Chelsea

Keeper Cech has surgery on skull
Chelsea keeper Petr Cech has undergone surgery for a depressed fracture of the skull after he was injured during the Blues' 1-0 win at Reading on Saturday. Cech, 24, collided with Reading's Stephen Hunt in the first minute of the game at the Madejski Stadium. Cech was transferred to the Radcliffe Infirmary's specialist neuro-surgical unit in Oxford on Saturday night. \"The operation was successful but it is too early for an accurate assessment of his condition,\" said a Blues statement. Cech and his replacement Carlo Cudicini were both carried off during the game and were both immediately taken to hospital. Cudicini was discharged on Saturday night after being knocked unconscious in injury time. Blues boss Jose Mourinho said immediately after the game that he was deeply unhappy with Hunt's challenge and said Cech was \"lucky to still be alive\". The Chelsea statement continued: \"Chelsea have reviewed the video of both incidents. \"We endorse the post-match comments of Jose Mourinho regarding the seriousness of these incidents. \"Chelsea will be writing to the Football Association with our observations.\" Reading boss Steve Coppell said he was confident neither Hunt nor Sonko were deliberately trying to hurt the Chelsea keepers. \"I welcome Jose saying the FA should review them,\" he said. \"We apologise to Chelsea for the injuries but I still think both players will be vindicated.\" Arsenal goalkeeping legend Bob Wilson said he was disappointed by Mourinho's comments and agreed with Coppell that there was no intent shown by Hunt and Sonko. \"I was sad to hear Jose's comments after the game,\" Wilson told Five Live's Sportweek programme. \"Keepers expect to get bumps and bruises, it's part of what we do. We don't want to be protected all the time.\" Chelsea face Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday, with third-choice keeper Hilario set for a start. Hilario, 31 next Saturday, joined Chelsea on a free transfer last June from Portuguese side Nacional but he has yet make his debut for the Premiership champions.

Cech 'conscious' after operation
Chelsea say Petr Cech has regained full consciousness after undergoing surgery on his fractured skull. Keeper Cech, 24, was hurt in the first minute of Chelsea's win over Reading after colliding with Stephen Hunt and could miss the rest of the season. A Chelsea statement said Cech's condition is improving and that he has been visited by family and team-mates. However, Cech's father said his son will be sidelined for a year and called for hunt to receive a lengthy ban. \"This was no accident,\" said Cech Snr told The Sun newspaper. \"Hunt hit him on purpose and Petr will be out for a year. \" Ben Thatcher received an eight-week ban but I would be harsher than that. Hunt has denied deliberately injuring Cech but Blues boss Jose Mourinho has asked the FA to review the incident. Hunt said: \"I can guarantee that I did not attempt to injure Petr and I am very upset that the collision has resulted in such a bad injury. \"When Petr slid in to collect the ball, our momentum meant that a collision was unavoidable. \"I think the TV pictures show that the collision was a complete accident, and I'd like to think that my team-mates and opponents throughout my career in football would say that I'm not the kind of person to deliberately hurt an opponent. \"Serious injury is the worst part of football and I feel terribly sorry for Petr. I have written to him to wish him a full recovery.\" Reading boss Steve Coppell added: \"We support Stephen 100%. He is a fair and honest player, and anybody who knows him would agree that he is not the kind of person to hurt Petr Cech on purpose. \"We hope Petr makes a full recovery and is back playing soon.\" Cech underwent a successful operation at the Radcliffe Infirmary's specialist neuro-surgical unit in Oxford. Fellow keeper Carlo Cudicini was also carried off during the match after a collision with Reading's Ibrahima Sonko and Chelsea have not commented on how long either player will be sidelined. \"I would think Cech is likely to be out for at least six months,\" Peter Hamlyn, consultant neuro-surgeon and director for the centre of sports and exercise medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital told the Daily Telegraph. \"That is about the length of time it takes for stout bone healing to take place. If the brain underlying the fracture has been greatly injured, his time out may be even longer. \"If Petr Cech returns too soon from his head injury, the result could be fatal.\" Mourinho has called for action to be taken over the challenges of Hunt and Sonko but the Football Association is yet to receive a formal complaint from Chelsea. Meanwhile referee Mike Riley has rejected claims he ordered Cech to leave the field for treatment. Cech did crawl towards the touchline but Riley has told referees chief Keith Hackett he followed the correct protocol for head injuries.

