Chelsea Fc Thread

[Seapok]

Mineiro - Here to do my best

Brazilian midfielder Mineiro has vowed to do his best for Chelsea as he looks to force his way into Luiz Felipe Scolari's side.

Mineiro was signed as a free agent by Chelsea in September after being released by Hertha Berlin over the summer.

Scolari moved for his compatriot to beef up his midfield options after losing Michael Essien to a serious knee injury.

The 33-year-old made his debut as a late substitute in last week's 5-0 thrashing of Sunderland and insists he is not seeking to upset any of his new team-mates as he aims to break into the starting line-up.

"We talk about the group playing together and Mr Scolari said everybody who is fit, playing well and giving their best will have an opportunity to play and I want to show my work, my capabilities, to do my best for the team, and we try to be the best we can," said Mineiro.

"I want to be the best I can because that's what the manager expects to be always at his disposal, ready when he needs us for the team.

"[We are] players trying to do their best for the same goal. I have to see these players as my allies not my opponents.

"I am not here to fight against them for a place, what we are all trying to do is give our best to improve our games so anyone of us can help the group, that's all we want to do - our best for the team as a group."

Mineiro is relishing the chance to work with Scolari after falling out of favour with Hertha coach Lucien Favre towards the end of his time in Germany.

He added: "Every coach has his own way of working. The coach (Favre) thought I was not right for the team he wanted to build, but what is past is past.

"I am very happy to be here. Scolari is a great coach. He is celebrated and held in affection by all Brazilians. Everywhere I go people ask me about him and want to pass on their best wishes."

[Seapok]

Abramovich hit by credit crunch

Frank Arnesen has revealed that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has had to 'hit the financial brake' amid the global credit crunch.

Russian billionaire Abramovich has injected a substantial amount of money into the Stamford Bridge outfit since he took over in 2003.

However, Arnesen, the club's chief scout and director of youth development, has confirmed the Blues are set to temper their previously extravagant spending.

Arnesen said: "The structure is now in place and the financial crunch has meant that Roman has hit the financial brake, and asked us to cut deep, we have cut down significantly on scouts and other activities.

"However, we are now getting close to the time when the club can carry on without Roman's money.

"80 per cent of the dreams I had after the switch from Tottenham are now being put into place. There is no turning back."

[Seapok]

Wilkins - We can bounce back

Ray Wilkins believes Chelsea can bounce back from their midweek European disappointment when they take on Blackburn on Sunday.

The Blues outplayed Roma until the 34th minute of their UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday but then conceded a soft goal which galvanised their Italian opponents to a deserved 3-1 victory.

This European defeat comes after Chelsea lost their 86-match unbeaten home record to Liverpool in the Premier League last month.

Since the Liverpool defeat, the Blues have scored eight goals in two league victories against Hull and Sunderland and assistant boss Wilkins expects the side to again bounce back from this latest loss when they take on Rovers at Ewood Park, in a game being show live on Sky Sports 1 at 1.30pm.

He said: "We spoke about what went wrong in Rome, and the lads know what went wrong.

"It has got to be forgotten, as the Liverpool game was. Someone will beat every team every now and then, and it is how you react to it.

"As far as the ambience goes, though, it has been spot on - and we are ready.

"We know how Blackburn have been playing. But they have a couple of injuries, as every team has at the moment, and it will be difficult to know how they are going to play.

"They have some good footballers - we don't know if Roque Santa Cruz is going to be fit and we don't know if they will play two in attack - so we just have to look after what we are going to do.

"If we do that well, it will be a difficult afternoon for Blackburn. We'll prime the players on everything that we think can happen - and then when they cross the white line, it is up to them."

John Obi Mikel was at fault for two of the goals in Rome and may be replaced by Brazilian veteran Mineiro against Rovers.

While Mineiro says he is not looking to push other players out of the side, he will be ready if called upon.

"Other players are my allies, not my opponents. I'm not trying to fight against them for a place," he said.

"We are a group; it's all about the team and doing the best for the team.

"I first heard about Chelsea's interest two months ago. I was very happy because I wasn't playing at the time, and it was a great opportunity for me to come here and show my work. I'm really happy I'm here and have this opportunity now.

