Can Chelsea Keep the Run Going?


Higher High Higher

By BlueBlood
February 6 2005

Man City, the only team to beat Chelsea in the Premiership, visit Stamford Bridge this afternoon looking to become the only team that can do the double over Chelsea this season. High hopes indeed!

Back in October at the City of Manchester stadium, I wrote at the time, how the hell Man City managed to win the game. Here and I quote:

"Someone tell me - apart from the obvious - how the F**K Chelsea lost, or how the F**K Man City won. And please tell me who was the main striker today. Kezman or Gudjohnsen or Frank Lampard. And someone please tell me how the worst goalkeeper that ever put on an England jersey, was so inspired."

"I am angry tonight very angry. Chelsea totally dominated against City in terms of possession, corners, shots on target and shots off target. Cech had nothing to do all game except for picking the ball out of the net. And before you City fans start having a go. Ferreira was fortunate to stay on - another ref like Riley or Halsey would probably have sent him off."

The very next game at home to Blackburn, Chelsea romped to a 4-0 win. The reason why this is so significant is that the Blackburn game was the first game that Arjen Robben was unleashed on the Premiership. From that day on until Robben was injured at Blackburn on Wednesday Chelsea have powered forward and have not looked back. Now sidelined again, Robben will be sorely missed and could this prove costly to the Premiership title chase of the Chelsea Blues.

In addition to the absence of Robben, Drogba is also a serious doubt due to a thigh injury sustained in training last Monday. Therefore instead of Joey Cole who appears to the be the automatic choice over on the left side, I would like to see Kezman given at least an hour mainly because I think he deserves it. Kezzer has not had the best of fortunes since he joined Chelsea in the goal scoring department, but he does work hard and can provide and sustain a role in the current Chelsea system. Joey may get the nod though, because he has started to learn about defensive play, whereas Kezzer in primarily an out and out attacker.

Man City's last win at Stamford Bridge was in 1993 when they won 4-2. Chelsea's biggest win in recent years at The Bridge was in 2003 beating City 5-0 with five different scorers on the sheet: JFH, Terry, Stanic, Lampard and Gallas. More of the same tomorrow if you please.

City will be no pushovers. Already this season they have gone to Old Trafford and Highbury and gained 1-1 draws but recent defeats at WBA, Everton and Middlesbrough suggest that if City are not up to the task and challenge, they do have bad days.

With both Man U and Arsenal winning yesterday, a Chelsea win will frustrate both Man U and Arsenal to the extent that the Blues are one match closer to securing their first League title in fifty years.

Probable team:

Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Gallas, Bridge, Makelele, Duff, Lampard, Tiago, Kezman (Cole), Gudjohnsen

COME ON CHELSEA!!

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