Season '08-09

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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.

Wilkins happy with three points

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.

‘Professional’ Chelsea please Lampard
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:

Ince takes positives despite defeat
“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).

man of the match: Chelsea’s Jose Bosingwa 7.54 (on 90 minutes).

Written by Darkvader on November 11th, 2008 with no comments.
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Yet another Injury Blw :: Dys time its Drogba


Chelsea striker Didier Drogba suffered suspected knee ligament damage in the Champions League goalless draw with Romanian side CFR Cluj on Wednesday.

Drogba, who has just returned from knee injury, left the stadium on crutches and is set to have a scan on Thursday.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari also said John Terry and Alex suffered knocks in the game.

But he said Ashley Cole will be fit for the weekend after missing the game against Cluj with a back problem.

Chelsea, who are already missing injury victims Joe Cole, Deco, Michael Essien and Ricardo Carvalho, face in-form Aston Villa at home in the Premier League on Sunday.

Scolari said: “I don’t know now what the possibilities I have for Sunday are, maybe after Thursday I have a chance to say something more.

“I didn’t see the challenge on Drogba. Injuries come in training and on the pitch. This is normal for players.”

BBC 5 Live’s Simon Brotherton was in Romania and believed the injuries would test a Chelsea squad which was smaller than previous seasons.

“Injuries are starting to mount up,” he said.

“Drogba was stretchered off with ligament damage, Ashely Cole was left out with lower back pain, John Terry was holding his back by the end of the game and they were already without Deco, Essien, Carvalho and Joe Cole.

“The squad, smaller this season, may well be stretched and we’re only just into October.”
Brazilian coach Scolari was not too disappointed with the result against a side making their debut in the group stages of the Champions League.

“We didn’t play well, but one point is better than zero points,” he added.

“They beat Roma, they are confident, they’re playing at home and they wanted to show to the people they are very good.

“Cluj were confident, they wanted to prove something. Maybe they will have a problem in their next game because they ran for 95 minutes.”

“We knew this and we prepared but we missed one or two times in front of goal.

“But in the end I am happy with one point because Didier is out, Terry for 15 minutes played with problems, Alex played 15 minutes with problems.”

Written by Darkvader on October 2nd, 2008 with no comments.
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Chelsea 2-0 Stoke :: Highlights

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Written by Darkvader on September 27th, 2008 with no comments.
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Chelsea Enjoys 6th successive unbeaten game(Chelsea 2 -0 Stoke)


Chelsea saw off Stoke to rack up their sixth Premier League away win in a row and return to the top of the table.

The visitors dominated the first half and Jose Bosingwa latched onto a fine Frank Lampard pass to crash the ball in via Danny Griffin for the opener.

A spirited Stoke side rallied after the break and Abdoulaye Faye had a towering header cleared off the line.

But Chelsea wrapped up the win when Nicolas Anelka fired home after a terrible blunder by Leon Cort.

Deprived of the considerable goal threat of Rory Delap’s long throws because of a hamstring injury, Stoke were outclassed for most of the first half but until Anelka’s late strike they were always a threat from set-pieces.

Even the appearance of boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard could not help Stoke punch above their weight and contain a Chelsea side who had not lost a league game since going down to Arsenal in mid-December of last year.

Michael Ballack was at the heart of everything good about the visitors’ attacking play in the opening half-hour, twice forcing Thomas Sorensen into decent saves from a fierce 20-yard shot and a downward header from a corner.

The German was also involved in teeing up a below-par Didier Drogba, who was making his first league start of the season, but the Ivorian’s clever flicked shot was excellently saved by the Danish keeper.

The home side caused confusion with a couple of dangerous set-pieces, one of which saw a Mamady Sidibe header comfortably saved by Petr Cech.

However, moments later Chelsea took the lead after some wonderful interplay between Bosingwa, Lampard, and Salomon Kalou.

Lampard’s glorious weighted pass sent Bosingwa free on the right-hand side of the penalty box and the Portuguese smashed his shot into the net via the unfortunate Griffin.

The Londoners should have been two up within moments of the restart but Lampard’s deflected shot went inches wide and then a terrible defensive blunder by Abdoulaye Faye saw Florent Malouda’s shot crash off the bar by way of a wonderful one-handed stop by Sorensen.

While Stoke started to take chances at the back they were still a danger from set-pieces.

A towering Abdoulaye Faye header was brilliantly cleared off the line by the retreating Jon Mikel Obi.