Chelsea to write to FA over Cech
Chelsea are to write to the Football Association in the next few days to outline their concerns over the treatment of Petr Cech on Saturday. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said it took 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive for Cech, who fractured his skull in a collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt. However, a South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokesman told SSB that it took seven minutes. In a statement, Chelsea said \"serious questions\" needed answering. As well as Hunt's challenge on goalkeeper Cech in the first minute, the Blues are also expected to mention Ibrahima Sonko's collision with Carlo Cudicini late in the game which resulted in the Italian being stretchered off. And they will mention the post-match healthcare issues. Chelsea's director of communications Simon Greenberg told BBC Radio Five Live: \"We have got several serious questions that we would like the FA, or the appropriate authority, to look into. \"Those will be submitted to the FA along with other questions regarding incidents that took place in the game.\" The dispute has led to a series of claims and counter-claims. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says: Cech spent 30 minutes waiting for an ambulance Reading and ambulance staff say: Ambulance called at 1745 BST Ambulance arrived at 1752 BST Ambulance left at 1804 BST Ambulance arrived at hospital at 1811 BST Mourinho says: Cech \"couldn't leave the dressing room properly and had to go, with the injury he had, in a wheelchair in the lift.\" Ambulance duty officer Mark Ainsworth says: The option to remove Cech on a stretcher around the pitch edge was \"declined by the Chelsea doctor\". The \"other option was to go in a wheelchair\". Mourinho said on Tuesday: \"If my goalkeeper dies in that dressing room or in the process it is something English football has to think about. \"This is much more important than football. I would like someone to tell me why my goalkeeper was left in this situation.\" Reading Football Club also made a statement on Tuesday in response to Mourinho's allegations. \"Mr Mourinho has clearly implied that Reading Football Club did not have the proper medical arrangements in place to provide Petr Cech with the best possible treatment,\" the club said on its website. \"We feel it necessary to clearly set the record straight and provide the actual facts of the treatment received by the player.\" Reading's statement also backs the timings of the ambulance arrival set out by the Trust. Reading FC added in the statement: \"Petr Cech was taken to the ambulance in a medical chair via a lift, but this was not a necessity. \"Another route to the ambulance could have been taken and was offered, which would have allowed Cech to remain on a stretcher (the same route used to take Carlo Cudicini to the ambulance later that afternoon), but Chelsea's medical staff decided against this.\"

Mourinho under fire from Wright
Ian Wright has criticised Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho for not giving Shaun Wright-Phillips a proper chance. The former England star renewed calls for his stepson to find another club if things don't improve. Wright told SSB ahead of the Barcelona Champions League game: \"Chelsea paid £21m for Shaun and he has not completed 90 minutes yet. \"Maybe he should look at other options because it's obvious the manager doesn't fancy him.\" Since joining the Blues in the summer of 2005, Wright-Phillips has made just 12 Premiership starts and has spent most of his time warming the bench. The 24-year-old missed out on a place in England's World Cup squad and Wright believes his stepson needs to be playing regularly to catch Steve McClaren's eye. \"The problem with Shaun is that he's not getting a chance at Chelsea and therefore isn't getting a chance for England,\" Wright said. \"It's hard for him to force other people out of the England team when his own manager is not even playing him in his team. \"I know for a fact that Shaun is raring to go. I feel sorry for him - all he wants to do is play and he's just not getting the chance, poor fellow. \"Hopefully something will happen in that respect and he'll get a chance again. If he doesn't, it won't be for the want of trying. \"I said last season that if he had another campaign like that I'd be telling him to move on and that's still the case. \"The Chelsea fans have been great, they really like him, but at the end of the day the manager is not playing him. If he did become available I think there would be a few people who'd want him to come to their place.\" Wright, speaking at the launch of his comedy dvd It Shouldn't Happen to a Footballer, released next month, added that Chelsea could face stiff competition from Arsenal and Manchester United for the Premiership title this season. He said: \"Chelsea are not playing great stuff. They've got the potential to do some unbelievable stuff but are not doing it at the moment. \"Arsenal and Manchester United only need to get their act together a little bit and Chelsea could slip up. No-one wants to see them 10 points clear at Christmas and winning the Premiership by March.\"

