News for October 2006

Chelsea 2, Pompey 1

October 21, 2006 || posted by whitney

Andriy Shevchenko finally scored his first Stamford Bridge goal and then perhaps understandably was booked for over celebrating. Michael Ballack headed Chelsea's second past the otherwise excellent David James after great work by Drogba and Robben. Benjani netted for Portsmouth but Chelsea withstood some late Pompey pressure to see out the game and go back to the top of the table.


Proper Match Reports

BBC

ESPN Soccernet

Sky Sports

Goals

Sheva 1-0

Ballack 2-0

Pompey 2-1

Cech Could Miss Season

October 15, 2006 || posted by whitney

The Telegraph has an interview with Peter Hamlyn, a consultant neuro-surgeon and director for centre of sports and exercise medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital in London.

The Telegraph

Chelsea 1, Reading 0

October 14, 2006 || posted by whitney

The Blues held on for three points, becoming the first EPL team to win at Reading.

Cudicini was stretchered off with a neck brace after a gruesome collision.

The Team

The 4-3-3 was back.

Cech

Ferreira, Terry, Boulahrouz, Bridge

Mikel, Essien, Lampard

Drogba, Sheva, Robben

First Half

Cech was hurt in the first 30 seconds of the game after taking a knee to the head. After being stretchered off, Cudicini came in.

Play was even, but Chelsea picked up an own goal on a deflected Lampard free kick.

Second Half

John Terry made some fantastic runs up the field - 40 to 50 yards - as Reading closed down the outlet pass to Essien.

Mikel played well, but was sent off after picking up two foolish yellow cards. This will likely be the end of his first team appearences for a while.

Chelsea were very organized, as per the usual with only 10 men, for the next 20 minutes.

Reading finally put together some sustained pressure, but had a man sent off on a Drogba counter-attack.

Cudicini had a scary play and was motionless on the field after a hard collison with Sonko of Reading. He was stretchered of as well.

Injuries to both first team keepers are unfortunate given the pending clash with Barcelona mid week.

Misc. Thoughts

Joe cole came on and had a quiet run, but it was good to see him back.

Boulahrouz had a very strong game, a great bargain at only £5m

Proper Match Reports

BBC

ESPN Soccernet

Sky Sports

Goals

Chelsea 1-0

Cech Injury

Cudicini Injury

Updates

October 3, 2006 || posted by whitney

The Blues are off to a strong start to the season.

After a hectic start - excluding Villa, the Blues dropped points last year to all of their opponents so far in the EPL - Chelsea sit on top of their Champions League group and on the same points as United (16).

Frequent posting to resume this weekend with the Reading match.