But after a sustained spell of Stoke pressure, half-time substitute Anelka smashed the ball low past Sorensen after a mistake by Leon Cort.

Lampard could and should have added a third late on but Chelsea eased home with little concern in the last 14 minutes.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis:

“Their second goal killed us we had a little bit of steam up in the second second half and had really got into the game but that finished us off.

“They had a lot of possession, they are a smashing team and have all the attributes. They were excellent.

“But they are on a different level and can hurt you on in all areas and we just have to go out and compete. And although I have no complaints about the result, we weren’t bowled over.”

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari:
“We expected it to be difficult because they played long ball. They were physical and compact and we tried to move the ball before they pressured us.

“We needed to build something and we played well and it is fantastic for us

“We had the ball around their goal many times but could not score. But our performance was very good.”

Stoke: Sorensen, Griffin, Cort, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Lawrence (Tonge 65), Diao, Olofinjana, Cresswell, Kitson (Fuller 52), Sidibe (Amdy Faye 81).
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Whelan, Soares, Sonko.

Booked: Griffin, Cresswell.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Obi, Kalou (Anelka 46), Ballack (Ferreira 89), Lampard, Malouda, Drogba (Belletti 73).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Sinclair, Bridge.

Booked: Malouda.

Goals: Bosingwa 36, Anelka 76.

Att: 27,500.

Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
man of the match: Chelsea’s Jose Bosingwa 7.88 (on 90 minutes).

Written by Darkvader on September 27th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Results and Season '08-09.

Chelsea Vs Stoke


Venue: Britannia Stadium Date: Saturday, 27 September Kick-off: 1500 BST


Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller should shake off a knock in time to play.

He is expected to replace Mamady Sidibe, while manager Tony Pulis must choose between centre-back Leon Cort and the fit-again Ibrahima Sonko.

Chelsea will be without Joe Cole, who has what the club describe as a “minor injury” but Jose Bosingwa, Ashley Cole and John Mikel Obi could return.

Portuguese pair Deco (thigh) and Ricardo Carvalho (knee) are both sidelined for several weeks.

Stoke (from): Sorensen, Griffin, Cort, Sonko, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Lawrence, Diao, Olofinjana, Delap, Kitson, Fuller, Sidibe, Cresswell, Simonsen, Whelan, Tonge, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Soares.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Ivanovic, A Cole, Lampard, Di Santo, Drogba, Mikel, Ballack, Malouda, Sinclair, Bosingwa, Bridge, Ferreira, Kalou, Cudicini, Terry, Alex, Belletti, Anelka, Hilario.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis:
“As a manager you are always looking for chinks in the armour of your opponents, but Chelsea have all the answers to all the questions you could pose.

“The pace and power of their team is phenomenal and when you add technical ability in abundance, you know you face one hell of a task.

“They’ve got bags of goals from midfield, full-backs who bomb forward and cause problems, and also someone like Joe Cole who can drop off and open you up.”

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari on the various styles of teams in the Premier League:
“In Brazil, we do not play with this characteristic. Teams in the national competition don’t have this style.

“We need to learn to play against Manchester United and against Stoke. It is a contrast. They play very differently and we have been talking about it.

“This is very good for a foreign coach because every day we need to study the opposing team.”

BIG-MATCH FACTS

Chelsea are shielded a 100% away league record and a 26-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. Maximum points could see the Blues regaining top spot, depending on the result of the Saturday lunchtime Merseyside derby.

Both these clubs held a ‘Big Four’ opponent last weekend; Stoke drew 0-0 at Liverpool, Chelsea finished 1-1 with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

This is Chelsea’s first match of the season against a promoted club. Defeat would be their 100th away from home in Premier League history.

The Potters have lost three of their five league games and conceded 10 goals; Chelsea have won three of their five and scored 10.

This is Stoke’s first meeting in a league game with Chelsea in 20 seasons. They have not taken maximum points off the Londoners for 33 years.

Distance between the clubs: 167 miles (268 kilometres)

CLUB FORM

STOKE CITY
Club stats

18th 4 points
Highest achievable after Saturday’s matches: 8th
Lowest could fall: 19th
2008-09 Premier League performance

1. Won one of their five Premier League games; 3-2, home to Aston Villa on 23 August.

2. Taken to penalties by Championship Reading on Tuesday before progressing to the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

3. Already lost league games to Bolton (a), Middlesbrough (a) and Everton (h).

4. Scored three goals and conceded three in the last 15 minutes of top-flight games this term.
Fixtures

CHELSEA
Club stats

2nd 11 points
Highest achievable after Saturday’s matches: 1st
Lowest could fall: 5th
2008-09 Premier League performance

1. Unbeaten in 26 Premier League matches; won 18 and drawn eight since losing 1-0 away to Arsenal on 16 December 2007 - their only defeat in 36 league outings.

