Chelsea Forum (Stamford Bridge) [Archive]

Ultimate10002000

23-01-2005, 04:17 PM

Chelsea Vs Portsmouth FT 3-0
Arjen Robben inspired Chelsea to a 3-0 home victory against Portsmouth well before half-time at Stamford Bridge as the Blues extended their lead at the top of the table to 11 points.

Damien Duff runs past Portsmouth's Patrick Berger (BenRadford/GettyImages)
Having resisted the temptation to go down after being fouled, he crossed for Didier Drogba to score Chelsea's first before hitting the target himself shortly afterwards.

Drogba scored his second goal of the game before half-time, converting a free-kick won by Robben, and the Dutchman was deservedly given a standing ovation when he was substituted late on.

# Clarke warns: We won't ease up

By that stage, Portsmouth were well out of it, with Aiyegbeni Yakubu having wasted their only real chance at 2-0 down.

With next week's FA Cup opponents Southampton having earlier beaten Liverpool, this was hardly a good day for the visiting fans.

Chelsea, however, simply go from strength to strength. While Arsenal could yet reduce the gap back to 10 points by defeating Newcastle on Sunday, it is now almost impossible to see the Blues self-destructing with just 14 games left.

Portsmouth may have made the early inroads, with Matthew Taylor's cross-shot saved by Petr Cech, but Chelsea were untroubled and simply waited for their moment to pounce.

That took just 14 minutes, although they were indebted to some excellent refereeing by Mike Riley, who ignored his assistant's well-intended flag for a foul on Robben as he sped past Gary O'Neil.

The Dutchman, who was accused of diving at Tottenham last weekend, rode the mistimed tackle and cut the ball back invitingly for Drogba to sidefoot home from close range.

Six minutes later, Chelsea already had victory in their grasp as Robben turned goalscorer himself.

Frank Lampard played a skilfully-weighted ball through for the Dutchman to chase onto and, with recalled goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown rather slow off his line, Robben skipped around him via a deflection.

Even though the ball almost reached the byline, the Chelsea winger maintained the poise to clip the ball inside the post from a tight angle.

Given that Chelsea had conceded just eight goals in their previous 23 league games this season, the chances of a Portsmouth comeback were slim, to put it mildly.

Indeed, the visitors squandered their only chance of a route back into the game after Lampard's careless pass left John Terry under pressure from Yakubu.

The Nigeria international, who is linked with a potential move away from Fratton Park, clipped the ball past Terry and bore down on goal, beating Cech but seeing the ball roll inches past the post.

Woe betide any side that fails to take such a golden chance against Chelsea. That was as near as Portsmouth came to making a game of it.

Just two minutes later, Robben was up-ended in full flight on the edge of the penalty area by David Unsworth and Drogba struck a fierce free-kick past Ashdown to make it 3-0. That was game over.

The second half was something of a procession, with Jose Mourinho removing Drogba, Damien Duff and Robben from the fray, but showing his strength in depth as Eidur Gudjohnsen, Mateja Kezman and Tiago came on.

O'Neil did strike a 20-yard free-kick that Cech tipped over the bar, but it was Chelsea who came closer to extending their lead.

Joe Cole shot straight at Ashdown as he stretched to reach Duff's cross, while Kezman shot just past the far post and Lampard also threatened.

Chelsea won at a canter and that should be as worrying for Arsenal and Manchester United as it was for Portsmouth.

Ultimate10002000

23-01-2005, 04:18 PM

Clarke warns: We won't ease up

Chelsea assistant boss Steve Clarke insisted he could not see any imminent dangers to his side's title chances after going 11 points clear today.

The Blues were inspired by Arjen Robben as they ran out 3-0 winners over Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge.

And Clarke warned Arsenal and Manchester United they would not get complacent as they moved closer to their first title in 50 years.

Clarke said: 'It doesn't seem to be strange to be in this position. It seems to be what we deserve for the hard work we've put in this season.

'Obviously, after a game like that, you think we didn't look like losing that match but there will be difficult matches along the way. We're under no illusions.

'It's hard to see a danger at the moment. But we won't become complacent, we look to win every match. We need to win 11 matches now.'

Chelsea, who have now won seven consecutive league games without conceding, were 2-0 up after just 21 minutes at Stamford Bridge, with Robben setting up Didier Drogba before scoring himself.

Robben also won the free-kick from which Drogba struck his second goal before half-time and the Dutch winger was the star performer.

Clarke added: 'You've seen a young man with an exceptional talent. He's got the ability to beat defenders at pace with the ball under control, which is a gift.

'He scores goals and makes goals, and his first-half performance was electric. He's very difficult to stop.

'You get quick players and those who are good on the ball. He's quick while he's on the ball and can play on either flank.'

While Chelsea now face two cup ties, their next eight league opponents are Blackburn, Manchester City, Everton, West Brom, Norwich, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Birmingham.

'We've said it for a long time now, and it might be boring, but we just have to concentrate on what we do in every game,' stressed Clarke.

'If we pick up three points every week, we will keep on getting closer and closer. There will be nothing the opposition can do.'

Portsmouth offered little resistance, with assistant boss Joe Jordan admitting that speculation over the futures of Yakubu and Amdy Faye was unsettling.

Both players have been linked with a potential move to Newcastle and chairman Milan Mandaric is set to address the issue before the FA Cup tie at Southampton next weekend.

Jordan revealed: 'You don't want the squad to be reduced. The chairman has said that he would have a chat with the players next week.

'Unfortunately, there has been a lot of speculation around the club about players leaving, which is not good and can be unsettling.

'So the chairman will next week clarify where we stand for the benefit of the players.'

Yakubu wasted his side's only clear chance at 2-0 down, although the visitors were not helped by the withdrawal of captain Arjan de Zeeuw shortly before kick-off due to illness.

'He came down this morning and felt sick. He wanted to play but got off the bus and had to be sick again, so we had to make a change. That's not taking anything away from Chelsea though,' concluded Jordan.

Ultimate10002000

23-01-2005, 04:19 PM

Prem wrap: Chelsea 11 points clear
Chelsea did the damage in the first half as a 3-0 win over Portsmouth stretched their lead to 11 points at the top of the Barclays Premiership.

Two goals from Didier Drogba and one for Arjen Robben left Pompey with no capital gains, and turned the heat up on title rivals Manchester United and Arsenal.

Jose Mourinho's side have now conceded just eight goals in their opening 24 league games, and they require 11 wins from their remaining 14 matches to clinch the club's first league title since 1955.

Drogba repaid another slice of his hefty transfer fee by firing Chelsea ahead in the 15th minute, the Ivory Coast striker turning in a Robben cross from close range.

Robben stretched their lead to 2-0 after 21 minutes when he latched on to a Frank Lampard pass and coolly sidestepped goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown before slotting home.

With Lomana LuaLua and Amdy Faye suspended, Portsmouth began well before fading fast, although Aiyegbeni Yakubu ought to have grabbed one back, only to miss from close range.

It became 3-0 after 39 minutes when Drogba struck again, this time from long range with a terrific free-kick.

Manchester United had to fend off a determined Aston Villa at Old Trafford before eventually running out comfortable 3-1 winners, a result which lifted them above Arsenal who face Newcastle at Highbury tomorrow.

The in-form Cristiano Ronaldo fired home after eight minutes, his second goal in four days after calming nerves with the opener in the FA Cup win at Exeter.

Louis Saha took Roy Keane's pass from midfield, beat two Villa defenders, and then slipped a superb ball inside Olof Mellberg to Ronaldo, who beat Thomas Sorensen with a low finish from 15 yards.

But Gareth Barry levelled up for Villa after 53 minutes after a neat move involving Nolberto Solano.

Then came United's revival, with Saha restoring their lead after 69 minutes and Paul Scholes heading a third a minute later after Ronaldo's shot had been only parried by Sorensen.

Southampton's prospects of survival grew after their 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the lunchtime kick-off, with Harry Redknapp finally able to celebrate his first league win since taking charge.

Liverpool's defence was exposed as David Prutton and Peter Crouch struck to decisive effect in the opening 22 minutes at St Mary's.

Prutton profited from a mistake by newcomer Mauricio Pellegrino to put Saints in front after just five minutes.

Terrible marking allowed Crouch to add a second, his third in consecutive games, with a sharp header from Prutton's cross.

For Liverpool, who had Steven Gerrard unusually muted in midfield and Fernando Morientes scarcely involved in attack, it was a third defeat in eight days, after painful losses to Manchester United and FA Cup opponents Burnley.

Saints remained in the bottom three, but Crystal Palace headed them on goal difference alone, with the possibility remaining that the two sides might switch places by full-time.

Everton, with James Beattie making his home debut, were beaten 1-0 by Charlton at Goodison, with Matt Holland firing the Addicks ahead from long range just before the break.

Beattie hit the post in the second half, and that was as close as the Toffees came.

Birmingham thrust new loan signing Salif Diao straight into action at St Andrews, but they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Fulham, whose improvement continued.

Moritz Volz's messy own goal after 51 minutes gave Birmingham the lead, but Andy Cole's penalty put the Cottagers level and Papa Bouba Diop headed his second matchwinner in a week to give the visitors a valuable victory, repeating the trick after doing similar damage to West Brom.

Crystal Palace upped the tempo in the second half and crushed Martin Jol's Tottenham 3-0 at Selhurst Park.

Eagles went in front after 66 minutes when Mikele Leigertwood turned a left-wing cross from Tom Soares past Paul Robinson.

Danny Granville then added a second for Palace after 70 minutes and an Andy Johnson penalty seven minutes later, after he had been brought down, put the finishing touches to the welcome win.

Struggling Norwich looked dead and buried against Middlesbrough going into the closing stages, but they clawed back three goals to secure a 4-4 draw.

Damien Francis gave the Canaries an 18th-minute lead, only for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to bring Middlesbrough back onto level terms soon after the half-hour mark.

Boro were revitalised for the second half and a quickfire double from Franck Queudrue, who headed home a Stewart Downing corner after 49 minutes and then tapped home his second six minutes later, looked to have put the game beyond Norwich.

Hasselbaink's second of the game, a curling free-kick after 78 minutes, made it miserable for Norwich, but they had some cause for cheer two minutes later when £3million man Dean Ashton scored his first goal since joining from Crewe.

A Leon McKenzie header in the 90th minute made for a tense finish, and incredibly Norwich then pinched an equaliser in injury-time through Adam Drury - the sort of finish which could change their season.

Their delight may, however, be tempered by news of the wins for Palace and Southampton.

Ultimate10002000

25-01-2005, 04:06 PM

No Reds regrets - Robben

Chelsea winger Arjen Robben insists he has no regrets about not joining Manchester United as he prepares to tackle the Reds in the Carling Cup.

With every decisive impact that Robben makes in the title race, Sir Alex Ferguson must regret the moment that United failed to meet the winger's asking price.

Indeed, Ferguson can only hope that in Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg, Robben is not given the chance to show the Old Trafford fans what they missed out on.

After inspiring Chelsea against Portsmouth, Robben again proved that the £12m which Chelsea agreed to pay PSV Eindhoven is looking one of the bargains of the past season.

The Dutchman, who turns 21 on Sunday, observed: "I don't know what I can expect at Old Trafford.

"All I can say is I made the decision to go to Chelsea and I don't have any bad feelings about Manchester United.

"It's a great club. I went to Manchester to look at them but they didn't come to a deal and that's it. Chelsea then got in contact and gave me a great feeling. The decision was easy.

"But I think it can go wrong if you want to show someone what they're missing. I play for Chelsea and that's it, I want to win with Chelsea."

Jose Mourinho's side have seven consecutive league victories now behind them without conceding a goal after Robben scored one and helped set up the other two for Didier Drogba against Portsmouth.

"To other people, it seems like we're unbeatable but that's just the great attitude we play with and we keep on winning," he added.

"I wouldn't say we actually feel unbeatable - nobody is unbeatable - but at the moment we are playing with a lot of confidence and we're not afraid to lose."

Ultimate10002000

25-01-2005, 04:08 PM

Mourinho denies Beckam blast

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has denied criticising England captain David Beckham and has spoken of his "respect" for the Real Madrid star.

Mourinho has been linked with a renewed move for the Real Madrid star in the light of a possible kit deal with adidas but it is now believed that Beckham does not figure in the club's transfer plans for next season.

The Chelsea chief has been critical of Madrid's policy of buying up big names but insisted such comments did not refer to Beckham and insisted he remained a big admirer of the former Manchester United player.

Mourinho said: "David Beckham is someone I respect as a man and as a player. He is the captain of England and has been a European champion.

"I have never been critical of him and reports that imply that are totally incorrect as I have never made any comments directly about him."

Ultimate10002000

25-01-2005, 04:09 PM

Robben slams diving claims

Chelsea winger Arjen Robben has hit back at claims he is diver ahead of Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final tie at Old Trafford.

Robben was accused of going to ground too easily by Tottenham defender Noe Pamarot following penalty claims during last weekend's derby at White Hart Lane.

However, the Dutchman insisted: "All I can say is that if you saw the two moments, they were two penalties and that's it - no diving."

It was certainly not the first time that Robben had been accused of diving but he argued, with some justification, that he had proved his point in Saturday's 3-0 win at home to Portsmouth.

Despite being fouled by Gary O'Neil in the build-up to Chelsea's opening goal, the winger kept going and reached the byline before crossing for Didier Drogba to side-foot home on 14 minutes.

He could then have gone down under keeper Jamie Ashdown's challenge six minutes later but again kept his feet before clipping the ball inside the post from a tight angle.

And there was little question that he was brought down in full flight to win the free-kick from which Drogba made it 3-0 before half-time.

Robben was later taken off with 15 minutes left to save him for Wednesday's semi-final second leg against Manchester United.

The Dutchman missed the first leg through suspension and, ironically enough, could have been plying his trade at Old Trafford this season if United had met PSV Eindhoven's £12m asking price.

"I don't know what I can expect at Old Trafford," he admitted.

"All I can say is that I made my decision to go to Chelsea and I don't have any bad feelings about Manchester United. It's a great club and we'll see.

"I don't want to speak much about it. I went to Manchester to look at them but they didn't come to a deal and that's it. Afterwards, Chelsea got in contact and they gave me a great feeling. The decision was easy.

"I think it can go wrong if you want to show someone what they're missing. I play for Chelsea and that's it. I want to win with Chelsea."

lil_kiddo

25-01-2005, 08:14 PM

Chelsea will definitely win the EPL this season, in my opinion. unless Chelsea really screw up big time in the second half of the season, Arsenal and Man Utd can just compete for the second spot.

blackevil_2000

25-01-2005, 08:22 PM

crap crap sfter tonight chelsea will have a big dip 4 sure

Ultimate10002000

26-01-2005, 08:33 AM

Preview: Mourinho ready for OT return

LONDON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The last time Jose Mourinho visited Old Trafford he ended up tearing down the touchline like a demented teenager after his Porto side knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League with a late goal.
On Wednesday the Portuguese manager returns to the scene of that triumph last March with his seemingly unstoppable Chelsea side for the second leg of a League Cup semi-final that is delicately poised after the goalless first leg.

Unlike his team Mourinho will be bearing gifts. He and Alex Ferguson shared a bottle of distinctly average wine after the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago and Mourinho has promised his United rival a 'beautiful bottle of Portuguese wine' for the return.

This apparent cordiality appears to be in marked contrast to Ferguson's bitter relationship with Arsenal rival Arsene Wenger.

The impression is misleading. Both Ferguson and Mourinho share a pragmatic obsession with winning above all else and Ferguson has not forgotten that the Portuguese accused him of trying to influence the referee in the first leg.

Nonetheless Chelsea's coach hopes to be celebrating more than just his 42nd birthday, which falls on Wednesday, at the post-match drinks and he has plenty of reasons to justify his optimism.

Ten points clear at the top of the Premier League, Chelsea are homing in on their first championship for 50 years.

The basis of their success this season is a defence marshalled by John Terry that has conceded only 10 goals in 29 domestic matches this season.

Over the past five weeks the collective strikers of Norwich, Aston Villa, Portsmouth (twice), Liverpool, Middlesbrough, United and Tottenham have all drawn a blank against Chelsea's rearguard. In fact the only goal they have conceded in their last nine games was against fourth division Scunthorpe.

Chelsea will almost certainly look to absorb United's in-form attack on Wednesday before releasing their electric Dutchman Arjen Robben on the counter.

'He's a young man with an exceptional talent,' said Chelsea assistant manager Steve Clarke. 'He has the ability to beat defenders at pace with the ball under control. It's a great gift.

'He scores goals, makes goals. He's very difficult to stop.'

Liverpool or Watford await the winners at the Millennium Stadium on February 27. If Chelsea make it they will be looking for their third League Cup triumph after 1965 and 1998.

Ferguson has never lost a domestic semi-final in his 18 years at the club but United's record in the League Cup final is relatively poor. They have won it only once, in 1992, and lost in the final four times, most recently to Liverpool in 2003.

Ferguson is still deprived of unfit Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy but has his own version of Robben in Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Scot reckoned his team were showing 'championship form' after Saturday's 3-1 win over Villa, their 10th win in a run of 13 games unbeaten.

Like Chelsea their defence is miserly. They too have conceded only one goal in their last nine games.

Ferguson, who may recall Alan Smith up front alongside Wayne Rooney, cannot wait for a game that kick-starts an exciting month for his club.

'The games coming up are fantastic games for us,' he said. 'We've got a semi-final of the League Cup against Chelsea, an FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough and a forthcoming European tie with AC Milan.'

Ultimate10002000

26-01-2005, 08:35 AM

Stars will take centre stage - Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson expects the stars on show in tomorrow's heavyweight Carling Cup tie between Manchester United and Chelsea to completely overshadow his personal duel with Jose Mourinho.
The Chelsea boss heads to Old Trafford for the first time since his Porto side dumped United out of the Champions League last March - and just a fortnight after his criticism of Ferguson for his attempt to influence referee Neale Barry in the first leg of this semi-final.

Ferguson insists he holds Mourinho in high esteem, claiming he can see some of his old self in the supremely confident Portuguese.

But the long-serving United manager is confident his own head-to-head with the man who has won two European trophies in as many years and guided Chelsea to the brink of their first title since 1955 will not deflect from a mouth-watering clash which will leave the victors as the sole English club capable of completing an unprecedented trophy four-timer this season.

'Jose Mourinho has done fantastically well at Chelsea,' said Ferguson.

'They have a system; they are very organised - and once they get a goal they are very good at protecting it.

'But this game is not about Jose Mourinho or Alex Ferguson. This game is about 22 great players.

'Both sides have match-winners, and working out which player will win the match is far more interesting that any talk about managers.'

One of those players will be Arjen Robben, the youngster Ferguson thought he had signed up only for Chelsea to swoop in and snatch the 21-year-old from his grasp.

Robben has already established himself as one of the Premier League's stellar talents - but having missed the league encounter between the sides through injury and the first Carling Cup meeting because of suspension, it will be the first time the former PSV Eindhoven man faces the team he snubbed.

'I am not surprised how Arjen Robben has adapted to the English game,' was Ferguson's assessment of the flying Dutchman.

'We knew all about him.'

In assessing the merits of the two sides, who remain deadlocked after the first 90 minutes of a tie which no-one would be surprised to see decided by extra-time and penalties, Ferguson managed to down-grade United's other London rivals Arsenal.

The Gunners, who tackle United in the Barclays Premiership at Highbury next week, jumped above the Red Devils into second spot with their win over Newcastle on Sunday. But for Ferguson, England's top two will be on show at Old Trafford tomorrow.

'It's the best two sides in the country; it's sudden death. The atmosphere should be wonderful, and it should be a fantastic game. Our record in semi-finals is terrific, and I hope we can maintain that.'

If anything Ferguson has under-played his past achievements in domestic semi-finals.

In 19 individual matches, the United boss has never finished on the losing side - a run which continued on the King's Road two weeks ago.

The Red Devils also head into tomorrow's game knowing they have not lost a home game in this cup competition since York recorded their staggering 3-0 win almost a decade ago - and they have not tasted defeat to Chelsea in knock-out combat since 1950.

Ferguson, however, is not placing too much faith in the statistics.

The Scot has seen enough of Mourinho's side this season to know they are just as lethal on their travels as they are on home soil - and he acknowledges the draw his team fought so hard for at Stamford Bridge does not equate to any kind of edge.

'You would normally think a 0-0 draw away from home would give you an advantage, but Chelsea's form away from home this season has been so good I don't think it matters,' he said.

'They have been to Liverpool and won and been to Arsenal and drawn. They are the kind of results you would want in major games like those.'

Ferguson is still debating his starting line-up, but Alan Smith is set to return after recovering from the minor ankle injury which kept him out of the last three games - while captain Roy Keane, suspended for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Middlesbrough, should also play.

'It is tempting to play a strong side,' admitted Ferguson, who until the first Chelsea encounter limited his selection in this competition to fringe players and youngsters.

'We need to spread the load with so many big games ahead - but we are giving it serious consideration.'

Although the word from the United camp is that victory is essential to halt Chelsea's title drive, Ferguson is not quite as convinced of the effect defeat would have on Mourinho and his team.

'It would take a lot of damage to allow us to claw back 11 points,' he said.

'That is a big lead at this time of year.'

Ultimate10002000

27-01-2005, 08:15 PM

Mourinho tops Ferguson again
PA
For the second time in nine months, Jose Mourinho sauntered into the Theatre of Dreams and created a nightmare for Manchester United.

Duff's free-kick bounces into the roof of the net (LaurenceGriffiths/GettyImages)
Sir Alex Ferguson still shudders at the memory of Porto's shock Champions League victory at his side's expense last season.

Now Mourinho has moved much closer to home and proceeded to wreck Ferguson's impeccable domestic semi-final record tonight as Damien Duff's late winner booked Chelsea a Carling Cup final date with Liverpool and kept them on target for an unlikely quadruple.

It was unfortunate for United goalkeeper Tim Howard that an absorbing contest which looked destined for extra-time should eventually be settled by his mistake.

A string of excellent Howard saves were largely responsible for the hosts still being in the contest when Duff drifted a touchline free-kick deep into a packed Red Devils' penalty area.

Howard failed to come and with the defence in front of him remaining static, the ball simply bounced in off the far post.

For Ryan Giggs at least it was a bitter blow as the Welshman had ignited the hosts with a sublime first-time finish midway through the second half that levelled Frank Lampard's opener.

Giggs will rarely score a better goal than the one he lofted over Petr Cech after he had run on to Gary Neville's return ball.

But while United might claim to be hard done by, it was Chelsea who produced the most incisive play and if any side deserved to win such a hard-fought contest, it was them.

While Ferguson could plausibly claim defeat for the visitors would have no discernible effect on their seemingly unstoppable march to the title, the Scot knew anything other than victory for his own side would render their chances of overhauling Chelsea's 11-point lead virtually impossible.

At the same time, it would also end the Red Devils hopes of lifting one of the three pieces of silverware they still have a realistic chance of winning - which is why Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville were given a rare League Cup appearance.

Of the players available, only Wayne Rooney was omitted from what constituted United's strongest side, although even the strength of that team selection was trumped by Mourinho, whose team was the best he could choose.

Lampard gave the hosts a warning of what was to come early on when he spurned a virtual mirror image of the goal which eventually gave Chelsea the lead.

Duff was the provider on that first occasion, slipping a pass back to the England midfielder - who failed to realise how much time he had and scuffed a poor shot wide.

As actual chances went, it was the last clear cut one either side had until Lampard found the net just before the half-hour mark.

In between though, both sides attacked with zest, kept at bay by the best two defences in the top flight.

Frank Lampard celebrates his opener (LaurenceGriffiths/GettyImages)

Lampard's goal, from Didier Drogba's square pass, put a totally different complexion on the game, forcing United to try and break Chelsea down. If effort alone counted for anything, the hosts would have achieved their aim.

As it was, the best the best they could come up with was a loud, legitimate and unsuccessful penalty shout when Wayne Bridge felled Quinton Fortune.

A similar story began to unfold after half-time as United pushed forward and Chelsea looked more likely to score.

Had it not been for Howard's heroics, the Red Devils would have conceded a killer second long before Giggs' inspirational intervention.

The American keeper may now be a confirmed second choice behind Roy Carroll but his form recently has been excellent, which only made his late, crucial blunder all the more surprising.

Twice he kept United in the hunt, scrambling away a goalbound Lampard effort, before earning top marks for a feet-first stop which denied Robben.

In truth, the keeper shouldn't have been given much of a chance but Tiago opted for an ill-advised stepover when Drogba rolled across an inviting square pass, forcing Robben to shoot when he was far better placed.

Giggs' stunning effort ensured the error, such as it was, was severely punished - but if United thought their equaliser would unsettle their visitors, they were badly mistaken.

Chelsea responded by ignoring the frenzied atmosphere and clinically looking for a second. They got it too, although they benefited massively from Howard's major misjudgement.

Typically, United rallied and it needed a goalline clearance from Wayne Bridge to deny Mikael Silvestre and a brilliant Petr Cech save to deny Cristiano Ronaldo before Mourinho was able to celebrate yet another famous night at Old Trafford.

Ultimate10002000

27-01-2005, 08:16 PM

We've won nothing yet, warns Lampard
Chelsea goalscorer Frank Lampard said the players were trying to keep their feet on the ground despite moving a step closer to their first trophy under Jose Mourinho after beating Manchester United in the Carling Cup semi-final.

Frank Lampard (left) fires home the opener (MikeEgerton/Empics)
The England midfielder and Damien Duff scored either side of Ryan Giggs' equaliser to put the Blues into the Millennium Stadium final against Liverpool on February 27.

It means Chelsea are still in with a chance of winning an unprecedented four major trophies this season but Lampard was reluctant to get too over-excited.

'We haven't won anything yet but we are going the right way about it. Everyone is together and going in the same direction,' he told Sky Sports.

'It will give us a confidence boost and we will go after the others.'

Club and country team-mate John Terry agreed, saying: 'None of us have won anything and hopefully this is our year and we can start with this cup and build on it.

'We are taking each competition as it comes and so we'll concentrate on the FA Cup (against Birmingham) on Sunday but it means an awful lot to the lads - this is the first trophy [to be won] in the season. We are here to win it.'

Chelsea manager Mourinho was happier to look forward to success on four fronts but he too had a word of caution for those expecting a a clean sweep of silverware.

'We can win four, we can lose four, we can win one or two,' he said. 'To win the four is very, very difficult but it is still possible. There is a long way to do it but if you could give the Premiership [title] I would be very happy.'

Mourinho, who celebrated his 42nd birthday today, told Sky Sports: 'If you can finish your day with such an important victory it is the perfect day.

'The plan was just to win the game and be in the final but we knew, with the opponent and the atmosphere, that a semi-final is always difficult and we were ready for anything.'

The former Porto boss claimed the way his side performed would show their Premiership rivals who are waiting for the Stamford Bridge club to slip up that it will not be easy to catch them.

'It was important for us, not because we got into a final, but also the way we played, the mentality, the strength we showed here was a message we sent to the Premiership,' he said.

'It is still difficult, we still have to win 11 matches to be champions but we have left a message here that we are really strong and the boys are magnificent.

'I was ready to lose the game and leave Old Trafford with a smile just to pass a message of confidence. But my team would never lose their confidence or mentality just because of a defeat here.'

Drogba battles with Mikael Silvestre (MikeEgerton/Empics)

Sir Alex Ferguson lost his record of never losing a semi-final but he was more displeased about the defending for Duff's winning goal - an inswinging free-kick from long range.

'You would think it would happen some time but this is the lesser of the tournaments you would want to get knocked out of,' he said. 'We're not happy about the free-kick from 50 yards out - you can't expect to win losing goals like that.

'We played exceptionally well in the second half. It was a great game, you couldn't divide the teams today.

'They are a threat on the counter-attack but we coped with that quite well and I thought we had the far bigger momentum in the second half.

'Their goalkeeper made a fantastic save from Ronaldo and we had one cleared off the line.'

Ryan Giggs believed his side were unlucky to go out, telling MUTV: 'I think we created the best chances in the second half. The tempo we played at, Chelsea couldn't live with us so we're disappointed to go out.'

Giggs' equaliser had sparked United hopes of a place in the final but they were denied by Duff's late winner.

'I thought there was only going to be one winner then (after the equaliser),' he said. 'Even after the second goal we were creating chances.

'We got into plenty of good positions in the final third, maybe the crossing could have been better.

'It was a slow game and I think that suited them. We tried to close them down in the second half, tried to increase out tempo.'

Giggs pointed to mistakes at both Chelsea goals as the cause of United's downfall, saying: 'You can't make mistakes in semi-finals, especially against a quality team like Chelsea.'

Ultimate10002000

27-01-2005, 08:16 PM

Chelsea clinch £100m kit deal
Chelsea have clinched a kit deal with top sportswear firm adidas reportedly worth around £100million.

Details of the new deal are likely to be unveiled in the next 48 hours and the move comes just a week after the Barclays Premiership leaders paid £24.8million to sever their previous sponsorship contract with Umbro.

The new deal with the German company will begin in the summer of 2006 and last for 10 years. The huge contract is a vast improvement on their previous £2million-a-season agreement with Umbro but still some way below the £302.9million, 15-year deal that Peter Kenyon, now Chelsea chief executive, secured when he was at Manchester United.

United's deal with Nike remains the biggest sponsorship agreement in British football but the downside was the sale of all the merchandising rights in return for the massive payment.

Chelsea though have agreed a deal similar to those in existence with Real Madrid, Ajax and Bayern Munich and it is understood they were not interested in selling off their licensing and retailing rights. This stance has prevented them from matching United's deal.

Adidas already backs Newcastle in the Premiership but wanted to be associated with a club that has the capability of winning the title and the Champions League sooner rather than later.

The deal has been signed, according to reports in the London Evening Standard, but the finer points of the sponsorship programme have yet to be ironed out. They are likely to include Chelsea being heavily involved in new adidas products along with other top clubs.

kelpsh

27-01-2005, 10:18 PM

was thinking bout the shirt deal chelsea was negotiating & adidas came up to mind.. n true enough they signed with the same brand tied-up to big names like bayern, real, milan... so guess adidas have strongholds in each of the top european leagues... ;)

Ultimate10002000

28-01-2005, 08:36 AM

We had Chelsea rattled' - Giggs
Ryan Giggs and Roy Keane are convinced Manchester United have every reason to remain positive despite having Sir Alex Ferguson's proud domestic semi-final record wrecked by Chelsea.

Having seen last night's Carling Cup clash built up as the game which could pitch Jose Mourinho's side into the form slide they have yet to suffer on their march towards an unprecedented quadruple, defeat for the hosts at Old Trafford could leave United fans worrying about the hangover effect their own side will suffer.

The League Cup may never have been a particularly lucky competition for the Red Devils and it certainly ranks a miserable fourth on Ferguson's list of priorities.

But given the desire and hunger with which the Red Devils approached their task, an eventual 2-1 home loss to a side that already holds a massive 11 point advantage in the title race does not inspire any belief that it will eventually be clawed back.

Instead of looking on the negative side though, Giggs and Keane prefer to focus on the more pleasing aspects of their night's work.

For the Welshman it was the knowledge that Chelsea found themselves on the rack at times as they struggled to contain United's second-half surge, while his captain is experienced enough to see the signs that indicate an immediate return to winning ways in the FA Cup against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

'When we upped the tempo of our play in the second half, I didn't think Chelsea could live with us,' said Giggs, whose brilliant equaliser looked set to turn the contest United's way.

'We all recognise Chelsea are a quality side but I have not seen them rattled like that before. Once we scored, it looked like there would only be one winner.

'Even when they got the second we had a couple of chances to equalise. We definitely felt we did enough to get something out of the game but I suppose if you make mistakes in a semi-final against a team as good as they are, you will get punished.'

Keane's theme was remarkably similar and though the veteran Irishman will be suspended for the weekend visit of Steve McClaren's men, he has no doubt United will recover.

'We will be fine,' he said. 'We will bounce back from this.

'We feel hard done by because we were the better side after half-time. Although it looked like we were heading for extra-time, the momentum was with us.

'People can be quick to criticise but you have to give credit to Chelsea as well. We don't believe we got the rub of the green but in some senses you make your own luck and they have benefited from us giving them too soft goals.'

Neither man was prepared to blame Tim Howard for Damien Duff's late winner, following the lead of their manager who condemned the failure of his team's defence to clear the free-kick that floated over a sea of bodies before creeping in.

Though condemnation of Howard is harsh given the American produced two outstanding second half saves to keep United in the contest, coming just three weeks after Roy Carroll's blunder against Tottenham, it just highlighted the goalkeeping problems Ferguson has suffered since Peter Schmeichel quit in 1999.

In contrast, Chelsea have two players of immense talent at their disposal, with Mourinho so confident in his number two that Carlo Cudicini has already been installed as his final keeper even though Petr Cech's last-gasp stop to deny Cristiano Ronaldo prevented the game heading into extra-time.

With Arsenal to come next Tuesday, AC Milan limbering up for their forthcoming Champions League visit and no time to bring in a reinforcement, Ferguson must hope Carroll and Howard can cut out the mistakes otherwise his team will end the season empty-handed.

Howard is likely to keep his place for the Middlesbrough encounter but changes appear inevitable with Alan Smith and Wayne Rooney certainties to start following Louis Saha's below-par performance.

'After last night's disappointment another big game on Saturday is exactly what we need,' said Giggs.

'It's not as though we ended the game poorly or didn't play well. The first half could have been better but we can take a lot out of our performance and hopefully we will get back on the winning track against Middlesbrough.'

Ultimate10002000

28-01-2005, 08:36 AM

Alonso bears no Lampard grudge
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso claims he has not given up hope of playing again this season and insists he does not bear any grudge against Chelsea's Frank Lampard for the tackle which broke his ankle.

Lampard was criticised for the New Year's Day challenge which will see the Spaniard miss the Carling Cup final between the two clubs next month.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez fears that his £10million signing will not play again this season but Alonso is not so sure.

He said: 'I have already started work in the gym and am fulfilling certain goals. I am an optimistic person and want to think that I'll return to play this season.

'It is frustrating to miss out on the Champions League games coming up but I hope we get through so that I have a chance of playing in later rounds.'

Alonso told the club's official website that he does not blame Lampard for his predicament. He added: 'Lampard apologised for the tackle and that is a nice gesture, but it has annoyed me to get this injury at the worst possible moment.'

Ultimate10002000

28-01-2005, 08:57 AM

All four one, none for all?
Steve Wilson
First he said it was impossible. Now he has admitted that it can be done; with the caveat that it will be 'very, very difficult'. Jose Mourinho was not the first to mention the possibility, surprisingly for a man of such unwavering conviction in his own talents, but he is starting to believe.

Jose Mourinho with last year's big prize (MatthewAshton/Empics)
Chelsea's inexorable march towards silverware is gathering pace and, whisper it around Old Trafford and Highbury, more and more people are starting to suggest that maybe, just maybe, they can sweep the board when the trophies are handed out, eclipsing Manchester United's treble of 1999 in the process.

The bookies, too, are coming round to the idea; parsimonious odds of just 11/1 being offered by some high street bookmakers on the Carling Cup, Premier League trophy, Champions League and FA Cup all residing in SW6 come May.

'We can win four, we can lose four, we can win one or two,' Mourinho said in the wake of Wednesday's 2-1 Carling Cup semi-final victory at Old Trafford. 'To win the four is very, very difficult but it is still possible. There is a long way to do it but if you could give the Premiership [title] I would be very happy.'

Not everyone, however, is getting quite so carried away. Sir Alex Ferguson, who led United to that famous treble of Champions League, Premiership and FA Cup in 1999, insists Chelsea will not better the achievement.

'There is no chance of a club doing a quadruple,' he said prior to the first leg of what proved to be an engaging encounter between the old money of Manchester and the nouveau rich Londoners.

'A treble is more feasible. But it is still very difficult to think that will be done again. When we did the treble, we had only Henning Berg injured. You need a hell of a good squad and your main players have to be fit all the time.'

And that, perhaps, is the key. Chelsea do have a 'hell of a good squad'. More than that, they have, crucially, a reliable understudy waiting in the wings should any of the starting line-up fall foul of injury or suspension.

Indeed, the distinction between first team and reserves at Stamford Bridge is a very blurred one, clouded by the unprecedented spending power available to the manager thanks to the injection of Roman Abromovich's millions.

Whereas Manchester United's replacements for key men struggle to live up to the standards of those in front of them, as proven by Ferguson's ill-judged team selection for the 0-0 draw against non-league Exeter City in the third round of the FA Cup, and Arsenal's bench is peppered with undoubtedly gifted but still inexperienced teenagers, when Chelsea rest players they never have the look of a side missing first-choice regulars.

And money, or more specifically its unequal distribution in the modern game, is at the root of why such an achievement can even be considered. With wealth concentrated, thanks largely to the effect of the Champions league and television deals (although from a very different source at Stamford Bridge), in the hands of an ever decreasing number of clubs, so the spread of trophy distribution narrows.

Ronaldinho: Standing in Chelsea's way. (DenisDoyle/GettyImages)

In the first 100 years of organised English football there were four league and cup doubles; since the formation of the Premiership there have been five.

And, of course, they have Mourinho, a man whose opinion of his own worth is matched only by his exceptional achievements in his short time as a football manager. A near impregnable lead in the Premiership; a Carling Cup final booked for next month against Liverpool; a fourth round meeting with Birmingham City in the FA Cup; and a mouth watering two-legged tie against Barcelona in the knock-out stages of the Champions League means it's still on.

Soccernet take a leaf out of John Terry's book and 'take each competition as it comes' as we assess their chances of an unprecedented quadruple.

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP:

As good as won with their only realistic challengers, Manchester United and Arsenal, both admitting that the title is now Chelsea's to lose. A commanding 10 point lead with just 14 games to go means that, even if Arsenal were to win every game from now until the end of the season, Chelsea would need to lose three and draw one. On current form that seems improbable.

The 'blip' that Ferguson insists every team goes through in a season - he said the same about Arsenal last season when they went unbeaten - doesn't look on the cards. Chelsea's only defeat of the season, at Manchester City back in October, was followed by four straight victories and in six of the next nine matches they scored four goals. Arsenal, by contrast, tasted victory just once in the five league games that followed their first defeat in 50 games at the infamous Old Trafford clash of the same month.

They have conceded just eight goals in 24 games, with a goal difference of plus 40, and look set to eclipse the record for goals against set by Liverpool in the 1978/79 season.

Only a catastrophic loss of form can deny them now. The one possible intrigue centres around a four day period in April where they face both Manchester United and Arsenal. Defeats against either or both are possible but would not be enough on their own. With games against Crystal Palace, Norwich, Southampton and West Brom scheduled to take place before that time, however, it is likely that they could afford to drop points in the two heavy weight match ups.

With Manchester United set to visit Highbury on the first of February, a draw would effectively hand Mourinho the crown he purports to value above all others.

Verdict: Champions with games to spare.

CARLING CUP

Unlike some of his Premiership contemporaries, Mourinho has shown every desire to go out and win the devalued League Cup from the outset. Arguably more to do with the Ambramovich-assisted depth of his squad than reverence for the trophy, he has fielded strong sides throughout.

Winning it would get a trophy in the cabinet less than a year into his reign and lift confidence for the late-season push in the more important competitions. Players such as Frank Lampard, John Terry and Wayne Bridge have yet to get their hands on any of the major trophies and the will to win instilled in them by their focused manager mean that they will be straining at the leash to right that in Cardiff next month.

Only a misfiring Liverpool side stand between them and the first silverware of the Mourinho era and, on current form, this should not represent too difficult a challenge. Wins against Norwich and Watford have proved the only rays of sunshine in a stormy 2005, three league defeats and an FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Burnley drawing the first mini-crisis in Rafa Benitez's rein.

One of those defeats was against Chelsea and, despite a creditable performance and some questionable refereeing decisions going against them, that completed the season double. Long-term injuries, notably to Djibril Cisse and Xabi Alonso (by the foot of Frank Lampard), have hampered the teams development and January signings have yet to convince.

A lot will depend up the performance of Steven Gerrard but even he would be hard pressed to win a midfield battle with player-of-the-year-elect Lampard and the indomitable Claude Makelele.

A one-off cup game it may be, but you can't imagine Chelsea fluffing their lines on the opening night of the quadruple quest.

Verdict: Chelsea claim the first of many.

Frank Lampard celebrates his opener as Chelsea booked their first final apperance under Mourinho. (LaurenceGriffiths/GettyImages)

FA CUP:

Still in its infancy in terms of Chelsea's involvement, the FA Cup still has a long way to run but considering their strutting, domestic dominance it is no surprise to find them short-priced favourites.

Premiership opposition in the form of Birmingham City provide the next hurdle but with Steve Bruce's team hovering nervously close to the relegation places, it would be a major shock were they to fall at this stage.

However, with five rounds remaining and the capacity for the old competition to throw up a few upsets, and the very real possibility of at least one meeting with one of the big boys at some stage, nothing should be taken for granted.

There is solace to be drawn for those faced with the daunting task of ending Chelsea's FA Cup run in Mourinho's solitary blemish in his managerial career at Porto. In his two seasons at the Estadio do Dragao, his team won all bar one of the competitions they entered. Two league titles, a UEFA Cup and Champions League success were adorned with just one domestic cup. A 2004 Portuguese Cup final defeat to Benfica denied Mourinho the clean sweep as Porto boss and the FA Cup may not prove to be the cake walk that many may predict.

Verdict: Deja vu for Mourinho and another runners-up medal.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:

Four straight victories in which they scored nine and conceded just a solitary goal breezed Chelsea to the top of Goup H and qualification with something to spare. A nil-nil draw with Paris St German and a reversal at Porto were misleading results as nothing was riding on them.

Outstanding performances booked one of the biggest tests they are likely to face: a last 16 match-up with La Liga pace setters Barcelona.

The combined attacking verve of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, and Deco and the midfield promptings of Hernandez Xavi presents a major threat to Chelsea's participation in the competition and should prove a monumental contest.

Should they overcome this trickiest of hurdles then the prospects look good. They other main contenders for the prize, Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus, have been pitted against Manchester United and Real Madrid respectively. With Arsenal meeting Bayern Munich and holders Porto facing the third Italian representative, Inter Milan, the field is destined to be shorn of a number of the big guns, ensuring safer passage for those that remain. A kind draw could take Chelsea to the final comfortably.

But they have to overcome Barcelona, where Mourinho was assistant to both Bobby Robson and Louis Van Gaal, to take advantage of this. No easy feat.

Mourinho, of course, has been there and done it all before. In guiding Porto to two consecutive European crowns he has gleaned enough savvy and experience not to be overawed by the big occasions.

Verdict: Another European triumph for Mourinho only if they can avoid AC Milan.

Ultimate10002000

28-01-2005, 05:24 PM

Mourinho's Cudicini pledge

Jose Mourinho has promised to recall Carlo Cudicini for Chelsea's Carling Cup final appearance against Liverpool - despite having turned to Petr Cech for their semi-final win at Old Trafford.

