sunday papers stoke away 2-0

Mail:
Bosingwa's magic - Sugar Ray can only look on as Chelsea's Portuguese star KO's Stoke By Mark FlemingStoke 0 Chelsea 2
After Muhammad Ali inspired the American Ryder Cup team to a famous victory, Stoke wheeled out Sugar Ray Leonard in the hope of some stardust from the former world champion being sprinkled on their honest toilers.By awarding Leonard, in town for a speaking engagement, the No 7 shirt once worn with such distinction by Stanley Matthew, the home fans began the match in high spirits as they were given something to cheer lustily.Memories were stirred and hopes were raised but the subsequent 90 minutes of action followed a sadly predictable pattern. Chelsea were too good and Stoke could not make up for a gulf in class by throwing their bodies on the line and fighting to the end.So no surprises there. But, at least, the occasion confirmed the arrival of yet an other highly-priced Chelsea star, who could be destined to have an impact on the title race.Step forward Jose Bosingwa, a 26- year-old Portuguese international, who arrived at Stamford Bridge with a reputation as an exciting, attacking full-back, and has already shown why the club forked out £16.2 million to acquire his services.But, if Chelsea diehards are already aware of the gem on their hands, only yesterday did Bosingwa show the rest of the country just how good he is.According to Scolari, the Stoke defenders were unaware of the former Porto defender's quality as he stole unnoticed into the penalty area to control Frank Lampard's pass on his chest before volleying sumptuously past Thomas Sorensen.'They left Bosingwa free because they didn't think he was going to be a threat,' said Scolari, with the hint of a smirk, 'and he took his goal beautifully.'The breakthrough, after 36 minutes, came at a time when Chelsea were beginning to become frustrated The neat patterns they drew across the Britannia Stadium pitch had, until then, lacked an end product through the willingness of the Potters to regard no cause as lost.Denied the services of their longthrow specialist and principal weapon, Rory Delap, who damaged a hamstring at the end of training on Friday, Stoke offered hardly a danger in attack, even though the burly figure of Mamady Sidibe threw himself about and won a few headers. Battle: Stoke's Dave Kitson challenges BosingwaBut, when Florent Malouda's fierce drive cannoned off Sorensen's arm and then the underside of the crossbar to leave Chelsea hanging to their single-goal advantage, the prospect of a late Stoke rally kept the fans interested.But just when the locals were revving up for some giant-killing drama, Leon Cort's blunder allowed the confident Londoners to play out the final 15 minutes free of worry.Again Bosingwa was involved, delivering a curling cross that the Stoke central defender tried to control but merely played the ball into the path of Nicolas Anelka.The Frenchman, on as a substitute, had early blazed a clear opportunity over the bar but made no mistake this time, drilling a low shot under Steve Simonsen's body. Lampard, whose elegant control of the midfield had been a feature, failed to accept the goal his performance deserved when he drove a 10-yard shot into the ground after Didier Drogba, in his first full appearance, had set him up.Stoke might have had a late penalty when Ashley Cole caught Ricardo Fuller in the area but referee Martin Atkinson decided that the Jamaican's elaborate fall was not worthy of spot-kick, even though TV replays confirmed that there was contact.The afternoon was a tale of the expected. Chelsea are a strong, skilful side who have added to their quality with the signing of Bosingwa and certainly could regain the title, particularly if they can overcome potentially awkward matches with such efficiency - which, perhaps significantly, Liverpool could not achieve at Anfield last week. As for Stoke, they certainly work their socks off and make life tough for the opposition. But will that be enough?'The second goal killed us,' said manager Tony Pulis. 'We're disappointed because we defended solidly and were still in the game at that point.'But I take nothing away from Chelsea, who are a fantastic team. When they break it's like defending against the Red Arrows - or maybe the Blue Arrows. We've had a tough start but we must make sure we don't get down in the dumps.' Their future will be decided against lesser opposition than Chelsea.
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TimesSeptember 27, 2008
Chelsea choke fiery StokeStoke 0 Chelsea 2
John Aizlewood at Britannia stadium
SERENDIPITY works in many different ways. Having spent the week grappling with just how their team of all talents might combat Stoke City’s blunderbuss weapon of choice, Rory Delap’s long throws, Chelsea arrived at their first league fixture in the Potteries since 1988 to find Delap had been waylaid by a hamstring injury sustained at the very end of Friday’s training.
As it was, so dominant were Chelsea that Stoke had to wait 72 minutes to earn a throw-in in what would have been Delap territory. Then, predictably, Danny Higginbotham’s long but comparatively short effort was meat and drink to Alex and John Terry, the unyielding homunculuses of Chelsea’s rearguard.
Even so, Chelsea had to contend with a Stoke buoyed by last week’s heroic point at Anfield, the Premiers League’s most cacophonous crowd (including the unlikely figure of Sugar Ray Leonard, who tried the red and white stripes for size before kick off) and the growing belief that Tony Pulis’s band of artisans might embarrass the naysayers and actually warrant their place at the top table.
Chelsea’s week of heading practice might have been in vain, but they had done other homework. From first to last, they out-Stoked Stoke, eschewing width on the Premier League’s narrowest, most long-throw-friendly pitch and, seeing if the clothes of the underdog fitted, they harassed and harried their hosts.
Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel and Michael Ballack, midfield terriers who were not too proud to graft, snapped at the heels of Stoke’s startled midfield, while Chelsea’s defence refused to cede territory.
When they rolled forwards, Chelsea’s labourers reminded us that they are, in truth, artisans and only Thomas Sorensen’s left boot foiled Didier Drogba in the 14th minute after Lampard’s majestic through ball had unpicked Stoke’s defensive locks.
“A difficult game,” admitted Chelsea manager Luis Felipe Scolari. “First I want to win and second play beautiful football, but it’s impossible to play beautiful football when the other team is just waiting for you to make a mistake.” For all Leon Cort and Abdoulaye Faye’s trojan defending, the home side struggled to cross the halfway line and, as Chelsea shots rained in, the bursting of Stoke’s dam was inevitable.