2. The only club with an unbeaten Premier League record in 2008; won 16 and drawn seven of 23 matches. Their 55 points is five more than the return of Liverpool, seven more than that of Arsenal, and eight in excess of Manchester United, over the same period.

3. One point better off after their first five league fixtures, than last season; accumulated 11 points after the first seven last term.

4. On the longest current run in the Premier League of 13 matches, since conceding more than a single goal in a game.

5. Scored in each of their last 17 league outings since Liverpool held them to a 0-0 draw on 10 February; the only occasion in 26 Premier League matches they failed to score.

6. Completed 36 top-flight fixtures since losing by more than a single goal; 2-0, away to Manchester United.

7. Aiming for a sixth consecutive away league win, to take their unbeaten Premier League run away from home to an unmatched 13 games. Conceded just one goal in winning the last five away.

8. Their last league game against a Midlands club was a 6-1 win, home to doomed Derby. They have won the last two against clubs from the region.

9. Picked up 10 points from a last possible 12 against Midlands’ clubs and lost only one of the last 20 Premier League matches against clubs from the heart of the nation; the defeat being 2-0, away to Aston Villa on 2 September 2007.
Fixtures

10. Resume their Champions League programme in Romania on Wednesday; against CFR Cluj-Napoca.

KEY PLAYER NOTES

STOKE CITY
Squad profiles

If selected:-

Tom SOARES will be making his 150th career league appearance (Crystal Palace and Stoke).

Carl DICKINSON will be making his 50th league appearance in a Stoke shirt.

Ryan SHAWCROSS will be making a 50th appearance for an English club (Manchester United and Stoke).

CHELSEA
Squad profiles

Frank LAMPARD is a hat-trick shy of 100 career league goals (West Ham, Swansea and Chelsea).

If on the field from the outset:-

JOE COLE will be making his 100th Premier League start in a Chelsea shirt.

HEAD TO HEAD

These clubs last met in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Britannia Stadium on 15 February 2003; Chelsea won 0-2 with second-half goals from Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Jesper Gronkjaer.

Stoke’s last victory over Chelsea was 0-1 at Stamford Bridge when a goal from Paul Peschisolido was sufficient to give the Potters a 1-0 aggregate victory in a second round League Cup tie.

Chelsea completed the double over Stoke when they locked horns in a league clash on 1 May 1989 in the old Second Division.

Terry Conroy scored a brace and Jimmy Greenoff got the other when Stoke last beat Chelsea in a league match; 3-0 at the Victoria Ground on 5 April 1975 in the top-flight.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Stoke 22 wins, Chelsea 30, Draws 16
Prem: Stoke 0 wins, Chelsea 0, Draws 0

at Stoke only
League (inc PL): Stoke 15 wins, Chelsea 13, Draws 6
Prem: Stoke 0 wins, Chelsea 0, Draws 0

REFEREE

Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire)

Written by Darkvader on September 26th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Latest News and Prematch review and Season '08-09.

Chelsea with a Dream start in Carling Cup(Portsmouth 0-4 Chelsea)


A dominant Chelsea brushed aside Portsmouth to book their spot in the Carling Cup fourth round.

Frank Lampard clinically slotted in a penalty to put the Blues ahead after Michael Ballack was brought down by Nadir Belhadj.

Florent Malouda lashed in a shot for Chelsea and Lampard walked in his fifth of the season after David James glanced a Salomon Kalou cross against his knee.

Kalou rifled in a shot to complete the rout over a tame Pompey side.

The Fratton Park club’s fans must have been in apprehensive mood for the tie against Chelsea after the 6-0 mauling their side suffered at Manchester City on Sunday.

And their fears were realised as Chelsea eased to victory against the south-coast club, who they also beat 4-0 on the opening day of the Premier League season.

The visitors had quickly taken a grip of the game against a Pompey side boss Harry Redknapp set up in a defensive 4-5-1.

Chelsea worked a chance for Didier Drogba, making his first start this season, and he whistled a shot past the post before Lampard played a delightful ball to release Kalou through on goal.