Cudicini, who is also set to return for Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Birmingham, had played in each of the club's four previous games in the Carling Cup.

However, first-choice goalkeeper Cech was in goal in the semi-final second leg against Manchester United, making an important late save from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mourinho declared: "It's a fantastic feeling and I feel sorry for the players that did not participate in the game. The promise I made to Carlo before the game was that he would play in the final.

"For the contribution he has made to the club in the past and in the present I think he deserves to play. We still face tough competition from a great team but we must have a trophy at the end of the season."

Ultimate10002000

28-01-2005, 05:25 PM

Roman gets into the mood

Roman Abramovich was soaked with champagne as Chelsea celebrated making it into their first final since the Russian billionaire's takeover 18 months ago.

Abramovich was greeted with a shower of bubbly after going into the Old Trafford visitors' dressing room to congratulate the players and manager Jose Mourinho following their 2-1 Carling Cup semi-final victory over Manchester United.

Mourinho, who was also celebrating his 42nd birthday, said: "I do not think Roman should go into the dressing rooms again - he did and he had a shower of champagne. Maybe next time he will think twice!

"The feeling is fantastic and everyone will say it is a birthday gift for me, but it is not mine, it is a gift for every player as they dreamed of being in the final, it is a gift for the supporters because for the last few years they have not been in a final.

"It is also a gift for Roman, because he has given a lot to the club and it is the first time he will get a real feeling of being in a final. I prefer to share it with them all."

Frank Lampard opened the scoring, starting and finishing off an incisive passing move, and the match looked to be heading Chelsea's way without a hiccup until Ryan Giggs sparked a vibrant United comeback with a fantastic lobbed volley.

Extra-time was beckoning but with five minutes left United's defence failed to deal with a curling 50-yard free-kick from Damien Duff and it bounced high into Tim Howard's net without another player touching it.

United had good claims for a penalty turned down when the score was 1-0 but Mourinho pinpointed a double save by Howard from Arjen Robben and Lampard as having kept Ferguson's side in the game.

"That was the crucial moment, we could have killed the game off with two chances to score but we did not and Giggs scored that amazing goal," said Mourinho.

"I have not seen a replay of the penalty incident but every time someone falls in this stadium the crowd wants a penalty and maybe the referee knows whether it is or not. We kept going and the players showed great strength and mentality."

The victory, Chelsea's first cup win over United since 1950, keeps the club in the hunt for four trophies but Mourinho had a word of caution for those expecting a clean sweep.

He added: "We can win four, we can lose four, it would be normal to win something. To win the four is very, very difficult but it is still possible. There is a long way to do it but if you could give the Premiership I would be very happy.

"This is just the final though, we have not won the competition and we have to now face another great team in Liverpool."

Mourinho insisted Chelsea's confidence would not have been dented even had they lost.

"The plan was just to win the game and be in the final but we knew, with the opponent and the atmosphere, that a semi-final is always difficult and we were ready for anything," he said.

"It was important for us, not because we got into a final, but also the way we played, the mentality, the strength we showed here was a message we sent to the Premiership.

"It is still difficult, we still have to win 11 matches to be champions but we have left a message here that we are really strong and the boys are magnificent.

"I was ready to lose the game and leave Old Trafford with a smile just to pass a message of confidence. But my team would never lose their confidence or mentality just because of a defeat here."

Ultimate10002000

28-01-2005, 10:19 PM

Wenger once failed to cash in on Cech

Arsene Wenger has revealed how he missed out on signing Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech despite closely tracking his early career.
Arsenal scouts had watched Cech in action at Sparta Prague but were unable to get a work permit as he had not yet played enough games for the Czech national side.

Arsenal nevertheless missed out when he moved to Rennes in 2002 and then when Chelsea swooped last January to tie up his signature ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge last summer.

Cech, now 22, has since gone from strength to strength, clearly emerging as the Premiership's best goalkeeper this season, conceding just eight goals in 24 league game.

Wenger, meanwhile, has been left to switch between Lehmann and Manuel Almunia, even if insists that he will still not be signing a new keeper during the transfer window.

The Arsenal boss told the Evening Standard: 'We wanted to take Petr Cech before he went to Rennes but we could not get a work permit. At the time, he had not played the necessary amount of games for his national team.

'Yes, we missed out, but these things happen. He is not the only player we have missed out on. When he moved to France, we still had David Seaman. Then, last year, Chelsea did well. They bought him very early.'

Wenger added: 'Cech is doing well and he is developing well. He has what you need to play in England. He has the size and that is vital. People don't realise how important that is.

'You get offered a goalkeeper of six feet-plus who is doing well in a Latin country. He comes here and he gets slaughtered. Therefore I feel Cech has the ingredients you need to be successful in England.'

Ultimate10002000

29-01-2005, 08:53 AM

Mourinho charged over 'cheat' jibe
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for his 'cheat, cheat, cheat' comment in a post-match interview after the Carling Cup semi-final first leg clash with Manchester United.

Mourinho, who has until February 14 to respond to the charge, made his comments in a Chelsea TV interview after the Stamford Bridge encounter on January 12.

Mourinho was angered when United boss Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to referee Neale Barry as the players left the field at half-time and by United's second-half tactics.

Mourinho said: 'Sir Alex was very clever, if you can say that, at half-time by putting some pressure on the ref. In the second half it was whistle and whistle, fault and fault, cheat and cheat.'

Chelsea skipper John Terry backed Mourinho's cheating claim after the match but the FA, having reviewed the content and context of his comments, decided not to take disciplinary action against him.

Ultimate10002000

29-01-2005, 08:53 AM

Title race far from over insists Wenger
Arsene Wenger warned Jose Mourinho that just one defeat could undermine Chelsea's entire season as he refused to give up on the title - or the FA Cup.

Wenger: 'There's always a weakness.' (BenRadford/GettyImages)
Wenger quoted three examples of clubs who had squandered leads in the Premiership - Newcastle in 1996, Manchester United in 1998 and Arsenal themselves in 2003.

He also cited Arsenal's own defeat at Old Trafford last October, when they dropped four points in their next two league games, as proof of how quickly fortunes can change.

The Arsenal boss may seem to be rather clutching at straws, given that Chelsea have a 10-point lead and show no signs of vulnerability.

Indeed, he even joked that he could not rely on the power of prayer as 'I can stay up all night and pray 'please God, make Chelsea lose' but it won't make them lose'.

However, without revealing any specifics, he claimed to have spotted flaws in the Blues' game which could yet prove their undoing.

Wenger said: 'Chelsea have got everything in their hands but I am still not as definite as everybody else is right now.

'There are signs that can give us hope. First of all, the quality of our own game. Secondly, other signs that are very interesting to analyse.

'What are they? I will keep that for myself. But at the moment you cannot ask me to give up on any pretension to fight or to come back.'

Chelsea may have lost just once in the league all season, recovering immediately after that setback at Manchester City.

However, Wenger noted that 'John Terry and William Gallas are great players but in previous seasons they have conceded goals'.

He added: 'It takes time to recover when you lose. People don't realise, for instance, what it feels like to be 49 games unbeaten.

'It is the same for everybody - you forget how to lose, so it takes you time to come back.

'At the moment, Chelsea do not look vulnerable but if you lose one or maybe two games, then you can look super-vulnerable. There is always a weakness, no matter how you play football.'

Arsenal can, however, only look to their own performances and even though they face United next Tuesday, Wenger will not rest his key players against Wolves in tomorrow's FA Cup fourth round tie.

While Dennis Bergkamp may given a breather, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira will both start against the Coca-Cola Championship side as Wenger aims for the confidence boost of a healthy victory.

He continued: 'I take the FA Cup seriously. Every season, we go for three trophies and we do not yet have to choose between them.

'We have not played in midweek and it is good to achieve and win games. What you have gained from resting and not winning is difficult to measure.'

Wenger also vowed to ensure that Arsenal do not compromise on their attacking style in a thinly-veiled contrast to Chelsea.

'We have scored 49 league goals from open play this season and the second team behind us is Middlesbrough with 29,' he said.

'We just have to keep going as we have a vision of the game, where we do not have to consider anybody else.

'I don't go along with those who say the only realistic chance of Arsenal winning something this season is in the FA Cup.

'I feel the pride and the professionalism of everybody here as a winner will make us fight even when things look desperate.

'If we play a game of quality, we will win matches. And if Chelsea drop points, then we've still got a chance.'

Ultimate10002000

29-01-2005, 08:54 AM

Mourinho lauds 'respectful' Ferguson
Jose Mourinho revealed today that Sir Alex Ferguson taught him a lesson in humility after Chelsea's epic Carling Cup semi-final victory over Manchester United.

Mourinho: Still learning (AdamDavy/Empics)
However, the lesson came too late to prevent him from being charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for calling United's players 'cheats' on Chelsea TV after the goalless first leg at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea ended Ferguson's proud record of never having lost a domestic semi-final as goals from Frank Lampard and Damien Duff sent Chelsea into a Carling Cup final showdown with Liverpool at Cardiff's Millennium stadium next month.

But Mourinho, who openly admits to being a bad loser, saw the other side of Ferguson the manager when he called the Chelsea boss into his office to share a bottle of wine after the game.

Mourinho, celebrating his 42nd birthday on the day, learned that sometimes, even in defeat, you have to be humble.

It is not a feeling that Mourinho has experienced often as he has yet to lose a cup round of any description as a coach.

His only cup defeat was in the final of the Portuguese competition last season.

Now Mourinho says he was taught a lot by Ferguson's humble reaction after United's semi-final exit on Wednesday.

Mourinho admitted: 'I am learning a lot with him to the point where I need to improve myself. He is helping me to improve because I am a bad loser.

'When I lose I am not very keen to be with other people. He showed me a lot respect and quality in that sense. He was in his office waiting for me and my staff with a bottle wine I gave him before the game.

'He lost a semi-final and that feeling is not good but he was there completely open and respectful. When I have this kind of teacher then one day when I lose, I must open my doors for the winner.

'He is a football man and he likes to share opinions. There was Spanish football on his television after the game so we spoke about it and the Champions League.

'It was very nice for me to start learning that you must be the same when you win or lose. Maybe one day he will beat me and I have to behave the same way.

'In our culture, when you lose a game, you don't want to share the next half-an-hour with the manager who beats you.

'I think it is great when you can have that kind of relationship before and after the game, respect and communication. I started in England because of your culture. Sir Alex's way is a fantastic way to be. He knows everything about football.'

Mourinho has until February 14 to respond to his FA charge.

cheapos

29-01-2005, 01:47 PM

Ultimate10002000

29-01-2005, 11:32 PM

Chelsea confirm new Adidas kit deal

Chelsea have confirmed details of a major kit sponsorship deal with Adidas worth approximately £12million per year until 2014.
A week after the club paid £24.8million to cut short their arrangement with Umbro, the Premiership leaders have linked up with the German sportswear firm in a deal which starts in July 2006.

The new agreement is for an eight-year term and will be worth almost £100million in all.

The club have retained the merchandising and retail rights which Manchester United relinquished when they signed their £302.9million deal with Nike.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said: 'This partnership is great news for Chelsea and we look forward to working with adidas, whose vision we share.

'We believe a global partnership with adidas will be a huge step in helping the club achieve its long term strategic goals. Together we can become a formidable team.'

Chelsea's retail and merchandising rights are thought to bring in around £6million annually.

Ultimate10002000

31-01-2005, 07:40 PM

Mourinho laughs off Cole allegations
Jose Mourinho tonight scoffed at suggestions he has held secret transfer talks with Arsenal's Ashley Cole.

Jose Mourinho: Denying Cole rumour (NealSimpson/GettyImages)
It has been reported the Chelsea manager was spotted talking to the England left-back in a London hotel along with the player's agent last week.

But after watching his side reach the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-0 home win over Birmingham, Mourinho made light of the claims.

Mourinho, who saw goals from defenders Robert Huth and John Terry help his team through a tricky tie against City, had no truck with questions about Cole.

'I was in Milan with Adriano,' he joked, mischievously suggesting he had instead had an unlikely meeting with the Inter and Brazil striker.

'On Thursday I flew to Milan, so I couldn't be with Ashley Cole.'

In case anyone was in any doubt, the Chelsea boss quickly made it clear his claims of talks with the likes of Adriano were in jest.

'Steven Gerrard, Adriano, Ashley Cole - and next week it will be another one,' he said.

'I have a perfect and wonderful squad and I don't need any more players this season. Next season I will need one or two.

'It is names after names with us, because it is Chelsea. Everybody wants to come and everybody wants to connect players with us. But I have no time to meet players. I am concentrating on my job with the club, and that is to get some silverware.'

Mourinho's remarks were backed up by a Chelsea spokesman, who added: 'We get linked with all the players. We have never commented before and we are not going to comment now or in the future, regardless what the circumstances may or may not be.'

Ultimate10002000

31-01-2005, 07:40 PM

Chelsea 2-0 Birmingham: FT Report
PA
A goal in each half from central defenders Robert Huth and John Terry kept Chelsea in the hunt to win four trophies in this season.

Chelsea's Robert Huth (c) scores the opening goal against Birmingham City . (MikeEgerton/Empics)
Huth, missing from the first team squad for two months after damaging his ankle on international duty, put Chelsea in command in the fifth minute when he rose unchallenged to plant Damien Duff's corner into the net.

The crossbar denied Huth a second goal before Terry finished off poor Birmingham with a powerful header from substitute's Frank Lampard's cross in the 79th minute.

Chelsea were quickly into their normal fluent mode against Birmingham and twice in the early minutes they caused City some jittery defensive moments.

# Terry: We deserved it

Birmingham were expecting an onslaught as they opted to leave striker Emile Heskey on his own in attack and Jose Mourinho's Carling Cup finalists did not disappoint.

The Blues demonstrated a desire to cover themselves in more cup glory with a relentless drive on City's goal.

In the fourth minute Duff burst clear of the City defence and forced Maik Taylor into a diving save with a low drive.

But it was only a brief respite from the non-stop pressure and the opening goal duly arrived a mere sixty seconds later.

Defender Huth put Mourinho's men in control of the fourth round tie when he rose unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box to power a header beyond the helpless City 'keeper.

Birmingham were clearly rattled by the severity of Chelsea's opening salvo and it took them most of the opening quarter to readjust.

But with Heskey given a thankless task up against the formidable partnership of Terry and Huth at the heart of the home defence, City were predictably starved of openings.

It was the 19th minute before Steve Bruce's side found the confidence and the space to test Carlo Cudicini in the Chelsea goal.

City were further hampered by an enforced substitution in the 26th minute when the injured Martin Taylor was replaced by Olivier Tebily.

In the 32nd minute Duff should have made it two when Joe Cole put him clear of the City defence with a clever ball inside Tebily.

But the Republic of Ireland international, normally so deadly in such positions, squandered the opportunity by failing to hit the target.

Mourinho had made eight changes from the side which earned them a place in the Carling Cup final against Liverpool at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium next month but the disruption to normal service was minimal.

In the 41st minute it was left-back Wayne Bridge who turned master craftsman with a lovely through ball for Duff.

However, the Irishman's shot was deflected for another corner and when that arrived in the middle of the City penalty area moments later, Huth was denied a second goal by the width of the crossbar.

Chelsea swapped one rampaging winger for another during the interval with Mourinho deciding it was Arjen Robben's turn to terrorise the City defence instead of Duff.

But it was City who almost got on level terms in the 52nd minute when a cross from Julian Gray fell to former England midfielder Darren Anderton at the far post.

Anderton's volley was good enough to bring the best out of Cudicini and the Italian was forced to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Anderton was unlucky not to earn his side a penalty when his shot appeared to strike the upper arm of Terry inside the penalty area in the 56th minute.

Sixty seconds later City midfielder Robert Blake despatched a 20-yard shot that flashed narrowly wide of Cudicini's right-hand post as Bruce's side began to believe they could salvage something from this fourth round tie.

Chelsea should have put paid to any such thoughts in the 61st minute when Robben failed to make the most of a sweeping four-man move.

Glen Johnson sent Mateja Kezman free with a fabulous 40-yard pass and when the Serbian striker's cross was laid into Robben's path by Eidur Gudjohnsen, the Dutchman sent his shot a yard too high.

But it was Birmingham who were almost gifted an equaliser seconds later when Blake failed to capitalise on a dreadful back header from the normally reliable Terry.

In the 70th minute, only a brilliant reflex save by Taylor prevented Robben from scoring Chelsea's second.

The Dutchman's left-foot shot was destined for the bottom corner of the net until Taylor dived to tip the ball round the post.

Skipper Terry finished off Birmingham's FA Cup hopes in the 79th minute when he rose to head home Frank Lampard's cross.

# Terry: We deserved it

John Terry owned up to his dubious part in Chelsea's first goal as he helped the hosts to a 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round win at home to Birmingham.

Terry blocked the run of defender Martin Taylor at a first-half corner, allowing Robert Huth to charge in and score. Terry added the second, his seventh of the season.

'They started quite well; they were bright. (Emile) Heskey was winning a lot of headers, which was disappointing defensively,' the Chelsea captain told Sky Sports.

'But overall I think we deserved the win.'

Chelsea took an early lead when Huth made the most of Damien Duff's corner as he ran in unmarked after Terry had blocked Taylor off the ball to stop the defender tracking the German.

'It's not something we work on in training. Robert and I just said one will win it, and the other will do the block,' said Terry.

'I was pleased with my goal; it was good to get on the scoresheet. The lads were a little bit relieved after we went 2-0 up.'

The England defender added the Blues are not yet thinking about winning a `quadruple' of trophies, despite continuing their good form.

'There is still a long way to go, so many games still to go - so we will take each game as it comes.

'It was the FA Cup today, Blackburn away in the league in the week - and we will deal with each game as it comes.'

Mourinho was impressed with Birmingham's second-half performance.

'In the first half I think we played very, very, very well, we should have been two or three or four goals up, we played some fantastic football.

'In the second half, we didn't, it was our fault and they improved a bit,' the former Porto boss told Sky Sports.

'The most important thing is to be in the next round.'

Ultimate10002000

31-01-2005, 07:41 PM

Chelsea suffers record loss
Reuters
LONDON -- Chelsea made record English soccer losses of $166 million in 2003-04, the team's first season under the ownership of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the Premier League club said on Sunday.

Arjen Robben: Just one of many expensive recruits brought in by Chelsea. (Photography/Empics)
The pre-tax figures for the year to June 30, 2004 surpass Leeds United's previous record loss of $94.5 million in 2003.

Chelsea spokesman Simon Greenberg confirmed the losses for the club's parent company Chelsea Village, saying the accounts would be filed to British company registration centre Companies House on Monday.

Compared with Abramovich's vast fortune the loss is unlikely to worry Chelsea, who are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League and on course to win their first title for 50 years.

"Two years ago we were seen as streets paved with gold. That is over. Chelsea is now being run properly. The club is being run as a business," chief executive Peter Kenyon told the BBC.

Abramovich, the main shareholder in Russian oil firm Sibneft, wiped out $152 million worth of debt after buying Chelsea for $114 million in July 2003. He has since spent around $380 million on players.

The Russian's investment has paid off with Chelsea well clear at the top of the Premier League and safely through to the lucrative Champions League knockout stages under the guidance of Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho replaced Claudio Ranieri last year after the Italian was sacked despite leading the team to second in the Premier League and to the Champions League semi-finals.

SELF-SUFFICIENT

Abramovich spent $332 million on new players in his first season, with the annual payroll more than doubling to $218 million.

Kenyon, recruited from Manchester United after Abramovich's arrival, said the club was looking to become financially self-sufficient and that it had a five-year plan to reduce their dependency on the Russian.

Kenyon helped broker record sponsorship deals with Vodafone and Nike at United and has set about tying up lucrative sponsorship deals for Chelsea.

Chelsea have agreed an eight-year kit deal worth around $190 million with sportswear manufacturer Adidas after it was announced their contract with Umbro was being terminated five years early in 2006.

Shirt sponsors Emirates are to be ditched next season as Kenyon looks for more revenue, with mobile phone companies Siemens and Orange mooted as potential replacements.

Abramovich took Chelsea private after purchasing former chairman Ken Bates's controlling interest in Chelsea Village.

Ultimate10002000

31-01-2005, 07:41 PM

Chelsea don't fear 'tapping Cole' probe
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon would have nothing to fear if Arsenal launched an investigation into allegations he had 'tapped' Gunners defender Ashley Cole.

Sol Campbell: Tuesday showdown (NealSimpson/Empics)
Kenyon and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho are reported to have met Cole and his agent Pini Zahavi secretly at a London hotel on Thursday with a view to luring the left-back to Stamford Bridge.

But, asked if he was worried about the consequences if the Gunners choose to take the matter further - as Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has suggested they will - Kenyon told Radio Four's Today programme: 'No, not at all.'

The former Manchester United chief executive would not be drawn into commenting directly on Chelsea's interest or otherwise in Cole but indicated that his club would only recruit players by the rules.

He added: 'There was supposed to be another secret meeting with another Premiership club about another Premiership player so it's where do you stop with these things.

'But the rules of the game are quite clear so we're just getting on with our business.'

However, Arsenal are already planning to question Cole, who has another two seasons to run on his Highbury contract.

Hill-Wood told The Sun: 'The Premier League rules are very clear on this matter. If the club is presented with evidence that those rules have been contravened I am sure we will take the matter further.

'These are very serious allegations and we will be investigating the matter as quickly as possible.

'It has been reported in a very definite manner and that makes you think something untoward has gone on. We cannot let this pass.

'Ashley Cole is under contract to Arsenal for another two seasons and I am sure the club will be talking to him about these reports in an effort to get this matter resolved.

'We know this sort of thing does go on in football and it would not be the first time another club has tried to speak to one of our contracted players.'

The Premier League must wait for any official complaint from Arsenal before launching an investigation.

But Mourinho has scoffed at suggestions he had met Cole.

'I have a perfect and wonderful squad and I don't need any more players this season. Next season I will need one or two.

'It is names after names with us, because it is Chelsea. Everybody wants to come and everybody wants to connect players with us. But I have no time to meet players. I am concentrating on my job with the club, and that is to get some silverware.'

Ultimate10002000

01-02-2005, 08:15 PM

Wenger wants Chelsea to come clean

Arsene Wenger angrily challenged Chelsea to issue a categorical denial of claims of an illegal move for Ashley Cole as he revealed his belief that a secret meeting may have taken place.

Sol Campbell: Tuesday showdown (NealSimpson/Empics)

Wenger voiced concerns over the destabilising timing of the reports, describing the 'coincidence' on the eve of Arsenal's clash against Manchester United at Highbury tomorrow as 'just a little troublesome'.

But while he has gained an assurance from Cole that he remains committed to Arsenal, Wenger has not asked the defender whether he did meet Jose Mourinho and Peter Kenyon in secret last week.

After all, the Arsenal boss concluded that 'it looks to me like, yes, it has happened, although I don't know [for sure]'.

And he does not want to do anything that might disrupt his own attempts to get Cole's agreement to a lucrative contract extension.

Wenger nevertheless insisted the onus is not on 24-year-old Cole to confirm or deny whether Chelsea illegally approached him without first gaining Arsenal's approval.

Instead, he tried to pile all the responsibility on Chelsea, while casting doubts on Mourinho's attempts to side-step the allegations.

'Ashley said he is fed up with that story, that he is completely committed to the club and he doesn't want to know about it,' declared Wenger.

'He wouldn't lie to me. But if you asked anybody who was in this meeting if it happened, nobody would say `yes I was there'.

'I don't want to speak to Mourinho because if I asked `were you in that meeting', I can guess the answer straight away.

'But I do know one thing, that if it happened, it was not on the initiative of Ashley because he wants to stay and I know that from him.

'What I don't want now is to shift that responsibility from Chelsea to Ashley Cole. If somebody has not respected the rules, it is not him - it is Chelsea.

'If they don't behave as they should, it's down to the Premier League to start an inquiry and to get them punished.'

The Premier League are awaiting any official complaint from Arsenal, although Wenger accepts he has no direct evidence, other than a newspaper report, which quoted alleged witnesses.

He added: 'Before we complain, we must have evidence the meeting has happened but I don't know how so much assertive evidence comes out in a newspaper [if it is] just being invented.'

Chelsea chief executive Kenyon, who held a secret meeting with Sven-Goran Eriksson last season, today insisted the Blues would have nothing to fear from any official inquiry over Cole.

'The rules of the game are quite clear so we're just getting on with our business,' he told BBC Radio Four.

Mourinho, meanwhile, claimed yesterday that he has 'no time to meet players' and has a 'perfect' squad that needs no additions this season.

However, Wenger fears that Chelsea may have broken the code of conduct between leading clubs, seeing similarities with Real Madrid's aggressive pursuit of Patrick Vieira over recent seasons.

'I feel like I am in a film I have seen already. The scenario of what is going on, I could have written it one year ago,' he added.

'Of course, this has happened before in England. But I feel there is a code of conduct between the big clubs in England.

'If Chelsea want Ashley Cole, they just have to find our number, and they have enough intelligent people to find it, and to call us to ask to speak to him.

'But I feel that this is tactically very bad. By doing this kind of behaviour, they only pay more.'

While Cole is seeking a huge pay rise from Arsenal, Wenger insists the England defender will stay put - even though Chelsea could offer him greater wages and possibly more chance of success.

'I am 100% that Ashley Cole will extend his contract as he is part of that bunch of players who are the core and heart of the team,' he declared.

'I feel he will even be under pressure from the other players to do it. We are not far away from a deal with him.'

Wenger seemed to intimate that Cole, who has two and a half years left on his Arsenal contract, may have been unwittingly lured into a meeting with Chelsea by so-called `super-agent' Pini Zahavi.

'Ashley is with an agent. Do you know the agent? I do not need to say more. This agent tells him I have organised a meeting when basically it's with people who he is not supposed to meet,' he said.

The biggest irony of all, however, is that rather than crossing swords with Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of tomorrow's clash at Highbury, Wenger has been distracted by Mourinho and Chelsea.

And that is concerning enough in itself to him.

'The timing is not welcome before a big game. I find that coincidence just a little bit troublesome,' he concluded.

Ultimate10002000

01-02-2005, 08:16 PM

High-flying Chelsea report record debts

LONDON, Jan 31 (Reuters) - The Beatles sang that it couldn't buy them love and it is said to be the root of all evil, but whatever its pitfalls or shortcomings there is little doubt that money will buy success in English soccer this season.
Roman Abramovich's billions have vaulted Chelsea to the top of the English Premier League where they are firmly on track for their first championship win since 1955.

Still gunning for silverware on four fronts, the Russian oligarch's team are in rude health on the pitch.

On the balance sheet, however, the club looks decidedly peeky, having posted on Monday annual figures which would bankrupt many a successful business.

The Blues are very much in the red.

Figures filed to British company registration centre Companies House show Chelsea having made record English soccer losses of £88 million ($166 million) in 2003-04, their first season under the ownership of Abramovich.

The sum easily outstrips the previous record loss of £49.5 million which Leeds returned in 2003.

But where Leeds's debt all but crippled the Yorkshire giants who were forced to sell off their training ground, Elland Road stadium and almost all the squad which had reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2001, Chelsea's figures barely register as a blip on the financial health or status of the club.

It is this which makes Chelsea unique in English soccer and which spells gloom for the chasing pack.

With Abramovich holding the purse, the west London slickers need never worry about an operating loss, however immense.

Indeed, as a privately owned company, they need not have revealed these figures at all but preferred to come clean before the inevitable leak of the report.

Certainly the figures will make uneasy reading for their rivals, who must compete with Chelsea but can only dream of matching their spending power.

A product of the telephone-figure sums bandied around in salaries and signing fees, the debt is sign of Abramovich's ambition for the club.

The main shareholder in Russian oil firm Sibneft, Abramovich wiped out £80 million of debt after buying Chelsea for £60 million in July 2003 and has since spent around £200 million on players.

He forked out £175 million on new players in his first season at the club, with the annual payroll more than doubling to £115 million.

It is enough to make grown men weep - especially if they are in the employ of Arsenal or Manchester United, Chelsea's main rivals for soccer glory and both run along traditional business lines.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon insists the first season of Abramovich's tenure was exceptional and that the Londoners are aiming to break even by 2010.

Though they have spent some £75 millions on six signings since Jose Mourinho took over as manager in June last year, they have offloaded more than a dozen including some of their biggest wage earners. Argentines Juan Sebastian Veron and Hernan Crespo, who failed to fire at Stamford Bridge, went to Italy and former France captain Marcel Desailly into retirement.

Romania stirker Adrian Mutu, who failed a drugs test, has also been dropped from the payroll and Mourinho says he is happy to stick to a tighter squad of 24 players from now on.

Part of Chelsea's plan is to increase commercial income and Chelsea announced at the weekend they had agreed an eight-year kit sponsorship deal with German sportswear manufacturer Adidas-Salomon.

The deal will begin on July 1, 2006 and will be worth around £12 million ($22.59 million) a year.

But whatever their commercial income, as long as Chelsea have an owner with pockets as deep as Abramovich, the Manchester Uniteds, Arsenals and Liverpools of the Premiership will have to get used to playing second fiddle.

Ultimate10002000

02-02-2005, 12:07 PM

Kenyon won't 'debate' Cole reports

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has again refused to deny making an illegal approach for Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole.

Peter Kenyon: No denial. (NealSimpson/Empics)

Recent reports claimed Blues manager Jose Mourinho, Kenyon, agent Pini Zahavi and Cole held secret transfer talks last week.

However, Kenyon insists it is club policy not to comment on 'speculation'.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: 'We're not going to add to the speculation, you'll never end it.

'We can't just knock back every story. We don't want to debate it any further because that is club policy.'

Kenyon was speaking after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had called on Chelsea 'to clarify' the situation.

'They can say yes or no, then it is up to the Premier League,' he said yesterday.

Kenyon also defended the role of agents, stating money from transfers to or from Chelsea is clearly accounted for.

'Football rules today,' Kenyon added. 'All the money we're involved with in a transfer is transparent, the Football Association know exactly where it is.

'The rules are quite clear and it is not as clouded or non-transparent as people would make out.

'They (agents) are a necessary evil at times but we are in an environment where people want representation, and they have a role to play.'

Ultimate10002000

02-02-2005, 12:07 PM

Chelsea could ditch shirt sponsor

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon today confirmed the club are considering not having a shirt sponsor in their centenary season.
The Premiership leaders are in talks over a new sponsor just days after clinching a £12million-a-year deal with sportswear giants adidas.

Chelsea's contract with Emirates expires this summer and Kenyon already has his sights set on completing another massive new deal with a different sponsor by the end of this month.

However, one of the major issues surrounding any new agreement will be its start date. The deal with adidas is not set to begin until 2006 and Kenyon admitted today the club may decide not to carry a sponsor's logo on their shirts during the 2005/06 season.

Kenyon confirmed: 'We've been discussing that for a significant amount of time and we are in the latter stages with several big blue-chip international consumer brands. We have to be in a position to resolve it by the end of February.

'But one of things we are debating internally is whether the new sponsorship will start in 2005, when the deal with the Emirates finishes, or in 2006, when the adidas contract starts.

'That also means we are having a discussion as to whether our centenary year will carry a sponsor or not.

'So there are discussions over who the sponsor is, when it starts and a key component of that is really around our centenary celebrations.'

Chelsea have already revealed the club's famous blue shirt will sport a more traditional badge next term and deciding to go without a sponsor would be another radical step - but one they could probably afford.

It would also bring back memories of another famous Stamford Bridge side from the early 1970s, which included Peter Osgood, Ian Hutchison, Charlie Cooke, Alan Hudson and Ron Harris.

Chelsea continue their quest for title glory tomorrow night with a tricky visit to Blackburn.

Manager Jose Mourinho will revert to his normal first XI after resting most of his influential players in the 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Birmingham on Sunday.

Chelsea, currently embroiled in a row over their alleged `tapping up' of Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole at a secret meeting in a London hotel last week, are 10 points clear of the Gunners at the top of the Premiership.

But the most important week so far in the club's season will come at the end of this month when they play Newcastle in the fifth round of the FA Cup, travel to Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League and face Liverpool in the final of the Carling Cup at Cardiff's Millennium stadium.

Those seven days will be crucial for the club if they are to continue their amazing quest for an unprecedented quadruple.

The significance of the week is not lost on Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech, who will return in goal at Ewood Park on Wednesday night.

Cech said: 'We have to fly again to Newcastle, but we have beaten them already in the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

'If we want to win the FA Cup, we have to beat everyone. If that means we have to fly to Newcastle, it will be a tough game, of course, but we have to beat everyone.

'It's going to be tough but it could also be one of the greatest weeks in Chelsea's history. I'm really excited by this week and I hope we're going to go through.

'Each of these games is going to be really important for us so we have to take them in a row and try to win all of them.'

Mourinho will recall Didier Drogba to the attack in place of Eidur Gudjohnsen along with Arjen Robben tomorrow night.

The Chelsea boss was dissatisfied with Robben's second-half performance against Birmingham but will not risk starting the game at Ewood Park without him. Defenders Paulo Ferreira and William Gallas will also return as well as midfielders Tiago and Claude Makelele.

Raytan

03-02-2005, 02:55 AM

Chelsea lose Huth to knee injury

LONDON, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Chelsea's German defender Robert Huth will be out for six to eight weeks with knee ligament damage.
The centre back, who has four caps, had only just returned to action after an ankle injury and scored in the 2-0 win over Birmingham City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

'He was really unlucky because someone fell on him,' Chelsea physio Mike Banks told the club website. 'At least he won't need surgery.'

Chelsea visit Blackburn on Wednesday looking to stretch their lead at the top to 11 points after Manchester United beat Arsenal 4-2 at Highbury on Tuesday.

Assistant manager Steve Clarke expects the squad to be fresh after rotating players for the Birmingham game following last Wednesday's 2-1 win at Manchester United in the League Cup semi-final.

'We made eight changes at the weekend from the Manchester United game a week ago,' Clarke said.

'Those who played against Manchester United but not Birmingham had a couple of days off, and then a couple of days just ticking over, and they've only just stepped up training for the last two days.'

Raytan

03-02-2005, 03:00 AM

PATHATIC CHELSEA FORUM, ONLY CUT N PASTE NEWS . LOL ALSO ONLY 1 PATHATIC FAN Ultimate10002000. LOL

Raytan

03-02-2005, 03:02 AM

Sri Lanka pair hopeful of claiming tsunami baby after court drama, arrest
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AFP Photo

A Sri Lankan couple ordered to undergo DNA tests to prove their claim to a baby survivor of the December tsunamis said they were hopeful of winning custody of the child despite being arrested for trying to snatch him.

Junitha Jeyarajah and her husband Murugupillai broke down in court and threatened suicide when the DNA tests were ordered on Wednesday, and were then arrested for trying to take the little boy from the local hospital.

"It has been a difficult situation," Jeyarajah told AFP shortly after their release. "We respect the law and hope that the law will be good to us."

Two others were remanded for a week for allegedly trying to snatch the baby, a magistrate said.

Also arrested was Samithamby Sri Skandarajah, who found the four-month-old child under a heap of garbage and says the couple are the baby's parents.

The couple's release ended a dramatic day centred around "Baby 81", the 81st patient admitted to Kalmunai hospital on the day of the disaster, December 26.

They had earlier broken down in tears after magistrate M.P. Mohideen ordered the DNA tests, as relatives sought to calm them.

"There is no need for a DNA test, this is our son," Junitha Jeyarajah said as her husband held unidentified tablets in his hand, threatening to kill himself by swallowing them.

"This is not justice," said Jeyarajah, who claims the family were separated from their baby by the giant waves which smashed into Kalmunai on December 26.

She and her husband, accompanied by a large crowd of supporters and media, then marched to the hospital and demanded to see the child.

While the couple were cradling the baby, the noisy crowd obstructed normal activities in the wards, angering medical staff who left their posts and staged a protest outside before the arrests were made.

The United Nations' children's agency UNICEF said it was closely following the case and hoped the baby would not have to stay in hospital until April 20, the date of the next hearing.

"We feel enough evidence (of parentage) can be found locally by way of documents and statements from neighbours. It is in the best interest of everyone," UNICEF spokesman Geoffrey Keele told AFP.

"We welcome the efforts to ensure that the baby is reunited with its real parents. But we think it's best to resolve it locally rather than drive the baby and the couple all the way to Colombo for tests and put them through more stress and trauma."

The DNA test was ordered on the request of a lawyer representing the District Child Protection Committee.

"Tomorrow if we come to know that the present couple are not the real parents then what happens to the baby?" Shaul H. Moulavi Manarudeen asked the court.

"It is necessary that the tests be conducted considering the vast nature of tsunami disaster, with hundreds of parents reporting missing children and vice versa."

Judge M.P. Mohideen accepted his argument, ordering the hospital to take care of the baby until the case is settled.

On Thursday, the court will decide when to take the baby to Colombo, 380 kilometres (237 miles) from here by road, for a DNA test.

Raytan

03-02-2005, 03:02 AM

An earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale occurred on 26 Dec 2004, off the west coast of Sumatra. The massive quake, the worst in forty years, triggered tsunamis that devastated South and Southeast Asia, killing more than an estimated 150,000 people in at least nine countries and displacing up to five million people.

Families across South and Southeast Asia, stricken by disaster, need your help. The need for aid to house, clothe and feed the survivors will last for months to come. And after that, there is the large task of rebuilding homes, communities, towns and economies. The UN estimates that this phase may last a decade.

Support the organisations below providing assistance to those whose lives have been devastated by this terrible disaster

Raytan

03-02-2005, 03:03 AM

Nepal king unveils new cabinet amid international condemnation

Photo: AFP
KATHMANDU (AFP) - Nepal's King Gyanendra swore in a new cabinet dominated by royalists, a day after he fired the government and seized power in a move that sparked international condemnation.

India, the biggest regional power, announced in a show of disapproval it would not take part in next week's planned South Asian summit in Dhaka.

The decision torpedoed the February 6-7 event which Gyanendra had planned to attend. The charter of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation states leaders of all seven nations must attend summits.

India had voiced "grave concern" at the king's dismissal of the coalition government and imposition of emergency rule, calling it "a serious setback to the cause of democracy in Nepal."

Gyanendra said he fired the government of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for failing to hold elections or to bring peace to a country racked by an increasingly deadly Maoist revolt.

The monarch, vaulted to the throne four years ago by a palace massacre that wiped out most of the royal family, pledged to "restore democracy and law and order in the country in the next three years."

I AM :
A Man A Woman
I'M SEEKING :
A Woman A Man

In Kathmandu security was tight on streets that were jammed as usual while shops, businesses and schools were open. But landlines and mobile phone networks and Internet links were still not working after being shut down Tuesday. The international airport was functioning.

Gyanendra's new 10-member new cabinet, mainly made up of pro-monarchists including Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey and Finance Minister Madhukar Shumsher Rana, was sworn in at the palace.

Gyanendra said the sacking of the coalition was necessary to crush a nine-year revolt in the scenic mountain kingdom that has claimed over 11,000 lives.

Maoist guerrilla leader Prachanda, meanwhile, urged "pro-people forces of the world" to oppose Gyanendra's power grab, denouncing him as a "national betrayer."

Prachanda said the Maoists, fighting to topple the monarchy and install a communist republic, were prepared to cooperate with other political forces by establishing "a broad front with all that are against feudal autocracy."

Political parties said security forces had detained political activists, trade union officials, students and their leaders but the full number was not known.

"About 100 people from different parties are in custody," said M.D. Adsikra, a member of a former partner in the ruling coalition, the Nepal Communist Party-United Marxist Leninist (NCP-UML).

Deuba was believed to be under house arrest. Security forces had taken away former deputy prime minister B.M. Adhikari from his home to an unknown location, NCP-UML officials said. They said half a dozen former ministers were also arrested.

Newspapers, operating under new state of emergency rules suspending press freedom, used neutral language to announce the news.

"His Majesty dissolves Deuba government," said the state-run Rising Nepal.

Witnesses in the capital saw only one rally under new laws banning free assembly. It was by several hundred pro-royalists near the palace, who shouted: "Long Live the king, peace will now prevail."

"People are trying secretly to organise meetings but some of the senior leaders have been arrested so they havem't been able to," said a 20-year-old student at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan University.

A Supreme Court lawyer, Mitilesh Kumar Singh, called the king's move a "political tsunami. He wants to bring about peace and security ... a good thing but I doubt he'll be successful and it's a violation of the constitution."

The United States, United Nations and Britain condemned Gyanendra's move.

India, along with the US and Britain, has been a key backer of Nepal in its drive to crush the insurgency. New Delhi fears Maoist violence could spill into parts of its own country where ultra-leftist groups are powerful.

The Indian military, which overnight reinforced borders with Nepal, held meetings Wednesday to review its "future course of action" in providing help to the Nepalese army.

"A section (in the military) believes that now it would be daft to arm Nepal which has shed its democratic fibre," a top commander said in New Delhi.

Human rights group Amnesty International expressed concern, noting that the last state of emergency in 2001-2002 led to an explosion of abuses, including killings, disappearances and arrests.

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Ultimate10002000

03-02-2005, 08:51 AM

Blackburn 0-1 Chelsea: FT Report

PA

Chelsea were made to fight all the way for their place in the record books after a 1-0 victory at Blackburn which owed everything to their Czech keeper Petr Cech.

Arjen Robben suffered a heavily brised foot (RossKinnaird/GettyImages)

Mourinho delighted with battling Blues

Arjen Robben may have scored the goal which saw Jose Mourinho's side stretch the gap at the top to 11 points but it was Cech, who brilliantly saved a Paul Dickov penalty, who emerged as Chelsea's key man.

This was Chelsea's eighth consecutive league win - all with clean sheets - and Cech has now gone 781 minutes without conceding a goal, surpassing Peter Schmeichel's 1997 mark of 694 minutes.

Not since Arsenal drew 2-2 on December 12 have their defence been breached in the Premiership - and not since then have an opposing side caused them so many problems.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has bought well in the transfer window and his side, allied to their combative approach, proved doughty competitors.

Rovers are, statistically at least, the dirtiest side in the Premiership with the most fouls, the most red cards (five) and the most yellow (48) of any club in the top flight and Chelsea were taken back by their physical approach.

Aaron Mokoena, playing in a holding role in midfield, ended Robben's match after 11 minutes - the Dutch winger limping off with a bruised foot after a clash with the South African.

Robben had done his work by then but without him and the injured Didier Drogba the visitors looked a touch lightweight, especially in attack.

During the brief time Robben was on the field Chelsea looked in control. Former Rovers winger Damien Duff left Dominic Matteo for dead in the first minute after an exquisite dummy and turn, but Mokoena stood tall for Blackburn and cleared the cross.

There was a flicker of hope for the home side when Dickov picked up possession 25 yards from goal but Claude Makelele's block took the sting out of his strike and Cech was able to gather - and claim that record from Schmeichel.

