Premiership review: Chelsea 3 - 0 Middlesbrough

In response to Point.5 of the good points, (the crowd) this is why. Lets hope we can keep this going. Cheers

LINK

Yes solid team performance, all round. As much as i would agree with Drogs being up there for man of the match, my vote goes to Essien, simply because this guy can play anywere.
And yes Tony, we we're leading the singing again in the Shed Upper, it's about time you got over your dip in form over the other end ;)

Whose this girl you are talking about? I demand to know. And I also want pictures. From every angle imaginable.

Well done boys that was worth it...

Hey and this was M'boro Tony...

It would be good to see Reading replace Arsenal/Liverpool in the places in Europe next season...

Now that would be the icing on the cake when we overtake ManU on 15th April 2007 and go on to win the league...

Can not wait...

Clive, we may have an injury/illness crisis in the MHL with some key chorus leaders missing. Good to know the backup team in the Shed can keep things going for a while. :-)

Jose - and your point is?

Ivancito - not really into sharing mate and don't want to blow any minuscule chance I might have of getting a smile.

Interesting to note that there's a campaign about singing in The Shed. Good that there is one, but sad that one's needed in the first place.

We can only applaud individual performances now as we are yet to play as a tteam. I will still pick essien over drogba (even though he scored the 2 goals). His all round performance, play and ENERGY gives us another icon in the like of John Terry.

One the issue of favours, can we ask Fulham for one? maybe we dont even need to think of one as long as we continue to win!

Bah, I really was hoping for some eye candy. I suppose I'll have to use my imagination then, he.

Tony you forgot to put in the good section the performance of our favorite german. Best showing ever.

Morning all.

Pleasing, if slightly third gear performance - not entirely convinced we're playing for anything other than second place now, but anything can happen so the fingers remain crossed.

Was very impressed with Diarra; thought he had an excellent game. And the Drog - heading for 35 goals this season if he keeps it up; truly magnificent stuff.

Interesting point about the atmosphere Tony - it didn't seem to carry up into the MHU (where it was pretty flat, which was a little unusual), but good news about the 'Reclaim the Shed' campaign. Was there a Jose-supporting banner on the MHU - couldn't see from where I was but had heard a few rumours.

Ballack? My Bayern supporting cab driver asked what has happened to him as we drove past the Allianz Arena this morning (feels like I've virtually moved out here now!) But there was an interesting conversation...!

Hi JD

Maybe the atmosphere was a bit flatter than normal, but the MHL don't seem to take much notice of this and carry on regardless. I was merely pointing out the unusual sound of The Shed and The West Stand starting the singing and then having the nerve to "challenge" us in the MHL to "give them a song".

Whatever, it will never beat the "White Wall/Middle/West Side of The Shed" days!

I thought we played well, and it was a contained performance rather than a blistering one. Rather like the first steps you take after twisting an ankle, tentative but getting more assured with each one. I'm glad of that, we need to get the winning "habit" back and with that will come the unswerving confidence that I think was so badly damaged during that blip. Liverpool was a prime example of a team that had lost before it got on the pitch. We aren't the first to suffer this and we won't be the last but what's important is that we rode out our first real blip under JM with a few draws and only one defeat. If we're to have more blips then this will do, and let's face it compared to West Ham, it wasn't really a blip at all.

I wanted to mention everyone but in the end forced myself to highlight very key players, and my choice of Drogba over Essien was very tight. You couldn't get a Rizla between them on effort and contribution but GOALS win games and hence Drogs got the vote.

Ivancito - Hmm... Ballack... well did we miss him and Obi Mikel? No because the others did so much so well - but Ballack did play well against Blackburn and deserves credit for that. I think he'll improve as the season goes on, and next year will be the true giant force we know he can be. In the meantime I'd like him to show some effort from time to time and that's all. Not too much to ask.

Well earned three points. Although like Mr Glover I'm inclined not to say the team is firing on all cylenders.

I'll say by the time we play Portsmouth we'll be well oiled and going at it hammer and tongs.

Who else can get some many mechanical metaphors in to three sentences? Whoever can is smarter then a smart person in a smart car.

KTBFFH

I take it the claim that Xavier was Boro's best player was a form of irony. I certainly enjoyed how he gifted us the first two goals and did his best to gift Drogba another. Comedy performance of the season. Couldn't be more useless if he tried.

I understand your comments regarding Ballack Tony. And I certainly hope his 2nd season is much better. But 'untouchable'? Jose is having a laugh.

Oh, and greetings from Lima, Perú.

