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.)

Chelsea threw this one away against a spirited Middlesboro side. The Blues should have wrapped this one up before resting on their laurels and lost a valuable three points


Middlesboro started lively but by half time Chelsea looked in total control of this game - after Shevchenko scored his debut premiership goal in the 16th minute after another brilliant move down the left from Wayne Bridge (his second good game in a row for Chelsea). Chelsea sprayed the ball around and played with the swagger of champions and had should have put the game beyond the reach of Boro in that time.


Unfortunately a different team emerged after the break (same eleven players though). We just did not compete with the same energy or passion in the second half and despite having a good goal disallowed and hitting the post allowed the Teesiders more into the game as it went along and two poor defensive moments cost us the three points - the first goal was a free header and the second goal four Chelsea defenders all capitulated together allowing the injury time goal - it is no wonder Mourhino is livid with the performance.

Barcelona again - the biggest rivalry in Europe is continued. The draw was not kind with Werder Bremen certainly no pushovers - any two from three with Levski Sofia propping up the rest. Man Utd & Liverpool will be delighted with their easy groups - although Arsenal will be stretched a lot further than last year with some tough opponents.


Matchday 1 - Tuesday Sept 12th: Chelsea v Werder Bremen


Matchday 2 - Wednesday Sept 27nd: Levski Sofia v Chelsea


Matchday 3 - Wednesday Oct 18th: Chelsea v Barcelona


Matchday 4 - Tuesday Oct 31st: Barcelona v Chelsea


Matchday 5 - Wednesday Nov 22nd: Werder Bremen v Chelsea


Matchday 6 - Tuesday Dec 5th: Chelsea v Levski Sofia


Also hot press - Chelsea and Adidas have unveiled their new Euro Champions League Kit. Click here to see it.

Blues' Clues

Blackburn away at the weekend has produced two close games over the past two years - with a 1-0 victory two years ago - when the Butchers of Black Pudding hacked at everything and caused Robben to miss a large chunk of the rest of the season. Last year Blackburn were victorious 1-0 against a Chelsea second eleven - the wednesday after Chelsea had wrapped up the Premiership. This season will be close again 1-0 to Chelsea who will be playing with a differnet staring 11 to the one that threw away the game on wednesday.


So after great results with Arsenal and Liverpool both dropping points at the weekend - we've gone and done it too. Hopefully we can get back on the winning streak again this weekend.


Related Article: Blues Clues