Injured Cech making good progress
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has been moved to a hospital closer to his home after making good progress this week. Cech, 24, had surgery after fracturing his skull in a collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt during Chelsea's 1-0 win at the Madejski Stadium last Saturday. The Czech, who faces a lengthy lay-off as he recovers, left the Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on Thursday. He is now able to walk around on his own and doctors agreed to move him to a hospital nearer to his Surrey home. A Chelsea statement read: \"We can confirm that Petr Cech has been moved from the Radcliffe Infirmary following his successful operation for a depressed fracture of the skull. \"Petr will continue his recovery in a hospital closer to his home. \"Petr's condition is improving every day and he is now walking again unaided. \"Everyone at Chelsea FC, his wife Martina and his family would like to pay tribute to the surgeons and staff at the Radcliffe and Royal Berkshire hospitals for the first-class care they have provided over the last six days.\"

Buffon cool on link with Chelsea
Italy's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will not leave Juventus for Chelsea in January, according to his agent. The 28-year-old had been linked with Chelsea after the serious head injury to first-choice Petr Cech. But Buffon's representative Silvano Martina said: \"We will obviously be honoured if a club like Chelsea was to make an offer for Buffon. \"But I can tell you that he will not leave Turin in January.\" Buffon elected to stay at Juventus, despite their relegation to Serie B after the Italian match-fixing scandal. Martina said: \"Gianluigi's very happy at Juventus. He had lots of offers in Italy and elsewhere this summer and turned them down. \"But he made a decision to stay in Turin because he wanted to repay the club for helping him become famous and being one of the best in the world.\" And while he admitted a bid from Chelsea would be tempting, Martina insisted he hoped there would be no interest - because it would mean Cech had made a complete recovery. Martina said: \"Officially there has been no contact so far. \"We are very saddened with what has happened to goalkeeper Cech. \"It's normal that a great club like Chelsea would show an interest, or would be interested, in one of the top goalkeepers in the world.\" He said: \"If Chelsea were to make an offer it would be very difficult for any club to reject it. \"We will obviously have to see what happens at the end of the season. We obviously hope that Chelsea don't need Buffon because it would mean Cech has made a quick recovery. \"I have been with Buffon for the last 12 years and having got to know him well he is one of the best in Italy and arguably the world.\" Buffon moved to Juventus from Parma in 2001 for a world record fee for a goalkeeper of £35.5m.

