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. [...]
Match reports The Observer, Stuart Barnes: “Delight for Jermain Defoe, disappointment for Chelsea and another twist in a fascinating Premier League championship race from a match that ebbed and flowed entertainingly throughout.” Independent on Sunday, Ronald Atkin: “In a midfield containing the world-renowned likes of Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele, Lassana Diarra shone like a Portsmouth harbour [...]
Match reports The Observer, Paul Wilson: “[A] masterful contribution from Nicolas Anelka, who scored one goal, made another and added some much needed finesse to Chelsea’s workmanlike win.” Sunday Telegraph, William Johnson: “Anelka, predatory in the North West while wearing the colours of Liverpool, Manchester City and Bolton, showed all of the sharpness he displayed as an [...]
Match reports Independent on Sunday, Guy Hodgson: “Claudio Pizarro, the striker who Chelsea supporters feared might never score in the Premier League again, confounded doubters yesterday to maintain the push towards the top of the table. He might find goals hard to come by against everyone else, but against Birmingham City he is deadly.” Sunday Telegraph, Duncan [...]
This weekend sees us visit St. Andrews for the first time in two years to play the other team that likes to call itself The Blues. For those with short memories, Birmingham City were our first game of this so far very interesting season. We won 3-2 on that day back in August and all [...]
Match reports Independent on Sunday, Nick Townsend: “After a match comfortably won with goals in each half, from Juliano Belletti and Wright-Phillips, who is thriving in a more central midfield role, no one should rule out Chelsea’s claim to the championship.” Sunday Telegraph, Patrick Barclay: “In attack … Grant had devised an interesting formation which was almost [...]
Match reports The Times, Matt Hughes: “Avram Grant’s mission impossible is to make Chelsea the most attractive team in the world while continuing to win trophies, although he can be grateful that his players have not cast off the resilience instilled by his more pragmatic predecessor. The visiting team needed all their fortitude and considerable fortune [...]
Match reports Independent on Sunday, Steve Tongue: “A lot of water has flowed under Stamford Bridge since Eriksson took tea with owner Roman Abramovich in the summer of 2003 to discuss becoming manager of Chelsea. Jose Mourinho was given the job and the rest is history; or was until Avram Grant took over eight matches ago. [...]
Match reports The Times, Matt Hughes: “Given that his boss is the man who has everything, it is perhaps just as well that Avram Grant has promised Roman Abramovich the earth. In his first programme notes, the Chelsea first-team coach pledged to provide trophies, entertainment and winning football - everything, indeed, but the proverbial moon on [...]
Match reports The Observer, Duncan Castles: “This match proved to be ugly viewing for Middlesbrough, but further testament to the strength of character at Chelsea. Few now contest the damage Jose Mourinho’s forced dismissal from the club did to the Blues’ dressing room, yet a team largely at odds with themselves, their under-qualified manager and their [...]
