Match reports
The Times, Matt Hughes: “Grant was employed to echo Ruud Gullit by introducing sexy football, but this performance was about as attractive as one of his ill-fitting tracksuits.”
The Independent, Jason Burtat: “Chelsea had arrived in Athens in a fierce snowstorm which prevented many of their fans from making it to the game and, although [...]
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 [...]
- by Tony Glover · Permalink · 3610 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 [...]
- by Nick Benfield · Permalink · 2800 views · 128 comments
- Tagged: Avram Grant, Chelsea, Claudio Pizarro, Everton, Henrique Hilario, Joe Cole, Jon Obi Mikel, League Cup, Ricardo Carvalho, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Steve Sidwell, Wayne Bridge
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 [...]
- by Nick Benfield · Permalink · 2288 views · 61 comments
- Tagged: Avram Grant, Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Joe Cole, Jose Mourinho, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Newcastle United, Premier League, Salomon Kalou, Scott Sinclair, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Wayne Bridge
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 [...]
- by Nick Benfield · Permalink · 1872 views · 59 comments
- Tagged: Andriy Shevchenko, Arsenal, Champions League, Chelsea, Claudio Pizarro, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Jose Mourinho, Petr Cech, Salomon Kalou, Santiago Canizares, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Steve Clarke, Valencia, Wayne Bridge
Match reports
The Independent, Sam Wallace: “Delivering exciting football, as Avram Grant is discovering, is a splendid idea as long as you make sure your team win the game too. Chelsea’s excitement factor was waning considerably yesterday when Tim Cahill’s overhead kick levelled the score in the last minute and made the home side wish they [...]
- by Tony Glover · Permalink · 4036 views · 130 comments
- Tagged: Alex, Avram Grant, Carlo Cudicini, Chelsea, Didier Drogba, Everton, Frank Lampard, Jesper Gronkjaer, Joe Cole, Jon Obi Mikel, Jose Mourinho, Michael Essien, Premier League, Ricardo Carvalho, Salomon Kalou, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tal Ben Haim, Wayne Bridge
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 [...]
- by Tony Glover · Permalink · 2438 views · 45 comments
- Tagged: Alex, Avram Grant, Carlo Cudicini, Champions League, Chelsea, Claude Makelele, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Jon Obi Mikel, Jose Mourinho, Juliano Belletti, Michael Essien, Petr Cech, Ricardo Carvalho, Schalke 04, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Wayne Bridge
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 [...]
- by Nick Benfield · Permalink · 1847 views · 38 comments
- Tagged: Alex, Avram Grant, Champions League, Chelsea, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Frank Lampard, Jose Mourinho, Peter Osgood, Ricardo Carvalho, Roman Abramovich, Schalke 04, Wayne Bridge
Match reports
The Guardian, Louise Taylor: “Jose who? Admittedly it was against a Championship side in the Carling Cup but a vibrant Chelsea performance suffused with goals and improvisational attacking suggested that there just might be a life for the Blues post Mr Mourinho after all.”
The Times, Matt Hughes: “Avram Grant must have feared being fed [...]
- by Nick Benfield · Permalink · 3052 views · 80 comments
- Tagged: Andriy Shevchenko, Avram Grant, Chelsea, Hull City, John Terry, Juliano Belletti, League Cup, Salomon Kalou, Scott Sinclair, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Steve Sidwell, Wayne Bridge
Match reports
The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: “While United, busier in attack, deserved to be victors, they will be conscious, too, that Chelsea’s line-up was a distorted reflection of the prowess that Jose Mourinho can call on when there are fewer problems. Didier Drogba has hurt his knee and, though a scan should confirm that he will [...]
- by Nick Benfield · Permalink · 2178 views · 24 comments
- Tagged: Alex Ferguson, Andriy Shevchenko, Ashley Cole, Chelsea, Claude Makelele, Claudio Pizarro, Community Shield, Daniel Alves, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Frank Lampard, Glen Johnson, John Terry, Jose Mourinho, Khalid Boulahrouz, Manchester United, Michael Ballack, Paulo Ferreira, Portsmouth, Robert Huth, Salomon Kalou, Tal Ben Haim, Wayne Bridge, Wembley