into the second period through Anelka from a lightning-quick counter-attack just seconds after Pompey had another penalty appeal turned down for handball.

The home fans and players claimed Claude Makelele handled the ball but referee Howard Webb waved away their protests.

Makelele's clearance found its way to Malouda who raced down the left and crossed for Joe Cole. He expertly played the ball into the path of the former Bolton striker who hooked home his first Premier League goal for Chelsea on the volley from eight yards.

However, Portsmouth were level less than 10 minutes later thanks to Defoe.

David James' long ball upfield was flicked on by Baros and Defoe, played onside by Belletti, raced clear and coolly slotted the ball under the on-rushing Cech.

Defoe went agonisingly close on three occasions late on, but Chelsea had chances of their own with James saving well from Belletti and Alex and an attempted chip from Shaun Wright-Phillips drifted wide of the far post.

Portsmouth were good value for their point, their first ever against Chelsea in the Premier league.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp:

"We've taken a point off all the top four here this season and we're looking a strong side.

"Jermain did well and took his chance. He'll score lots of goals and he could have had more today.

"And Diarra is a top player. His performance was fantastic - and that's three like that since he arrived."

Chelsea manager and former Portsmouth technical director Avram Grant:

"I thought we created the better chances but Portsmouth are a difficult side to face and they did well.

"Harry is good at getting them going and they are strong, but of course we are not so happy when we don't win.

"Nicolas Anelka showed a great finish to put us ahead and he's always had that kind of touch in front of goal."

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Pamarot, Hreidarsson, Davis (Mvuemba 68), Diarra, Hughes, Kranjcar, Baros, Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Aubey, Lauren, Pedro Mendes.

Booked: Davis, Pamarot.

Goals: Defoe 64.

Chelsea: Cech, Belletti, Ben-Haim, Alex, Ashley Cole, Makelele, Wright-Phillips, Ballack, Malouda (Pizarro 74), Joe Cole, Anelka.

Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Sidwell, Bridge, Ferreira.

Goals: Anelka 55.

Att: 20,488

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

[oldgit]

Portsmouth 1-1 Chelsea

A debut goal from Jermain Defoe helped Portsmouth earn a point against Chelsea in a pulsating game at Fratton Park.

Nicolas Anelka's hooked volley from Joe Cole's lay off gave Chelsea the lead after a goalless first half.

Defoe levelled for Pompey just eight minutes later as he raced on to a Milan Baros flick and coolly slotted the ball past Petr Cech.

Noe Pamarot hit the post for the home side as Chelsea were denied a 10th successive victory.

Defoe replaced Benjani in Pompey's attack with the Zimbabwean striker's future still unresolved amid his on-off deadline-day move to Manchester City.

Portsmouth more than held their own against their visitors in the opening half with the impressive Lassana Diarra pulling the strings in midfield against his former club.

Neither side could gain the upper hand and both sets of players restricted to shots from distance, with Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda shooting well wide for Chelsea and Baros and Niko Kranjcar for the hosts.

The game sprung into life 10 minutes before the interval when Ballack's header was cleared off the line by Kranjcar, while at the other end Portsmouth were unlucky not be given a penalty when Juliano Belletti appeared to handle Baros' attempted flick in the area.

And there was more frustration for the hosts from the resulting corner as Pamarot crashed his header against the post with Cech well beaten.

The best chance of the half was saved for the final minute, but Anelka saw his shot from a tight angle well saved by James and Ashley Cole's effort from the rebound was ballooned well over.

The second half started brightly and Baros should have given Portsmouth the lead three minutes after the restart.

Defoe danced into the penalty area but could not get his shot away in time, and the rebound fell kindly for Baros who saw his tame shot easily gathered by Cech.

At the other end Ashley Cole played a neat one-two with Malouda but the England left-back saw his shot well blocked by Herman Hreidarsson.

However, Chelsea did take the lead 10 minutes into the second period through Anelka from a lightning-quick counter-attack just seconds after Pompey had another penalty appeal turned down for handball.

The home fans and players claimed Claude Makelele handled the ball but referee Howard Webb waved away their protests.

