The Official Thread of Chelsea FC

[Norf Tyrone]

Just when I see you Corn that reminds me....

... there could be a wee bit of controversy re Liverpool/ Chelsea/ Arsenal in a few weeks time. I believe that the FA have asked Chelsea and Arsenal to observe one minute's applause to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. The whispers are that this has been recieved with mixed emotions by the Chelsea fans at least. I have my own take on it, but some are objecting to the relevance to the teams involved, some are asking why there was no minute's applause in Oct 2006 for Matthew Harding's 10 year anniversary.
One of the main issues is from Chelsea old school, who still have adverse memories of Heysel. In the days after the Heyel tragedy, a lot of media sources blamed Chelsea fans for the trouble, and some believe that a lot of this was fed from Anfield to deflect blame. Remember Chelsea fans were the traditionally 'bad eggs' in them days. Some Chelsea fans were arrested in the days after the game, depsite the fact that the were in London when the disaster occured.

Although I'd respect that Hillsborough was a massive disaster for Liverpool, football and more importantly for the families concerned, it was Liverpool's tragedy and it's at best unwise for the FA to extend any form of rememberance to other clubs.

It'll be interesting to see how this pans out...

[Norf Tyrone]

Chelsea Vs Liverpool in Europe.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (European Cup: 27-04-2005)
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (European Cup: 03-05-2005)
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea (European Cup: 28-09-2005)
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (European Cup: 06-12-2005)
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (European Cup: 25-04-2007)
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (European Cup: 01-05-2007)
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (European Cup: 22-04-2008)
Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool (European Cup: 30-04-2008)

Liverpool wins: 2
Chelsea wins: 2
Draws: 4

The stats show how close these ties have been over the last few years, with Liverpool's penalty win giving them the slightest edge. The games usually hinge on the slightest error by players, managers and officials when we consider the infamous 'ghost goal', Riise's og, and Agger's controversial free kick winner.
Can't see things being too different this time.

[charlie stubbs]

f**k off norf, and i forgot the semis were at wembely

when was the lasttime a team go home advantage for the semis of fa cup?  they always are at a neutral ground

[The Watcher Pat]

Chelsea Vs Liverpool in Europe.
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (European Cup: 27-04-2005)
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (European Cup: 03-05-2005)
Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea (European Cup: 28-09-2005)
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (European Cup: 06-12-2005)
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (European Cup: 25-04-2007)
Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (European Cup: 01-05-2007)
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (European Cup: 22-04-2008)
Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool (European Cup: 30-04-2008)

Liverpool wins: 2
Chelsea wins: 2
Draws: 4

The stats show how close these ties have been over the last few years, with Liverpool's penalty win giving them the slightest edge. The games usually hinge on the slightest error by players, managers and officials when we consider the infamous 'ghost goal', Riise's og, and Agger's controversial free kick winner.
Can't see things being too different this time.

10 goals in 8 games....should be a real thriller that tie...

[Norf Tyrone]

Not much to be said about yesterday. A real opportunity blew. The frustrating part was sitting in a bar with Chelsea and United games on and knowing that the Mancs were blowing it. Chelsea had no tempo or rhythm yesterday, with perhaps the 30 minute delay affecting them, but these things happen.

No Chelsea player emerged with any credit yesterday, despite the Blues edging the opportunities, and having a good penalty shout turned down. The only decent skill all day was Modric's shot. Typical of Gomes to have arguably his best Spurs performance yesterday.

Time to conentrate on the cups.

[Norf Tyrone]

Anelka out for 3 weeks 

[Doogie Browser]

Anelka out for 3 weeks 

Prob not bad news in a way though?  Him or Drogba had to be dropped anyway, so this forces the goose's hand now so to speak, you just need to hope Drogba can discover some form (the irony, a Villa man advising a Chelsea fan on how to find some form!)

[Norf Tyrone]

We're going to win the league....

http://www.rightresult.net/index.php

[mrsandman]

We're going to win the league....

http://www.rightresult.net/index.php

United have a game in hand

[Minder]

Terrys Ma nicked for shoplifting, maybe it should be in the "Things that make you go What The F*ck" thread...........

[EC Unique]

Terrys Ma nicked for shoplifting, maybe it should be in the "Things that make you go What The F*ck" thread...........

SOCCER hero John Terry's mum and mother-in-law were allegedly caught loading £800-worth of stolen store goods into a car.
Sue Terry, 50, and Sue Poole, 54, were nicked and officially cautioned by cops for shoplifting clothes and food from Marks & Spencer and Tesco.

By accepting the caution, they formally acknowledged their guilt.

The incident is a huge embarrassment to Chelsea and England skipper Terry, 28, and to the FA.

Tesco is the official England supermarket and M&S supplies suits to the England squad. One of the vice-presidents for England's 2018 World Cup bid is Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy.


Track suits were among the gear the women are said to have taken at the Brooklands Shopping Centre in Weybridge, Surrey.


Police were called by security staff at 3pm on Wednesday and the pair were taken to Staines police station, Middlesex.


Defender Terry earns £135,000-a-week, plus bonuses and huge sums from sponsorship deals.

His mum and mother-in-law live jet-set lives thanks to his huge wealth. They have have been flown all over the world at Terry's expense to watch him play, including at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

Terry also bought both women detached houses in the exclusive street in Oxshott, Surrey, where he and wife Toni, 26, live with twins Georgie and Summer, two. The leafy drive is famously known as "Terry Street".

