Monday 26th February

The Carling Cup: Pensioners outwit kids shocker!

27 Comments

Someone help me out here. I thought us Brits were fond of a good, old-fashioned ‘have-a-go hero’. You know the story; 85 year-old granny with two new hips fights off thugs using hatpin and shopping trolley, that type of thing?

Well, now I’m baffled. In Cardiff this weekend, our team of elder statesmen battled away and repelled a gang of marauding kids, but the pesky youngsters seem to have become the heroes of the hour.

David Cameron will be wanting to hug them next.

I’m sure this Arsenal obsession with kids and youth actually contravenes the law of the land. Aren’t there regulations about not overlooking elderly folk in favour of someone younger if they are still capable of performing the job? Lauren and Pires could probably sue.

The Sky coverage predictably droned on about the...

Monday 26th February

League Cup Final review: Chelsea 2 - 1 Arsenal

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Match reports

The Times, Matt Dickinson: "John Terry was concussed, the rest of us were just stunned by a Carling Cup final yesterday that, if it is the last showpiece match at the Millennium Stadium, will not be quickly forgotten. While the Chelsea captain needed reviving, everyone else required calming down."

The Independent, Glenn Moore: "The Carling Cup final ... threatened to be overshadowed by something no one would desire, a serious injury. In the 57th minute John Terry swallowed his tongue and turned blue after being accidentally kicked in the throat by Abou Diaby attempting a header."

Monday 26th February

John Terry is fine - Mourinho

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Jose Mourinho has told Radio Five Live that John Terry is "fine" following his sickening head injury in this afternoon's League Cup final against Arsenal.

He quickly recovered consciousness and was released from hospital to take part in the celebrations with the rest of the team. Apparently he even attended the post-match press conference.

More reaction later...

Saturday 24th February

League Cup Final preview: Chelsea v. Arsenal

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John Terry is expected to start.

Chelsea released a statement this afternoon confirming that Terry came through a full training session today and is fit to play after recovering from an ankle ligament injury picked up against Porto in midweek.

"Today John felt a big improvement in his ankle and requested that the medical department performed a fitness test. On passing this test he was put into a full training session and was able to train fully," said club doctor Bryan English.

In contrast there are reports that Frank Lampard is suffering from a virus and could miss out.

Jose Mourinho will be able to include Arjen Robben in his squad after the Dutchman was passed...

Thursday 22nd February

Champions League review: Porto 1 - 1 Chelsea

35 Comments

Match reports

The Guardian, Matt Scott: "The most important of Andriy Shevchenko's 10 Chelsea goals came last night, securing a crucial advantage in this tie. But the impact of the match was not overwhelmingly positive. The departure of John Terry with an injury that seems set to rule him out of Sunday's Carling Cup final against Arsenal may be one that Chelsea have cause to rue. He left the stadium on crutches."

The Times, Matt Hughes: "José Mourinho has spent much of this season praising his players for surviving in difficult circumstances, but an even greater test of their fortitude is...

Monday 19th February

It's Spurs in the Cup!

29 Comments

Chelsea will play Spurs at Stamford Bridge in the sixth round of this season's FA Cup. The tie will be played the weekend of 10/11th March. Click here for the full draw.

In other news, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has reassured fans about the long-term commitment of Roman Abramovich to the club. He did so at the unveiling of financial results for 2005/6. During that period the club reported losses of £80.2m, a reduction of 42.9% on 2004/5's figure of £140.4m.

Chelsea also announced today that they

Monday 19th February

Praise be! Roman's home, but we're boring again

8 Comments

Roman, for the time being at least, seems to have done roamin’. He came back from his self-imposed exile / business commitments / massive sulk to see his boys make the last eight of the FA Cup in reasonable style. Or maybe to meet Delia and swap salted cod recipes, I’m not sure which. Did anyone sing him a song?

Frankly, he should stay away more often; seventeen goals scored and six clean sheets on the bounce in his absence. He probably wondered who the bloke in the funny hat between the sticks was. Might be that £50 million player Jose mentioned last month — a bargain, given recent performances I’d say.

