2008
31
Jan
Match reports
The Times, Matt Hughes: “Grant’s team continued their dogged pursuit of Manchester United and Arsenal with a ninth successive victory in all competitions that equals the club record. Michael Ballack’s first-half header was all that separated the teams on the scoresheet, although in terms of ability the gap was wider than the grandest of [...]
Match reports
Daily Telegraph, Tim Rich: “Avram Grant’s attempt to convince the world that Chelsea were not especially bothered by the Carling Cup sounded false from the moment it left his lips. Not since Don Revie constructed his all-white machine at Leeds has there been a club who have set out so remorselessly to win everything. [...]
2008
24
Jan
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 [...]
2008
20
Jan
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 [...]
2008
13
Jan
- by Tony Glover · Permalink · 3614 views · 152 comments
- Tagged: Aaron Lennon, Alan Wiley, Ashley Cole, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Claude Makelele, Claudio Pizarro, Dimitar Berbatov, Florent Malouda, Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Petr Cech, Premier League, Ricardo Carvalho, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Spurs, Tottenham Hotspur, Wayne Bridge
Match reports
Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: “After Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ayegbeni Yakubu had exchanged fine goals, this semi-final first leg appeared destined for a draw. But under pressure from the outstanding Wright-Phillips, Lescott headed into his own net and Chelsea, who had lost John Obi Mikel to a red card, celebrated as if they had won [...]
2008
9
Jan
Match reports
The Observer, Duncan Castles: “QPR, taken over in September by two Formula One money men and refinanced last month by an Indian billionaire, are on their way back to the top tier of English football. Their half-rebuilt team may still be one of Championship stalwarts and Premier League fringe players, their football not yet [...]
2008
6
Jan
- by Mark · Permalink · 2605 views · 90 comments
- Tagged: Ashley Cole, Avram Grant, Chelsea, Claudio Pizarro, Didier Drogba, FA Cup, QPR, Queens Park Rangers, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Steve Sidwell
Match reports
The Times, Matt Dickinson: “It is as difficult to imagine Avram Grant in a fury as it is to picture a raging Bruce Forsyth, but the Chelsea first-team coach did blow his top at half-time yesterday. At the very least, he got quite cross. “When the players are sleeping you need to wake them [...]
2008
2
Jan
Match reports
The Observer, Stuart Barnes: “After the Boxing Day goalfest against Aston Villa, Avram Grant’s side had lived on the edge again. Another draw would have been damaging to their chances of making up ground in the title race. Instead, this result, coupled with Manchester United’s defeat at West Ham, means they retain a strong [...]
2007
30
Dec
Match reports
The Independent, Jason Burt: “Big games define big teams, Arsène Wenger reminded us before this encounter. They also define big players and Chelsea may have to again cope without John Terry after their captain suffered suspected ankle ligament damage in a spiteful challenge by Emmanuel Eboué as his side lost to Arsenal for the [...]
2007
17
Dec
- by Nick Benfield · Permalink · 2947 views · 108 comments
- Tagged: Andriy Shevchenko, Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Ashley Cole, Avram Grant, Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea, Didier Drogba, Emmanuel Eboue, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Jon Obi Mikel, Jose Mourinho, Paulo Ferreira, Petr Cech, Premier League, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tal Ben Haim, William Gallas
Match reports
Daily Telegraph, John Ley: “Chelsea achieved another milestone last night when they extended their unbeaten Stamford Bridge record in all competitions to 50. Already assured of their place in next week’s Champions League knockout draw, and against a sadly inept Valencia showing nothing of their past brilliance, this was a canter and the result [...]
2007
12
Dec