Chelsea 2-1 Portsmouth
Chelsea moved back to the top of the Premiership as two of their under-fire summer signings, Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, scored a goal apiece. Previously goal-shy striker Shevchenko gave the Blues the breakthrough their dominance deserved on 55 minutes when he slotted in Frank Lampard's cutback. And two minutes later Ballack, who had been off-key, nodded Didier Drogba's headed pass into the top corner. Benjani pulled one back for Portsmouth, converting after a goalmouth scramble. That was totally against the run of play and left the scoreline a poor reflection of the match, which Chelsea dominated from start to finish. An inspired David James in the Pompey goal repeatedly kept Chelsea at bay and spared his side a thrashing. The majority of those stops came in the first half as Chelsea's fluid play and interchanging left the usually sound Pompey defence bewildered. Arjen Robben, restored to the line-up in place of Claude Makelele, almost opened the scoring when he raced clear on goal, but James spread himself superbly to deflect the Dutchman's chip wide. And James was equally excellent when he dived full length to turn away a curling shot from Shevchenko. Portsmouth had started as though they might make a game of it, and with Kanu in-form up front must have felt there was a chance they could upset the champions. But Michael Essien had clearly identified the threat of the Premiership's joint top-scorer and sent in a typically robust challenge on Kanu early on. Perhaps the lanky Nigerian did not fancy it much after that as he was fairly quiet as Pompey were forced on the back foot and he did not come out for the second half. There was, however, no doubt that Chelsea fancied it - and Robben in particular. But each time the winger jinked his way into space and unleashed a shot, James was there to repel the effort. That all changed after the break, when Robben turned provider instead. And it was his centre into the box which Shevchenko latched onto and finally beat James, albeit with help from a deflection off Sol Campbell's toe. Relief was evident, both for Shevchenko - who was booked for his celebrations - and for Chelsea. And that soon turned into a more comfortable feeling for the hosts as Ballack timed his run into the box to connect with Drogba's clever header across goal and put Chelsea two up. It was Ballack's first Premiership goal for the Blues, and he celebrated as hard as Shevchenko had - and was also cautioned for it. The German was later denied a second by another superb save from James, who dived to his right to smother a fierce volley. But before that, Portsmouth had threatened to make the last 20 minutes uneasy for Chelsea as Benjani tucked in from close-range. A nervous finale did not materialise though as Chelsea's superiority told. And James was forced into another fine stop late on, tipping Drogba's lashed effort over the bar. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho: \"It was difficult because we played a tough game in midweek and Portsmouth are a good team. \"The first moments were difficult and Portsmouth were the better team. \"But we created a lot of chances after that and David James was outstanding. We should have killed the game but we did not. But a victory is a victory.\" Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp: \"David James has been fantastic - he's like an 18-year-old in training. \"He should still be knocking on the England door. Paul Robinson is a good goalkeeper but if you look at the other lads, they are all out on loan. \"He'll play for another five or six years in my opinion.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea: Hilario, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Lampard, Ballack (Boulahrouz 90), Robben (Joe Cole 66), Shevchenko (Makelele 76), Drogba. Subs Not Used: Makaba-Makalamby, Wright-Phillips. Booked: Shevchenko, Ballack, Joe Cole. Goals: Shevchenko 55, Ballack 57. Portsmouth: James, Pamarot, Primus, Campbell, Taylor, O'Neil, Pedro Mendes (Thompson 83), Fernandes (Cole 58), Kranjcar, Mwaruwari, Kanu (Davis 46). Subs Not Used: Kiely, O'Brien. Booked: Pamarot, Pedro Mendes. Goals: Mwaruwari 69. Att: 41,838. Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

FA to consider Chelsea complaints
The Football Association will look into complaints made by Chelsea following their Premiership game at Reading. Chelsea wrote to the FA after the incident that saw keeper Petr Cech suffer a serious head injury. An FA spokesman said: \"We have received a letter and will respond in due course to address their concerns.\" A Premier League spokesman added: \"We will ask Reading for their observations and the issue will be discussed in due course by the board.\" Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was unhappy with the time it took the ambulance to reach the Madejski Stadium to deal with Cech. The Czech keeper fractured his skull in a clash with Reading winger Stephen Hunt. The Blues' letter also included their comments about Hunt's challenge on Cech, but this is unlikely to persuade the FA's disciplinary chiefs to take action against the Reading winger. The FA confirmed last week that there would be no formal action taken against Hunt because referee Mike Riley dealt with the incident at the time. However discussions will be held with the FA and the Premier League about the medical regulations in place at top-flight football matches. Chelsea believe important lessons can be learnt from the experience, which will offer quicker treatment in future for players who suffer serious injuries on the pitch.

