It was the Drogs Ballacks once again as Drogba scored a serious contender for goal of the season and Ballack sees Red as 10 man Chelsea gain a hard fought victory over arch rivals Liverpool


This game was full of contentious incidents and close calls which could have totally changed the outcome of the game - the "what if's" that make football such a great subject for debate over a few pints of beer. What if Kuyt had not hit the bar - what if Sissoko had been sent off - what if Chelsea had been awarded a penalty for the sandwich on Robben in the second half - what if Gerrard had been a bit sharper on his close range shot - "what if". Any number of different permutations.


At the end of the day Chelsea got the three points after a glorious goal from Drogba - who I still claim is benefitting from the extra attention given to Shevchenko. Essien, "The Bison", was again a tower of strength and his forward surges were excellent. Robben after his introduction caused general mayhem and Petr Cech was the man mountain of calm at the heart of the defensive wall.

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Impresive start to the European campaign with a fairly comfortable 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen


No long review here - but it has to be noted that Essien and Ballack were magnificent and Lampard while not at his world beating best still caused a lot of problems for the Germans.
Essien was everywhere enjoying the free role on the right side of midfield with Makalele resuming the defensive midfield role and Essien got his reward with the 24th minute opener. Ballack's touch and vision in passing was magnificent and whetted the appetite for the rest of the season. The penalty was thunderous and showed why the Germans never lose a penalty shoot out. It was "the Drog's Ballacks" as Ballack converted a penalty from the foul on Drogba.


GILES SMITH


For any Chelsea supporters - in fact supporters of football in general, Giles Smith's weekly editorial on the Chelsea Official Website is a scream - a real piss take and very enjoyable read. Click here.


BLUES CLUES: LIVERPOOL


Liverpool obviously consider the game against Chelsea as more important than their Champions League clash with PSV as they rested five of their regular starters including Gerrard and Garcia.

While Liverpool are not in good form right now, and Chelsea have done a double double over Liverpool in the league these past two seasons, Liverpool are desperate and Benitez is a great tactician.
Chelsea are playing some fabulous football but only in spurts which gives teams a chance to compete right now as Chelsea still have to find their groove with all the new faces.

Prediction: 1-1 points dropped by the Champions in a fiercly competitive game. (Hope I am wrong and it is 5-0 to the Blues.)

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.

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The first-round ties will be played on Sept 12/13.

A relief to get to the end of this game with all three points intact. Chelsea never quite looked the real deal today and Blackburn, like Boro in midweek put up a spirited performance. But we'll gladly take the three points which keeps us on the heels of Man Utd.


It was good to see Petr Cech back in goal and he certainly added extra security at the back with his 6ft 5in frame dominating the goal area and he also made a crucial save from Benny McCarthy at a time when we were holding on to a slender lead. Didier Drogba also caused the Blackburn defence trouble after he came on (having been rested from the original line up due to a niggling injury picked up at Middlesbro). His physical style of play and strength ruffled the home side defenders and his goal in the 81st minute was a cracker, muscling himself past Ooijer before striking a sweet shot into the roof of the net past Friedel.


Having said that neither team grabbed control of the game in the first half - but Chelsea created slightly the better of the chances without really looking like scoring. Early in the second half, the penalty awarded for holding on John Terry (more like a rugby tackle) was only just converted by Lampard. Blackburn, like Middlesboro before them, came back more into the game and had Chelsea on the back footing. Petr Cech, as stated before, was a tower of strength for the defence and the introduction of Drogba gave Chelsea a more menacing look up front.

Anyway to win Championships you need to win games even when you are not at your best and Chelsea managed that. There were wholesale changes to the side with Cech, Kahlid the Cannibal, Ballack and Kalou all starting after the disappointment at Boro. There is now the break for the Euro Championship qualifiers before we play another bogey team, Charlton, at Home on Sept 9.

The Transfer window closes on Thursday and the questions still surround Ashley Cole and William Gallas. Wayne Bridge has been on fire for Chelsea so far in the season and Chelsea miss Gallas' composure in and around the box. Ashley Cole is no doubt a great player but it will be no big loss if we do not get him - although Peter Kenyon (Chelsea CEO) has stated that he expects the deal to go through at the end of this week.