Someone down at the Bridge clearly thought the Boss’s absence was down to a bout of homesickness and has turned the pitch into a replica of

Sunday 18th February

FA Cup review: Chelsea 4 - 0 Norwich City (includes video)

14 Comments

Match reports

Sunday Telegraph, Colin Malam: "Chelsea moved comfortably into the last eight of the FA Cup without having to exert themselves unduly. Goals by Shaun Wright-Phillips, only the third of his Chelsea career, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Andrei Shevchenko proved more than enough."

Sunday Times, Joe Lovejoy: "Jose Mourinho was able to rest important players with one eye on the Champions League trip to his old club, Porto, on Wednesday and next Sunday’s Carling Cup final against London rivals Arsenal at the Millennium stadium and still win with plenty to spare."

Saturday 17th February

FA Cup preview: Chelsea v. Norwich City... some news... and that goal

11 Comments

It's been a quiet seven days since Chelsea's last game, both here and in the news. A discussion about the whereabouts of Roman Abramovich and the consequences of his absence took place in the comments section of Tony's Middlesbrough review post. Thankfully it appears Abramovich is not looking to sell Chelsea any time soon.

The club announced yesterday that it has struck a deal...

Sunday 11th February

Premiership review: Chelsea 3 - 0 Middlesbrough

53 Comments

Match reports

The Observer, Jamie Jackson: "Chelsea won this, their third and final Premiership outing of the month, at a canter. The rest of February consists of a fifth-round FA Cup tie against Blackpool or Norwich, the resumption of their Champions League campaign at Porto, and the Carling Cup final with Arsenal. By the time the champions resume their quest to win a hat-trick of titles at Portsmouth on 3 March, they could well be 12 points behind Manchester United."

Sunday Telegraph, Roy Collins: "There is still no sign of Roman, not that he has ever figured in the Chelsea scoring charts. But captain John Terry, the most...

Saturday 10th February

Premiership preview: Chelsea v. Middlesbrough

7 Comments

Three more Chelsea players returned injured from international duty this week.

Wayne Bridge suffered a thigh strain during training with England, John Obi Mikel played 90 minutes for Nigeria in midweek despite an existing thigh strain, and Michael Ballack suffered damage to a hamstring during Germany's game against Switzerland.

Better news for Jose Mourinho is John Terry's much anticipated return to the starting line-up. Mourinho may also be able to recall Khalid Boulahrouz and Arjen Robben as both returned to training this...

Sunday 4th February

Premiership review: Charlton Athletic 0 - 1 Chelsea (includes video)

32 Comments

Match reports

The Observer, Stuart Barnes: "What looked like a stroll when Frank Lampard struck in familiar fashion proved anything but for Chelsea. Before and after Lampard's 18th-minute goal, they were in control of virtually every situation. But their failure to deliver a clinching second goal offered Charlton the incentive to regroup, redouble their efforts and ultimately go close to drawing level."

Independent on Sunday, Steve Tongue: "Once Frank Lampard scored his 17th goal of the season after 19 minutes they seemed likely to cruise it, but failed to maintain their domination in the second half, when Charlton's new...

Saturday 3rd February

Premiership preview: Charlton Athletic v. Chelsea

6 Comments

John Terry is expected to make his comeback from long-term injury.

Suffice to say Chelsea have suffered in his absence.

Out since December 13th, the Blues have won just four of their eight Premiership games in that time.

Wednesday's impressive 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge hinted at a return to form. It was marred only by Ashley Cole's injury.

Jose Mourinho is also without Khalid Boulahrouz, Arjen Robben and Joe Cole who have knee, ankle and foot injuries respectively.

Alan Pardew will have to do without new signing Alexandre Song, who is missing after contracting a virus.

Fellow signing Madjid Bougherra is also out as he is struggling with a calf...

Thursday 1st February

Premiership review: Chelsea 3 - 0 Blackburn Rovers

34 Comments

Match reports

Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: "Chelsea looked a real team, more of the unstoppable machine of recent years. Michael Essien was again a rock in defence, Lassana Diarra again shone at right-back, while Lampard ran midfield. Even those controversial recruits, Michael Ballack and Andrei Shevchenko, contributed gamely, and Shevchenko even received a warm embrace from Mourinho when substituted."

The Independent, Sam Wallace: "They still have Manchester United within their sights, but on the night the transfer window closed the Chelsea manager's depleted squad are yet...