League Cup: Portsmouth 0 - 4 Chelsea

Hopefully some video of the goals pops up sometime, although like you I could not find a stream anywhere.

I was lucky enough to see the game tonight. It may have been at 10pm on Chelsea TV, but it was still all 90 mins. So here's my view on it:

Cech - 7/10 - Touched the ball once throuhgout the whole game and must have been getting cold by half time due to the lack of Pompey attacks.

Ivanovic - 9/10 - Looks to be a very good young defender. Not a Bosingwa wing back, but instead a very strong and powerful RB who you'll never see brushed off the ball by a player like Evra. Looked assured on the ball, lasted the 90mins and should become a Chelsea regular once Ricky leaves/retires.

Alex - 7/10 - Had no defending to do apart from heading away their long balls towards Crouch. A steady game.

JT - 6/10 - Had even less to do than Alex, but it was good to see JT back to his normal self after Sunday's strange performance.

Bridge - 7/10 - A very good back-up LB who seemed to enjoy the space Pompey gave us.

Belletti - 8/10 - I know it seems strange that i'm giving him an 8 but he did very well tonight. All his faults as a defender are covered up in midfield and his range of passing and defensive mindset suit him well in the Mikel role.

Lamps - 7/10 - Two goals and another good game. Taken off after 70 mins to give him a rest.

Ballack - 6/10 - Still looks rusty but 70 mins more fitness gained and his height will be needed against Stoke. A great dive as well tonight!

Kalou - 7/10 - 2 goals in 2 games. Still an inconsistent finisher but he can beat his man more readily than Cole and provides a greater threat than Joe. Nice to see a winger who can finish at least one of his chances.

Drogba - 6/10 - Very rusty. A few nice touches and his strength provided a greater focal point than Anelka. Again will be needed to defend at Stoke.

Malouda - 8/10 - This may be a shock for some, but he was one of our best performers tonight. Kept it simple and his goal tonight was a great right-footed drive. An ever-present under Scolari has led to better form.

MOTM - There were many contenders tonight. Belletti and Lamps in midfield or Malouda on the wing could have gotten the nod. But for me it was Ivanovic. A great debut at RB and £9m looks like a good piece of business from our scouts.

Fans - 10/10 - Never stopped singing tonight and gave every one of our players a chant. Even Paulo Ferreira got one, as did Ray Wilkins and Scolari on the bench. Started the ole chants after an hour and the team responded by keeping the ball for the next 5 mins. Great support on the South Coast tonight.

GOOD
1. Performance - A 4-0 could easily have been a 6 or 7 rout. Pompey did give us too much space but we exploited it well. With no Bosingwa, Ashley Cole or Deco we played a lot like the Jose side of Robben, Duff and Didier. We got the ball forward much faster than the Brazilian possession football previously seen and we used the pace of Kalou regularly. As the reporters say, we take this Cup very seriously as a season where we're not in contention for the Quad in February would be seen as a failure. We should easily reach the final.
2. Midfield - The first-half midfield of Lamps, Ballack and Belletti controlled the game but it was the midfield we had after 70 mins which was strange to see. A central 3 of Ferreira, Belletti and Malouda enjoyed the final 20 mins and hardly put a foot wrong. Nice to see Paulo back as he'll never let you down in a Chelsea shirt. As Jose said, he'll always give you 7/10. Never any higher, never any lower.
3. Youth - We may only have seen Sinclair and Di Santo but having Mancienne and Stoch on the bench was nice to see. They would have gained experience from training with the first team, listening to Scolari's team talks and generally being involved.
4. Injuries - None, so phew!

BAD
1. Pompey - Truly awful. Had 1 attack in the whole game and their tactics of 8 at the back failed spectacularly.

Overall, a stroll and the front 3 should be seen again at Stoke.

Thanks, Habs.

I just watched the highlights on ITV. We looked superb and Pompey looked crap when condensed into eight minutes of action.

