This was another game we should have won comfortably after an inspiring first half display - but were made to work hard in the second half for our victory


The first half display was one of total control with the midfield combination exerting their dominance as Chelsea peppered the Charlton goalmouth with numerous chances.
The attention that defences are giving Shevchenko is giving Drogba plenty of space and he will be wondering how he only scored one goal in the first half.

Not that he was the only player guilty of squandering chances, an error that almost cost Chelsea some points in the second half. Essien was once again in great form breaking down Charlton's forward advances and executing telling passes to his teammates. Ballack too had a very good game, holding the ball well, some exquisite passing and a lovely shot inches past the upright with the keeper beaten.
Even Wright Phillips playing on right midfield gained in confidence as the game went on, playing his game of beating the defence down the wing and getting in some good crosses. Bridge had a great game on the left, looking dangerous as he surged forward as he has done all season. It really should have been 3 or 4 to nil at half time.


In the second half there were visions of Middlesboro as Charlton put on a battling display and disrupted the total control Chelsea had imposed in the first half. Hasslebank got Charlton back in the game with one trademark goals that we've all seen him score while playing at Chelsea over the years. His subdued celebrations actually got the Chelsea fans singing his name. Mourinho rolled the dice and brought on Ashley Cole for his debut and Kalou, bringing off the impressive Bridge and Wright Phillips. Seconds later Chelsea restored the lead with Carvahlo towering header getting a slight deflection and beating the Charlton keeper.

Chelsea were awarded a penalty after Kalou was pushed off the ball after another of his surging runs, but Lampard's penalty was impressively saved. It is probably time to give the penalty duties to Shevchenko - everybody knows the Lampard shoots to his left. Charlton continued to battle and I was glad to hear the final whistle as Dowie pushed three forward in an effort to get the equalizer.

Follow up:

GALLAS FIASCO


Gallas is turning out to be a wanker of the highest order and personally I have lost repect for him. His claims of wanting to leave Chelsea to go abroad and because he does not like playing left back can now be seen as total bullshit. Here is now moved five miles accross the capital and still playing left back.
Add to that the allegations from Chelsea that he threatened to sabotage a game if chosen to play this season and you have someone of low integrity and unprofessional (nice words for a total wanker). It was good to hear that he was roasted by the Boro winger who slipped in the cross for Boro to take the lead at Arsenal as the gunners lost another two points and remain in the relegation zone.


ALL THE FUSS ABOUT NOTHING - LAMPARD


I just do not buy into the opinion that Lampard is not playing well. He has scored already three goals for club and country as well as numerous assists. OK so he did not set the World Cup alive - but he still had more shots on goal than any other player in any team in the World Cup at 21 shots - if he had just a little luck he would have been a hero. Just like Ronaldinho he did not live up to the hype built up around him - and with Gerrard and Beckham clogging up the midfield as well - England as a whole were substandard.


I watched numerous other England players in the recent Euro qualifiers including Gerrard and Hargreaves making some howlers in their passing game (while generally both playing very well) - but Lampard was treated with derision when he made a similar mistake. If he had not fought & won that ball in the area and crossed it to Crouch - England may have been on the end of a very embarrasing result against Macedonia. So F*#@ all you jealous doubters.


BLUES CLUES - WERDER BREMEN


Not an easy one to predict - Werder Bremen are a good side with some good forwards Klose and Klasnic as well as Frings and Borowwski in midfield. They had a dreadful day being knocked out in the First round of the German Cup to a third division side on penalties - serves them right in resting some of their key players for the game against Chelsea.

They have started season in the league with two wins and one defeat, the defeat coming in their third game away to Schalke 04 2-0. Last year they finished second to Bayern Munich and scored 79 goals in 34 first division games. Obviously a very important game for both clubs with European Champions Barcelona also in the "group of death".
If Chelsea find the form which has shone through on occasions this season, and they do tend to keep some of their best performances for the European stage, then they could easily win this one, but then again a substandard performance could give the high scoring Germans a look in.



Anyway prediction: 3-2 to Chelsea in a highly entertaining game.