When the opener came, it was sublime. Irony of ironies, it began with a long throw, albeit a giant hurl from goalkeeper Petr Cech. Jose Boswinga linked with Salomon Kalou and kept on running into the penalty area where he collected another glorious Lampard ball on his chest, before belting home his first Premier League goal with the insouciance of a born executioner.
“Their defence made a mistake,” noted Scolari. “They didn’t expect Boswinga to be in that position.”
After the break, Chelsea continued where they left off. Soon, Sorensen was stretching out a hopeful hand to tip Florent Malouda’s piledriver onto the underside of the bar. Ricardo Fuller — confined to the bench by a virus — had replaced Dave Kitson but Stoke’s problem still lay with their inability to serve their strikers in the face of Chelsea’s whiplash sortees forwards and ferocious midfield toil.
Yet, football’s immutable laws dictated that somewhere along the line, a chance would fall to Stoke. Said chance fell in the 61st minute. Liam Lawrence floated in a corner.
Cort leapt above the pack to make a firm headed connection, only to look back in anguish as Mikel strained every last neck sinew to nod off the line.
They would not come closer, but such was Stoke’s indomitable spirit that they began to threaten, albeit gingerly, and without being in severe peril, Cech twice had to move swiftly to foil Fuller. Chelsea’s response was to crush such impertinence at once.
Boswinga whizzed down the right with coltish enthusiasm. His low cross cannoned off Cort, a doughty presence all afternoon but who had had slipped at precisely the wrong moment and fell kindly for the typically mercurial Nicolas Anelka, who showed no mercy. There would be no glorious reprieve for Stoke and Chelsea cruised home with neither fuss nor ado.
Indeed, there might have been further Chelsea goals for Ballack and Lampard, but a combination of Sorensen’s exemplary positioning and marginally wayward finishing kept the score decent.
“Defending against Chelsea is like defending against the Red Arrows,” sighed Pulis. “They suck you in and then they drag you all over the shop. We could have pushed on more in the first half, but I’m pleased at how we competed in the
second. The important thing now is that we don’t get down in the dumps.”
For Chelsea, who will face the Romanians of Cluj in the Champions League on Wednesday without the injured Joe Cole, Ricardo Carvalho and Deco, further indication that there is iron aplenty in their soul. For Stoke, no disgrace, but a sobering warning that a giant heart is sometimes not enough
STOKE: Sorensen 7, Griffin 5, Cort 6, Abdoulaye Faye 7, Higginbotham 5, Lawrence 5 (Tonge 65min), Olofinjana 6, Diao 7, Cresswell 5, Kitson 5 (Fuller 52min, 6), Sidibe 6 (Amdy Faye 81)
CHELSEA: Cech 6, Bosingwa 7, Terry 6, Alex 6, Cole 6, Ballack 7 (Ferreira 89min), Obi Mikel 7, Lampard 7, Kalou 6 (Anelka 46min, 6), Malouda 6, Drogba 6 (Belletti 73min)
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Telegraph:
Chelsea thankful for sleek Jose Bosingwa Stoke City (0) 0 Chelsea (1) 2 By Patrick Barclay
Chelsea can cope with just about anything the Premier League can throw at them. Or not, as the case may be. Here, though Stoke lacked the hurling prowess of Rory Delap, it was a proper contest for a 24-minute period between the advent of Ricardo Fuller, the newcomers’ most exciting feature even when he is suffering from the after-effects of a virus, and the aspiring champions’ second goal, scored by the substitute Nicolas Anelka.
That was enough to stave off boredom pangs. Stoke, having taken a point at Liverpool last weekend, could not quite claim another in front of the whole of their admirable support. But they knew promotion would entail a struggle and, having met Aston Villa (whom they beat) as well as Champions League finalists from each of the past two seasons, need not be too daunted by the long remainder of their survival test.
“They are difficult to play against,’’ said Luiz Felipe Scolari of Tony Pulis’s physical but fair team. “If I can play beautiful football,’’ the Chelsea manager added, “I will. But it’s not easy against a team who want to play only off your mistakes.’’ Chelsea made few enough of those, delighting Scolari. Pulis, by contrast, rued the error by Leon Cort that helped Anelka to end a contest that had been swung the visitors’ way by an excellent goal from the Portugal right-back, Jose Bosingwa.
Pre-season, while Scolari was welcoming to Stamford Bridge the sleek Bosingwa, with whom he had spent the earlier part of the summer at Euro 2008, Pulis contented himself with the more prosaic Andy Griffin at right-back. This is the stark reality of the Premier League and yet the wonders of modern coaching (and Pulis works hard at his job) can close the gap. “I’m pleased,’’ said Pulis. “We’ve played two top teams and done very, very well.’’ As long as morale remains buoyant, that should continue.
Scolari had been respectful to his opponents in the build-up and no wonder; when it comes to taking full advantage of the rules, as Pulis does in narrowing the pitch here in order to optimise aspects of his team’s style including the long throws of Delap, the Brazilian makes the Welshman seem a purist. Maybe Scolari has reformed since leaving Brazil, but there he would go to the lengths of ordering ball-boys to delay returning balls to the pitch, or to throw on two, if he wanted the opposition’s rhythm to be disrupted.
Coming from the relatively cold and muddy southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, moreover, Scolari understands rudimentary football and may even have been looking forward to the challenge presented by Delap’s throws until it was disclosed that the midfielder would be missing with a hamstring problem. Just as frustratingly for Pulis, Fuller had to sit on the bench for 52 minutes. But there was Mamady Sidibe, whose deft turn prompted John Terry to wrestle him to the ground: a privilege the FA appear to believe should come with the England captaincy. At any rate Martin Atkinson, no doubt having noted the rescinding of Terry’s red card at Manchester City, settled for a lecture when yellow was required. And the football in that opening half? The first sustained passage of sweet skill was discerned in the 36th minute – and gave Chelsea the lead. Bosingwa began this move by surging down the flank and finding Salomon Kalou. On the ball went to Frank Lampard and, again, Bosingwa, who had continued his run and, taming Lampard’s chip with his chest, cleverly used its bounce in driving past Thomas Sorensen from a narrow angle.