Makelele's clearance found its way to Malouda who raced down the left and crossed for Joe Cole. He expertly played the ball into the path of the former Bolton striker who hooked home his first Premier League goal for Chelsea on the volley from eight yards.

However, Portsmouth were level less than 10 minutes later thanks to Defoe.

David James' long ball upfield was flicked on by Baros and Defoe, played onside by Belletti, raced clear and coolly slotted the ball under the on-rushing Cech.

Defoe went agonisingly close on three occasions late on, but Chelsea had chances of their own with James saving well from Belletti and Alex and an attempted chip from Shaun Wright-Phillips drifted wide of the far post.

Portsmouth were good value for their point, their first ever against Chelsea in the Premier league.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp:

"We've taken a point off all the top four here this season and we're looking a strong side.

"Jermain did well and took his chance. He'll score lots of goals and he could have had more today.

"And Diarra is a top player. His performance was fantastic - and that's three like that since he arrived."

Chelsea manager and former Portsmouth technical director Avram Grant:

"I thought we created the better chances but Portsmouth are a difficult side to face and they did well.

"Harry is good at getting them going and they are strong, but of course we are not so happy when we don't win.

"Nicolas Anelka showed a great finish to put us ahead and he's always had that kind of touch in front of goal."

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Pamarot, Hreidarsson, Davis (Mvuemba 68), Diarra, Hughes, Kranjcar, Baros, Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Aubey, Lauren, Pedro Mendes.

Booked: Davis, Pamarot.

Goals: Defoe 64.

Chelsea: Cech, Belletti, Ben-Haim, Alex, Ashley Cole, Makelele, Wright-Phillips, Ballack, Malouda (Pizarro 74), Joe Cole, Anelka.

Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Sidwell, Bridge, Ferreira.

Goals: Anelka 55.

Att: 20,488

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

One point gained or two points lost?Definitely the former considering Arsenal and Man.Utd. couldn't manage a win at Fratton Park either.Terrific game to watch with many talking points and a great atmosphere.Even back in the 70's there was always great rivalry between the fans.I remember walking under the stands after a game Chelsea had won when holes started appearing and the sun came streaming through where the Pompey fans had started to rip out the wooden stands to use against us.We didn't hang around too long.

[Seapok]

One point gained or two points lost?Definitely the former considering Arsenal and Man.Utd. couldn't manage a win at Fratton Park either.Terrific game to watch with many talking points and a great atmosphere.Even back in the 70's there was always great rivalry between the fans.I remember walking under the stands after a game Chelsea had won when holes started appearing and the sun came streaming through where the Pompey fans had started to rip out the wooden stands to use against us.We didn't hang around too long.

I didn't actually catch the game, I did see the goals on Match of the Day, great touch by Coley and nice goal by Anelka. I'm glad Pompey had Defoe up front rather than Benjani cos we would of lost by a few, our defense was shocking at times, Ben Haim has lost all his confidence. I'm reading all the big boys are getting fit again and Mikel is back from Africa. Whats the bet he gets sent off against Liverpool if he plays.

[Seapok]

Makelele leading by example

Claude Makelele has praised his Chelsea team-mates for the way in which they have dealt with the departure of Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese coach left Stamford Bridge back in September 2007 with many people expecting the club to struggle without their charismatic leader.

However, Avram Grant has taken the reins and led the club to just one defeat in their last 18 Premier League games, a Carling Cup final, the fifth round of the FA Cup and the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

French midfielder Makelele, handed the captain's armband during the absence of John Terry, has expressed his delight at the manner in which the club have been able to silence those who doubted them earlier in the season.

"The club is always stronger than anything else," he told L'Equipe.

"It is stronger than the players and stronger than the coach.

"Even if the club appears to be wrong, they are right.

"Admittedly when Mourinho left the team was a little destabilised, but that was because he was such an important character.

"Everyone believed that we would collapse, but we got through that period because we are a group of hard workers and we trust in our ability.

On the issue of captaincy, Makelele said: "I am a leader that people don't see, but I am always present. The group can feel it.

"Having authority is not about shooting. Authority is about a look, a gesture. It is setting the right example with your behaviour, even if you are not experiencing a good period yourself."

