Chelsea FC - Supporters' Rally

[Glen2712]

PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: LIVERPOOL V CHELSEA END


LIVERPOOL V CHELSEA - Paul Dutton with the facts and figures behind this famous fixture.


Chelsea have lost only two games in all competitions in normal play in the last 45 games, stretching back to last November. Both were at Anfield: in the Premier League in January, and the Champions League semi-final in May.


On Sunday Chelsea and Liverpool meet for the 16th time since José Mourinho and Rafael Benítez arrived in England three seasons ago. Chelsea have won seven, Liverpool won five and there has been three draws. The Blues have scored 15 to Liverpool's 11. The results in full are as follows:


Oct 3 2004 (Premier League)

Chelsea 1 (J Cole) Liverpool 0

Jan 1 2005 (Premier League)

Liverpool 0 Chelsea 1 (J Cole)

Feb 27 2005 (Carling Cup Final)

Liverpool 2 (Riise, Nunez) Chelsea 3 (Gerrard og, Drogba, Kezman)

Apr 27 2005 (Champions League semi-final)

Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0

May 3 2005 (Champions League semi-final)

Liverpool 1 (Garcia) Chelsea 0

Sep 28 2005 (Champions League Group)

Liverpool 0 Chelsea 0

Oct 2 2005 (Premier League)

Liverpool 1 (Gerrard) Chelsea 4 (Lampard pen, Duff, J Cole, Gérémi)

Dec 6 2005 (Champions League Group)

Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0

Feb 5 2006 (Premier League)

Chelsea 2 (Gallas, Crespo) Liverpool 0

Apr 22 2006 (FA Cup semi-final)

Liverpool 2 (Riise, Garcia) Chelsea 1 (Drogba)

Aug 13 2006 (Community Shield)

Liverpool 2 (Riise, Crouch) Chelsea 1 (Shevchenko)

Sep 17 2006 (Premier League)

Chelsea 1 (Drogba) Liverpool 0

Jan 20 2007 (Premier League)

Liverpool 2 (Kuyt, Pennant) Chelsea 0

Apr 25 2007 (Champions League semi-final)

Chelsea 1 (J Cole) Liverpool 0

May 1 2007 (Champions League semi-final)

Liverpool 1 (Agger) Chelsea 0


Chelsea have won three of our last four Premier League games at Anfield which is some feat as the previous 60 league matches have only seen five wins for the Blues.


Following a 3-2 win in 1935 we went 56 years without leaving Anfield with maximum points. The game in February 1992 brings back happy memories of Vinnie Jones's 25-yard opener and Dennis Wise's winner after Ronnie Rosenthal equalised for Liverpool.


Our 4-1 victory in 2005 was our best result at Anfield since Christmas Day 1907 - Chelsea's first ever visit there - and was Liverpool's worst home league defeat since Man Utd won there in 1969.


On New Year's Day 2005 Joe Cole came off the bench for the second time against Liverpool that season to score the only goal of the game. It was our first league double over Liverpool since 1919/20, when Harold Brittan had also scored the winners in two 1-0 victories.


In 15 Premier League meetings at Anfield Chelsea have won three, Liverpool have won 10 and there have been two draws.


Liverpool have won more top flight championships than any other club. In all they have won 18 titles, two ahead of rivals Man Utd. Their peak came in the seventies and eighties when they won 11 championships in 18 years from 1973.


Their last title was won way back in 1990 under Kenny Dalglish when a points total of 79 was enough to lift the First Division trophy. With heavy investment in the transfer market this summer Rafael Benítez is under even more pressure to deliver the Premier League for the first time.


The top five over the 15-year history of the Premier League reads like this:

1 Man Utd 1234 points

2 Arsenal 1084

3 Chelsea 1019

4 Liverpool 1002

5 Aston Villa 817


Liverpool's best season in the Premier League is runners-up in 2001/02 with 80 points, seven behind champions Arsenal. Last season they were third with 68 points, 15 behind Chelsea and 21 behind Man Utd.