With less than five minutes gone Chelsea asserted their supremacy. Frank Lampard found Robben on the left flank and the Dutchman left Lucas Neill chasing his shadow before rifling a terrific shot low across Brad Friedel to make it 1-0.

Duff kept up the pressure with a long-range shot which swerved but was still comfortable for Friedel but Blackburn did not fold and Robbie Savage had a decent claim that he was pushed in the area by William Gallas.

Mokoena's fierce rising drive from 30 yards only just cleared the crossbar, before Andy Todd came mighty close to breaching that invincible goal with a powerful downward header from Savage's corner which bounced past an unguarded post.

Savage should have done even better when Dickov chested Morten Pedersen's long-throw towards him but skied his effort.

Blackburn were forcing Chelsea into some uncharacteristic mistakes and from one misplaced pass the Wales midfielder sent the ball whistling past the angle.

Chelsea had been warned, and only Cech's brilliance kept them in front. Savage won a penalty when he ran on to Dickov's backheel and had his ankles clipped by Paulo Ferreira.

Referee Uriah Rennie's decision looked spot on but Cech kept his record going, the Czech using all of his 6ft 5in frame to dive to his left to thwart Dickov, then bravely seizing the loose ball to prevent the combative Scot following up.

John Terry lost his temper with Dickov when the striker went diving in again at Cech's feet and an ugly little fracas developed and Terry was fortunate that someone more card-happy that Rennie was not in charge.

Todd won another header at another Savage corner soon after the second half kicked off but this time he was unable to find any direction.

David Thompson then tried an outlandish volley from 30 yards which soared several yards wide.

By the hour-mark it had become apparent Chelsea had been told to match Blackburn's fire with fire and Terry went into Rennie's notebook for tangling once too often with Dickov.

At the same time, Chelsea had retreated into their shell and when they did poke their head out, it was not to great effect as Joe Cole sliced wide from 20 yards.

Dickov earned his own yellow card for persistent misconduct then Lampard, having one of his quietest matches of the season, saw his direct free-kick deflected wide off one of his own players.

Gudjohnsen flicked a volley narrowly wide as Friedel came out of goal, then Ryan Nelsen, who had an outstanding game at centre-back, was alert to see off the same player when he threatened once more.

Dickov could have made up for his penalty miss when the way to goal opened up for him but he did not strike his shot cleanly and Cech was not properly tested.

Lucas Neill sliced wide as injury time approached and - after another unseemly mass melee after Claude Makelele had knocked over Pedersen - Chelsea held on for victory.

Mourinho delighted with battling Blues

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho hailed his team's fighting qualities after the Barclays Premiership leaders ground out a 1-0 win at Blackburn.

Mourinho was less then impressed with some of Rovers' tactics with goalscorer Arjen Robben forced off after 11 minutes following a challenge from Aaron Mokoena.

The Chelsea boss said: 'It's a big injury but we have other players. He is so special that maybe he was the first target for them.'

Petr Cech preserved his record of not conceding a league goal since December 12 with a penalty save from Paul Dickov and his display typified the league leaders' determination.

'We can play good football, we can fight,' said Mourinho. 'We can fight for points in a game like this - if you can call it a game.

'I think we can go over every barrier, the spirit was amazing and our players fought a lot.

'We did it without Didier Drogba, our powerful man, then after five minutes we lose our fastest player (Robben).

'It was difficult for us against a team who had a special attitude. If I was polite I would call it a special attitude.

'The blond boy in the middle (Robbie Savage) made 20 faults and no yellow card. It's difficult to control emotions.'

Mourinho also thanked the fans who backed the Blues on a bleak night in east Lancashire.

'They were fantastic, they understood the game,' he said. 'They came here to see a good game of football.

'And they understood it was not a great game of football, it was a fight. We came here with a big spirit.'

Despite being 11 points clear at the top of the table, Mourinho continues to insist the title is not won yet.

He added: 'We still have to play Manchester United and Arsenal - they are great teams.'

As for the loss of Robben, Mourinho said: 'We have other players waiting for chances. We are ready for everything. If we don't have strikers we can play John Terry as a striker and he can score.'

Captain John Terry told Sky Premiership Plus: 'To go 11 points clear was important. It is a tough place to come. They showed they can fight but we matched them all the way.

'There is still a million miles to go [in the title race] and we've got to keep playing like that. We've shown we can battle and we want to fight.

'There are still many games to go and some tough games. Manchester United will still fight all the way but if we keep winning eventually they're going to die off.'

Cech was happy with his contribution and said: 'I wanted to do my bit for my team-mates. The team has been fantastic and I wanted to help them win the game.

'We wanted the points and we got three. We are 11 points ahead but we have another 10 steps to win the Premiership.'

Ultimate10002000

03-02-2005, 08:52 AM

Cole 'tap' dance

Did Chelsea hold secret transfer talks with Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole in a London hotel last week?

Peter Kenyon: No straight answers. (MikeEgerton/Empics)

'We're not going to add to the speculation, you'll never end it. We can't just knock back every story. We don't want to debate it any further because that is club policy.'

That was Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon's reply to Arsene Wenger's demand, via the media, for a categorical denial to clarify the situation regarding is highly-rated defender.

It was hardly the answer the Arsenal manager was looking for following reports that Kenyon, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and so-called 'super agent' Pini Zahavi held a clandestine meeting with Cole to 'tap-up' the England international.

While it is to be expected that any Chelsea official connected to what could amount to an illegal approach for Cole would side-step a direct question, a simple 'yes' or 'no' would have done.

Of course, he couldn't say 'yes' because then he would be admitting that Chelsea had broken Premier League rules and the club could get docked valuable points as punishment. He could have said 'no' without recriminations... unless, of course, the meeting has taken place.

Wenger seems sure that Cole was tricked into a meeting with Blues officials and the fact that there has been no formal denial from the player is conspicuous by its absence.

Cole is yet to refute the allegations although Wenger has re-affirmed the defender's dedication and commitment to the club on the player's behalf.

Following a meeting with the 25-year-old Wenger said: 'Ashley said he is fed up with that story, he is completely committed to the club and he doesn't want to know about it.'

'He wouldn't lie to me. But if you asked anybody who was in this meeting if it happened, nobody would say 'yes I was there'.

Well, I may not have been at the meeting, but the circumstantial evidence obviously suggests the answer to the opening question is 'yes'.

The more pertinent question should be would Cole quit the bosom of the club that nurtured his talents for the rapid revolution that has engulfed Chelsea?

There are no doubts that the Blues, bankrolled by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, could afford the player, whatever the asking price, having barely batted an eye-lid at announcing a record pre-tax loss for last year of £88 million.

Chelsea generally get their man and the England international could well be eyeing all the plaudits lavished on the Stamford Bridge outfit with envy, having had a taste of acclaim during Arsenal's 'invincible' run.

But since then the Champions have slipped, firstly sulking for a month after Manchester United ended their 49-game unbeaten run in October and then again on Tuesday night when United beat them into third place in the Premiership.

While the knee jerk reaction from certain sections of Gunners fans who claimed 'we are not what we were' after the 4-2 defeat to United may not represent a general consensus, it is fair to say this season's Arsenal are certainly not as imperious as last term. Cole may believe the grass is greener at Stamford Bridge.

However, Cole is already in the advanced stages of contract negotiations with Arsenal, despite his current deal running until summer 2007, so the club will have huge sway on any decision, even if Cole's alleged contact with Chelsea does give him a huge bargaining chip when it comes to his salary demands.

Ashley cole gets a runout at Stamford Bridge. (MikeEgerton/Empics)

Cole is currently on £27,000 a week and Arsenal's offer is close to £50,000 a week, but Cole's agent, Jonathan Barnett, believes he is worth more. A weekly wage of £70,000 or £3.5 million a year has been talked about. Barnett is also the only person to publicly suggest his client's link with Chelsea is 'nonsense'.

Post-Euro 2004 Cole was hailed as the best left-back in Europe and would further improve an already impressive Chelsea defence. The Blues would not think twice about signing him, if he were available. Arsenal have made it very clear he isn't and Wenger has made it clear he wants answers.

'They can say 'yes or no' and then it's up to the Premier League,' he said.

The Premier League will not investigate any approach unless Arsenal make an official compliant or even produce any evidence, but as none of the people said to be involved will admit or deny the meeting took place that is highly unlikely.

Chelsea manager Mourinho curbed his usually outspoken views to toe-the-party-line and skilfully avoided a definitive answer by joking that he was in Milan talking with Inter striker Adriano - another player Chelsea are rumoured to be courting - when the meeting took place.

'On Thursday I flew to Milan, so I couldn't be with Ashley Cole,' he joked.

'Steven Gerrard, Adriano, Ashley Cole - and next week it will be another one.'

However, Chelsea have already shown an interested in Gerrard and almost signed him in the summer, only for the Liverpool skipper to change his mind at the last moment. Gerrard is widely expected to leave Anfield at the end of the season and Chelsea will no doubt be waiting with a contract.

It can also be safely assumed that Cole is on the wanted list. And if Chelsea do manage to lure him from a heavy-weight club like Arsenal it would send a huge message to the rest of the Premiership.

So that leaves Adriano. Mourinho is known to be a big fan of the 22-year-old and monitored his progress during spells at Parma and Fiorentina.

'It seems obvious that Adriano is the striker for the coming years, because of his technical ability, his almost super-human physical capacity and his aggressive and competitive mentality,' Mourinho said last month.

'Adriano will be the great striker of world football.'

If the Blues do want the striker they will have to dig deep - Real Madrid have already had a £40million bid reject by Inter for their prized asset. With 17 goals in Serie A and four strikes in the Champions League the Brazilian could prove to be the prolific striker that Chelsea are missing.

The high-profile trio wouldn't come cheap but Chelsea have already splashed out £175 million on new players, and have more than doubled their annual payroll to £115 million, so what is another £100 million?

With big-earner Adrian Mutu off the wage bill and on-loan Juan Sebastian Veron and Hernan Crespo expected off the payroll in the summer the way would be clear for strengthening.

If the trio do join Chelsea then Abramovich's real life fantasy league team will certainly look unbeatable. The current squad are already on for the quadruple.

Ultimate10002000

03-02-2005, 08:53 AM

Premiership wrap: Cech breaks record

Chelsea restored their 11-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership with a 1-0 win at Blackburn on a night which belonged to goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Robben: On target, but injured (RossKinnaird/GettyImages)

The Czech broke Peter Schmeichel's Premiership record for the longest run without conceding a goal in the fourth minute of the match and extended his run by saving a Paul Dickov penalty.

The only goal of the game came in the fifth minute when Arjen Robben raced clear, twisted and turned his way past Andy Todd and fired a low shot into the far corner.

Everton moved seven points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool as a 1-0 win over Norwich kept them on course for a Champions League place.

The home side grabbed the only goal with 12 minutes left when Gary Doherty turned the ball over his own line under pressure from substitute Duncan Ferguson.

Walter Pandiani scored on his Birmingham debut as Blues halted a run of four straight league defeats with a 2-1 win over Southampton at St Andrews.

The Uruguayan was reported to be reluctant to join City, but endeared himself to the crowd when he ghosted in behind the visitors' defence to head in fellow loanee Jermaine Pennant's cross in the 12th minute.

Blues doubled their lead four minutes before the break when Jamie Redknapp fouled Mario Melchiot in the box and Robbie Blake tucked away the penalty for his first City goal.

Henri Camara - on his debut for Saints after joining on loan from Wolves - pulled one back with a stunning left-footed shot just seven minutes after his introduction as a half-time substitute.

The Senegal striker then appeared to have equalised but the goal was disallowed for a handball earlier in the move by Rory Delap.

A last-gasp Lee Clark volley earned Fulham a point as they drew 1-1 at home to Aston Villa in a game featuring three penalty misses.

Villa were lacklustre in the first half but forged ahead in the 55th minute when Thomas Hitzlsperger's corner was headed home by Juan Pablo Angel.

Andy Cole then missed the first penalty of the night for the home side after Luis Boa Morte tumbled in the box under challenge from Olof Mellberg. Angel had a chance to add his second but he too missed from the spot as Edwin van der Sar saved his effort and incredibly the Dutchman saved another Angel penalty to prevent Villa going further ahead.

Those saves proved vital in the end when Boa Morte's cross was only partially cleared and Clark struck the ball sweetly to salvage a draw for the Cottagers.

Newcastle striker Alan Shearer scored his 250th Premiership goal but it was only enough for a 1-1 draw at Manchester City.

The Magpies skipper latched on to a long ball out of defence by Titus Bramble before smashing a shot beyond David James for the landmark strike.

However, City hit back when another former England striker, Robbie Fowler, equalised with a 49th-minute penalty.

CarteBlanche

03-02-2005, 09:12 AM

blue is the colour, chelsea is our name

Ultimate10002000

03-02-2005, 09:15 AM

Oh finally a Chelsea supporter...welcome and please continue to support my thread.

inf_zer0

03-02-2005, 11:24 AM

Count me in...Ive been supporting Chelsea since 1997 (Zola Vialli era) =:p

Ultimate10002000

03-02-2005, 08:01 PM

Hello and welcome to my Chelsea thread....please contribute to this thread whenever you are free. Thanks !

Raytan

03-02-2005, 09:09 PM

Pope's health improves steadily
By Philip Pullella and Antonella Cinelli
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Photo Gallery

Reuters Photo

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul is making a steady recovery from flu and breathing difficulties and should be able to leave hospital next week, the Vatican says.

In a brief statement on Thursday, it said the 84-year-old Pontiff had spent a peaceful second night in Rome's Gemelli hospital, that his throat ailment was "in regression" and that he had not suffered any further spasms.

"The Holy Father's general condition and his respiratory condition are evolving positively," the statement said.

The frail leader of the world's Roman Catholics, who came down with influenza at the weekend, was rushed to hospital on Tuesday after suffering a momentary blockage to his breathing.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told reporters that medical tests had produced "satisfactory results" and that the next bulletin would be issued at noon on Friday.

Asked when the Pope might leave hospital, he told reporters: "It will be up to the doctors to decide. However, in my experience, we're talking about seven days ..."

Church officials have been at pains to play down the latest alarm over the Pope's health, which has declined markedly over the past decade, ravaged by Parkinson's disease and arthritis.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, head of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper on Thursday: "The danger has passed."

Asked whether the Pope was suffering from problems with his heart or lungs, he said: "That's not at all true. The Pope's lungs and heart are healthy."

But he added that the ailments were made more dangerous by the Parkinson's disease, which, along with arthritis, has steadily impaired the Pope's mobility and his ability to speak clearly in recent years.

TRANSPARENCY

The Pope was last seen in public at his Vatican window addressing pilgrims on Sunday, looking relatively strong but speaking in a croaky and unsteady voice.

Early on Thursday, well-wishers attended Mass at a chapel inside the Gemelli hospital to pray for the Pope's recovery, while others battled through a huge media scrum to drop off flowers and messages of support.

"There is a rumour he may conduct his (Sunday) Mass from this hospital," Father Corraro, a priest from the Pope's native Poland, said as he delivered a bouquet of red and white flowers.

"In that case, we can call this 'Vatican number 3'."

Pope John Paul himself referred to the Gemelli as "Vatican 3" after an appendix operation at the hospital in 1996. "Vatican 2" is his summer residence at Castelgandolfo.

Elected Pope in 1978, Karol Wojtyla has taken his message far beyond the confines of the tiny Vatican state, playing a vital role in the downfall of communism in Europe and working tirelessly to improve relations between the religions.

Now the third longest-serving Pope in history, John Paul is also controversial for some, drawing criticism from the liberal wing of the Church and elsewhere for his resolute opposition to contraception, gay marriage and women priests.

Each time his health falters, speculation bubbles up over his possible successor and whether he will be from the developing world, where the Church is expanding.

John Paul, the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years, has himself appointed nearly all the cardinals who will enter the conclave to elect his successor, thus stacking the odds that the next Pope will not tamper with his teachings.

Raytan

03-02-2005, 09:09 PM

Cambodian opposition leader loses immunity, flees
By Ek Madra
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PHNOM PENH, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy fled the country on Thursday after his parliamentary immunity was revoked, allowing arch-enemy Prime Minister Hun Sen to prosecute him for defamation, his spokesman said.

Sam Rainsy, who has filed a lawsuit accusing Hun Sen of masterminding a 1997 grenade attack on an opposition rally that killed at least 16 people, initially flew to Singapore, but then boarded a plane to Thailand.

Two members of Sam Rainsy's eponymous political party, Cheam Channy and Chea Poch, also lost their parliamentary immunity in Thursday's National Assembly vote.

"The three men lost their immunity because they violated the rights of others, which is not allowed by the law," Hun Sen told reporters after the vote.

"So they have to face the law and the issues will be solved by the court. The removals are not meant to punish them, but to pave the way for the court to proceed," Hun Sen said.

Channy was arrested outside the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh late on Thursday, a party official said. Poch was in hiding.

Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge soldier who has been in charge of Cambodia for the last 20 years, denies any involvement in the grenade attack, which also injured a U.S. democracy activist with the International Republican Institute.

As is common in Cambodian political feuds, Hun Sen countered Sam Rainsy's lawsuit with one of his own, but then took the more unusual step of following it up with a drive to strip his rival of parliamentary immunity.

The U.S. embassy in Phnom Penh condemned the vote, saying it was a "major set-back for democracy in Cambodia".

"We are deeply concerned that the National Assembly has chosen to occupy itself with political activity that appears to be designed to silence the opposition," it said in a statement.

"WON THE BATTLE, NOT THE WAR"

If found guilty, former Finance Minister Sam Rainsy faces between 5 months and a year in jail, as well as having to pay Hun Sen thousands of dollars in compensation, legal experts said.

His party, which is popular with the war-scarred southeast Asian nation's urban youth, said the grounds for the Assembly vote were "feeble" and remained defiant.

"The ruling parties may have won the battle, but not the war," it said in a statement.

Sam Rainsy, who has also accused royalist party leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh of corruption in a separate lawsuit, last lost his immunity in 1995 while he was a royalist party member.

"It is very bad. They are violating democracy," he told Reuters as he stormed out of the Assembly building on Thursday. "I call on the international community to help our country stay on the right track."

Human rights groups said it was a sad reflection on Cambodia's fledgling democracy, introduced by a landmark U.N.-backed poll in 1993, that political leaders spent their time bickering rather than tackling the war-scarred country's myriad problems.

"We should be solving the corruption that has been criticised by donors and fighting poverty instead of removing immunities. This is a bad sign for democracy and a brake on development," said human rights lawyer Kek Galabru.

Raytan

03-02-2005, 09:11 PM

Thursday February 3, 4:34 PM
China struggles to prevent diseases spreading as millions hit the road
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AFP Photo

Millions of Chinese were hitting the road for the Lunar New Year, as officials struggled to ensure they did not carry meningitis and other hazardous diseases to the furthest corners of the country.

"The Lunar New Year is a time for family and friends to get together, but it is also a time when diseases break out more easily," the Ministry of Health said in a notice, warning travellers to be careful.

China's Lunar New Year exodus -- the world's largest mass movement of people -- coincides this year with an outbreak of bacterial meningitis, which has killed at least 16 people and infected more than 250 in the past weeks.

From a public health perspective, the holiday is the riskiest time of the year. It always falls in either January or February, when the cold weather provides perfect conditions for viruses to thrive.

Meningitis is transmitted by direct contact, including droplets from the nose and throat of infected patients. It occurs in people of all ages but is more common in the very young and the elderly.

Reacting to the meningitis menace, the Ministry of Communications and Ministry of Railways said they had urged local transportation departments to adopt all measures necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.

"We have told our personnel to warn passengers on buses and trains what infectious diseases may be around," said a spokesman for the Communications Ministry, essentially China's ministry of transportation.

"We want to prevent the diseases from spreading out by means of the transportation system," said the spokesman.

To stem the spread of meningitis, health officials have sanitized bus terminals and train stations, equipping them with first-aid kits and medicine to be prepared for the worst, according to state-run Xinhua news agency.

At Beijing's main railway station, there were no visible signs of higher alert levels, as tens of thousands of migrants -- including domestic helpers, karaoke hostesses and construction workers -- headed home to their families.

Xu Xinghua, a wood carver loaded down with bags, did not plan to wear a mask or take other safety measures as he prepared to board a train for his home town near Shanghai.

"There's no health danger at all," he said. "It's completely safe to travel by train."

Stale air was filling the crowded waiting rooms and all windows were tightly closed, despite a communication ministry instruction urging ventilation to combat viruses.

"The trains get disinfected once a day," said a railway official. "So do the waiting rooms."

The threat of meningitis and other diseases spreading along China's vast transportation network will linger for weeks to come.

While the Lunar New Year falls on February 9, the travel peak season is expected to continue until early March.

This year's new year travel is expected to beat all records, according to state media.

Transport departments forecast that a total of 1.97 billion trips will be made, a rise of 3.4 percent from last year, Xinhua said.

Thousands of extra buses, trains and planes have been laid on to cope with the mass movement of people, many of them returning to their hometowns for annual family reunions.

Raytan

03-02-2005, 09:14 PM

Thursday February 3, 7:37 PM
DOW JONES GLOBAL INDEXES FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2005

(All index values based on U.S. dollars unless noted)
Net Percent
Index Change Change
World 211.30 0.06 0.03
World (ex. U.S.) 171.28 0.11 0.06
Americas 284.12 0.05 0.02
Latin America 288.83 1.14 0.40
Europe 245.09 0.13 0.05
Euro Zone 244.79 -0.20 -0.08
Europe (ex. U.K.) 263.25 -0.18 -0.07
Pacific 107.95 0.04 0.04
Pacific (ex. Japan) 214.18 0.94 0.44
Local Currency Net Pct Dollar Net Pct
Index Chg Chg Index Chg Chg
Brazil 3310172 0 0.00 501.88 3.73 0.75
Canada 304.01 0.00 0.00 283.74 0.53 0.19
Chile 394.03 0.00 0.00 254.41 -0.08 -0.03
Mexico 967.44 0.00 0.00 266.30 0.37 0.14
U.S. 284.54 0.00 0.00 284.54 0.00 0.00
Venezuela 1835.73 0.00 0.00 41.12 0.00 0.00
Austria 269.85 0.71 0.26 273.92 0.70 0.26
Belgium 304.97 0.34 0.11 309.72 0.30 0.10
Denmark 293.69 0.48 0.16 304.32 0.53 0.17
Finland 913.76 7.50 0.83 829.55 6.71 0.82
France 242.05 -0.53 -0.22 249.03 -0.57 -0.23
Germany 198.02 -0.24 -0.12 200.37 -0.27 -0.13
Greece 255.13 -0.07 -0.03 191.15 -0.08 -0.04
Ireland 476.65 1.87 0.39 472.66 1.80 0.38
Italy 257.13 0.20 0.08 214.44 0.14 0.07
Netherlands 278.28 -1.07 -0.38 281.74 -1.11 -0.39
Norway 239.95 -0.16 -0.07 226.50 -0.14 -0.06
Portugal 226.46 0.09 0.04 199.57 0.06 0.03
Spain 361.34 0.41 0.11 275.69 0.28 0.10
Sweden 398.67 -0.40 -0.10 338.03 0.17 0.05
Switzerland 336.84 0.24 0.07 382.68 -0.36 -0.09
U.K. 206.72 -0.07 -0.03 209.03 0.56 0.27
S. Africa 446.39 1.71 0.38 201.56 -0.55 -0.27
Australia 280.20 0.49 0.18 286.28 1.32 0.46
Hong Kong 243.50 -0.08 -0.03 242.80 -0.07 -0.03
Indonesia 361.67 -1.41 -0.39 78.31 -0.43 -0.55
Japan 74.20 -0.18 -0.24 89.18 -0.18 -0.20
Malaysia 171.03 0.18 0.11 122.48 0.14 0.11
New Zealand 177.08 0.55 0.31 233.52 1.45 0.62
Philippines 195.10 0.59 0.30 92.32 0.42 0.46
Singapore 163.59 -0.16 -0.10 162.10 0.05 0.03
South Korea 189.34 1.38 0.73 140.05 1.41 1.02
Taiwan 150.89 0.46 0.31 122.97 0.67 0.55
Thailand 129.38 1.13 0.88 79.46 0.81 1.03
--

02-03-05 0636EST

Shadow04

03-02-2005, 09:25 PM

usjag_18

03-02-2005, 11:07 PM

Ultimate10002000

03-02-2005, 11:07 PM

Hey Raytan what the heck you think you are doing to my thread ? You think this is funny ? Dont behave as another scum in soccer forum.

Ultimate10002000

03-02-2005, 11:11 PM

He's really very free. Lolx...

Anyway, I think whatever J.Mourinho likes doesn't mean P.Kenyon likes. P.Kenyon is an idiot. He's the most idiotic person of all. Someday he will betray Chelsea like the way he betrayed Man Utd. Whatever he did can be forgiven but cannot be forget.

Well thanks for pointing this out. For Kenyon he will be loyal as long as there are enough money to enter his wallet. But you say he is an idiot ? i dont understand why you come to this conclusion. But arh Chelsea still need his help now to break into new market as this Kenyon do have the knowledge and ability to lead the team into better marketing.

usjag_18

03-02-2005, 11:12 PM

Hey Raytan what the heck you think you are doing to my thread ? You think this is funny ? Dont behave as another scum in soccer forum.
Can't you delete his postings? Even though I am not a Chelsea supporter, I really cannot understand wat Raytan trying to do. Is he a football supporter?

Ultimate10002000

03-02-2005, 11:15 PM

Huh ? can delete other people posting one meh ? If yes how ? This Raytan is a joker that is too free, he is not welcome in other team thread also. Then come here to make trouble and be funny.

usjag_18

03-02-2005, 11:47 PM

Huh ? can delete other people posting one meh ? If yes how ? This Raytan is a joker that is too free, he is not welcome in other team thread also. Then come here to make trouble and be funny.
I am not so sure. I was asking U and in return, U asked me? Or U just ask him to delete his rubbish postings lor. People here is toking abt soccer, he put those silly news.

Ultimate10002000

03-02-2005, 11:51 PM

Hahaha...ok to tell you that i cant delete other people postings. Only u yourself can delete your own posting. I ask Raytan to delete ? you think he will listen ? Later he come and post more. So just ignore him. Already send him a warning message.

BioGenesis

04-02-2005, 12:15 AM

we are going to get the EPL cup!!! we rock!!! long live the Russian!!

Jose_Mourinho

04-02-2005, 12:26 AM

It was a good performance by our boys in blue on the field yesterday. It was the kind of performance that makes champions, champions. It wasn't the most beautiful game played, but John and the rest showed true grit and fought all the way to the final whistle.

I would love to specially single out Petr for special mention and praise. He has been the goalkeeper of the EPL this season. With him around in goal, our defence has assumed the air of invincibility. None of our nearest rivals have the same air, and the table speaks for itself.

I would not commit on how many more games we can continue to blank out the opposition from scoring, but one thing I can guarantee Chelsea fans. We will continue to fight / scrap and bite for every point that is to be had. And we will take every match as they come, with my squad of players fully motivated behind me.

p.s. Don't worry about Robben's injury. It was just a plot to let him rest after scoring. Blackburn is not the toughest of teams to visit. Robben needs more rest as we still have many titles to win this season.

Raytan

04-02-2005, 12:27 AM

海东:本有机会帮国足出线不认可我的大多是外行

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http://sports.sina.com.cn 2005年02月03日23:25 新浪体育

　　新浪体育讯　他被认为是当代中国足球的标志性人物，5届国家队他百炼成金，十年甲A他三度封王，商海游弋他名利双收，他是中国足球的叛逆先锋，35岁留洋他史无前例。在即将告别国内足坛的时候，郝海东接受了中央电视台《足球之夜》节目的采访，再次向国内球迷打开心扉。

　　中国环境逼我走人

　　记者(以下简称记)：有人说，国家队在世界杯预选赛的出局，以及中超联赛的混乱使你萌生了去意，是这样的吗？

　　郝海东(以下简称郝)：不是萌生去意，我这个走很正常，出国踢球。

　　记：也就是说是你离开中超这个赛场。

　　郝：我不能不离开，怎么呆在这里。比如，当大连队教练，整个环境不适合我当大连队教练，俱乐部让我当，但很多人他不喜欢。这么多人不喜欢，我为什么要当。我平了都被喊下课，我为什么？

　　记：人们都说，郝海东是在用进球数来和大家说话。

　　郝：我说了，这10年是我踢出来的。光是说没有用。很多外籍教练都找我谈话，包括阿里-汉，我印象比较深的一句话是我向他表态，我要好好训练。他说，郝海东你不要跟我讲，我已经看到了。这就是一个教练。

　　记：因为他考察了你的比赛？

　　郝：他看了我的生活训练，他不可能是听了，你要用郝海东。用谁的外边说的多了。足球是要靠表现，而且不单单是你的表现，各方面的表现。如果象他们说的，郝海东特立独行，他能在国家队呆那么长的时间吗？他能在俱乐部呆那么久吗？他能一边踢球还担任主教练吗？所以有时候媒体报道出来的跟他本身并不一样。

　　我本有机会帮中国出线

　　旁白：郝海东的录像带里没有这场比赛，在11月17日，中国队因为少一个进球的原因，未能获得小组出线权。郝海东遗憾的，不是自己没有把握住机会，而是没有在非常的情况下采取非常规的手段。

　　郝：足球的结果是即使性的，输和赢可能就是两种完全不同的看法。

　　记：对于11.17这场比赛，你应该比我更清楚发生了什么。

　　郝：我后悔的是我当时怎么没冲进去。我当时有些犹豫，这是由于以前的事情。其实无非就是再被骂一顿而已。如果我冲进场去，也许我们就出线了。

　　记：冲进去干什么呢？

　　郝：耽误时间，告诉队员我们还差一个。如果当时能这么做，也许我们就出线了。但是想到如果不出线，又要被人议论，就在这犹豫的时候，裁判很快吹哨了。如果当时还能再补一点点时间，也许我就上去了。

　　记：你觉得这是一个非常手段？

　　郝：我进去这么一说，耽搁了，这个事情就可以了。

　　记：是不是说，11.17这场比赛是你这代国脚生涯的一个告别赛？

　　郝：不一定，国家队如果需要，我在欧洲一切正常的话，我依然有机会。国家的还有在欧洲拉练的任务，我想我还有机会。

　　记：为什么这支队伍能得到亚洲杯亚军却出不了线呢？

　　郝：没打好，很正常。

　　不认可我的大多都是外行

　　记：并不是所有的人都认可你。

　　郝：是大部分人都在瞎起哄。

　　记：那些不太认同你的人，说的时候你是否特别不服气？

　　郝：他说他的。很多人不这么认为，他们都是外行。当然，也有一些内行。

　　记：你总认为是外行做了很多对中国足球的评价。

　　郝：主要是我在做教练的这方面吧，特别是大连有些人，很着急，我带队的时候他们整天写整天说。我也不知道为什么，他们有那么大的情绪。这对整个队伍有影响，我踢球和当教练，是图个快乐，我没有必要听他们在那里说三道四。我没有必要和你们争，你们去安排一个合适的。我可以走。

　　记：这就是你的个性？

　　郝：我踢球，当教练是凭借我的能力，郝海东不会去乞求什么东西。我是拿我的能力来得到。

　　“划时代人物”是对我的肯定

　　记：你认为4年后你回来大家就会对你多一些认可吗？

　　郝：相对而言，我经历了这段运动生涯，学习了教练以后，会好一点。我想这么做我就这么做了，我没必要求别人的认同。成绩不好自有俱乐部解雇我，又不是“你们”解雇我。

　　记：陈成达先生曾经评价过，中国足球历史上有三个划时代性的人物，五六十年代的张宏根，七八十年代里的容志行，九十年代到21世纪的郝海东。你去英国以后，一个时代的郝海东可能要淡出历史了，不知道你听到这个评价有什么感想？

　　郝：我的职业生涯就要结束了，我肯定过两年会退役。这个评价是对我十几年职业生涯的肯定，包括甲A的荣誉都是对我成绩的肯定，这个让我知道，自己应该做些什么，以后如何发展信心更多。

　　记：你是在以你的方式和球迷告别吗？

　　郝：不是告别，我的足球生涯扔在延续。在我们客场打马来西亚的时候，有球迷打出“海东你好”的标语，这个让我非常感动，有几个人能享受这样的待遇，这不是能换的来的。有个学生在作文里将我描述成英雄人物，我很有感触。(PIPPO)

Raytan

04-02-2005, 12:28 AM

布拉特怒批豪门来华：就是为金钱这是诈骗球迷

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http://sports.sina.com.cn 2005年02月03日09:55 球报

　　面对越来越多的豪门球队到亚洲淘金的行为，国际足联主席布拉特明确表示了他的不满，“他们仅仅就是为了金钱，所在乎的根本就不是比赛的质量，是在诈骗球迷！”

　　豪门球队到亚洲来淘金的行为从2002年世界杯之后达到了一个高潮，亚洲尤其是东亚地区，日趋繁荣的经济使这些地区成为许多豪门球队的“提款机”。皇马、巴萨、曼联、拜仁这些球队近两年以来几乎每年都要到远东地区来走一下秀，然后掠走数以千万计的金钱

。今年也不例外以中国为例子，仅仅到现在为止，已经确定下来的“豪门走穴”就有多场，皇家马德里俱乐部已经确定今年夏天将在中国进行两场友谊比赛，时间为首场比赛在6月11日，第二场初步定为6月21日左右。除此之外英超豪门曼联队已经确定将在今年夏天与北京现代队进行一场比赛，拜仁俱乐部和AC米兰俱乐部也都有到中国比赛的计划。

　　2月2日，布拉特在苏黎世说：“那些豪门球队到亚洲开发市场最主要的目的还是金钱，他们并不关心比赛的质量，但他们的活动已经超越了国际足联管辖范围。”

　　布拉特已经不是第一次说这样的话了，在皇马第一次到中国昆明训练和比赛的时候，布拉特便批评皇马是一架搂钱的机器。

　　“我们没有阻止这样做的法律，但我认为这种做法并不是很恰当，”布拉特以巴西对垒中国香港的比赛作为例子，“巴西安排这样一场比赛完全没有必要，这两支球队根本就不在一个水平线上，仅仅是为了比赛而比赛。”

　　作者：唐成选

usjag_18

04-02-2005, 12:29 AM

Raytan

04-02-2005, 12:30 AM

自己的未婚妻竟然和别人同居

http://www.sina.com.cn 2005年02月03日10:57 深圳晚报
　　爱情本来是世界上最排他性的东西，但有的人却在爱一个人的同时，跟另一个人同居。而且她爱的人竟不是同居那个人。也就是说，她把精神给了一个男人，却把肉体给了另一个男人。

　　这是不久前发生在深圳布吉的一个真实故事。故事中的不幸男人叫屈小龙，他刚刚向记者叙述了这段不可思议的情感经历。

　　屈小龙一见到记者就说：“我是世界上最悲哀的男人，自己最爱的女人跟别人同居了三年，我竟然到现在才发现。找你们记者吐心声，是下了很大决心才敢来的。”

　　屈小龙今年25岁，是罗湖一家手机修理店的技术员。他中等身材，外表朴素，不善言辞。他在叙述自己的情感经历时，显得有点难以启齿，也有点愤怒，说话断断续续。

　　他于2001年5月来深圳，刚开始在一家手机店做销售员，后来自己钻研摸索，终于学会了修理手机。几个月之后，便跳槽到现在这家手机店做师傅，一直做到现在。

　　2001年10月，他认识了在惠州某酒店做咨客的温州妹子马翠花。当时，马翠花认为深圳的钱好挣，一心想来深圳找工作，希望有个落脚点，屈小龙也很乐意帮她，两人就交起了朋友。

　　两个月后，马翠花在屈小龙的介绍和帮助下找到了工作，在福田一家酒店做服务员。在深圳工作后，马翠花与屈小龙有了亲密关系。

　　都说深圳的钱好挣，但马翠花没想到，她的工资还没有在惠州时高，本来想等三个月试用期结束后老板给提工资，但她辛辛苦苦盼来的只是每月多了50元。她觉得深圳是高学历者的天下，自己不适合在深圳混，在酒店做了5个月，马翠花便又转回惠州做咨客。她在惠州轻车熟路，找工作并不难。

　　屈小龙想，惠州离深圳很近，只要工资高，两人分开工作也没什么坏处。再说，两人一两周见一次也许更有新鲜感，也许感情会更深，所以，不仅没有反对，还一直支持她。

　　几年来，马翠花做咨客，而屈小龙一般两三周去看她一次。两人的感情一直没什么反常，甚至他们于2004年初还订了婚，计划今年国庆节结婚。

　　马翠花租住的宿舍很差，每月租金才250元，屈小龙也总感觉她很穷，每月都会给她一点生活费用。但令屈小龙不敢相信的是，马翠花去惠州后竟然瞒着他跟一香港男人同居，而且已经三年了。这消息是马翠花同一家酒店的楼面经理告诉他的。

　　原来，马翠花到惠州后，经楼面经理介绍，认识了一位香港商人靳飞。因为她身材高挑，靳飞甚是喜欢。

　　马翠花明白地告诉靳飞说，自己已经在深圳有男友了。但靳飞并没有就此退却，反而说他不介意，他爱她，不在乎她有男友。

　　之后，在靳飞的追求下，马翠花有时跟他出去吃饭、泡酒吧。

　　为什么两人会发展到同居，按马翠花后来对屈小龙的坦白，是因为有一次她病了，发高烧，没有人照顾她，靳飞连续几天细心地照看她，这让她很感动，从而产生了点感情。

　　2002年6月，靳飞在惠州供了一套房并让马翠花搬过去住，说自己经常在香港，这房子闲着也是闲着，两人开始了同居生活，靳飞每月给她几千元“生活费”。

　　靳飞已经快60岁了，而马翠花认识他那年才21岁，马翠花知道跟他不可能长久，所以也没有跟屈小龙分手。她没有把原来的住房退掉，周一到周五跟靳飞同居，周末屈小龙来了，她又到那间破旧的房子跟屈小龙过周末“夫妻”生活。这事连续三年，屈小龙一直被蒙在鼓里。

　　直到2004年11月底，屈小龙有一次去惠州找马翠花，她不在宿舍，他才到她工作的酒店找她。就在这个时候，屈小龙认识了那家酒店的楼面经理。楼面经理把马翠花跟靳飞同居的事全部告诉了他。他不敢相信，以为楼面经理自己想插足，故意破坏他们的关系。

　　楼面经理坦言告诉他，当时靳飞认识马翠花是他介绍的。靳飞本来答应给他10000元钱，但事后才给他3000元，他觉得靳飞言而无信，早就想揭穿他，但因为不认识屈小龙，所以等到现在才告诉他真相。

　　屈小龙听后还是将信将疑，就质问马翠花，没想到马翠花自己感觉纸包不住火，很快就坦白了。她没有后悔，还说是为了屈小龙好，因为屈小龙的工资低，没办法在深圳供房，她想帮屈小龙挣一些钱，以便结婚后能在深圳建立两个人的小家庭。

　　屈小龙说，这些年来，他爱马翠花爱得很深，现在想离开她感觉很痛苦，不离开她又感觉受侮辱，天天失眠。

　　而让屈小龙最无法理解的是，自己的未婚妻不仅跟别人同居时能若无其事，事情暴露后也一样神情自若。他反复问记者，这个女人为什么比坏男人还不可思议呢？难道生活真的是一场游戏？

　　生活是一个舞台，但究竟是上演真实故事还是上演虚假的游戏，这可能因人而异，而且要从不同的角度、不同的时期来看问题，才是客观的。

　　(本版主人公均为化名)

usjag_18

04-02-2005, 12:34 AM

Raytan

04-02-2005, 12:37 AM

第一次做爱的秘诀(图)

http://www.sina.com.cn 2005年02月03日10:09 现在流行网

正确面对第一次性生活
　　处女的第一次性爱，伴随着处女膜的破裂和阴道的阵痛，无论在生理上和心理上都会有些影响。所以对男性来说，这是对您是否是一个好丈夫、一个好男友的考验。在心理上，您要给她足够的抚慰。要爱她，安慰她。告诉她要想成为真正的女人，这是必不可少的步骤。如果她说不，您千万不要勉强。更不能干强迫她的蠢事。这不但伤害了她，而且您也从中得不到快乐，只是发泄。

　　双方都看：

　　我该如何拥有“美好”的性行为？

　　以下所列的并不是一组规则。要对性制定规则是不可能的——该注意的是你怎么做会让你觉得舒服愉快。而“觉得美好”应当要持续到性结束后——你不该在事后对让她怀孕或是得了疾病而紧张，所以事先做好避孕及安全的性是必要的。

　　我们什么时候该发生性行为？

　　你们什么时候发生性行为并不重要。重要的是你和你的伴侣是在相当舒适的状况下让它发生。有的人喜欢在破晓时分做爱，有的人喜欢在下午，有的人喜欢在深沈的夜里。比次数更重要的是时间。当你们第一次发生关系时给彼此多点的时间。周末是理想的，但是包括睡眠时间，至少要有一整天的时间。

　　在我们发生关系前是不是该吃或喝些东西？

　　不要吃得太饱，那只会让你们想睡。吃少量的食物，不要喝太多酒精类饮料。一点酒精会帮助你们放松，但是它也会让男方的勃起略为困难，但是无论如何你们将花更多的时间在床上而不是浴室，是吧？

　　我们应该在哪里发生关系？

　　在哪里发生关系或许是一个比较重要点的问题。要找到一个你们可以有四十八小时以上隐私时间的地方，对计划着想要奉献出童贞的年龄的人来说不是件容易的事。不过那是值得的。汽车已经不再大到可以在里面做爱，而室外又不够隐私，有太多的虫子、砂子和不要的树枝木材等。

　　一张舒适的床仍然是做爱的最佳选择。最好你能有个自己的房间，舒适、温暖、宽敞，还有间浴室——一起淋裕如果你打算发生关系，那么在这之前你们或许已经彼此抚摸过对方了。花时间慢慢地熟悉彼此的身体。做爱就是这么回事。

　　我们应该准备什么？

　　准备些能让你们觉得舒适的东西。节育用品，保险套，或者你最喜欢的抱枕或浴袍。

　　写给女孩：

　　我一开始该做什么？

　　你不能期望他知道怎么做会让你觉得舒服。你必须告诉他或做给他看，这意味着你要采取些许的主动，带着他的手到能让你觉得舒服的位置。慢慢来。如果这是他的第一次，他或许会对你所将要做的事感到紧张，而且或许他的阴茎一开始会没有反应。耐心、温柔和体谅是是它重获生机的方法，或许这对你来说不容易做到，但这就是为什么我们告诉你要给自己多点的时间。

　　会痛吗？

　　或许你已经听过许多关於失去童贞时会有多痛的可怕故事。对一些女性来说，是会痛，但是如果经由正确的接触和正确的伴侣，你可以毫无痛苦的将阴茎接纳入你体内。让他慢慢来，使用润滑油，慢慢的将他的手指压入你体内，慢慢地使你舒张开来。告诉他什么时候觉得舒服和什么时候觉得不舒服。

　　我该采取什么姿势？

　　许多女性在第一次做爱时喜欢在上位以掌握动作的控制权。有的则喜欢在下位而将控制权交给他的爱人。找个对你来说最好的姿势。只是要记住告诉他慢慢来，不要急，而如果你觉得需要，不妨使用如KYJelly等的润滑剂。

　　写给男孩：

　　如果我无法勃起该怎么办？

　　这听来有点好笑，但是你那已经正常运作了好几年的阴茎却可能在你第一次能有真正的性行为时给你致命的一击。那是正常的——因为你太紧张了。来个深呼吸。用你的手、你的唇和你的舌头做些其他的事。试着把你的焦虑不安忘掉，你的阴茎会有回应的。这只是暂时性的问题。

　　如果我是处男，我该告诉她吗？

　　很多男性认为因为他们是男人，他们必须掌握性行为的主导权，而不在乎谁有较丰富的经验。如果你是处男而她不是处女，那么告诉她，如果她愿意的话让她主导。学习获取经验同时也是爱的表现。不要怕坦承事实。很多的女性宁愿你是无经验的摸索而不是愚蠢的乱来，而且她们会很乐意为你指引通往那个世界的道路。

　　我们会同时达到高潮吗？

　　彼此都不要担心是否同时达到了高潮。有些女人在做爱过程中得不到高潮，或者即使你的女友能获得高潮，这都没办法保证你们能同时达到高潮。好好享受，并相信她告诉你的她的感受。

　　我太快达到高潮怎么办？

　　如果你真的比你所希望还要早很多达到高潮，慢慢来，休息一下，然后再尝试一次。第二次你应该会比较放松而且准备好慢慢来——你的阴茎也一样。

　　我的尺寸够大吗？还是太大？形状正常吗？

　　另一个常见的问题是尺寸的问题。平均来说阴茎的长度在勃起时大约是51／2英寸，那远超过撞击阴道主要神经区时，包括传说中的G点，所需要的长度。阴道可以扩张以适应较大的阴茎，也可以收缩以配合较小使寸的阴茎。尺寸大小跟你当个好情人的能力是没有关系的。

　　另一个常见的问题是关于形状。一些男性会担心是因为他们的阴茎有点向下弯，或者是偏左等等，而且因为他们没有在色情电影中看到和他们一样的男性就假设自己是不正常的。其他人会担心如果下弯会使做爱变得困难和痛苦，因为阴道和他们的阴茎形状并不一样。

　　记着做爱可以有许多不同的姿势。阴茎和阴道可以用不同的方式相互契合，而每个新姿势都可能带给你和你的伴侣新的快感。有的人相信下弯的阴茎使口交变得容易许多。

　　我会是个好情人吗？

　　好情人不是自然发生的。适当的伴侣、适当的时间、适当的关切和练习，你就具备了当个好情人的条件。

　　你们的第一次，对你们两个来说，将会是笨拙和探索的组合，但这将会是你们接下来生命中的美好时光的开始

Ultimate10002000

04-02-2005, 08:28 PM

Owls sign Rocastle from Chelsea

Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock has completed the signing of Chelsea midfielder Craig Rocastle on a free transfer.
The 23-year-old has joined on a two-and-a-half-year contract and could be in line to make his debut on Saturday in the south Yorkshire derby at Barnsley, where he spent a month on loan last season.