It should be noted that Lamps has scored five goals in seven games. Another twenty plus season then.

Haven't seen any highlights yet but reading the reports suggest the team cruised past an average Pompey side clearly lacking in self confidence. Still another 4 nil win will do wonders for the confidence and great to see Malouda and Kalou score. Maybe Lampard will go one better this season and end up with the golden boot !

I get the impression that Malouda's and Kalou's goals were low drives across the keeper as was the shot that Lampard scored from... Joe Cole I hope you were watching and were taking notes on how to beat a goalie.

Also sounds like Kalou was the star performer on the night with his inventive attacking thrusts. I hope he can continue to grow in confidence as I predicted that this will be his year to really shine. He should link up well with his countryman Drogba and together they could be a formidable force with Malouda and Cole (when he plays) providing support along with the full backs.

I remain very positive about our chances this year and most of all loving the attacking free flowing football. It will be tougher against top opposition but if we can knocke over the lesser clubs in this fashion then we should see less of these games where we draw and get to see some exciting football.

KTBFFH

i had no coverage whatsoever to this game. so 4-0 again, woots. and Ivanovic played! guess a fan can't ask more then.

No coverage here, but a good result again......

Reports I've read show Kalou to be on form, and I think (and have done for a while) he should be starting ahead of Anelka regularly.

So pleased we kept Lampard..... It doesn't matter what formation we take, and who he plays with, the goals keep coming.

Nice to see Malouda on target again, but he still needs to step up and perform on the big stages, otherwise he should be kept on the bench and only trot out when the games are meaningless and others need a break.

Dont mean to take anything away from the victory. Its good that Pompey are knocked out. Given that most of their top dogs are out injured and with their fixture congestion, bailing out of the carling cup could be a blessing. Dont want them to get relegated!

Common you guys - spend a few quid for the club and get Chelsea TV. It was live in it.

Even with Ric injured, it seems that Ivanovic will still find his chances hard to come by playing regularly. Its a pity really since he did well last night. For me, the question now is will Scolari deploy Drogba and Anelka in a partnership? If we are to avoid more draws against the better teams, our strike duo starting the match together will make the difference as we saw on several occasions.

I remmeber the game in 1991 when Chelsea came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the League Cup. Blimey, it seemed like a big deal at the time.

Still, good to see a few more goals tonight. All the criticism of the team over the last few seasons with their anti-football and stiffling tactics seems to have evaporated.

I didn't see the game either. Like NICK, i was watching the Newcastle game..
Sounds like i missed a good one :(
Just seen the goals on SSN, Malouda's was great..again!!

Thanks HABS for your reports...and well done Chels x x

We are gonna be unstoppable this season!!!!!!

I do like those yellow shirts. Takes me back a bit.

I think Scolari will still be spoiled for choice against Stoke despite all the injuries we suffered. Perhaps he should rest some players for midweek in the CL. Let Ivanovic continue to play. Drogba's return makes up for the lost of Deco in midfield. Kalou has been lively and deserves another start alongside Malouda.

Hope Scolari would use this match to test our strike duo partnership flanked by 2 wingers. Ballack isnt so fit yet and we need him for other games so he should be rested for alittle while more. No point rushing him in this fixture. 4-4-2 and attack Stoke from the start would be great.

highlights here LINK

After a 15 minute fruitless search for an internet stream that worked I listened to the "commentary" on Radio 5 Live Sports Extra where Steve Claridge and David Somebody-or-Other were well into a freewheeling coverage of the match.

It soon became clear they'd both much rather be somewhere else - and started saying we might as well all go home "cos it was game over", as soon as Lamps scored the first goal. Their discussion rambled over everything and anything with just an occasional reference to events or non-events as they considered it on the pitch.

By the time we were being treated to a long tedious riff on the biscuit-eating habits of an anonymous 3rd BBC commentator in the press box [that legendary BBC over-staffing lives on] I was paying more attention to the Newcastle v Spurs game on Sky which I'd switched on with the sound down as I got more and more irritated.