Liverpool's last six games

May 1 Chelsea (h UCL) W 1-0

May 5 Fulham (a) L 0-1

May 13 Charlton (h) D 2-2

May 23 AC Milan (UCL Final) L 1-2

Aug 11 Aston Villa (a) W 2-1

Aug 15 Toulouse (UCL Q a) W 1-0


Liverpool's team for their opener at Villa Park on Saturday evening was: Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa; Pennant (Babel 74), Gerrard (c), Alonso, Riise; Torres (Voronin 79), Kuyt (Sissoko 90). A Laursen own goal and a late Gerrard free kick secured all three points.


Wednesday's trip to the South of France to play Toulouse in the Champions League qualifier saw six changes. Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Arbeloa; Benayoun (Riise 59), Gerrard (c) (Sissoko 65), Mascherano, Babel; Crouch, Voronin (Torres 78). Voronin scored the only goal two minutes before the break.


Liverpool's top league scorers last season were Dirk Kuyt with 12, Peter Crouch nine and Craig Bellamy and Steven Gerrard seven.


Captain Gerrard made the most Premier League appearances - 35, plus one as substitute.


Liverpool were the only club not to be shown a red card in the Premier League last term.


Liverpool conceded seven league goals at home last season, fewer than any other club. Their home record was: won 14, drawn four and lost one.


Since our 4-1 win in October 2005 Liverpool have lost just once at Anfield in 35 Premier League games - the injury time defeat to Man Utd in March this year.


Liverpool have been the big spenders in the summer together with Man Utd. Fernando Torres became their record signing.


Ins Fernando Torres (Atlético Madrid, £26.5m), Ryan Babel (Ajax, £11.5m), Lucas Leiva (Gremio, £8m), Yossi Benayoun (West Ham, £5m), Sebastian Leto (Lanus £1.8m), Andriy Voronin (Bayer Leverkusen, free), Charles Itandje (Lens, undisclosed), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao £270,000), Krisztian Nemeth and Andras Simon (both MTK Hungariam, £100,000 each), Nikolay Mihaylov (Levski Sofia, undisclosed).


Outs Mark Gonzalez (Real Betis, undisclosed), Bolo Zenden (Marseille, free), Robbie Fowler (Cardiff, free), Florent Sinama Pongolle (Recreativo Huelva, £2.7m), Danny Guthrie (Bolton, season-long loan), Luis Garcia (Atlético Madrid, £3.5m), Craig Bellamy (West Ham, £7.5m), Djibril Cisse (Marseille, £6m), Jerzy Dudek (Real Madrid, released), Scott Carson (Aston Villa, season-long loan).


There are no suspensions on either side.


The match referee is Rob Styles who took charge of the corresponding fixture last season.


Chelsea's overall record against Liverpool in all competitions is: played 147, won 51, drawn 29, lost 67


Head-to-head in the League at Anfield: played 64, won 8, drawn 13, lost 43


LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0

Premier League, Saturday January 20, 2007, Anfield.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio; Pennant, Alonso, Gerrard (c), Riise; Crouch (Bellamy 84), Kuyt (Gonzalez 90).

Scorers Kuyt (3), Pennant (17)

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Gérémi, Ferreira, Essien, A Cole; Ballack, Mikel (Shevchenko 73), Lampard (c); Kalou, Drogba, Robben (Wright-Phillips 20).

Booked: Ferreira

Referee: Rob Styles.

Crowd: 44,245.


Petr Cech's comeback game following his fractured skull three months earlier. Carvalho pulled out late with a high temperature and with Terry still injured resulted in a makeshift central defence. Makelele was suspended.

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[Glen2712]

"Stevie's will play for Liverpool against Chelsea on Sunday even though a scan has revealed that he has a hairline fracture of the toe. However, he will not play for England in midweek." The Times


That is risky, right? Rafa's pretty anxious to come out with a win, guess the pressure's really getting into him. (Falling into Mourinho's mind games)


This has also reconfirm the squad status of Stevie in Rafa's team. Crouch is fully fit, but may not be playing, Voronin did well @ Toulouse but only earned him a place on the bench. Stevie? He bloody injured yet he's in first team. Stevie seems pretty much Untouchable to me.


Let's hope Stevie battles through the Blue territory unscathed.

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[Peter_North]

I hope it's a win or lose game, not draw.

A draw game offers a false sense of security to Chelsea. If Chelsea is not good enough, I would rather they lose so as to spur them into real action.