The atmosphere created by the Stoke fans was hardly affected by the setback and, after Abdoulaye Faye had blundered and Sorensen been obliged to divert Florent Malouda’s shot against the crossbar, Pulis cheered them by sending on Fuller. Soon Faye, from a corner, would have equalised but for John Obi Mikel’s appearance near the goal-line. Another mistake was, however, to kill Stoke off, Cort inelegantly stooping to Bosingwa’s routine cross and Anelka putting a low shot beyond Sorensen. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indy:
Stoke City 0 Chelsea 2: Stoke's brave efforts derailed by Bosingwa's touches of class
By Steve Tongue at the Britannia Stadium Sunday, 28 September 2008
Another lesson in reality for a Premier League newcomer. Against a team missing Deco and Joe Cole, Stoke City kept out Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack, only to find a £16 million right-back scoring one goal and making another. Jose Bosingwa, much the best of the many expensive players Chelsea have signed in that position, was on the mark for the first time since joining from Porto and after a brave rally by Tony Pulis's side he created a goal for Nicolas Anelka, a £15m substitute.
Lampard and Ballack were excellent in midfield, an area Stoke tend to bypass in moving from back to front with maximum speed. Although parking several buses in the Anfield goalmouth earned a 0-0 draw last week, in driving forward at home they were always vulnerable to Chelsea's more sophisticated breaks.
Even Luiz Felipe Scolari had not seen a weapon like Rory Delap's huge throw-ins, but the Republic of Ireland international was declared unfit. Deprived of that threat, Stoke brought in the big striker Mamady Sidibe as a target for their clearances and set-pieces, with his partner, Dave Kitson, looking largely in vain for the second ball and knock-downs. Chelsea supporters disdainfully bawling "hoof!" at every long ball must have gone home with sore throats.
"A difficult game," Scolari said. "It's sometimes impossible to play beautiful football. The other team sometimes don't try to play. First win the game. Then if it's possible, play beautiful football."
Stoke hoped to capitalise on corners instead of throws, the irony being that as soon as they won one, after 35 minutes, they found Chelsea breaking upfield to score. The corner was nodded back across goal to Sidibe, who could manage no power in his header at the far post. Petr Cech cleared and Bosingwa went down the right, feeding Salomon Kalou, who passed inside to Lampard. A chip to Bosingwa and the full-back chested down and scored with a shot across the goalkeeper that Andy Griffin, racing back, could not quite keep out.
Stoke had been pinned back for the first quarter of an hour. Early on, Ballack had a 25-yard shot pushed over the bar by Thomas Sorensen and from the resulting corner the goalkeeper plunged to save Ballack's header at John Terry's feet. Ballack's free-kick then flew off the wall for a corner, and when the midfielder Seyi Olofinjana lost the ball, Lampard put Drogba clear and Sorensen had to save with his foot.
Stoke left the pitch at half-time to appreciative applause, returning to find Chelsea bringing on Anelka for the injured Kalou and almost scoring again. Abdoulaye Faye presented possession to Florent Malouda , Sorensen having to divert the swerving shot on to the bar with his forearm.
Scolari, who has made a virtue of sticking to the same personnel and formation as much as possible, kept to the same 4-3-3 for a while with Anelka out on the right, from where he wasted one good chance by shooting high and wide. So strongly did Stoke push, nevertheless, that with 20 minutes to play it was felt necessary to introduce Juliano Belletti as an extra midfield player. Pulis, meanwhile, sent on another beefy striker, Ricardo Fuller, and came desperately close to equalising. Leon Cort met Liam Lawrence's corner with a firm header that had the beating of Cech, but John Obi Mikel cleared off the line.
One error, however, and they were done for. Bosingwa swung in a low cross from the right and Cort merely cushioned it straight to Anelka, who put the seal on a sixth successive away win. "It's like defending against the red arrows – or the blue arrows," Pulis said. "But I'm very pleased that we've played two top teams and competed very well."
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Bosingwa draws Stoke sting Stoke City 0 Chelsea 2 Bosingwa 36, Anelka 76
Duncan Castles at the Britannia Stadium Jose Bosingwa is congratulated by Salamon Kalou after scoring his first Chelsea goal. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Who would have thought the Premier League's first Brazilian boss would relish an encounter like this? Long-ball, body-bruising Stoke City the weekend before a Champions League away trip should be a recipe for calamity, yet Luiz Felipe Scolari saw it as a joyful challenge to his old Gaucho scrapper's spirit.
As he had been in his days as a brutal stopper on the rough pitches of Rio Grande do Sul, Scolari had his squad steeled for the battle. As he'd guided his Brazil and Portugal teams through tournaments, he ensured Chelsea's skills were not forgotten in the physicality.
A goal in either half returned them - at least temporarily - to the summit of the Premier League where they should not be far from when Scolari's first English season comes to its conclusion.
'Sometimes it's impossible to play beautiful football,' he said. 'We need to construct first, win the game. Sometimes we try to play and the other team tries only to play with your mistakes. It's not easy but today my team played with a good position on the pitch and for me that's beautiful.I know my team, they play as I want. For me they play fantastic football because I am coach and I don't see it the same as fans.'
There had been civility in Stoke's teamsheet. Rory Delap, and the 'incredible' long throws that Scolari spent three days preparing a solution for, was absent after a hamstring strain. A raucous home support was less welcoming, roaring lusty delight as Stoke barrelled into Chelsea from kick-off.
Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Essien short of their own best eleven, Chelsea's intention was to set the tone with as positive an opening as possible. Frank Lampard's craftily chipped pass to Didier Drogba came close to delivering one, only for Thomas Sorensen to parry the forward's finish.
Chelsea's opening goal was a thing of beauty, started and emphatically completed by José Bosingwa. Taking possession 10 yards inside Stoke's half, the Portugal right back laid the ball off to Salomon Kalou then sprinted into the box to reclaim it from Lampard. Finally, came a vicious shot, propelled abreast of goalkeeper and off Andy Griffin's chest.
Though John Terry resorted to the rugby-tackle defending that landed him in trouble at Manchester City, Chelsea's area did not come under threat until the second half. By then Chelsea's lead might have doubled as Lampard's shot deflected a foot wide and Sorensen strong-armed a raking Florent Malouda drive on to the crossbar.