Having previously announced his international retirement in 2004, only to then return to the fold two years later, Makelele has once again announced his intention to quit the national team after Euro 2008.

"Will I stop representing France after the European Championships? Definitely," he said.

"It is the right time. Believe me, there is a very good generation of players coming up behind me."

[scousemouse]

So after collecting only 6 points out of a possible 45 against Chelski at the bridge and the fact that Chelski are unbeaten at home for 4 years I am predicting a Liverpool win 1-0 .

[oldgit]

So after collecting only 6 points out of a possible 45 against Chelski at the bridge and the fact that Chelski are unbeaten at home for 4 years I am predicting a Liverpool win 1-0 .

Come on,Scouse.I know and you know that the statistics don't show the true story of games between us.I'll be surprised if this isn't going to be another tight one.

[Seapok]

So after collecting only 6 points out of a possible 45 against Chelski at the bridge and the fact that Chelski are unbeaten at home for 4 years I am predicting a Liverpool win 1-0 .

Come on,Scouse.I know and you know that the statistics don't show the true story of games between us.I'll be surprised if this isn't going to be another tight one.

I don't know about tight one OG, I can see us getting a few against the bin dippers!, without Torres where will the goals come from for them? with Gerrard in Ballacks pocket I can see a comfortable win for us Sunday.

Edited February 9, 2008 by Seapok

[oldgit]

A frustrating,irritating game to watch brought about by an overly fussy referee and Liverpools rapid closing down which forced many of our players to misplace passes-Makelele made more mistakes in this game than he had during the season.Lampard was very rusty in the first half and couldn't get to the pace of the game.The midfield was so compact,it seemed like there were more than 22 players on the pitch.

[fletchsmile]

There's always been a few questions over Abramovich's connections and his past. But how many people realised that he'd hired Fredrick Durrant, mafia boss and arch enemy of Darkman. Obviously the photo from the 90's shows him in his younger days, but there's no mistaking the Abromavich mafia connection. They could have been a bit more imaginative with the false name tho': Fredrik Durrant > Avram Grant

Edited February 11, 2008 by fletchsmile

[Seapok]

Lampard glad to be back

Frank Lampard is delighted to be over his recent injury and back with the first-team at Chelsea.

The England midfielder returned to action at the weekend as he played 70 minutes of Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

The game marked Lampard's first appearance since late 2007 when he picked up a thigh injury.

"I feel very good. Mentally I am just happy to be back, training with the lads and playing," he told the Daily Star.

"I feel fresh and ready to go. It has been very frustrating.

"When you've been out injured, you can't even mix with the lads that much and you're spending long days at the training ground.

"I haven't ever had that really and now I realise what other players have had and it's a frustrating time."

[Seapok]

Eto'o backs Drogba swoop

Samuel Eto'o believes Chelsea striker Didier Drogba would be an 'excellent' addition to the Barcelona squad.

Drogba's future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain following the departure of Jose Mourinho last September.

The striker made his desire to leave the club very public in a France Football magazine interview earlier this season.

Furthermore, Barca midfielder Yaya Toure claimed earlier this week that Drogba has told him he would like to sign for the Spanish giants.

Eto'o is keen to play alongside the 29-year-old, and does not believe his potential arrival would see any of the team's current top names leave the club, despite Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry all vying for starts at present.

"I am not 100 per cent sure what the intentions of Barcelona are, but Drogba would be an excellent player for the team," he is quoted as saying in the Daily Star.

"It would not be a problem if he arrived at the club, but extra help to return this team to where it should be, the best in the world.

"I am a friend of Drogba and I know that he has always been interested in playing in Spain and in Barcelona.

"A team with Messi, Henry, Drogba and me is possible in the pitch without anybody having to leave the club. It would be a super-offensive team.

"During the African Nations Cup I have heard about the comments of Drogba and Barcelona and those are normal.

"Any player desires to be at the best club in the world.

"I respect my team-mates but a man like Drogba is positive for any club. If the directors demand my opinion then I would be in favour of the move."

[Seapok]

Terry fit to make FA Cup comeback

Chelsea captain John Terry has stunned boss Avram Grant by recovering from a broken foot to face Huddersfield in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge.