"I want to be in the best form I can - because that's what the manager expects of us, to be always ready when he needs us for the team."

[Seapok]

Blackburn v Chelsea

Blackburn's Benni McCarthy is suspended and fellow striker Roque Santa Cruz is a major doubt with a calf tear.

Brett Emerton is also out, while Vince Grella is another doubt. Both men have hamstring injuries.

Chelsea defenders Ashley Cole (calf) and Ricardo Carvalho (hamstring) and midfielders Michael Ballack (foot) and Michael Essien (knee) are sidelined.

Brazilian midfielder Mineiro has been added to the Blues squad and could make his first Premier League start.

Blackburn (from): Robinson, Simpson, Samba, Nelsen, Ooijer, Tugay, Warnock, Villanueva, Roberts, Fowler, Santa Cruz, Derbyshire, Pedersen, Olsson, Andrews, Brown, Khizanishvili, Treacy.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Bridge, Mikel, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Lampard, Mineiro, Drogba, Belletti, Anelka, Malouda, Stoch, Kalou, Deco, Bosingwa, J Cole.

Chelsea first-team coach Ray Wilkins:

"We spoke about what went wrong in Rome, and the lads know what went wrong.

"It has got to be forgotten, as the Liverpool game was. Someone will beat every team every now and then, and it is how you react to it.

"As far as the ambience goes, though, it has been spot on - and we are ready."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

The Premier League's draw specialists host the pacesetters, as Blackburn prepare to receive Chelsea, on the 60th birthday of Blues' manager Luis Felipe Scolari.

The match brings together the weakest defence and sharpest attack in the highest league (going into this 12th round of fixtures).

The Londoners have twice as many points as Blackburn (26 to 13), and are aiming to uphold the Premier League's one remaining 100% away record, and the only unbeaten top-flight away record in 2008.

Chelsea are undefeated in six league and cup matches with Blackburn over the past two seasons.

CLUB FORM

BLACKBURN ROVERS

(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)

1. Vying for a first win in six Premier League matches.

2. Claimed three points out of 15 since beating Newcastle 1-2 at St James' Park on 27 September.

3. Only beaten Fulham in home league matches; 1-0 on 20 September.

4. That was also their only clean sheet in 11 home Premier League games.

5. Without victory in 13 matches against the 'Big Four'. Picked up four points from the available 39 against the quartet of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, and failed to score in seven of the last nine such matches.

6. One draw shy of 150 all-time in the Premier League.

7. Gained a first win in 10 Premier League matches against London clubs in the most recent opportunity; 1-0, home to Fulham on 20 September 2008.

8. That was also their first maximum in seven top-flight matches at Ewood Park against clubs from the capital.

9. Chelsea were one of four clubs to leave Ewood Park with maximum points last season.

CHELSEA

(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)

1. Won the last two Premier League games with an aggregate of 8-0, since their only defeat in 11 league games this season.

2. The 0-1 home loss to Liverpool on 26 October is their only defeat in 32 Premier League matches.

3. Not conceded in 260 minutes (four hours 20 minutes) of Premier League football. Xabi Alonso's winner for Liverpool was the only goal shipped in six Premier League outings.

4. On the longest current run in the Premier League of 19 matches, since conceding more than a single goal in a game.

5. The only league club in all four divisions, yet to concede a second half goal this season.

6. Won all five away league games this season, and the last eight, since being held to a 4-4 draw by Spurs at White Hart Lane on 19 March.

7. Undefeated in an unmatched 15 away Premier League outings; dropped just four points out of 45 on the road since losing 1-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on 16 December 2007.

8. Won their last seven Premier League matches in the North-West since losing 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on 23 September 2007.

9. Blackburn were one of 13 clubs they beat away from home last season.

KEY PLAYER NOTES

BLACKBURN ROVERS

David DUNN is a double shy of 50 club career goals.

If on the field from the outset:-

Roque SANTA CRUZ will be making his 50th start in a Rovers' shirt.

Suspended:-

Benni McCARTHY (one match)

CHELSEA

Goalkeeper Petr CECH leads the race for the Barclays Golden Glove jointly with Jose REINA of Liverpool. Both have kept six clean sheets.

If selected:-

Joe COLE will be playing the day after his 27th birthday.