ITV's blink-and-you-miss-it highlights didn't help much either so thanks Habs for some more detailed info on the game.....

Anyone know why there were no internet streams for the game - I even found lots for our pre-season friendlies?

"Anyone know why there were no internet streams for the game"

The reason is that Mr Wenger has full control over all Carling Cup TV rights, and as he doesn't take the competition that seriously he want allow any freeview of games.

The match was shown at 22:00 on Chelsea TV. It was a complete stroll in the park. It wasn't even that we played that good either. Pompey were absoulute pants. They defended far too deep and gave us so much space in midfield it was a joke.That said I thought Ivanovic played really well considering he's only payed a couple of pre season friendlies since we bought him last season. He a big strong boy but I can't see him replacing Bosingwa at right-back. Play him in the cup competitions. Beletti also played well in the Makalele/Mikel role and Alex also put in another solid performance. As for Didier he looked up for it and was looking far busier and more involved than Anelka does when he's played recently. On this form I don't think we'll see much of Anelka other than sub appearances. Overall I'd give Chelsea 7 out of 10.

@16 Clive - you may be right but I'm sure Kenyon will be thrilled to know that his World Domination Plan has at least made a tiny dent in Poland to the extent there is a website which does live text commentary on our games in Polish. Sadly my ignorance of East European languages meant I couldn't tell if they were coming up with something more insightful than that clown Claridge on the Beeb....

Not sure who else mentioned it - but I have been saying that this is the season of Kalou. I am really expecting big things from him.

Also glad that Malouda had a good game - should build his confidence and hopefully we'll see much more from him as well this season.

In regards to the discussion about our youth policy - I think Arsene is right to play his youth teams in the carling cup - big clubs should not take it seriously and should use it as it is a valuable tool to blood our youngsters. I really would have liked to see Stoch come on and seen more from Di Santo and Sinclair.

Anyway - maybe if we get a lower league team next TSSO can start them.

Anyone heard anything about this Minero character? I really dislike buying players that are over 25 - even if they are just for cover. Why not invest in a good Essien/ Mikel replacement? Do we also not have any youth players that could fill this role while Essien recovers?
It's a shame that we have to keep buying players - apart from Sahar and Sinclair do we have any youth players that will have a long-term future at the bridge?

God bless Roman's Blue Army!!

@18 BBD

Sadly my ignorance of East European languages meant I couldn't tell if they were coming up with something more insightful than that clown Claridge on the Beeb....

They could have been holding the microphones to their backsides and farting the Polish national anthem and they'd still make more sense than that farkwit...

I lost any respect I ever had for Redknapp after that game. Not a dive. He must be going senile. Oh well even if it was a dive then we still won 3-0.

@Habs
You have no choice now but to help out at LINK as you are currently top of the chelseablog league!

I remember one of TSSO's interviews during the Euros where he reeled off the height of the opposition players (Germany I think).

He needs to revisit his love of tall players tomorrow as we prepare to face Rory 'The Windmill' Delap.

Probably a good thing that Alex is playing, he's got a decent aerial presence and won everything in the air against Utd.

Still think we should have shown more interest in VDV - his hat-trick for Real on Wednesday was awesome.

@Fiftee - I guess it was inevitable that at some point a newly promoted side would try out the style that established Wimbledon in the top division for a long time in the late 80's/90s.

Will be interesting to see how long it is effective this time now that Stoke can't rely on the flailing elbows and scything tackles that were treated with much more tolerance in the bad old days - how long a career would Vinny Jones manage in current EPL?

Also, I see Robinho may have started to realise what a duff decision he was steered towards already:

LINK

It's not exactly pretty to watch, but then I guess the teams that come up have got to do what's necessary to try and survive. Good luck to them.

You know we'll concede (probably comically) from a Delap throw. We'll probably be 3 zip up and coasting at the time, but it'll happen.