England defender Terry has not played since sustaining the injury in the defeat at Arsenal on 16 December.

The 27-year-old was not expected to return to action for another two weeks.

Grant said: "Perhaps he is the bionic man. But he is very strong both mentally and physically. He will be in the squad to play Huddersfield."

Terry also missed England's 2-1 win against Switzerland at Wembley in new coach Fabio Capello's first game after breaking three bones in his foot at The Emirates.

Grant added: "He is a very important player for us. I have been all over the world and never seen a captain like him.

"He's a big influence on the team. For me, the captain sets an example, and we have missed him a lot."

[oldgit]

Blimey!Now everybody is back where are we going to fit them all in?This game against Huddersfield will be an ideal opportunity to put in a couple of the returning African contingent and to bench a few of the lads that have run their socks off in recent weeks i.e SW-Phillips,Joe Cole and Makelele.

[Seapok]

Blimey!Now everybody is back where are we going to fit them all in?This game against Huddersfield will be an ideal opportunity to put in a couple of the returning African contingent and to bench a few of the lads that have run their socks off in recent weeks i.e SW-Phillips,Joe Cole and Makelele.

Yeah it should be interesting on the selection today, even more interesting will be the selection for the Carling Cup Final next sunday, with all the Africans away and other big boys injured it would be unfair on the other lads who have played so well to keep us in it if they were dropped but at the end of the day its about playing our best team. If everyone is fit and ready to go then we have to play our strongest team. I reckon a 4-0 win today will be a great result.

[Seapok]

Chelsea 3-1 Huddersfield

Frank Lampard scored twice and set up a goal for Salomon Kalou as Chelsea eased into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Scott Sinclair had a shot cleared off the line before Lampard's low drive put Chelsea ahead on 18 minutes.

Huddersfield hit back and Nathan Clarke had a header cleared off the line, before Michael Collins stroked home from 12 yards to equalise.

But after the break Lampard tucked in a rebound from his own shot and Kalou slipped in a low effort to make it 3-1.

Chelsea had made wholesale changes, with only Lampard remaining from the team that played Liverpool last time out.

It could have made the home side a bit disjointed, but their task of finding some rhythm was helped by Huddersfield's inability to settle early on.

The League One side were understandably hesitant in the early stages, as a physically imposing Chelsea side - which included fit-again captain John Terry for the first time since 16 December - began to dictate the play.

Chelsea turned up the pressure and Sinclair had an effort cleared off the line by Robbie Williams.

And then Sinclair played a pass inside for Lampard to stroke home a precise low shot into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box for his 100th Chelsea goal.

A predictable pattern ensued as Huddersfield struggled to resist Chelsea's attacks.

But then, as if they sensed they really had nothing to lose, Huddersfield began to come out of their shell.

And it took Terry to prevent an equaliser when he hacked Clarke's header off the line.

However, there was nothing Chelsea could do to prevent the equaliser on 45 minutes when Collins superbly brought down James Berrett's pass and slipped a low shot beyond Carlo Cudicini.

After the break, Chelsea quickly raised the tempo but Huddersfield kept their shape and discipline and were able to hold their own for a while.

But eventually Chelsea's power told as Matthew Glennon failed to hold Lampard's shot and the midfielder reacted fastest to tap in the rebound.

It seemed to knock the stuffing out of Huddersfield, and the offside flag prevented them conceding more goals as two Chelsea efforts were ruled out.

Inevitably, Chelsea did score again and it was a fine Lampard pass that created the opportunity and a smart touch and confident finish from Kalou that rounded off the move.

[oldgit]

Blimey!Now everybody is back where are we going to fit them all in?This game against Huddersfield will be an ideal opportunity to put in a couple of the returning African contingent and to bench a few of the lads that have run their socks off in recent weeks i.e SW-Phillips,Joe Cole and Makelele.

Yeah it should be interesting on the selection today, even more interesting will be the selection for the Carling Cup Final next sunday, with all the Africans away and other big boys injured it would be unfair on the other lads who have played so well to keep us in it if they were dropped but at the end of the day its about playing our best team. If everyone is fit and ready to go then we have to play our strongest team. I reckon a 4-0 win today will be a great result.

