v. QPR - Fighting blues undone by Chris Foy diabolical refereeing

A narrow derby defeat for Chelsea after going down to a solitary goal at Loftus Road. In an earlier match, Man City mauled their rival United 6-1 at Old Trafford giving us the chance to leap frog United into second place with a win against QPR.

It wasn't a good start from Chelsea, slow off the mark with QPR showing more hunger without threatening Petr Cech in goal. The game suddenly burst into life after controversially the referee in charge Chris Foy handed QPR a penalty after Helguson falls easily after a soft nudge by David Luiz. The first of many controversial decision made by the man in charge. QPR went ahead and any sign of a Chelsea comeback was quash with a double sending off in quick session, first Bosingwa before Drogba then receiving the marching order. Half time, Chelsea a goal down and playing with 9 men. Game over?

Chelsea start the second half with real intent, and any numerical advantage QPR have was not seen. The 9 men of Chelsea work hard to find the equalizer, running up and down the pitch working their socks off. A few more yellow cards was shown to Chelsea players by the card friendly Foy and a couple of penalty shout by us was waved away by the 'experience' referee. We fought and fought till the 95th minutes but couldn't find the back of the net. Our second lost of the season after 9 game.

A disappointing result but proud of the boys. Again referee being in the spot light and this time Chelsea was on the receiving end. How much longer do teams have to take this, result are getting very important in football these days and referees was getting off lightly after making wrong decision. Chris Foy one of the most experience referee in the league making so much error in one match make me wonder the standard of refereeing nowadays. Video technology, 4th 5th 7th official, referee consistency.... whatever it is, something need to be done. Make me sicks referee getting into the spotlight and cast shadow from the players or the football that's being played.

Again credit to the 9 men of Chelsea. Proud of the way they performed in the second half and we deserve at least a point from the game. Drogba didn't have the best of game, he lose the ball easily just before both of the sending off and again David Luiz repeating the same mistake he has done since his arrival at the Bridge, but he worked hard to make up his early error. Chins up Blues, we gave them hell of a game with only 9 men. KTBFFH

v Man Utd - Postives all around defeat

Almost a month into the 2011/12 season, Chelsea first big test came in the form of defending Champion Man Utd. Chelsea sitting 3rd before kick off visited the undefeated Man Utd who is firing on all cylinders and scoring for fun. A test for young AVB.

The first half started on a frantic pace, it has been expected with Hernandez, Young, Nani all in the starting eleven for United. Its end to end stuff with both team having a fair chance of scoring. Unfortunately for Chelsea, United have the better luck in front of goal and went into half time leading 3-0. It was a flattering scoreline with Chelsea controlling much of the first half, having the better stats of shots on goal and corners. Add to that, the first two of United goals are wrongly awarded due to offside. Harsh scoreline... Unlucky.. Damage limitation for the second half?

A surprise and bold change by the manager for the second half. A correct move i would say, Frank Lampard was nonexistence and clearly struggle with the pace of the game. On came Nic Anelka, pays off immediately. One minute into the second half, a neat ball from Anelka in behind the defenders finished it off neatly by Fernando Torres. The finish of the old FT. Game on! Torres back to his best? We pushed harder after the goal and like the first half, continue controlling the game with few chances should have been put away. In the attempt to get back in the game, we leave ourself expose at the back with United having their fair chance in front of goal and luckily they were much wasteful as we are. Rooney missed a penalty, Torres miss an open goal. The game finished 3-1. Could have been 8-8.

The first lost of the season. Need to bounce back quickly. Not much negativity in the defeat (to most of Chelsea fans). Clearly the result doesn't reflect the game itself. We had most of the possession as well as the corners and shots count. Man United deserved their win for taking their chances. For the second game in a row, Fernando Torres show he's almost there, back at his best. Scoring a good goal with a great finished but shamed all the goods he has done in the game was overshadowed by his miss.

v. WBA - Villas Boas first home game as manager.

Far from convincing. Thats all that i can say. Playing at home, the fans we expecting a comfortable win with few suggesting that Fernando Torres after playing well for us in the first game will open his goal scoring account for the season. But that wasnt the case and WBA has other ideas.

From a mistake, WBA took the lead after only 4 minutes through Shane Long. Chelsea control the ball after that and try to find the equalizing goal. Possession was control by Chelsea but the team failed to carve up an opening. The team was slow moving and controling the ball, passing sideways with no penetration at all and clearly lacking creativity or idea. Chelsea went into half time trailing 0-1.

