Double delight for Chelsea at Wembley.

Premier League champions Chelsea completed their FA Cup double with a narrow 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at the Wemby stadium here on saturday. Didier Drogba scored the only goal through a free kick to seal the double win for the blues. 

The match started in front of a pack stadium. Pompeys had a decent support who came out to play for pride and prove that they still belong to the premier league but it was not their day… Carlo Ancelotti‘s side had all eyes on the cup with nothing to loose. After fighting till the last match for the barclays premier league the blues wanted to finish with a double and they did. 

The first half went goal less with both the team unable to get past the net. Chelsea suffered a big blow in the 35th minute when Kevin-Prince Boateng‘s tackle injured German mid fielder Michael Ballack. WIth World Cup less than a month this can be a huge blow for him, being out of contract this may possibly be his last match for the blues. After that Drogba hit the woodwork in the 39th minute. 

Portsmouth had a brilliant chance to take the lead when Dindane skipped around Chelsea substitute Juliano Belletti and into the area and when the Brazilian bundled the Pompey striker over, referee Chris Foy pointed to the penalty spot. Unfortunately for Pompey, Boateng’s spot kick went straight down the middle of the goal and Cech saved with his feet. And just at the hour mark, Didier Drogba scored througha free kick when he shot around the wall and in off the post. Chelsea was 1-0 up which and the score line stayed till the end. The Chelsea players and fans were over joyed with the resut giving them the first ever double.

Chelsea plays Portsmouth to finish the year with a double.

Fresh from their triumph in the Barclays English Premier League, Chelsea will be hoping to finish with a double this season. The blues will be meeting Portsmouth in the final of the Football Association Cup (popularly known as the FA Cup) on saturday at the “new” Wembley Stadium. It was a long way for both the teams to reach the 129th final  where teams from all the divisions participated. 

 

News from the newly crowned Premier League champions is that they will be going with their usual squad that trounced Wigan Athletic in the final league match of the season. Beyond that Carlo Ancelotti is still waiting for Branislav Ivanovic injury report which is expected to make the trip to Wembley. Overall Chelsea has had a very good record over the Pompeys and the five times winners will be hoping to make it six and more importantly two in a row following last year’s 2-1 win over gunners. The blues lockers room is in absolute health after the decision of Frank Lampard to take penalty over in the previous match made Didier Drogba who was fighting for the golden boot.

For the Pompeys this is a big game. After relegating from the top division of the English league. the port club will be hoping to win the FA Cup twice in three years. They last won in 2008 after beating Cardiff city by a single goal. News from theri locker room is that midfielder Jamie O’Hara is hoping to play at Wembley on Saturday despite suffering with a double stress fracture in his back. The on loan player will be playing his last match with the Pompeys before moving back to Tottenham Hotspur, his original club. Other than that Avram Grant will be going with their usual squad and hope to make headlines tomorrow.

The match will start at 1500 Hours GMT (1930 Hours IST)

 

Champions Chelsea!!!

Didier Drogba‘s hat-trick and whole lot of goals from others sealed Chelsea‘s premier league title with 8-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the final league match of the season. The blues gave no chance to Manchester United who also won their last match against Stoke City by 4-0. Tottenham Hotspur secured the champions league qualifying place for Europe for the first time in decades despite loosing 4-2 against already relegated Burnley.

Terry & Co took only 6 minutes to get the first one on board when Nicolas Anelka fired the ball past the net. Second goald followed at the half hour mark when Frank Lampard had taken Drogba‘s return pass and surged into the area where he was stopped by Caldwell who grabbed a handful of the front of his shirt. The referee pointed to the spot and the Englishmen converted with no problems. The first half was over and it seemed that the title will surely be at Stamford Bridge this season. 

But Chelsea wanted more… Salomon Kalou got another one for the blues after running in from the right, coordinating with Lampard and finally getting the ball at the back of the net. In less than 2 minutes it was four for Chelsea when Anelka from out wide volleyed Ivanovic‘s crossfield ball with perfect precision across the goal keeper and to find the net. The match was not over yet, the Drogba drubbing followed with 3 back to back goals in the span of 15 minutes from the Ivorian and the things were finally wrapped up by Joe Cole in the 90th minute much to the delight of the over-joyed Stamford Bridge crowd.

 

Chelsea scored a century of goals this season which definately put them in the driving seat. Didier Drogba also the the goalden boot for the maximum number of goals in the premier league this season. He netted 29 goals in 33 games for the blues. Getting the hands on the trophy since surely 2006 must have surely brought great smiles over the whole of Stamford Bridge.