Malouda signalled a Chelsea lapse in petulantly standing over a Stoke free-kick at the cost of a shove in the chest from Griffin and a mutual yellow card. Some loose passing allowed the home team sufficient dead balls to frighten, particularly when Leon Cort drew John Obi Mikel into a goalline clearance.
Chelsea, however, had a salve for touchline concerns. Bosingwa attacked Stoke's left flank before crossing toward the penalty spot. Though Cort read the centre, he could not control it, leaving Nicolas Anelka with a chance even the profligate Frenchman could not miss. 'That killed it for us,' said Tony Pulis. 'But we've played well in some difficult games. We must not get down in the dumps.'
THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT
Nick Dunn, StokeCity.rivals.net forum
This match came straight after the Liverpool game and we weren't expecting points from either, so we were already ahead. It's always hard to concede an own goal, which it was in my view, early on. But we made Chelsea work for the victory. Delap being out injured cut off one of our avenues of attack, which wasn't helpful. We were spirited, but it's always a concern when one of their players costs more than our entire squad! In the second half we were way more spirited and had a few decent chances. We conceded a second, but our players didn't let their heads go down and we avoided any 5-0 or so scoreline.
The fan's player ratings Sorensen 8; Griffin 7, Cort 6, Ab Faye 8, Higginbotham 8; Lawrence 7, Tonge 7, Diao 7, Olofinjana 6, Cresswell 6; Sidibe 7, Kitson 6 Fuller 8
Trizia Fiorellino, Chair, Chelsea Supporters Group
Stoke harried us really well. We lacked creativity without Joe Cole and Deco, so struggled to get the ball to Drogba, who had go out to get it himself. Still, it was the kind of workmanlike performance that teams need to put on every now and again, and we did very well considering our absentees. Scolari changed it around in the second half - Anelka came on and we started holding the ball up better. Stoke went after us with a bit more bite and they should've had a goal. However, class showed in the end. When we scored we were far more comfortable than them and we looked for more diverse ways of getting the ball into the box.
The fan's player ratings Cech 8; Bosingwa 9, Alex 8, Terry 8, A Cole 8; Mikel 8; Ballack 7 Lampard 7; Kalou 7 (Anelka ht 6), Drogba 7 (Belletti 8), Malouda 7
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NOTW:
STOKE CITY 0, CHELSEA 2 Big Phil Scolari delighted with gritty win
From ROB BEASLEY at The Britannia Stadium, 27/09/2008
BRILLIANT Brazilian football it wasn’t but Phil Scolari still applauded his stars after they showed they can win ugly, too. Stoke may not be pretty to watch — but they are pretty damn difficult to beat.
Ask Liverpool and Aston Villa.
So the Chelsea boss was thrilled with his side’s disciplined display, raving at how his men kept their cool, their patience and their shape.
No-nonsense Stoke certainly made the millionaires from the capital battle every inch of the way.
Click here to see what real Stoke and Chelsea fans think of this game - and to have your say
But credit to the Londoners — first they coped with it, then they countered it and, finally, they conquered it.
And on the final whistle Scolari gave a contented nod of approval at a job well done.
Big Phil said: “The first aim was to win the game, the second was to play beautiful. Sometimes it is impossible to play beautiful football — and today it was difficult.
“But it was still beautiful for me to see my team out on the pitch.
“I see fantastic football because I am the coach.
“When we lose the ball I look to see who is covering on the left side, the right and the middle. Today my players were in the right positions.
“Sometimes we didn’t pass the right ball, sometimes we chose the wrong time to shoot, but we did not make a real mistake.
“We knew if we made a mistake they would be on to us.”
Stoke were full of effort and endeavour but Chelsea’s superior class told in the end.
Man of the match Jose Bosingwa fired them in front after 36 minutes after a classic Blues attack.
Praise The right-back rampaged forward before laying off a pass to Didier Drogba.
He knocked it wide to Frank Lampard on the touchline while Bosingwa continued his charge into the box. England star picked out his run perfectly and Bosingwa took full advantage, aiming a terrific shot beyond Thomas Sorensen and in off luckless Andy Griffiths on the line.
The Portugal international has been a revelation since his £16million summer move from Porto.
And Scolari was full of praise.
Big Phil said: “He may have been unknown in England before but now everyone in the world knows he is a very good player.
“He goes forward 200 times in a game but also keeps his position very well. He’s very good for us.”
So good for Chelsea that he followed up netting the opener by creating the second.
Credit It was his ball in that caught out Stoke centre-back Leon Cort.
Cort lost his feet trying to clear and only succeeded in presenting the ball to sub Nicolas Anelka, who fired home a first-time shot with Cort on the turf and powerless to react. Job done. Match won.
And won well because the scoreline could have been another four- or five-nil.
Keeper Sorensen deserves credit, too. He tipped over an early long- range effort from Michael Ballack, saved bravely at the feet of Drogba, and had no chance of stopping Bosingwa’s strike.
Anelka blazed over the bar on 65 minutes and although his goal made amends, there was no such luck for the badly out-of-sorts Ballack. After a match littered with misplaced passes he then lashed a close-range effort wide. He almost atoned when he set up Lamps in the dying seconds but, for once, Lamps’ finishing was found wanting.
Tough From barely eight yards out he could only tamely prod the ball straight at Sorensen.
Stoke have come through the toughest of baptisms. They’ve faced Villa, Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea and have never been over-run.
Relief is in sight. Next up, crisis- club Portsmouth and then Spurs.
Tony Pullis can’t wait.
He confessed: “It’s been a really tough start but we must not get down in the dumps.
“We got a point at Anfield and today faced a top, top team and gave them a real game.
“I was thinking ‘We might get back into this’ but then Corty lost his footing and the ball’s in the net.
“But we have to take the positives from it and go again.”

morning papers portsmouth away carling cup 4-0

Guardian
Lampard keeps Chelsea firing on all fronts as Pompey are floored
Carling Cup Third Round
Portsmouth 0 Chelsea 4 Lampard (pen) 36, Malouda 45, Lampard 49, Kalou 64
Sachin Nakrani at Fratton Park
The Carling Cup is not a priority for Chelsea but its significance to those in charge of the team should not be underestimated. Victory in the 2005 final kick-started Jose Mourinho's bountiful spell at the club while failure to repeat the trick last season signalled the beginning of the end for Avram Grant. So Luiz Felipe Scolari was more than entitled to take pleasure from progressing past his first match in the competition.
