News for December 2006

Chelsea 2, Reading 2

December 26, 2006 || posted by whitney

The Blues title chances took a hit as they drew Reading 2-2.

A late own goal cost the Blues, despite an inspirational performance by Drogba.

Goals

Drogba 38
Drogba 72

The Team

The 4-3-3 was in effect.

Hilario

Ferreira, Carvalho, Bridge, Geremi

Ballack, Essien, Lampard

Sheva, Drogba, Kalou

Proper Match Reports

BBC

ESPN Soccernet

Sky Sports

Goals

Drogba 1-0

Lita 1-1

Drogba 2-1

Heskey 2-2

Essien/Cole (og) 2-2

comments () -- click to submit

Chelsea 3, Wigan 2

December 23, 2006 || posted by whitney

The Blues stole the full 3 points today at Wigan.

With a victory by United earlier in the day, the Blues kept pace as the busy Christmas season has just begun.

Goals

Lampard 13
Kalou 31
Robben 93

The Team

The 4-3-3 was in effect.

Hilario

Essien, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, A. Cole

Ballack, Makelele, Lampard

Robben, Drogba, Kalou

First Half

Chelsea dominated the first 30 minutes of the game. They seem poised to close the goal differential gap on United.

At the end of the half, Wigan scored off of a header from Heskey. The defense has been relatively weak without Terry.

Second Half

The second half was hard fought by both team. After a long stretch of pressure, Wigan were able to pull even.

Robben was able to pull the Blues ahead with a classy strike.

Misc. Thoughts

Additional cover in the center defense is needed in January as Boulahrouz has not impressed in his "preferred" position.

Kalou showed more today than SWP has all year. The Blues should loan SWP out in the hopes that he can regain his confidence.

Proper Match Reports

BBC

ESPN Soccernet

Sky Sports

Goals

Lampard 1-0

Kalou 2-0

Heskey 2-1

Heskey 2-2

Robben 3-2

comments () -- click to submit

Chelsea 1, Newcastle 0

December 20, 2006 || posted by whitney

The Blues advanced into the final 4 of the Carling Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Magpies.

Sheva's woes continued. Despite finding the woodwork, he was lifted for Drogba, who scored shortly into his run from a quailty free kick.

Goals

Drogba 79

The Team

The 4-3-3 was in effect.

Hilario

Ferreira, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Bridge

Essien, Makelele, Mikel

Robben, Sheva, Kalou

Proper Match Reports

BBC

ESPN Soccernet

Sky Sports

Goals

Drogba 1-0

comments () -- click to submit

Chelsea 3, Everton 2

December 17, 2006 || posted by whitney

The Blues persevered today to take all three points from a determined Toffees squad.

United suffered a shock defeat at West Ham, shrinking the point gap to two.

Goals

Arteta 38 (pen)
Ballack 49
Yobo 64
Lampard 81
Drogba 87

The Team

The 4-4-2 diamond was in effect.

Hilario

Geremi, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, A. Cole

Makelele

Essien, Lampard

Ballack

Drogba, Robben

Proper Match Reports

BBC

ESPN Soccernet

Sky Sports

Goals

Arteta 0-1

Ballack 1-1

Yobo 1-2

Lampard 2-2

Drobga 3-2

comments () -- click to submit

Chelsea 1, Arsenal 1

December 10, 2006 || posted by whitney

Great game with Chelsea unlucky to take all three points.

A determined Arsenal team held the Blues at bay, but determined possession allowed to Blues to control the flow of play.

After poor marking, a wonder strike from Essien was necessary to equalize.

But in the final two minutes of extra time, the Blues were unlucky as they found woodwork twice.

The Blues sit 8 points back with 1 game in hand. They no longer control their own destiny, but the trying holiday match period is upon us, and I'm hard pressed to believe that United can keep up their form.

Goals

Flamini 78
Essien 84

The Team

The 4-4-2 diamond was in effect.

Hilario

Geremi, Terry, Carvalho, A. Cole

Makelele

Essien, Lampard

Ballack

Drogba, Sheva

First Half

Chelsea controlled the possession and were unlucky to take an early lead as Lampard found the post and an Essien shot was cleared off the line by Fabregas.

Without the steadying influence of either Toure or Gallas, the Arsenal back four was consistently under pressure.

Second Half

After the break Chelsea upped their possession, but went 1-0 down on a counter attack. Flamini was not closed down effectively by Makelele, but the fault for the goal must lie with Hilario. He was able to put both hands on the ball, but couldn't turn it around his post.

The final 20 minutes were played at a frantic pace.

Essien's 35 yard wonder strike equalized. Forget Matthew Taylor's goal that was neither as impressive or important. The ball was macked and it could mark the return of Essien's goal scoring prowess.

Hleb had a chance to win it, as Ashley failed to mark him on the far side of the field. However, he simply missed it.

Chelsea had several chances to win it, but the best two came in extra time.

Off of a set piece, the ball found Essien who was unlucky to find the cross bar.

Later, Lampard's effort was deflected out off of the post by Flamini after a horrendous error by Lehmann.

Misc. Thoughts

The depth of Chelsea was clear as Robben and SWP came on as subs. Robben impressed with his pace and had several attacking runs immediately after entering the game. SWP failed to impress and lost the ball several times in important areas.

Proper Match Reports

BBC

ESPN Soccernet

Sky Sports

Goals

Flamini 0-1

Essien 1-1

comments () -- click to submit