In the second half Chelsea did improve and get the equalizer from Nic Anelka with a slight deflected shot. It was a deserve equalizer after Chelsea knocking on the door a couple of time. Didier Drogba came on for Nando to try and get the winner and 10,9 minutes from time Chelsea finally get the second goal when Malouda connecting with Bosingwa low cross after the right back good work down the right.

The final wisel came to a sign of relief from the home supporters. A game that was not confortable at all and could have gone wrong. AVB recorded his first ever win and he knew much need to be improved. 3 points all that matter but things cannot continue like this.

The transfer windoew is less than 2 weeks before its shut. Today Valencia already accepted a bid said to be around 26mil for Juan Mata from Chelsea. The lack of pace, craft and quality was seen the last two game and lets hope this signing will improve the team performance. Chelsea also linked with Luca Modric but Spurs are playing hard to get on this one. Lets hope we get our man before the windows close and maybe we can give a run to Man Utd and Man City who really look impressive after 2 weeks into the new season. KTBFFH

v. Man City - Just keep on believing

If Man Utd were deemed and destined to lift the title come the end of the season. So be it. But until that happen, we will try our very best to push them till the end.

It was a huge game against City. A do or die interm of the title hope and an important and significant one interm of securing the top 4 finish. Coming into the game with great momentum after a turn around of fortune the last couple of weeks, we set up to get all three points and it was the case of trying to break City down. It was a cracking atmosphere at the Bridge, with fans trying to to urge the players from the start. But after 78min... a 0-0 scoreline was on the card and the fans was getting more and more frustrated until David Luiz pop up to head the all important goal that erupt Stamford Bridge. Another Brazilian in Ramires who had a good game capped a wonderful night for us to seal the win in injury time.

A very important 3 points for the team and for all the fans, that keep the slim hope of retaining the title alive. United is the favourite to be Champions and may as well be the Champions come May, but not yet... not yet. We will keep fighting and keep believing cause that what Champion do. We are and we still the Champions. KTBFFH



v. Birmingham - Blame it on bad luck

Worrying times for Chelsea Football Club. Another defeat, the second in as many games has blown the tittle race wide open. After a very good start to the season, Chelsea form has dip drastically securing only 3 points from a possible 12 and scoring only once in the four games.

Yesterday performance was a better one compared to the Sunderland game, but still we couldnt break down the opponent who only manage to get one shot on target the whole game and still won. Chelsea on the other side have 16 corners, 32 goal attempts, 9 shots on target and was in control for much of the game. Bad luck and great goalkeeping from B'ham keeper Ben Foster was the different and turning point of the match. It was a defeat that is hard to take, a bitter pill to swollow for all those related to the club.

There are few fans that suggest the dismissal of assistant manager Ray Wilkins was the factor of the poor performance the past couple of weeks, but i hope it wasnt the case. For me, the injury crisis that see a few of our big players missing was the main reason for the blips. Certainly we miss the influence of JT, the creativity of FL, the strentgh and determination of ME. It will be a testing moments for the rest of Chelsea players the next few games, with the big guns still not available, its up to them to step up and perform to their max. And lets hope with a bit of luck we could put our season back on track. After a poor run of result the pass couple of weeks, we still sit top of the league, so not all was lost this weekend. KTBFFH.

v Sunderland - Awful and Dreadful

Whoever turn up against Sunderland at the Bridge yesterday, it wasnt the Champions. A very awful and dreadful performance by Chelsea see them beaten convincingly, conceding 3 and unable to score or evan creating clear cut chances, one of the worst football i seem them played at home. There was so much wrong in the game, i dont know where to start. Only goalkeeper Petr Cech can held his head up and certainly doesnt deserve to be on the losing side, if not for him, it could be worst, maybe it would have been a drubbing 5,6 goals defeat.

The backfour of Bosingwa, Ferreira, Ivanovic and Cole didnt look comfortable. It was a patch up centre back pairing with both Alex and Terry out, but playing a fullback in the centre of defence is clearly a mistake and maybe if Carlo have more faith in young Jeffry Bruma it could have been difference. As good as him going forward, Bosingwa defensive qualities was always a question mark and clearly his defensive game was asked for last night with a weakened cetreback pairing and he doesnt turn up. Cole made the blunder for Sunderland 3rd goal, but the game was already lost by that time. Clearly not the defending that see us recorded 9 clean sheet consecutively at the Bridge before the game.

The midfield is worst, maybe the main cause of the defeat. Mikel, Zhirkov, and Ramires clearly lost the battle in the middle of the park. The trio for me is too lightweight and doesnt make enough impact going forward. No penetrating run forward, no penetrating pass (only sideways and backward), too casual, no creativity, and cannot threat the Sunderland goal with long range effort. Certainly Essien and Lampard was miss, we need them back ASAP.