The outcome was, in truth, never in doubt after Chelsea's starting line-up had been confirmed. Even in a weakened team places were found for Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and, for the first time since the Champions League final, Didier Drogba, and after an initially slow start, they simply marched towards victory. Lampard scored either side of half time while Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou claimed the others in a display that suggests Scolari's unbeaten streak at Chelsea will continue for some time. Chelsea will also be bolstered by the signing of the Brazilian midfielder Mineiro until the end of the season.
"I am very happy with how we played," said the Brazilian. "We kept possession and the players who came into the team did very well. I am also pleased that we have now started three competitions with three wins, that is very good for us. This competition is important for us and we want to win it. If I didn't want to win I would not have even come to Portsmouth today."
Harry Redknapp struggled to hide his agitation after the match. "We had a makeshift midfield and we worked very hard but we gave away scandalous goals," said the Portsmouth manager. "The first one wasn't a penalty. After that the other goals were poor. This was always the least important game for me. We didn't want to get smashed up and we did concede more goals away than we would like."
There was further angst from Redknapp over an easy goal for Lampard just after half-time when David James parried a Kalou cross on to the England midfielder's thigh and into the net. "It was a joke goal," the manager said. Malouda's low strike just before half-time had already secured the outcome, with Kalou making sure on 64 minutes.
Portsmouth have now conceded 10 goals in their past two games but having been forced to put out a side weakened by injuries, Redknapp refused to speak of a crisis. "We did OK today and I can't complain about the effort of the players," he said. "We just have to move on now."
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Independent:
Portsmouth 0 Chelsea 4: Ballack in the dock after Blues coast
By Jason BurtThursday, 25 September 2008
Passions are usually fiery down at Fratton Park and it was the same last night with Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp accusing Michael Ballack of "diving" for a penalty to give Chelsea the lead in a League Cup tie which ended in humiliation for the home side. "It was never a penalty," Redknapp complained. "He left his leg in and dived."
His sense of injustice stretched to some "joke" defending from his team which led to another of Chelsea's goals – he didn't name names but it was clearly a reference to a goalkeeping howler by David James – but it was Ballack's antics which provoked his anger. Maybe it was a smokescreen. Redknapp's complaints stretched to being down to the proverbial "bare bones" – and he is shorn of a first-choice midfield right now – but Portsmouth were, indeed, "bashed up" by a Chelsea side which oozed style and confidence.
They have somewhat appropriated headlines in this competition in recent years – from Jose Mourinho's shush gestures and then defiant salutes towards Roman Abramovich as he twice won the trophy, to Avram Grant's clueless head-scratching as he lost it last season – but all Luiz Felipe Scolari's 2008-09 version delivered was an emphatic message of superiority. The manager barely stirred himself although his players were stirring enough.
Redknapp's side are listing like a holed liner. They sank. And, in doing so, they stank. Ten goals conceded in two games without reply and an aggregate of 8-0 against Chelsea in two contests this season.
The goals came thick and fast either side of half-time. First Ballack burst onto a cut-back by Salomon Kalou to fall under Nadir Belhadj's challenge. Frank Lampard drilled the penalty low into the corner of the net.
Kalou was provider for the second, laying a simple pass in for Florent Malouda to drive a vicious shot beyond James. Chelsea's next goal was soft. A centre by Kalou was too close to the goalkeeper only for James to push it out – and straight into Lampard. The ball struck the midfielder on the thigh, just a yard out, and trickled over the line.
Portsmouth were torn apart once more when Sylvain Distin dallied in possession, Kalou stole the ball and, again, James was beaten with a low, angled shot at his near post. "Scandalous," said Redknapp. "People made mistakes who don't normally make them."
Portsmouth (4-1-4-1): James; Johnson, Pamarot, Distin, Hreidarsson; Kaboul; Utaka, Mvuemba, Hughes (Wilson, 80), Belhadj (A Traoré, 69); Crouch (Kanu, 69). Substitutes not used: Ashdown (gk), Defoe, D Traoré, Little.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Bridge; Belletti; Kalou, Ballack (Ferreira, 69), Lampard (Sinclair, 74), Malouda; Drogba (Di Santo, 79). Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Mikel, Mancienne, Stoch.
Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
*Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has bolstered his squad by signing the 33-year-old Brazilian midfielder Mineiro until the end of the season.
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Mail:
Lampard gives Portsmouth a history lesson as Chelsea make their intentions clear again
By Matt Barlow
Luiz Felipe Scolari started a new course of English lessons this week, to make his language more expansive. Perfection is his goal - four trophies and a colourful vocabulary.
So far, Scolari has taken everything in his stride, including last night's introduction to the Carling Cup, a competition which has bewildered foreign managers in the past.
The Brazilian struck the balance just about right at Portsmouth, resting players, giving others a run and securing a place in the fourth round with the minimum of fuss.
But he was helped by Harry Redknapp's desire not to risk key players such as Sol Campbell and Lassana Diarra. Now Pompey's defence has conceded 10 goals in four days, following the 6-0 loss to Manchester City.
As usual, Frank Lampard was in the goals against his Uncle Harry. He scored twice, the first from a penalty, and the others came from Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou.
History also haunted Pompey in their bid to follow their FA Cup triumph with more silverware, having not beaten Chelsea in 24 attempts, stretching back to December 1960.
Chelsea, who signed Brazilian free agent Mineiro earlier in the day, have taken the Carling Cup as seriously as anyone, winning it twice under Jose Mourinho and losing last season's final to Spurs. Scolari continued this tradition.
He had youngsters on the bench and handed a debut to £9million Serb Branislav Ivanovic, but named an experienced line-up with Petr Cech in goal and Didier Drogba, who made his first start since the Champions League final.
Drogba took fewer than two minutes to get involved, unleashing a drive from the edge of the box which flashed wide. Michael Ballack picked up an early yellow card for a clumsy foul on Hermann Hreidarsson and Lampard was needed in his own goalmouth, where his last-ditch block denied John Utaka.
