Chelsea

Terry to fight FA conduct charge
Chelsea and England captain John Terry has denied a Football Association charge of improper conduct. The charge arose from comments made by Terry about referee Graham Poll following the defender's dismissal in Chelsea's match at Tottenham. Terry has requested a personal hearing after claiming Poll gave conflicting reasons for his second yellow card in the 2-1 defeat on 5 November. The FA has said in a statement: \"This claim is denied by Graham Poll.\" The statement added: \"The charge has been brought on the basis that Terry's comments question Poll's integrity.\" The referee has also been cleared by the FA of saying anything inappropriate towards Chelsea players during the same match. The statement continued: \"Responses sought from Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Chelsea FC and the match officials confirm that Poll did not say that Chelsea needed 'to be taught a lesson'. \"There will no action taken against any parties on this matter.\" Terry's comments about Poll appeared in an interview on Chelsea's own television channel. \"Terry claimed in an interview, which was widely reported, that Poll had given him conflicting reasons for his second yellow card, saying: 'On the pitch, Graham Poll said to me that it was for the barge on Hossam Ghaly where I just kept running',\" said the FA statement. \"'Then, after the game, he then said to me it was for the fall when me and Ledley King fell so, you know, he's obviously had a look at it, or got people to look at it and decided that's probably the best option for him and it covers every angle for him.'\" Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who also questioned Poll's decision-making after the Spurs game, will not face any formal disciplinary action.

Everton v Chelsea
Everton pair Phil Neville and Leon Osman could return to the side after injury, while James McFadden could replace struggling James Beattie. Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill, Tony Hibbert, Alessandro Pistone and Gary Naysmith are all injured. Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho (ankle) and keeper Carlo Cudicini (thigh) are doubtful. Joe Cole (broken foot) is out, but Didier Drogba is expected to have recovered from a hamstring strain. Everton (from): Howard, Yobo, Lescott, Stubbs, Weir, Valente, Neville, Carsley, Davies, Osman, Beattie, Johnson, McFadden, Vaughan, Anichebe, Wright, Van der Meyde, Hughes, Vidarsson. Chelsea (from): Cudicini, Hilario, Hedman, Ferreira, Geremi, Terry, Carvalho, Boulahrouz, Bridge, A Cole, Lampard, Essien, Ballack, Makelele, Diarra, Robben, Drogba, Shevchenko, Kalou, Wright-Phillips. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard: \"Chelsea are the champions on merit and so we will have all hands to the pump and see where we go. \"It is key for us to get on top early, as you saw when we played Arsenal, even though we ended up with a draw, it makes the game that much easier. \"It will be a very difficult match. Not too many people have taken points off Chelsea and there's a reason for that. \"We just have to make sure we grind out a result.\" Chelsea winger Arjen Robben: \"Everton away is always difficult. It is a tough place to go and we have to get our minds again on that game. \"We can't afford to lose points because last Sunday, of course it was a difficult game against Arsenal, but we lost two points there. \"Last Wednesday was an important win so we have to continue that.\"