Alex, Alex, where are you ? I hope you are in the team. When Terry is unfit, he is often slow. Cech has lost his touch, somewhat. Very shaky in the air.

[no_faith]

you r rite bro peter_north. Cech too shaky in the air, not compose enuff catching the aerial ball.
it could be too pampered by terry and carvalho in the past seasons.
now itz really the time to test his ability.

carvalho, terry doubt. it would be interesting who will be in the heart of defence wif ben haim.

[Glen2712]

Let's give Cech some credit. Well for a start, conceded from 2 goals on the opening match to just 1 goal on the 2nd match is very encouraging this boy.


I'm sure this has improved his confidence, even his moral to say the least. He has proven himself over the past seasons (3 seasons).


Let's give some time. Say by the end of this month; after Poppy if we conceded a total of 6 goals; 4 games into the new season. Then there might be some cause for concern.


But Cech doesn't deserve getting such sticks at the moment. He's doing relatively fine. It was Glen who didn't do his job well, his tackle was so half hearted. If anyone should get the sticks, it should be Glen.


Given his first team experience, plus he was given out on loan. Now that he's back, he's still making the same mistakes. Now that's some cause for concern. The central defence, though a bit shaky at times but that's only normal given that the new acquisitions only came in such a short notice. Guess we all know how important Richie is, apart from Terry.


Still I'm sure Jose and the training staff, are more than aware of the current situation. They'll iron out a few creases, improving the communication between the alternative personnels in the central defence. Improving positioning, game principles especially the right side of defence.


Continue to strike a balance between attractive football and winnng matches. Sometimes accolades ain't enough, I'm sure any footballer will tell us, at the end of the day, though attractive football is essential in modern day football, winning matches are still what's matters most.

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[Peter_North]

I have always felt that Chelsea is not a finished article yet. A finished article would be the Chelsea that beat Barcelona 4-2 at Stamford Bridge during Mourinho's first season where Duff and Robben were flying, and the defence was at its meanest. I only saw that Chelsea once. That would have been the finished article.

As for Cech, it's precisely because of his high standard during the past 3 seasons that has raised concerns about his form this season. It's not just the goals that got past him; he dropped a couple of balls when the opponents crossed into the penalty box. It's misjudgment. It's very unCech, to say the least.

Well, Bro No Faith, Terry will play alongside Ben Haim, in case you are in doubt. I suspect Alex will be on the bench, to counter the height of Peter Crouch, if necessary.

And I hope they play Joe Cole, the bogeyman whenever Chelsea plays Liverpool.

I don't know why Mourinho loves Kalou alot. He gets plenty of ball, but never really effective. I hope Chelsea play Pizzaro and Drogba instead.

[Glen2712]

MINUTE DETAIL: LIVERPOOL 1 CHELSEA 1

Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1


FA Barclays Premier League, Sunday August 19 at Anfield, Liverpool.


Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Arbeloa; Pennant (Babel 67), Gerrard (c), Alonso, Riise (Crouch 82); Kuyt, Torres.


Manager: Rafa Benitez.


Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech; Essien, Ben-Haim, Terry (c), A Cole; Wright-Phillips (J Cole 76), Mikel, Lampard, Malouda; Drogba, Kalou (Pizarro 45).


Manager: José Mourinho.


Referee: Rob Styles


Crowd: 43,924

Environment: Cool and grey


Kick-off: 4pm, Live on Sky.


Kit Liverpool - all in red. Chelsea - blue shirt, blue shorts and white socks.


First-half.

Kick-off Chelsea

1 Danger Pennant's deep cross was missed by Essien, allowing Riise a look at goal, but Cech was quick to pounce on the Norwegian's loose first touch.

11 Booking An early booking for the Ghanaian filling in at full back as Arbeloa goes flying over his outstretched leg.

15 LIVERPOOL GOAL Fernando Torres grabs his first goal in English football, as he beats Ben-Haim and slots home after Gerrard put him through.

22 First chance Malouda is fouled 25 yards out, but Drogba's free kick is deflected behind. Liverpool clear the resulting corner.

26 Over Wright-Phillips breaks down the right and crosses for Drogba, but the striker's header is too high.

30 Booking Kuyt goes into Rob Styles' notebook as he is cautioned for a foul on Lampard.

39 Booking Pennant loses his temper with referee Styles and is booked for doing so.

39 Whiskers away From the resulting free kick, Chelsea go close as Lampard's inswinging cross just eludes John Terry at the far post.