Kalou squeezed his effort just wide as he was closed down by on-rushing keeper James but Pompey could only hold out for 36 minutes.

Kalou had a big influence on the game and teed up Malouda to lash in a shot just before half-time to extend Chelsea’s lead.

It was all too easy for Chelsea and a Kalou pull-back from the byline resulted in Lampard’s second, which was only celebrated after the midfielder apologetically lifted his arm to signal a goal.

Pompey’s defence is proving a fragile unit this season and they were again exposed as Ivory Coast striker Kalou powered in a shot to wrap up a comprehensive win.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp:
“We had a makeshift midfield and we worked very hard but we gave away scandalous goals.

“We haven’t been leaking goals all season but we have had two games now. Chelsea are a fantastic team, different class, but the goals were poor.

“We didn’t want to get smashed up, people are making mistakes they don’t usually make. But it’s history now.”

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari:
“I am happy, today we played very well.

“We weren’t always trying to attack quickly. We worked the ball, had more of the possession, we were patient.

“This is what I want from my team and it is what they did today. The players gave me a good answer today.”

Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Pamarot, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Mvuemba, Kaboul, Hughes (Wilson 80), Belhadj (Armand Traore 69), Crouch (Kanu 69).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Defoe, Djimi Traore, Little.

Booked: Hreidarsson, Hughes, Johnson.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Bridge, Belletti, Ballack (Ferreira 69), Lampard (Sinclair 74), Kalou, Malouda, Drogba (Di Santo 79).
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Obi, Mancienne, Stoch.

Booked: Ballack.

Goals: Lampard 36 pen, Malouda 45, Lampard 49, Kalou 64.

Att: 15,339

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).

Written by Darkvader on September 26th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Carling Cup 08-09 and Results and Season '08-09.

Carvalho To Lose a Month

Carvalho
Key Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho is set to face up to a month on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury against Manchester United on Sunday.The 30-year-old Portuguese international lasted only ten minutes in the 1-1 draw against the defending champions before being substituted due to his injury.

And after undergoing medical examinations today it has been confirmed that the central-defender has suffered medial collateral ligament damage, which the club’s medical staff predict will keep him out of training for at least three weeks, with an additional period required to regain full fitness.

There was also disappointing news regarding Carvalho’s international team-mate Deco, who was injured during the warm-up on Sunday. The playmaker will face two weeks on the sidelines after tearing his thigh, meaning the Blues are relying on Michael Ballack to remain healthy.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari had spoken of Carvalho’s importance to the team just last week, saying: “He is a player that is very fast and he smells when the ball is coming. He can read where the ball is going to be and go.”

Fortunately for Chelsea there is an international break during Carvalho’s recovery period, meaning he may not miss as many club matches as first feared. The pressure will be on Alex to provide solid defensive cover over the next month in the ex-Porto defender’s absence, as he did do against United.

Written by Darkvader on September 24th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Latest News and Season '08-09.

Ferguson Wants to end Chelsea run


Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes his side possess the firepower to end Chelsea’s unbeaten home run of 84 matches.

The Blues, who went back to the top of the Premier League last weekend, have not lost at Stamford Bridge since 2005.

But despite United’s poor start to the season, Ferguson is in confident mood.

“Chelsea know fine well Manchester United can win on Sunday, with the ability we have it is not a daunting task,” said the Scot.

“We have a big job to do and the players will be up for it.

“We don’t want to come away trailing. We do not want to be nine points behind Chelsea, or anyone else for that matter.”

With Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm Chelsea have dropped just two points from five matches this season, while United are languishing in 14th place, having only scored three times in the league.

Defeat would leave United nine points adrift of their west London rivals, a deficit which could prove crucial come May next year.

Maybe next season, Cristiano is with me. If he wants to change, I’ll open the door to that

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari

Ferguson suggested at the start of the season that Chelsea’s ageing squad could struggle to challenge his side for major honours.

But the 66-year-old insisted his comments were not meant to be derogatory.

“I certainly did not say they were an old team,” he said.

“I said they were an experienced team. When players get to their 30s, you do not get a lot of improvement out of them.

“But they have certainly started well enough. They have only dropped two points.”

With last season’s top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo close to full fitness and new signing Dimitar Berbatov recovering from a knee injury, Ferguson is confident his complement of top-class strikers will start finding the back of the net.