Michael BALLACK will be making his 50th Premier League appearance for Chelsea.

HEAD TO HEAD

Chelsea are undefeated in six league and cup matches with Blackburn over the past two seasons. Blackburn scored just one goal in those six games.

The Londoners have lost only one of their last eight Premier League visits to Ewood Park.

Last season's first league meeting between these clubs, a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge on 15 September 2007, turned out to be Jose Mourinho's last game in charge of the Blues.

Home and away

League (inc PL): Blackburn 32 wins, Chelsea 36, Draws 26

Prem: Blackburn 11 wins, Chelsea 9, Draws 8

at Blackburn only League (inc PL): Blackburn 20 wins, Chelsea 13, Draws 14

Prem: Blackburn 6 wins, Chelsea 6, Draws 2

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Chelsea

23 December 2007 - Ref: Steve Bennett

Chelsea scorer: Joe Cole 22

REFEREE

Chris Foy (St Helens, Merseyside)

[Seapok]

Very comfortable performance considering the conditions in the 1st half.

Blackburn 0-2 Chelsea

Nicolas Anelka scored twice to continue his fine start to the season as Chelsea marched back to the top of the Premier League with a win at a wet Ewood Park.

In a one-sided first half, only keeper Paul Robinson kept Rovers in it, saving well from Anelka and Jon Obi Mikel.

However, he could do little when Anelka deflected in Jose Bosingwa's drive.

Rovers rallied in the second half with Petr Cech saving from Carlos Villanueva and Jason Roberts but Anelka clipped in a second to seal it.

It was the ideal response from Luiz Felipe Scolari's men following victories for title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal on Saturday. And it ensured the Brazilian would be able to enjoy his 60th birthday with another three points in the bag.

However, it was far from plain sailing for the visitors after Rovers shook off a pretty desperate opening half with a gritty, determined second 45 that kept Chelsea firmly on their toes.

Many Blackburn fans may have feared the worst when they saw that Paul Ince had opted to deploy Roberts in a lone striking role in the absence of Benni McCarthy (ban) and Roque Santa Cruz (calf). Frustrate and counter was clearly the manager's gameplan.

But in the first half, at least, it did not work. As early as the fifth minute Chelsea felt they should have had a penalty when Anelka latched on to Keith Andrews's woeful backpass only to fall over Robinson's leg with the goal at his mercy, but the appeals were waved away.

It was a sign of things to come, with Robinson saving smartly from a couple of Anelka headers and a Mikel chance six yards out, before pulling off an even better one-handed stop to beat away an Anelka hammer from 16 yards out.

On a brief counter minutes earlier, Villanueva had forced an equally smart save from Cech with a curled drive, but it was the only chance of any note for Rovers fans to cheer in the first 45.

But with standing water gathering on the pitch under the heavy rain, a half-time inspection took place before referee Chris Foy gave the all-clear to continue - and Rovers came out with a new lease of life at the restart.

Striker Matt Derbyshire's introduction ensured Chelsea finally had something to think about in defence, with Villanueva given more freedom to express himself and attack from wide.

It led to a period of sustained Blackburn pressure, with Cech again forced into action to repel Roberts's snap-shot when he wriggled free in the box.

Villanueva also blazed wide of the target on a couple of occasions as the Blues fought to wrest back the initiative but just as Rovers looked capable of a leveller, Anelka put the game beyond them.

Lampard pressed the home defence well around the box and, having forced the error, sent in Anelka, who clipped the ball over the advancing Robinson brilliantly to make it 2-0 with his 11th goal of the season.

Blackburn continued to press admirably but failed to create another clear-cut chance, and in fact it was Chelsea who went closest to another when Lampard forced Robinson to tip onto the bar with a 30-yard free-kick.

Anelka broke through for a hat-trick chance late in the closing stages but Robinson got down well to save and ensure a semblance of respectability for the home side.

Blackburn boss Paul Ince:

"They played well in the first half but Robinson was in fine form and made four or five great saves.

"We took the game to them in the second half and we could have got something out of the game.

"It's disappointing that our performances haven't got us the points we deserved but there is no need to panic, we just need an element of luck to push us forward."

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari:

"The pitch was dangerous in the first half because it was raining and it was very difficult for us.

