By dixon9
December 23 2007

Not the most enthralling encounter against the scousers in midweek but at least we have now reached our 17th semi-final in 14 years (Yes, 17 semi-finals in 14 seasons! – and they say we have no history!). Not a bad record that is it? We now face Everton in the semis but back to the league we have Blackburn away this weekend.

Benitez normally makes at least 4 changes a match but this time went quite a bit further by making 9 changes from his previous line-up which may have surprised the kopites in the Shed and those still stuck on the M40. 

Grant gave run outs to Ballack (first game since April), Sinclair, Bridge and Carvalho back from injury.  Pizarro was due to spearhead the attack but a late virus meant Shevchenko had to fill in and obviously Drogba, Terry and Malouda were still injured.

A dodgy deflection from Lampard went down well with the scousers and a lethal narrow angled finish from Shevchenko made it 2-0 but the talking point of the match was of course Crouch’s outrageous challenge on Obi-Mikel.   

More surprising than the viciousness of the challenge was the fact that Crouch was the culprit.  By all accounts he’s supposed to be a nice bloke…oh well! 

As for the “toys out of the pram” post-match comments from Crouch and Benitez I really can’t be bothered to go into them.

On to Sparky´s Blackburn….

This is going to be a tough one.  Blackburn away is one of those awkwardy ones like Bolton or Boro away – you know you should win but they’ll going to make it really difficult for you. 

We have only lost 1 in 9 visits to Ewood Park – but it’s always a struggle.  Having said that they haven’t been in such good form as they were so we might be able to get a handy 3 points after last weeks Wiley 1 Chelsea 0 debacle at the Camel Dome.

Samba is suspended leaving either Khizanishvili or Mokoena look most likely to step in.  

Emerton is set to return after suspension but out of form (for a change) McCarthy could be on the bench (which means that he’ll start and score the first goal probably!).

The ones to watch out for are the temperamental Tugay who can turn a game (if he’s in the mood) and striker Santa Cruz who is proving to be a very astute buy. 

We will be missing Terry, Drogba and Malouda but don’t be surprised if Pizarro fills in for Shevchenko who picked up a knock against the scousers. 

'Pizarro trained today, he is not 100 per cent, we will see tomorrow. Shevchenko we will see also tomorrow,' Grant announced.

“Pizarro is recovering from illness while Shevchenko came off at the very end of the Liverpool game with a foot injury.” 

So good to have Carvalho back and I’m expecting the Portuguese to be partnered by Alex.

Ballack looked class midweek showing some really nice touches – with Essien missing for the ANC he will key for us having a smooth January. 

'I think it was a great moment for me. It was exciting and emotional, a new feeling, after a long time out.” 

'To get this support from the fans, I have to say thank you to everyone who supported me, the doctors, the physios, the players. That's a big motivation for me to help Chelsea in the next weeks and months.' 

'I played up there (Blackburn) last year and we won. They are a good side, they play good football, and it’s not easy against them, very difficult.' 

Memories for Ballack, at Old Trafford during the FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn: 

'That was almost my last game, a great moment.” 

Kalou and SWP on the wings?  Possibly…but then Joe Cole may fit into the equation. 

Mikel is 50/50 after being “Crouched” on Wednesday: 

'We will know tomorrow if Mikel is fit. He trained today but not 100 per cent so we will see,” said Grant. 

We also welcome back Chelsea old boys first team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki and goalkeeper coach Kevin Hitchcock.

I reckon a hard-fought 1-2 win.  Pizarro and Essien to score!  Something like:  Cech, Belletti, Carvalho, Alex, A Cole, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, SWP, Pizarro, Kalou. 

Blackburn (from): Friedel, Emerton, Nelsen, Warnock, Tugay, Mokoena, Reid, Bentley, Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, McCarthy, Roberts, Brown, Savage, Berner, Derbyshire, Khizanishvili.  

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Belletti, Ferreira, Carvalho, Alex, Ben-Haim, A Cole, J Cole, Lampard, Essien, Sidwell, Kalou, Shevchenko, Mikel, Sinclair, Wright-Phillips, Pizarro.

Referee: Steve Bennett (officiated our wins at home to Birmingham and away at Wigan this season. He also refereed during our FA Cup final win last season).

Stats:

BLACKBURN: 

Rovers are now anxious to avoid three straight Premier League losses for the first time in over eight months.

Have gained more Premier League points against Chelsea than any other club (41).

Won one of seven Premier League matches; Lost the last three in all competitions, and three of the last four league outings,

Kept one clean sheet in 12 league outings;

Been shown five red cards in Premier League competition so far this season; that's more than any other club; also picked up an unequalled 40 cards.

Used fewer players in Premier League matches this season than any other club; 19.

Beaten a "Big Four" club once in the last 12 attempts; the 1-0 home triumph over Liverpool on Boxing Day 2006.

