Friday 30th May

The return of The Special One?

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I love conjectures when it comes to the football business and I’m now going to indulge myself in this one. As remote as this may seem now, I am increasingly thinking we are going to witness the shock return of The Special One to Stamford Bridge. Obviously, all the papers and pundits are solidly claiming he’s going to Inter Milan and the sacking of Roberto Mancini would seem to more or less confirm this view. Indeed, amongst all the names being peddled for the Chelsea job, Jose Mourinho’s is conspicuously missing. But, as I’ve implied above, I’m reading the situation differently.

Tuesday 27th May

The 2007/08 season review

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Where do I begin... a love story?

Imagine you are in love. Truly, madly, deeply in love. Head over heels in love. It’s the kind of love that has you skipping through freshly cut meadows, picking wild flowers and carving each other’s names into trees. Your love is so pure and undying that there is nothing you wouldn’t do for that partner. You’re in a constant flushed state of arousal. You’re even prepared to overlook the little irritants, the annoying little foibles in the way they behave because they’re so damned perfect, the sex is so great and the joy of being in their company so overwhelming. They’ve changed the way you look, the way you act and the way you behave and what’s more you don’t care, you love them even more for showing you a new way.

Sunday 25th May

Grant's contract terminated

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Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated.

The decision comes after two days of talks between Grant and chief executive Peter Kenyon.

The club said in a statement on the official website that the search for a new manager would begin immediately and that they will make no further comment.

It is unclear whether Grant will remain at Stamford Bridge in another role.

Thursday 22nd May

Champions League Final: Manchester United 1 - 1 Chelsea (aet; Manchester United win 6 - 5 on penalties)

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Match reports

The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "Even predictability can carry its trace of surprise. The Champions League final did go into extra-time, but there was no protest over grinding stalemate. There was also drama in the final minutes of extra-time with Didier Drogba shown a red card. Manchester United could not overcome the 10 men of Chelsea in those remaining minutes, however, and in the early hours of the Moscow morning the agonising ritual of penalties decided the match."

The Times, Martin Samuel: "After 120 minutes, two goals, 14 penalties, one stupid...

Wednesday 21st May

Photos: From Russia With Love

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Mark, our intrepid reporter in the field, is photoblogging his journey to the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow.

Tuesday 20th May

Riding the rocket to Russia...

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Come along Come along Come along and sing this song We’re the boys in Blue in Division Two And we’re going to The European Cup final.

Suffice to say that a few decades of listening to everyone from Abba to Jay Z hasn’t had much effect on my ability to pen anything resembling a passable chorus.

While the song doesn’t scan too well, there is something rather fitting about that given the occasion. I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that our place in tomorrow’s fixture list looks a bit, well, odd really. Rather like hearing that John Prescott is bulimic — utterly unbelievable, but apparently true.

Monday 12th May

Premier League: Chelsea 1 - 1 Bolton Wanderers

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Match reports

The Guardian, Dominic Fifield: "Any sense of choking anti-climax which might normally have strangled Chelsea appeared to have eased by the time this squad strolled through their post-match lap of honour in the sunshine. The likelihood of their pursuit of Manchester United yielding the Premier League title had always been slim. In the end those efforts did indeed prove futile, though there were still smiles from the players and appreciation from the fans in the aftermath."

Daily Telegraph, Clive Tyldesley: "The three point gap that separated United and Chelsea at the end of Avram Grant’s fir

Tuesday 6th May

Premier League: Newcastle United 0 - 2 Chelsea

302 Comments

Match reports

The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "Chelsea yet again paced themselves beautifully to stay in step with Manchester United. The reigning champions cannot exactly dread Sunday's trip to Wigan Athletic when a victory will secure the title on goal difference, but they will go there with a discomfiting sense of claustrophobia because of Avram Grant's team. Breathing space ceased to exist when Sir Alex Ferguson's squad lost at Stamford Bridge 10 days ago."

Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: "Cometh the hour, cometh the German: Ballack headed home his ninth of the season before Florent Malouda added a second. In all probability, United

Thursday 1st May

Champions League: Chelsea 3 - 2 Liverpool (aet, agg 4 - 3)

351 Comments

Match reports

The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "The road to the final against Manchester United in Moscow on May 21 was as long and hard as Chelsea expected. In their third Champions League semi-final against Liverpool since 2005 the Stamford Bridge team have vanquished Rafael Benítez's side at last."

Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: "Frank Lampard last night struck the most poignant and significant goal of his fine career, driving home an extra-time penalty to take the Blues to Red Square. As he wheeled away in celebration, Lampard sought out his father, sharing an emotional moment a week after the midfielder's mother passed away."