"But we finished the half 1-0 and we knew if we made a second goal we would kill this team.

"Anelka is trying every day in training to make [more goals] than he has and now he has more opportunities and scores more goals and that's good for us - and for Anelka."

Blackburn: Robinson, Simpson, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Olsson, Grella (Mokoena 45), Warnock, Villanueva, Andrews (Derbyshire 46), Pedersen, Roberts (Fowler 77).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Samba, Kerimoglu, Treacy.

Booked: Warnock, Simpson.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Bridge, Lampard, Mikel, Deco (Ferreira 90), Kalou (Belletti 62), Anelka, Malouda.

Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Ivanovic, Di Santo, Sinclair, Mineiro.

Booked: Malouda.

Goals: Anelka 40, 68.

Att: 20,670

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).

[bravingbangkok]

Very very very good win, When the heavens opened I feared for a long drawn out game with nothing but 1 point written all over it. We played very well although for some reason we were quite shaky at the back, maybe this was to do with the weather. Anelka is top scorer in the EPL now with 10 goals which is quite amazing seeing all the shit we give him.

Another 3 points and another clean sheet. Top of the table where we belong

KEEP THE FAITH !

[oldgit]

Very very very good win, When the heavens opened I feared for a long drawn out game with nothing but 1 point written all over it. We played very well although for some reason we were quite shaky at the back, maybe this was to do with the weather. Anelka is top scorer in the EPL now with 10 goals which is quite amazing seeing all the shit we give him.

Another 3 points and another clean sheet. Top of the table where we belong

KEEP THE FAITH !

This needed a battling performance, taking in to account the weather conditions and what had happened in Rome,and this is what we got from the team.Very satisfactory,espescially from Deco,who never stopped working.

[Swanky]

Tsk, tsk , Arsenal rulez.

[Seapok]

Terry hails awesome Anelka

Chelsea captain John Terry has piled praise on the club's in-form hit-man Nicolas Anelka.

The French striker has helped fire the Blues to the top of the Premier League table, spearheading their pursuit of top-flight glory with 10 goals in 12 games.

That impressive record sees him lead the way in the scoring charts and has helped ensure that the absence of talismanic front-man Didier Drogba has not been felt.

The Ivory Coast international is closing in on full fitness following a string of niggling knocks, but Terry believes Anelka must remain a firm fixture of the side for as long as his fine form continues.

"He's been brilliant, when we need him," said the Blues skipper.

"We've got a glut of strikers out at the minute, Didier's out, but he (Anelka) has come in and from day one in pre-season he's been fantastic.

"Hopefully he can continue playing well and getting the goals for us."

Anelka inspired Chelsea to a comfortable 2-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday, helping to banish any doubts which may have infiltrated the squad following a disappointing 3-1 midweek defeat to Roma in the UEFA Champions League.

"That's the response we wanted," said Terry.

"We talked in the dressing room before the game, (saying) 'we can't perform like that again, we have to match Blackburn', which we did, and we got the performance as well.

"We're back on top and hopefully we can stay there a bit longer.

"It's about keeping the momentum, keep winning our games and putting the pressure on the teams below us."

[Seapok]

Lampard issues title taunt

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes any more defeats could end Manchester United's title defence.

The Blues ace has helped Luiz Felipe Scolari's side set the early pace this term, opening up an eight-point gap on the Red Devils along the way.

That advantage was helped by United's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday, while Chelsea made light work of Blackburn in a 2-0 win at Ewood Park 24 hours later.

The Emirates Stadium setback was United's second loss of the season, while Chelsea have lost just once.

With that in mind, Lampard believes the Blues' fellow contenders for the top-flight crown cannot afford anymore slip-ups if they are to prevent the silverware from heading to Stamford Bridge.

"It's a nice gap for us," the England international told the Evening Standard.

"It is far from over, but in the last two years it's been the other way around. We've been five points behind and it is not easy. When you are chasing, you really can't afford to lose games.

"You have to remember Liverpool are neck and neck with us. But Man United and Arsenal, who are always big contenders, are those few points behind."

Chelsea came desperately close to taking the title last season, eventually ending the campaign just two points adrift.

Their failure to keep pace with United at the top ultimately proved costly and Lampard is determined to avoid a similar occurrence this time around.