Rocastle hopes he can help the Owls cement their bid for promotion from League One.

He said: 'A club like this doesn't deserve to be in this division. Hopefully I can be a part of maintaining the team's good form.

'I just want to keep playing well. I'll always put my heart and soul into every minute that I play.'

Rocastle, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Kingstonian in August 2002, has been on loan at Hibernian since August, making 14 appearances for the Scottish Premier League side.

Ultimate10002000

04-02-2005, 08:30 PM

Robben injury boost?

ESPN Soccernet.com News Services

Chelsea are hopeful that a foot injury to Arjen Robben will not prove to be as bad as was first feared after the Dutch winger left Ewood Park on crutches.

Arjen Robben gets treatment at Ewood Park (RossKinnaird/GettyImages)

Robben limped off with a badly bruised foot minutes after striking what proved to be the only goal of a hard-fought match at Blackburn.

Afterwards, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said that Robben could be out 'for weeks or for months, I don't know' but a club spokesman confirmed later that medical staff were hopeful the injury would keep Robben out for a much-shorter period.

The spokesman said: 'Arjen will have a scan after the swelling has gone down, probably in the next two days. It was not thought necessary for him to go to hospital straight after the match.'

Robben's injury took the shine off Chelsea's eighth consecutive league victory - all achieved without conceding a goal - and his exit formed part of some bitter exchanges between Mourinho and his Blackburn counterpart Mark Hughes.

Mourinho alleged dirty tricks by Blackburn before and during the game while Hughes accused the Chelsea boss of snubbing the traditional post-match handshake.

Hughes said: 'I was upset that the opposing manager was not gracious enough to shake my hand. Sometimes you have to be gracious in defeat but you also have to be gracious in victory.

'I have no idea why [he didn't]. Perhaps he was too busy on the field with his players.

'Whether or not he was upset because they were not allowed to play the kind of football they wanted to play I don't know, but we did not overstep the mark, absolutely not.'

Mourinho retorted: 'They felt they couldn't beat us playing football so they tried to beat us in a different way - direct football, first ball, second ball, being nasty and hard and trying to intimidate players.

'During the afternoon it rained only in this stadium - our kitman saw it - they tried everything. There must be a microclimate here.

'We came here to play football and it was not a football game, it was a fight and we fought and I think we fought fantastically, with a lot of spirit, with a solid defence, with everyone fighting for the same cause.

'This has put us in the best position since the start of the season because for the first time we have 11 points between us and second place.'

In reply to Hughes' criticism about the handshake, Mourinho said: 'I shook hands with him before the game two or three times. When the game finished I went onto the pitch with my players.

'I think this is ridiculous, the game has finished, I'm happy, I want to be with my players, I don't want to be with other people. If I see him when I leave the building, of course I would shake his hand.'

Mourinho bemoaned Robben's injury - Chelsea were also without Didier Drogba due to a groin injury.

He said: 'It's a big injury but we have other players. He is so special that maybe he was the first target for them.

'It was difficult for us against a team who had a special attitude. If I was polite I would call it a special attitude.

'The blond boy in the middle (Robbie Savage) made 20 faults and no yellow card. It's difficult to control emotions.'

Blackburn came close to ending Chelsea's run but Petr Cech saved Paul Dickov's penalty.

He has now gone 781 minutes without conceding a goal, surpassing Peter Schmeichel's 1997 mark of 694 minutes.

Ultimate10002000

04-02-2005, 08:31 PM

Mourinho fans the flames of Cole saga

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein insists Ashley Cole is 'committed to Arsenal' despite speculation linking him with a move to Chelsea.

Ashley Cole: Measures up to Mourinho's requirements. (CliveBrunskill/GettyImages)

The Sun alleges a secret meeting took place between Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, chief executive Peter Kenyon and Cole in the Royal Park Hotel at Lancaster Gate.

The 24-year-old England defender is currently in negotiations on a new contract with the Premiership champions and has two-and-a-half-years to run on his existing deal.

Dein this morning said: 'We will see what the quality of the evidence is and take it from there.

'Ashley Cole is committed to Arsenal and under contract until 2007.'

A Chelsea statement this morning read: 'The club has an established policy on stories linking it with players, whatever the circumstances. We have not commented in the past, do not intend to comment now, and will not do so in the future.'

If the claims are verified it would be a breach of Premier League rule K3 which forbids clubs talking to players contracted to another team.

But the Premier League have said they would only launch an investigation if there was a complaint which has so far not been forthcoming from Arsenal.

Mourinho has described Cole as 'the best English defender' in an article in the Portuguese newspaper A Bola, extracts from which are published in this morning's Daily Mail.

He said: 'Ashley Cole is the best English defender' and then added: 'We'll buy two - one left-sided defender, because I only have one - and another player.

'The defender has to be good to join our squad. About the other, it has to be a great player. We are already scouting half-a-dozen of them, who are the best in the world, because only they have the ability to join a super, balanced squad like ours.'

It is understood the interview took place before the claims of a link between Chelsea and Cole.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger maintains Cole will still sign a new contract at Highbury.

He said earlier this week: 'I am 100% sure Ashley Cole will extend his contract as he is part of the bunch of players who are the core and heart of the team.

'Ashley said he is fed up with that story, he is completely committed to the club and he doesn't want to know about it.

'We are not far away from a deal with him and I feel he will be under pressure from the other players to stay here.'

Wenger had called on Chelsea to make a categorical denial of the original News of the World claim that Mourinho and Kenyon attended a secret meeting with Cole.

'Before we complain, we must have evidence the meeting has happened but I don't know how so much assertive evidence comes out in a newspaper [if it is] just being invented,' said Wenger.

He added: 'It looks to me like, yes, it has happened, although I don't know [for sure]'.

Ultimate10002000

04-02-2005, 08:31 PM

Mutu gives himself a sporting chance

Former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu today stepped up his bid to return to football by starting two weeks of rehabilitation at Tony Adams' Sporting Chance clinic.
The Romania international is currently banned from football after testing positive for cocaine last year, and has agreed to play for Italian club Juventus when the suspension is lifted on May 16.

Under the terms of his ban, the 26-year-old must attend a programme of 'education and rehabilitation' at Sporting Chance.

'He was given the choice of spending one or two weeks with us, and chose two, which is fantastic,' Sporting Chance chief Peter Kay told BBC Sport.

'He'll be undergoing the highly successful programme we've developed here. It involves one-on-one psychotherapy, yoga, group skills and individual football training.'

The Romanian will also have mentoring sessions with former Arsenal and England captain Adams at the Hertfordshire clinic.

'Adrian is now getting his life together again,' Kay said. 'He's got a bright career with Juventus ahead of him and is now reconciled with his wife and children.'

Raytan

05-02-2005, 03:08 AM

GOOD NEWS FOR CHELSEA SUPPORT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chelsea fears over Robben injury rise

Fears Chelsea's quadruple charge could be stalled by an injury to Arjen Robben mounted when manager Jose Mourinho revealed that the Dutch winger had not walked since limping out of Wednesday's 1-0 win over Blackburn.

Robben left Ewood Park on crutches after being caught by a mistimed tackle from South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena.

Chelsea had initially been optimistic that he would make a quick recovery but the extent of the swelling and bruising have made it impossible for scans to establish the precise nature of the injury.

"There are no conclusions for the moment," Mourinho said Friday. "The only conclusion is big, big pain. Arjen cannot walk, he cannot put his foot on the floor and he is immobilised.

"The examinations are not conclusive at the moment because the inflammatory process is really big. Because of all the blood and fluid showing in the scan, they can't understand yet whether it is a fracture or not, or whether there is damage in a ligament or not."

Robben is certain to miss Chelsea's match with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

But Mourinho's big fear is that the Dutch winger could be facing a lengthy lay off that will keep him out of the club's Champions League second round tie with Barcelona and the League Cup final at the end of this month.

City arrive at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with the distinction of being the only English club to have beaten Mourinho's men all season, although they will be without Nicolas Anelka, the match-winner in a 1-0 victory at Maine Road in October, who has been sold to Fenerbahce.

"I think they had a bit of luck but they fought for that and they can come here with it in their minds that they beat us," Mourinho said.

"They have a good team and they get results. They drew at Old Trafford and they drew at Highbury so they can compete agains the best teams and take points from them. Of course it will be difficult."

Ultimate10002000

05-02-2005, 09:49 PM

Injury fear over 'immobilized' Robben

ESPN Soccernet.com News Services

Chelsea have major concerns about Arjen Robben after scans of his damaged foot were inconclusive due to the amount of swelling and bruising.
The Dutch winger left Blackburn on crutches on Wednesday night after being hurt in a tackle by Aaron Mokoena and has not walked on the foot since.

Manager Jose Mourinho said: 'There are no conclusions for the moment. The only conclusion is big, big pain. Arjen cannot walk, he cannot put his foot on the floor and he is immobilised.

'The examinations are not conclusive at the moment because the inflammatory process is really big. Because of all the blood and fluid showing in the scan, they can't understand yet whether it is a fracture or not, or whether there is damage in a ligament or not.'

Robben is certain to miss Chelsea's match with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Ultimate10002000

05-02-2005, 09:49 PM

Mourinho bemoans fixture schedule

COBHAM, England, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho complained on Friday about the scheduling of domestic games, saying it always seemed to favour the Premier League leaders' rivals.
Speaking after training for Sunday's home match against Manchester City, Mourinho said Chelsea appeared always to have minimum rest time.

'One thing I don't understand is who is making the decisions about which game is played on which day,' he said.

Mourinho said he was particularly concerned about Chelsea having to travel north to play Everton on Saturday next week three days after international matches, while his main rivals for the title, Manchester United and Arsenal were playing on Sunday and Monday.

All three top clubs had several players on international duty, he said, but Chelsea had the shortest recovery time.

He recalled a similar situation at the turn of the year. 'Over Christmas we played on the 26th and 28th (December) and the first and fourth (January). Other teams had more time to rest,' he said.

'Why is it always the same team with the difficult task? I am new here. I ask the question,' said Mourinho, who moved to England to take over at Chelsea from European champions Porto last June.

He said he had asked for an explanation but had received no satisfactory answer.

Chelsea are 11 points clear of Manchester United in the Premier League with Arsenal in third place.

Ultimate10002000

05-02-2005, 09:50 PM

Cole tries to smooth waters

Ashley Cole has attempted to distance himself from the current controversy linking him with a move to Chelsea.
The England full-bank has been accused of meeting with Blues boss Jose Mourinho and Stamford Bridge chief executive Peter Kenyon at a London hotel but insists he is committed to Arsenal.

The 24-year-old is currently in negotiations on a new contract with the Premiership champions and has two-and-a-half-years to run on his existing deal.

Cole told the club's official website: 'I'm under contract here for another two years so I just want to get back to playing football and trying to win the league.' The Premier League are to consult both Arsenal and Chelsea on the Ashley Cole controversy, despite the absence of an official complaint from the Gunners.

Reports have pointed to an illegal approach by Chelsea for the Arsenal and England full-back, claiming Blues boss Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon met Cole at a London hotel last week.

Chelsea have refused to deny the claims, while Arsenal continue to study the evidence.

But the Premier League have decided to make initial inquiries.

Chairman Richard Scudamore told The Sun: 'We are talking to both clubs to decide how to proceed.'

Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, has insisted there are no skeletons in Arsenal's transfer closet as the club's board resolve whether to make a formal complaint over Chelsea's alleged illegal approach for Cole.

Wenger is leaving the final decision on whether to ask the Premier League to investigate the claims to his board.

They will therefore continue to consider the evidence said to have been unearthed by two newspapers before making a final decision.

Arsenal will no doubt be conscious of the fact that Cole would have to give evidence at any official hearing.

However, Wenger insisted the club would not be worried by the increased scrutiny that would, almost inevitably, be placed on their own transfer dealings as a result.

Arsenal angered Barcelona, Marseille and Paris St Germain with their approaches for Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini and Nicolas Anelka respectively, but they argue that all three youngsters were out of contract.

Marseille are still contesting Flamini's move to Highbury last summer, while Arsenal have had to pay compensation fees in each case.

But when asked if he had ever met a player who was under contract at another club, Wenger insisted: 'No, not without the club's permission.

'You are always offered players by agents. You meet an agent and he offers you 50 players in 30 minutes.

'So I can't say that I have never talked to an agent about a player who is under contract but I don't think that is illegal.'

Wenger's main worry has been to ensure that Cole's focus is on his game ahead of today's trip to Aston Villa.

'At the moment, our worry is to get Ashley concentrated on our next game and not on this whole story. I just feel this whole story hasn't helped us,' he insisted.

'It looks to be [true] but you must first prove it. I don't know [for sure] if it has happened or not. You need evidence.'

Asked if Cole was in danger of losing his focus, Wenger admitted: 'It could happen but I don't know.'

While not commenting directly on claims that he met Cole last week, Mourinho has nevertheless made little secret of his admiration for the defender - or his intention to buy a left-back this summer.

He declared: 'I said that he was a good player. If I didn't tell you that, you would say that I was stupid.

'The boy is a very good player. In England, Sven-Goran Eriksson feels he is the best because he plays all the time.'

Mourinho added: 'I want to buy a left-back because I have only one of them and I always want to have two players for every position.'

Ultimate10002000

05-02-2005, 09:50 PM

O'Leary: A 'tap up' should cost points

Aston Villa manager David O'Leary claims the 'tapping-up' of players has gone on in football for years.

David O'Leary: People in glass houses... (CliveBrunskill/GettyImages)

And he believes only points deductions will make clubs 'think more' about adopting such tactics.

Chelsea are at the centre of a row following newspaper reports they illegally approached Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole and tried to tempt him to move to Stamford Bridge.

It is claimed Cole met with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon at a London hotel.

O'Leary admitted he was on the receiving end of such approaches from rival clubs during his own illustrious playing career at Arsenal, which spanned 20 years.

Last month Villa were found guilty by the Premier League of making an illegal approach for Southampton striker James Beattie in August, although they were only reprimanded.

O'Leary said at a press conference that there was a player at Southampton 'who wants to join us'.

The Villa boss added: 'I think the situation where we went down to London to answer a charge was a farce. We all know what goes on in the game.

'I was getting tapped up in the 1980s and in the 1990s when I was as Arsenal. It goes on in the game.

'For us to be charged when I see what goes on - and every day I see a manager talking about a player he wants - made my angry.

'Everyone knows that they are doing it (tapping up players). It is just about how blatant you are in doing it.

'I don't think fines would matter to the big clubs. Points deductions would hit them harder and make them think more about it.'

Raytan

07-02-2005, 12:44 AM

CHELSEA HO SAY LIAO

Injured Robben fears season KO

Chelsea winger Arjen Robben fears he has broken his foot again and could be out for the rest of the season.
The Dutch international, who has become a driving force in the Blues' relentless push for four trophies, claims he knew instantly something was wrong when he was felled after scoring the winning goal at Blackburn in midweek.

Now he fears he may have suffered a recurrence of the injury that ruled him out for almost three months in pre-season.

Even if there has not been a break, Robben is resigned to being sidelined for some weeks - just as league leaders' season goes into overdrive.

Robben told the News of the World: 'This is a disaster - everything was going so well.

'It is a massive blow and comes just at the moment when I was in top shape and very fit.

'But now it is worthless and I have to fight back for the second time this season.

'I hate it because I know I am probably out of the game for weeks and weeks.

A medical examination was inconclusive because the swelling was so bad and Robben fears the worst when he returns to hospital for further tests.

He said: 'Even now, I feel that one of the bones in my foot is broken again.'

• Your views on this story? Email newsdesk@soccernet.com

Raytan

07-02-2005, 02:37 AM

YES CHELSEA DROP 2 POINTS, NICE!!!!!

Manchester City's defence held firm as Chelsea, perhaps rueing the loss of Arjen Robben to injury, fired blanks at Stamford Bridge. City defended heroically and keeper David James made an amazing point-blank save from Frank Lampard deep into injury time. Chelsea are now nine points clear of Manchester United

Ultimate10002000

07-02-2005, 07:32 PM

Chelsea 0-0 Man City: FT Report

PA

Chelsea's march towards the Barclays Premiership title was slowed somewhat as Manchester City produced a stubborn display to earn a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Joey Barton and Frank Lampard tussle at Stamford Bridge. (PhilCole/GettyImages)

Even without inspirational Holland winger Arjen Robben, missing with a foot injury, the league leaders created plenty of chances to have won comfortably.

But Chelsea were nevertheless left frustrated by a combination of poor finishing and fine goalkeeping from David James.

City's performance will have been welcomed by their Manchester neighbours, United, whose victory over Birmingham on Saturday clawed back the deficit at the top of the table, albeit to still nine points.

James: I'm ready for England again

Mateja Kezman almost created an early opening for himself when latching onto a poor headed clearance 25 yards out. However, after knocking the ball past Richard Dunne, the Chelsea striker then theatrically went to ground - and could count himself fortunate not to be cautioned by referee Howard Webb.

City - the only side to have beaten Chelsea in the Premiership so far this season - were not without their attacking threat, particularly through England man Shaun Wright-Phillips.

As the quarter-hour mark approached, the match was still devoid of a clear-cut chance.

Chelsea captain John Terry was busy, though, when twice making telling blocks in the 17th minute. First the England centre-half charged down Antoine Sibierski's pot-shot at point-blank range on the edge of the box, before cutting out Wright-Phillips' low centre.

With 32 minutes gone, Robbie Fowler tried his luck with a snap-shot from just outside the penalty area, but Chelsea number one Petr Cech collected comfortably.

Chelsea should have been ahead soon after.

Damien Duff found enough space in the left-hand side of the area to test James with a low drive. The England keeper got down well to parry, but spilled the ball. However, Kezman could not turn it in from no more than a yard out.

James then tipped a header from Jari Jarosik over and also stood up to block Kezman's angled drive.

The City goal was leading a charmed life, in the 38th minute Paul Bosvelt somehow scrambled William Gallas' header off the line.

Then, on the break, the visitors had a gilt-edged chance themselves as Wright-Phillips chased a long punt across field into the left channel. The England winger turned Gallas, before pulling the ball back along the six-yard box.

Terry slipped at the vital moment, handing Fowler a free header. But with the whole goal to aim at, the former Liverpool striker - looking for his 150th Premiership goal - sent his diving effort wide.

There was another scare for the hosts five minutes after the start of the second half.

A high clearance towards the Chelsea box was not dealt with, and Joey Barton seized on the loose ball, drilling a shot across Cech's goal and only a few feet wide.

In the 54th minute Chelsea went close again with Kezman feeding Duff into the left edge of the box. His low centre flew across the six-yard line, and just eluded Eidur Gudjohnsen's out-stretched boot at the far post.

With 20 minutes left, Bosvelt pulled back Duff right on the edge of the City box, and was promptly cautioned. Tempers threatened to boil over as the free-kick was set-up, Mills and Makelele exchanging unpleasantries.

The eventual strike from Lampard was struck well enough, but again James thwarted Chelsea with a fine reaction block.

In the first of five minutes of stoppage time, a desperate last-ditch tackle from Dunne took the ball away from Gudjohnsen before, in the dying moments, James produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Lampard at point-blank range.

James: I'm ready for England again

Manchester City goalkeeper David James insists he is ready to turn on his best form for England following his side's shut-out against Chelsea today which featured one contender for save of the season.

James appears to have lost out on the England number one jersey to Paul Robinson. However, a wonderful one-handed tip away from Frank Lampard's close-range volley in injury-time can have done his international prospects no harm, with a friendly against Holland coming up on Wednesday.

James told Sky Sports: 'I enjoyed the match. I'm in the squad so I'm happy at the moment, and if I get the chance to reproduce that sort of form for England then I'm ready.'

City defended superbly throughout, and the result meant they were unbeaten against the league leaders this season.

James believes a top-six finish is in sight for City if they can play this well against the Barclays Premiership's lesser lights.

'The thing that has let us down has been our consistency,' James added.

'We play well against the decent sides - Chelsea haven't scored against us this season. We've got some tough games to come, it's Manchester United next, and we need to win against the lower sides. But I think we're quite capable of finishing sixth or seventh.'

Centre-back Richard Dunne, who also made one brilliant late tackle to deny Eidur Gudjohnsen, added: 'It's just the way we are this season - we've done well against the good teams so it wasn't much of a surprise that we could do that sort of performance.

'There were tackles flying in everywhere and everyone did their part to keep the point. We've improved on the defensive part of our game this season and today was one of those days where we all dug in and defended well.'

It was an afternoon of frustration for Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

But he was not overly disappointed by the draw, saying: 'It's a deserved result in my opinion.

'Only one team had chances to score goals, but it's the result because we couldn't score and they fought a lot, defended a lot and had a good goalkeeper. They were lucky. We tried everything, had unbelievable chances, even in the last minute we couldn't score.

'It was not the result we tried to fight for, but it's a point. A point is always a point. Before this game we needed nine victories and a draw; now we need nine victories.'

Mourinho admitted that Chelsea had missed the attacking thrust of the injured Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba. But he told Sky Sports: 'Even without them we had enough chances to score goals and win the game.

'I prefer to say my players in finishing situations weren't lucky and they had in David James a goalkeeper who made incredible saves to get them the point.'

Referring back to the injury absentees, he added: 'But when you have more players, you have more options and more chances to win. I think we did enough to win the game but we have a lead of nine points. Nine points difference is still very good for us.'

Ultimate10002000

07-02-2005, 07:32 PM

Cole tapping enquiry launched

ESPN Soccernet.com News Services

The FA Premier League are to launch a formal inquiry into claims that Chelsea made an illegal approach for Arsenal and England full-back Ashley Cole.

Reports have claimed that Cole met with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and manager Jose Mourinho at a London hotel to discuss a potential move.

Chelsea have not confirmed or denied the story and league officials are now to carry out a thorough investigation, having received 'further information' from the News of the World concerning the allegations.

Now Arsenal have told the Premier League that they want to get to the bottom of the claims, fearing that their wealthy London rivals have `tapped up' one of their most prized assets.

A statement released to the Press Association today read: 'The board of the FA Premier League convened today and have decided to launch a formal inquiry into allegations that Chelsea FC may have acted in a way so as to breach Premier League rule K3 regarding approaches to players already contracted to another club.

'The board is finally able to establish a clear position from Arsenal FC and are grateful for chairman Peter Hill-Wood's confirmation that his club want the Premier League to investigate the matter and that they will co-operate fully with any inquiry.'

The Premier League have held ongoing talks with both clubs over the past week, in an effort to ascertain their respective standpoints.

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has claimed there is 'a huge credibility gap' between what Kenyon has told him and the content of newspaper reports concerning Cole.

The 24-year-old Gunners defender was also said to have met with agent Pini Zahavi at the same alleged meeting in London 10 days ago.

Cole's own agent, Jonathan Barnett, was also reported to have been present.

Dein told the News of the World: 'When the News of the World broke the story last week I spoke to Peter Kenyon, Pini Zahavi and Jonathan Barnett. They were all in denial.

'However, from the evidence I have seen so far there is a huge credibility gap.'

Ultimate10002000

07-02-2005, 07:33 PM

Mourinho calm as Cole probe begins

The Premier League inquiry into allegations Chelsea made an illegal approach for Ashley Cole will continue today with Blues boss Jose Mourinho insisting he had nothing to hide.

Jose Mourinho: No worries (NealSimpson/GettyImages)

Reports have claimed that Arsenal and England full-back Cole met with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and manager Mourinho at a London hotel to discuss a potential move.

It was also claimed that agent Pini Zahavi, who has a close relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy, and Cole's own agent Jonathan Barnett were present at the meeting.

But Mourinho distanced himself from the accusations, telling Sky Sports: 'The facts are there. I know nothing about it. I don't want to know.

'I'm not worried with it. My life is the same, trying to enjoy my work, my life. I've nothing else to say.'

Chelsea have promised to fully comply with the Premier League's investigation which has followed the delivery of 'further information' from the News of the World concerning the allegations.

Arsenal have told the Premier League that they want to get to the bottom of the claims, fearing their wealthy London rivals have `tapped up' their 24-year-old key asset.

A statement read: 'The board of the FA Premier League convened and have decided to launch a formal inquiry into allegations that Chelsea FC may have acted in a way so as to breach Premier League rule K3 regarding approaches to players already contracted to another club.

'The board is finally able to establish a clear position from Arsenal FC and are grateful for chairman Peter Hill-Wood's confirmation that his club want the Premier League to investigate the matter and that they will co-operate fully with any inquiry.

'The board is also pleased that Chelsea FC have given a similar undertaking.'

Rule K3 states: 'Any club which by itself, by any of its officials, by any of its players, by its agent, by any other person on its behalf or by any other means whatsoever makes an approach either directly or indirectly to a contract player except as permitted by either rule K.1.2 or rule K.2 shall be in breach of these rules and may be dealt with under the provisions of section R.'

The exceptions allow for approaches when a player is out of contract, or when a club is willing to let talks take place.

Section R refers to disciplinary procedures, and the Premier League would have a range of options, including fines, should they find Chelsea guilty of speaking with Cole behind Arsenal's back.

The Premier League have held ongoing talks with both clubs over the past week, in an effort to ascertain their respective standpoints.

They will continue and Chelsea last night pledged to co-operate fully.

'Chelsea can confirm it has been in discussions with the Premier League over the last few days and we will be co-operating fully with the inquiry,' read a club statement.

'It would be inappropriate to make any further comment until the inquiry is completed.'

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger maintains Cole will still sign a new contract at Highbury, giving him the wage rise that he is looking for in recognition of his huge progress over the past couple of years.

'I am 100 per cent sure Ashley Cole will extend his contract as he is part of the bunch of players who are the core and heart of the team,' declared Wenger.

'Ashley said he is fed up with that story, he is completely committed to the club and he doesn't want to know about it.

'We are not far away from a deal with him and I feel he will be under pressure from the other players to stay here.'

Ultimate10002000

07-02-2005, 07:40 PM

Too bad for Chelsea unable to win Man C and drop 2 points. But nonetheless it is better than losing to Man C like the previous time again. Chelsea is still at the top of the table with a comfortable 9 points gap that separate it from the runner up Man U which is on top form recently. So if Chelsea were to be careless and continue to drop points it will be highly possible for Man U to catch up and overtake the team. Chelsea will faced 4th place Everton at the next round which is a game they die die must win. I personally believe Chelsea should be able to win this one, hope this draw with Man C will not disrupt their confidence. As long as Chelsea is able to mantain the point gap, no doubt they will lift the trophy at the end of the season. Dont be like Barcelona and Juventus which recently is losing steam.

Ultimate10002000

07-02-2005, 07:41 PM

As for the Cole case i dont think Chelsea will need Cole yet. Moreover it is an illegal approach.

Ultimate10002000

08-02-2005, 12:34 AM

Hope Robben will recover from his injuries soon...seems like Chelsea attack is not that powerful without him. Wonder who in the squad can take over his role ? Wonder if Smertin is up to it ?

Ultimate10002000

08-02-2005, 07:15 PM

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone here. Enjoy the holiday and take care.

Ultimate10002000

08-02-2005, 07:41 PM

Robben hit for six by broken foot

Soccernet

Chelsea's hopes of landing the quadruple have been dealt a severe blow with the news that winger Arjen Robben will be out for six weeks with a broken foot.

Arjen Robben gets treatment at Ewood Park (RossKinnaird/GettyImages)

The 21-year-old Holland international limped out of last week's win at Blackburn Rovers minutes after scoring the only goal of the game.

Once the initial swelling around the injury had subsided scans revealed a double break that could keep the Blues star sidelined for up to two months.

Robben will miss crucial games including the Carling Cup final against Liverpool and the first leg of the Champions League last-16 clash against Barcelona.

'Six weeks is the average time to heal this injury and then I need a few more weeks to be completely fit again," Robben told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.

'I had the feeling directly that it was a serious injury but because of the swelling it was impossible to make a final diagnose.

'It felt different than last summer when I had the same injury on my other foot.

'Then I could walk already after three days but I stayed sidelined for a long period. I hope that it will take me now six to eight weeks.'

Of the double break, Chelsea physio Mike Banks said: 'One is a chip on the side of his foot, the other is a small break on the third metatarsal.'

'But this is not the traditional metatarsal that has become so famous since the last World Cup and which has kept Scott Parker out for two months, the fractures are tiny and he could be playing next month,' Banks added on the club's website.

Robben suffered a similar injury in pre-season and missed the first part of this campaign, but has impressed since his return to fitness.

The £12million summer signing from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven has been the driving force behind Chelsea's title bid this season, with his side nine points clear at the top of the Premiership and still involved in three cup competitions.

Chelsea drew 0-0 with Manchester City in their first game since the forward's absence and previously struggled to score at the start of the season when Robben was injured.

Robben said: 'This is a disaster. Everything was going so well. It is a massive blow and comes just at the moment when I was in top shape.'

And Holland coach Marco Van Basten has warned the youngster that he may have to learn to tackle differently to avoid the foot injuries that adversely effected him.

Former AC Milan star Van Basten, whose career was ended by a foot injury, told the Evening Standard: 'Every defender knows they must eliminate Robben. Maybe he must learn to go differently, more lightfooted into a duel. I had to do that in the past. That is something he'll learn.'

Ultimate10002000

08-02-2005, 07:42 PM

Pires warning for team-mate Cole

Robert Pires has warned Arsenal team-mate Ashley Cole that playing for Chelsea would give the England left-back less 'pleasure'.
The French winger has urged Cole to stay at Highbury amid rumours suggesting Chelsea 'tapped up' the Englishman, insisting the Gunners' attacking style of play suits Cole better.

The Premier League are set to investigate the allegations of an illegal approach by Chelsea while the player himself mulls over a contract extension.

Pires also highlights the partnership he and Cole enjoy as another reason for the defender to stay.

'Everybody here is sure Arsenal will once again be competitive next season with the young players we have at the club - and Ashley is one of those players,' said the Frenchman.

'He has been at Arsenal forever. He is a very attacking left-back, and I think he is enjoying his football because at Arsenal he plays in an offensive team.

'I am not sure he will get the same pleasure at Chelsea, even though they are doing so well at the moment.

'I have built a fantastic playing relationship with Ashley. We play together so well - we could do it with our eyes shut.

'But you have to respect the decision of the player. Everybody has that right.'

Cole could be asked to give evidence to a commission should the Premier League decide on the basis of their initial inquiries that such action is required.

'We are awaiting a response from the clubs - and after that we will be looking to obtain a mutually convenient date for the hearing,' a Premier League spokesman told the Press Association.

'We have the power to call people in; we will look at it and gather evidence, and our lawyers will construct that [evidence] in conjunction with Arsenal and Chelsea.

'We are adjudicating, rather than prosecuting.'

Reports in the News of The World claimed Cole - currently in negotiations with Arsenal over a new contract - met with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and manager Jose Mourinho at a London hotel to discuss a potential move.

It was also claimed agent Pini Zahavi, who has a close relationship with Chelsea, and Cole's own agent Jonathan Barnett were present.

Chelsea have promised to fully comply with the Premier League's investigation which has followed the delivery of 'further information' from the newspaper concerning the allegations.

If it is found a meeting did take place it would be in breach of Premier League rule K3, which governs approaches to players under contract.

There are a range of disciplinary procedures open to the governing body should they find Chelsea guilty of speaking to Cole behind Arsenal's back, including fines as well as a points deduction or even expulsion from the league.

Aston Villa were recently reprimanded by the Premier League after Southampton complained about an approach to James Beattie earlier in the season, while Liverpool were fined for making an illegal move when a commission found them guilty over the signing of Christian Ziege from Middlesbrough in 2000.

Liverpool had to pay £20,000, while the player was fined £10,000; Middlesbrough sought £7million compensation but eventually settled out of court.

Ultimate10002000

09-02-2005, 10:52 AM

England boss defends Cole in 'tap' row

Sven-Goran Eriksson today defended the right of players to talk to other clubs and declared: 'We live in a democracy not a dictatorship.'

Cole: 'Committed to club' (CliveBrunskill/GettyImages)

The England coach was speaking as the Premier League conduct an inquiry into claims that Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole was 'tapped up' by Chelsea.

Eriksson was himself photographed secretly talking to Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon last season, while still under contract with England.

On that occasion, he argued he had done nothing wrong as he had 'human rights to listen to other clubs'.

He was similarly unconcerned today by the idea of players, such as Cole, debating their futures - just as Steven Gerrard did last summer before rejecting a transfer to Chelsea.

'As a professional footballer, it must be your right to listen if some other work is available,' he declared.

'It's the same in other professions, we don't live in a dictatorship, we live in a democracy. But normally it's not important.'

Eriksson added: 'Loyalty is important but contracts end and that's life in football.'

The England coach did attempt to avoid commenting directly on the controversy.

'I don't think that I should have too many comments. That is something between Arsenal, Chelsea and Ashley Cole - wrong or not wrong,' he insisted.

Gerrard has since admitted he was slightly distracted by the uncertainty over his future during Euro 2004.

But Eriksson is not unduly concerned about the effect on Cole ahead of tomorrow's friendly against Holland, even though the defender could face a fine if he is found to have spoken to Chelsea.

'If I should give him any advice, it would be to concentrate on football and not read newspapers,' revealed Eriksson.

'But I'm not worried. He was one of the best on the pitch in training on Monday. I've known him for many years and I've never had a problem with him on or off the pitch, and it's the same now.'

Indeed, Eriksson believes Cole is one of the best left-backs in the world along with Brazilian Roberto Carlos.

'He has everything - an excellent left foot, he can defend very well, he has pace, he is attacking all the time, can score some goals and can cross well,' he added.

Jose Mourinho has also revealed his admiration for Cole's talents, even if Chelsea have not admitted contravening Premier League rules by illegally meeting the under-contract full-back.

The Premier League could call Cole as a witness if a hearing is held and, if Arsenal's complaint is upheld, their defender could even himself be fined.

Premier League rule K5 states that 'a contracted player, either by himself or by any other party acting on his behalf, shall not either directly or indirectly make any approach to a club with a view to negotiating a contract without obtaining the prior written consent of the club to which he is under contract'.

Three years ago, Christian Ziege was fined £10,000 for breaking this rule after a Premier League commission investigated the circumstances surrounding his transfer from Middlesbrough to Liverpool.

Both the club and the German international were found guilty by an independent commission, with Liverpool fined £20,000.

While Arsenal could theoretically also dock Cole two weeks' wages, they are still trying to keep the defender out of any investigation as they seek to secure him on an improved new contract.

Indeed, as Eriksson knows from experience, the only real winner out of this entire saga is likely to be Cole himself.

Ultimate10002000

09-02-2005, 10:10 PM

Premier League anger at Sven

The Premier League have responded to Sven-Goran Eriksson defending the rights of players to talk to other clubs following the inquiry into allegations Arsenal defender Ashley Cole had a secret meeting with Chelsea.
The England boss declared 'we live in a democracy not a dictatorship' and told Cole to concentrate on the friendly against Holland tonight.

However a Premier League spokesman told the Daily Mail: 'A professional footballer under contract does not have the right to speak to another club without the permission of his current employer.

'The Premier League rules are clear on that. There is an ongoing inquiry into this matter and if it is proven that the rules have been broken then the guilty parties are liable to be punished.'

It is alleged Cole met Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and chief executive Peter Kenyon in a London hotel.

Eriksson avoided any direct comment on Cole's situation, although he believes players are entitled to listen to offers from other clubs, just as he did when he met Kenyon last March while still under contract with England.

'I don't think that I should have too many comments. That is something between Arsenal, Chelsea and Ashley Cole - wrong or not wrong,' he insisted.

When pressed on the general issue, he added: 'As a professional footballer, it must be your right to listen if some other work is available. It is the same in other professions.

'We do not live in a dictatorship, we live in a democracy. Loyalty is important but contracts end and that is life in football.'

inf_zer0

10-02-2005, 09:29 AM

Man,you just copied everything from Soccernet :s22: Heres some Chelsea related news that you wont find on Soccernet.

Chelsea hire there own train

Chelsea are also now delighted to announce they have chartered a special train from London to Newcastle to take fans to the game and back. So why not make the trip itself an experience to remember on a 100% Chelsea train!

The Newcastle match is the first in a sequence of three crucial away games in a week, with the trip to Barcelona on the Wednesday and the Carling Cup final in Cardiff the following weekend. After consultation with fans though Chelsea decided to still take a large 5000 ticket allocation for the game to give the team as much support as possible as they fight for trophies on four fronts. Now in addition the club have also decided on this occasion to encourage more supporters to make the trip by taking the bold move of hiring a Chelsea only train.

All the existing scheduled GNER services are fully booked so this will be the easiest way of getting to Newcastle from London. The Chelsea train will depart from Kings Cross on Sunday morning arriving at Newcastle station which is just a 5 minute walk from St James Park stadium. If you wish to travel on the train the price is £50 return and is available to members and season ticket holders who are in possession of a match ticket. You can order in person at the box office or online.

Exact departure times to follow. On this occasion the train service replaces the normal coach packages.

inf_zer0

10-02-2005, 09:30 AM

Club turmoil over Robben

Chelsea’s club doctor, Dr. Neil Frazer has resigned. With inaccurate media reports on the departure circulating, Chelsea has issued the following statement to clarify the situation.

"Dr. Neil Frazer has stepped down from his position as club doctor due to ill health after nearly four years with Chelsea. The club would like to thank him for his service and wish him all the best in the future."

According to the rumors,Dr Neil Frazer walked out on chelsea after blazing row with Mourinho over robben's injury...it alleges that Jose demanded robben be back for the carling cup final and Frazer said it couldn't be done. :(

inf_zer0

10-02-2005, 09:37 AM

Chelsea launch Football Aid matches

Eidur Gudjohnsen, Kerry Dixon and Gavin Peacock launched Chelsea’s support for Football Aid at Stamford Bridge today, Wednesday. It will give fans the chance to play in the stadium.

Two matches will be held and shirts can be bid for by regular fans. Organiser David Jenkins said: “Football Aid allows supporters the chance to live their dream. When they walk in the dressing room they’ll have a personalised shirt. They’ll have playing captains and playing managers. They’ll take on a team of like-minded individuals dressed in the away kit.”

Gavin Peacock will be one of those. “I’ve done this before with QPR and this is a promotion for me because I only managed. The thing is, if you’re interested in golf you can actually go out and play at the Belfrey, and if you’re lucky you can maybe hit the same score on one hole as Tiger Woods, but if you’re a football fan maybe you can’t get to play at Stamford Bridge.

“It gives supporters who have spent a lot of money down the years the chance to watch us play and support the club, and all the money goes to a good cause. I think the fellas who play out there find the pitch a lot bigger than they think because it’s really tiring.”

He remembered his first game for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. “It was Blackburn back in ’93, we lost 2-1, and I scored a header at the old Shed end when there was a long way to run to the crowd. Good memories as much as I scored, but bad memories because we lost. But the stadium now is absolutely magnificent.”

Eidur Gudjohnsen shared his debut feelings. “I think I came on as a substitute against Leicester and I’ve equally fond memories as Gavin, we lost 2-0. But I’ve been fortunate enough to have some great memories here and I’ve been very fortunate to play for such a great club and score a few goals.

“This is a fantastic chance for fans to come along and be their own idols for a day.”

Football Aid supports various charities with the money it raises from these events. In four years it has raised in excess of £750,000 for around 100 charities.