Keeper Porato on trial at Chelsea
Goalkeeper Stephane Porato has been given a trial at Chelsea as boss Jose Mourinho considers his options during Petr Cech's injury lay-off. Cech may not play again this season because of a skull fracture but Chelsea cannot make a signing from another club until the January transfer window. However, former Monaco and Marseille stopper Porato is a free agent. The 33-year-old Frenchman has been without a club since he left Corsican outfit Ajaccio in the summer. With both Cech and Carlo Cudicini sidelined, Hilario has been deputising between the posts in Chelsea's last two games. Hilario, who played in the wins against Barcelona and Portsmouth, looks set to keep his place for the Carling Cup tie at Blackburn on Wednesday. Second-choice keeper Cudicini has not played since he was knocked unconscious at Reading on 14 October - in the same game Cech fractured his skull. The Italian has stepped up his training schedule since the weekend and Mourinho expects him to be ready to return at Sheffield United on Saturday.

Cech returns home from hospital
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has left hospital and is expected to return to light training on Monday. The 24-year-old suffered a fractured skull in a collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt on 14 October. A Chelsea statement read: \"Petr Cech continues to make excellent progress from his injury. \"It is standard practice to allow three months for a skull fracture to repair and we are working to that timescale for a return to full training.\" The Czech keeper was injured in the first minute of Chelsea's 1-0 win over Reading and later had emergency surgery to insert two metal plates in his head. His replacement Carlo Cudicini was knocked unconscious later in the same game, leaving third-choice Hilario with an unexpected run in the first team. Cudicini is now back in training and close to a return, while Cech seems unlikely to play again this season.

Blackburn v Chelsea
Blackburn's Robbie Savage looks certain to miss the Carling Cup tie after complaining of a knee problem. David Bentley (hamstring) and Andre Ooijer (bruised ribs) are both doubtful for the match at Ewood Park. Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini (head injury) is back in training but is not yet considered ready to return so Hilario continues in goal. Joe Cole could get a first start of the season, while Mikel Jon Obi is available after a one-match ban. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blackburn (from): Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Tugay, Emerton, Bentley, Nonda, McCarthy, Pedersen, Mokoena, Jeffers, Gallagher, Ooijer, Brown, Gray, Peter, McEveley, Todd, Roberts. Chelsea (from): Hilario, Ferreira, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, A Cole, Geremi, Mikel, Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Diarra, J Cole, Wright-Phillips, Robben, Kalou, Drogba, Shevchenko, Ma-Kalambay.

Blackburn 0-2 Chelsea
Two second-half goals were enough to see Chelsea into the fourth round of the Carling Cup at Blackburn's expense. Joe Cole celebrated his first start of the season by converting Salomon Kalou's cross after 53 minutes. Kalou tapped in the second after Brad Friedel had parried substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips' shot. Blackburn had their chances in an entertaining tie, with Shabani Nonda looking particularly lively, but Chelsea were too strong.

Sheff Utd v Chelsea
Sheffield United defender Claude Davis returns from a one-match ban to face champions Chelsea. The Blades are set to make wholesale changes from their Carling Cup defeat by Birmingham but Colin Kazim-Richards (knee) is their only injury doubt. Carlo Cudicini is set to return for Chelsea two weeks after he was knocked unconscious at Reading in the same game that Petr Cech fractured his skull. Blues boss Jose Mourinho has a fully fit outfield squad to choose from. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield United (from): Kenny, Bennett, Bromby, Unsworth, Davis, Morgan, Short, Sommeil, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Kozluk, Jagielka, Ifill, Gillespie, A Quinn, Hulse, Akinbiyi, Nade, Kazim-Richards, Kabba, Webber, Montgomery. Chelsea (from): Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, Geremi, Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel, J Cole, Kalou, Wright-Phillips, Robben, Drogba, Shevchenko. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock: \"You hope you don't concede an early goal because Chelsea are that good that they will shut up shop. \"So we have to be on our toes and be very professional especially in defence because of the quality they have. \"We've got to play way above our own standards and maintain it for 90 minutes whilst Chelsea have got to be below par. \"Hopefully Chelsea won't like playing an early kick-off, up north and in blustery weather.\" Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho: \"When a team rests 11 players and gives up a competition like the Carling Cup to play against Chelsea it is because they are motivated for this game. \"But we don't have less motivation. It is three points we want to get. \"We are doing well at the moment. The last 11 matches in all competitons we have only had one draw and we didn't deserve to draw against Aston Villa.\"