Chelsea's goalscoring midfielders were in more familiar territory, though, on 36 minutes. Lampard and Drogba combined to release Malouda, dashing down the left and the French winger dragged a low cross back towards the edge of the penalty area.
Ballack and Nadir Belhadj raced to the loose ball and the German was there first by a split-second. He toe-poked the ball and paused for the contact from Belhadj. Then he crumpled to the turf.
Referee Steve Bennett had little option but to point to the spot, even though Ballack had obviously played to win the penalty. Belhadj must learn. Lampard stepped up to beat James with the penalty, just as he did last month at Stamford Bridge.
Malouda made it two, seconds before the break, as Portsmouth were caught napping at a throw-in. Wayne Bridge threw it to Kalou, who nursed it back for Malouda to drill a shot beyond James.
Lampard had his second of the night, and his fifth of the season, early in the second half and it was a bizarre moment. Kalou's cross from the right somehow escaped James at the near-post, spilled onto Lampard's knee and bobbled into the net. The goalscorer gave a shrug, the referee gave a goal and, after a moment of stunned silence, the travelling fans erupted.
Kalou added the fourth, dispossessing Sylvain Distin and firing low past James. 'We want seven,' sang Chelsea supporters, a little touchy about the idea that Manchester City might be shaping up as the new force in English football.
PORTSMOUTH (4-5-1): James; Johnson, Pamarot, Distin, Hreidarsson; Utaka, Hughes (Wilson 80), Kaboul, Mveumba, Belhadj (Traore 69); Crouch (Kanu 69).Bookings: Hreidarsson, Hughes, Johnson. CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Bridge; Ballack (Ferreira 69), Belletti, Lampard (Sinclair 74); Kalou, Drogba (Di Santo 79), Malouda. Booking: Ballack. Referee: Steve Bennett.
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Mirror:
Carling Cup 3rd round: Portsmouth 0-4 Chelsea24/09/2008
Goalkeeper David James conceded his 10th goal in just two games as Chelsea cruised into the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
Chelsea picked up where Manchester City left off at the weekend by rattling four past a hapless, injury-hit Portsmouth.
Frank Lampard scored twice - the first from the penalty spot - while Florent Malouda and the eye-catching Salomon Kalou joined in the fun.
Portsmouth had not beaten Chelsea since a 1-0 League Cup victory at Fratton Park in December 1960, in the days when Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho had film fans screaming in their cinema seats.
Pompey fans have already witnessed two defensive horror shows this season, with a 4-0 opening-day defeat at Chelsea followed by a 6-0 thrashing by City just last Saturday.
And they will have been covering their eyes again at Fratton Park as a mixture of careless and comical defending gifted Chelsea another resounding victory.
Nadri Belhadj conceded a needless penalty for Chelsea's first and David James then failed to gather Kalou's cross, allowing Lampard to bundle home the third.
The Ivorian was Chelsea's most lively player all evening and then sliced through a non-existent Portsmouth defence to make it four.
"We want seven," taunted the Chelsea fans.
It has not all been X-rated at Fratton Park this season. The club celebrated their UEFA Cup debut last week - but the fixture congestion is testing Harry Redknapp's squad to the limit.
With injuries to cope with and a busy week ahead, including the return tie at Vitoria, Redknapp made five changes but even with three deep-lying midfielders they were again brittle at the back.
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari made six changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Manchester United but he continued the club's policy of attacking the Carling Cup.
Didier Drogba returned to the starting XI alongside Lampard and Ballack while £9million defender Branislav Ivanovic was awarded a long-awaited first-team debut.
Drogba almost rifled the opening goal inside two minutes after some neat Chelsea passing on the edge of the Portsmouth box.
Portsmouth responded in positive fashion. John Utaka accelerated past Wayne Bridge but his cross was just too far behind Peter Crouch, who had started up front on his own.
Lampard was forced into a last-ditch block inside his own six-yard box after an inviting cross from Glen Johnson and Crouch crashed the rebound into the side-netting.
But that was the best of the Portsmouth chances as Chelsea began to assume control in a workmanlike, unflashy way.
Kalou squeezed his shot wide after latching onto a lofted ball from Juliano Belletti before darting into the box again and forcing Johnson into a well-timed challenge.
Chelsea manufactured the opening 10 minutes before the interval after Drogba and Lampard combined to find Malouda down the left flank.
Malouda's cross was just behind the first ranks of blue shirts flooding into the box but Ballack raced onto the loose ball.
He toed the ball forward and was brought down by a careless lunge from Belhadj. Referee Steve Bennett pointed straight to the spot and Lampard's low drive was unstoppable.
Malouda rifled Chelsea's second past James in the last minute of the half after being picked out by a clever ball from Kalou, Portsmouth's tormentor in chief.
Kalou was at it again moments after the re-start as Lampard scored his second in bizarre circumstances.
James succeeded only in deflecting Kalou's cross onto Lampard's knee and the ball dribbled almost apologetically into the net. Lampard reacted sheepishly, as if he thought the goal would be disallowed, and it was not until he raised his arm that the 3,000 Chelsea supporters positioned down the other end even realised a goal had been scored.
The tempo was pedestrian with Portsmouth, featuring three deep-lying midfielders, unable to offer anything in response.
After playing such an effective supporting role Kalou then helped himself, cutting in from the right flank to beat a non-existent Portsmouth defence and score from 12 yards.
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Telegraph:
Chelsea's Luiz Felipe Scolari makes statement of intent in Carling CupPortsmouth (0) 0 Chelsea (2) 4 By Oliver Brown
Ominous, very. On this evidence Luiz Felipe Scolari’s promise to lead Chelsea on a remorseless four-pronged pursuit of every piece of silverware open to them was no idle platitude but a chilling statement of intent.
It was the third round of the Carling Cup, for goodness’ sake — not the stage on which you expected to see John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. Not when a club of Chelsea’s resources could arguably have got by at Fratton Park with the lightest sprinkling of stardust. But Scolari hides any concern about player burn-out beneath his high regard for every strand of competition.
The result itself was not one to cause many ripples. After all, the last time Portsmouth beat Chelsea, the first episode of Coronation Street was broadcast and the farthing had just ceased to be legal tender. Then Harry Redknapp’s team remembered the 4-0 walloping they endured at Stamford Bridge last month and seemed to retreat into their shells. Even the manager has assumed an air of defeatism in describing Chelsea, claiming that their second XI could challenge for major honours.