This year is the first time that Chelsea has supported it and already we are the club who has raised most money.If you want to bid for a shirt and a place in the team then go to www.footballaid.com, register and enter the auction. Your original dream might just come true.

inf_zer0

10-02-2005, 09:40 AM

Low key international activity

On loan Henán Crespo scored twice for Argentina in Germany last night, Wednesday, and Gérérmi hit Cameroon’s winner against Senegal, but there was plenty of sitting out of the action.

Germany twice took the lead against Argentina, but Crespo, in good form with Milan, equalised firstly with a penalty and then with a chip over Lehman nine minutes from time. He had no Robert Huth to contend with because of Robert’s knee injury.

Cameroon played Senegal just outside Paris, and were under the charge of a new coach as their World Cup qualifying campaign has faltered. Gérémi struck a late winner from just outside the penalty area. It was his ninth international goal.

Damien Duff starred in Ireland’s 1-0 defeat of Portugal as he won his 50th cap watched by José Mourinho (pictured at Lansdown Road). He came off half-way through the second-half to a massive reception. Paulo Ferreira and Tiago came off at half-time. Ricardo Carvalho, now nearing match fitness again, did not travel.

William Gallas played all 90 minutes of France’s 1-1 home draw with Sweden. He was right-back.

Mateja Kezman was a half-time substitute, replacing his friend Dejan Stankovic, in Serbia & Montenegro’s 0-0 draw in Bulgaria. A crowd of only 2,957 watched.

Frank Lampard played just the first-half of England’s 0-0 draw with Holland. Joe Cole stayed on the bench. Petr Cech did likewise as Czech Republic won 3-0 in Slovenia, allowing Sparta Prague keeper Blazek a rare 90 minutes. Alexey Smertin also stayed on Russia’s bench as they lost 2-0 to Italy in Sardinia.

Ultimate10002000

10-02-2005, 10:49 AM

Thanks for your contribution here, this thread is kinda cold.

Ultimate10002000

10-02-2005, 10:50 AM

Keeping up the pace

Dale Johnson

Manchester City's goalless draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday was cause for celebration in more than one half of Manchester.

Arjen Robben gets treatment at Ewood Park (RossKinnaird/GettyImages)

It was the kind of surprise result which provides hope that the Premiership title race may yet develop into more than a one-horse race.

But the biggest fillip for those at Old Trafford - and Highbury, despite their outward proclamation of defeat - is the enforced absence of Arjen Robben for what has been loosely estimated at six weeks.

Chelsea's performances without the exciting Dutch international speak for themselves. With the 21-year-old in the side the Blues have been free-scoring, irresistible and irrepressible.

Robben's electric pace, ability to beat a man and pin-point delivery has catapulted them from a tight unit to a team capable of steamrollering its way through the division.

Jose Mourinho's charges were being tarred with the 'boring' brush following a series of 1-0 victories early in the season. That was until the Bedum-born winger returned from a broken foot sustained around Euro 2004.

It's no coincidence that Chelsea stepped up a gear when Robben was fit. They may have been three goals up when he replaced Joe Cole against Blackburn, but there was still enough time left for the player to give a glimpse of what was in store.

Prior to Robben's first appearance at Stamford Bridge the Blues had scored only eight goals in their opening nine Premiership encounters. The transformation was dramatic as Chelsea then went on to score 41 times in 16 matches, at an average of more than 2.5 goals per game. Robben himself contributed seven goals and seven assists in 14 starts.

Chelsea have not scored since Robben limped off six minutes into their victory at Blackburn last week. Such stats must play on the mind of the manager, even if his outward bravado would suggest nothing other than confidence in the cause.

Before United fans start getting excited it should be remembered that Chelsea weren't exactly slouching on results pre-Robben. Although the goal flow was far less impressive they still won seven of their nine Premiership encounters, losing that one and only match of the campaign at the City of Manchester Stadium.

And their defence has only grown stronger since. Against Rovers they eclipsed the Premiership record, set by Manchester United in 1997, of 694 minutes without conceding a goal and it continues to be extended.

“ Robben's electric pace, ability to beat a man and pin-point delivery has catapulted the Stamford Bridge outfit from a tight unit to a team capable of steamrollering its way through the division. ”

The concern has to be the length of Robben's absence. Although the club are remaining upbeat over his chances of returning next month his recovery following the summer injury took much longer.

Then he was out of the game for three months, and a similar spell on the sidelines this time would effectively mean his season is over.

The saving grace is that Chelsea's Premiership programme over the next six weeks is sparse, with only four matches before the beginning of April due to the domestic cup competitions. So Robben could miss just a handful of league games as compensation for being ruled out of the Champions League clash with La Liga leaders Barcelona and the Carling Cup final.

'Six weeks is the average time to heal this injury and then I need a few more weeks to be completely fit again,' Robben said, who suffered a double break to bones in his foot.

Chelsea physio Mike Banks added: 'One is a chip on the side of his foot, the other is a small break on the third metatarsal. But this is not the traditional metatarsal that has become so famous since the last World Cup and which has kept Scott Parker out for two months, the fractures are tiny and he could be playing next month.'

The £12million signing from PSV Eindhoven made his Blues debut shortly after Didier Drogba succumbed to a groin injury in October. The loss of the Ivory Coast international forced a change of approach from Mourinho, who had been playing with a two-pronged strikeforce.

The former FC Porto boss deployed Robben and Damien Duff as advanced wingers in support of a lone striker and it paid immediate dividends.

Other sides were unable to live with the pace of the wide men, who got forward to devastating effect to provide a three-man forward line. Although they were playing 4-5-1, the team could move to a 4-3-3 formation with great fluency.

With Robben out the general feeling was that Joe Cole would enjoy a run in the side following a troubled few months at Stamford Bridge. But the former West Ham United midfielder blew his chances after replacing Robben in the 11th minute at Ewood Park, he himself substituted for Jiri Jarosik on 79 minutes after his latest fruitless foray up the left and failure to track back.

Kezman: Struggled to find feet (BenRadford/GettyImages)

Instead Chelsea reverted to 4-4-2 against Manchester City, with Jarosik joining the midfield stallwarts of Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele and Duff.

Chelsea did have their moments in the 0-0 draw but found David James in fine form. However, Mateja Kezman was again guilty of a dreadful miss after the goalkeeper had palmed a shot away.

If Drogba does not make a swift recovery from his latest groin tweak Mourinho must decide if he should keep faith with Kezman, who has looked like a lost little boy since moving from the Phillips Stadion.

Is it purely coincidence that Chelsea's only defeat of the season, and the end of their eight-match winning streak, came with both Robben and Drogba out of the side through injury and Kezman in the forward line with Eidur Gudjohnsen? Perhaps, but you have to give some credit to Kevin Keegan who thwarted them on both occasions.

Without Drogba, Chelsea are left with the option of reverting to the 4-5-1 and possibly handing Cole yet another chance to prove his worth or sticking with 4-4-2 and the disappointing Kezman. Either way it leaves questions for Mourinho and a glimmer of hope for those at Old Trafford.

Drogba, however, is only out with a slight niggle and should be fit to return sooner rather than later. But Everton will provide a stiff test on Saturday lunchtime as they continue to try and stave off the threat of Liverpool for the final Champions League spot.

Even if Mourinho is left searching for answers in the final third of the pitch he can remain confident that his defence, which has leaked a remarkably miserly eight goals in 26 Premiership matches, will provide a sound base for the title. Everton may have the third best rearguard in the top flight, but they have still shipped 21 goals more than Chelsea.

But for all Chelsea's record-breaking exploits at the back it's Robben's impact which has left them in a position to win their first league title for 50 years. They must now revert to their approach of the autumn months and hope they can bridge the gap until the winger returns.

Ultimate10002000

10-02-2005, 10:50 AM

Abramovich rules out Russian post

MOSCOW, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich ruled out running for the job of Russian Football Union (RFU) president on Wednesday and said he was backing one of the two candidates who have already come forward.
The job is open after government officials, unhappy at the way Russia's most popular sport being run, last month forced out the RFU's long-standing chief Vyacheslav Koloskov.

Abramovich, the billionaire owner of the English Premier League leaders, had won a pledge of support from Russia's Amateur Football League if he ran for the job but has now scotched talk of his replacing Koloskov, who held the post for more than 25 years.

'I am not now and never was planning to take part in the election for the job of president of the RFU,' Abramovich said. 'I am willing to back Valery Mutko, and will do so if he wants me to.'

Mutko, a St Petersburg politician and a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been officially nominated as a candidate, along with former Soviet goalkeeper Anzor Kavazashvili.

The RFU general assembly is due to vote for its next president on April 2.

Ultimate10002000

10-02-2005, 10:52 AM

Either he is really not interested or he feel that he is not cut out for the job.

Ultimate10002000

10-02-2005, 10:52 AM

Gudjohnsen: Chelsea not one-man team

Eidur Gudjohnsen insists Chelsea are not a one-man team and can cope with the loss of inspirational winger Arjen Robben.
The Barclays Premiership leaders at set to be without the Dutch international for at least two months after it was confirmed he had broken two bones in his foot during last week's defeat of Blackburn.

The 21-year-old was forced to sit out the first 12 games of the season with a fracture and ligament damage in his other ankle, but made an instant impact on a return to full fitness as Chelsea's campaign gathered steam.

Without Robben, though, the Blues were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, and Jose Mourinho will also not be able to call on his explosive talents for either the crucial Champions League clash against Barcelona or the forthcoming Carling Cup final against Liverpool.

However, Gudjohnsen maintains Chelsea have enough strength in depth to cover for the enforced absence of the attacking midfielder as they look to protect their nine-point cushion at the top of the table while also chasing domestic cup and European glory.

`Arjen is a very special player. He brings a lot of quality into the team, but we have a big squad and will just have to make sure that the players which are fit do their jobs and play to the best of their capabilities,' declared the Iceland striker.

`It is a blow, obviously, and it is a blow for him as well because it is his second serious injury in his first year for Chelsea.

`He has shown this year what he is capable of and time is on his side, he is very young, so there is a lot more to come from him, as there is from the team.'

Gudjohnsen added: `I think the team exists of more players than just Arjen Robben. We managed well without him at the start of the season, and we will do so again.

`We have got a squad of quality players and I am sure whoever replaces him will play his best, as will the team and I think we will our talking on the pitch and let everyone else speculate.'

The Dutch winger had put Chelsea ahead at Ewood Park before he hobbled off the pitch and eventually would leave the stadium on crutches following a heavy challenge from Rovers defender Aaron Mokoena.

Gudjohnsen, however, rejected the notion other sides were `out to get' Chelsea's star players.

`If any of your team-mates get kicked or is a target, you do want to stand up for him,' reflected Gudjohnsen.

`But I doubt very much that other teams are trying to go out to get our players injured, even though they want to be strong in the marking, I doubt that anyone goes in viscously to hurt someone.

`I think percentage wise, they are just accidents, someone just being too late for a challenge.

`Injuries are unfortunately a part of football and hopefully he will come back even stronger.'

Gudjohnsen was at Stamford Bridge this afternoon to promote Chelsea's part in Football Aid, which gives fans the chance to play on their favourite club's grounds.

Supporters can register for an on-line auction at www.footballaid.com to secure their place in the charity matches.

Football Aid has so far raised in excess of £750,000 for diabetes research and a number of other good causes, with the highest past bid recorded being £4,500 for Tottenham's number 10, although most positions start as low as £225.

`I am lucky enough to be playing for a big club like Chelsea, which enables me to have the dreams of playing in some of the greatest stadiums around the world,' said the Iceland international.

`I think this gives an opportunity to the people who sit in the stands to fulfil their dreams a bit, draw them a bit closer to what the players go through on a match-day and see just how big the pitch really is.'

Chelsea, meanwhile, maintain there is no link between Robben's injury and the announcement club doctor Neil Frazer had resigned.

It had been reported Frazer, who had almost four years' service at Stamford Bridge, walked out following the latest in a string of alleged clashes with Mourinho, said to be over the length of time Robben's foot would take to heal.

A club statement last night read: `Dr Neil Frazer has stepped down from his position as club doctor due to ill health after nearly four years with Chelsea.

`The club would like to thank him for his service and wish him all the best in the future.'

Ultimate10002000

10-02-2005, 10:55 AM

True enough by Gudjohnsen Chelsea is definitely not a 1 man team and can definitely cope without the presence of Robben. There are more than enough talents in the whole squad and can easily find another replacement for the player while he is out. The only problem with Chelsea is when they got defenders that are injured, then they will be truely weaken.

Ultimate10002000

11-02-2005, 11:45 AM

Hope Chelsea can win the upcoming match against Everton, thrash the team if possible. Just dont drop any more points, it has to be a win win win all the way till the end of the season.

ninaohia

11-02-2005, 05:31 PM

if dun win, man u/arse mus oso same.

Ultimate10002000

12-02-2005, 06:02 PM

Must have faith in Chelsea and i do believe Chelsea has what it takes to win Everton. Go Chelsea go

ninaohia

12-02-2005, 07:33 PM

pls win by 2goals.

inf_zer0

12-02-2005, 07:53 PM

2-0,1-0...doesnt matter lor....but win is a MUST :s22:

BioGenesis

13-02-2005, 06:16 AM

Chelsea rocks

Ultimate10002000

13-02-2005, 09:34 AM

Foressell hopes to be back soon

Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell plans to return from his knee injury to play a part in his side's quadruple bid this season.
The 23-year-old was on loan at Birmingham this season but is back at Stamford Bridge after a knee injury suffered in September.

Jose Mourinho's side are still involved in four competitions and Forssell wants to compete with current strikers Didier Drogba, Mateja Kezman and Eidur Gudjohnsen for a regular place.

The Finland international believes he could be back in action within six weeks, and he admits he is desperate to start playing again.

Forssell said: 'The operation went well and hopefully I will be back fit in six to eight weeks' time.

'When you are injured the days last longer, but I am feeling better and seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

'For this season, if I am going to play football it is with Chelsea. At the moment I am a Chelsea player and I am concentrating on Chelsea.

'I just want to get fit and then Jose will look at me in a different way. I have had a chat with him, he sees my rehabilitation has gone well.

'I am training by myself with a physio and it is going really well, playing would be my dream.

'I want my knee to be 100% but I have to train with the first team before I can get back in the team.

'The team is very strong now, I will have to give the others the elbow,' he joked. 'It will be difficult but I will have to keep on fighting.'

Forsell has been tipped for a bright future at Chelsea since joining the club as a youngster from HJK Helsinki.

He has enjoyed successful loan spells at Crystal Palace and Borussia Moenchengladbach in the German Bundesliga, and had a huge part in Birmingham's 10th-placed finish last season.

Blues boss Steve Bruce signed him for another season but injury struck and Forssell was sent back to London for treatment.

'I think last season, everything clicked,' Forssell added on Sky Sports. 'This season their ambitions are higher because they have established themselves in the Premiership now.'

Forssell admits he struggled to come to terms with being injured, but is now ready to fight his way back into Mourinho's side.

'I tried to see positive things but at first I could not bear watching football,' he added. 'It has been a long time, but I am a sportsman and this is my profession.'

Should Forssell achieve his goal and play for Chelsea against this season, the striker could have an important role in bringing four trophies to the club.

'You can see the players are buzzing, the team spirit is excellent and everyone is working,' he added.

'Four trophies is a bit big, but it is still possible, at the moment we are just concentrating on the league.'

Ultimate10002000

13-02-2005, 09:39 AM

Seems like Forssell is very determine to return to Chelsea, think is because he feel that Chelsea could lift a few trophies this season, and he just want to be part of it. By sticking with Birmingham although first team action is more guarantee but no trophies could be lift. Hope Mourinho could give this fella a chance after he fully recover from his injuries, and let him enjoy some first team action.

Ultimate10002000

13-02-2005, 09:40 AM

Everton 0-1 Chelsea: FT Report

PA

Chelsea claimed their ninth 1-0 victory of the Barclays Premiership season after James Beattie's moment of madness cost Everton dear at Goodison Park.

Frank Lampard shields the ball from Lee Carsley as Joe Cole looks on. (RossKinnaird/GettyImages)

David Moyes bought the £6million striker to score the goals which might help Everton qualify for the Champions League.

Gudjohnson hails 'massive' win

But on Saturday the former Southampton forward was sent off after just eight minutes for headbutting William Gallas, giving Everton an almost impossible task of halting the runaway league leaders with 10 men.

They put up a brave fight, but a second-half Eidur Gudjohnsen tap-in put the visitors 12 points clear at the top and it will surely take a miracle now for anyone to catch them.

Everton were without suspended full-back Tony Hibbert and midfielder Leon Osman, out with a knee injury, while Chelsea left top scorer Didier Drogba behind in London with a thigh injury.

Chelsea returned to their 4-3-3 formation with Joe Cole on the right and Damien Duff on the left, and they dominated the early possession. Everton had barely had a decent touch of the ball before they were reduced to 10 men.

Beattie chased a long ball down the left with Gallas obstructing his run. First the striker pushed the Chelsea defender and then moments later butted the back of his head, which left the Frenchman flat on the pitch.

Referee Mike Riley sprinted 20 yards to instantly show the red card - his 10th this season and a second from him for Everton after Duncan Ferguson was dismissed at Charlton.

Tiago should have scored when he took down Gudjohnsen's flick-on in the box, but he chipped his shot over the bar.

Everton were forced back again and again, and Chelsea controlled the ball as they searched for gaps.

But as the first half continued, Chelsea were unable to carve out clear openings, although Nigel Martyn produced good saves from Gudjohnsen, Cole and Frank Lampard, while Gary Naysmith and Alan Stubbs blocked drives from Duff and Cole as the pressure mounted.

Everton's players and fans were becoming increasingly enraged by referee Riley's decisions and Tim Cahill and Kevin Kilbane, in particular, sailed close to the wind with a string of increasingly wild tackles.

Cahill was eventually booked for chopping down Claude Makelele, which means he is banned from next weekend's FA Cup clash with Manchester United - along with Beattie.

Chelsea continued their attacks after the break, but with more thought than before. Duff switched to the right to jink inside and fire a shot which was deflected but still blocked by Martyn, with Gudjohnsen unable to stab the ball home in the six-yard box.

Martyn continued his heroics when he turned away a Lampard drive and then, from a Duff corner, Cole's right-footed drive just cleared the bar.

But Chelsea still found it difficult to break down Everton's two banks of four men stretched across the pitch, defending deep in their half.

The home side's work-rate underlined their approach to the whole season, but they tired in the face of Chelsea's persistent attacks and eventually conceded a goal after 69 minutes.

Paulo Ferreira's low cross fizzed into the box, Gallas hit the bar from close range and Gudjohnsen had a simple tap-in to score.

Chelsea sent on Jiri Jarosik for Cole after 71 minutes and two minutes later Duncan Ferguson replaced Naysmith, Bent moving to the right and Joseph Yobo into defence.

John Terry managed to get himself booked for dissent after 81 minutes and it almost cost Chelsea a goal. Riley moved a free-kick 10 yards closer, Kevin Kilbane curled it in and Petr Cech did well to save Lee Carsley's header.

Everton were doing their best to mount another of their late charges and sent on Mikel Arteta in place of Carsley after 84 minutes. Jumpy Chelsea were now defending in depth as the crosses started to rain in.

Chelsea sent on extra defenders in Glen Johnson for Tiago and Ricardo Carvalho for Duff, while Jarosik was next into the book for dissent.

Chelsea finished with six defenders in a line across their area and Everton even sent Martyn up for set-pieces, but they could not manage to prevent another victory for Jose Mourinho's men.

Gudjohnson hails 'massive' win

Eidur Gudjohnsen today hailed the 1-0 win over Everton as a 'massive' result for Chelsea in their chase for the Barclays Premiership title.

The Iceland striker scored the only goal as the Blues opened up a 12-point lead over Manchester United, who face Manchester City tomorrow.

He told Sky Prem Plus: 'I sure many people sitting at home were wishing us to drop points, but we bounced back from last Sunday (when they were held goalless at home by Manchester City).

'Nigel Martyn pulled off some fantastic saves but in the end we managed to get the goal and the points and that's what counts most at this stage of the season.

'We concentrate on our own results to begin with and then that puts the pressure back on Manchester United and Arsenal.

'This is a massive three points for us today. We're going into a bit of a break in the Premiership and now there are other things to concentrate on.'

Chelsea winger Damien Duff felt the early sending-off of Everton striker James Beattie gave the Londoners the upper hand.

'For the whole game we really bossed it,' the Irishman said.

'At half-time we said `If we keep passing the ball and looking for the spare man we will grind it out in the end'.

'This was a big test. It's never easy coming here, the pitch isn't the best and we like to get it down and play. But we dug in very well and deserved the three points.'

Ultimate10002000

13-02-2005, 09:43 AM

A good victory for Chelsea...cheers ! Maintaining the point gap between itself and Man U and din drop point. My prediction for this match was correct after all. Whether Man U can catch up will depends on the derby against Man C. And i personally think it will not be easy for Man U to win Man C.

inf_zer0

13-02-2005, 12:02 PM

yep, cheers all :D

Ultimate10002000

13-02-2005, 03:56 PM

Stressful fixtures for Chelsea coming up next. As Chelsea will have matches for FA Cup which is against Newcastle, UEFA Champ League against Barcelona and Carling Cup against Liverpool, and all the 3 matches mentioned above are away games. These 3 cup matches will be played in 1 week from 20 Feb to 27 Feb, with a few days break in between. Hope Chelsea can hang on and win all the 3 matches. Go Chelsea go.

inf_zer0

13-02-2005, 08:05 PM

Well...,we have to focus in the epl first and then the league cup (because we're in final already) so i could care less in we lose against newcastle in the fa cup...its not like were going to win the quadruple anyway

Ultimate10002000

13-02-2005, 11:08 PM

spinelli

14-02-2005, 12:29 AM

error and deleted

inf_zer0

14-02-2005, 09:28 AM

Well EPL is quite safe with the point gap that separate it with Man U. FA Cup match, i think Chelsea should not have much problem winning Newcastle, so high chance can win it and move on to the next round. The Carling Cup i am not 100% sure Chelsea can win. As for UEFA Champ League against Barcelona it is super stress as the spanish team is on very good form. So this cup match should be Chelsea top priority then is Carling cup Final against Liverpool. I will not be surprise to see Chelsea winning all the 4 trophies this season, as they truely deserve it if they get it.

Nope...We still have to face Arsenal,Manures,and Newcastle away....9 points is nothing really...a draw or lose and manures will catch up for sure.Plus,Robben is still injured, remember ?

Also, Manures is currently on a winning streak,i can see them winning all the way until the end of the season...so its all up to us now,dont slip or we'll LOSE the title to them :s8:

Ultimate10002000

14-02-2005, 07:21 PM

Chelsea without Robben can still make it one...just return back to the 1-0 victory days. Yes Man U is on winning form but dont forget Chelsea is also on winning streak. Must be more optimistic, dude. Newcastle is not a threat and thats for sure. For the Arsenal and Man U matches, just try to make it a draw can liaoz. Chelsea spot in EPL is still safe.

inf_zer0

14-02-2005, 10:26 PM

Ultimate10002000

15-02-2005, 08:44 AM

Gudjohnsen arrested for drink-driving

Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving, it emerged today.
The Icelandic striker was stopped in the early hours of Sunday morning on the southbound carriageway of the A3 near Esher in Surrey.

Police officers stopped the 26-year-old's BMW because of the way it was being driven.

Gudjohnsen was breath-tested and arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

He was taken to a police station in south London - where reports said he was given a second breath test and a blood test - before being bailed to return next month.

A report in The Sun suggested Gudjohnsen had been out celebrating his winning goal in Chelsea's victory at Everton on Saturday.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said today: 'At 5.20am on Sunday on the A3 southbound near Esher, officers stopped a car due to the way it was being driven.

'The driver, a 26-year-old man, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

'He was taken to a south London police station and has since been bailed to return on a date at the end of March.'

Ultimate10002000

15-02-2005, 08:47 AM

Good thing we only have to face the bottom four in the next premiership matches.... :s8:

Btw ive got good news

Forsell Set For Chelsea Return

Forssell is hoping to be back playing before the end of the season, and will also be hoping to force his way into the plans of manager Jose Mourinho.

"I hope to be back fit in six to eight weeks," Forssell told Sky Sports. "I am now running and doing a bit with the ball. I am seeing light at the end of tunnel If I play this season it is going to be for Chelsea and I have two years left on my contract.

"I am concentrating on getting fit and playing for them. It would definitely be my dream (to play again this season), but I do not want to rush things. I want my knee to be 100 percent perfect and hopefully that will happen this season, but need to train with the team first if I want to keep it alive."

Yup, i have read about this some time back. Now is the perfect time for the return of Forssell to the Chelsea side, since the good strikers of Chelsea is either out injured or have problem finding the net. I believe Mourinho will include this player in this plan, at least can save some money dont need to recruit new player. Forssell is quite good la but just injury prone, hope to see this guy in a Chelsea jersey soon. Cheers

Ultimate10002000

15-02-2005, 04:40 PM

Hope Chelsea will not drop points again in EPL.

Ultimate10002000

16-02-2005, 12:09 PM

Keane heaps praise on English trio

England boasts the three best midfielders in Europe, Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has claimed.
Keane said Chelsea's Frank Lampard, Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and his Red Devils team-mate Paul Scholes are the top central players in the Premiership, and probably Europe.

The Irishman ignored his own claims and those of bitter Arsenal rival Patrick Vieira when coming to his decision at a press conference in Dublin yesterday.

'If you look at the players in the England midfield, I would have to say Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes are by far the best midfielders and are consistent in what they bring to their teams,' he said.

'To me they are the three probably most outstanding midfielders, not just in England but probably in Europe, there are some good midfielders at Barcelona as well, but I would say those three.'

Keane was especially fulsome in his praise of Gerrard, who has been strongly linked with an end-of-season move to Premiership leaders Chelsea.

'He is an outstanding player, he has had enough compliments over the years,' Keane said.

'It helps when you are on a winning team and I think Liverpool probably aren't playing as well as they can.

'It is a lot of pressure on one player when you think Liverpool is a big club.

'It is a bit unfair on him and I think sometimes when he is not playing particularly well the team suffers.

'Whereas I am on a team where, especially with the system we play at the moment, I have two lads on either side of me that can do a lot of running for me.

'As you get a bit older you tend to use your brain a little more,' he added.

Keane yesterday revealed he may prolong his career at Old Trafford when his current contract ends - just days after insisting he would retire next year.

The 33-year-old midfielder said on Friday he would hang up his boots at the end of next season but has since had further discussions with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

'If this time next year my body is holding up and my hip is okay, and the knee, and (Sir) Alex Ferguson and Carlos Queiroz and Micky Phelan probably feel I can still contribute to the team then who knows,' said Keane.

The United captain joked: 'The manager pulled me aside on the Saturday morning and said that he will be the one deciding when I'm going to be retiring.'

Ultimate10002000

16-02-2005, 12:10 PM

Portugal to honour Chelsea's Mourinho

LISBON, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Portugal plans to honour Chelsea soccer coach Jose Mourinho for his success over the last three years, a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes said on Tuesday.
The government plans to award Mourinho the Chain of Honour for Sporting Merit next week, the spokeswoman said. The date of the ceremony has not been set.

Mourinho's Chelsea side are on course for their first English league title in 50 years. The 42-year-old Portuguese took charge of the London club after helping Porto to win the 2004 Champions League and the 2003 UEFA Cup.

Under Mourinho Porto also won the Portuguese title in 2003 and 2004.

Ultimate10002000

16-02-2005, 12:10 PM

Chelsea celebrate treble success

Chelsea have made a clean sweep of the Barclays Premiership awards for January, with the efforts of Jose Mourinho, John Terry and Petr Cech all recognised by the league's sponsor.
Mourinho collects the Manager of the Month award after the Blues reeled off four straight wins.

They did not concede a goal in any of those games, and so centre-back Terry was a worthy winner of the Player of the Month award while Cech received a special Merit Award for keeping a record 10 Premiership clean sheets in a row.

Nic Gault, from the Barclays Awards Panel, said: 'Chelsea have had a blistering start to 2005, with Josi Mourinho's tactical sharpness, John Terry's inspirational presence and the record-breaking Petr Cech. They now look favourites to scoop the Barclays Premiership - their first domestic league honour for nearly 50 years.'

Ultimate10002000

16-02-2005, 12:10 PM

Terry: 'Chelsea have no Cole need'

Chelsea captain John Terry has insisted the Blues do not need to sign Ashley Cole - as they already have a world-class left-back in Wayne Bridge.
Jose Mourinho has confirmed he is interested in recruiting a replacement for Celestine Babayaro, who was sold to Newcastle in the transfer window, during the summer.

And Mourinho recently revealed his admiration for Cole.

He has so far side-stepped allegations that he was involved in an illegal meeting with the Arsenal full-back at a London hotel last month, with the Premier League carrying out an official inquiry.

However, Terry insisted that Chelsea do not need to sign Cole, even if they had the chance to prise him away from Arsenal this summer.

'Bridgey' is a first-class player and one of the best left-backs in the world, so why do we need to go out and do that? We've already got a world-class left-back,' he insisted.

'Ash is a great player, I'm not denying that, but if you spoke to him, I think you'd find he's Arsenal through and through.

'It's the same with me. I don't ever want to leave Chelsea. I think Ashley is the same at Arsenal.

'It's all about opinions. I'm not Sven-Goran Eriksson's first-choice. If Mr Mourinho had the chance to buy Sol Campbell or Rio Ferdinand, would he? I don't know, you'd have to ask him that.'

Ultimate10002000

16-02-2005, 01:59 PM

Indeed this is quite true la as Chelsea truely dont need Cole to be in their team, as least for now as they have Bridge who is also a good player. Just train this player more and he can definitely be as good as Cole. Who knows this Bridge might be the new no 1 choice for England left full back and take over Cole role.

Ultimate10002000

17-02-2005, 12:32 AM

Bruce keeping tabs on Forssell

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is expecting 'a queue of clubs a mile long' to bid for the services of striker Mikael Forssell if Chelsea allow him to go back out on loan next season.

Forssell: Bruce will be keeping an eye out (MikeEgerton/Empics)

Bruce pulled off a coup in bringing Forssell to St Andrews for last season as he scored 19 goals, including 17 in the Premiership.

The Finnish international agreed to a second season with Birmingham with Bruce eagerly wanting to pair him with Emile Heskey.

Then Forssell broke down with a knee ligament injury in early September after the duo had played together four times.

He is stepping up his rehabilitation work back at Chelsea with Bruce carefully monitoring his progress.

But it is too soon for Bruce to decide whether to go back in for Forssell and he is aware of the serious nature of the injury.

Bruce said: 'It saddens me that we hardly had the chance to play Heskey and Forssell together, just the three or four games.

``We had Mikael as our goalscorer and I was looking for the perfect foil that he would enjoy playing alongside and we went for Emile who has been superb for us.

'If Chelsea let him go out on loan again, I would have thought there would be a queue a mile long after what he did for us for a year.'

Bruce admitted: 'It is too early to see what will happen. I know he was very happy here and enjoyed his time here and came to see us when we played Chelsea the other week - but the thing is all about when he's gets fit.

'That's the big problem because it is pretty serious stuff that he has had. We've got to monitor his injury. Apparently, he is just starting to jog and we will monitor the whole situation.'

keltan

17-02-2005, 03:30 AM

no offence... but i think can rename this forum the Ultimate forum liaoz...

haha

cheapos

17-02-2005, 11:16 AM

would be good to see forsell on the first team..

Ultimate10002000

17-02-2005, 01:08 PM

As long as Forsell is fit, he should be able to become the 2nd choice striker with Drogba as 1st choice, then the Gudjohnsen being 3rd choice. Kezman can be offload liaoz.

Velther

17-02-2005, 02:48 PM

As long as Forsell is fit, he should be able to become the 2nd choice striker with Drogba as 1st choice, then the Gudjohnsen being 3rd choice. Kezman can be offload liaoz.

yup it true. forsell is far more better thn gudjohnsen n kezman. he should b the 1 partner with drogba up front.

Raytan

18-02-2005, 12:55 AM

周星馳緋聞多，是非亦多，不少與他合作過的台前或幕後，如杜琪峰、萬梓良等均曾與
其傳出不和。注意：如果你要說現在時代不同了，出來混只為出頭，無須講義氣（論壇
裏同樣的想法的還不少呢！）那我下麵的算白說。星仔的支持者們（可能有一部分是同
志）應該想想，同樣是巨星，為什麼沒有人拆成龍的台呢？為什麼沒人說成龍沒義氣呢
？

吳孟達

星爺最親密的合作夥伴，　吳孟達和周星馳向來合作無間，兩人還以“幹父子”相
稱，可謂感情深厚，不過近日吳孟達公開放炮，說周星馳原先要他留下檔期拍《功
夫》，最近卻通知他不用了，害他損失約百萬港幣。

　　吳孟達前天在一項代言活動上表示，周星馳的《功夫》從3月延到6月，吳孟達本來
到9月的檔期都留了下來，一直在等開工通知，日前卻收到通知叫他有別的戲都可以去
拍了。吳孟達說：“這是暗示叫我吃自己嘛，現在我一組都沒得拍，好像被人踢下海，
兩邊都到不了岸，如果我去接別的戲，拍三十集就賺上百萬啦。”

　　吳孟達表示因為和周星馳太熟，也沒收訂金或簽合約，他還生氣地說：“他一向都
善變，下次我就會實際些。”問他是否覺得星爺沒義氣？吳孟達說：“我不敢這樣講，
可能他發生什麼事情，沒辦法關照我吧。”

李修賢

一手提攜星爺拍電影，曾是星爺最感激的人之一，但有傳聞說星爺走紅後，開始對
李修賢不滿。其後，更傳說，星爺在電影《濟公》的一句對白“李修緣，我要殺你全
家”便是針對李修賢的。

李力持

與星爺並肩作戰多年，但拍攝《少林足球》時，傳出星爺嫌導演李力持所導的片段
笑料不夠，甚至在片場當眾大罵李力持，更親自操刀將不少片段重拍。此後兩人結束１
３年的交情，再也沒有合作，李力持曾痛惜地稱，“失去了最銳利的一把劍”。《他來
自江湖》及電影《食神》、《喜劇之王》等皆是二人的代表作。

成奎安

赴株洲做宣傳的成奎安大談自己對恩師李修賢的深厚情感，並對同門師弟周星馳、黃秋
生的忘本之舉大表不滿。入行已20多年的成奎安回首從影之路時感慨萬千，他說自己
是被著名導演李修賢發掘並帶入影視圈的，“沒有李修賢就沒有今天的我，他對我的提
拔之恩我永遠銘記在心，我會始終感激他的。” 成奎安說李修賢還有很多弟子，包括
當今大紅大紫的周星馳、金像影帝黃秋生，但他們卻在功成名就後將老師淡忘了。“特
別是周星馳，我對這個人很不滿意。當時他什麼都不是，沒有誰認識他，是我老師一手
把他帶起來，如今他紅了，卻不理老師了，還曾在電影裏毫不忌諱地大呼‘李修賢，我
殺你全家’，當時如果我在現場一定會狠狠地揍他。”
說到這裏，成奎安的神情頗為激動，他說雖然劇本裏有“李修賢”這個角色，但如果周
星馳真正尊重老師，就會跟導演商量把角色名字改掉，“周星馳這樣做太無情了，我希
望他不要忘本。”由此看來，成奎安雖然被人常稱作“大傻”，但他卻是個重情重義的
人

林小明

《少林足球》在香港大賣並紅透亞洲後，周星馳與香港寰宇公司的老總林小明夫婦
三人矛盾逐漸公開，２００２年１１月周星馳開始對外界宣佈，他與林小明的合作有障
礙，歡迎有興趣者加入。２００３年３月，周星馳和弟子們開始以片中造型頻頻接拍廣
告，並推出ＶＣＤ、遊戲軟體、漫畫等“副產品”。林小明發出律師信，指責周獨吞２
０００萬港元收益，周於２００３年４月到法院反訴林小明，追討７００萬港元收益。
林小明三番五次向媒體表示，金錢不是主因，針對的完全是周星馳的為人。

洪金寶

洪金寶受邀做《功夫》一劇的武術指導，後來鬧出不和傳言，洪金寶一走了之，臨
走時，悻悻地撂下一句話，“與成龍合作了這麼多年都沒問題”。周星馳後來緊急搬來
袁和平壓場。以後提到此事，洪金寶還是很來火，自嘲有眼無珠。杜琪峰在威尼斯影展
時說：“與周星馳合作拍片可以，但做朋友就沒辦法。”曾與周星馳在拍攝電影《功
夫》時鬧得不愉快，甚至最後憤而辭演的洪金寶，聽聞杜琪峰的話也表示十分認同，他
說：“有人替我說了就好了，不過我覺得，什麼都不要做最好！

羅家英：周星馳心理變態越來越不好玩了

羅家英(以下簡稱“羅”)：我覺得我演的唐僧特別好，因為我打造了一個前無古人後無
來者的唐僧，再沒有一個唐僧能這麼人性化，這麼有趣可愛了。所以，我把我參演的
《大話西遊》看了無數遍。

　　記：那你覺得周星馳對你而言有什麼樣的意義呢？可以說他是你走入喜劇世界的領
路人嗎？

　　羅：在嚴格意義上，他是我走入喜劇世界的領路人，確實太重要了，因為他讓我贏
得了那麼高的觀眾緣。我們曾經很要好，但現在我們已經很少聯繫了，我覺得他心理變
態，簡直走火入魔……

　　記：啊！？為什麼這麼評價周星馳呢？他做了什麼事情？

　　羅：他現在真是越來越不好玩了，舉個例子吧，當初拍《少林足球》的時候，他給
我打電話說“家英哥，我要拍一部電影，你能來演一個角色嗎？給我留幾天檔期。”我
一聽是他，當即就同意了。說實話，為了他的這部電影，我推了很多戲，特別早就到劇
組報到了，定裝什麼的都做好了，但結果電影開拍了，他突然又告訴我，“不好意思，
家英哥哥，你的戲份被刪掉了，你不用拍了，對不起啊！”

　　記：那你後來有沒有和他溝通過？還出現過類似的問題嗎？

　　羅：他就是這樣的人吧，後來還出現過這樣的事情，比如本來說好演三天，後來就
莫名其妙地給我增加了好幾天戲。

　　記：那以後周星馳找你拍戲，你還會拍嗎？

　　羅：會拍，因為我從來也不否認他是一個出色的導演，我為什麼要拒絕好的影片呢
！但是我一定會和他訂明確的合約，包括拍攝日期和錢款。

　　　《大話西遊》

　　我只掙四萬二，唐僧本來不是我

　　記：我知道你除了在螢幕上演戲之外，還很會唱粵劇，你什麼時候開始唱粵劇的？

　　羅：我的父親就是唱粵劇的，所以從小我就學粵劇，8歲就登臺了，唱武生。

　　記：你唱了多少年？

　　羅：其實直到現在我都在唱粵劇，經常登臺表演，而且除了粵劇以外，我也會唱些
京劇。我覺得戲曲已經融入到我的血液中了。

　　記：那你怎麼想到走上螢幕當演員的呢？

　　羅：1991年的時候，我無意中演了成龍的《重案組》，拍了三年，1994年的時候，
這個《重案組》得了香港金像獎等獎項。我呢，就經常代表這個戲出場領獎。不知道為
什麼，我一登臺，台下的觀眾就發笑，那個時候周星馳和成龍也覺得我講話特別有意
思。不過真正注意到我的是鄭丹瑞，他當即決定找我拍戲，我就演了他的《姊妹情
深》。果然，觀眾一在螢幕上看到我就大笑。周星馳一看這個戲，就立刻認定了我的喜
劇天賦，然後他就找我演了《大話西遊》。

　　記：這是你和周星馳的初次合作嗎？

　　羅：對，沒錯。不過要說我演唐僧也是搶過來的，因為演唐僧的一開始不是我，後
來導演對那個演員不滿意，覺得我才是最合適的。

　　記：在拍攝過程中，你印象最深的是什麼？

　　羅：周星馳原來只告訴我拍3天，結果拍了7天，片酬還是按3天的算，我記得很清
楚，一共收入了四萬二。

Raytan

18-02-2005, 01:02 AM

真人解說求職大學女生受騙慘被迷姦偷拍a片

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我叫林小丹, 是一個剛從武漢大學畢業出來的女生,今年21歲,暑假剛開始, 我就急不及
待來到廣東.目的是為了找到一份理想的工作. 怎料以下的經歷竟然讓我終生痛不欲生.
已經找工作十多天的我, 還沒找到, 帶來的錢快花光,心裡很焦急.
那天,我來到深圳寶安永佳人才市場門口,正在觀看招工的貼子時, 有一個30來歲的男子
過來問我是否要找事.遞上他的名片, 說是某某電子廠的總經理, 來自香港.他說他正要
招募一批文員秘書, 問我有沒有興趣.
他說因為不想到人才市場裡面招聘, 這樣子政府會抽很多稅, 他說先要看看我的証件,
我就跟他到附近的鳳凰新村他的工廠去, 那裡很像一間出租屋, 他說他手上已經有很多
訂單, 就是沒招到人, 這裡是他工廠的臨時辦公室.入到房內, 空無一人 , 只有一張辦
公桌,填過履歷表, 他說我各方面條件都很適合,要聘請我當文員,月薪3000元,包吃住,
其實我是比較滿意的.
但是我缺了一張市級衛生單位的健康証, 因為現在正藉政府大力預防乙肝的時候,工廠
可以免費代辦健康証, 還說他曾經在英國念大學, 念過醫科,說罷就拿出了醫生聽筒,要
我拉高上衣讓他聽.
我拒絕他這樣做, 他就不悅地說道,如果我不願意的話公司是不會聘任我的,而且他又是
個醫生,最後我依他的說話,把衣服拉高至胸口, 他竟然用那聽筒在我的肚子附近聽來聽
去,還說我子宮裡有少許炎症.後來他又要我拉起乳罩讓他看我的乳頭, 其實我是萬分不
願意的, 但是為了工作, 心想應該不會看多久, 就唯有安慰自己, 勉為其難讓他看, 他
邊看邊說我我乳房大, 裡面還有硬塊, 可能是給男孩大力捏過, 有可能造成癌症.問我
是不是跟男孩發生過關係, 要老實告訴他, 否則會診斷不出正確的結果, 我沒有回答這
麼私人的問題.
他讓我穿好衣服, 說我輸卵管發炎不能聘用我, 因為怕傳染別人, 又說這個病到外便去
治療最少得要4000塊,而且得要半年驗尿才能變陰, 天啊 !! 4000塊我那來, 他接著說,
如果讓他替我治療的話, 不但分文不收, 而且可以提前獲得公司聘用.剛才我填了表,
現在考試合格, 差一點點, 沒有理由不到職, 想到這裡, 雖然萬搬不願意,我已經沒辦
法, 唯有任由他擺佈.