"It is not easy to chase, the pressure builds up and if you drop points you fall further behind," he added.

"It's difficult either way, because the big four don't lose too many games or drop too many points.

"You certainly don't want to be too far behind at this point.

"We did it last year and we made a lot of ground up. However, in the end we lost the title by two points, so it feels nice to be in the lead at the moment."

[Seapok]

Tsk, tsk , Arsenal rulez.

Oiii what you doing here? no Gooners allowed!

[Seapok]

We shall see slap-head, we shall see!

Kenyon eyes self-sufficency

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has stressed that it is vital the Stamford Bridge club become financially self-sufficient.

Backed by the financial muscle of owner Roman Abramovich, the Blues have spent lavishly since the Russian billionaire took over in 2003.

However, on Saturday, Frank Arnesen - the club's chief scout and director of youth development - revealed Chelsea are to temper their outgoings amid the global credit crunch.

Kenyon has eased fears of dramatic cutbacks but outlined the plans to operate in profit in the near future as they look to soften their reliance on Abramovich.

Kenyon told Sky Sports News: "He's a good businessman. He's a sensible businessman. He is a passionate about football.

"His commitment to Chelsea is no less than it was eight weeks ago or pre the financial meltdown.

"It has always been his and our objective that Chelsea becomes much more self-sufficient and less reliant on say borrowing from the banks or borrowing from him.

"That is the right thing for Chelsea in the long run. It is about looking at things in the long-term. Our job is to make sure we are well equipped for another 100 years.

"Whatever is happening in the world, there is no better security than the club being profitable and not needing mountains of debt to support your activities.

"That has always been the objective since the five years we have been together. This year we should require neutral requirement for funding from him - that is stage one.

"And then, in 2010/2011, be profitable. After the investments he, and we, have made from the point of view of facilities, training academy and players I think that is a good achievement and it is the right objective.

"And now is the time, having made those investments, to start to get that investment back."

[bravingbangkok]

I think to buy anymore players in the Jan window would be a stupid idea and waste of would could turn out to be club saving funds. We are top the league with what we have got so why change it. I doubt the injuries are going to be as bad as we have had so we should be ok. Ballack, Riccy, Joey and Ashley are all back this month and then we are only missing Essien who will come back like a rocket for the champions league final !

[Seapok]

I think to buy anymore players in the Jan window would be a stupid idea and waste of would could turn out to be club saving funds. We are top the league with what we have got so why change it. I doubt the injuries are going to be as bad as we have had so we should be ok. Ballack, Riccy, Joey and Ashley are all back this month and then we are only missing Essien who will come back like a rocket for the champions league final !

Yeah thats all true mate, we will be stronger than ever in defence and midfield, I'm just worrying about our attacking options!....I would like Adriano just for a back up!

[MSingh]

I think to buy anymore players in the Jan window would be a stupid idea and waste of would could turn out to be club saving funds. We are top the league with what we have got so why change it. I doubt the injuries are going to be as bad as we have had so we should be ok. Ballack, Riccy, Joey and Ashley are all back this month and then we are only missing Essien who will come back like a rocket for the champions league final !

Yeah thats all true mate, we will be stronger than ever in defence and midfield, I'm just worrying about our attacking options!....I would like Adriano just for a back up!

You can take Carlton Cole off our hands again & back to the Bridge if you're that worried...

<deleted> scary when Carlton Cole's been missed from the starting XI, i tell you..

[bravingbangkok]

I think to buy anymore players in the Jan window would be a stupid idea and waste of would could turn out to be club saving funds. We are top the league with what we have got so why change it. I doubt the injuries are going to be as bad as we have had so we should be ok. Ballack, Riccy, Joey and Ashley are all back this month and then we are only missing Essien who will come back like a rocket for the champions league final !

Yeah thats all true mate, we will be stronger than ever in defence and midfield, I'm just worrying about our attacking options!....I would like Adriano just for a back up!

You can take Carlton Cole off our hands again & back to the Bridge if you're that worried...

<deleted> scary when Carlton Cole's been missed from the starting XI, i tell you..

I think I will pass on that one.

What about Henry or Owen Seapok ?