Chelsea boss Scolari is aware of the attacking threat of Ronaldo, having given the winger his international debut as Portugal manager in 2003.

Since then, the 23-year-old has developed into one of the world’s finest players and he scored 42 goals for United last season.

“He is one of the three best players in the world,” said Brazilian Scolari.

“He’s improved himself, very well, in the five or six years since [his Portugal debut], more in Manchester than with the national team. He lives in Manchester 11 months of the year. Only one month a year with the national team,” said Scolari.

“Next season, I can see him as a captain with Portugal because people like him and he has the confidence for that.

“He’s a very good man, helps the other players, a good attitude on and off the pitch. He has grown up and matured.

“Now, at this time of life, Ronaldo is mature and is better than one or two years ago.”

While Real Madrid are still intent on luring Ronaldo to Spain, Scolari said he welcome him to Stamford Bridge should be want to move to London - with tongue firmly placed in cheek.

“When I was at Portugal, I had to choose three players every year (for Fifa World Player of the Year). One year I chose Didier Drogba as one of my three,” he said

“Another year, I wrote John Terry. Another year I wrote Frank Lampard.

“Now these three players are with me, and that’s very good for me. Maybe next season, Cristiano is with me. Very good. If he wants to change, I’ll open the door to that.”

Written by Darkvader on September 21st, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Latest News and Season '08-09.

Wigan 0-1 Chelsea


A disappointing Chelsea held off a determined Wigan to grind out a win courtesy of Deco’s 25-yard free-kick.

The midfielder scored after just three minutes when he found the top corner after Lee Cattermole had handled.

But Wigan hit back and Blues keeper Petr Cech had to pull off smart saves to keep out shots from Wilson Palacios and Amr Zaki.

Chelsea struggled for form but held on for a win as Cech again rescued them by keeping out a late Olivier Kapo strike.

The Blues had steamrollered Portsmouth 4-0 in their season-opener last week and Wigan seemed in danger of a similar fate after conceding an early lead.

Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt, who was a late promotion to the starting line-up following an injury to Chris Kirkland in the pre-match warm-up, may have been disappointed not to have kept Deco’s effort out.

But Chelsea were uninspiring overall and the goal proved to be a rare moment of quality from the visitors.

In contrast, Wigan were galvanised by going behind and responded by taking the game to Chelsea.

Luis Felipe Scolari admits his side were not at their best

Latics left winger Palacios gave Chelsea a taste of things to come when he wriggled his way past Jose Bosingwa and angled in a drive, which Cech blocked away.

Jason Koumas then showed his eye for a pass when he played Zaki through on goal but the Welshman’s well-struck shot was parried by Cech.

The loose ball just evaded the on-rushing Emile Heskey, who would have had the simple task of sidefooting in if Cech’s save had rolled into his path.

Cech pushed Emmerson Boyce at a corner and escaped conceding a penalty and, although Ricardo Carvalho headed over at the other end, Chelsea struggled to match the tempo of the JJB Stadium side.

Wigan’s quick passing and a clever Palacios backheel gave Zaki another sight of goal and Cech had to save well to keep out his shot.

The Latics’ failed to carry their early enthusiasm into the second half as Chelsea nullified their threat..

Wigan grabbed a late equaliser to damage Chelsea’s title push towards the end of last season but a goal proved elusive this time around.

The home side did manage to work an 88th-minute chance when Kapo unleashed a long-range strike, but Cech again saved his side by steering the ball wide.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce:
“The top teams only lose two or three games a season and we have missed an outstanding chance.

“Chelsea have had a bad day in my opinion, but one piece of brilliance by Deco has won it for them.

“Our keeper has hardly had a save to make. My players gave me everything they had apart from a goal.”

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari: “Deco is an intelligent boy. Why is he one of the best in the world? Because he is very clever. It was a very good goal.

“We didn’t play well because we didn’t pressure Wigan.

“This is my first test away from Stamford Bridge. What I expected I saw out on the field. In England you never say first versus last is easy.”

Wigan: Pollitt, Melchiot (Camara 85), Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios (Kapo 80), Koumas (De Ridder 46), Heskey, Zaki.
Subs Not Used: Nash, Sibierski, Kilbane, Brown.

Booked: Cattermole.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole (Bridge 83), Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Deco, Anelka (Malouda 89), Joe Cole (Kalou 58).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Alex, Belletti.

Booked: Terry, Carvalho.

Goals: Deco 4.