他要我退去褲子和內褲, 說要替我檢查子宮口 , 他又拿出一部機器, 很像在大學裡老
師用的dv攝影機, 他說是替我拍b超.他把我的大腿張開, 用手指不停的在我的陰道裡弄
來弄去, 那b超就不停的拍,接著, 他說我確診是甚麼輸卵管炎, 要用他嘴巴替我把病毒
吸出來, 他用嘴往我陰道裡面又吹又吸, 搞了差不多20分鐘.我給搞得又酸又痛, 他說
是正常的.
他給我一粒藥, 說是特效消炎丸, 怎料我吃後天旋地轉, 渾身無力, 醒來時好像過了幾
小時, 那部b超仍然擱在那裡.他說我剛才吃了藥, 休息了十分鐘, 現在身體已經沒有事
, 要我先回去等電話,過幾天會有專人通知我上班. 回去洗澡時,我發覺下面那裡很痛,
又紅又癢,我想可能是藥力的緣故,也就沒有理會.

過了幾星期,都沒有接到電話, 我心理有點奇怪, 我就到那個"臨時辦公室" 看看, 怎料
那裡早已空無一人, 我開始懷疑我上了當.可是我上了甚麼當? 我一塊錢都沒有丟, 沒
有甚麼損失,心理還是比較踏實.

兩個月後, 我月經沒有來, 檢查下我竟然懷孕了, 天啊!我沒有男朋友,何以竟會懷孕?
我開始懷疑我被迷姦了,會不會還被拍下錄影帶?他們知道我的身分證, 又有我老家的電
話和地址, 如果我報警, 會不會被報復, 我愈想愈怕, 算了吧, 唯有找個私人診所人流
吧 ,千萬不要讓家裡知道. 奉勸各位要找工的女孩子一定要小心提防別上當, 不要隨便
相信別人.

inf_zer0

18-02-2005, 10:11 PM

Raytan = Biggest loser EVAR

I think you should get a life....and suck Alex Ferguson's cock LOLOL :s13:

http://hinainn4.free.fr/stfu111.jpg

http://hinainn4.free.fr/stfu4.jpg

http://hinainn4.free.fr/stfu33.jpg

inf_zer0

18-02-2005, 10:44 PM

More Chelsea News

Chelsea supporter takes up doctor's post

Brian English, formerly the doctor for UK Athletics, has taken up the post of Chelsea club doctor until the end of the season.

He succeeds Neil Frazer who left the day before the home game with Manchester City. Brian was in the dug-out for the victory at Everton.

Despite having worked out of Sheffield, he has been a Chelsea supporter since childhood. He served UK Athletics through two Olympic cycles.

inf_zer0

18-02-2005, 10:46 PM

Over 4,000 fans attend training

The second training Open Day of the season was held this morning, Thursday, and with it being half-term in London over 4,000 fans turned out at Stamford Bridge to see the team preparing for the big Cup week.

After a long stretching warm-up there was the traditional ‘circle’ games with the player in the middle trying to get the ball, and then a keep ball session involving everyone. A long shooting exercise followed, and then some set play and penalty area scraps practice before it all ended with a game.

The players kicked balls into the crowd. There were special ovations for two players who were out running with phsyios, Scott Parker and Robert Huth.

http://www.chelseafc.com/Images/-NEWS/OpenQuadWeb.jpg

Right on :D

inf_zer0

18-02-2005, 10:47 PM

Eto'o volley returned by José

José Mourinho has responded to the claims of Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o that he cannot be compared with their coach Frank Rijkaard with barbed agreement.

“Frank Rijkaard’s history as a player cannot be compared to my history,” he has admitted. “His history is fantastic and my history is zero.“My history as a manager,” he went on, “cannot be compared to Frank Rikjaard’s history because he has zero titles, and I have a lot of them. So we cannot be compared.”

Raytan

19-02-2005, 04:07 PM

inf_zer0 7 BY, SHUT UP N F@@@@K UR WHOLE FAMILY LCB

Saturday February 19, 2:17 PM
MPs welcome Budget, say may be an election year
ADVERTISEMENT

SINGAPORE : Members of Parliament have welcomed the Budget, particularly the help for lower income groups.
Some MPs even suggest that this could be an Election Year Budget.

Mr S. Iswaran, MP for West Coast GRC, said: "I think this Budget is a very cautionary one because coming out of a period of low-growth and last year was a good year, so the Prime Minister and Finance Minister has taken a very prudent approach.

"I think the measures to foster a caring society has been very thoughtful, where we are trying to, the policies are trying to, the burden of families, to reduce them.

Mr Chiam See Tong, MP for Potong Pasir, said: "I think there is something for the poor. I think everybody was happy about the income tax coming down from 22 percent to 20 percent in two years. I think that is very welcomed."

Asked if this could be a pre-election Budget, Mr Chiam said: "Looks like it, looks very much like it." He added that he is always prepared for it.

Mr Gan Kim Yong, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, said: "The focus is on the low-income family. The assistance that's providing to these lower income families is very timely because over the last few years these families have suffered quite a lot under the economic recession.

"I think it is a budget that's pro-people, whether it's pre-election or not that's a separate issue."

Dr Amy Khor, MP for Hong Kah GRC and Mayor for South-West CDC, said: "I'm very pleased. I think this is really a people-focused and enabling budget. Actually it shows the Government heeding the concerns of the people. In fact the concerns of the people are adequate savings for retirement, healthcare costs as well as jobs for the older workers.

"I think the setting up of the ComCare Fund as well as topping up of the MediSave across the board, particularly for older Singaporeans and the CPF top-ups for older Singaporeans are really good news to address these concerns and actually it translates into action also. I think PM Lee's commitment to help the needy elderly and make sure that nobody's left behind."

Ms Eunice Olsen, Nominated MP, said: "Actually it was a really eye-opening experience for us because for all the NMPs it was the first time. And I think it's very good because it is very much a community-focused Budget. And I think PM really hung on to his words about being a open and inclusive society." - CNA

Raytan

19-02-2005, 04:22 PM

Ultimate10002000

19-02-2005, 08:13 PM

What the hell stop all these nonsense in my forum thread.

Ultimate10002000

19-02-2005, 08:15 PM

Newcastle aim to derail runaway Blues

Newcastle are determined to upset Chelsea's quadruple bid and move a step closer to ending their own search for silverware when Jose Mourinho's men visit St James' Park in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The Premiership leaders are closing in on an unprecedented clean sweep of trophies after dumping the Magpies out of the Carling Cup in the fourth round.

But although the odds are heavily stacked against Graeme Souness' side, there is a determination on Tyneside that another dream will not be allowed to slip away after a desperately disappointing season to date.

'We are at Newcastle United, it's a big, big club and we haven't won anything for a long time,' said assistant manager Alan Murray. 'We are working very hard to make sure we change that.

'We have got two opportunities still, the UEFA Cup, which is very important, and the FA Cup.'

The omens are not good for Newcastle having already been beaten twice by the Blues this season, including the 2-0 home defeat in the Carling Cup in November.

That night, it took extra-time goals from Eidur Gudjohnsen and Arjen Robben to kill off the Magpies after an even first 90 minutes, and the December league game at Stamford Bridge on December 4 was just as tight for an hour until goals from Robben, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman secured the points.

However, the absence of the injured Dutch winger and suspended skipper John Terry has given Newcastle fresh hope, although they too have problems.

Nicky Butt and Kieron Dyer were left out of the UEFA Cup trip to Heerenveen last night with an ankle injury and a viral infection respectively. Dyer should have recovered and Butt too may be available after just missing out.

'He wasn't far away,' said Murray. 'He didn't quite have enough training in him to make sure he could go, but hopefully he's done some work back home and he'll make a full recovery. We're hoping he will, yes.'

Defender Jean-Alain Boumsong was ineligible in midweek, but would not have played anyway after being allowed to return to France to see his osteopath over a back problem.

'In discussion with our medical team, Jean went over to see his own people, who he has got confidence in, and that's fine by us,' said Murray.

'He'll be back and we don't quite know the extent of his injury, but we're hopeful it's not as serious as we first thought.'

Souness will also be without suspended pair Amdy Faye and Lee Bowyer.

Ultimate10002000

19-02-2005, 08:15 PM

Parker targets Chelsea return date

Chelsea midfielder Scott Parker is only a couple of weeks away from a comeback from injury and is looking to reinforce his side's quadruple bid.

Parker: Metatarsal curse. (PhilCole/GettyImages)

Parker has been out of action since breaking a bone in his foot against Norwich in late December.

However, he is hoping to make his comeback next month, possibly in time to be considered for the return leg of Chelsea's Champions League last-16 tie against Barcelona on March 8.

'I am starting to feel closer now and I am running. It is quite slow but it is a start,' he said.

'I came out of my [supportive] boot two weeks ago, I have been pushing on a little bit and I am really going to start pushing on fast.

'I am probably going to be joining up with the fitness coach late next week and hopefully training with the team in the next 10 days. From there - touch wood - if everything goes well, I will be near selection.'

Having been put through a solo work-out at yesterday's open training session in front of 4,000 fans at Stamford Bridge, he told Chelsea TV: 'It was pleasing to be back out there.'

SongLongZi

19-02-2005, 08:15 PM

lol....wtf...

Ultimate10002000

19-02-2005, 08:16 PM

Mourinho backs best of British

LONDON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has underlined his commitment to using English players after Arsenal named an all-foreign squad against Crystal Palace on Monday.
'We have quite a good number of English players. Every (England) national game we have a minimum of three or four players involved,' Mourinho said.

England internationals John Terry, Frank Lampard, Wayne Bridge and Joe Cole have been regulars this season to help Chelsea, who fielded the Premier League's first all-foreign team in 1999, move nine points clear at the top of the table.

Mourinho acknowledges the success enjoyed by champions Arsenal, whose foreign players have helped the club win six major trophies since 1998.

'I think you can do it without that and the best example is the success of Arsenal over the last years with a lot of foreign players, so that's not the point,' he said.

'But especially as a foreign manager I feel a bit responsible for the (England) national team, the English players.

'So I would never forget my responsibility in relation to the future of some kids and the youth football of the club.' Mourinho stressed the importance of showing youngsters that English players or English-trained players such as German Robert Huth, who joined at 15, could do well at Chelsea.

'I think you must show these kids and the parents that they have a chance to succeed in the club,' he said.

'So, if kids of 10, 12, 14 and their parents see John Terry, Frank Lampard, Robert Huth, Joe Cole and these kinds of boys succeeding in the club, I think it's easier for them to say: 'Yes, you go Chelsea.'

Ultimate10002000

19-02-2005, 08:16 PM

Mourinho bemoans 'emotional' English

LONDON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - English teams are less successful in the Champions League because they are too emotional and get no help with fixture congestion, according to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.
'English teams tend to play with their hearts rather than their heads and when they come across a team that is intelligent and pressurises they can slip up,' Mourinho told a news conference, previewing Chelsea's Champions League meeting with Barcelona next Wednesday.

Mourinho, who won the Champions League with outsiders Porto last season, said it was a competition which required luck as well as quality.

'To win Champions League you need luck. At crucial moments you need good fortune,' Mourinho told Spanish journalists, recalling last season's last-minute goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford that put Porto through to the quarter-finals.

He added that English teams also suffered in comparison with sides from other leagues in Europe in that they received no help with scheduling.

Chelsea were playing an FA Cup match in Newcastle on Sunday before travelling directly to Barcelona with little time to recover, he said.

'Elsewhere there is protection for teams in international competition,' Mourinho said, adding that in Portugal and other countries clubs playing abroad would be offered extra days to recover or prepare with domestic fixtures moved earlier or later.

NO EXCUSES

Manchester United are the only English club to have won the Champions League since it changed from a purely knockout European Cup format in 1992. They beat Bayern Munich in the final in 1999.

Mourinho has frequently complained about scheduling in England saying he was puzzled how television and the Premier League worked out when to stage games.

He said Chelsea in particular were victims of bad scheduling, forced into four games over nine days at new year and playing early on Saturday after midweek internationals.

'But we must not make excuses,' Mourinho said, adding he would have to rest a few players against Newcastle to have a fresh team for Barcelona.

Chelsea, nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, return from Barcelona to prepare for the League Cup final against Liverpool in Cardiff the following Sunday.

They host Barcelona in the second leg of the first knockout round on March 8 after an away league game against Norwich on March 5.

inf_zer0

19-02-2005, 08:35 PM

BELOW IS inf_zer0 BIG FAT MOM, HER MOUTH VERY SMELLY N ALSO HER BELOW HOLE F@@@@@KING SMELLY LIKE HELL, PLS DO A FAVOR , ASK HER TO WASH DAILY OK????

LCB

http://img238.exs.cx/img238/2449/111mainlogo9ug.jpg

Raytan is that your mother ? :s13: No wonder her son is so messed up in the head LOL :D

inf_zer0

19-02-2005, 08:51 PM

Sorry ultimate,but i just cant help it...we gotta give a lesson to spammer like this sometimes :s13: Maybe we should ask the forums admin about it,so they can BAN him or something

Ultimate10002000

20-02-2005, 09:26 AM

Shevchenko rules out Chelsea move

European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko has ruled out moving to Chelsea.

Shevchenko: Staying at San Siro (TonyMarshall/Empics)

The AC Milan and Ukraine striker will return to Old Trafford, scene of his winning spot-kick in the 2003 Champions League final shoot-out, next Wednesday.

Milan face Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League, and while he promises to savour the occasion, Shevchenko insists his heart belongs to the Rossoneri.

He has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge recently, but stressed that he is not prepared to join Jose Mourinho's foreign legion at Stamford Bridge, even though he holds both coach and chairman Roman Abramovich in high regard.

'I really admire what Roman and boss Mourinho are doing at Chelsea,' Shevchenko told The Sun. 'It is not just because Abramovich spends money but he shows a great deal of enthusiasm for what he is doing. He is a real winner.

'But I do not want to move to English football. I do not want to leave AC Milan to join anyone else.'

Shevchenko has scored 105 Serie A goals for Milan since joining from Dynamo Kiev in 1999, together with a host of crucial strikes in Europe.

'This is my spiritual home,' he said. 'They have voted me their greatest player - I cannot leave a place like this.'

He expects the first leg of the tie against United to be a stern test of Milan's capacity to reign over Europe this year.

'I have never played against Rio Ferdinand before but I know all about him. He is a really strong defender,' Shevchenko added.

Ultimate10002000

20-02-2005, 09:29 AM

No way Chelsea can get this player.

Ultimate10002000

20-02-2005, 09:29 AM

Carvalho to face Magpies

Ricardo Carvalho will replace the suspended John Terry in central defence when Chelsea take on Newcastle in Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round tie.

Carvalho, who returned to action as a late substitute last weekend after a broken toe, will fill in for the Blues skipper at St James' Park.

Didier Drogba is missing with a groin injury which will also keep him out of Wednesday's Champions League clash away to Barcelona.

Frank Lampard is expected to be rested after picking up a knock at Everton, while Jiri Jarosik could replace him as he is ineligible for European duty.

Carlo Cudicini could start in goal to give Petr Cech a break, but Arjen Robben, Robert Huth and Scott Parker are still sidelined.

Kick-off is at 4pm.

Chelsea (from): Cudicini, Cech, Pidgeley, Ferreira, Johnson, Bridge, Gallas, Carvalho, Watt, Nuno Morais, Makelele, Geremi, Smertin, Jarosik, Tiago, Duff, J Cole, Kezman, Gudjohnsen.

Ultimate10002000

20-02-2005, 09:30 AM

Baba eyes 'special' cup win

Celestine Babayaro admits lifting the FA Cup with Newcastle would be even more special than the winners' medal he picked up with Chelsea.

The 26-year-old Nigerian international was in the Blues side which defeated Aston Villa 1-0 at Wembley in May 2000.

But with the Magpies having not won a major trophy since 1969 and the most famous of cup competitions in 50 years, he believes an end to that run might be an even bigger achievement.

"Winning the FA Cup with Chelsea was one of the greatest moments of my career, but because Newcastle haven't won a trophy for so long, winning it with Newcastle might mean even more," he said.

"I'm with Newcastle now and my priority is to do all I can to bring them success and make them win trophies."

Babayaro hopes to shake off the knee problem he picked up in Thursday night's 2-1 UEFA Cup victory in Heerenveen to retain his place in the Newcastle side which hosts Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup tomorrow.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho, the man who sanctioned his move to Tyneside in January, has admitted he will rest key players despite his pursuit of the quadruple, but no-one on Tyneside is reading too much into that.

"I'm sure that Sunday's game will be much harder than Thursday night," said Babayaro. "At the moment, Chelsea are the untouchables of English football.

"They're playing really well but on the day anything can happen. Chelsea have a few of their big players out and that can only help us.

"John Terry is missing, he's been brilliant this season, and Arjen Robben will not be playing either. I'm not sure if Didier Drogba is going to make it, so that could really tip the balance in our favour.

"Vital players are not going to be involved in the game. We can't rely on that, though. We have to concentrate on playing our own game and making sure that we do everything we can to achieve a victory."

Babayaro insists he is not surprised at how Chelsea have taken English football by storm this season, and puts much of the success down to Mourinho.

"As soon as Mourinho came to take over Chelsea, the whole thing changed," he said. "He has changed the make-up of the club from top to bottom.

"People have described him as rude and arrogant, but I totally disagree with that. He's not arrogant, he's just trying to pass his way of thinking onto everyone else at the club."

Ultimate10002000

20-02-2005, 09:31 AM

Jose tips Carvalho to cope

Jose Mourinho has backed Ricardo Carvalho to dive straight back into action after injury to keep Newcastle at bay in Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round tie.

Carvalho came on for the final two minutes at Everton last weekend in his first appearance for two months following a broken toe sustained against Arsenal.

However, rather than easing him gradually back into the side, the Chelsea boss has no option but to throw his compatriot into the starting line-up at St James' Park.

Captain John Terry is suspended, having accumulated five yellow cards, while Robert Huth is still injured.

Carvalho, who won the Champions League with Mourinho last season at Porto and played in the Euro 2004 final with Portugal, will therefore partner William Gallas in central defence.

"It will be a difficult game as Newcastle have a big attacking power with Alan Shearer, Patrick Kluivert and Shola Ameobi," admitted the Chelsea boss.

"They are at home, this is the biggest chance they have to win a trophy this season and their crowd always creates a lot of pressure.

"It's the type of game in which John Terry would be great for us but William Gallas and Ricardo Carvalho are great defenders and they must be ready to cope with it.

"Ricardo will be okay. He is a fit boy. He was working for a few weeks before he started playing again, so he will be ready.

"At centre-back, you can control more of your energy and be clever from a tactical point of view."

inf_zer0

20-02-2005, 09:40 AM

Arjen Robben Update

Chelsea star Arjen Robben has taken the first steps on the road to recovery by dispensing with his crutches.The Dutch flyer was ruled out for two months after breaking bones in a foot during the win over Blackburn earlier in February.

Robben was told to use crutches in a bid to ease pressure on his injured foot, but he attended training on Friday without the assistance of his walking aids."He has got rid of those sticks and he is walking around," Blues assistant manager Steve Clarke told the club's website. "It is nice to see and it is good news for us.

"He has had about ten days' complete rest now; he is walking, so hopefully he will be making quick progress."Clarke added, though, that Robben will not be pressed into a quick return despite Chelsea looking short of their best in recent weeks.

"But there is no time limit on it," added Clarke. "We'll just have to see how it comes along but hopefully it will be quicker rather than slower."

inf_zer0

20-02-2005, 09:43 AM

what a relief :D

Ultimate10002000

20-02-2005, 11:03 AM

Hope to see him back in action soon.

inf_zer0

21-02-2005, 05:24 AM

Newcastle 1 Chelsea 0

I couldnt complain really,when i look at the line up (Kezman upfront) i have a feeling that we wouldnt score again...especially after we're 1-0 down in the 4th minute.We really need to get a WORLD CLASS STRIKER (Adriano,etc etc,even Owen would do) in the summer, to partner/backup Drogba upfront...abd off course a backup for Robben like Joaqin...you have to realize,we have gone 350 minutes without robben and we have only scored 1 goal,and that was a CRAPPY one (or you should call that luck) against Everton...this is a bad sign

Plus three more players injured today : Duff,Gallas and Bridge...and Cudicini will miss the Carling cup now,its a shame cuz Jose already promised to play him in the final...sure Cech can just step in to replace him but ts a big blow for Carlo

Oh well i knew we wouldnt won Quadruple anyway,just the prem and league cup will do :D But its all make or break now in the next three games...we can either keep our treble dream alive OR crashed out in all competition (Champs league and League cup,we already lose the FA cup now)
:eek:

Ultimate10002000

21-02-2005, 07:46 PM

I got a feeling Chelsea will lose the Carling Cup also. Champion League will get kick out later on maybe at Semi Final. Perhaps only left EPL for Chelsea this season.

Ultimate10002000

21-02-2005, 07:50 PM

Mourinho keeps tabs on Joaquin

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has admitted he has made an approach for Spanish winger Joaquin and he may push for a deal in the summer.

Joaquin: Wanted by Mourinho (FiroFoto/GettyImages)

Real Betis star Joaquin has attracted widespread interest and would reportedly cost around £20million.

Mourinho contacted Betis earlier in the season and although nothing has so far come of it he is considering trying again at the end of the season.

Mourinho said in the News of the World: 'We did not have him signed, nor did I say not to sign him. Joaquin is a very good player and I admit there was contact.

'We asked and the other party replied. Nothing has been discarded with regard to him. We could try and sign him in June or December.'

Ultimate10002000

21-02-2005, 07:51 PM

Jose: Winning the quad not impossible

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insisted the quadruple in England is possible after seeing his side's hopes of achieving it this season ended at Newcastle.
Patrick Kluivert's fourth-minute header ensured it was the Magpies rather than the much-changed Blues who went into the hat for today's FA Cup quarter-final draw after an eventful afternoon at St James' Park.

Mourinho rested six key players despite having skipper John Terry suspended and then saw Wayne Bridge suffer a suspected broken ankle and William Gallas and Damien Duff pick up injuries which make them major doubts for Wednesday's Champions League trip to Barcelona.

Furthermore, keeper Carlo Cudicini picked up a red card which will rule him out of Sunday's Carling Cup Final, but Mourinho is still confident that a single team could one day pick up all four major prizes.

'Is it possible? I know it's possible because I did it before, not in England, but I did it when I was in Porto,' he said.

'We won the UEFA Cup, the Portuguese Super Cup, the Portuguese Championship and the Portuguese Cup. We did the quadruple, so I know it's possible.

'But I know it's very difficult, especially in England, it's very, very difficult because English domestic competitions are more difficult to win, and especially when you have no control of the fixtures.

'When you have to play when people say to play, I have to make decisions like I made today.

'When I play a team which is not my best team against a team like Newcastle at a place like this, and against a team that has in the FA Cup the only chance to get silverware, I know the risks.

'But to think about four competitions in this country is very, very, very, very difficult and we know that.'

cheapos

22-02-2005, 11:13 AM

actually i don't care bout the other trophies much... epl title can liao!!!

Ultimate10002000

22-02-2005, 01:22 PM

Cudicini, Bergkamp appeals launched

Arsenal and Chelsea have lodged appeals with the FA following the dismissal of key players during last weekend's FA Cup fifth-round ties.
Bergkamp was sent off during the first half of the Gunners' 1-1 draw with Sheffield United for `violent conduct' by referee Neale Barry after the Dutchman raised his hands to Blades defender Danny Cullip.

Bergkamp pleaded his innocence on the pitch and now Arsenal have followed up with a formal appeal that will be heard by the FA's disciplinary commission tomorrow.

Cudicini will also learn tomorrow whether or not he will be cleared to play in Sunday's Carling Cup final with Liverpool.

The Italian was dismissed in the latter stages of Chelsea's 1-0 defeat against Newcastle at St James' Park after bringing down Shola Ameobi just outside the Chelsea penalty area.

Match official Mark Halsey deemed Cudicini to have 'denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity', although TV replays indicated Ameobi was heading away from goal when he was sent clattering to the ground.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had promised Cudicini he would play in this weekend's Millennium Stadium showpiece after playing second fiddle to Petr Cech for much of the campaign.

However, unless the appeal is successful, Cech will turn out against Liverpool as Mourinho looks to secure his first silverware since arriving at Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Ultimate10002000

22-02-2005, 01:22 PM

Chelsea confirm Bridge's season is over

Frank Lampard believes Chelsea have enough strength in depth to cope with Wayne Bridge's enforced absence.

Wayne Bridge: Was returning to form. (MatthewAshton/Empics)

Bridge will not play again this season after undergoing an operation to repair a double fracture of his left ankle.

The Chelsea left-back fell awkwardly following a clash with Newcastle striker Alan Shearer during the second half of their FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Newcastle on Sunday.

He underwent an operation in London today as his team-mates prepared to put their FA Cup despair behind them and concentrate on getting a result against Spanish league leaders Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

But Lampard believes they have enough quality in the squad to carry on their quest for success on three fronts.

Lampard said: 'We've got to patch ourselves up but sometimes, these situation work in your favour as people dig deeper to help the team.

'Paulo Ferreira and Glen Johnson have both covered at left-back and Ricardo Carvalho is back from injury, so we've got more than enough defenders.

'It's a good thing that we've got such a big game to get the Newcastle defeat out of our system. We're playing possibly the best team in Europe at the minute along with ourselves, Juventus and AC Milan.

'It's a massive test that the whole world will be watching. We're confident we can get through the tie.'

Manager Jose Mourinho's dreams of winning an unprecedented four trophies finally fell apart on a wintry day in Tyneside thanks to Patrick Kluivert's fourth-minute header.

The defeat was further compounded by goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini's last-minute dismissal and injuries to Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff and centre-back William Gallas.

Chelsea licked their wounds in Spain today, having flown out to Barcelona immediately after their FA Cup exit, and were naturally reticent to reveal further details of the injuries sustained by Duff and Gallas.

But they did appeal against Cudicini's dismissal, and that will be dealt with by the Football Association tomorrow.

It is unlikely that the Italian goalkeeper will win his case and he is destined to miss out on a place in Mourinho's Carling Cup team for the last-minute foul on Shola Ameobi.

Lampard admits there is now a lot riding on the rest of the week for Chelsea, but he is convinced that they can overcome both Barcelona on Wednesday night and Liverpool in the Carling Cup final on Sunday.

'When you've been winning it really hurts to drop out of one competition, but there's other things for us to concentrate on,' the England midfielder said.

'We've got a massive week ahead of us with a lot hinging on it and we need to make sure we are on our game.

'We can still go on to have a great season. We've got great spirit and belief in ourselves and will always keep fighting to try and win games. 'There's disappointment at the minute but the defiance will come. We'll get together and realise that we're on the verge of some great achievements this year.

'There's a long way to go on a lot of fronts but we have to carry through the journey and finish it well.'

Chelsea will hand late fitness tests to both Duff and Gallas before deciding on whether they will play against Barca in the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

If Gallas is fit, the Chelsea boss can play him at left-back and keep Carvalho and John Terry at the heart of the defence with Ferreira in his usual right-back position.

Duff's absence would hit Chelsea harder, with Joe Cole almost certain to play, and Mourinho may even consider giving Didier Drogba a place on the bench.

He is returning from a thigh strain but has travelled with the squad and in Duff's absence, Mourinho's attacking options will be somewhat limited.

Ultimate10002000

22-02-2005, 01:23 PM

Very unlucky for Chelsea to lose quite a few first choice players due to injuries. One Cup gone liaoz wonder how many Cups can Chelsea lift.

Ultimate10002000

22-02-2005, 01:48 PM

Hope Chelsea team morale and confidence will not drop with the recent events that happen to the team. Think the team is too stress up right now.

Ultimate10002000

23-02-2005, 12:04 PM

Ron braced for tough Chelsea test

Barcelona may be facing Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champions League but the Spanish club's Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho believes it is a clash between the two best teams in Europe.
And he is not about to make any predictions about possible winners.

'I think that it is going to be a difficult match for us because Chelsea have a good team full of big stars,' he said.

'I have seen Chelsea a few times on television, tactically they are very good and they are very strong on the counter-attack.

'They pressure very well and keep possession of the ball so it will be important that we play our own game.

'I believe they are the two strongest teams in Europe.'

Nevertheless, Barcelona are accustomed to playing big games at the Nou Camp, where they have to face the likes of Real Madrid each season.

'It is a special game, the atmosphere in the city changes, there are lots of journalists but inside the dressing room there is not a lot of difference,' Ronaldinho added.

'We are only thinking of winning the match with all respect to the opposition.'

Ultimate10002000

23-02-2005, 12:05 PM

Makelele targets Barca win

Claude Makelele insisted Chelsea will go for the win in Barcelona tomorrow night.
The Barclays Premiership leaders' hopes of claiming an unprecedented 'quadruple' ended on Sunday with defeat in the FA Cup at Newcastle.

But midfielder Makelele believes his team-mates can recover in style at the Nou Camp.

Makelele said: 'We don't want to get beaten as that way we will have a chance at home.

'We will deal with each match as we face them. We don't know how to go out looking for a 0-0 draw, we will go out to win.'

Chelsea's disappointment at St James' Park was not just restricted to the defeat, but also the loss of key players to injury.

Left-back Wayne Bridge suffered a double fracture of his left ankle and will definitely not play at the Nou Camp, while Damien Duff and William Gallas face late fitness tests.

With Arjen Robben already sidelined with broken bones in his foot, manager Jose Mourinho is likely to opt for a safety-first policy in Catalonia.

'At the moment, we are not conceding goals and we have a good balance in attack and defence,' former French international Makelele said.

'We have to rely on the people that we have although it is true that the players coming in are good.'

The mood is far more upbeat at Barcelona. Frank Rijkaard's team restored their seven-point advantage at the top of the Primera Liga on Saturday night with a 2-0 defeat of Real Mallorca as Portugal playmaker Deco grabbed both goals.

Makelele, who once played against Barcelona as a Real Madrid player, concedes they are strong opponents who are especially strong in midfield where Deco and Ronaldinho provide the flair.

'Barcelona are a good team, we have seen them a lot on television,' he said. 'They are leading the Spanish league and we know that it is going to be a difficult match.

'Barca are most dangerous in attack and especially the way that they move the ball from midfield to the forwards which is very quick.'

Ultimate10002000

23-02-2005, 12:05 PM

Chelsea withdraw Cudicini appeal

Carlo Cudicini will definitely miss the Carling Cup final after Chelsea withdrew their appeal against the red card he received in Sunday's FA Cup tie at Newcastle.
The Italian was dismissed late in the 1-0 defeat at St James' Park when he brought down Shola Ameobi just outside his penalty area.

Chelsea had hoped to overturn the decision as Cudicini had been promised a place in Sunday's final against Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium by manager Jose Mourinho.

But they stood little chance of overturning the red card and they have decided not to pursue their appeal.

Ultimate10002000

23-02-2005, 12:06 PM

Duff out for Chelsea

Damien Duff is out of Chelsea's Champions League clash with Barcelona tomorrow night after failing to recover from a knee injury.
On the plus side, manager Jose Mourinho will be able to play defender William Gallas (groin) and striker Didier Drogba (thigh) after they recovered from their respective knocks.

Duff and Gallas (groin) both suffered their injuries in the FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Newcastle on Sunday.

Mourinho said: 'We have one more session but I think Drogba will play, Gallas will play but Duff will be almost impossible to play.

'Drogba trained yesterday with no problems and will do the same today. Gallas feels he can play and wants to play. We are protecting him still but he will be okay to play.

'But Duff is almost impossible because he cannot run and his injury is very painful. So he is out.'

Drogba, Chelsea's £24million centre-forward, has missed the last three weeks through injury.

Ultimate10002000

23-02-2005, 12:07 PM

Chelsea always played well for away games so hope it can overcome Barcelona for the upcoming CL game. A small victory like 1-0 will be nice, go Chelsea go.

Ultimate10002000

23-02-2005, 01:20 PM

Chelsea has been quite unlucky recently as they strike alot of injuries problem, but they have a large squad so still can make it. Most of the first choice players are still around. Must work more on the defence and speed of play.

Ultimate10002000

24-02-2005, 12:34 PM

Unlucky Chelsea to lose to Barcelona but i believe the team has did its best.

Ultimate10002000

24-02-2005, 12:36 PM

Duff starts for Chelsea

Chelsea winger Damien Duff will play after all in tonight's Champions League tie in Barcelona.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho named his team yesterday for this first-leg match at the Nou Camp - and it did not include the Republic of Ireland international.

Duff suffered a knee injury during the latter stages of Sunday's FA Cup defeat by Newcastle.

But Mourinho revealed on Sky Sports News tonight: 'He has recovered - we knew it was not a difficult injury - but it was painful.

'This is the Champions League, and we need him - so from a mental point of view he is ready to take a risk.'

Ultimate10002000

24-02-2005, 12:43 PM

Chelsea to report 'tunnel incident'

Chelsea are to submit an official complaint to UEFA about a half-time tunnel incident in their Champions League clash against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
No representative from Chelsea attended the post-match press conference after Jose Mourinho lost two games in succession for the first time since taking charge of the club last summer.

A spokesman for the club, Simon Greenberg, said: 'First of all our apologies that there are no members of the Chelsea management team or players talking after this game.

'We will be submitting an official complaint to UEFA about an incident that occurred at half-time. That's all I can say.'

The Blues went down to a 2-1 defeat, although they led when Juliano Belletti turned Damien Duff's low cross into his own net.

Second-half goals from Maxi Lopez and Samuel Eto'o gave Barca a first-leg advantage to take to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea were also left unhappy with Didier Drogba's second-half sending-off for a second bookable offence, but they refused to elaborate on the reasons for their complaint.

Barca boss Frank Rijkaard claimed Mourinho reacted badly to the Dutch coach engaging Swedish referee Anders Frisk in conversation.

'I was there, I talked with the referee and the reaction of the Chelsea side kind of exaggerated it all,' he said.

'I talked to the referee really politely, nothing in particular, they were upset about that. They started the thing for me, nothing happened and if something did happen it is because of them, they were upset, maybe because of me talking to the referee,' he told Sky Sports.

'I don't understand it, I am curious in what will be their complaint.

'They definitely didn't hear me speak. I said (to referee Frisk) `hello, pleased to see you',' something about the game, not in an aggressive way, I just said `hello' and nothing more.

'What upset them so much? I don't know. You have to ask Mourinho.'

Ultimate10002000

24-02-2005, 12:44 PM

Barcelona wins leaders battle

Reuters

BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona won the battle of the Spanish and English league leaders on Wednesday, coming from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League first knockout round first-leg tie at the Nou Camp.
Second-half strikes from Maxi Lopez and Samuel Eto'o countered a first-half own goal by defender Juliano Belletti after Chelsea were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute when striker Didier Drogba was sent off.

Chelsea's was a classic counter-attacking goal made by winger Damien Duff against the run of play just past the half hour.

Duff had been ruled out as unfit only a day earlier by wily Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho but his speed on the break suggested his much discussed knee injury had never been too serious.

After concerted pressure by the home side, England's Frank Lampard, an almost invisible midfielder for the first half hour of the match, supplied Duff with a pinpoint pass upfield.

Duff sped down the flank and aimed a cross at Drogba which a sliding Belletti could only poke past keeper Victor Valdes.

Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona were nearly caught again a minute later when Claude Makelele clipped the ball into Drogba's path from the center circle. The striker raced clear and with just Valdes to beat bent an angled shot wide of the far post.

Drogba, in his first match after more than a month out with a thigh injury, undid his good work early in the second half when he was sent off for colliding rashly with Valdes, his second yellow card after a first-half booking for a bad tackle.

It took Barcelona 11 minutes to take full advantage and with blue and red shirts bearing down on the Chelsea goal, substitute Maxi Lopez locked on to a pass from Eto'o and fired past Petr Cech.

Six minutes later Eto'o and Lopez combined again, the Argentine, signed from River Plate in the January transfer window, pushing the ball to the African Player of the Year who made no mistake from close range.

For most match and even before Drogba's dismissal Chelsea were doing a holding job, stemming waves of jinking Barcelona runs from Ronaldinho on the right and Ludovic Giuly on the left, then from Lopez and Andres Iniesta.

The statistics told the story with 64 to 36 percent possession in the home side's favor in the first half alone.

The renowned central defense pairing of England's John Terry and Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho were made to look slow and clumsy, often resorting to booting the ball in any direction to avoid danger.

Barcelona may rue their profligacy in front of goal after dozens of chances went begging as Chelsea earned a valuable away goal for the return leg at Stamford Bridge on March 8.

By the last 15 minutes the London side were reduced to blocking, with every player behind the ball in a desperate rearguard action.

It was the first time under Mourinho that Chelsea have lost two games in a row, having gone down 1-0 at Newcastle United in the FA Cup on Sunday, but the Portuguese coach will be thankful the margin was only one goal.

Mourinho refused to make any public statements after the match and stopped his players from doing so. Chelsea issued a statement saying that they would make an official protest to UEFA about an incident at halftime, understood to be a conversation between Rijkaard and Swedish referee Anders Frisk.

Rijkaard appeared bemused when asked about the incident. "I can't say what was upsetting Mourinho so much, he said.

"I spoke to the referee in a nice, friendly manner, maybe that's what started it but I don't understand it.

"I said 'hello, nice to see you' and something about the game, nothing else.

"I'm curious what Chelsea have to say about it. There was a lot of talk before the game and now there appears to be a lot after the game and I don't think that's a good thing.

"It's a surprise that after the game they have invented a story about something that didn't happen."

On the game, he said his match-turning decision to send on Maxi was straightforward.

"We were 1-0 down and we had to try everything to help us win and change our formation to take advantage of the fact that they had been reduced to 10 men so I opted to put on another forward," he said.

Ultimate10002000

24-02-2005, 12:44 PM

Barcelona 2-1 Chelsea: FT Report

PA

Two second-half goals from Maxi Lopez and Samuel Eto'o condemned Chelsea to a 2-1 first leg defeat against Barcelona in the Nou Camp stadium.

Demetrio Albertini challenges Chelsea's Joe Cole (BenRadford/GettyImages)

An own goal by Juliano Belletti had gifted the Barclays Premiership side a first-half lead but they failed to hold on to their advantage after the break and the game turned when striker Didier Drogba was cruelly sent off by Swedish referee Anders Frisk for a second bookable offence.

Substitute Maxi Lopez equalised with a right-foot drive in the 66th minute and then his shot was diverted in by Eto'o seven minutes later.

Mourinho had insisted it was "almost impossible" for Damien Duff to have taken any part in the game because he was in so much pain from the knee injury he collected in Sunday's FA Cup fifth round defeat by Newcastle that he could hardly walk.

But the winger made a mockery of Mourinho's claim as he sped on to Frank Lampard's 40-yard pass and sent over the low cross that Barcelona defender Belletti turned into his own net in the 33rd minute.

The goal arrived totally against the run of play with the Primera Liga leaders in full control in the opening half.

But Chelsea could have finished the opening 45 minutes two goals to the good had Drogba realised he had more time and space to finish off another wonderful through ball from Claude Makelele.

Predictably, against a team rated as favourites to lift the Champions League crown and seven points clear at the top of their domestic league, Chelsea began the first leg in a somewhat nervous fashion.

And it was hardly a surprise to anyone in the vast bowl that is the Nou Camp, that Barcelona contrived an opening after only three minutes.

Frank Lampard's distribution is normally unquestionable but his lack of accuracy allowed Samuel Eto'o to intercept the ball and slip Ronaldinho in the clear on the left flank.

But the Brazilian's shot whistled past Petr Cech's left-hand post as did another effort from Eto'o himself moments later as the hosts took full advantage of an edgy Chelsea defence.

The Londoners were further exposed in the 10th minute when their defence failed to deal adequately with a cross from Ludovic Giuly and Ronaldinho sent another right-foot shot wide of the target. Chelsea's midfield, with the exception of the hardworking Claude Makelele, displayed limited ambition to attack.

Instead, their tactical preference was to close down the space and time for the playmaking Deco and Giuly, along with Ronaldinho and Eto'o in attack.

The plan worked for much of the opening half with Barca restricted to few clear cut opportunities to open the scoring.

Two minutes after Belletti's error, Drogba could have put Chelsea two in front when Makelele's admirable through ball left the Ivory Coast striker in the clear.

But, with only goalkeeper Victor Valdes to beat, Drogba sent his shot wide of the right-hand post for a costly miss.

In the 38th minute, Chelsea began to take full advantage of a Barcelona side clearly reeling from Belleti's blunder and Joe Cole sent a 20-yard effort just too high as, for once, the Nou Camp fell silent.

The game erupted into controversy in the 55th minute when Anders Frisk red-carded Didier Drogba for what appeared to be nothing more than a 50-50 challenge for the ball with goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Drogba had been booked in the first half for a foul on Rafael Marquez and, when the Chelsea striker and the goalkeeper went down as a result of the collision, the Swedish official produced a second yellow for the Ivory Coast man.

For the second time in as many games, the Londoners now found themselves down to 10 men, only this time they had 35 minutes to cope with a Barcelona attack given fresh hope by Chelsea's numerical handicap.

The Barca fans were also guilty of racist abuse towards Drogba with 'monkey' chants filling the air as he trudged slowly towards the visiting dugout.

In the 65th minute, Chelsea's luck held as substitute Andres Iniesta sent a left-foot shot inches wide of the post after Ricardo Carvalho had managed to block the first effort from Eto'o.

But a minute later the hosts were level when substitute Maxi Lopez finished off a three-man move involving Ronaldinho and Eto'o.

Lopez managed to squirm his way clear of William Gallas to fire an angled right-foot beyond Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.

Worse was to come in the 73rd minute when Chelsea failed to cut out Maxi Lopez's drive from the right and Eto'o hit the matchwinner with a crisp drive from eight yards to give them a slender advantage to take to Stamford Bridge.

end

Coolsmurf

24-02-2005, 01:11 PM

turning point came when drogba was sent off and the subsequent introduction of maxi lopez by barcelona which stretched Chelsea defence to the edge

Ultimate10002000

25-02-2005, 02:20 PM

Chelsea face UEFA fine over no-show

Chelsea are facing a possible UEFA fine after Jose Mourinho refused to attend the mandatory press conference following his team's defeat in Barcelona.

Mourinho: Defeat in Barcelona (ShaunBotteril/GettyImages)

Their decision was thought to be founded on Mourinho's unease at a tunnel incident at half-time which Chelsea have pledged to report to European football's governing body.

Neither Mourinho, his players, or any members of the Chelsea coaching staff spoke after the match, however the manager had been obliged to address the press.

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard admitted he was surprised by Mourinho's decision, after Chelsea's 2-1 loss in the Nou Camp.

Recognising that Mourinho may have been allowed to excuse himself under certain circumstances, Gaillard nevertheless added: 'But it was a perfectly calm game with excellent crowd behaviour and we do not understand the Chelsea decision.

'We will certainly ask them. It is a a violation of the rules.'