[Seapok]

I think to buy anymore players in the Jan window would be a stupid idea and waste of would could turn out to be club saving funds. We are top the league with what we have got so why change it. I doubt the injuries are going to be as bad as we have had so we should be ok. Ballack, Riccy, Joey and Ashley are all back this month and then we are only missing Essien who will come back like a rocket for the champions league final !

Yeah thats all true mate, we will be stronger than ever in defence and midfield, I'm just worrying about our attacking options!....I would like Adriano just for a back up!

You can take Carlton Cole off our hands again & back to the Bridge if you're that worried...

<deleted> scary when Carlton Cole's been missed from the starting XI, i tell you..

I think I will pass on that one.

What about Henry or Owen Seapok ?

Henry has been quoted this week as saying he wants to stay and play for Barca, Owen has been linked with us, even Kin Kinnear has said Owen could go in January. If he wasn't made of balsa wood then I would be happy for him to join us, he will obviously have to be on a pay as you play contract.

[thesunset75]

GRRRR...ok Chelsea fan is nothing for me lol

Any Real Madrid fan here ?

[Seapok]

GRRRR...ok Chelsea fan is nothing for me lol

Any Real Madrid fan here ?

Haha Sunset75 this thread is mostly for Chelsea fans not glory hunting fans or women liking teams for there good looking players such as yourself! how is your son (Raul) now?

[Seapok]

Chelsea v Burnley

Chelsea will be wary of avoiding a Carling Cup shock when they play host to Burnley on Wednesday.

The Blues have enjoyed considerable success in the competition over recent years and are striving to reach the final for a third consecutive season.

They also enter the game as Premier League leaders and have scored 15 goals in their last five top flight outings.

Burnley, though, have been in decent form of their own, suffering just one defeat in their previous six fixtures to move into the Championship play-off places.

However, Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is expected to include striker Didier Drogba and midfielder Joe Cole in a squad brimming with international talent.

German midfielder Michael Ballack is also back in training after foot surgery and could feature, although a return against West Brom at the weekend appears more likely.

Left-back Ashley Cole is close to full fitness after his hamstring injury and central defender Ricardo Carvalho is expected to start light training in the near future.

In contrast, Burnley manager Owen Coyle looks set to be without several players for the unenviable trip to Stamford Bridge.

Striker Steve Thompson is cup-tied, having played for Cardiff in an earlier round of the competition, but Coyle's major problems lie in defence.

Centre-back Clarke Carlisle is suspended after he was sent off in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Championship leaders Wolves.

Left-back Christian Kalvenes is almost certain to miss out again with a leg injury, while fellow defenders Steven Caldwell and Stephen Jordan both picked up knocks at Molineux.

However, Coyle is hopeful Caldwell and Jordan will be passed fit to play, with Michael Duff poised to replace Carlisle at the heart of the defence.

[thesunset75]

GRRRR...ok Chelsea fan is nothing for me lol

Any Real Madrid fan here ?

Haha Sunset75 this thread is mostly for Chelsea fans not glory hunting fans or women liking teams for there good looking players such as yourself! how is your son (Raul) now?

Hes still good looking as Raul

[Seapok]

What a crock of sh*t, just got back from the game. No imagination, no determination, no ideas!. People talk about our great squad, we have a great starting 11 then thats it! Burnley wanted it more and deserved it!

Clarets stun Blues in shoot-out

Burnley have sensationally eliminated Chelsea from the Carling Cup following a penalty shoot-out win at Stamford Bridge.

The sides could not be separated in regulation time after substitute Ade Akinbiyi cancelled out Didier Drogba's first half opener.

Drogba opened the scoring after brushing aside Michael Duff and sending a right footed curler around Brian Jensen. The Clarets levelled matters when Akinbiyi slammed the ball home after Carlo Cudicini could only parry Chris Eagles' shot.

Brazilian defender Alex could and should have won it in extra-time for The Blues, but he sent his close-range effort over from Wayne Bridge's cross.

Wade Elliott missed Burnley's first chance to clinch the shoot-out when he blazed over, but after Duff restored the visitors' lead John Obi Mikel's spot-kick was saved by Jensen to secure a famous scalp.

In the 11th minute Wayne Bridge, skipper for the night in the absence of substitute John Terry, sent a curling shot just wide of the upright.