What is this business about Roman Abramovich not being present for the last few games. Is he sulking, or - and this is an appalling thought - is he losing interest? Now if there is one person who is absolutely essential to Chelsea's future, it is him. If JM left at the end of this season - and I still think there is a strong chance this will happen - another high profile manager would eventually be appointed. This could cause some disruption for a season but I would imagine that usual service would eventually be resumed (the transition could even be seamless). But there is no one other than Abramovich to cover £100m annual losses. If he pulled out, for whatever reason, the scenario would be apocalyptic. Cech playing for AC Milan, Terry and Lampard for Barcelone, Drogba for Real Madrid and - horror of horrors - Essien playing for Man Utd. It doesn't bear thinking of, does it?

Whether Roman is a likeable bloke or not, I don't know. But I think we should all sing his name from time to time

Good point Doc.......

I too am beginning to get a bit concerned that he has not returned to the Bridge. It is surely about time that he and Mourinho made up, and he returned to his box.

Here is hoping that he is there for the Cup on Saturday.

Worrying about Roman now? Don't you remember some idiots & fools singing 'Stand up for the Mouron!'. We're doomed.

Good to see that one of the most missed people were back at Stamford Bridge then, The Girl.
And a bear hug from fellow spectator doesnt sound the best way to come out of a slow motion fantasy :D

Do go and play with some fast-moving traffic Henry, there's a good chap.

Squiddy - no they weren't ironic. Xavier got an unlucky break for the own goal, but the rest of the time he and Drogs had a right old ding dong battle. I agree Drogs won on points but Xavier put up a good fight.

Hi Guys,

I had soccer Saturday on at the weekend, and they had Paul Merson watching our game. His assessment of Xavier's 'clearance' was "like watching someone who's never kicked a ball". I found it very funny. Nearly as good as his comment about players performing badly which is "he's playing like a fish up a tree" !!!!

On a separate note, just read on the Sky Sports website that Frank's apparently not going to invoke this FIFA ruling where he can leave at the end of the season. What interested me was his agents claim that Lampard shirt sales out number any other player by 4-to-1. Living in Norwich, I dont get to see the Blue shirts in the stands on match days, but this surprised me - can anyone confirm this (not to the exact shirt sale obviously, just a general view of what people wear !!!)

Here's a video of the item about the atmosphere at the Bridge which aired on MotD2 on Sunday:

CFCnet on Match of the Day 2.

And more details.

Dr Alun Willis.

You may not realise it, but you have hit the nail on the head with your last sentence. I have been sitting on some rather uncomfortable news for a while, that I have heard from very well-informed non-football supporting (I think this makes it more worrying) sources, that, hold your breath, Abramovich wants out, and has instructed financiers to find suitable bidders.

One of the main reasons for this, and this is truly ridiculous, is that the fans do not sing his name enough, and in particular, were very vociferous about their support of Mourinho at the Wigan game. Apparently he felt slighted.

Of course this may all be complete bollox, but I don't think so...

I personally am hoping that it is a fit of pique and he shall return soon.

I have also heard, again from someone well-informed, that Mourinho is almost certainly going to Madrid and that it is "50-50" that Lamps is going to go to Spain, either Madrid with Mourinho or to Barca. I know that latter bits have been in the press anyway so I doubt that will surprise anyone.

However things in football change so quickly that it is impossible to predict what might happen. I have to say though that I am deeply concerned about the Abramovich situation.

Up the Chels!

If Roman can't understand why the fans sing in support of the most succesful manager in the club's history, he has an awful lot to learn about football.

Hear hear JD, plus he has some growing up to do if he's upset that the fans don't sing his name enough. He is not an Emperor and SB is not the Colosseum. Having said that, if he goes then I would imagine such is the profile that we wouldn't be short of takers.

As for the campaign, well done to the CFCnet lads, but why no mention of the fact that the MHL basically sings 90% of the time and are constantly being threatened by stewards about standing up? I know of 2 people whose seat numbers have been taken despite the fact that had they sat down their view would have been blocked by the fans standing in front of them. It's a tad annoying and a mis-representation that SB is "oh so quiet" - really? What about the Arsenal game, the Liverpool game, the West Ham game or the Fulham game? All of these and more had SB rocking from the outset. I'd also say that SB compares favourably with other PL grounds including the new Library, the Prawn Sandwich Cafe etc. I am guessing we're only truly outdone by the Red Scousers (on their day very loud and who can deny their recent protest against The Sun wasn't impressive) and The Toon Army.

Oh now Tony we are discussing replace Abramovich...When does this end...

The theories presented have been blighted recently...remember the one about Shevy and telling on TSO to RA? Well some stupid sod that told the story had to wrie up an apology...

Your writing is interesting when the gossip element is not included.

You and JD are making out as a pair of conspirators...

People lets not get dragged into another rumour mill...Norwich up next...