UEFA could assess Chelsea's report on the half-time incident which apparently infuriated Mourinho before deciding whether to penalise the London club.

As for possible punishment, Gaillard told Sky Sports News: 'I wouldn't want to speculate on that but it is obvious the kind of sanctions team can incur are in terms of fines.'

Ultimate10002000

25-02-2005, 02:20 PM

Spanish lambast negative Chelsea

MADRID, Feb 24 (Reuters) - English Premier League leaders Chelsea were accused of lacking ambition and the ability to accept defeat after they lost 2-1 to a dominant Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
'Everyone had talked about Super Chelsea before the game, but I didn't see anything super out there,' said Barca defender Rafael Marquez after the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie.

'The only team that played football was us. When a team just waits for their opponents or the referee to make a mistake then it makes you angry.'

The Spanish sporting press echoed the Mexico international's comments about the game.

'It is very sad that a team has spent over €300million on new players to play like that,' said sports daily El Mundo Deportivo.

Marca columnist Julian Ruiz agreed. 'You have to celebrate the triumph of football over an indigestible and paranoid iron curtain vision of the game.'

The runaway premiership leaders adopted a ultra-defensive game-plan against their Spanish counterparts and rarely ventured into the opposition half as they looked to soak up the Barca pressure and play on the break.

But they still managed to take the lead just after the half hour mark when Brazilian defender Juliano Belletti turned the ball into his own net after Damien Duff had raced free down the right wing.

Barca flooded forward in even greater numbers after the goal, but did not manage to unlock the muscular Chelsea defence until the Londoners were reduced to 10 men following the sending off of striker Didier Drogba for picking up a second booking for a challenge on keeper Victor Valdes.

Substitute Maxi Lopez grabbed the equaliser 11 minutes later and fellow striker Samuel Eto'o added another soon after to secure the win for Frank Rijkaard's side.

The aftermath of what had been an absorbing and, at times, enthralling game was marred by the decision of Chelsea manager Mourinho not to talk to give the obligatory post-match news conference, nor to allow his players to talk to the media.

Chelsea said that their decision had been prompted by an incident that occurred in the tunnel at the halftime when it was reported that Barca coach Frank Rijkaard had talked to referee Anders Frisk.

But Rijkaard said he was bemused by Chelsea's reaction and accused the premiership side of deliberately stirring up an incident to distract from their defeat.

'I was there and the incident was created by Chelsea,' he told the Onda Cero radio station. 'They tried to look for something that wasn't there.

'I said hello to the referee and made a few perfectly normal comments about the game as we walked to the dressing room but their reaction was over the top.

'Now that they have lost the game they are going to invent or create something out of nothing and it appears totally ridiculous to me. I spoke with no one from Chelsea, but I saw their reaction and they came into our side of the tunnel and created the problems.'

The Spanish media said that they believed Mourinho's refusal to give a news conference was more to do with the fact that he did not want to appear before the press after saying that his side never lost two games in a row and did not want to explain why he had announced one starting XI before the game and then fielding another.

Mourinho said on the eve of the match that winger Duff had been ruled out because of injury, but the Irishman started the game.

'Mourinho tried to wind up Barca and Rijkaard with his pre-match declarations and tactics,' said Sport in its match report.

'But Frank didn't take the bait and with his usual cool and elegance he avoided a clash with the Portuguese. He said he preferred to do his talking on the pitch and he did just that.'

Ultimate10002000

25-02-2005, 02:21 PM

Chelsea compile UEFA complaint

Chelsea have confirmed that they are in the process of making a strong protest to UEFA about Frank Rijkaard's conversation with match referee Anders Frisk during their Champions League clash on Wednesday night.

Jose Mourinho and Frank Rijkaard get caught up in the atmosphere. (AdamDavy/Empics)

Although Chelsea have yet to accuse the Barcelona coach of entering the Swedish official's dressing room Rijkaard was witnessed leaving Frisk's quarters and that is almost certain to be the main thrust of the Blues' imminent complaint to UEFA.

UEFA are likely to take a dim view of Rijkaard's actions which would appear to be highly inappropriate irrespective of the topic they discussed.

Chelsea issued a staement confirming they are compiling a complaint but also moved quickly to scotch stories of an alleged tunnel bust-up in which Mourinho was understood to have been kicked up the backside by Barcelona's assistant coach Henk Ten Cate.

Chelsea today issued a further comment denying such an incident took place.

The statement read: 'Following Chelsea's statement after the Barcelona match last night, it is being reported through various media outlets that an incident occurred between Jose Mourinho and a member of the Barcelona coaching staff. This incident did not happen and Chelsea can therefore confirm that this will not form part of our report to UEFA which is currently being prepared.'

Speculation had been rife that Ten Cate had kicked the Chelsea manager on the backside during an alleged tunnel fracas involving the Barca assistant and the club's goalkeeping coach Silvinho Louro. Chelsea have yet to make any comment on that incident but insist that Ten Cate did not assault Mourinho.

However, the Londoners will be pressing UEFA to deal with Rijkaard's actions at half-time. It is understood that Rijkaard was seen leaving Frisk's dressing room during the interval.

UEFA have already claimed that their own tunnel representative witnessed nothing out of the ordinary during the half-time break and were waiting for the arrival of Frisk's report as well as Chelsea's complaint before investigating the matter further.

'We are puzzled,' said UEFA spokesman William Gaillard. 'We have had no contact from Chelsea.'

'The situation last night as far as we are concerned was rather normal.

'We had people in the dressing room area, probably more people than normal, and they didn't notice anything going on. We are rather surprised.'

Meanwhile, the Londoners could find themselves on the receiving end of a heavy fine for refusing to talk to the media after last night's 2-1 defeat in the Nou Camp.

Ultimate10002000

25-02-2005, 02:21 PM

Hackett: Chats with ref are a 'no-no'

Referees chief Keith Hackett has backed Jose Mourinho's stance in the half-time row at the Nou Camp last night.
The Chelsea boss was unhappy at a Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard talking to referee Anders Frisk official's own dressing room during the interval of the Champions League last-16 first-leg clash.

Trailing by a goal at the break, Barca side then fought back to take a 2-1 lead to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of the tie, although Rijkaard could be reprimanded by UEFA.

Hackett, who is head of the Professional Game Match Official Limited, believes officials talking to coaches could be misinterpreted.

He urged managers in domestic games to use official delegates assigned to each match to voice their complaints rather than confronting the referee, although UEFA officiated last night's clash.

Hackett said: 'I think at half-time in that area it should be avoided because it does not look right. We (Premier League referees) have clear lines of communication to make sure it does not take place.

'The referee does not have to explain his decisions, there is no gain for him to do this. He us putting at risk his own personal security and has to remain neutral throughout the game.

'It rarely happens, even if a player or referee does have a question there are delegates who can discuss the matter. In Premier League games the delegates are experienced ex-professionals.

'A public approach is a no-no, it sends out the wrong message.'

Mourinho was incensed with Rijkaard's half-time meeting, leading to Chelsea players refusing to speak to the media after the match.

Hackett believes the onus was on the referee and stewards to avoid a confrontation.

He added: 'The referee should have dismissed the situation. At all games there is a security element with stewards who envelope officials when the whistle is blown. If a manager approaches, the referee will stand still and stewards will surround him.'

Former Tottenham boss Jacques Santini was upset at a half-time meeting between Sir Alex Ferguson and the referee during Manchester United's win at White Hart Lane earlier this season.

Ferguson, the United manager, was also at the centre of a referees row during the Carling Cup semi-final when Mourinho accused him of influencing the referee.

These rows would cease if managers followed guidelines of waiting 30 minutes after the final whistle to speak to the referee, according to Hackett.

'We have an arrangement with the LMA (League Managers Association) that managers can knock on the door of the referees' dressing room 30 minutes after the game and ask to see them,' Hackett added.

'There is also a line of communication through the match delegate, a secondary discussion without the referee present. We're really clear about that.'

Chelsea could face action from UEFA for not attending the compulsory post-match media conference.

Ultimate10002000

25-02-2005, 04:50 PM

Barca coach blasts Blues

Barcelona assistant coach Henk Ten Cate has branded Chelsea's complaint to Uefa as "pathetic" - and has slammed Jose Mourinho for his post-match guessing games.

Chelsea are protest to Uefa about Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard's half-time conversation with referee Anders Frisk during the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday.

Ten Cate is also angry about a trick played by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho before kick-off.

Mourinho predicted both starting line-ups, and left Damien Duff out insisting he was injured - but Duff played.

Ten Cate told The Sun: "To react the way Chelsea have is pathetic. Mourinho lied with the line-ups - and now this."

Chelsea's complaint will centre around the vexed question of whether Rijkaard entered Frisk's dressing room at half-time.

Uefa spokesman William Gaillard said: "Anders Frisk says Rijkaard greeted him and apologised he had not had the opportunity to say hello before the game.

"We had two Uefa officials there and neither witnessed it. The referee's dressing room was locked and he and his assistants were the only people allowed in."

Uefa delegate Thomas Giordano added: "The only unusual thing that happened as far as we are concerned is that Chelsea failed to present themselves in the press conference.

"Nothing abnormal happened at half-time - the coach of Barcelona said hello to the referee, which seems to us an act of someone who is polite and well-educated."

Frisk was backed by Uefa's head of referees Jermund Nilsson, who said: "If the referee's observer thought something was wrong he would have said so. I am assured that Frisk did nothing wrong and from what I understand Chelsea have very definitely over reacted."

Ultimate10002000

25-02-2005, 04:51 PM

Blues want Rijkaard rapped

Chelsea have denied talk of a tunnel bust-up during Wednesday's Champions League tie in Barcelona but will complain about Frank Rijkaard.

Barcelona coach Rijkaard could face a reprimand by Uefa for talking to referee Anders Frisk inside the official's own dressing room during the half-time interval.

Rijkaard was witnessed leaving the room used by the Swedish official and that is almost certain to be the main thrust of Chelsea's imminent complaint to Uefa.

Uefa chiefs are likely to take a dim view of Rijkaard's actions which would appear to be highly inappropriate irrespective of the topic they discussed.

Chelsea have confirmed that they are in the process of making a strong protest to Uefa about Rijkaard's conversation with Frisk, although they have yet to accuse the Barca coach of entering the official's dressing room.

The Premiership leaders have also moved quickly to scotch stories of an alleged tunnel bust-up in which Mourinho was understood to have been kicked up the backside by Barcelona's assistant coach Henk Ten Cate.

Chelsea issued a further comment denying such an incident took place.

The statement read: "Following Chelsea's statement after the Barcelona match on Wednesday night, it is being reported through various media outlets that an incident occurred between Jose Mourinho and a member of the Barcelona coaching staff. This incident did not happen and Chelsea can therefore confirm that this will not form part of our report to Uefa which is currently being prepared."

However, the Londoners will be pressing Uefa to deal with Rijkaard's actions at half-time. It is understood that Rijkaard was seen leaving Frisk's dressing room during the interval.

Uefa has already claimed that their own tunnel representative witnessed nothing out of the ordinary during the half-time break and were waiting for the arrival of Frisk's report as well as Chelsea's complaint before investigating the matter further.

The Londoners could find themselves on the receiving end of a heavy fine for refusing to talk to the media after the 2-1 defeat in the Nou Camp.

Ultimate10002000

25-02-2005, 04:52 PM

Barca play down tunnel rumpus

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has brushed aside talk of a half-time bust-up in the tunnel during their Champions League clash with Chelsea on Wednesday.

The Blues are in the process of making a protest to Uefa about an alleged conversation Barca boss Frank Rijkaard had with referee Anders Frisk during the interval while allegations persist that Rijkaard was spotted leaving the room used by the Swedish official.

There were also suggestions that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was involved in an altercation with Azulgrana coaching staff, although the English side have moved quickly to scotch those rumours.

Puyol refused to accept that his coach was involved in any wrongdoing at half-time and preferred to talk about the game, which his side won 2-1 thanks to goals by Maxi Lopez and Samuel Eto'o.

"Nothing happened and it is of no importance to us," the Spain internation defender insisted.

"We are calm and all I can say is that the coach was very relaxed. We are only interested in playing football and that is all that there is to say."

Puyol added: "We got a good result although maybe we could have scored more.

"I don't think Chelsea will change their style of their play very much in the second leg and will wait for their opportunity.

"Before the game, we all knew our rivals' style of play, which is based on a very strong defence and breaking on the counter attack."

Rijkaard has declined to comment any further on the tunnel incident.

A club spokesman said: "He (Rijkaard) has said all that he wants to on the matter and does not feel that there is any benefit in further prolonging the issue.

"As far as he is concerned, it is all over with."

Ultimate10002000

25-02-2005, 04:53 PM

Half-time chat annoys Jose

Chelsea have complained to Uefa about a discussion between Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard and referee Anders Frisk at half-time on Wednesday.

The Blues refused to talk to the media after losing their Champions League last-16 first leg clash in the Nou Camp.

The game was overshadowed by numerous allegations of scuffles between opposing coaches and even a kick up the backside for Jose Mourinho during a heated discussion in the bowels of the stadium.

Mourinho refused to expand on his experiences but the club did confirm that they were to protest in the strongest possible terms to Uefa.

The spark for Mourinho's latest bout of indignation is once again the Chelsea manager's abject dislike of cosy chats between match officials and opposing managers.

Last month, Mourinho escaped action from the Football Association for his criticism of Neale Barry's discussion with Sir Alex Ferguson as they walked down the tunnel together at Stamford Bridge during their Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

This time the subject for his unhappiness was Frisk's discussion with Rijkaard during the interval, a chat that the Barca coach does not deny took place. But Chelsea have not complained to Uefa over suggestions that Barca's assistant coach Henk Ten Cate assaulted Mourinho with a kick on his backside during the scuffles.

Rijkaard, basking in the comfortable glow of a man whose team had beaten one of the best in Europe, denied anyone from Barcelona was responsible for the trouble and insisted that the Londoners were behaving badly.

Rijkaard said: "I was there and nothing happened. I wasn't the cause of the incident. I said something about the game in a very polite and informal way to the referee, so the reaction of some of the Chelsea side was a little bit exaggerated.

"It's not true that the referee went into our dressing room and I'm glad this rumour has come out because now it seems even more ridiculous to me. Maybe they want to start something and make it worse than than it is. I really don't understand it. I'm very calm about it.

"We didn't start anything and I didn't talk to the referee in an aggressive way. I was very polite. I think what they're talking about is very exaggerated.

"I'm also curious about what the Chelsea declaration will be. There was a lot of talking before the game and now surprisingly there's a lot of talking after the game. It's not good behaviour after a match. I was present and I've seen no incident. This isn't the correct way to behave."

Chelsea are understood to have been fuming after Mourinho spotted Rijkaard chatting to Frisk and a scuffle is then alleged to have broken out between Ten Cate and Chelsea's goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro. Ten Cate is also alleged to have assaulted the Chelsea manager by kicking him up the backside as tempers became heated.

Further exchanges are understood to have taken place between Mourinho and Frisk when the Swedish official tried to hurry Chelsea out for the second half.

Mourinho could now face Uefa sanctions for refusing to attend the post-match press conference while Rijkaard was just happy his side overcame a first-half own goal by Juliano Belletti to win 2-1 with second half goals from Maxi Lopez and Samuel Eto'o.

The Dutchman added: "My team deserved victory. That's all I am thinking now. I'm feeling joy at having won this match."

Ultimate10002000

26-02-2005, 07:42 PM

Ferguson turns heat up on Chelsea

Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Manchester United to ease their Champions League pain by piling more misery on under-fire Chelsea.
After spending the last three months desperately searching for a glimmer of hope in the Premiership title race, Ferguson has finally spotted the opening he craves.

Victories over Portsmouth at Old Trafford tomorrow and against relegation threatened Crystal Palace next Saturday would reduce Chelsea's lead to just three points by the time Jose Mourinho's resume their championship campaign at Norwich with an evening kick-off.

Although the Stamford Bridge outfit would then boast two games in hand, Ferguson has seen opponents crumble at United's feet in the past when the intensity reaches its greatest during the latter stages of the season.

And with Chelsea now suffering the stumble Ferguson predicted they would, the Scot believes United could not have any greater incentive to shrug off the bitter disappointment of Wednesday's home loss to AC Milan.

'This is a big opportunity for us,' said the Red Devils chief.

'All my players are aware of the situation. The chance of reducing the gap to six points this weekend is a major incentive.

'Every time you mention your opponents, it tends to be put down to psychological warfare, mind games and all that nonsense.

'I prefer to look at the facts. Everyone would agree, probably even Chelsea themselves, that they are not playing as well as they were five or six weeks ago.

'They have lost two important matches over the last few days, they have lost one important player (Arjen Robben) to injury, and, if they lose a league game, they don't have any real form to fall back on.

'What we have to do is win our own games and then hope Chelsea lose the one that would let us back in it.'

But a defiant Mourinho responded to suggestions that Chelsea are suffering a blip that will encourage Ferguson and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger by saying: 'They (Manchester United and Arsenal) can't speak to us about blips because they're not in a better position than us. We are top of the league by nine points and in the Carling Cup final.'

It is a source of regret to Ferguson that the first back-to-back defeats of Mourinho's managerial career have come in cup combat, although any attention diverted to the Portuguese coach's plight is miniscule compared to the damage limitation exercise he has carried out at United's Carrington training ground in the wake of Milan's triumph.

Unlike Chelsea's mishaps, the subject of Roy Carroll's part in Hernan Crespo's late winner was not a topic on Ferguson agenda, although the indications are that the Ulsterman will remain in the Red Devils' goal for tomorrow's televised clash.

'Roy has been in great form this season,' confirmed Ferguson.

'He has had a lot of good games and a lot of clean sheets, so we just move on.'

A far more enthusiastic response was received following confirmation Ruud van Nistelrooy will start for the first time in three months.

After finally overcoming the Achilles problem that has wrecked his season, the prolific Dutchman looked to be in clear need of match practice during his 30-minute re-appearance against Milan.

Ferguson felt van Nistelrooy's lack of recent action was a contributing factor in the late miss that would have brought his side back on level terms.

But, with two games to play before the return encounter at the San Siro, the United chief believes his brilliant striker will eventually have a major influence on the tie.

'Ruud will start tomorrow, and against Crystal Palace, so he will be far sharper for the Milan trip,' he said.

'If we had got a 0-0 draw on Wednesday I would really have fancied us to go through. As it is, we need a goal. But in Ruud we have a man capable of getting it because he can score against any defence in the world.

'Without doubt, he is the best predator I have ever known.'

Ferguson confirmed he will `freshen' his side up in a couple of positions, so veteran skipper Roy Keane may be asked to stand down, while van Nistelrooy's return could be the catalyst for Wayne Rooney to be given a rest.

Closing the gap on Chelsea remains the principle reason why Ferguson is demanding victory tomorrow, but there is also a revenge element to his planning.

It was at Fratton Park where United suffered their last Premiership defeat, a stunning 2-0 loss 16 games ago on October 30, just six days after they had spectacularly ended Arsenal's record 49-match unbeaten run.

There is still disbelief around Old Trafford circles at how such a potentially costly defeat could occur, although Ferguson has a pretty obvious answer.

'It was a hugely disappointing result because after the Arsenal game we were expecting a charge,' he said.

'But if you miss 18 chances in one match, you don't deserve to win.

'I am much more confident about our form now. We have been fantastic recently and we need to keep that up. This is a big, big weekend for us.'

Ultimate10002000

26-02-2005, 07:42 PM

Benitez craves cup winning mentality

Rafael Benitez is depending on the winning mentality of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Morientes to upset the odds and help Liverpool to their first trophy under his management.
The Spanish boss embarks on the first final in his short spell in charge at Anfield when he takes his underdogs to meet Chelsea in Sunday's Carling Cup final in Cardiff.

The Reds scored an impressive 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday, and with the suspended Gerrard and cup-tied Morientes now back in the fold Benitez believes he has a team with enough confidence and ability to upset Jose Mourinho's team.

'It is important for us to have Gerrard back, he has the right mentality for winning trophies,' Benitez said.

'Morientes is the same, he has won so many trophies with Real Madrid so it is important for us that we have these two players back because they have had a rest and were not playing in the Champions League. They will be fresh and certainly not tired.'

For Benitez, too, it is a special day in the Welsh capital as he seeks his first trophy in England.

But he admits that this is just the first of many he wants to win, adding: 'I have been told how important it is for us to win in Cardiff, where the side has won several times beforehand. But what I want is for us to be in the same position this time next season and looking to win trophies again.

'When I arrived in Liverpool I said the challenge was to win trophies, so if we can win this one it will be fantastic. But we are thinking about more than this one, our idea is that this will be the first stone in the wall as we start to build something.

'This could be the best moment to play Chelsea. They are favourites and we know they have spent a lot of money on players and are having a very good season.

'But now, after losing two games in a week it could be the best moment for us to be playing them. We will see.

'I like to play against good teams and Chelsea are the best because they are top of the league, so it is a challenge for me, one that I like.'

Benitez will also have defender Mauricio Pellegrino available after the former Valencia man was also cup-tied in midweek, while Harry Kewell is expected to be in the squad again after his first game since December in midweek following groin and Achilles injuries.

Ultimate10002000

26-02-2005, 07:43 PM

Gerrard up for the Carling cup

Steven Gerrard was on his very best positive behaviour as he prepared for Liverpool's bid to win the league cup for the third time in four seasons in Cardiff.
The Anfield captain was rapped this week by boss Rafael Benitez for sounding negative in a radio interview about Liverpool's chances of Champions League success.

But Gerrard was today keen to put the record straight, showing annoyance over what he considered a mischievous interpretation of his words.

With all the speculation about his future, and that it may well be at Chelsea, the last thing Gerrard wants now is to give the impression he is not right behind the Anfield cause.

He said: 'I did an interview while I was in Barcelona last week, and someone saved certain things I said until the day of the Champions League, that I didn't think we could win the Champions League.

'That was not how it was meant and not how I wanted it to come across.

'I was saying that the odds were against us winning it this year, but that doesn't mean we will not give it our best shot - but there are a lot of good teams left in the competition.'

Gerrard launched an impressive rallying call to his troops for more Cardiff glory, where they have already won three major cup finals in recent years.

Ahead of Sunday's Carling Cup final, he said: 'Confidence is high, all the lads are buzzing after the victory over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek and hopefully we will do the same on Sunday.

'I have already won two league cup winners' medals in Cardiff and now I want a hat-trick this time.

'The boys are really looking forward to causing an upset.

'I have scored in a league cup final already against Manchester United, hopefully it will happen again and I can pick up my third.'

The England midfielder added: 'We want this to be the boost we need for the league run-in.

'If you win a cup this early in the season as we have done before, it is a great feeling and a great situation for the club to have a trophy already won.

'It gives everyone a massive boost for the remainder of the season, that will give us a lift in our league form and the remainder of the Champions League.'

Ultimate10002000

26-02-2005, 07:43 PM

Chelsea press ahead with 'report'

COBHAM, England, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Chelsea still intend to write to UEFA about the refereeing controversy surrounding this week's 2-1 defeat by Barcelona in the Champions League.

Barca's Frank Rijkaard and Jose Mourinho disagree over the facts. (MikeEgerton/Empics)

'There was an incident at halftime we believe it is necessary to bring to the attention of UEFA,' said club spokesman Simon Greenberg on Friday.

'There is a mechanism for making observations, which is what we are doing. It is not an official protest ... an official protest is if we wanted the game to be replayed or something like that, which is not what we are asking for.'

After their defeat in the first leg of their Champions League knockout round match at the Nou Camp, Chelsea were upset about an incident at halftime when Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard had approached the Swedish referee, Anders Frisk.

On Friday, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made his first public comment since Wednesday's game, saying club officials should not talk to referees during a match.

Mourinho refused to comment after the game and, in a break with convention and UEFA guidelines, stopped his players giving interviews.

On Friday he still refused to comment on the Barcelona match directly. Asked if it was wrong to speak to a referee, the Portuguese coach said: 'It is one thing to talk - I normally don't do it - in the tunnel.

'Twenty people are in the tunnel and the referee is a man so you cannot say 'You cannot communicate.' Another thing is to speak to the referee in a private place.'

Rijkaard said after the game the matter had been exaggerated. He said he had talked to the referee in a friendly way and asked him something about the game.

UEFA said on Thursday it was puzzled by the whole affair as none of its officials saw anything untoward in the players' tunnel.

Last month Mourinho accused Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson of trying to influence the referee at halftime during a League Cup tie at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea and Liverpool play in the League Cup final on Sunday.

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 09:31 AM

Chelsea look to kick-start era of success

LONDON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard hopes a victory over Liverpool in Sunday's League Cup final in Cardiff will mark the beginning of an era of sustained success for the London club.
'It's very important to win trophies. I hope this will be the first of many,' said the England midfielder, who has yet to notch up a major title in his career.

The 26-year-old was also quick to dismiss critics who hold that the League Cup is a lesser competition and that Chelsea were able to coast into the final.

'It's not been a weak competition as people like to say,' said Lampard, whose side eliminated his former club West Ham United, Newcastle United, Fulham and then Manchester United in a memorable two-legged semi-final.

Mourinho said Chelsea had had a tougher path to the final than Liverpool, who met two second division sides as they beat Millwall, Middlesbrough, Tottenham Hotspur and Watford.

He added, however, that on Sunday the two teams would start on equal terms.

'When you look at the Premier League it looks like a big difference, I don't know, 20 points or 25 points but the difference between the teams is not big.

'We are not favourites, in my opinion there are no favourites in finals. They have very good players and a very good manager.

'They can prepare for the game very well, they gave us two very difficult matches (in the league).'

The rival managers, Mourinho and Rafael Benitez are both looking for a trophy that will seal their first season in the English game and it is the only domestic chance for Liverpool's Spanish boss.

Chelsea were still in line only a week ago for four trophies including the Champions League but defeat at Newcastle in the FA Cup has left them with three.

They hold a nine-point lead in the Premier League, their main goal, with 11 games to go but a second successive loss, 2-1 away to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday, has put another trophy in greater doubt.

Lampard, reacting to questions as to whether doubts might now be getting the better of Chelsea, said that when teams played well and were winning regularly 'people are waiting for you to lose one, but that doesn't mean it's all downhill now.'

Team captain John Terry echoed that sentiment when he said Sunday gave Chelsea 'a chance to shut people up'.

'We played two very good teams (Newcastle and Barcelona) and were a bit unlucky,' said Terry, who is also looking for his first major trophy. 'But we are still very confident.'

Lampard does not believe the Liverpool fans will give him a hard time after his tackle on Xavi Alonso in the teams' Premier League meeting on New Year's Day resulted in a broken ankle for the Spaniard, who has not played since and misses Sunday's final.

'I apologised and I think people who know me know that that's not my style,' he said.

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 09:32 AM

Gerrard dreaming of cup final glory

LIVERPOOL, England, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will fulfil a lifelong ambition if his side beat Chelsea on Sunday and allow him to hold aloft the League Cup.
Gerrard has twice won the trophy with Liverpool (in 2001 and 2003) but never as skipper, and he is relishing the possibility of picking up the cup at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

'It would be massive. It's something I've dreamed of since I was a young boy,' the 24-year-old midfielder told a news conference on Friday.

'I've been here since I was eight years of age and I've always dreamed of playing in cup finals. To be the captain is that little bit extra special.

'Hopefully it will be a good team performance and I will be lifting it (the cup) on Sunday. I've been to two (League Cup finals) and won them both, so hopefully the hat-trick will come on Sunday.

'We're all confident we can win the game, although we will be underdogs. We are looking to cause an upset.'

Gerrard was also part of the Liverpool side that won the FA Cup in Cardiff in 2001 and the England international is hoping his side's fine record at the Millennium Stadium can help them upset the form book and beat the Premier League leaders to leave manager Jose Mourinho waiting for his first Chelsea success.

He added: 'We've had some fantastic memories. Most of the important finals we've played there we've won, so hopefully that will continue on Sunday.

'They have had two defeats (this week) so their confidence may be a little bit down and people say it's a good time to play them.

'But good sides usually bounce back after getting beaten once, and certainly twice, so Chelsea could be a bit like a wounded animal, although hopefully not against us, and they can save it for the week after.'

Liverpool have won the League Cup a record seven times.

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 09:32 AM

Villa striker Cole 'out for six weeks'

Aston Villa's on-loan striker Carlton Cole could be out for six weeks with a knee injury.

Carlton Cole: Injury blow (MatthewAshton/Empics)

Chelsea, Cole's parent club, will now decide whether the England Under-21 international will require any surgery to solve the problem.

The 21-year-old suffered the setback when in action for Peter Taylor's team against Holland in the friendly international at Pride Park earlier this month.

It was the latest blow in a season which began full of promise but has been hit by a loss of form and fitness, Cole has not found the net for Villa since August.

Villa manager David O'Leary said: 'Carlton will be out of action for four to six weeks after being on the end of what was a bad challenge with the Under-21s.

'I won't be able to tell you whether he will need an operation until maybe next week. I don't think it will be serious - even if he does need it - but whether he has an operation has got to be left to Chelsea.

'We won't play a part in that because Carlton is their player, their property and worth money to them.

'He will go back to Chelsea and be assessed by them and there will be consultation with our people as well. But they will make the definitive decision.

'If we had someone on loan who got injured, we would do the same because we would have to safeguard our property, our money.'

Cole also struggled with an ankle problem earlier in the season but O'Leary was unable to give him a breather because the only other fit striker available was Juan Pablo Angel.

But the emergence of rookie Luke Moore and return to fitness of Darius Vassell after four months out with a broken ankle has partially improved O'Leary's situation.

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 09:37 AM

Today is the day to see whether Chelsea is able to go for a cup glory or lose the title shot. The Carling Cup match is consider to be the most crucial match for Chelsea so far. A victory could boost their team morale and confidence. A loss means thats it, another cup fly away. Hope to see Chelsea lift up their first trophy of the season.

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 10:41 AM

Ranieri ponders Prem return

Claudio Ranieri is not likely to rush back into management but would consider returning to England at some stage in the future, according to a source close to the Italian.

The former Chelsea manager was sacked on Friday by Valencia after a disappointing run of results culminated in the Uefa Cup holders being dumped out of the competition on penalties by Steaua Bucharest.

It is understood Ranieri had two offers to manage teams in England last summer before accepting a return to Valencia - and he might opt to come back to these shores, possibly at the end of the season rather than straight away.

The 53-year-old coach is understood to want a break from football for a few months before seeing what options are open to him across Europe.

And despite the way his exit from Chelsea was handled, he is not understood to be bitter and would relish a return to the Premiership.

Ranieri was forced out of Stamford Bridge after he failed to deliver any silverware in the first season of the Roman Abramovich era.

His dismissal was an open secret for months, particularly after Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon made it clear that finishing second in the Premier League would be considered a failure.

Kenyon was photographed discussing "possibilities" with England coach Sven Goran Eriksson about managing the London club while Ranieri was still at the helm.

When Eriksson agreed a new contract with the Football Association shortly after the meeting with Kenyon became public knowledge, the club turned their attentions to Jose Mourinho - with Ranieri even able to say before he left Chelsea that he knew who his successor would be.

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 10:42 AM

Gerrard ready for Lampard battle

Steven Gerrard is preparing to fight it out with England colleague Frank Lampard for the right to lift the Carling Cup.

Arguably the two best midfield players in England confront each other in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium as Liverpool and Chelsea clash in the first major final of the season.

And Gerrard, who will be skippering Liverpool in a cup final for the first time, believes the game will be determined by the battle in midfield.

Many have predicted Gerrard could be playing alongside Lampard at Stamford Bridge next season but, for now, his only concern is a third League Cup winners' medal.

He said: "Chelsea play three in midfield, it is their big strength with Lampard at the centre of things and they control games from there and feed their excellent front players.

"That is how they have worked all season so it is important that come Sunday we dominate midfield because that will have a big, big say in the outcome."

Boss Rafael Benitez has spent all week working on a gameplan to counter Chelsea, and that could well mean Harry Kewell is left on the bench, particularly as the Australian is still troubled by a groin injury.

For the Premiership game at Anfield earlier in the season, Liverpool used a system with Gerrard pushed forward in support of a lone front man - this time it will be Fernando Morientes - with two holding central midfielders.

That confused Lampard and left him looking over his shoulder too often at where Gerrard was.

It was only Lampard's heavy tackle on Xabi Alonso, which broke the Spaniard's ankle and has ruled him out ever since, that caused Liverpool to push Gerrard back and scuppered their carefully-laid plans.

This time Benitez could well pair the improved Igor Biscan and Dietmar Hamann behind an advanced Gerrard, with Luis Garcia and John Arne Riise in wide roles, leaving Milan Baros on the bench.

Gerrard has not revealed anything but, having witnessed Chelsea's successive defeats by Newcastle and Barcelona, he fears Liverpool could face the backlash.

He said: "Chelsea are a good side and they could be like a wounded animal after what has happened to them. I just hope it is not against us but they save the backlash for the week after.

"But their confidence may well be a bit down after two defeats in a week and people will say it is a good time to play them. But a good side usually bounces back after being beaten once, and certainly after two defeats.

"But it doesn't matter what has happened to Chelsea in the past week, we are still the underdogs. That puts a lot more pressure on Chelsea which is what we like.

"If you look at the table it shows they are more consistent than us, but come the final all that goes out of the window. It's a one-off game and whoever plays the best will control the game."

He added: "If you look at our games against Chelsea, I know we have lost both of them but it has only been a fine line on both occasions where we have come unstuck.

"Although the league says we are 25 points behind them I do not think there is anywhere near as much a gap between the clubs as that.

"Chelsea can be assured that they will be in for a very difficult game. They are a good side but so are we and we know we can win in Cardiff."

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 10:42 AM

Boss fears player burnout

Sam Allardyce believes England's finest performed so poorly in the opening games of the Champions League knockout stages because they were worn out.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all suffered defeats against Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan respectively.

Only Liverpool will take a lead into the second leg after overcoming Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield.

Allardyce stated: "It could tell you the other teams have a winter break and are fresher when the Champions League restarts.

"We go in on the back of a lot of games in a short space of time.

"We have to look at the competitive edge asked of players on a regular basis if we want to become European champions again.

"It takes its toll when players are turning out with knocks and bruises and are not quite 100%.

"People say what difference would a break of say a week make but it makes a huge amount of difference.

"One of the reasons I have taken my players the last four years to Dubai and Tenerife is to relax more and recover more. We have been at our best at the end of the season, which we are hoping for again.

"The biggest defeat was the one by United at home for the Italians are very good at defending a lead. But hopefully at least two of the four will go through."

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 10:43 AM

Lampard wary of Gerrard threat

Frank Lampard has set his sights on overcoming one of the finest midfielders in Europe - Liverpool's Steven Gerrard - to win the first major medal of his career in Sunday's Carling Cup final.

Lampard and Gerrard could have been lining up together for club and country this season if the Liverpool captain had not completed a late U-turn on a proposed move to Chelsea.

Having played alongside Gerrard for England, Lampard knows the task facing not only him but also Claude Makelele in Cardiff.

"Steven is a fantastic player. I would always put him at the top of the list of midfield players in this country and in Europe," he said.

"It is an important battle for us to win. We will probably have a few bodies in there, and it is important every one of us performs."

Even after their elimination from the FA Cup, the Carling Cup is hardly Chelsea's over-riding priority this season.

For all of his belief in his team, Jose Mourinho claims they still have a better chance of winning the Premiership title than Sunday's one-off game.

But it would still provide a foundation stone for any future successes, with several Chelsea players never having previously lifted a trophy.

"I have not won a really important one before - just the FA Youth Cup and the InterToto Cup at West Ham," admitted Lampard.

"If I do have the medals I don't know where they are!

"People can talk about money - and, of course, it's important to all of us. But a player at a club like Chelsea has to have ambition to win. You have to want to be a winner.

"In fact, there is a nice mixture - a lot of us hungry for our first medals and a lot of players with experience of Champions League medals."

It is no wonder, therefore, that Lampard is not too perturbed by Chelsea's back-to-back defeats by Newcastle and Barcelona in the past week.

"There are two defeats. But the Newcastle game was one of strange circumstances, and the Barcelona tie is not yet finished - and we have an away goal," he said.

"We should not be all doom and gloom or be on a downer. That would be silly. There are too many important games for us to be sulking or to have our heads down."

While William Gallas is Chelsea's main doubt with a groin injury, Damien Duff and Didier Drogba have both been passed fit.

With Carlo Cudicini suspended, that leaves Mourinho to decide on a possible replacement for Tiago in midfield - as well as choosing between Joe Cole and Eidur Gudjohnsen.

He is also refusing to panic at two defeats in four days - even if he acknowledges the threat posed by Liverpool.

Mourinho concluded: "If Chelsea win the Premiership the season will be historic, fantastic and a wonderful step for the future of the club.

"But if we could add something extra, like the Carling Cup, it would be magnificent."

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 10:44 AM

Fergie enters Chelsea row

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has entered the war of words between Chelsea and Barcelona.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has accused both Barcelona counterpart Frank Rijkaard and Ferguson of influencing referees during matches this season.

He claims Rijkaard went into referee Anders Frisk's dressing room during half-time of Wednesday's Champions League clash at the Nou Camp, where Chelsea lost 2-1.

But Ferguson told The Sun: "I don't know enough about Mourinho to say whether he is a sore loser. But you have to trust these referees because they are supposed to be the best.

"It's interesting that the Barcelona people say Chelsea started it.

"Barca claim one of Chelsea's coaches had a go at someone and that is exactly what happened with us at Stamford Bridge.

"Some guy had a go at me. I don't know what they were trying to do but there was some method there."

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 10:45 AM

Jose's premier ambition

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted the Carling Cup is not a priority for his side as they prepare for the final against Liverpool.

Until last week, the Blues were being tipped for an unprecedented quadruple as they pursued the Premiership, FA Cup, Champions League and Carling Cup.

But after being knocked out of the FA Cup at Newcastle last weekend, and suffering a midweek 2-1 loss in the first leg of their Champions League tie with Barcelona, expectations at Stamford Bridge have been scaled down this week.

The Portuguese manager has said that the Premiership remains the priority, and that anything else is a bonus.

"If Chelsea win the Premiership the season will be historic, fantastic and a wonderful step for the future of the club," he said.

"But if we could add something extra, like the Carling Cup, it would be magnificent."

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 10:45 AM

Cole ready for big time

Joe Cole is determined to help ensure the youth and vigour imbued in Chelsea by Jose Mourinho proves key to an era of unprecedented success at Stamford Bridge.

Cole has warned Carling Cup final opponents Liverpool the Blues are in the mood to win the first of many trophies under Mourinho at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

The former West Ham midfielder approaches the final with plenty of individual confidence, having twice come off the bench to score the winner against Liverpool in the Premiership this season.

He does not yet know whether he has done enough to earn a place in Mourinho's line-up - but if Liverpool hope Chelsea are ripe for the taking after two successive defeats, it appears they may be sadly mistaken.

Cole traces the Blues' steadfast self-belief under Mourinho to the very beginning of the ex-Porto manager's tenure in west London.

"In one of the first meetings we had with the manager, he said that individually the squad had not won anything much," Cole recalls.

"I think that was good thing to say, because it kept everyone's feet on the floor. We know we haven't won anything as individuals - but with this team, we could win everything.

"Being a hungry player is a massive thing Jose looks for.

"Chelsea could go out and buy the big superstars of 28, 29 and 30 who have been there and done it all. But maybe Jose prefers the younger players who have fire in their belly and want to do well."

That is the attitude Cole is confident has helped him and his team-mates establish their lead at the top of the Premiership.

"Look at the games at Blackburn, Everton and Liverpool - matches away from home where we have really had to dig in," he said.

"To a player who has been there and done it all, it might not mean that much - but you can see how much those results meant to this Chelsea team.

"We have been accused of most of things this season, but nobody can say we don't dig in and fight for each other.

"The prominence of centre-half John Terry and the extra players we've brought in over the years has made us a solid team. But it was only three or four years ago that we were seen as a soft touch. We have improved a lot in that respect."

Cole is therefore convinced Mourinho's Chelsea will never fail for lack of team spirit.

After a week in which they have been dumped out of the FA Cup by Newcastle and beaten by Barcelona in the Champions League, Cole insists the will to win is stronger than ever.

"There is no doubt in this squad," he boasts.

"Look at the games we've played in the last week and look at how we lost.

"Newcastle was down to a freakish injury, and the Barcelona game turned on a bad decision by the referee to send off Didier Drogba in the second half."

Cole admits he for one still has plenty to prove - and therefore an unshakable will to succeed.

"I've only ever won the FA Youth Cup in my career, and there are a lot of us who have not won anything," he said.

"We are coming to an age where we are expected to be winning trophies, and that's what will drive us on.

"It's not a pressure for us; we are just so excited about the possibility of winning our first trophy."

For Cole, it cannot come soon enough.

"I still feel Chelsea could be the greatest club in the world," he said.

"We've got a solid base, a chairman with lots of money and players who are hungry and want to play for the club.

"Everything is right for us to win trophies, and we are ready to win them now - whereas last year we didn't have the strong mentality needed to do that. Now we are ready.

"I have talked about winning the Carling Cup with the other lads. We try to imagine what it will be like to lift the trophy and be running around Cardiff with it. We even talk about who is going where in the line should we win it!"

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 10:46 AM

Mourinho: Failure not an option

Jose Mourinho's determination to bring silverware to Stamford Bridge this season is fired by the fear of failure.

Indeed, the Chelsea boss believes his Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez would still be handed another contract if he went three years without a trophy on Merseyside.

Yet Mourinho insists he would be out on his ear if he failed to deliver in the same time span and that is one of the main reasons for the all-consuming quest for glory in his first season in England.

Ahead of Sunday's Carling Cup final against the Reds in Cardiff, Mourinho said: "Imagine the worst possibility. If Benitez is in Liverpool, for example, three seasons and wins no trophies, I still believe Liverpool would give him another contract so he could try and achieve his first piece of silverware.

"If I arrive at the end of my contract without silverware, the next day my bags would be packed and I would be on the plane home.

"It is because of the money Chelsea are spending and the pressure on Chelsea to win something.

"The pressure is not on me because I don't want that kind of pressure but the reality is that English football is waiting for Chelsea to win silverware.

"But I also know what Benitez can do in Liverpool, maybe not this season, but next season they will be with Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal in the fight for the title.

"Liverpool is a team with ambition. Benitez doesn't come to England to spend his time here, he comes here to make Liverpool a winning team. Maybe he has more time to do it than I have because of the circumstances but he wants to win a trophy."

And Mourinho even prepared Chelsea's fans for the unpalatable possibility of returning home from Cardiff without the Carling Cup.

"Everybody thinks the same in a final," he added.

"My players, his players and the fans, everybody goes there to win. Nobody believes you can go home without the cup but the reality is different, you can go home without it.

"When you reach the final, it becomes very important even for teams like us and Liverpool, even though we know we will reach Europe by another route."