The forward just doesnt turn up and largly dissapointing. Drogba doesnt look himself, maybe not 100% fit yet, but too see him apologising and picking up opponent defender during the game clearly not the Drog i used to see who is strong, a menace in terrorising his opponent. The sub that come in, doesnt make any different and maybe some of the youngster is not ready to step up yet.

There are so many thing crossing my mind right now, lots of wrong in the performance, strategies and attitude of both the manager and players yesterday. i should stop now (cant bare the pain). Hope for better days next weekend. KTBFFH

v Liverpool - El Nino strike twice

Fernando Torres scored 2 well taken goals in the first half to ensure Liverpool revival continue after a very bad start to the season. Chelsea on the other hand suffered their second defeat in the league and was largly dissapointing especially in the first half. The Anfield crowd was magnificent, certainly the twelve man on the pitch. The atmosphere lifted the home side, the players respond showing their hunger and determination that wasnt visible in their previous matches.

A good manager he is, but i think Carlo made a very huge mistake yesterday by leaving Didier Drogba on the bench and starting with Malouda, Anelka, Kalou up front. Surely complacency was there in the Chelsea camp, the team was second best through out the first half and Liverpool showed that they want it more than the Chelsea players. With Essien missing due to injury, the Blues midfield and forward was lightweight and losing the 50-50 ball eventually the midfield battle. Only when DD came on in the second half, we've manage to get hold of the ball and threatening the Liverpool goal. Unfortunately for us, the Liverpool defend was tight and goalkeeper Reina was at his best.

Different from the defeat at Man City, Liverpool clearly deserve all 3 points considering the poor performance shown by Chelsea in the first half which i think where the game has been lost and Liverpool players manage to lift their performance for the game. The only positive i can think of right now is we have only 3 days to dwell on the defeat and poor performance. Midweek game against London rival Fulham coming up and i expect the team to bounce back with a good result and performance. KTBFFH



v Blackburn - Mark of a Champion?

Chelsea maintained the 5 points lead at the top with a 2-1 victory against Blackburn Rover at Ewood Park. Blackburn took a deservledy lead through Benjani before Anelka equalise after a neet set up by Drogba. 6 mins from time, Ivanovic broke the rovers heart heading the winning goal to secure a hard fought 3 points.

It wasnt a pretty game of football with Chelsea struggling to dictate play and to be honest i think we were lucky to bag all 3 points, Rovers has done a good job preventing us from playing our usual passing football with them closing us down quickly and being physical especially in the first half with them threatening our goals a couple of time.

But playing away to the likes of Rovers of this world and winning is where i think titles are won and lost. Grinding out result when we obviously didnt play well is a true mark of a Champion and i hope we will be there comes May. The other positives we can take from the game is the character we've showed to come back from a goal down and showing title rivals that Chelsea can mix it up, not only playing neet and pretty football. Individual performance, got to gives credit to goalkeeper Cech who looks really good the pass couple of matches and showing sign of getting back to his old form. Zhirkov is a revelation this season and getting his confidence back after a poor start to his Chelsea career and i hope he will be better proving the 18mil we spent on him is not a waste. A valuable and massive 3 points considering we're not at our best but still manage to get through. KTBFFH



v Arsenal - Didier Did It Again

Chelsea went into the 2 weeks international break with a healthy 4 point lead over 2nd place Man City after Didier Drogba and Alex scored in each half to give Chelsea a 2-0 victory over Arsenal. DD magnificent form against the Gunners continued when he open the scoring in the 39th minutes his 13th goals in 11 starts against our London neighbour. Alex then seal the match with a thunderous free kick 5 mins from the end crashing any hope of a comeback for The Gunners.

The scoreline didn't reflect the game as Arsenal do cause Chelsea a few problems especially in the second half. New signing Marouane Chamakh with his areal threat causing all sort of trouble for the Chelsea back line, luckily not one of the chances been made count by the forward. Arsenal were once again without their inspirational captain Fabregas clearly look lacking creativity and they will be hoping the Spaniard can recover before their next game in  2 weeks time after losing 2 straight games in the league.

With Man Utd unable to collect full points at Sunderland, the gap between Chelsea and Man Utd which i think our biggest title rival has opened up to 5 points. Still a very long way to go but a good start to the season and topping the league early on is always welcomed. Now we can just relax, enjoy the international games and hopefully our players return from their national team scathe free. KTBFFH

v Marseille - Deschamps back at the Bridge

Chelsea continue their 100% start to the Champions League campaign this season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over French outfit Olympique Marseille. Early goal from captain John Terry helped settle the nerves and we're in control from that point on. Nic Anelka scored from the spot at the half hour mark to make it 2-0. It was cruise control in the second half, although Marseille had the ball more, they never really threatens Cech's goals. Chelsea could have added a few more goals in the second half, but was unlucky when effort from Alex and Essien hitting the woodwork.