Newcastle 0-1 Chelsea
Didier Drogba came off the bench to fire Chelsea into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup with a late free-kick. Newcastle went close to taking the lead when an Obafemi Martins drive hit the underside of the bar and bounced down on to the line before being cleared. Andrei Shevchenko also hit the post for Chelsea but they needed Drogba's curler to break the deadlock on 79 minutes. Frank Lampard almost added a late second with a 40-yard shot against the post from a poor Shay Given clearance. Drogba had been one of four of boss Jose Mourinho's 'untouchables' left on the bench at the start of the game. He joined Ashley Cole, Lampard, and Michael Ballack as substitutes while the injured John Terry missed out altogether. But the visitors still made a strong start and, not for the first time this season, it was thanks to Michael Essien taking the game by the scruff of the neck in the middle. He was involved in a slick move that led to Mikel Jon Obi firing over and then scuffed his own shot wide soon after good work by Salomon Kalou. Newcastle, playing with only Obafemi Martens up front, had their fair share of possession but looked short of ideas when it came to creating chances. That all changed after 25 minutes when Martins at last got a sniff of goal. Receiving the ball from Nolberto Solano some 30 yards out, the Nigerian composed himself before unleashing a dipping drive that smashed against the bar and bounced down and then out before being cleared. TV replays failed to clear up whether or not the ball had crossed the line but the reaction of Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder showed he knew how close his side had come to opening the scoring. They were not finished there either, with Nicky Butt unleashing a peach of a volley from the resulting corner that Hilario had to punch away. That was by far the best spell of the match for the home side though and they were almost behind at half-time, Shevchenko's shot bouncing back off the far post after Essien had played him in. Lampard was the first of Mourinho's big guns to be brought on, replacing Makelele at the break. He quickly tested Given with a shot from distance, but was off target with his next effort after Robben found him in space in the area. At the other end Emre's clever pass set Kieron Dyer free but Hilario came out quickly to block his shot. Ballack's introduction on the hour mark seemed to give Chelsea another lift but it was the arrival of Drogba - to replace Shevchenko on 75 minutes - that was to prove decisive. Five minutes later Robben was chopped down by Solano and Nicky Butt's double challenge on the left corner of the area. Drogba played the ball short to Lampard to open up the angle and then curled in a precise shot that Given could only help into the top corner. Newcastle attempted to respond but for all their effort they were still lacking inspiration in the final third. And Chelsea could have had another before the end when Lampard intercepted Given's careless clearance and was unlucky to see his shot come back off the post with the keeper nowhere to be seen.

Injured Terry may face surgery
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has revealed that England captain John Terry may require surgery on his back injury. The defender has been sidelined for the last four matches but had been expected to return within the next fortnight. Mourinho was less optimistic and said: \"The medical department have said surgery might be a possibility. \"I want them to make a quick decision. I don't know how long John Terry will be out for - three days, three weeks or three months, I don't know.\"

Terry has surgery on back injury
Chelsea and England captain John Terry has undergone successful surgery to cure his troublesome back injury. But Blues officials have yet to reveal how long they expect the 26-year-old centre-half to be out of action. \"The operation to remove a sequestrated lumbar intervertebral disc was successful,\" said a Chelsea statement. Chelsea have conceded six goals in three league matches without Terry and have fallen four points behind Premiership leaders Manchester United. The early indications are that Terry could return within weeks not months. But having sold both William Gallas and Robert Huth, manager Jose Mourinho has admitted the continued absence of Terry has left him short of defensive options. The Blues have already conceded 15 league goals so far this season - only seven fewer than they did over the whole of the last Premiership campaign. Terry's injury could also hit England, who are due to play Spain at Old Trafford on 7 February.

Aston Villa v Chelsea
Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry is suspended having been shown a straight red card for bringing down Dennis Rommedahl at Charlton. Stiliyan Petrov was replaced by Isaiah Osbourne in the second half at The Valley and could miss out following his problems with a hamstring injury. Chelsea have defender Khalid Boulahrouz back after he missed Saturday's 2-2 draw with Fulham through suspension. Michael Ballack is banned and Arjen Robben still has a hamstring problem. Villa (from): Kiraly, Hughes, Mellberg, Cahill, Gardner, Petrov, McCann, Davis, Baros, Agbonlahor, Ridgewell, Bouma, Osbourne, Angel, Olejnik, Whittingham, Samuel, Djemba-Djemba. Chelsea (from): Hilario, Hedman, Geremi, Carvalho, Ferreira, Boulahrouz, Bridge, A Cole, Essien, Lampard, Diarra, Makelele, Drogba, Shevchenko, Kalou, Wright-Phillips, Mikel.