If Portsmouth’s confidence dial had dipped dangerously low having shipped six goals at Manchester City, it was switched to the 'off’ position after this. “We want seven,” Chelsea’s support crowed after two goals from Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda’s clinical strike had taken their side out of sight.
Lampard was as alert as ever, creating all kinds of worry for his Uncle Harry. Consistently Chelsea’s pivot, he helped neuter Portsmouth’s five-man midfield and betrayed glimpses of his unerring eye for goal. When Michael Ballack was fouled by Nadir Belhadj he was the picture of composure, wrong-footing David James with his penalty to set Chelsea on their way.
Chelsea’s midfield flooded forward at will and it was simply strain that told when Portsmouth succumbed again, allowing Salamon Kalou to angle a deft cross to Malouda, who rifled his shot past James in the last minute of a one-sided first half.
While Chelsea were in the ascendant by virtue of sheer flair, fortune favoured them too.
The second half was but three minutes old when another fine pass could only be deflected by James as far as Lampard, who knew little about it as he watched the ball dribble across the line. Lampard looked half-apologetic in celebration.
It is already a hackneyed caricature to paint Scolari’s Chelsea as a version of Brazil but some of their effortless passing did put you in mind of South America. Kalou performed the next extravagant move when he cut in from the right, did a merry dance past three of Portsmouth’s inert defenders and slid a low shot home from 12 yards.
The cheek of the Chelsea chants grew. “Who needs Robinho?” was the next refrain from the away end and, indeed, the signs from this team were that they had forgotten all about losing out on the Brazilian striker to Manchester City, turning in a far less convincing display just along the south coast in Brighton.
Portsmouth not having even pride left to protect, visiting fans merely contented themselves with a rendition of “Big Phil, this way”. The wave was not forthcoming. Scolari, as he proved here, is a man of almost frightening focus.
Match details
Portsmouth (4-5-1): James; Johnson, Pamarot, Distin, Hreidarsson; Utaka, Mvuemba, Kaboul, Hughes, Belhadj; Crouch. Subs: Ashdown (g), Kanu, A Traore, Defoe, Wilson, D Traore, Little.Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Bridge; Belletti, Ballack, Lampard (Sinclair 73); Kalou, Malouda, Drogba.
Subs: Cudicini (g), Di Santo, Mikel, Ferreira, Mancienne, Stoch.Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
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The TimesSeptember 25, 2008
Chelsea give Harry Redknapp and Portsmouth the bluesPortsmouth 0 Chelsea 4Russell Kempson
Chelsea may not have fond recollections of the Carling Cup, having been beaten in the final by Tottenham Hotspur last season, but it would appear that they have long banished that memory. They progressed to the fourth round, perhaps on course for a return to Wembley, with a polished and, at times, embarrassingly easy victory at Fratton Park last night.
It stretched their unbeaten start to the season to seven matches and the boast of Luiz Felipe Scolari, their manager, that he would like to win a quadruple of trophies does not seem so fanciful. To start three of the competitions — Barclays Premier League, Champions League and Carling Cup — with 4-0 wins seems to be the most emphatic signal of intent.
“Yes, I am happy,” Scolari said. “We start the three competitions with three wins. All of the competitions are important to me. Any name, we want to win it. If I didn’t think about winning, I wouldn’t have put out this team.”
For Portsmouth, the conceding of ten goals in four days, having lost 6-0 away to Manchester City on Sunday, and a 0-8 goal count against Chelsea in two meetings this season suggest problems, not least in defence. An unsure display from David James, the England goalkeeper, did not help.
Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, chose not to criticise his under-strength line-up but admitted that the goals conceded were unacceptable. “They were sloppy, scandalous,” he said. “We did OK, I couldn’t fault the effort, but Chelsea are a fantastic team. It’s very difficult to contain them.”
Redknapp, though, bridled at the suggestion that his defence had as good as gone Awol this season. “Hang on,” he said. “It’s only over the last two games. Before that, we won 3-0 away to Everton, beat Middlesbrough 2-1 here and won 2-0 against Guimarães in the Uefa Cup. It’s only the past two games that we’ve leaked goals.”
Fair point, well made. Yet the Portsmouth fans who were singing “Olé, olé” at the end, when Portsmouth put together some slick passing movements, were doing so sarcastically. Chelsea were 4-0 ahead, had switched to cruise control and, such was their dominance, seemed in danger of falling asleep on their feet.
Although Scolari made six changes to the team who had drawn 1-1 with Manchester United on Sunday, the starting XI was still liberally sprinkled with internationals. However, the duel between the Carling Cup runners-up and FA Cup winners of last season took time to warm up. There was little rhythm, no regular tempo, just a hotchpotch of mostly wasted effort.
Chelsea, who opened their Champions League group A programme with a 4-0 home win over Bordeaux last week, gradually asserted their authority and went ahead in the 36th minute. Nadir Belhadj and Michael Ballack chased the ball, the Algeria defender arrived a fraction late and the German tumbled a fraction theatrically.
Steve Bennett, the referee, ruled a penalty. “It wasn’t,” Redknapp said. “He [Ballack] left his leg there and dived.” No matter. Frank Lampard scored from the spot against Portsmouth in West London last month and, again, made no mistake, sending James the wrong way. On the stroke of half-time, Chelsea stretched their advantage when Florent Malouda sent the fiercest of right-foot drives skidding past James.
It looked grim for Portsmouth. Grim became impossible four minutes into the second half, when Salomon Kalou crossed from the right and James, flapping, could only divert it against Lampard’s left thigh. The ball rebounded and, as time seemed to stand still, trickled in. Bennett almost apologetically signalled the goal.
“It was a joke goal,” Redknapp said. “But I don’t want to name individuals.” Portsmouth’s display got worse, when Kalou guided past James after Sylvain Distin’s error, and Redknapp quickly consigned it to the dustbin. “Tonight’s history, we move on,” he said. And Chelsea move on to the improbable quadruple.