43 Clattered Gerrard completes a trip of Liverpool yellows as he steams into Mikel from behind, leaving Styles little choice.

Stoppage time 1 min

Half-time Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0


Second-half.

Kick-off Liverpool.

45 Chelsea substitution Half-time change as Pizarro replaces Kalou up front.

46 Chance Mikel heads over from Lampard's corner after Pizarro had flicked on at the near post.

48 Class Mikel's raking pass finds Wright-Phillips, who kills the ball instantly and crosses perfectly for Pizarro, but the Peruvian's header flashes wide at the far post.

56 Let off Ashley Cole dallies on the ball and is caught out, conceding a free kick on the edge of the Chelsea box, which Riise fires into the wall.

58 Booking Cole caps off a bad couple of minutes as he is booked for a foul on Torres.

61 CHELSEA GOAL Lampard fires home a penalty low to Reina's right after Malouda is felled in the box by Finnan. Game on.

62 Booking Ben-Haim becomes the second man booked by ref Styles, this time for dissent.

67 Danger Pennant, in his last action before being replaced by Babel, crosses for Riise, whose thunderous left foot volley leaves Cech standing, but the fall flies just wide.

68 Booking Lampard booked for a cheeky flick of the leg at Alonso.

72 Booking Terry enters the book for a push on Torres as passions begin to boil over between the two sides.

76 Chelsea substitution Joe Cole replaces Wright-Phillips on the right wing.

82 Save Cech saves low down with his feet from Riise at close range. The Norwegian is replaced by Peter Crouch.

83 Chelsea substitution Mourinho awards a late debut to Brazilian defender Alex, who comes on to shore things up for Malouda.

88 Scare With Liverpool on the offensive the home crowd thing they've scored, as sub Babel crashes a drive into the side netting.

Stoppage time 4 mins


Shots on target: Liverpool 3 Chelsea 2

Corners: Liverpool 4 Chelsea 2

Fouls: Liverpool 13 Chelsea 17

Offsides: Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0


Comment

On a day where Chelsea's expected title rivals dropped points, a point at Anfield will certainly be welcomed by manager José Mourinho.

It was our first test in the league against one of the self-proclaimed 'big boys', and we were just about worth the draw, although Liverpool did have the lion's share of play and possession.

Essien filled in admirably at right back, limiting the threat of John Arne Riise's exocet left boot, and the combination of goalscorer Lampard and Mikel were equal to the challenge of Gerrard and Alonso in the middle.

We were somewhat limited in attack with Drogba often looking isolated against the Liverpool back four, but Pizarro did bring welcome support in the second half, and Wright-Phillips again showed his class with some dangerous crossing.

Ultimately, a point is very welcome, and seven points from three games is by no means a bad start as we look to take advantage of the poor start by other title challengers.

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[Glen2712]

MATCH REPORT: LIVERPOOL 1 CHELSEA 1

Two of the Premier League heavyweights went toe-to-toe at Anfield and Chelsea have left the ring the happier with an away point won by Frank Lampard's penalty.


Again the second-half proved the fertile period of the game for the Blues with the goal coming just past the hour. The home side had taken the lead early on through a special effort by new arrival Fernando Torres.


But although the balance of chances favoured Liverpool, Petr Cech will remember this game as one of the easier he has had at Anfield.


Among the outfield players, Michael Essien was back in the side following his knee injury but perhaps not where expected. He was asked to play right-back. Further in field was the reassuring sight of John Terry, the skipper ready for his first action of the season.


John Mikel Obi was chosen as Frank Lampard's partner in central midfield as José Mourinho once more selected a 4-4-2 shape with wingers. Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba remained the starting line-up strikers. New signing Alex was on the bench for the first time.


Liverpool reverted to the line-up from their first league game having made several changes midweek for a Champions League qualifier. Torres was taking his Anfield bow.


An already significant game was given an extra buzz before kick-off with the news that Man United had lost the Manchester derby earlier in the afternoon, that score greeted with equal glee by both sets of fans.