Mourinho fumes at transfer prices
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has hit out at the inflated transfer prices the champions are being asked to pay. Short of central defenders, Mourinho is expected to sign a centre-back during the January transfer window. But Mourinho insisted he would rather play his 55-year-old assistant Baltemar Brito - a former defender - than pay over the odds for a centre-back. \"Just because of the smell that Chelsea needs a central defender, it has people thinking we are stupid,\" said Mourinho. The Chelsea manager added: \"With the reality of the English market I prefer to play with Brito than pay the crazy money. \"I would love an Aston Martin but if you ask me for £1m for an Aston Martin, I tell you, you are crazy because they cost £250,000.\" Chelsea have been linked with a move with Manchester City's England defender Micah Richards, though Mourinho insisted the champions have yet to speak to any club.

Chelsea v Macclesfield
Chelsea are without John Terry, Khalid Boulahrouz, Joe Cole, Arjen Robben, Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini. Lassana Diarra, Mikel Jon Obi and Wayne Bridge stand by for action if Chelsea decide to rest Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele and Ashley Cole. Macclesfield defender Rob Scott is still struggling with a calf problem. Striker John Murphy is available after extending his loan deal but they may stick with Matt McNeil and Matthew Tipton up front.

Chelsea 4-0 Wigan
Arjen Robben produced a fine display to help ensure Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho ended a tumultuous week with a win. Despite a host of rumours surrounding Mourinho's predicted exit, the Blues saw off a poor Wigan side with ease. Lampard's free-kick drifted in for the first and Kristofer Haestad's back-pass fell to Robben to make it two. Chris Kirkland then put the Dutchman's cross into his own net, before Didier Drogba's header sealed the victory to make it six straight defeats for Wigan. From the outset there was little doubt where the Stamford Bridge faithful's loyalties lay and, as choruses dedicated to Mourinho rang out across west London, it quickly became clear that the Chelsea players were keen to make their own statement about his future. A return to a 4-3-3 formation helped, as did the form of Robben who lit up the match with jinking runs, clever passes and intelligent movement. But, after three successive draws in the league and one in the Carling Cup to Wycombe, the Blues still needed a huge slice of luck to open the scoring. Lampard's tame 35-yard free-kick from wide on the left was allowed to drift between defence and keeper and into the far corner, though replays suggested Kirkland in goal may have been distracted by Fitz Hall's clear foul on Drogba six yards out. Thereafter, Chelsea assumed complete control, with Robben pulling the strings and Lampard and Michael Ballack attacking from deep at every opportunity. However, while Salomon Kalou twice wasted decent openings behind the Wigan defence, it took until the 32nd minute for the hosts to force a clear opening, Kirkland doing well to keep out Lampard's firm low drive at his near post. Such was Chelsea's dominance, it took until the last minute of the half for Wigan to trouble the Blues' defence, Ricardo Carvalho deflecting Ian McCullough's shot over from six yards. There was little change to the pattern of the game in the second half, with the Latics virtual strangers to the ball. And it was not long before the Londoners grabbed a deserved second, man-of-the-match Robben dashing onto Haestad's dire back-pass, rounding Kirkland and slotting home. The champions were rampant and, seconds after Kirkland had done well to deny Robben's curled effort, the keeper then put into his own net on the dive from the Dutchman's cross to make it 3-0. Wigan, on the worst run under Paul Jewell, were bereft of confidence and imagination and the Blues could even afford tame finishes from Drogba and Ballack late on. Josip Skoko did go close with a 25-yard strike late on for Wigan, but then Drogba wrapped up the victory with a powerful headed from John Obi Mikel's cross. The win saw Chelsea end their worst winless run under Mourinho and remain six points behind leaders Manchester United, while Wigan are once again looking over their shoulder as they slip to just three points above the drop zone. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "It was a very good result for us. We pushed the defence up, scored a few goals, played with a good spirit and dominated the game. "After a run of three league games without a win it is nice to get one. It has been a dark period in that we haven't won, but a light one because we haven't lost despite all our problems. "We have missed our special players recently. You saw the way Robben played today - imagine if we had been able to call upon him over Christmas, a lot of the results might have been different." Wigan boss Paul Jewell: "I thought at half-time that if we could just nick a goal - even though we didn't look like doing so - we might get something from the game. "But their second goal was an absolute disaster and it really broke us. In fact, the first three goals were avoidable and you can't give away soft goals at this level and get away with it. "We have 16 matches left and, yes, it is going to be a battle to stay in this division. I think we need five or six victories and that's what we are aiming for." Chelsea: Hilario, Ferreira (Geremi 86), Carvalho, Essien, Bridge, Ballack, Makelele, Lampard, Drogba, Kalou (Mikel 82), Robben (Sahar 82). Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Wright-Phillips. Booked: Drogba. Goals: Lampard 13, Robben 63, Kirkland 70 og, Drogba 90. Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Hall, Unsworth, Baines, Cotterill (Taylor 66), Skoko, Haestad (Landzaat 73), Kilbane, Heskey (Johansson 77), McCulloch. Subs Not Used: Filan, Cywka. Booked: McCulloch, Cotterill, Haestad. Att: 40,846 Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