At Old trafford, Sir Alex fielded the best possible squad for the day to gain advantage upon any favourable news from London. The match started with Darren Fletcher scoring at half hour mark when Vidic directed the ball in to the crowed area where Fletcher touched the ball to get into the net. By the time United scored first Chelsea was 2-0 ahead. Second followed for United just 6 minutes later when Ryan Giggs fired close ranger past the goal keeper. Second half goals followed when Danny Higgingbotham scored an own goal for Wigan in the 54th minute. A fourth Reds goal arrived in the 84th minute when substitute Ji-sung Park produced a diving header from Giggs’ corner to make it 4-0. But the scoreline was for pride alone. By that time Chelsea has sealed the title bid with 7 goals. It was an elusive task for the red devils to win with a realtiver easier team for both of them and rest is history.

The final scores are:

Arsenal 4-0 Fulham

Aston Villa 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Birmingham City

Burnley 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea 8-0 Wigan Athletic

Everton 1-0 Portsmouth

Hull City 0-0 Liverpool

Manchester United 4-0 Stoke City

West Ham United 1-1 Manchester City

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Sunderland

Wins for the reds and blues take it to the last day.

The top of the table remained unchanged after Chelsea defeated Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield while defending champions Manchester United also carried their winning form after they narrowly edged past Sunderland with a one goal advantage. After a long time some happiness around Fratton Park was seen when bottom players Portsmouth won 3-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was all playing for pride but this would go a long was helping their morale for the FA Cup.

In the exciting match at the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City came from behind against Aston Villa to beat them 3-1 thus keeping their hopes alive for the champions league football next season. The two goals in the span of 90 seconds changed the game. It was Carlos Tevez penalty in the 41st minute followed by quick shot by Adebayor who counter the visitors lead.

Chelsea put another step forward to the premier league title after thrashing Liverpool with two goals, Much was expected from the home side but it seems the reds are sailing. A foolish back pass by Steven Gerrard saw Didier Drogba easily putting the ball behind the net in the 33rd minute. Frank Lampard made it 2-0 after the break to double the blues lead. The match ended with the same score line.

At the stadium of light, Nani‘s solo goal in the 26th minute held the red devils to a narrow victory, he fired low and hard past the Scottish stopper to give United the lead making his fouth goal of the season. Wayne Rooney retured for the red devils but failed to make any major impact to put them through. The one point trail is what is pinching United. The next weekend will be like a final of a cup which will decide the champions, of course with Chelsea having the upper hand.

pic source: chelseafc.com, manutd.com

Liverpool to fight Chelsea for fourth place while United hopes for some light.

Shifting back to the English Premier League, the final two games are going to be the most important of all. With just 2 points between leaders Chelsea and second placed Manchester United, it is anybody’s title of course the blues having the upper hand. This sunday half of it will be decided when Chelsea will be travelling to meet Liverpool at Anfield followed by Manchester United‘s match against Sunderland.

Its an important fixture at the top, for Chelsea it is about the titie while for Liverpool it is more important regarding the climbing up of places and securing themselves a place in Europe. Chelsea‘s body language was seen totally fired up with their 7-0 win against Stoke City last weekend. Chelsea will be banking on the experience of Frank Lampard to deliver while Didier Drogba has enjoyed a fantastic season and is closing in on Wayne Rooney as the Premier League’s top scorer. Skipper John Terry will return for Chelsea but Liverpool will be without striker Fernando Torres as they aim to keep alive their slim chances of a top-four finish.

Just after Chelsea‘s match all focus will be shifting on the Stadium of Light where the red devils will be playing. Man United will be having a close look on Darren Bent as he scored against them in the opening minutes the last time they met. Sunderland are on a good run, with three wins from their last four games. And they are unbeaten at home in their last nine League games. But positives for United is that they have the best away record in the league this season with 33 points. United will be banking on the lights of Berbatov in the front  with crucial passes from Nani and Giggs from the sides. But whatever it is, the EPL will go down to the wire this season.

The match timings are:

Saturday

Birmingham City Vs Burnley  12:45 Hours GMT

Manchester City  Vs Aston Villa  15:00 Hours GMT

Portsmouth Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Hours GMT

Stoke City  Vs Everton 15:00 Hours GMT

Tottenham Hotspur Vs Bolton Wanderers 15:00 Hours GMT

Sunday

Liverpool Vs Chelsea 13:30 Hours GMT

Fulham Vs West Ham United 15:00 Hours GMT

Sunderland Vs Manchester United 16:00 Hours GMT

Manchester United host Spurs in the crucial league stage.