A source said last night: "Everyone was gobsmacked when the police realised they had arrested John Terry's mum and mum-in-law.


"They're women who want for nothing, yet they were accused of taking cheap gear without paying. They seemed at a loss to explain.

"One said she had no idea why she'd taken sports gear as she didn't even like wearing the stuff. They seemed shaken up."

Another source said the women loaded their car with goods from M&S but were stopped when they went back to Tesco for more.

A source close to Terry said: "This will come as a terrible shock to John. His mum has never done anything like this before.

"It would be easier if he had the first idea why it happened."

A Surrey Police spokesman said last night: "Cautions are usually applied for more minor matters, when it is a first time offence.

"A caution represents an admission of guilt and forms part of a criminal record. Officers arrested two women aged 50 and 54, both from Oxshott, on suspicion of theft.



"This followed reports of shoplifting. The women were interviewed in custody and have been cautioned for the offences."

Terry's lawyer Angus McBride insisted the pair were entirely innocent and were victims of an "unfortunate misunderstanding".

Mr McBride said they would not have agreed to be cautioned had they realised they were admitting guilt and will be taking legal action to clear their names.

He added: "They didn't do anything wrong. They didn't have legal advice and weren't aware they were admitting guilt."

Terry has worked hard on his image in recent years but was once a notorious boozer and womaniser, reported to have had EIGHT flings behind Toni's back.

  Hilarious

[Norf Tyrone]

What!!?!?? I thougt AC had signed him permenantly!!

Shevchenko expects Chelsea return at season end
30.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko expects to return to parent club Chelsea at the end of the season.

"I don't regret anything," he said. "I needed to refresh myself physically and that's what I've done at Milan.

"I haven't been used but I have made myself available. When I returned I said that I would have accepted anything.

"I knew no-one would do me any favours, and I knew that I would be the last striker in the team.

"I'll behave as a professional until the end, then I'll return to London.

"I'll live in London but I don't know where football will take me next season. I'll speak to Chelsea and we'll make a decision.

"I have confidence in myself."

[A Quinn Martin Production]

What!!?!?? I thougt AC had signed him permenantly!!

Shevchenko expects Chelsea return at season end
30.03.09 | tribalfootball.com
AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko expects to return to parent club Chelsea at the end of the season.

"I don't regret anything," he said. "I needed to refresh myself physically and that's what I've done at Milan.

"I haven't been used but I have made myself available. When I returned I said that I would have accepted anything.

"I knew no-one would do me any favours, and I knew that I would be the last striker in the team.

"I'll behave as a professional until the end, then I'll return to London.

"I'll live in London but I don't know where football will take me next season. I'll speak to Chelsea and we'll make a decision.

"I have confidence in myself."

I don't see the problem Norf...he'll be a great addition to the thirds!!

[Norf Tyrone]

Probably the worst time to go to the Toon tomorrow. The Geordies will be up for it, and there players will improve 20% on where they've been. I think Hiddink has 'almost' give up on the league, so we will have one eye on Wednesday.
In addition Drogba and Bosingwa have got injured, and Anelka is doubtful!

[Norf Tyrone]

A very professional performance by Chelsea on Saturday who bagged a couple of well earned points, as the anticapated Toon atmosphere evaporated in the air.

So to Wednesday. Is it just me or is there a distinct lack of hype about this game this season. It's probably because Liverpool, and to a lesser degree Chelsea are still involved in the League and this has not give the game a chance to build up a head of steam, but more likely due to the fact that this fixture now has a bit of a tired look about it. In reality it needs Benitez to slag someone off, or Drogba to denounce all Scousers. Something to get the blood boiling.

However I'd take a guess that come Wednesday night the nerves will be frayed as normal. Liverpool go into this one on a real crest, albeit the Premier League form guide has them behind Chelsea. The quandry for Rafa and Guus is how to approach it.

I'd like to see Chelsea keep a tight reign on Gerard, but be positive at the same time. Going into the game the Blues will field without Joey Cole, and have big doubts over Carvalho, Bosingwa and Drogba. Out of that lot, Drogba and Carvalho would be big losses. Alex has done well this season, but he is prone to the odd slip or error. At RB IVanovic would provide a more defensive cover to Bosingwa and might by default be the better option for an away leg game regardless. In addition I'd perhaps employ Essien to follow Gerard everywhere. Up top, I just hope that Drogba is fit. Last season the Liverpool defence could not handle him, and this could cause Skertl and Carragher to drop a wee bit off him, and allow the big lad to turn on the ball. Malouda and Kalou have been poor again this year, however no real alternative exists. Malouda coincidentally had one of his better games on Saturday past.... but we've been here before.

Rafa no doubt will draw strength from Liverpool's two victories over Chelsea this season, and there is no doubt that over the games they were the better side. However hopefully canny Hiddink will get the bones of those two results into the player's psyche. Liverpool's winner at Stamford Br was an own goal, and the late Torres double came after Chelsea had Lampard wrongly sent off, with Gerard lucky to be still on the field.

My team would be:

                                     Cech
Ivanovic              JT              Carvalho or Alex      Ashley Cole

                                   Mikel

                        Essien           Lampard

             Kalou            Drogba               Malouda