Hunt collision still haunts Cech
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech says he still wakes up with severe headaches after the collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt which fractured his skull. Cech, 24, said his last memory is changing ends before the game began, and he cannot recall the incident which happened 20 seconds into the game. \"You wake up and have a horrible headache, so you have to take your medication,\" he told the club website. \"I just try to live with that and every day it is going to get better.\" Cech underwent surgery to have two plates inserted in his skull and still has a visible scar on the left side of his head. He said he still found it hard thinking about the incident, which has left him facing a long-term lay-off. \"I've seen it on TV once but don't want to speak about this for the moment. \"The shake-hands is the last thing I remember because John Terry lost the toss and I had to run to the other side. That is the last thing.\" Cech said he took great comfort from the public support he had received. \"I think it has been fantastic from everyone. It has been the players, the managers, the staff. It was everyone in Chelsea, including supporters,\" he said. \"I got so many cards and letters from people outside, not involved in Chelsea, and I want to thank them all for that.\" The Blues keeper also revealed his rehabilitation plans. \"I hope that everything will improve. Soon I have got a medical meeting with Bryan English, the club doctor, and all the medical department and they will tell me the schedule, what I can do and hopefully start growing the muscles,\" he said. \"It will be really difficult because I can't move for a long time, the most 15 to 20 minutes and then I am exhausted. \"So it will be difficult, even with the metal in your head you need some recovery. \"They will prepare some programme for me, massage, little walks, these kind of things so I start maintaining my body and I hope I will be able to go back as soon as I can.\"

Sheff Utd 0-2 Chelsea
Sheffield United paid the penalty for a first-half spot-kick miss as champions Chelsea coasted to a comfortable win. Henrique Hilario had little difficulty in saving Danny Webber's poorly taken penalty after Didier Drogba was adjuged to have fouled Claude Davis. Frank Lampard put Chelsea in front just before the break, with a swerving free-kick that fooled Paddy Kenny. Early in the second-half, Lampard crossed for Michael Ballack, who made it 2-0 with a powerful far-post header. If Webber had scored, the course of the game might have been different, but once he had missed, Chelsea steadily assumed control. Jose Mourinho's side had the better of the possession and in Lampard and Ballack, players who were able to turn that dominance into goals. The one worry for Chelsea, who play Barcelona in midweek in the Champions League, was that the in-form Drogba did not emerge for the second half due to a foot injury. United also lost a player in the first half, Michael Tonge limping off early on, after he fell awkardly on his ankle after tackling Joe Cole. Before Drogba's withdrawal the Ivory Coast striker had a busy time of it - unusually in his own penalty area. Drogba did well to slide in ahead of Davis after Alan Quinn's cross had got past Hilario. Soon after Drogba again found himself marking Davis, though this time referee Martin Atkinson ruled the Chelsea striker fouled the United defender they both went for the ball. To Chelsea's relief, Hilario comfortably saved Webber's underhit penalty. Either side of Webber's penalty, both teams claimed they should have been awarded spot-kicks. Ricardo Carvalho might have been penalised for using his arm to stop Rob Hulse's jump, while after Webber's miss Chelsea appealed when Paulo Ferriera's tumbled following a Davis challenge. It was not until the latter stages of the opening half that Chelsea began to create clear chances. A cross from Ballack almost saw Chris Armstrong put the ball into his own net as he tried to clear under pressure from Arjen Robben. Kenny did well to quickly to push away Lampard's close-range header, though soon after the United keeper's reactions proved altogether slower. Lampard's long-range free-kick swerved marginally and with Kenny diving too early, the ball nestled in the middle of the net. Lampard's goal might have had an element of fortunte about it, but there was nothing lucky about Chelsea's second. Some slick combination play between Robben and Lampard provided the space for the England international to hang up a cross that Ballack forcefully headed in. With a two-goal cushion, Chelsea should have won more comfortably, but Lampard shot over from a good position, while Robben was denied by Kenny after the United defence was carved apart.

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