After some great round of football last weekend when Chelsea lost and United won the league it back with the utmost excitement. All the twenty teams will be in action. Starting the play with an early kick off on Saturday is Tottenham Hotspur, who defeated Chelsea and previously defeated Arsenal also, will be on the way to Old Trafford to play against defending Champions Manchester United while leaders Chelsea will be hoping to cruise past Stoke City at home and sit at a comfortable position with their lead on Sunday.

The match at Old Trafford is important for both teams. Manchester United are desperate to get back at the top and retain the title while Tottenham on the other side would be hoping to cement their fourth place while takes them to the champions league qualification round. News from the locker room is that Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown may be back in the starting line up for the red devils while Wayne Rooney is still short of full fitness to start. Sir Alex will be banking on the experiece of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes to break the deadlock. For Spurs Jonathan Woodgate is out injured with a groin trouble while Jermaine Jenas is doubtful to play at OT. The table will be changed… lets see what happens.

The match timings of the weekend matches are:

Saturday

Manchester United Vs Tottenham Hotspur 1245 Hours GMT

Bolton Wanderers Vs Portsmouth 1500 Hours GMT

Hull City Vs Sunderland 1500 Hours GMT

West Ham United Vs Wigan 1500 Hours GMT

Wolves Vs Blackburn Rovers 1500 Hours GMT

Arsenal Vs Manchester City 1700 Hours GMT

Sunday

Aston Villa Vs Birmingham City 1200 Hours GMT

Burnley Vs Liverpool 1500 Hours GMT

Everton Vs Fulham 1500 Hours GMT

Chelsea Vs Stoke City 1600 Hours GMT

Injury time winner put Man United back into the title race after Chelsea looses.

Come what may, the habits remains… Paul Scholes scored in the 92nd minute to give Manchester United a crucial 1-0 win against their city rivals Manchester City at the Eastlands on Saturday. City will be wondering what happens to them when they play against their neighbours. The last time they met at Old Trafford, Michael Owen’s 94th minute goal decided their fate. In the late kick-off, Chelsea lost 1-2 against Totttenham Hotspurs thus making the league further exciting with only a point separating the leaders.  Consolation for spurs for getting in the top and inching closer to the prized champions league qualification spot.  

The match started with many tensions around Manchester United as any loss of points may result in any chance of getting hold of the premier league trophy. Both sides started the game with evident intent to attack. Darren Fletcher fired a 25-yard effort inches wide of Shay Given‘s post, with the Irishman well beaten, before Carlos Tevez‘s top corner free-kick drew a fine full-length catch from Edwin van der Sar. But the defence on both the sides didn’t allow the ball to get past the net. The teams went into the break with goalless score line. 

 
In the second half, Sir Alex substituted Wayne Rooney with Dimitar Berbatov to get something out of the Bulgarian but the match seemed like going for a goal less draw with no real threat at both the ends. But that was not how it supposed to end. The match was in the 92 minute, Patrice Evra‘s superb cross was nicely headed by Paul Scholes, who recently signed a new one year contract with United, to the bottom right of Given to give the visitors a priceless lead and hence the winner.

 

Penalty conversion by Jermain Defoe and a  strike by Gareth Bale in the opening half shocked leaders Chelsea with a 2-1 victory at the White Hart Lane. Chelsea got one back in the injury time of the match through Lampard but it was too late. Also a bad day for John Terry after he received a second yellow for an unwanted tackle. Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes did everything to stop the ball which resulted in a well deserved win for the home team. 

Other results of Saturday are:

Birmingham City 0-0 Hull City

Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Everton

Fulham 0-0 Wolves

Stoke 1-2  Bolton

Sunderland 2-1 Burnley

Chelsea visits Spurs to further extend the lead. Manchester derby on the cards…

After suffering a major jolt in the premier league title, the defending championsManchester United will be facing the City rivals Manchester City in the Manchester Derby and the timings could not be any better than this. In the other big match tomorrow, leader Chelsea will be visiting White Hart Lane in a tricky fixture againstTottenham Hotspurs. Battling for the all important champions league place, sixth placed Liverpool will be going all out against West Ham United on Monday to climb up places and hope there rivals go the opposite way. So with the top teams playing each other, it will be an exciting Premiership Saturday which is bound to change the table.

 

From the red devils camp there ace striker Wayne Rooney is expected to return from the ankle injury while wingerRyan Giggs and defender Rio Ferdinand are expected to stay at bench following there hamstring injury and groin injury respectively. Latest from the neighbours camp is that Pablo Zabaleta is available again after serving a two-match suspension, and Stephen Ireland is due back following a three-game absence with a shin injury. Patrick Vieira is being carefully watched after he picked up a slight knee injury. Former Man United striker, Carlos Tevezwill be looked as his head to head record with the former club looks interesting.