Almost right,Mr. S!We've got this trip to Greece as well,which isn't going to be a walk in the park,but with every body fit now we've got enough options to put out strong sides wherever we go.I hope Malouda is fully fit because he makes things happen.

[Seapok]

Terry ready to play his part

Chelsea skipper John Terry is determined to make up for his injury nightmare by leading Chelsea to success this season.

Terry made his long-awaited return to action in Saturday's FA Cup win over Huddersfield after two months out with a foot injury.

The England international has spoken of his frustration at missing such a large chunk of the season and wants to ease his pain by helping Chelsea on all four fronts as the battle for silverware gets more intense.

"I can't stand being injured, it drives me completely crazy. I just want to play," Terry told the Sunday Mirror.

"I'm not one for moping around, but watching the lads play and being powerless to do anything about it is worse than anything.

"You miss the day-to-day involvement with the team. Patience isn't one of my best qualities.

"Now it's about getting back out there and making sure we push on and win things."

Terry admits he dreams of winning the UEFA Champions League as it is the one club trophy to elude him so far in his career.

"I don't want to look back when my playing career has ended and a Champions League medal isn't in my collection," added Terry.

"The competition has brought me a lot of heartache. I've seen players like Steven Gerrard lift the trophy for Liverpool and I'm envious of that.

"While winning the league title always takes priority, you always want the one thing you don't have."

[Seapok]

Grant hails Lampard and Terry

Chelsea manager Avram Grant is adamant that Blues stars John Terry and Frank Lampard should be hailed as heroes by supporters.

Lampard took his goal tally to 101 with a brace in Chelsea's 3-1 FA Cup fifth round victory over Huddersfield at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and Terry returned after almost two months out with a fractured foot.

Chelsea now face Greek champions Olympiakos on Tuesday in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last 16 clash and then meet Tottenham in the Carling Cup final at Wembley next Sunday.

But Grant is convinced that, with Terry and Lampard now back, Chelsea - who remain in the hunt for the Premier League title - have the capabilities to lift silverware this season

"They deserve to be the heroes of the club because of what they give to the team," said Grant.

"The relationship is not one way between the supporters and the players and manager. We give to them, they give to us. They support us, we support them.

"It is easier when the supporters are behind you. They will always be here and I like it when they respect the players who give them so much.

"There are many midfielders in the world but you cannot compare Frank to anybody else. He is a midfield player who can do everything on the pitch but his best quality is to score goals. When he gets a chance, he scores.

"You can see that with the first goal, with the second goal. He will score many more.

"Modern football has become more and more organised and it's very important to have a player who can come from behind and score goals.

"John is a great leader. Even when he didn't play he was with us for the Carling Cup semi-final at Everton, having a big influence in the dressing room.

"But I like it better when he is available to play. I was surprised how quickly he came back from this injury. I thought it would take a week or two more. He is a great defender, a great player, a great leader."

[Seapok]

Quite surprised to see this, I thought he would be the 1st one out in the summer sales.

Ferreira signs new Chelsea deal

Chelsea's Portugal international defender Paulo Ferreira has signed a new five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

The 29-year-old right-back has played 130 games for the Blues since joining them from Porto for £13.25m in 2004.

Ferreira told his club's website: "I am delighted to commit my long-term future to Chelsea.

"The fans have made me very welcome and I enjoy my football here a lot. We have had a lot of success and I am hoping we have more over the coming years."

Ferreira, who won the 2004 Champions League with Porto, has also filled in at left-back and centre-back during his time with Chelsea.

He has faced stiff opposition for the right-back slot from summer recruit Juliano Belletti this season, and has played only 18 games.

[Seapok]

Grant outlines Euro aims

Avram Grant feels that Chelsea must win the UEFA Champions League if they want to be considered among Europe's elite band of clubs.

The Blues won back-to-back Premier League titles, two Carling Cups and an FA Cup under previous boss Jose Mourinho, but never made it past the semi-finals in Europe's biggest club competition.