Cardiff sign Chelsea midfielder
Cardiff City have signed Chelsea youngster James Simmonds on loan for the rest of the season. The midfielder was part of the same England youth international side that contained Kerrea Gilbert, the Arsenal full-back on-loan at Cardiff. But the 19-year-old, a product of the Chelsea academy, has opted to play for the Republic of Ireland Under-19s. Simmonds is able to play anywhere in midfield and also up front, but is happier along the left-hand side.

Chelsea give backing to Mourinho
Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon has denied reports of a rift between manager Jose Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich. Yet he said Mourinho will not be given "extensive" funds during the January transfer window and may have to field young homegrown players. "The board and the owner fully support Jose and Jose is fully on board in looking to achieve more success on the field," Kenyon told BBC Sport. He added: "We will not be spending extensive amounts of money." Reports had suggested Mourinho would leave the club in the summer following a falling out with Abramovich. Kenyon said: "There's not a lot I can do about speculation. We are very confident that both the manager and the board are together on how we make Chelsea even more successful. "Jose has made it quite clear that he loves Chelsea and he and his family enjoy living in London. "He's got a contract to 2010 and he wants to finish what we started when we brought him in. That was a long-term plan for Chelsea being successful on the field. "There's no crisis at Chelsea. How many clubs would like to be six points away from the leader of the Premiership at this time, halfway through the season? "What other club is in contention for all four trophies this season?" Last week Mourinho suggested the board had not supported him in his efforts to sign the players he wanted since the turn of the year. The Portuguese boss is believed to have been keen to sign a central defender and striker during the January transfer window, with Milan Baros, Jermain Defoe, Jorge Andrade and Tal Ben Haim all linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. And Kenyon admitted the board would not be spending "extensive" amounts or seeking short-term fixes. "Jose's fully involved in the players we bring in or move out," he said. "We've talked to a couple of clubs over a couple of players. There's nothing done yet. "If we do, we will not be spending extensive amounts of money (and will) only be bringing someone in who is of use longer-term than the next two and a half, three months. "We're not going for a big success and then a bust. We're not in it for this season, we're in it for a lot longer than that. "The investments that have been made right across the piece are to support Chelsea being successful over many years to come." And he said Mourinho could have to field young homegrown players in the first team. "We've invested heavily in the squad but, equally, we've invested heavily in our youth and training facilities," he said. "Part of our overall plan - and it's always been part of our plan - is that we started to generate talent that could end up in the first-team squad. "That is... a key component of Chelsea becoming profitable. "We weren't looking, and aren't looking, to regularly play a number of 16 and 17 year olds that clearly are not right for that first-team squad yet. "But it is going to happen during the course of the season and we have to accept that and if there wasn't a window today we wouldn't be talking about bringing players in."