Owen Coyle's side, fifth in the Championship having lost just four times this season, were coping well with Chelsea's attacking ambitions.

In the 19th minute, Chelsea should have opened the scoring when Drogba, making his first start for six weeks, put Salomon Kalou clear.

But the Ivory Coast striker was thwarted by Jensen as Kalou tried to take the ball around the Burnley goalkeeper.

At the opposite end, a mistake by Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini almost gifted Burnley an opener but Paulo Ferreira was on hand to clear the danger.

An injury to Juliano Belletti forced Chelsea to make an early change and he was replaced by Frank Lampard in the 25th minute.

England midfielder Lampard made an instant impact as Chelsea went in front in the 27th minute.

His precision pass to Drogba set the striker on a trademark run into the Burnley penalty area. Drogba left Michael Duff on the floor as he swept into the area and curled the ball around the unprotected Jensen.

Lampard's introduction had clearly helped Chelsea to get on top of their game, with the England midfielder now at the heart of all their best moves.

In the 38th minute Jensen had to be at his best to keep out a low, angled drive from Florent Malouda as Chelsea looked to end Burnley's interest in the contest for good.

The second goal almost arrived in the 45th minute when Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic headed a free-kick from Mineiro against the crossbar.

In the 55th minute Ivanovic put another header over the bar after Kalou and Malouda had combined to get the ball into the penalty area.

Kalou was then thwarted by Jensen when Drogba put his Ivory Coast team-mate through on goal.

Burnley, sensing that they were still in with a chance, replaced Martin Paterson with Akinbiyi on the hour.

Drogba, the main threat to Burnley in the opening half started to look an isolated figure as the Blues settled for containment rather than a decisive second goal.

Chelsea's frustration was underlined by Scolari's next move, which was to replace Drogba with Di Santo in the 68th minute. But Chelsea were stunned in the 70th minute.

Chris Eagles burst on to a pass from Robbie Blake and when his shot was saved by Cudicini, substitute Akinbiyi pounced to equalise.

Di Santo missed two gilt-edged chances to restore Chelsea's lead as the game finally petered out into extra-time.

But Chelsea's misery continued when an injury to Di Santo reduced them to 10 men three minutes into the first period of added time.

Both sides failed to carve out a clear chance in the opening half but Akinbiyi brought a fine save from Cudicini with a deft header in the 111th minute.

Six minutes from time Chelsea defender Alex scuffed a shot over the bar from point-blank range as the game lurched towards penalty showdown.

The numbers were even out moments later when Caldwell was sent off for a second bookable offence after blocking Malouda. But that was the last event of note before the game went to penalties and Jensen became Burnley's hero.

[bkkjames]

think of it this way, no body really cares about the Carling Cup

[chavy]

Did the blues have a weak team out or something?

[StevieH]

Did the blues have a weak team out or something?

nope. was pretty strong.

[bkkjames]

all class this lad is...

Dirty Drog: Didier is 'sorry' for hurling coin into crowd as Chelsea pay the penalty by NEIL ASHTON

Didier Drogba was forced to apologise for throwing a coin at Burnley fans after making an obscene gesture as Chelsea were bundled out of the Carling Cup at Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea striker flipped a finger at supporters after scoring his first club goal for more than six months. Missiles were thrown, one of which Drogba flung back.

For lovely photos of the dog in in action... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...ay-penalty.html

[StevieH]

for a man who has previously claimed to be an ambassador for his country he doesn't half behave like a shithouse on a regular basis.

[Seapok]

Did the blues have a weak team out or something?

Yes it was a weak team, as I said earlier, we have a great starting 11, a match for any club in world football but try to throw in a few squad players

and we are just an average team, getting matched then beaten by Burnely just goes to prove that.

[Seapok]

for a man who has previously claimed to be an ambassador for his country he doesn't half behave like a shithouse on a regular basis.

How can you slag off anyone? when your leader, captain and only inspirational player is a diving cheat....Atletico Madrid comes to mind!!!

[The Vulcan]

for a man who has previously claimed to be an ambassador for his country he doesn't half behave like a shithouse on a regular basis.

How can you slag off anyone? when your leader, captain and only inspirational player is a diving cheat....Atletico Madrid comes to mind!!!

But he never misses a penalty