Do leave it out Jose - we're simply discussing a comment someone else has made, not plotting Roman's departure. Final time - it is called free speech - if you don't like it, don't take part.

Here's a little snippet from the BBC football newspaper gossip section, this is more likely to be nearer the truth, even if it is from The Sun.


Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been ordered to spend more time in Russia - by the nation's president Vladimir Putin. Abramovich is governor of Chukotka and wanted to resign after six years but Putin ruled he must stay on. (The Sun)

About 4 months ago Roman applied to Putin for a pardon as the guv of Chukotka, Putin said "nine" (i know it's German but it's the best i can do). He doesn want to spend more time in Russia as he's more likely to have all his assets conviscated and go to prisson on a minor charge. Although Putin and himself were good buddies originally Roman has close ties with the other fella who dissed Putin and who was put in jail shortly afterwards. This other fellas name escapes me but he had his assets conviscated and the charge for inprissoning him was a minor tax miscalculation.

I don't think Roman will leave, if he does it will not be to live in Russia.

KTBFFH

Jose, I don't want to be rude, but shut up!

At no point am I gossiping or even starting rumours, and I challenge you to show me where in the article or my comments I am "gossiping". I am merely commenting as JD states on a topic raised in the comments against the article.

When will you learn?

I too think The Sun's point of view is closer to the truth. RA is back in Putin's good books and will want to stay that way to also please any successor to Putin. We've seen with the Litvinenko affair that if the powers in Russia want you out then they can still get to you. If I was RA I'd do the same if it meant keeping Putin sweet and assuring my future.

Good enough to discuss about the possibility of non existent RA dissaffection, but the gossip and speculations needs to be separated. Factual reports vs speculations.

i simply cannot believe a story that RA is not happy with the fans because they are singing his name and also that he wants out and already looking for a financiers. its completely bollocks.

if this was written in the media we surely would have said ' they have started again, its the world against us'.

A lot of rumours will surely sell on chelsea for the forseeable future and some i can start constructing but i better not start (lol)

anyway, its 15hrs Norwich Mean Time!

Abramovich must keep his crown but is relegated in oligarch league:

"Mr Putin plainly means to keep a grip on the oligarchs as next year’s presidential elections approach. Despite Mr Abramovich’s billions, he has to display loyalty to Mr Putin. Mr Putin’s power-play also illustrates the uneasy relationship between the Kremlin and the business elite..."

Anthony - is this a reliable source? How come it's not leaked to the press yet? I spoke to a Russian journalist the other day, and he'd heard nothing about this so interested to hear where it came from.

If Roman really is leaving for that reason, he's a wally. I'm sure we'll survive without him - just. But his continual failure to appear at the Bridge IS significant, and it's silly to pretend otherwise.

The Mirror's put two and two together and got five: Roman on road out of Chelsea.

I do take a brief note of such printed news, but unless people are quoted i find these reports hard to believe.

I'm sure everyone understands all news papers are designed to have you buy them. As soon as you read 'Abramavich leaving Chelsea' a hell of a lot of people are going to buy the paper; Chelsea fans and Chelsea haters. This is the case with most rumours.

The articles here are informative and full of facts but there is no evidence, it's all speculation.

I'm not saying we shouldn’t discuss this topic as there's always a chance Roman could pack his bags. But i can't understand how some people are certain of transfer, departures, arrivals, rifts when there's no grounds for it also it's printed on toilet paper!!!

There are quotes sometimes but usually out of context. People are people and when it come to footballers they may not be the most aurally astute, you wouldn't give out to Christopher Hawkins cause he's sh*t at football, when take players and managers out of context? Toilet/red top paper sales.....


C.H.E.L.S.E.A

Sorry, didn't mean to start a row.

The source is very reliable, and as I said before, I heard through non-football supporting channels. Sorry I can't be more helpful, and I can totally understand why anyone reading this would think it is complete nonsense, but unfortuntately it isn't.

Apparently there are a variety of reasons for him wanting out, but the major one at the time (I was told the Monday after the Wigan game) was that the final straw was the crowd's support of Mourinho. I agree, it is completely ludicrous. But Abramovich, like most highly succesful businessmen, is an egomaniac. He honestly believes he has been disrespected after ploughing £500 million into the club.

As I said earlier, this may all change, and I hope it is a fit of pique. Plus it is a long and drawn out process selling any major asset, especially one which, dare I say, is effectively bankrupt. I imagine, (and this is purely mu supposition) that if we win the European Cup he might hang about. However I think the fact that he failed to turn up at Anfield was profoundly significant, and obviously he hasn't shown since.

Re: Mirror story about RA. This is the paper that had to publish an apology last week over making up a story about Sheva and his dressing room snitching. And that has been caught publishing proven lies before about so-called player unrest (see my previous posts).