A club with the financial backing available to Chelsea should expect to achieve success at the highest level and with Olympiakos next up on Tuesday in the last 16 of this year's campaign, Grant is determined to lead the Blues to European glory this time around.

"Chelsea are a big club already but if you want to be a really big club and bigger than we are now, we need to be in the final of the Champions League and then do more and more," said Grant.

"You cannot say we are bigger if we don't get to the final of the Champions League. So this is our target. Our target was to do it within two years but we want to do it this year.

"We need to go step by step. I personally will not rest until we get to the final. Our target is to reach the final but we also need to do our job tomorrow night. If we look too far ahead we could lose the moment. So we concentrate on tomorrow first."

For the first time since replacing Mourinho in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat back in September, Grant will have a full squad to choose from going into the game with the reigning Greek champions.

Instead of the injury nightmares which have plagued the squad in the last few months, the Blues boss now has the headache of whether to pair Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka together up front and Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard in midfield.

"Anelka is a very good player and my opinion is there are no two managers or strikers the same," said Grant.

"This is what is exciting about football. We have good players and take the best of them. Everybody asks me if Anelka can play together with Drogba and if Ballack can play with Lampard. Two good players can always play alongside each other if they are ready to work for the team.

"It was not easy days in the last three months without so many important players.

"It was very important in December and January to use the squad properly. We bought only one player during this period even though we miss a lot of players through injury.

"We trust this squad. We are still in all competitions. Now there are more opportunities and the good players are coming back.

"The competition for places is good for me, the team and the players. I don't know which is more of a headache, the situation now or the one I had two or three months ago.

"I know who will play, how we will play, and who will be on the bench though.

"I take all the decisions based on what is the best for the team. Always in Chelsea there will be big players on the bench or not playing. This is life of a manager and of the players. I think it is good for them."

[oldgit]

Quite surprised to see this, I thought he would be the 1st one out in the summer sales.

Ferreira signs new Chelsea deal

Chelsea's Portugal international defender Paulo Ferreira has signed a new five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

The 29-year-old right-back has played 130 games for the Blues since joining them from Porto for £13.25m in 2004.

Ferreira told his club's website: "I am delighted to commit my long-term future to Chelsea.

"The fans have made me very welcome and I enjoy my football here a lot. We have had a lot of success and I am hoping we have more over the coming years."

Ferreira, who won the 2004 Champions League with Porto, has also filled in at left-back and centre-back during his time with Chelsea.

He has faced stiff opposition for the right-back slot from summer recruit Juliano Belletti this season, and has played only 18 games.

That is a surprise.He hasn't looked the same player he was two seasons ago and seems to lack the pace to deal with quick wingers.I don't know what Grants thinking is here because he hasn't looked good enough.

[Seapok]

I actually nearly fell asleep watching this game!, come on Chels where is the spark!, bring on the Yids.

Olympiakos 0-0 Chelsea

Chelsea were held by Olympiakos after an unconvincing display in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on a cold night in southern Greece.

John Terry and Frank Lampard were left on the bench but the Blues were largely untroubled in a quiet first half in which Ricardo Carvalho went closest.

The visitors showed more ambition after the break but failed to create much.

Salomon Kalou shot tamely at the keeper when through late on and Chelsea will hope for much better in a fortnight.

With their formidable home record, they will be favourites to reach the semi-finals for the fourth time in five seasons.

But even though the competition's meanest defence recorded a fifth straight clean sheet, the fare served up in unseasonably harsh weather for Greece hardly set the pulses racing.

Olympiakos have plenty of experience and nous about them, with an average age of a shade over 30 in their starting line-up and 10 league titles in 11 years.

Chelsea were happy to concede possession to them and while Predrag Djordjevic and Luciano Galleti buzzed around early on to keep England left-back Ashley Cole busy, the final ball was often lacking.

At the other end, the Blues appeared to have the edge in terms of pace and movement off the ball.

Florent Malouda's snapshot was well saved by 36-year-old keeper Antonis Nikopolidis, who also kept out Carvalho's firm header after Juliano Belletti's deep free-kick was flicked on by Florent Malouda.