There was an early shot across the Liverpool bows by Drogba after the Ivorian himself had robbed a slumbering Alonso.


There then followed 10 minutes of holding firm as the home side pressed forward but failed to test Cech during the spell, Gerrard in particular wayward in his delivery. On 11 minutes Essien became the game's first booking as he slid through Arbeloa on the wet turf near the touchline.


It was down that right side of Chelsea's defence that Liverpool found a way through on 15 minutes. Gerrard's ball with the outside of his boot released Torres who took on Ben-Haim on the outside and had the pace to make it, aiming his shot low past Cech and just inside the far post.


On 21 minutes Alonso went to ground and caught the leg of Malouda to earn a talking to by referee Rob Styles. It was hard to see how Essien's carded foul earlier had been worse. Drogba's free-kick from 25 yards was deflected wide.


Kalou took too many touches when found well-placed by Cole after a breakdown in play and then Drogba flicked a Wright-Phillips cross on the run over. Chelsea were coming back into this game.


Kuyt became Liverpool's first booking for a foul on Lampard, the ref indicating it had been one of a succession of offences. Pennant would follow into the book before the break.


A Lampard free-kick five minutes before the interval was fired into that uncertain area between keeper and defence at the back stick and Terry was just an inch or two from a telling contact.


Gerrard was another Liverpool booking for sliding through late on Mikel but although the card count was 3-1 by the break, in goals it was the single Torres strike that was separating the teams.


Kalou was replaced by Pizarro in the one half-time change and a difficult heading chance almost immediately came Mikel's way at a corner but with little time to react, he planted it over.


Then on 48 minutes, Pizarro was found by an excellent Wright-Phillips cross at the far post, but stretching, he nodded wide.


Liverpool then won three corners in quick succession, all dealt with adequately.


Cole caught a flying Torres on the touchline, the Spaniard leaving a trailing leg down for a second contact. The Chelsea left-back was booked.


That was shortly before Alonso gently sidefooted a very presentable chance wide on 58 minutes as Liverpool began to look dangerous again.


But then play switched to the other end and Finnan injudiciously slammed into Malouda as Wright-Phillips's pass was coming his way. It was inside the box and in front of the referee. Lampard confidently slammed the penalty home low - the Wembley miss cleared from his mind.


It was the first spot-kick awarded at Anfield in the league since the one converted by the same player when Chelsea won 4-1 here in 2005. Reina had been booked for protesting.


The goal came on 61 minutes and shortly after, Ben-Haim became a caution as Styles's book started to fill up.


There was a heart in mouth moment as Riise connected well with Pennant's athletic cross but it flew wide. Lampard was then booked for a kick at Alonso and Terry was cautioned for an off the ball push at Torres as the game increasing felt like it was slipping from the officials' control.


With eight minutes to go, it took a good Cech save to keep the scores level when a fierce cross from substitute Babel fell Riise's way at the far post. There was still much work to do to earn a point. Cech was again alive when he looked to have touched Kuyt's header over although a goal-kick was given.


Alex came on for Malouda with 85 minutes on the clock for his debut, keeping close to the recently-introduced Crouch as Chelsea went five at the back.


Babel blasted for the Chelsea goal from the edge of the area but could only find the sidenetting.


Four minutes of stoppage time passed with no further threats at either end to leave Chelsea second in the first true league table of the season.


Chelsea(4-4-2): Cech; Essien, Ben-Haim, Terry (c), A Cole; Wright-Phillips (J Cole 76), Mikel, Lampard, Malouda (Alex 85); Kalou (Pizarro h-t), Drogba.

Scorer: Lampard 61

Booked: Essien, A Cole, Ben-Haim, Lampard, Terry.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa; Pennant (Babel 67), Gerrard (c), Alonso, Riise (Crouch 83); Torres, Kuyt.

Scorer: Torres 15

Booked: Kuyt, Pennant, Gerrard, Reina.

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[Peter_North]

Chelsea played badly, I feel. Like I said, Chelsea is never quite the finished article, yet.

How many shots at goal did Chelsea manage ? At one time Chelsea had on 37% possession. Cech appears to have injured himself.

