Champions League: Chelsea 1 Barcelona 0

A Didier Drogba goal was enough to lift Chelsea to a 1-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

Alexis Sanchez hit the bar early on and Cesc Fabregas had a weak effort cleared off the line for the reigning champions before Drogba delighted the Stamford Bridge crowd by finishing a smart break in first-half stoppage time.

Chelsea then shut Barca down effectively in a second half where chances were scarce, until Pedro hit the post and Sergio Busquets blasted the rebound feebly over at the death.

As expected, Barca immediately began dominating possession.

An Andres Iniesta through-ball that bypassed the Chelsea defence found Sanchez free in the area, and he deftly dinked it over Petr Cech but unluckily saw his effort come back off the crossbar.

Barca were not producing their best but should have been in front after 16 minutes.

Messi dragged two defenders out of the way before cutting back to Iniesta, whose shot was parried by Cech. The rebound came to Fabregas but he fired wide.

Midway through the half and Barca were slowly turning up the pressure.

First, Fabregas forced a near-post save from Cech before Messi leapt on the edge of the box to head an Alexis cross into the stretching keeper's arms.

A patchy period followed with a few niggling fouls and no great creation, with Chelsea quashing much of Barca's attacking prospects.

Their resistance was nearly broken on 42 minutes, however, when the visitors broke through Messi.

The Argentine slid in Fabregas to his left, but his colleague's attempt to lift it gently over Cech was underpowered and Ashley Cole arrived to clear off the line.

Half-time parity seemed inevitable but, in added time, Chelsea suddenly struck.

Ramires controlled well on the left flank and slipped a perfectly-weighted pass across the box, where Drogba was waiting to finish just past the grasping Victor Valdes, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Barcelona probed after the break, Adriano cutting in on his right foot to send Cech flying to his left to save, but Chelsea's first corner moments later from Lampard was just missed by a couple of his team-mates.

Sanchez came close again when Fabregas' inventive scoop played the Chilean in at point-blank range, but he had little space to aim into and poked the ball wide.

Messi attempted more than one run forward from deep into the box but was thwarted first by Gary Cahill and then John Terry, with Pedro introduced by Pep Guardiola in place of Sanchez in the hope of better testing the resilient Blues.

It had little effect, though, with clear-cut chances absent and the visitors, short of ideas, looking unlikely to force their way through.

As they pushed up in desperation, Drogba was able to battle past on the break, but his through-ball into the path of substitute Salomon Kalou on 80 minutes was a touch too strong and the opportunity was lost.

Barca came close when Messi's 87th-minute free kick was flicked on by a crouching Puyol. Substitute Thiago Alcantara flashed at it but could not make contact, yet Cech still had to do well to dive and parry.

The visitors, though, should have equalised at the very last.

Despite Terry's excellent initial tackle to snuff out one chance, Pedro sliced a shot against the post before Busquets, with the goal at his mercy, lofted the ball high over the bar, meaning his side head into next week's second leg one down and without an away goal to their credit.

Sumber : Soccerway

Komen penulis : Harap The Blues dapat kekalkan kelebihan 1 gol di Nou Camp nanti..

Drogba: I just want to win trophies

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is hoping to end what could be his last season at the club with a trophy.

Though the Blues have failed to mount a Premier League title challenge, they will meet Liverpool in the FA Cup final on May 5 and face the first leg of a Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona on Wednesday.

And the 33-year-old, who scored the first goal as his side demolished Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, is hoping to lift some silverware before his contract expires at the end of the season.

"Last season was a bad season because I didn't win anything," he said.

"I hope this season will be different. I want to win trophies. It's not about it being my last year here."

"I just want to win trophies with Chelsea, with my team and that's the most important thing."

The Blues are set to renew a European rivalry this week as they meet Barcelona for the fifth time in the last eight seasons.

The sides clashed most recently three years ago when a late Andres Iniesta goal decided a controversial clash at Stamford Bridge in which the west London outfit felt that they should have been award several penalties.

However, whilst the Ivorian striker earned a three-game ban for an expletive-filled tirade at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo following that match, he insists he remembers the fixture fondly.

"It's not only bad memories - we have some good memories as well against Barcelona," Drogba said.

"It's a 50-50, even if they are said to be the best team in the world and have the best player in the world (Lionel Messi).

"There are two games. Anything can happen. (The controversial game) was a few years ago, so things have changed since then.

"But the desire is the same, the desire to beat them. It's going to be a tough game for us but we're ready to play."

Sumber : Soccerway

Komen Admin : EPL - jangan harap ler, UCL/FA - U Hope

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

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

Report: Chelsea talk with Benitez

Chelsea have approached Rafael Benitez to gauge his interest in taking over from Andre Villas-Boas at Stamford Bridge, according to a report.

The Times reported that Roman Abramovich could be forced to act due to a lack of support for Villas-Boas in the Blues' dressing room, despite the Portuguese manager's insistence that he has the backing of the Russian owner.

The former Porto boss admitted that senior squad members Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were disappointed not to be included in Chelsea's starting XI against Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Abramovich's advisors have reportedly indicated to the tycoon that the damage done to Villas-Boas' authority among the players is irreversible.

It is suggested that Benitez could join the club on a deal until the end of the season, with his long-term future dependent on securing qualification for next season's Champions League. Fabio Capello is also reportedly a candidate.

