Sir Alex Ferguson has declared last week’s Community Shield as the start of a phoney war for Premier League supremacy. Manchester United sent out a real message of intent at Wembley. Dominant in the first-half against Manchester City, United nevertheless found themselves two goals down. It was not until the interval introductions of Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans that the Red Devils really cut loose, scoring three times…
Carlo Ancelotti admits he is lucky not to have been sacked as Chelsea manager but the Italian concedes he will have to “pay the bill at the end of the season” if the champions do not achieve success. Chelsea have taken only 10 points from their past 10 games as Ancelotti fights to recapture the form that allowed his team to win the Premier League and FA Cup Double last season….
Carlo Ancelotti has bemoaned the fact that Chelsea must play twice in 48 hours next week but does not share his captain John Terry’s concerns over the depth of the squad as his team attempt to recover momentum in their title defence. Chelsea visit Arsenal for a potentially pivotal fixture on Monday before welcoming Bolton Wanderers to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, with Owen Coyle’s side to benefit from an extra…
Chelsea will not risk England midfielder Frank Lampard against Tottenham in their Barclays Premier League clash on Sunday because he is not match fit. The England international midfielder is back in training after groin and tendon injuries but requires match practice. Right-back Jose Bosingwa is out with a torn hamstring but left-back Ashley Cole is fit after recovering from a slight ankle knock. Rafael van der Vaart will miss out…
For Chelsea and Carlo Ancelotti, Saturday’s game against Wolves is just another opportunity to acquire three points and continue their 100 per cent home record. The Blues will be slightly wary of a European hangover, after their comfortable 2-0 win following a long trip to Moscow — but know they should still have more than enough to beat one of the divisions strugglers. Indeed, if Ancelotti was worried about the…
The last time the two clubs met at Villa Park, Martin O’ Neill was at Aston Villa as the Villans defeated the Blues 2-1. Much has happened since then. Chelsea avenged their defeat with 7-1 and 3-0 wins in their next two encounters. Martin O’Neill has left his job at Villa Park and last season’s impressive performers have been looking jaded in the new season. After a superb overall…