The visitors had a scare moments later when Djordjevic's corner was helped on by Ieroklis Stoltidis' head and the were relieved to see Vassilis Torosidis fail to make clean contact.

Having seen what Olympiakos had to throw at them in the first period, the Blues showed greater desire to commit ment forward after the break, with both Coles, Ashley and Joe, featuring more prominently than they had earlier.

But with Didier Drogba appearing to struggle with a tight hamstring on his comeback after African Nations duty, they lacked a cutting edge.

Indeed, Chelsea needed keeper Petr Cech to save low down in his first meaningful action in the 57th minute when Galletti teed the ball to Djordjevic from a free-kick.

Kalou, Nicolas Anelka and, belatedly, Lampard were introduced by Avram Grant in a bid to find some sharpness in the final third but they failed to make much of an impression on the home defence.

Kalou could still have won it right at the end but his control let him down badly and he shot weakly at Nikopolidis to sum up his team's efforts.

Olympiakos: Nikopolidis, Zewlakow, Julio Cesar, Antzas, Pantos, Ledesma, Galletti (Leonardo 83), Torosidis, Djordjevic (Belluschi 76), Stoltidis, Kovacevic (Leonel Nunez 87).

Subs Not Used: Sifakis, Patsatzoglou, Mitroglou, Sisic.

Booked: Belluschi.

Chelsea: Cech, Belletti, Carvalho, Alex, Ashley Cole, Essien, Makelele, Ballack (Lampard 86), Malouda (Kalou 75), Drogba, Joe Cole (Anelka 75).

Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Obi, Wright-Phillips, Terry.

Booked: Alex, Belletti, Makelele, Ashley Cole.

Att: 29,500

Ref: Konrad Plautz (Austria).

[nev]

tell me again didnt they sack mourinio because he was playing boring football?

[oldgit]

tell me again didnt they sack mourinio because he was playing boring football?

That was the official reason although no one was taken in by that fudge.The game last night confirmed to me what I've noticed about the returning African contingent,no matter what club they've come back to.Mentally,they have been very lethargic,getting caught out of position and unable to find space.Drogba never stopped moaning all night.

[nev]

thanks oldgit i think you are right there was more to his sacking than was let out.

good result last night for your lot, hope united can get something tonight and old tinkerbell doesnt change the team to much.

[Seapok]

Chelsea boss sent death threats

Anti-Semitic death threats have been sent to Chelsea football boss Avram Grant in a package containing a white powder, police said.

A note addressed to Grant was opened by a member of staff and found to contain anti-Jewish insults and claims that the powder was lethal.

A police source said it used the words: "When you open this letter you will die a very slow and painful death."

The powder was analysed by specialists and found to be harmless, police said.

The letter also included threats to the manager's wife Tzofit, a well-know personality in Israel.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: "We were called to Chelsea's training ground at Cobham at 12.15pm yesterday after they received a suspicious package."

The club's training ground at Cobham, Surrey was sealed off while investigations were carried out.

Detectives are continuing to try to identify the source of the package.

Chelsea Football Club has so far made no comment.

[Seapok]

England pair support Grant

Frank Lampard and John Terry claim they were one hundred per cent behind Avram Grant's decision to leave them on the bench for Chelsea's UEFA Champions League clash with Olympiakos on Tuesday night.

Chelsea played out a largely uneventful goalless draw in Athens, and Grant admitted it was his side's worst performance in Europe since he took over at Stamford Bridge last September.

Nevertheless the Blues are firm favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, and Lampard admits it would have been a risk had he and Terry started the game.

"I felt fresh but the manager didn't want to take a chance on me and John, and we were in the same boat," said Lampard.

"We understood the reasons for being substitutes. You have to be mature and professional but it doesn't mean we cannot be frustrated and want to play.

"It is a long season. I have been out for six weeks and played the other day and there are a lot of important games to come."

The 29-year-old also revealed he is not a huge fan of the rotation policy employed by the Israeli coach - but with the Carling Cup final against Tottenham approaching this weekend he admitted it is important to keep players fresh.

"Any good team I have been involved with has had a pretty settled line-up and it will be down to the manager to find that," said Lampard.