Hopefully, if that's the case, we'll be able to give Mineiro 20-odd minutes near the end to get acquanited with the English game. And maybe Di Santo or Sinclair as well.

I predict we'll go a goal down, probably from a Delap throw-in, before storming back and winning it easily. I certainly hope we do better than Liverpool managed at Anfield last weekend.

I don't think Mineiro's match fit, Fiftee. LGF wants him to play in the reserves first.

I'm wondering if Zola's wondering what he's let himself in for: £30m fine with no right to appeal; 10 Sheffield United players threatening legal action; Carlton Cole caught drink-driving at 4 a.m.; Dean Ashton crocked again; knocked out of the League Cup by Watford. Quite a first week in charge.

This game is a huge grudge match, I remember back to 1972 when we lost at Wembley.

We need revenge so I can lay that horrible ghost to rest. :-)

W hy can't our players just keep their traps shut for one? Every year one of them comes out with claptrap like this and puts a a bloody hex on the seasn

LINK

Not that I'm superstitious you understand.

@ Clive - I was a heartbroken teenager then, stunned with disbelief too - but it's time to move on......

Back to the godbothering theme - as Ancelotti claims Galliani is omniscient right at the end of this "OK I did meet with Abramovich" confession:

LINK

Nick,

I kind of guessed as much re: Mineiro, just thought maybe 20 minutes against some clogger of a midfielder would be a nice welcome for him. You know someone like Lawrence is just itching to 'put one on' someone in our team. A kind of 'welcome to the Potteries' type tackle.

Isn't Lolli residing in the Stoke region, or have I made that up?

@BBD #29

You can imagine the comedy moment as Ancelotti goes to his walk-in wardrobe, while talking to the missus and absentmindedly takes a suit proferred by the hand of the unseen Galliani who is hiding in there. Later he remains mystified as to how Galliani knows his every move.

@CT #28

While I can't help but agree with you it hardly fits with our new Dawkinsian, rationalist, science based approach to football related matters on this site amd I can only urge you to get with the programme.

Joe Cole is out for the Stoke game.

@ BB - yes I agree, but my Dawkinsianism had taken a bash from last week. Having removed all emotion and superstition from my circuitry I have now come to the conclusion, based on cold logic, reasoned thinking and fact that........

Cech should keep his bloody mouth shut and not tempt fate.

Since 1970 I have been in love with this club and since the days of John Dempsey, the first numpty to predict a 'treble' I have always dreaded the headline 'Chelsea player say we can win it all/everything/the whole kit and caboodle/rule the world/dominate the universe/become gods etc etc........

Mind you Kenyon does bear more than a passing resemblance to Doctor Evil. Would that make Ray his Mini-me?

Sort your form out first, Petr. Then we can worry about winning trebles and quads.

So, no Joe.

Kalou to start in his place then, maybe with Sinclair having a realistic chance of getting some game-time in the league.

You have to wonder if the players have some sort of sweepstake to see who's the next player to come out with the 'We're gonna win everything' statement - since JM was in chance I would imagine nearly all of them have uttered somethign very similar at one time or another.

We are good...
I expect that Ivanovic plays instead of Riccy...Alex was good against MAnchester United , but against any other team he was more of a attacker than a defender.
And against Stoke I hope to see Di Santo from the first minute.
Its a shame that a player like Ivanovic is wasted.I know that Bosingwa is excellent but Ivanovic is versatille player and can play when Carvalho is injured...or when Carvalho leaves/retires.

Oh, brother. I saw that interview with Big Pete. He never said "Chelsea will win all four trophies." He said the club has a squad capable of competing in all four competitions and doing well in them, barring injury. The manager and players target a win in every match, irrespective of the competition, but he never said they would always acheive that. This is hardly news because the players have been expressing that attitude ever since Jose arrived and made them believe they *could* win almost every game. And frankly, if teams don't want to win every competition they enter then they should all just go home.