Terry fit for match at Charlton
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed skipper John Terry is fit and will play against Charlton on Saturday. Terry has been out since December and the Blues' form has dipped as a result - and with Ashley Cole thought to be badly injured, his return is crucial. Mourinho said: "Terry is an important player for us. We've missed him and it's important he's back, especially in a period when we keep losing players." Meanwhile, Mourinho is waiting news for on scans to Cole's knee injury. Mourinho said: "He has a problem in the knee, I don't know what. He cannot walk so it must be something serious. "We will have to wait a couple of days before we know what it is. But this kind of injury normally ends in surgery, so I fear the worst." Cole, 26, is expected to have scans on the injury on Thursday. And it is feared that they will show the injury will keep him out for the rest of the season. It is the latest in a line of injuries to key defenders at Chelsea, with Terry only just set to return after more than a month out and fellow centre-back Khalid Boulahrouz also injured. Mourinho said: "We are doing so many things to have a team to compete in all competitions and we must compete without Ashley. "Khalid Boulahrouz will train with the group for the first time on Thursday and maybe in one more week he can play."

Ballack injures thigh in friendly
Michael Ballack suffered a thigh injury in Germany's 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Wednesday. The Chelsea midfielder limped off the pitch one minute before the break after straining his right thigh and did not return for the second half. "It is definitely a strain, but I hope it's not serious," said Ballack. "We have to wait and see in the next few days how the pain is. It's annoying as I've been getting through the season quite well in terms of injuries." Chelsea play Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

FA takes no action over Mourinho
The Football Association has decided not to take any action against Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho after his alleged comments about referee Mike Riley. Mourinho denied intending to offend Riley by using a Portuguese swear word during Sunday's 3-3 draw with Tottenham in the FA Cup quarter-final. An FA spokesman said: "We have spoken to the referee who has clarified that there is no issue for us to pursue." Mourinho added: "I say this kind of word 10 times in every 15 words." He added: "I say it 50 times a game, 50 times in training. I don't want to be offensive. I can be emotional but I am polite." Chelsea were losing 3-1 at the interval during Sunday's match but Mourinho insisted his use of the word was not directed at the official. "The word can be abusive if you understand it as an abusive word," he stated. "I tell the word to my players and myself when I am not happy. It is something I say when the ball hits the post." Mourinho alleged that there had been controversy in all the Chelsea matches in which Riley had officiated this season. "In my opinion, he gave too many decisions against us. I don't think they were big decisions but every free-kick in midfield was against Chelsea," he said. "I am not saying they had a big influence on the result, I am not saying that, but too many free-kicks is a big frustration for the players. "It breaks the intensity of the game and we are not happy. But that's football. "All season was not an easy one in our matches with Mr Riley. Against Liverpool, Mohamed Sissoko should be sent off, he wasn't. "One minute later Michael Ballack is out and we have to play with 10 men for a lot of the time. "We go to Reading, we play with 10 men, we lose two goalkeepers and not even a yellow card and in this game, there were too many decisions against us. "But what can I say? He is a good referee so I hope the next time we have him, things go back to normal." Meanwhile, Mourinho brushed aside concerns over captain John Terry's long-term future at Stamford Bridge. Reports have suggested talks about a new deal for the England captain have stalled over the length of his contract extension and his pay demands. However, Mourinho insisted: "John is on a long-term contract. His contract is until 2009. It is a long-term contract and he is a Chelsea player until then, minimum - so no problem. "It is better if he has a contract until 2015, better for him and for Chelsea. "But if he has a contract until 2009 and they take one more month or two or three, until they sign a new one, I don't see a drama."

Chelsea team bus attacked by fans
Frank Lampard has revealed that a brick was thrown at the Chelsea team coach as it arrived at Upton Park for Wednesday's game against West Ham. The Blues midfielder said: "The window got shattered. It made a huge bang. But that's football - it happens because there are emotions. "There isn't too much point on dwelling on it as long as no-one gets hurt." Emotions ran high as Lampard and team-mate Joe Cole returned to their relegation-threatened former club. A Chelsea spokesman also played down the incident. "It was a rock of some sort and it cracked a window of the coach. But none of the players were injured and none of them were sat by the window that was hit." Chelsea won the match 4-1, thanks to a brace by Shaun Wright-Phillips and further goals from Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba. Lampard was booed by the home fans throughout. He said: "It inspires me. It doesn't bother me, I enjoy it. It was a bit of banter and there are no hard feelings."

View Full Version: Chelsea