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 10:47 AM

Gallas gamble for Chelsea

William Gallas is Chelsea's main doubt for Sunday's Carling Cup final against Liverpool, but Damien Duff and Didier Drogba have been passed fit and will start up front alongside either Joe Cole or Eidur Gudjohnsen.

If Gallas passes a late fitness test on a groin injury, Mourinho will keep faith with the same defence but, if not, Glen Johnson looks set to replace him, with Paulo Ferreira shifting to left-back.

Tiago could be rested, with Jiri Jarosik among the contenders to replace the midfielder, Petr Cech will start in goal with Carlo Cudicini suspended, while Wayne Bridge, Scott Parker, Robert Huth and Arjen Robben are out injured.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Pidgeley, Ferreira, Johnson, Gallas, Terry, Carvalho, Nuno Morais, Lampard, Makelele, Tiago, Smertin, Geremi, Cole, Jarosik, Duff, Gudjohnsen, Drogba, Kezman.

inf_zer0

27-02-2005, 01:25 PM

I already make a thread about it but ill post it again anyway :D

Chelsea's Robben could be in line for Barca return

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea could be boosted by an unexpectedly quick return from injury by Arjen Robben in time for the second leg of their Champions League tie with Barcelona on March 8, a British Sunday newspaper said.

Robben, who fractured his left foot in two places during Chelsea's 1-0 win at Blackburn on February 2, missed the first leg of the first knockout round tie in Barcelona on Wednesday, which Jose Mourinho's side lost 2-1. It had been feared he could be out of action for up to two months.

Chelsea, who meet Liverpool in Sunday's League Cup final in Cardiff, have lost two games in a row for the first time under Mourinho after they were eliminated from the FA Cup by Newcastle United last weekend. "I hope he can be back in time to play against Barcelona and I will try to help him make that happen," the Mail on Sunday quoted Jean Pierre Meersseman, a Belgian foot specialist treating Robben, as saying.

"I put everything right with Arjen's foot the last time I saw him 12 days ago," Meersseman said of the 21-year-old Dutch international, a key player who has missed Chelsea's last four games which include only one victory.

"I know he was pleased with what I did and now that he is running again I am due to see him one more time. I will see him again in the next few days."

Ultimate10002000

27-02-2005, 04:41 PM

Oh good hope to see Robben back into action as soon as possible.

Fat_Hope

28-02-2005, 12:11 PM

ya we missing him badly...joe cole CMI....

kahmun7

28-02-2005, 03:47 PM

something interesting.
i was looking through the news and features section on chelsea tv online yesterday and saw an interview with... BRYAN ADAMS! haha..
he's a season ticket holder since 1985.. Jose was asked to sing summer of 69 but he laughingly declined.. wish i could save and link it up somewhere if not of the stupid m$ drm thing..
er.. a bit late.. but Bryan Adams is a Chelsea fan... he sang the song We Gonna Win in 1995 especially for Chelsea FC... Bryan Adams fan here.. not a Chelsea Fan... :D

cheapos

28-02-2005, 03:51 PM

yep... the interview was quite funny heh..

Ultimate10002000

28-02-2005, 07:56 PM

Gerrard left devastated by own goal

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was left devastated after his Liverpool side were beaten to the Carling Cup in extra-time by Chelsea.
Gerrard scored an unfortunate equalising own goal in the 79th minute after Liverpool had taken an early lead through Jon Arne Riise.

'It's very hard to take,' the England midfielder said.

'Credit to Chelsea, they deserved the win and we have got to pick ourselves up, we've got other things to play for. But it is tough to take,' he told Sky Sports.

'We scored early on - maybe a bit too early - but we were happy with the goal and tried to see the clock out but they got a lovely own goal by myself, when we were 15 minutes away from lifting the cup ourselves.

'It's very painful, losing any game is painful but especially cup finals and an own goal. It has been a bad day for me but I've got to pick myself up.'

Ultimate10002000

28-02-2005, 07:57 PM

Benitez: Only luck denied us

CARDIFF, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez said only bad luck denied his team a League Cup final triumph over Chelsea after their 3-2 extra-time defeat on Sunday.
Liverpool were 1-0 up after only 43 seconds and created further second-half chances for Dietmar Hamann and captain Steven Gerrard before a late own goal by Gerrard kept his team on the pitch for the decisive final half-hour.

'I was disappointed,' the Spaniard told a news conference. 'When you're winning 1-0 and you have two clear chances to finish the game - and then you score an own goal at the end you can say that it's bad luck.'

Defending his team's performance, which was spent mainly on the defensive, Benitez said: 'We must be proud because they tried to do their best. If you run, you work and you try, you can't do any more. I feel we did the things we needed to do.

'Against a team like Chelsea, you need to control the space and afterwards try to make good counter-attacks. And we did those things. If you have two or three clear chances, it means you have done your job.

'But you need luck to score, to finish.'

Asked whether he felt particularly sorry for Gerrard, Benitez said: 'It's a pity for the team and for the supporters - because we have maybe the best supporters in England.

'When you concede a goal like this it's not a problem for one player but for the team.'

Ultimate10002000

28-02-2005, 07:57 PM

Liverpool 2-3 Chelsea: FT Report

PA

Jose Mourinho endured a controversial afternoon as he clinched his first piece of silverware with Chelsea after a 3-2 extra-time victory over Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium.

Chelsea's Joe Cole and Hary Kewell clash (CliveBrunskill/GettyImages)

Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman bundled in the winners in a dramatic finale, but their manager was not even there to watch.

For the Chelsea boss's halo, if one ever existed, had slipped another notch after he was sent from the touchline in disgrace following another unseemly brush with officialdom.

Chelsea fans will not care a jot. After all, in his first season, Mourinho had just brought the club their first trophy in five years and only the 10th major success in their entire history.

However, just days after refusing to speak publicly after his defeat to Barcelona, amid complaints at Anders Frisk's conduct in the Nou Camp, he again courted controversy in the Millennium Stadium.

This time around, Mourinho, who was earlier warned for berating Liverpool players, was censured for seemingly inciting their fans by putting a finger to his lips after their late equaliser.

That came 12 minutes from time when Steven Gerrard, the one player Mourinho had failed to sign last summer, inadvertently headed the Blues back into contention with an own goal to equalise John Arne Riise's early strike.

Mourinho was immediately sent off and let himself and his club down in the process. What is more, he missed a fantastic finale.

For with Drogba and Kezman on target from close range, Chelsea completed a remarkable recovery and not even a late goal by Antonio Nunez was enough to halt them.

The 'blip', following consecutive defeats by Newcastle and Barcelona had been laid to rest, even if a whole new can of worms over Mourinho's behaviour had been opened.

Then again, he had shown one side of character before kick-off when Carlo Cudicini, who was denied a promised start by suspension, was allowed to lead the Chelsea team out.

However, his first-choice goalkeeper, Petr Cech, found himself picking the ball out of the back of his net with just 45 seconds gone inside the Millennium Stadium.

Chelsea's defence may have been the cornerstone of their progress this season but they remained uncharacteristically rooted to the spot as Fernando Morientes arced over a searching deep cross.

Riise was unmarked at the far post, although the Norwegian still needed to produce a thunderous first-time volley to leave Cech rooted to the spot.

Gerrard responded by setting the example in winning his first full-blooded 50-50 tackle with Frank Lampard.

And with Luis Garcia in behind Morientes, Liverpool were able to pressurise Chelsea's three-man central midfield, with Lampard's influence curtailed.

It was left to Joe Cole to provide Chelsea's impetus but there was precious little of that as Jerzy Dudek did well to divert Drogba's shot around the post from the midfielder's through-ball.

Jamie Carragher was otherwise in commanding form, even if central defensive colleague Sami Hyypia came close to being sent off just after the break.

Hyypia, who had already been booked, brought down Cole and referee Steve Bennett looked set to issue another yellow card before realising what this would entail.

Hyypia instead escaped and Mourinho started to lose his temper as he berated both Luis Garcia and Carragher from the touchline as the match grew in intensity.

The Chelsea boss had nevertheless already influenced the outcome with his introduction of Eidur Gudjohnsen at half-time, replacing the ineffective Jiri Jarosik.

Gudjohnsen re-energised his team as Chelsea laid siege to the Liverpool goal, even if Steve Finnan denied Drogba and Dudek conjured up a fantastic double save from first Gudjohnsen and then William Gallas.

Liverpool were sitting deep and defending hard, although Cech still needed to foil Dietmar Hamann on a rare counter-attack.

Benitez increased the pressure by bringing on Milan Baros and, just moments later, Gerrard came agonisingly close to putting his side 2-0 up only to divert Nunez's cross inches wide.

Terry also just denied Baros, but it was Chelsea who broke away next and, after Hamann had brought down Lampard in full flight, the Blues duly equalised.

Gerrard jumped highest to meet Paulo Ferreira's flighted delivery but succeeded only in diverting the ball past Dudek.

Mourinho could not contain his celebrations and was dismissed from the touchline. Still Chelsea pressed, however, and Dudek needed to performed further miracles to keep Duff at bay.

The Poland international was injured in the process and, with his side's three substitutes already on, it was a nervous wait for Benitez before he carried on.

Lampard shot wide, but so too did Baros, as the match was taken into extra-time.

Both sides continued to trade blows thereafter, with Drogba striking the post with a header, while Biscan nodded an effort just over the top.

Just a minute into the second period of extra-time, Hyypia failed to cut out substitute Glen Johnson's long throw and Drogba bundled the ball over the goal-line from close range.

Tensions threatened to boil over as Hamann and Claude Makelele were warned after a shoving match, but Chelsea struck again.

Dudek failed to hold Gudjohnsen's fierce cross and Kezman succeeded in prodding the ball just over the line before the keeper could react in time.

Liverpool rallied immediately, with Nunez just beating Cech to a header as he flicked the ball into the net.

However, Chelsea held out - and Mourinho was guaranteed a hero's reception from the Chelsea fans when he finally reappeared after the final whistle.

Ultimate10002000

28-02-2005, 07:57 PM

FA considering Mourinho action

The Football Association are weighing up whether to start an investigation into Jose Mourinho's controversial gesture during Chelsea's Carling Cup final success.

The fourth official warns Mourinho. (BenRadford/GettyImages)

The FA were awaiting the official match report from referee Steve Bennett, who has already confirmed that details of the incident would be included.

Mourinho was asked to leave the pitchside shortly after raising his finger to his lips when Steven Gerrard's late own goal equaliser enabled Chelsea to go on and secure an extra-time victory.

The Chelsea boss apologised but insisted his gesture was aimed at media critics, who were on the other side of the stadium, rather than the thousands of Liverpool fans, who were sitting just behind him.

'I have a lot of respect for Liverpool fans. What I did, the sign of silence - 'shut your mouth' - was not for them. It was for the English Press,' he declared.

'But if I made a mistake and did something that I cannot do in English football, then I have to adapt and understand where I am.'

Whether that explanation saves him from his second FA charge of the season - having previously accused Manchester United players of 'cheating' in their Carling Cup semi-final - remains to be seen.

The FA are likely to evaluate Bennett's report and then ask Mourinho to explain his comments before deciding upon whether to charge him with misconduct.

Touchline bans and fines have previously tended to be directed at managers who abuse or criticise match officials, although goading the crowd - even if they were not his intended target - is still potentially a serious matter.

Mourinho had claimed that he was ordered to move from the touchline by a police officer, who was understood to have been worried by the public order implications of his gesture.

However, South Wales Police today made it clear that the decision was ultimately taken by the fourth official, Phil Crossley, and this could actually help Mourinho's cause.

The Chelsea boss also maintained that a wave to a similar section of the ground had been directed at his wife after he was encouraged back onto the pitch by striker Didier Drogba after the final whistle.

Drogba revealed: 'We win as a team, lose as a team and celebrate as a team. It didn't matter who got him out on the pitch, we just wanted him out there.'

Mourinho then made a point of shaking the hands of every Liverpool player and staff member, including Gerrard, whom he tried to sign last summer.

The Chelsea boss insisted: 'Why can't I shake his hand? I shook the hands of everyone from Liverpool. Steven Gerrard is just one more Liverpool player and the Liverpool captain.'

But has Mourinho lost the plot?

September 19 - After Tottenham hold out for a goal-less draw at Stamford Bridge Mourinho claimed: 'If I paid £50 to see this match I would have been frustrated because only one team was trying to play football.' This was his first intimidation of Premiership opponents, criticising others' defensive qualities and discouraging teams to park their 'team bus' in front of their goal. Mourinho knows his gameplan is at its most effective when opponents are caught up the pitch by the Blues' pace. CALCULATED.

January 28 - Mourinho is charged with improper conduct by the Football Association after comments he made after the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United. Mourinho, angered when United boss Sir Alex Ferguson spoke to referee Neale Barry at half-time and by United's second-half tactics, said: 'Sir Alex was very clever, if you can say that, at half-time by putting some pressure on the ref. In the second half it was whistle and whistle, fault and fault, cheat and cheat.' Perhaps attempting to influence the officials in the second leg. CALCULATED.

January 30 - A Sunday newspaper reports Mourinho, chief executive Peter Kenyon and Arsenal's Ashley Cole had a meeting in the Royal Park Hotel at Lancaster Gate - allegations constituting an illegal approach. Less than a week later the Premier League launch an inquiry. Such a move - if proved - suggests a disregard for authority. CALCULATED.

February 23 - Following a 2-1 Champions League defeat in Barcelona - in which Didier Drogba was sent off - Mourinho revealed his anger at an alleged half-time incident where Barca manager Frank Rijkaard was accused of entering referee Anders Frisk's dressing room. The Chelsea manager and all of his staff refused to attend the post-match press conference and the club stated they would be making an official complaint. Rijkaard protested his innocence and UEFA's official observers witnessed nothing untoward. More mind games between legs of an important knockout clash. CALCULATED.

February 27 - An own goal from Liverpool's Steve Gerrard drew his side level at 1-1 in the Carling Cup final. Mourinho wandered along the touchline in front of the Liverpool fans putting his fingers to his lips, which incensed a number of the crowd. The Chelsea manager was then asked to leave the bench and go back inside the stadium. He later claimed his gesture was aimed at the media, who were nevertheless positioned at the other side of the pitch. LOST IT.

Ultimate10002000

28-02-2005, 08:00 PM

Well congratulation to Chelsea for winning their first trophy of the season. A good performance for the Blues and thats why they can win Liverpool and land their hand on the Carling Cup. Of course luck is more on their side. With this silverware it will definitely increase the team confidence and morale, hope to see another silverware on its way to Chelsea side.

inf_zer0

28-02-2005, 11:07 PM

yep,congrats man....finally our first trophy of the season :D What a day :s13:

Ultimate10002000

01-03-2005, 03:48 PM

Chelsea must do its best in the upcoming EPL match and it is a must win game otherwise Man U will overtake Chelsea as Man U is in superb good form.

Ultimate10002000

02-03-2005, 12:14 PM

UEFA's Chelsea verdict on hold

Chelsea's report to UEFA over the alleged behaviour of Frank Rijkaard at half-time of their Champions League first leg will not be heard until after the tie is over.

Barca's Frank Rijkaard and Jose Mourinho disagree over the facts. (MikeEgerton/Empics)

Blues boss Jose Mourinho was incensed by a claimed exchange between Barcelona manager Rijkaard and referee Anders Frisk at the Nou Camp last Wednesday and accused his counterpart of entering the official's dressing room during the interval.

The Premiership leaders are to follow up with a report to Europe's governing body and the allegations will be scrutinised by UEFA's control and disciplinary board on March 24, more than a fortnight after the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, who trail the Spanish giants 2-1 ahead of next Tuesday's match, submitted their observations even though Rijkaard protested his innocence and UEFA's official observers witnessed nothing untoward on the night.

UEFA's disciplinary commission will assess Chelsea's grievance, taking into account the referee and delegates' reports, while Barcelona are also permitted to submit a statement to the hearing - held behind closed doors - should they so wish.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are likely to face punishment for Mourinho's failure to attend an obligatory post-match press conference.

And the Blues' late appearance for the second half - a technical breach of the regulations - may also be seen unfavourably.

Ultimate10002000

02-03-2005, 12:15 PM

The mastery of Mourinho

Norman Hubbard

Kicked up the backside (allegedly), kicked out of the first final of his Chelsea career and kicked when he was down, Jose Mourinho has endured a memorable week.

Jose Mourinho and Frank Rijkaard's enmity spills over in the Nou Camp. (AdamDavy/Empics)

It ended with a winner from his most maligned player, Mateja Kezman, in the Carling Cup final. While Cardiff echoed to chants of 'Jose Mourinho', the subject of the Chelsea fans' adoration was watching the final somewhere in the depths of the Millennium Stadium, apparently yelling at a mute television in Portuguese.

Mourinho was removed from the touchline on the orders of the local constabulary. Not content with riling referees, rival managers and even UEFA, he showed it takes a special talent to antagonise the police. His gestures seemed more impudent than incendiary but the FA - set to become closer acquainted with Mourinho as the charges against him mount - will surely summon the Chelsea manager to Soho Square.

And that, it seemed, was that. The celebrations would proceed without Mourinho. Except that, prompted by Didier Drogba, Mourinho made a regal return, escorted to the scene of his triumph, to watch John Terry lift Chelsea's first trophy in five seasons.

Seven days earlier, Mourinho's momentous week began as Chelsea hobbled out of the FA Cup at Newcastle. Back at Barcelona, he began a process of weaning himself out of Catalan affections with an attack on Frank Rijkaard's record in management.

Trophies are not the only measure of success and Rijkaard, in conjunction with Ronaldinho, has revitalised Barcelona. But silverware eluded them last year when Mourinho was winning his fourth and fifth major competitions with Porto.

And he announced Rijkaard's team the day before the match, though Mourinho did not have the foresight to predict a 2-1 defeat. The normally loquacious Portuguese took a temporary vow of silence, upset at what he perceived as an unjust meeting between bronzed referee Anders Frisk and Rijkaard, accusations that baffled Barcelona have denied.

Coupled with his pre-match comments, it saddled Mourinho with the reputation of a sore loser. It also demonstrated an ability of Sir Alex Ferguson's, with attention neatly deflected from the defeated players. But questions about Mourinho's tactical acumen and deployment of substitutes surfaced; at Newcastle, a triple substitution backfired when Wayne Bridge was injured while in the Nou Camp, he persevered with Drogba, whose fractious relationship with Frisk resulted in a red card.

“ That Kezman, a replacement, scored at Cardiff will be all the sweeter for Mourinho. ”

That Kezman, a replacement, scored at Cardiff will be all the sweeter for Mourinho. Though no manager since Kenny Dalglish in 1986 has won the league within 12 months of taking charge, any achievement of Chelsea's invariably involves the suggestion that it is merely the product of heavy investment.

Astute management plays a part, too. Until Drogba's dismissal, Chelsea were producing an outstanding defensive display, reminiscent of Liverpool's suffocation of Barcelona four years before. Mourinho has moulded a back four that, statistically, is shaping up to be England's best ever.

The improvements of individuals reflect well on Mourinho's coaching, too; William Gallas may be a reluctant left back, but is among the Premiership's best in that role and neither Paulo Ferreira nor Ricardo Carvalho entered his tutelage as the accomplished defenders they now are.

Frank Lampard's ever expanding range of passing may be the result of his desire for self-betterment. Joe Cole seems to be on a desperate quest for his manager's approval. And if others regard Mourinho as ungracious, there was a generosity of spirit in his decision to let the banned Carlo Cudicini lead Chelsea out at the Carling Cup final.

He may leave the limelight, but, as on Sunday, he invariably returns.

Perhaps it is part of Mourinho's pact with his players that he remains the centre of attention, allowing them to concentrate on football. Because, whether celebrating maniacally (as at Old Trafford last year) or not (witness his unemotional response to winning the Champions League), the cameras are on Mourinho.

Mourinho enjoys the moment as he wins his first trophy at Chelsea. (MikeEgerton/Empics)

He has a keen sense of the theatrical - the same allegation that was levelled against his Porto side - and a willingness to make outrageous statements. To some, it is arrogance, but that is a luxury that can be afforded the truly talented. And the self-proclaimed 'Special One' has a record that suggests he is.

He has succeeded in breaking English football's duopoly in mind games. He seems to share Ferguson's fun in winding up Arsene Wenger. Now the Scot has Mourinho in his sights, attempting to plant the seeds of a slump with his comments. But to upset Mourinho, he must first understand him. And who does?

Is it inner anger or staged rage? Because, whether excitable or impassive, humourous or histrionic, Mourinho is predictable only in his unpredictability. And to think that Chelsea initially wanted Sven-Goran Eriksson. Second-guessing the Swede has become a national pastime; Mourinho's next move is far harder to call and all the more eagerly anticipated.

Ultimate10002000

02-03-2005, 12:15 PM

Official defends dismissal of Jose

Carling Cup Final fourth official Phil Crossley has defended his decision to send off Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

The fourth official warns Mourinho. (BenRadford/GettyImages)

Mourinho was asked to leave the pitchside after raising his finger to his lips when Steven Gerrard's late own goal equaliser enabled Chelsea to go on and secure an extra-time victory.

The Chelsea boss apologised but insisted his gesture was aimed at media critics, who were on the other side of the stadium, rather than the thousands of Liverpool fans, who were sitting just behind him.

However, Crossley told The Sun: 'Once he had vacated the technical area I went to retrieve him and by the time I'd got hold of him I felt he had incited the supporters there. The Liverpool fans were upset.

'It is in my jurisdiction to make sure Mr Mourinho keeps strictly in the technical area, but he went 10 or 15 metres down the line. That's not acceptable behaviour.

'Whatever his gestures meant, it could have been misconstrued and the reaction of the Liverpool fans proved that. I felt it was a public order issue.'

Mourinho had also claimed that he was ordered to move from the touchline by a police officer, who was understood to have been worried by the implications of his gesture.

But Crossley added: 'In my report to the FA I say the police said he should leave but I'd already made my mind up.'

On the plus side for Mourinho, Crossley does admit that the Chelsea boss took his dismissal with good grace.

'He seemed to think he was only being asked to ensure that he conducted himself properly and went to sit down,' said Crossley. 'But I told him 'I'm sorry, you have to vacate the area'.

'I didn't have any problem with him after that. He accepted it gracefully and there was no animosity.'

Mourinho must wait to discover his fate as the Football Association weigh up whether to charge him with inciting the crowd with his controversial gesture.

The FA could now ask Mourinho for his observations, issue him with a warning or charge him and, if found guilty, hit him with a fine or, at worst, a touchline ban.

Mourinho has already denied one FA misconduct charge after accusing Manchester United players of 'cheating' in their Carling Cup semi-final first-leg tie and a personal hearing is set to take place next month.

Mourinho also still faces possible disciplinary action from UEFA for his failure to attend the post-match press conference after his side's Champions League defeat in Barcelona.

Ultimate10002000

02-03-2005, 12:16 PM

Kezman hopes goal starts scoring run

PA

Mateja Kezman is desperately hoping his Carling Cup winner will mark the end of his Chelsea 'nightmare'.

Kezman: Has struggled to find the net. (BenRadford/GettyImages)

The Serbian international arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer with a reputation as one of the most lethal strikers in Europe.

Kezman scored 105 goals in 123 appearances for PSV Eindhoven, a better strike rate than even Ruud van Nistelrooy managed for the Dutch giants, before his move to the Premiership last summer.

The goals have dried up since then though.

Kezman has only found the net in league combat once - against Newcastle in December - and with an effort against League Two outfit Scunthorpe among his overall four-goal tally, it is easy to see why the 25-year-old has been ridiculed for his failure to shine among Chelsea's galaxy of stars.

"This season has been a nightmare for me so far,'' he said.

"Overall, I have scored 180 goals in the last five seasons and I really believe I can do well in the Premiership.

"But I was unlucky a few times in my first games, then I didn't play as often and it appeared people were losing confidence in me.

"It has been really difficult but I have never given up. I just struggled and fought and worked hard every single day.

"Only my family really know how hard it has been for me and maybe the goal is a reward for the effort, but I am just trying to look ahead now. There are still two months of the season left and if I can score a few more goals I might be the hero at the end.''

For all his troubles, there was nothing wrong with Kezman's reactions as he prodded home his extra-time effort from close range after Jerzy Dudek had been unable to hold Eidur Gudjohnsen's stinging drive.

It turned out to be the match-winner as Antonio Nunez almost immediately netted at the other end for Liverpool, earning Kezman a place in Chelsea folklore as the Stamford Bridge outfit celebrated their first trophy in five years and finally offered Roman Abramovich a tangible return on his financial investment.

Although he was understandably delighted to be part of such a famous team effort, there was also a more personal element to Kezman's celebrations as he spotted the possibility of a starting berth against Barcelona next Tuesday when first-choice striker Didier Drogba will be suspended.

"It was a very important goal for myself and the team,'' he said.

"When I was in Holland, once I scored one goal I got a few on the trot, so hopefully it will provide the boss with more confidence to pick me.

"Maybe I will start the next few games, maybe I will start against Barcelona and score against them too.

"The one thing I am grateful for is the support of the fans. Right from the very first moment, the crowd have been on my side.

"I don't have enough words to say how much I appreciate them because when you don't score as many goals as they expect and they still stay behind you that is marvellous.''

Ultimate10002000

02-03-2005, 12:18 PM

Uefa qualification makes sixth sense

Chelsea's Carling Cup success has given extra hope of a Uefa Cup place to the clubs still for sixth place in the Premiership.

With Chelsea effectively guaranteed a place in the Champions League next season, the Uefa Cup place normally reserved for the Carling Cup winners will revert to sixth place in the league.

Middlesbrough currently occupy that position, just behind fifth-placed Liverpool, although Bolton, Tottenham and Charlton are lurking just behind Boro. Newcastle and Aston Villa slightly further back.

Chelsea's success also means fourth-placed Everton would now have to be overtaken by three other clubs to miss out on a European spot.

While the top four clubs in the Premiership make it into the Champions League, fifth - and now sixth - place will qualify for the Uefa Cup, along with the FA Cup winners.

The FA Cup runners-up qualify for Europe if the winners have already made it through by other means, although this does not happen in the Carling Cup.

Ultimate10002000

02-03-2005, 12:20 PM

Thommo hits out at Blues

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has claimed Chelsea's success will be tainted because it has been bankrolled by Roman Abramovich.

Thompson, who was former manager Gerard Houllier's assistant at Anfield until last summer, believes any achievements at Chelsea will not match those of Manchester United, Arsenal and before that Liverpool.

Jose Mourinho won his first silverware on Sunday when his Chelsea side came from behind to beat Liverpool in the Carling Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.

Thompson told BBC Radio Five Live: "You talk about Chelsea and yes they've got all this kind of money and people want to win medals - but is it going to be winning medals if it is money-orientated?

"Will it be the same as what Manchester United and Arsenal have done and as what Liverpool players did in the past? I don't think it will have that same sweet feeling."

Reds captain Steven Gerrard, who Liverpool have relied upon for nearly two seasons, scored an own goal which took Chelsea level and has been singled out for criticism by certain supporters.

And Thompson, incensed by comments made by Liverpool fans in a radio phone-in show, defended Gerrard's performance in Cardiff.

He added: "It was not the best and I think Stevie would be the first one to hold his hands up.

"He never really got going, he started off well like a lot of the Liverpool players but certainly he wasn't a driving influence.

"When I was assistant manager of Liverpool last year, the last thing I wanted to do was listen to phone-ins. It just so happens that I do now and I've listened to some last night (Sunday) and it was absolutely outrageous.

"I hope that in the cold light of day they think, 'what have I done' and 'what have I said about Steven Gerrard?"'

Thompson was also angered by inevitable quips about the howler being Gerrard's first Chelsea goal, due to the England midfielder being constantly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

"I should think he's disgusted as well, that comment was diabolical. I just hope Stevie takes this with a pinch of salt," he said.

"I know it will be difficult but he is committed. When they talk about Steven Gerrard and how - he carried the club last year, he's carried the club this year - he's always put the club first.

"Liverpool will think about it but it will all be down to Stevie in the end. I hope he will commit himself to Liverpool. I hope Champions League football will keep him at Liverpool either as Champions League winners or as finishing fourth (in the Premiership).

"There will be some soul-searching but the way things have gone lately I hope he's hardening to the fact and he will have big decisions to make. But I hope that it is to the benefit of Stevie Gerrard and I hope that it's with Liverpool."

Ultimate10002000

02-03-2005, 12:21 PM

Terry eyes more silverware

Chelsea captain John Terry insists the best way to silence the club's critics is to add more trophies to their Carling Cup triumph.

Jose Mourinho was so angered by the question-marks placed over his side after their defeats by Newcastle and Barcelona that he insisted his controversial 'silence' gesture in The Millennium Stadium was aimed at the media.

That gesture - in which he placed his finger to his lips - nevertheless enraged many Liverpool fans as it came straight after Steven Gerrard's own goal had equalised for Chelsea and appeared to be aimed at them.

Mourinho was sent from the touchline by the fourth official, Phil Crossley, and the FA is still considering whether to charge him with misconduct.

Terry, meanwhile, believes the most effective answer to those looking for Chelsea to falter is to continue their hunt for silverware in the Premiership and Champions League.

"When you are at the top, people want to shoot you down. That is where we are at the minute and we have to deal with it," he said.

"We are professionals, we are grown up and we deal with that. We don't get irritated by people having a go at us.

"It is obvious that people are going to talk. It is frustrating at times because we have done really well this season.

"But it is up to us to stop people from talking. There is only one way to do that which is on the pitch. That is what we did against Liverpool."

It seems it will take more than a controversial touchline moment to undermine Chelsea's title charge, with the Blues travelling to Norwich this weekend with their confidence high.

"It's a great feeling. We always said this would be a great starting point for us. We've got it now, so we're full of confidence and hopefully we can take that into the other competitions," added Terry.

"To bounce back after two defeats was great for us. Hopefully that will stop people talking for a little bit. There is definitely no crisis here.

"This is the start of our trophies. We can build from this and, if we keep on showing great fight like that until the end of the season, hopefully it will be a great year for us.

"I am sure the manager was watching the end of the game from somewhere. It is special. It means a lot to him. As a group and as a manager, to get our first trophy together, it means the world to us."

Ultimate10002000

02-03-2005, 12:22 PM

Kezman is a very pathetic striker with so little goals for Chelsea, hope he will improve soon or else he will get offload in the summer.

SimpleDude

02-03-2005, 02:10 PM

wah all the posts on previous page by the same person keke... no other Chelsea fans ?

Ultimate10002000

04-03-2005, 08:40 AM

It is very sad to see so few Chelsea supporters around here in HWZ, so as the thread starter i can only support myself. Hope to see more contributions from some supporters soon.

Ultimate10002000

04-03-2005, 02:23 PM

Ronaldinho calls on Barca to 'focus'

Ronaldinho has urged Barcelona to stay calm as they seek to return to winning ways ahead of the Champions League return match against Chelsea.
For the first time this season, the Spanish league leaders have gone two games without a win following draws away to bottom club Numancia last Sunday and at home to local rivals Espanyol on Tuesday.

The results have allowed Real Madrid to trim the gap at the top of the Primera Liga to six points and the out-of-form Brazilian knows the pressure is on for Barca at Osasuna on Saturday before they seek to protect their 2-1 first-leg advantage in the last-16 tie at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

The FIFA World Player of the Year said: 'We have to be calm and continue to work, we still have an advantage in the league and there is a long way to go.

'The confidence is the same and we also are fighting in the Champions League so we cannot get used to picking up draws.

'We need to change certain things around and start to put on pressure from the start so as to maintain our advantage.

'Virtually all the teams that come to the Nou Camp come to defend and not to win, and we need to try to score early so that we have more of the ball and make the opposition have to come forward looking to equalise.'

Winger Ludovic Giuly has been ruled out of the match against Chelsea through injury.

The back problem which prevented the Frenchman from playing against Espanyol on Tuesday is worse than originally thought and he is expected to be on the sidelines for 10 days.

Barca will miss the pace of Giuly and coach Frank Rijkaard is likely to replace him with Maxi Lopez, who made a dramatic impact against Chelsea at the Nou Camp scoring and then setting up the winner for Samuel Eto'o.

Ultimate10002000

04-03-2005, 02:24 PM

Chelsea handed double Uefa charge

UEFA today confirmed Chelsea are facing a double disciplinary charge following their controversial Champions League clash against Barcelona in the Nou Camp stadium last week.

Mourinho: Forlorn in Barcelona (ShaunBotteril/GettyImages)

Chelsea are in the process of making a formal report to the European governing body about Barca coach Frank Rijkaard's half-time discussion with Swedish referee Anders Frisk, but in the meantime UEFA have begun disciplinary proceedings against the Barclays Premiership leaders on two fronts.

European football's governing were unhappy with the team's late arrival onto the pitch for the second half of the game and with manager Jose Mourinho's decision not to attend the compulsory post-match press conference.

A UEFA spokesman confirmed: 'We have started a disciplinary case against Chelsea for the late arrival on to the pitch from the dressing room for the second half and the non-appearance of the coach at the post-match media conference.

'We have notified the club that the matter will be dealt with on March 24 and they can can submit a statement to us.'

UEFA will make use of all the available evidence before deciding whether or not to punish the Carling Cup winners. This will include Frisk's own report of the game, video evidence, UEFA's own delegate report as well as any statements provided by the club or their players.

Ultimate10002000

04-03-2005, 02:24 PM

Norwich wait and see with Huckerby

Norwich manager Nigel Worthington is preparing to make a late decision on whether to select striker Darren Huckerby for the Barclays Premiership visit of Chelsea.
The 28-year-old missed the 3-2 defeat against Manchester City on Monday with a calf strain, ending a run of 50 consecutive games for the Canaries - and although his inclusion on Saturday would be a big boost, Worthington will not risk making the injury worse.

'We'll give Darren as much time as possible. I wouldn't rule him out at this moment in time and I wouldn't rule him in either,' said the manager.

'To play he has got to be 100%. There is no way he will be risked if he is not right. You could then be looking at a six-week job, and that's the last thing we would want.

'We'll work with Darren and the physio and make a late decision.

'After Chelsea there's another two-week break, so that's worth bearing in mind.

'I would rather have Darren available for the final nine games than play him on Saturday and then have to do without him for the next seven.'

The pacy forward has scored six times in all competitions this season, and Worthington knows he could be one of his team's biggest weapons against the Premiership leaders.

'He's very important, a very very good player for us. He would be a big loss. He always carries a threat; he can create goals; he can score goals. He is a big-game player.'

The City boss is also keeping a close eye on the recovery of a number of injured players and is hoping versatile Dane Thomas Helveg will be able to train again soon.

The 33-year-old has not played for the Canaries since the FA Cup defeat to West Ham on January 8.

'He's progressing. He has been building up his running side and has done quite well on that,' Worthington reported.

'Whether he joins in at the tail end of this week or the beginning of next week, we'll just have to wait and see. The weather may be a factor in that.'

The Canaries are five points from safety going into the game against Jose Mourinho's men but face a side who have not conceded a goal in their last 10 Premiership matches.

Ultimate10002000

04-03-2005, 02:25 PM

Rae's Say: Battle at the Bridge

Derek Rae

What are the chances of Jose Mourinho extending the hand of friendship to Frank Rijkaard? Could an invitation to join him in his office at Stamford Bridge after the return leg of the next week's Champions League tie be on the cards?

Jose Mourinho and Frank Rijkaard's enmity spills over in the Nou Camp. (AdamDavy/Empics)

Most importantly, will the Barcelona boss get to sample the full body of a £240 bottle of the finest Portuguese red?

Frankly, Werder Bremen's prospects of overturning a 3-0 deficit in Lyon look decidedly more promising than any of the above scenarios.

Mourinho occasionally surprises with displays of magnanimity. His gentlemanly demeanour on Tyneside following the recent FA Cup defeat by Newcastle United won him admirers anew.

But given the testy nature of last week's events at the Nou Camp in general, and the acrimony between the two managers in particular, it's a fair bet that Rijkaard post-match, will make a swift return to Catalonia, before you can say 'Barca Velha.'

Far from offering conciliation this week, Barcelona's Dutch coach merely stoked the fire ahead of Tuesday's Stamford Bridge decider. Rijkaard described (before a ball was kicked) his team's midweek derby opponents Espanyol as 'a team with more of a winning mentality than Chelsea, a more positive side from a footballing perspective'.

It won't have escaped Mourinho's notice that Espanyol were the very picture of stultifying negativity on Tuesday.

In a way though, it's a shame the managers have stolen the show here. Perhaps we can redress the balance by focusing more on the match itself in the hours leading up to what ought to be a fascinating night by the King's Road.

As usual on these big occasions, Tommy Smyth will join me for commentary, and I'm delighted to be able to confirm that most of you with access to ESPN will see every kick of the ball. Before you Americans ask, yes, it's also live for you on espn2.

Who really holds the edge going into the second leg? It's a difficult question to answer. Returning home after a 2-1 first-leg defeat away, is seldom unsatisfactory.

The difficulty for Chelsea lies in the fact that Barca's high technical level, allied to a borderline gung-ho approach, gives them an excellent chance of bagging that priceless asset in two-legged European competition; the away goal.

Barcelona are neither accustomed to, nor particularly at ease, grinding out a goalless draw, in the manner Chelsea might be expected to do in their shoes.

There's a legitimate worry though, that collective fatigue is undermining the blaugrana's quest for honours. The spark of enterprise was missing against Espanyol the other night.

By the time Tuesday evening comes along, the Catalan giants will be facing their sixth game in the space of seventeen days. So much for the time-honoured maxim that no one comes close to matching English clubs, as regards crowded fixture lists

Demetrio Albertini challenges Chelsea's Joe Cole (BenRadford/GettyImages)

Frank Rijkaard still doesn't have the luxury of giving his top players a much needed rest. Carles Puyol, Samuel Eto'o and Xavi have started every single league match this season. Deco has missed just one game, and Ronaldinho, a couple. The spine of the side has a weary look about it and perhaps with good reason.

The winter signings of Maxi Lopez and Demetrio Albertini have served to strengthen the squad, but Rijkaard can't bring himself to field much less than his first-choice team in the Primera: not with Real Madrid breathing down his neck.

It should be added that Chelsea's resources are less plentiful than they appeared a few weeks ago. Mourinho's team for Tuesday might fall short of picking itself but not by much.

Don't expect wholesale changes from the side which lined up in the first leg. Eidur Gudjohnsen will almost certainly start in place of the suspended Didier Drogba. Mateja Kezman, despite netting the winner in Cardiff, might have to content himself with a place on the bench

Although Chelsea find themselves behind at the end of the first act, a brazen outlook seems improbable. After all, Barcelona are entitled to feel that a high-scoring encounter at Stamford Bridge will suit their attacking tendencies.

Frank Lampard and Claude Makelele, as so often in the Champions League, carry a weighty burden on their shoulders. The midfield area will be crucial, and if Chelsea are to succeed, the pair of them will have to outplay and outwit Xavi and Deco; by no means a mere bagatelle.

If Barcelona have an Achilles heel, it's to be found on the left-hand side of their defence; a weakness Lampard and Damien Duff exploited deftly in the construction of Chelsea's goal at the Nou Camp.

Gio Van Bronckhorst and Sylvinho are accomplished players, but not necessarily high-quality defenders. Oleguer, who sits to the immediate right of the full-back, can get befuddled by clever footwork and quick movement.

It will be no great shock, if Chelsea match Barcelona's 2-1 victory and thus send the tie into extra time.

My gut feeling tells me though, the peacock will be preening late on Tuesday night. No prizes for guessing who I'm referring to!

Ultimate10002000

04-03-2005, 02:26 PM

Clark welcomes verdict

League Managers Association vice-chairman Frank Clark believes the Football Association were right not to take further action against Jose Mourinho after he was sent from the dug-out during the Carling Cup final.

The Chelsea manager raised a finger to his lips in a silencing gesture towards Liverpool fans after the Blues equalised in Sunday's final.

He was sent off by fourth official Phil Crossley and escorted from the pitch by a policeman, but will not face further sanction from the FA, who instead reminded Mourinho of his responsibilities.

Clark said: "This is the outcome I was expecting. I didn't expect that the FA would take it any further.

"For a gesture it was fairly low down on the scale of provocation. He didn't swear at anyone and it wasn't an obscene gesture.

"Whoever decided to send him off made the decision in good faith but I thought it was a fairly innocuous situation and I would have been surprised if the FA had taken it any further."

Mourinho insisted the gesture was aimed at the press, who were beginning to question whether the wheels were coming off Chelsea's season after two successive defeats prior to the final.

Former Nottingham Forest boss Clark believes the Barclays Premiership benefits from having a manager brave enough to say what he thinks, but he admits the Portuguese is treading a fine line.

"Mourinho's impact on the game has been very positive. He has got a few issues flying around him at the moment, and he needs to be careful because it's not always wise to fall out with the press," Clark added.

"But I'm sure he will deal with that and he has made a good impact on the game in the short time he has been here.

"The game is short of real characters and the more there are the merrier. The top managers have all got something special about them and it all adds to the colour of the game."

Ultimate10002000

04-03-2005, 02:27 PM

Robson: Jose must be a good loser

Former Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson has urged his protégé Jose Mourinho to learn how to lose if he is to take the English game by storm.

The 72-year-old, who brought the current Chelsea manager into the game as his interpreter during his time in Portugal, has taken great pride in Mourinho's rise to prominence, which continued on Sunday when he lifted the first trophy of his reign, the Carling Cup.

However, Mourinho, who will hope to add the Premiership and the Champions League titles to his haul before the end of his first season in charge, was banished from the touchline for gestures allegedly made towards Liverpool fans.

"It has all gone for him just lately and that is marvellous, but sometimes you have to have a bit of humility and learn how to lose," said Robson after been formally granted the freedom of the city of Newcastle at a ceremony on Wednesday.

"Winning is important and he knows about that anyway, but sometimes you will not win and you will lose and sometimes you have to learn how to lose.

"I am sure he will learn that. What has occurred over the last couple of weeks will stand him in very stead for the future. If he is intelligent, he will take it on board - and he is very intelligent.

"He has got one pot - possibly two to follow - a big game against Barcelona to come and I cannot see them losing their lead in the Premiership. They are in a good position and I would expect them to go on and win it, which is a wonderful achievement.

"He knows where I am if he needs me. He will have learned more in the last fortnight than the last eight months. Before that, it was all about winning. It is when it goes against you and you get a bit of bad luck that you learn, and he'll get it straight."

Robson takes a special interest in Mourinho because of the link between them and would relish the chance to pits his wits against him.

"Jose is doing very well at the moment," he said. "He worked for me for six years. He was a good guy, bright, alert and intelligent, and I would like to think

he has learned a lot from me - in fact I know he has. I'm proud of him, to be honest.

"It would not worry me if I had to pit my wits against Jose. But it is not just a case of him and me against one another. It would be his team against my team - but I would not be afraid of that."