But really, could a man who gave this interview just before xmass to the Observer, really be planning to cut and run?

LINK

I agree Danny, I thought exactly the same when I heard that he wanted out. I had read that very article only a fortnight before.

It doesn't add up.

Anthony - it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. He bought us on a whim so could well flog us in a similar manner. But he could also change his mind again.

As I say, his failure to attend a game since this row erupted is clearly significant. Still, not much we can do about it except keep our fingers crossed (and give poor ickle Roman a singsong on Saturday).

Damn you dannybrod - I read that at the time and completely forgot about it - well found mate :-)

The press would just try to unsettle Chelsea at all costs. They have invented stories on JM, Sheva, Lamps, now on Roman. Whether he attends football matches or not does not bother me at all. The owner has invested money in the Club for long term and that matters.

Okay so RA watches the Carling Cup final and all will be back to normal...in the Chelsea fan camp...

We are begining to sound like a load of pessimists...when did this disease catch up...winning two cups in a row I know is something new at the camp but hey it is normal "stop scratching"...

Anthony - Tony...something sounds so familiar here...and it is not the names am up about...

RA is staying for the long haul...I do not about the rest of you but rumours and gossip do not start the fire for me...confirmed truth and even the end result is it for me...

So who after RA? Are moving ground, is Lamps moving, is Kenyon out...have fun!

DannyB,

Great Link.

I wasn't aware of this interveiw. I only saw on the news RM & JM's relationship is "warm enough".

Put in to context with the rest is the truth.

Hi Jose

If Abramovich stays I suspect we will move ground. Kenyon is determined to do this.

If Abramovich goes I suspect Kenyon will go too, though that depends on who the new purchaser is. Kenyon has no affinity with the club, he just likes the pay-cheque.

And yes I think Lamps will leave at the end of the season.

There you go!

if RA goes, i suspect DIC (the consortia that wanted to buy liverpool) take charge and install Graham Souness as the next manager, while Mourhino goes to Real madrid with Terry, drogba and of course our 50 million pound january signing also goes!! while lamps goes to Barcelona.

good news to sell to the sun or mirror, you bet!

Now there we go again!!!

let news on toilet paper sell !(and we also buy)

Alrite lads, how are we on this morning, divided by the looks of it! My Cardiff tickets were booked up yesterday so i'm in high spirits but dampened by this nonsense of Roman leaving just because he MAY have had a fall with Jose. Common.... do you honestly think Roman is that petty that he'd sell up just because of an argument. For all you who believe, why don't you join those muppets on Jimmy Hill's program.

On the whole idea of moving grounds, not sure what to think really, i've been going to the bridge as a nipper and am only 21 so really started when the original shed was torn down and just started the re-making of the bridge. Bit of home for me and everyone i suspect but i think it could be vital we move ground and get a bigger capacity as the like of Arsenal and United seem to be profiting from it and i think it can only help attract bigger names. But hey just my view as i'd be more than happy sitting comfy at the bridge!

To all of you going Cardiff see you there...to those not sorry to hear!

Chelsea's notable absentee hoping to calm waters after return from travels.

Interesting article Nick; tends to conflict with the stories about him returning to sack Mourinho, install Howard Wilkinson as manager and then sell up to United Dairies for £250 and a years' supply of full cream gold top.

Just what I'd heard, anyway ;-)

Thank god it's Friday.

Lads! Presidential Election coming in Mother Russia Kremlin simply needs money for election campaign from loyal Oligarchs. That's should explain RA absence. He simply has to give money if he wants to live. :)
Cruel truth of life in Mother Russia Comrades!
Come on Chels!!!

I'd heard he was replacing Mourinho with Andy Robinson, the former England Rugby Coach and a model exponent of the new breed of coaches for whom

"bad is the new good"

and then flogging us Macdonalds in a Matchday Programme Bond Issue as a means of improving the food quality inside Stamford Bridge, whilst ensuring our athletic young footballers put on a few pounds in order to empathise with the fans and make us "real" again.

Interesting article Nick, and probably nearer the truth than any of the scaremonger stories in the tabs.

Ok you unruly lot

just announced that CFC have a deal with Youtube and this is the Youtube Chelsea page - I haven't checked it out yet but sounds interesting and we're the first club to do this.

LINK

Here's a couple links to the news story announcing the tie-in with YouTube: Chelsea FC strike YouTube deal; and Chelsea launch football channel on YouTube.

Great news it is too. Good to see the club leading the way, keeps geeks like me happy.

That is funny one :-D It shows the good spirit we have in the team!!!!

I can't believe I'm going to agree with MikeL here, but if you're talking about the Diarra interview then I agree, great team spirit.