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.)

Now that Chelsea have all but sown up the Premiership - can we do the double??


What a great easter with two great wins - another 2-0 victory at Bolton (third year running)and a sound thrashing of ten man Everton 3-0 on Easter Monday. With the added sweetness of Sunderland taking two points away from Man U the results virtually seal back to back Premiership crowns. The icing on the cake will be the predicted 3-2 victory over Man Utd on April 29th in the Premiership game of the season.


However back to the FA Cup.
Chelsea v Liverpool in the FA Cup has seen some great victories for the boys in Blue over the years most notably 1978 when an injury ravaged and relegation threatened Chelsea team took on the European Champions. I remember thinking we didn't have a chance that day until Clive Walker jinked down the wing cut inside and blasted a shot which screamed into the back of the net - the Shed End was a sea of Blue and White and the atmosphere was the experience which breathes a life long love of Footy.

When Chelsea went 4-1 up we were all in dreamland. The final score was 4-2 that day. Four years on and another third round tie against the champions of Europe - this time I could not get in the ground as Stamford Bridge was packed to capacity. However, we saw some fans on the roof of a nearby skyscraper and decided to join them - In fact luckily as we got to the top floor we were offered a balcony view from one of the apartments and so got to watch the 2-0 victory from high above and behind the Shed End. Again in 1997 we beat the scousers in another 4-2 thrashing which was the beginning of the rise in Chelsea to its present status as the best team in England.


However the first two results reflect the true nature of the FA Cup - it can spring some very big upsets and sometimes the "rub of the green" and "luck of the Irish" can turn the game. Take last years Champions League semi final where Chelsea dominated the play but were made to pay for sloppy finishing in the home leg and the luck went Liverpools way in the second leg with a hotly disputed goal which did not cross the line.


It is very much the beauty of the FA Cup that it stirs the dreams of supporters around the country. My point being that even though I will predict a 2-0 victory to the Blues as Chelsea are hitting top form right now - it is going to be a great game with great football and has the possibility of being closer with Benitez a real rival to Mourhino as a tactician in the knock out competitions.


The other semi final has Middlesboro and West Ham, one of whom will be guaranteed Uefa cup football by getting to the final. Middlesboro have a tough European semi final on thursday night and this will give West Ham the edge with fresher legs - my prediction a 2-1 victory for the Hammers for an all London final in Cardiff on May 13th.


Its looking like a Barcelona v Arsenal final after this weeks round of Euro action. Ronaldinho was absolutely stunning in the second half with his nonchalent inch perfect lob into the area to create the first goal. AC Milan wre tormented by his skills and he looks to dazzle the world come the World Cup in Germany, which on current form he will be a world cup legend as big as Pele, Cruyff or Maradona after this summer. Arsenal will be favoured to score in Spain - and I can not see Villareal scoring three times against the miserly gooners.


Unfortunately for the North Londoners they will be decimated by Barcelona in the final 3-0. Fifth place in the Premiership will just not win the Champions league this year!!!