AVB: West Brom ´far, far superior´ to Chelsea

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas admits West Brom were "far, far superior" in the Blues' 1-0 defeat at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

The Baggies grabbed all three points after Gareth McAuley struck late on in the Midlands, condemning the visitors to their third defeat in five matches.

Although Chelsea did press for an equaliser in the dying minutes, they were largely outplayed by their less illustrious hosts throughout the match, and Villas-Boas accepted they had been outperformed on the day.

"First of all, credit of course to West Brom for a magnificent game, but we just weren’t good enough on the day," Villas-Boas said.

"They won the first ball, every second ball. They were far, far superior to us."

"We had an edge, suddenly, after the first 10 minutes of the game when we had a couple of chances and we managed to get behind West Brom’s defence."

"One goal early on I think would have given us extra motivation, but to be fair, I don’t think we deserved it because West Brom also had their fair share of chances. "

With speculation refusing to go away surrounding his future at Stamford Bridge, the former Porto boss accepted that the pressure is unlikely to lift after today’s defeat.

"You have to agree with it," he said. "We stay in the same position, in fifth, but we are now three points behind third."

"It's a big, big disappointment and a defeat that puts you into the perspective of the Champions League."

"Every defeat Chelsea suffers piles more pressure on any manager, or any manager that tastes defeat at a top club. Today it is acceptable that pressure is piled on me a little bit more. It is completely acceptable."

West Brom boss sympathised with Villas-Boas' plight a Chelsea, saying the Portuguese needed more time to complete the transformation at Stamford Bridge.

"I sympathise and empathise (with Villas-Boas’ position)," Hodgson said.

"The day when we football coaches, particularly those of us who have experience realise that football does have two sides to its coin, it’s not unmitigated success."

"There are moments of failure you have to come to terms with in your career, justified, mertited or not, it doesn’t matter."

"The day we don’t stand up for each other, identify, sympathise with other managers it will be a sad day."

"He's come to Chelsea with high expectations and it hasn’t started as well as he and everyone else at Chelsea may have liked."

"To build a team takes time, it is a constant process and there are no magic wands. If he is going to be successful at Chelsea, he needs the time to stamp his authority on the team and the way he wants them to play and I believe, given the time he’ll be able to do that."

Sumber : Soccerway

De Gea: Freidel is my idol

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea wants to copy Tottenham keeper Brad Freidel's long career.

United face Harry Redknapp's men on Sunday, with the champions undefeated against the north London side in 26 matches across all competitions.

Ahead of the meeting with his opposite number at White Hart Lane, the Spaniard said Friedel has always been someone he looks up to.

"I always valued his work and had heard good things about his performances in the Premier League and with the American team," de Gea said.

"I've watched him on video because it is interesting to compare yourself to other keepers."

"He is excellent in one-on-one situations and also when faced with free-kicks. Watching him makes me want to play for United when I'm 40!"

"That's not easy and Friedel deserves great credit still to be playing. Keepers improve as the years go by but, at the moment, I'm still a baby."

The 21-year-old is beginning to show more consistency for United and earned the man of the match award against Norwich City last weekend.

However he has come in for criticism this season and while the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper admits he needs to work in some areas, such as bossing about more experienced players, he reveals that his manager has been a big help.

"I know I failed in some matches, but that has helped me learn - and the key was the manager's support," de Gea said.

"I am working on my athletic ability every day to improve my agility and jumping. English football is very hard for keepers and I need to be the boss of my own area."

"To order men like Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic around is not easy for a rookie like me."

"But they are very professional and tell me the goalkeeper is the owner of the area and accept what I say."

"Sir Alex is a big influence. He has helped me cope with the pressure. I am not surprised by the pressure and I try and turn this into a positive."

Sumber : Soccerway

Premier League: West Brom 1 Chelsea 0

West Brom have moved into the top half of the table following their first English Premier League win over Chelsea on Saturday.

West Brom had the better of the first half at The Hawthorns as they continuously pressed high up the pitch, affording Chelsea next to no time on the ball, but the visitors were holding firm and Petr Cech was on form.

The second half followed a similar pattern as West Brom dominated for long periods and their goal finally came as Gareth McAuley poked home following a free-kick to give the home team a 1-0 victory.

Both sides named unchanged teams from their respective wins last weekend and Fernando Torres missed out once again for Chelsea, while Daniel Sturridge also started despite being a doubt with a toe injury.

After five goals in his past two matches, Peter Odemwingie started up front alongside Marc-Antoine Fortune, Jerome Thomas started even though he was doubtful and Chris Brunt returned to the squad, taking a place on the bench.

The match started brightly for both sides as Keith Andrews' header tested Cech, and then moments later at the other end Gary Cahill tried to bundle the ball home after Juan Mata's corner, but the home defence stood strong.

Chelsea had been second best for the first 15 minutes, but they soon got themselves a chance when Michael Essien played a forward ball to Didier Drogba, who in turn flicked the ball cleverly into the penalty area, but Mata's right-footed attempt was put behind by Ben Foster.

Next to try his luck was Fortune as his effort squirmed wide of Cech's right hand post, followed soon by a long-range strike from Odemwingie, which also went wide.

The backwards and forwards nature of the match continued as Chelsea were twice unlucky not to take the lead. First, Essien's driven strike was clawed away from the top corner by Foster, and then Sturridge, with the defence and goal at his mercy, beat the goalkeeper but put his strike wide of the post.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first, as both sides traded blows but neither could manage a goal.

Chelsea almost took the lead when Steven Reid gave possession away before going down injured, but the visitors weren't interested as Drogba played Sturridge though the middle, only for Foster to rush miles out of his goal, beating the striker and clearing.

Fortune soon got himself another opportunity as a ball from the left evaded Luiz, bouncing over the Brazilian, but the Baggies striker's shot was palmed over by Cech.

As the hosts continued press, a goal always looked likely and they finally took the lead through McAuley. Chelsea once again failed to clear their lines from a West Brom free-kick and after the ball bobbled about in the penalty area, the former Ipswich defender was on hand to poke the ball past Cech.

Frank Lampard came inches from equalising as he flicked Mata's pass goalwards, but West Brom held on for the three points after a fantastic performance.

Sumber : Soccerway