A very important and morale boosting win for us after 2 straight defeat before the match. The win also put us in pole position to qualify for the next stage of the competition as well as building up good momentum coming into the match against Arsenal this weekend. Bring on the Gunners!! KTBFFH

The match against Marseille bring back former player Didier Deschamp back to the Bridge. The now Marseille's Manager was part of the Blues foreign legion under the guidance of Gianluca Vialli. Although he only spend 1 season at Chelsea, he did helped the team to lift the FA Cup in the 1999/2000 campaign. The game was played at the Old Wembley stadium, where we defeated Aston Villa thanks to a solitary goal from Roberto Di Matteo, the current West Bromwich Albion manager. Yes, we were the last team to win the FA Cup at old Wembley. Who said we don't have history? Owhhh... BTW, we were also the first to win it at the new one. KTBFFH

v Man City - Not a bad weekend after all

A bad start to the weekend and could have been even worst at the end. But the worst didnt happened, both Chelsea's main title rivals Arsenal and Man Utd also drop points against West Brom and Bolton respectively, so i can wake up on Monday morning and still afford a smile.

Chelsea lost their first game in the league for the first time this season and their third consecutive to Man City thanks to a second half Carlos Tevez goal. Man City fast becoming Chelsea bogey team came into the match with a game plan, and Mancini's tactics was spot on. Playing 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 which ever you would like to see it and with 8 defensive minded players in the starting line up, it was deem to be a frustrating afternoon for Chelsea.

Frustrating day it was, Chelsea only being limited to half chances and only threatens from set pieces. Man City defensive midfield trio of De Jong, Yaya Toure and Barry were dominant, strong, and winning the physical battle. City's backline was also having a good day out, didnt give space and a sniff of opportunity to Drogba and co, leaving the Chelsea forwards at bay.

All in all, it was still a good football match. Personally i think Chelsea really miss Frank Lampard, when City defend like they did on Saturday, we were kept depriving for Lampard qualities most of all his long range shooting. In another day, it might be a different kind of story. KTBFFH



v Newcastle - Ameobi sucker punch

Chelsea crash out of the Carling Cup with a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United thanks to a last minutes goal from Shola Ameobi. The night look well for us when 2 of our youngster Gael Kakuta and van Aanholt combining well to give Chelsea a dream start in the 3rd minutes of the game. But Newcastle had other ideas, coming back and scoring twice to give Newcastle the lead at half time.

The night got evan worse for Chelsea when Newcastle got another goal early in the second half to make it 3-1 and the misery continues when Kalou and after that Benayoun was was forced out of the game due to injury. Already making 3 substitutes, Chelsea had to play the remainder of the game with 10 men.

Although Chelsea manage to come back and drew level with 2 goals from Anelka, the early sign that it was not our night was confirmed when Shola Ameobi headed the winner in the 90th minutes.

A very dreadful night for Chelsea indeed. The only positive i can think off is that we can erase the memory and bounce back as early as this saturday when we play against Man City the biggest test so far this season. With the big names rested last night, hope for a great responses from the whole team this weekend. KTBFFH

v. Zilina - Nic Anelka handcuff gesture

The game:
Chelsea opened their champions league campaign for 2010/2011 with a 4-1 away victory at MSK Zilina. Goal from Essien, Sturridge and a brace by Anelka ensure Chelsea got the all important 3 points. Chelsea were without several key players with Drogba suspended, Lampard still not recovered from his operation and Ashley Cole being rested. This give the opportunity to the likes of Zhirkov, Benayoun and Sturiddge to have some playing times and show the Gaffer what they can do. Overall Chelsea looks comfortable for the whole 90min but struggle to hold the ball and control the tempo of the game without the presence of Lampard and Drogba in the team. Still a good victory and glad the points are in the bag.

Highlight:
Nicolas Anelka was very influential in the match scoring 2 goals and setting up another for Essien. A great game for the frenchman and his celebration after scoring was class. Nic celebrated with a handcuff gesture aiming to the  French Football Federation after what happened in the 2010 South Africa World Cup. He was banned from the national team for 18 matches and his celebration is a great way to hit back at those idiots at FFF.

I guess Nic will never wear the les blues shirt ever again, but he is already wearing a blue shirt week in and week out here at CFC. KTBFFH