Archive for '2006/2007 Season' Category
Chelsea stumble
23 April 2007The Blues were unable to take maximum advantage of Man U’s stumble by closing the gap on the league leaders to one point. Chelsea managed an unconvincing draw at St. James Park against Newcastle United after Middlesbrough did the champions a favour by holding Manchester United to a draw at Old Trafford the day before. The game ended in a drab goalless draw with Chelsea not even having any goal attempt worthy of the name.
John Terry and his merry band of blue men looked a bit lacklustre and heavy in the feet. It was as if they were stuck in second gear and could not really get a head of steam to get underway. They seemed to have their minds in other places. I hope that the upcoming clash against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals is not taking its toll on the players psyche.
Chelsea for Wembley
15 April 2007Chelsea booked their place in the final of FA Cup in the New Wembley Stadium by beating Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at old Trafford in a gruelling semi-final encounter which went into extra time. Frank Lampard put The Blues in front after a lovely passing game which split Blackburns defense wide open and went into half time with that one goal advantage.
Mark Hughes men came out firing on all cylinders in the second half and fought their way back into the game when Jason Roberts helped in Gamst Perdeson’s low freekick from midway in Chelsea’s half. Michael Ballack earned his wages by taking the Premiership Champions through to the finals with a low drive in the box which Bart Friedel had no answer to.
This was one gruelling encounter and one can only but admire the grit and determination which Chelsea show time and time again in matches to come out trumps.
Chelsea overcome Valencia threat
10 April 2007Chelsea booked a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League by defeating Valencia on their home turf. The Blues showed their class and pedigree by playing with plenty of character and dominating the game in front of a voiciferous and hostile crowd.
Jose Mourinho’s men went behind in the first half from a goal by Spanish veteran Morientes who tucked in a cross from close range. They drew even in the second half with the help of its own veteran in its ranks Shevchenko who also scored from close range.
Michael Essien made the game safe for the English team at the stroke of full time with a low drive to beat the Spanish goalkeeper Canizares who had been magnificent until then and had kept all of Chelsea’s efforts out until then.
3 points and counting down
7 April 2007Chelsea defeated its North London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs at The Bridge to close the gap on league leaders Manchester United who play in a late kickoff. The gap between The Blues and The Reds is now three points and we hope it stays that way at the end of the days proceedings. A speculative long range effort from Ricardo Carvalho gave the Premiership champions a well deserved 1-0 advantage.
Didier to the rescue
5 April 2007Didier Drogba reached the milestone of 30 goals in a single season when he helped Chelsea secure a draw against Valencia in the Champions League first leg quarter final tie played at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues came from behind to get an equalizer which leaves them surprisingly second best to advance into the semi-finals of the competition. Write off Chelsea at your peril though Valencia. We will go to Spain next week and beat the Spaniards in their own backyard.
FA Cup semi-final ticket
19 March 2007The Blues picked up a deserved place in th FA Cup semi-finals by triumphing over Totenham Hotspurs at White Hart Lane. Andriy Shevchenko showed his striking pedigree by scoring a sensational left footed goal and a goal from Shaun Wright-Phillips helped seal a victory.
Spurs fought back with a goal from Robbie Keane from the penalty spot after Ricardo Carvalho brought down Dimitar Berbetov from behind in the penalty area but the premiership champions showed great character to see off a determined Spurs side.
The FA Cup is the only domestic cup which has eluded Jose Mourinho since he too over at Chelsea but he hopes to correct that. A semi-final match against Blackburn Rovers is all that stands between The Blues and a place in the final at the all new Wembley Stadium
Chelsea not to be written off
17 March 2007Chelsea stayed very much in contention for the Premiership title this season by beating Sheffield United 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to keep the gap between it and League leaders at a surmountable 6 points. the Premiership Champions should not be written off as they show the much needed character which saw them lift the trophy twice in concesion………….
An early 4th minute goal from Shevchenko who returned into the team after recovering from an ankle injury set The Blues on their path to securing a well deserved 3 points. Goals from Kalou who is slowly finding his feet in Chelsea and Ballack who came off the bench to score completed the goal haul from Chelsea’s three unlikely sources.
Six point gap
14 March 2007Chelsea closed the gap between it and the League leaders to six after a win at The City of Manchester Stadium. Stuart Pearce’s team has been under immense pressure in recent weeks for its loss of form which has seen Man City getting cut up in a relegation infested zone.
The Blues however continued their unrelentless march towards a third consecutive Premiership title by seeing of a hard fighting Man City.
John Terry returned from injury to captain the team and although he had his own fair share of knocks and bruises from a gruelling encounter, he saw his team through to get all three points
Chelsea 2 Porto 1
6 March 2007Chelsea came from one goal behind to beat FC Porto 2-1 and advance to the last eight of the Champions League. Well played Chelsea. We were booed off the field after the first half when we were still one goal down but The Mighty Blues showed the stuff they were made of by coming back to win.
John Terry discharged from hospital
25 February 2007John Terry has been discharged from hospital allaying any serious injury scare. The Chelsea and England defender was rushed to hospital after he was knocked unconscious following a kick to the head from Abou Diaby of Arsenal’s frantic effort to clear the ball from Arsenal’s danger area.