[Glen2712]

At the moment, after 3 games, it's a total of 4 goals conceded. It's pretty healthy, no cause to activate the panic button yet. I know it's hard to believe but Cech's human. I think there may be a slight possibility that he could have had a slight blip of confidence going into Reading's game? I mean even the most stalwart of players would have balked at going back to play a game against a player who almost killed them?


I'm sure Cech did, it's only natural; any degree of phobia/ nerves gotta be present. I admit he looked a wee bit shaky, but wouldn't you if you were visiting the place you could have died at, and playing the player who caused the damage? Personally, I'd be bricking it.


But at the end of the day, he coped pretty darn well, hasn't he? I am sure he did. The saves he performed against the Royals in the second half showed that he still got that keeper's bravery in him. It is a bit off questioning his ability after 3 games.


However its no problem to point out and discuss a player's form. Yes, he did kinda went into 'spacing out' mode at times against Liverpool in the earlier exchanges part of the match, which of course resulted a goal down in a split second moment.


I mean Cech's fighting more of a mental battle @ the moment, the injury or rather the 'nightmare' of Reading does rattle his confidence. But looked @ the way he handled it when he faced them again earlier in the midweek. Not to mentioned the boos Cech received as well. Letting in 2 goals against Birmingham, and a goal each against Reading and now Liverpool, I think the boy handled it exceptionally well. Give him time.


We have not lost a game so far and to be honest I am glad it happend now that the away game @ Reading is over; done and dusted and not later on in the season. Confidently IMHO, I believed Cech has won this psychological battle, beating his worst fear and overcome his phobia. Cech has definately moved on, I'm sure he has. 'What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger'.


Tactically the vulnerabilities of playing 4-4-2 is still evident. The back four looks a little stretched on numerous 'cause the flat midfield couldn't provide enough cover. Rather I do hope to see a diamond midfield, that will provide better cover for the back four.


Simply 4-4-2 with 2 central midfielders just couldn't protect the back four, rather a diamond midfield with an anchorman just sitting in front of the defence will make it a solid defensive unit.


Now not forgetting some, in fact, numerous horrendous refereeing. Rob Style's an SHOCKER! He practically lost control of the game. Flashing his cards wildly. He's got to be in the same league as Graham Poll. If there's one person to single out robbing the flow of the game, it's got to be Rob.


Well, not a bad result... certainly the best result among the top 4 teams today.

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[Peter_North]

I think nobody doubts Cech is a very good keeper, and still very good despite a rare howler against Reading.

However, for Chelsea to win EPL and CL, being a very good keeper is not good enough. Reading's keeper is also very good, unbeatable against Man Utd.

Clean sheet is Chelsea's key to the first 2 EPL titles. 3 games, let in 4 goals, is healthy for a team like Newcastle or Tottenham, but not Chelsea and Man Utd.

Liverpool seems to be Chelsea's bogey team, just like Athletico Madrid to Barcelona.

[WRX_STI]

went to c football with bro jwny last nite 1 word to describ SOLID dis jwny is a crazy guy no wonder the chelski contingent love him real livewire!

[no_faith]

there are reports of the controversial penalty.

Rafa was claiming the decision was unbelievable...talking about unbelievable

[Glen2712]

All that pressure of delivering instant results after spending that kind of money has finally got Rafa cracking up.


Rob was right infront, in full view of the penalty incident. He had a clear view of it. No doubt about it.


Looking at the slow mo. It looks like Finnan bodychecked Malouda instead of going for the ball, and Malouda's got no other option but to invade Finnan's bodychecked challenge by jumping across Steve.

[no_faith]

Blues accept Robben offer
Winger to hold talks with Real

Real Madrid have agreed a fee with Chelsea for Dutch winger Arjen Robben.


The Spanish champions have spent much of the summer chasing Robben and have now struck a deal with Chelsea.

Robben has been a long-term target of Real president Ramon Calderon, who promised to sign the wide man upon his election.

Calderon now appears to be close to finally fulfilling his election pledge after Chelsea confirmed an offer had been accepted.

The former PSV Eindhoven ace is now due to travel to Spain to undergo a medical after agreeing a five-year contract.

He has not played for The Blues this season and is being allowed to move on after three years at Stamford Bridge.

If Robben settles on terms with Real, he will become the third Dutchman to join the club this summer, following the signings of Wesley Sneijder and Royston Drenthe.


gdbye robben...