 

Chelsea will be looking to extend their league at the top when they are up against Spurs. Huge boost for the blues is that England left-back Ashley Cole has recovered from his broken ankle and is back in the first-team squad for the first time since February. 
Other matches over the weekend are:

Saturday

Manchester City v Manchester United 12:451″”> Hours GMT

Birmingham City v Hull City 15:00 Hours GMT

Blackburn Rovers v Everton 15:00 Hours GMT

Fulham v Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Hours GMT

Stoke City v Bolton Wanderers 15:00 Hours GMT

Sunderland v Burnley 15:00 Hours GMT

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea 17:30 Hours GMT

Sunday

Wigan Athletic v Arsenal 13:30 Hours GMT

Portsmouth v Aston Villa 16:00 Hours GMT

Monday

Liverpool v West Ham United 20:00 Hours GMT

Rooney-less United to prove a point against Chelsea this weekend.

The stage is set for the biggest match of the season. It will be the clash of the titans as champions Manchester United will be hosting rivals Chelsea at Old Trafford as if not everything, allot depends upon the leader of the league after this match. The two have met in the Champions league, FA Cup and all loads of tournament and most of the time the result have always seen one team losing the trophy to other.

 

In other matches, Arsenal will be hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers and would be hoping to get back on track for the title while struggling Liverpool hope to get the fourth place when they face Birmingham City. Fourth placed Tottenham will be visiting the stadium of light to face Sunderland who had put up a decent show this season.

After their champions league defeat in the hands of Bayern, Manchester United will be hoping to have a positive result out of this one. Big blow for the red devils is the injury to Wayne Rooney which he received in the midweek loss.Although it is not a fracture but a ligament tear will also take a minimum of two weeks to heal as a result he may miss the return leg against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. Other than that Manchester United will going with their usual side with Ryan Giggs, Valencia in the wing and Berbatov up front.

Knowing the intensity, the blues are all fired up to get this one away that to in front of the devils crowd. After their exit from Europe they will be hoping to lead the table after the match. With Drogba fit and Lampard providing the breakthroughs, Carlo Ancelotti’s men has no doubt to get this one.

The match timings are:

Saturday:

Manchester United vs Chelsea 12:45 Hours GMT

Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Hours GMT 

Bolton Wanderers vs Aston Villa 15:00 Hours GMT
Portsmouth vs Blackburn Rovers 15:00 Hours GMT
Stoke City vs Hull City 15:00 Hours GMT
Sunderland vs Tottenham Hotspur 15:00 Hours GMT
Burnley vs Manchester City 17:30 Hours GMT

Sunday:
Birmingham City vs Liverpool 15:00 Hours GMT
Fulham vs Wigan Athletic 15:00 Hours GMT
Everton vs West Ham United 16:00 Hours GMT

Manchester United’s four retains top position after Chelsea’s struck seven.

Manchester United completed the double over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok with an emphatic 4-0 win in the late kick-off on Saturday but not before Chelseastruck with a spectacular seven over Aston Villa at home. Meanwhile third placedArsenal’s title challenge suffered a major halt when an injury time goal by Kevin Phllips made the gunners lead go in vain and eventually they had to settle for a draw.

 

Manchester United got the lead in a pretty unusual fashion when in the crowded penalty area after Jloyd Samuelgot the ball and side footed into his own net in the 38th minute. The teams went into the break with 1-0 in home side’s favour.

Second half was truly Man United’s with three goals in it. Dimitar Berbatov got his first when a deflected ball by the goal keeper landed in his foot who simply tapped it behind the net. He got his second in the 78th minute when Nani teased Bolton defenders with some lovely footwork on
the left flank and pulled the ball back for Berbatov to complete. Finally things were wrapped up by Darron Gibson8 minutes from time when he came in as a substitute.

 

Chelsea gave a strong signals to the leaders after they thrashed Aston Villa with 7-1 scoreline. Frank Lampardnetted 4 times for the blues and Florent Malouda scored twice and one for Kalou in the win. Needless to say… but Villa equalised at 1-1 when Carew tapped a cross over the line at the far post but that was it for the visiting side.

Arsenalsuffered a major setback against Birmingham City after Samir Nasri’s 82nd minute lead was cancelled byKevin Phillips in the injury time of the match.

Other results were:

Hull City 2-0 Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Portsmouth

West Ham United 0-1 Stoke City

Wolves 0-0 Everton