Honestly, I should get a job making up stupid headlines for the British press. It obviously doesn't require 1) a brain cell or 2) any actual news.

Yes, my favourite one recently was the other day when Mr Big made that joke comment about Ronaldo coming to Chelsea. And of course the next day the tabloids are screaming orgiastically -- SCOLARI: I WANT RONALDO.

Funnily enough, my reaction when I read that (mis)quote from Petr was: Oh, is it that time of year already? And then: Wait a minute, did I miss Stevie G's annual quote about how Liverpool are going to be "up there challenging for the title" this year?

Habs, thanks for the report. It was almost like being there! (No, but seriously, thanks.) Interesting that Mr Big has figured out that Belletti of all people can play that deep midfield role. I stayed up till nearly midnight to watch the few seconds of highlights ITV bothered to show, all in the hope of seeing Ivanovic, and in the end I'm not sure he was on camera for more than a nanosecond. Good to see him doing well though, and good to see Mancienne (who's a regular for England U21, or is it U19) on the bench.

To the Dawkinsians: I can't believe some of you actually believe in "Richard Dawkins". Honestly, you'd think that in this day and age people would have let go of such silly superstitions. I mean, come on -- an academic who makes money? An Oxford Professor whose books are read by more than 15 people?? Come on! We need to grow up out of these childish fantasies. It's perfectly obvious to all thinking people that the Jesuits must be right about everything, because if you refuse to convert to their beliefs, they enslave and/or kill you. How can you argue with that?

Lolli - what's your address in case I need to park in your drive tomorrow.

Lolli - what's your address in case I need to park in your drive tomorrow

Is that a euphemism Mark?

@ MARK

I won't answer that!!!

It's gonna be great having the boys around my part of the world tomorrow..i may have to don a balaclava & kidnap them all!! lol...

Stoke 1 (because they're my local team & i want 'em to get at least 1 goal)
Chels 4

Lame ass J.Cole is out for 2day's match.We wont miss him much.He hasn't been great since pre-season.He was our worst player on the pitch against ManU,and I feel he needs some soul searching.

Just about to leave - get the kettle on and can you get some doughnuts?

3 points in the bag, another cleen sheet.

First half cruise. Second half players looked knackered.

Maybe all the passing and moving in front of their defence tired us out instead of them.

+ Scoreline, clean sheet
+ Bosingwa
+ Anelka goal

Drogba lacking mobility, Lampard had a few chances he might have stuck away on another day and Malouda was involved in a lot of the build-up.
Seeing a lot of passing but we seem to not want to cross the ball into the area from good positions.

In the end a hard earnt win takes us top.

KTBFFH!!!

@ MARK

Where were you?? Doughnuts & tea waiting & you didn't show up! Huh! Typical man!! ;)

Great game today, with a fantastic atmosphere..I almost didn't make it on time, as i had to work until 2pm as is my usual Saturdy shift (tried to scrounge the day off to no avail!) and the plan was to go home, get changed, pick my Ma up & go straight to the Brit..knew it would go ti*s up!! I got off work on time but traffic was so bad that i just ended up going straight to get my Ma & then onto the game in my work uniform!! Complete with name badge & everything..classy!!

Chelsea totally dominated the game and it could easily of been 5-0, if not more..Ballack & Drogs both nearly scored within the first quarter of an hour..

Really enjoyed today & it felt fantastic to see the boys in my part of the country for once! I'm still buzzing from it actually..did anyone from here go? Hope you enjoyed your visit to the Potteries & found your cars/coaches with wheels & windows still in tact! ;)) Only kidding!..

hull city beat the arse! love it.

Hull beat The Arse. Im howling with laughter. I didnt see the stoke game but Bosingwa has been great for us so far. No doubt better than Alves.

Lolli - sorry! Parking was easier than I expected. Even had time to go into town for a pre match veal Milanese.

Do you have a season ticket at Stoke or did you just go for the Chelsea game?

PS Do you have any photos of you work uniform?