Att: 18,139

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).

man of the match: Titus Bramble on 6.93 (on 90 minutes).

Written by Darkvader on August 27th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Results and Season '08-09.

Wigan v Chelsea


Venue: JJB Stadium Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 1330 BST


BIG-MATCH FACTS

Luiz Felipe Scolari takes his new Chelsea outfit to the JJB Stadium, intent on building on the most emphatic of all Premier League victories in the opening weekend.

The Blues have only failed to win both of their opening Premier League fixtures in one of the last five seasons.

Wigan lost their opener for the fourth time out of four; but have only been beaten in their first two fixtures of a Premier League season once. That was in their first campaign in 2005-06 when they were unfortunate to go down 0-1 to Chelsea in their first ever top-flight match, losing to a 90th minute goal from Hernan Crespo.

Chelsea are defending the Premier League's longest current unbeaten sequence of 22 matches, and are vying for a fourth consecutive away league win.

Wigan broke Chelsea's 100% Premier League record over them at the fifth time of asking, they when held the Blues to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on 14 April, courtesy of a shock injury-time goal from Emile Heskey.

Distance between clubs: 212.8 miles (343 kms)

CLUB FORM

WIGAN ATHLETIC
Club stats
Fixtures
2007-08 Premier League performance

Last season's finishing position: 14th
This season: (going into the weekend) 15th 0 points

1. Lost last Saturday, 2-1, away to West Ham; one of nine clubs to go into the second round of matches without a point.

2. Lost their opening two fixtures only once in the Premier League; beaten by Chelsea (h) and Charlton (a) in August 2005.

3. Picked up two victories from their first 16 league matches last term; lost 11 of them.

CHELSEA
Club stats
Fixtures
2007-08 Premier League performance

Last season's finishing position: 2nd, two points behind Man Utd
This season: (going into the weekend) 1st 3 points

1. One of nine clubs to go into this second round of matches with maximum points.

2. Joint top scorers with Aston Villa; both netted four goals in their opening fixture.

3. One of three clubs yet to concede a goal after one round of games; the others are Arsenal and Liverpool.

4. Won 16 and drawn six of their last 22 Premier League outings, since a 1-0 defeat away to Arsenal on 16 December 2007; their only loss in 32 league matches.

5. Own the best Premier League record in 2008 with 14 wins and five draws from 19 matches. Their 47 points is four more than Manchester United's return over the same period, and they remain the only top flight club yet to lose a league game in this calendar year.

6. Posted six points out of six at the beginning of the season in each of the last five seasons with the exception of 2006-07 when the second fixture was lost; 2-1, away to Middlesbrough.

7. Won the last three away league games; against Manchester City, Everton and Newcastle.

8. On the longest current undefeated away Premier League sequence of 10 games; won eight and drawn two since losing 1-0, away to Arsenal on 16 December 2007.

9. The next defeat on the road will be their 100th in Premier League history.

KEY PLAYER NOTES

WIGAN ATHLETIC

Emile HESKEY is a double shy of 100 career Premier League goals (Leicester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Wigan).

HESKEY has scored three Premier League goals against Chelsea in a Wigan shirt, and six in all (three for Leicester).

If selected:-

Antoine SIBIERSKI will be making his 150th career Premier League appearance (Manchester City, Newcastle and Wigan).

Mario MELCHIOT will be facing a former club. The Dutch defender made 165 appearances (130 in the league) and scored five goals (four league) in five seasons with Chelsea from June 1999 to July 2004.

CHELSEA

JOE COLE is a double shy of 50 club career goals (West Ham and Chelsea).

Frank LAMPARD has scored one goal in each of his last three Premier League appearances for Chelsea against Wigan.

If on the field from the outset:-

LAMPARD will be making his 350th start for Chelsea.

HEAD TO HEAD

Wigan's only triumph over Chelsea on home soil was 4-2 in the third round of the League Cup on 11 November 1981.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Wigan 0 wins, Chelsea 5, Draws 1
Prem: Wigan 0 wins, Chelsea 5, Draws 1

at Wigan only
League (inc PL): Wigan 0 wins, Chelsea 3, Draws 0
Prem: Wigan 0 wins, Chelsea 3, Draws 0

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Wigan Athletic 0-2 Chelsea
3 November 2007 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Chelsea scorers: Lampard 11, Belletti 18

REFEREE

Alan Wiley (Burntwood, Staffordshire)

Written by Darkvader on August 23rd, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Prematch review and Season '08-09.

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