"I want to be in a successful team and any top player wants to play but you have to understand you are in a strong squad.

"I want to play, I feel very fresh and have a lot in my legs. This season has been very frustrating and I don't want to miss any more games.

"John and I are going to be fresh anyway and a cup final against Tottenham is always a game that you are going to be very excited about.

"It will be a very difficult game because Spurs are in good form and will be very excited to be in a final."

[oldgit]

Chelsea boss sent death threats

Anti-Semitic death threats have been sent to Chelsea football boss Avram Grant in a package containing a white powder, police said.

A note addressed to Grant was opened by a member of staff and found to contain anti-Jewish insults and claims that the powder was lethal.

A police source said it used the words: "When you open this letter you will die a very slow and painful death."

The powder was analysed by specialists and found to be harmless, police said.

The letter also included threats to the manager's wife Tzofit, a well-know personality in Israel.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: "We were called to Chelsea's training ground at Cobham at 12.15pm yesterday after they received a suspicious package."

The club's training ground at Cobham, Surrey was sealed off while investigations were carried out.

Detectives are continuing to try to identify the source of the package.

Chelsea Football Club has so far made no comment.

Wouldn't be ironic if the threats came from some Spurs supporters!!

[Seapok]

Not that I believe a word this geezer says!

Kenyon bullish on Chelsea future

Chief executive Peter Kenyon claims Chelsea are second only to Manchester United in football's financial league.

On Thursday the Premier League club reported record turnover for 2006/07 of £223.3m, placing them behind United (£245m) but ahead of Arsenal (£200.8m).

"In terms of revenue against that matrix then clearly we are number two behind Manchester United," Kenyon told BBC sports editor Mihir Bose.

"The numbers speak for themselves. All of our metrics are very positive."

In contrast to both United and Arsenal, who posted pre-tax profits of £59.6m and £5.6m respectively, Chelsea are still reporting losses, although reduced by 7% on 2005/06, of £74.8m.

The big problem for Chelsea, that puts them well behind both Manchester United and Arsenal, is the size of Stamford Bridge

And he insists Abramovich, who bought Chelsea in July 2003 and has invested in excess of £500m, will continue to give the west London outfit an advantage over their top-flight rivals.

"Everything we've been doing at Chelsea over the past four-and-a-half years is predicated on the owner being supportive to Chelsea - he clearly has been and he continues to be," said Kenyon, a former chief executive at Manchester United.

"I would suggest there are a lot of football clubs who would like to be in our position in terms of being externally debt-free and that very much gives us a competitive advantage.

"From a business point of view, a football club point of view and a fan point of view that does give us an advantage in the long run."

As Chelsea attempt to fulfil their aim of breaking even by season 2009/10, net player expenditure has dropped from £126.7m in 2004/05 to £11.7m in 2006/07.

Kenyon stopped short of indicating that Chelsea will play a less active role in the transfer marked but admitted there could not be a repeat of the outgoings in the first year of Abramovich's reign.

"We've always said we'll invest in players but the levels of year one were not sustainable," said Kenyon.

"Over the last three years this is another measure that we've achieved - we will spend less than the previous year on net transfers.

"That's not to say that we're not going to bring players in.

"We've spent an awful lot on our academy and one of our longer-term business plans is to ensure we have this mixture of home-grown talent along with buying some of the best footballers from anywhere in the world.

"Our long-term target of operating profit break even by 2009/10 remains ambitious but we are determined to meet it or get as close as we can."

Winning the 2007 FA and Carling Cups, reaching the Champions League semi-finals and finishing second in the Premier League saw Chelsea's income from football activities rise 27% from £130.4m to £165.3m.

And the first year of their contract with sportswear manufacturer Adidas resulted in sponsorship revenues soaring by 89% to £32m from £16.9m.

Chelsea remain some way behind Manchester United when it comes to global support base.

The Old Trafford club estimate they have 135m fans worldwide, which contrasts sharply to Chelsea's 90m "core fans", but Kenyon remains optimistic.

"You would expect that of Manchester United, in terms of their positioning over the past 30, 40, 50 years, their dominance in competitions and winning the Champions League," he said.

"I think we're in a very good position in comparison."