Roque SANTA CRUZ is Blackburn's top scorer with 11 goals (five in two games), and the club's leading Premier League marksman with seven.

Only FRIEDEL has played every minute of every one of Blackburn's league and cup matches this season.

If selected:- Andre OOIJER will be making his 50th appearance in a Blackburn shirt.

CHELSEA

Avoided defeat in 17 of the last 18 in all competitions.

Won 13, drawn four and lost one of 19 league and cup games under Avram Grant; won seven, drawn two and lost two of 11 league matches under the Israeli.

Conceded one goal in seven games in all competitions

Go into their 600th Premier League game

Chelsea are chasing a sixth win in eight visits to Ewood Park.

LAMPARD is one shy of 100 goals for Chelsea.

LAMPARD will be making his 350th appearance in a Chelsea shirt.

Joe COLE will be making his 250th career Premier League appearance (West Ham and Chelsea).

Ashley COLE will be making his 300th club career appearance (Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Chelsea).

Salomon KALOU will be making his 50th Premier League appearance for Chelsea.

The current tally of 34 points after 17 games is their worst start in five years.

Lost only one of the last 11 Premier League matches against north-west clubs; that loss being 2-0, away to Manchester United on 23 September.

William Gallas's goal last weekend and Tim Cahill's goal for Everton six weeks ago are the only goals we have conceded in 900 minutes of Premier League football.

Home and away
League (Inc PL): Blackburn 32 wins, Chelsea 35, Draws 26
Prem: Blackburn 11 wins, Chelsea 8, Draws 8

Liverpool Report to Blackburn Preview

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 23/12/2007 01:24

50 Years Over 100 Years
23/12/2007 01:24

Liverpool Report to Blackburn Preview

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
23/12/2007 10:35

This mornings reports say that Sheva is actually fit now - so he´ll probably start.

Won´t be surprised if Pizarro does come on at some point though and we go from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2.





.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

Captain Scarlet
23/12/2007 18:08

Regarding the CC match, I thought you'd have given the ref a mention considering he was your best player.

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
24/12/2007 15:45

He got the Crouch decision wrong?




.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

Captain Scarlet
28/12/2007 12:18

He got most decisions wrong.

Crouch was wrong to jump in like that, but the ref should have blown long beforehand for Mikel kicking at Crouch.
No way near as bad as Carvalho's tackle v Villa

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
28/12/2007 13:15

Well, you´d have to point a couple out...

You agreed with the Crouch red though?






.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

Captain Scarlet
28/12/2007 21:08

Tbh most decisions seemed to go your way. "Fouls" that hardly looked fouls were given in your favour, but not ours when they seemed fouls.
Even a blatant corner kick (maybe two) was given as a goal kick.
Not sour grapes though. If we make as many changes as that then I'm not totally surprised we went out. Just thought a few of those decisions going our way may have helped.

Crouch's red? Well I can see why it was given, although he didn't really touch him. I thought (especially seeing it again) that a yellow would have been enough punishment.

And btw, I think its tough luck on both Cole and the Villa player for not getting their red cards overturned.
Neither were penalties or sending off's and the FA have balls'ed up big time.
Again, I can see how the ref gave it at the time, but the FA and indeed the ref should have seen the mistake via tv replay.

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
28/12/2007 21:30

Well to be honest I thought it was really the Crouch incident that sealed the game for us (we were already 1 up at that point don´t forget).

There was a similar tackle by Kuyt in a previosu game where he only got a yellow (and didn´t make contact) but I understand that 2 footed challenges are automatic reds?

Mikel got a red for a 1 footed studs up at Old Trafford and then Adebayor and Eboue only got yellows in the first half at the Emirtates.

There is NO consistancy and the refs committee need to sort all this out once and for all - all this made transparent and clear directives given. Certain teams appear to be facoured and others persecuted at the moment and its making a joke of the game.

Villa - Cole wasn´t a handball (nor therefore a red) and the "tackle" on Ballack was clumsy rather than malicious but I suppose the ref had no choice as there was no last man in front of Ballack.





.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

Captain Scarlet
02/01/2008 00:45

I believe there is no law that stats sending off a player for a two footed challenge. Only a directive from above to stamp (parden the pun) down on them.

Some two footed challenges are extremly dangerous, whilst others seem so tame. Even some one footed tackles are crude.

To red card them all (two footed), even if the ref feels the player wasn't being violent would be wrong and indeed spoil a few matches.

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
03/01/2008 03:13

I think that referees have to dismiss a player for extremely dangerous play and that a two-footed challenge with no contact is a yellow (Kuyt) and with contact is a red (Crouch).

Studs up the same I beleive...





.



"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

Reply Quote Report

Message List Search Log In

Your Name:
Subject:

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net