Benitez has been out of work since leaving Inter Milan after a brief spell at San Siro ended in December 2010.

He previously went head-to-head with the Blues in three Champions League semi-finals, winning twice.

Sumber : Soccerway

Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United

Sedikit kehampaan apabila Man Utd ketinggalan 3-0 dan langsung tidak berharap yang keputusan akan berkesudahan dengan seri 3-3, sedikit kelemahan di barisan pertahanan sehingga tiga jaringan dapat dilepaskan di babak awal permainan, namun kesilapan barisan pertahanan lawan juga dihukum sepenuhnya oleh penyerang sensasi Man Utd Wyane Rooney apabila berjaya meledakkan dua jaringan melalui sepakan penalti, Chicharito yang masuk sebagai pemain gantian meletakkan berjuta-juta fan Man Utd menarik nafas lega, paling tidak berjaya mencuri satu mata di Stampord Bridge, walaupun mata keseluruhan dijarakkan oleh Man City yang sebelum ini menang selesa 3-0 ke atas Fulham dengan dua mata namun jarak itu tidaklah merisaukan kami fan Man Utd.
Rentak permainan yang perlahan oleh penjaga gol Man Utd sehingga jaringnya digegarkan dengan tiga jaringan ditebus dengan aksi yang cemerlang di hujung permainan yang berjaya menyelamatkan beberapa percubaan berbahaya Chelsea, ternyata kesilapan awal berjaya ditebus. Pemain veteran yang telah mengumumkan persaraan dan kembali menyarung jersi Man Utd nyata sengatannya masih berbisa yang mana hantaran-hantaran jauhnya yang tepat banyak menbantu bahagian serangan beraksi dengan baik, pasti tugas sukar buat Man Utd untuk mencari pemain sepertinya.
Bagi Chelsea pula, sudah tiba masanya mereka berkira-kira dengan penyerang yang dibeli dari Liverpool yang mana banyak peluang terhidang di depan mata namun dia gagal untuk menterjemahkannya, bagi saya dia gagal menjalankan tugasnya dengan baik, sebaliknya dengan pemain yang bernama Mata, walaupun fizikalnya kecil namun aksinya memang terbaik, mengawasi setiap penjuru padang, sentuhannya berjaya mengucar-kacirkan benteng lawan serta rembatannya mampu menerjah jaring, pembelian ke atasnya boleh diklasifikasikan sebagai beruntung.
Ikuti rangkuman perlawanan rasmi dari Man Utd.com

Chelsea 3 United 3

United roared back from three goals down to snatch a point in a breathless, enthralling draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Jonny Evans' own-goal had given the Blues an undeserved lead, but strikes early in the second period from Juan Mata and David Luiz had seemingly extinguished any hopes United had of closing the gap on Manchester City at the head of the Premier League table.

However, Wayne Rooney clinically converted a pair of penalties midway through the second period, before the champions' trademark spirit yet again bore fruit as substitute Chicharito headed home a leveller with five minutes of normal time remaining.

A dramatic afternoon was spared a last-gasp winner solely because of the brilliance of David De Gea, who made two stunning injury-time saves to give United tangible reward and keep the Reds within two points of the league leaders.

The Spaniard returned to action after injury, as did Rooney and Ashley Young; giving Sir Alex Ferguson a rare upper hand in the injury stakes against a Chelsea side bereft of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ramires, while Ashley Cole and Didier Drogba were absent through suspension and international duty respectively.

Despite their absentees and apparent transition under the stewardship of Andre Villas-Boas, the Blues' September showing at Old Trafford, in which they were unfortunate to suffer a 3-1 defeat, warned against underestimating the former champions.

Chelsea Oh Chelsea

Suatu ketika dahulu sewaktu di bawah kendalian Jose Mourinho atau lebih dikenali sebagai The Special One, Chelsea dilihat antara pasukan yang susah untuk dikalahkan dan pastinya pertemuan mana-mana pasukan dengan pasukan ini pasti akan membuat kita sebagai peminat tidak senang duduk. Namun selepas pemergian The Special One pada 2007 Chelsea dilihat semakin menurun kejayaan yang dicapai dan sehinggalah sekarang ini di Musim 2011/2012 Chelsea dilihat berada di kedudukan yang dirisaukan sebagai sebuah pasukan yang digeruni sebelum ini, Mungkin ini salah satu faktor yang mendengarkan khabar angin The Special One ingin kembali ke London, namun ia tidak semudah yang diharapkan dan beberapa syarat akan ditetapkan jika perkara ini berlaku.
Sebagai seorang peminat bola sepak secara peribadinya saya amat menyukai jika The Special One kembali ke London, pasti kita akan rindukan provokasi-provokasi darinya.

"Bagaimanapun katanya, kali ini, Mourinho akan berkeras kepada pemilik Chelsea, iaitu jutawan Rusia, Roman Abramovich supaya membenarkan beliau memiliki kawalan penuh ke atas pasukan dan bebas daripada sebarang campur tangan pihak lain.

Jika Abramovich dapat memberi jaminan tersebut, Mourinho berjanji akan mengembalikan semula kegemilangan kelab Blues."

Sumber : utusan Malaysia