Portsmouth (4-1-4-1): D James — G Johnson, N Pamarot, S Distin, H Hreidarsson — Y Kaboul — J Utaka, R Hughes (sub: M Wilson, 80min), A Mvuemba, N Belhadj (sub: A Traoré, 69) — P Crouch (sub: Kanu, 69). Substitutes not used: J Ashdown, J Defoe, G Little, D Traoré. Booked: Hreidarsson, Hughes, Johnson.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): P Cech — B Ivanovic, Alex, J Terry, W Bridge — J Belletti — S Kalou, M Ballack (sub: P Ferreira, 69), F Lampard (sub: S Sinclair, 74), F Malouda — D Drogba (sub: F Di Santo, 80). Substitutes not used: C Cudicini, J O Mikel, M Mancienne, M Stoch. Booked: Ballack.
Referee: S Bennett.
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Sun:
Pompey 0 Chelsea 4
From ANDREW DILLON at Fratton Park
HARRY REDKNAPP accused Michael Ballack of cheating as Chelsea handed Portsmouth another hiding.
The Chelsea midfielder went down in the area under a 36th-minute challenge from defender Nadir Belhadj.
Frank Lampard scored from the spot — the first of a double — to set the Blues on the way to a romp, with Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda also hitting the target.
But angry Pompey boss Redknapp said: “He dived. That was never a penalty. I’ve seen it on video a dozen times.
“He left his leg in there and dived. It was a blow because we were sitting in there and thought we could have gone in 0-0 at half-time.
“Then all of a sudden you are 1-0 down and then it’s 2-0. But we gave away some scandalous goals.”
Pompey defender Hermann Hreidarsson was booked for a furious outburst at prone Ballack as the German skipper lay on the ground.
But Redknapp also blasted blunder keeper David James, with his team now counting the cost of conceding TEN goals in the last two games.
A James cock-up gifted Lampard Chelsea’s third which ricocheted in off his thigh as Pompey crumbled early in the second half.
The defeat comes just three days after Pompey were whipped 6-0 at Manchester City.
And Redknapp added: “People have made mistakes that don’t normally make them. Let’s hope it is out of their system now.
“You have to be at your best and at full strength to stand a chance against Chelsea. The third goal was a joke. This was our least important game and we have to move on now.”
Didier Drogba started his first match under new Chelsea boss Phil Scolari and managed almost 80 minutes following a lay-off due to a knee injury.
Midfielder Ballack is also on the way back from ankle problems and the pair eased back into action and put Chelsea firmly in control.
Ballack beat Belhadj to a loose ball and appeared to be tripped by the Algerian. But he knew what to do as soon as contact was made.
Lampard stepped up and drove his spot-kick to James’ right and after the breakthrough it became a Chelsea training session.
With their tails up, Malouda drilled home a low shot on the stroke of half-time from Kalou’s neat cut-back.
Lampard added his bizarre third within four minutes of the restart and was too embarrassed to celebrate properly by kissing the Chelsea badge on his shirt.
Then Kalou’s goal rounded off the romp with 26 minutes still to play.
Scolari said: “The Carling Cup is important to us, otherwise I wouldn’t have put out such a strong team.
“I’m pleased because we have started in three competitions with three wins.”
Pompey’s roller-coaster season has a chance to get back on track with the visit of troubled Spurs on Sunday.
And skipper Sol Campbell and leading scorer Jermain Defoe will be restored to the starting line-up.
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Express :
POMPEY HUMILIATED AS LAMPARD STRIKES - MORES BLUES FOR HARRY
By Tony Banks PORTSMOUTH..0 CHELSEA...4
Frank Lampard piled the misery on Portsmouth with two goals in their 4-0 Carling Cup demolition at Fratton Park last night.
Pompey, thrashed 6-0 at Manchester City on Sunday, had nowhere to hide last night as Lampard led the Chelsea charge, opening the scoring with a penalty in the 36th minute. Florent Malouda rifled in the second. Chelsea made it three when Lampard bundled home Salomon Kalou’s cross and the Ivory Coast striker then added a fourth.
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI says he is going for all four trophies in his first season as Chelsea manager – and he means it as his quest for the Carling Cup ended in a humiliation for Portsmouth for the second time in five weeks.
Scolari’s new style Chelsea simply brushed aside this feeble Portsmouth performance with a peerless display at Fratton Park, as two goals by Frank Lampard – one from the penalty spot – and one from Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou increased Harry Redknapp’s woes.
Under Scolari’s Brazilian blend Chelsea are now unbeaten in seven league and cup games while poor old Portsmouth have now conceded 10 goals in the space of four depressing days. scolari made six changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with the fit-again Didier Drogba starting his first game of the season.
Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic also made his first appearance since his £9million move from Lokomotiv Moscow in January – having shown great patience in a nine-month wait for his debut. Scolari, who insists every game is equally important for his side this season with every trophy, even the Carling Cup, a serious target, had been hit by injuries after the United game.
That was one reason why Chelsea went out and signed the Brazilian free agent midfielder Mineiro yesterday.
Mineiro, 33, who has been without a club since leaving Hertha Berlin in the summer, has been signed on a deal until the end of the season.
Scolari has seen his squad badly stretched in the past two weeks, losing Michael Essien for six months and then having both Deco and Ricardo Carvalho ruled out for varying spells with injuries.
Pompey, still reeling from their battering at Manchester City four days earlier, unsurprisingly made five changes.
They went into the game without a win against Chelsea since December 1960. Chelsea, beaten finalists last year under the hapless Avram Grant, showed their intent from the start as Drogba unleashed a 25-yard drive from Michael Ballack’s pass that zipped just a foot wide.
Ballack, though, was then booked for baulking Herman Hreidarsson – and from the free-kick Pompey almost replied in style, Peter Crouch’s shot on the turn hitting the side netting.
But Chelsea were beginning to click, and when Frank Lampard’s clever pass put Kalou through, the Ivorian should have done better than wastefully drive wide.
Juliano Belletti angled a shot over the bar and Ballack nodded just too high as Scolari’s team continued to press.
The breakthrough came nine minutes before half-time. As Malouda put in a cross, the Pompey defence went AWOL, and Nadir Belhadj brought down Ballack as he raced onto the ball.
Referee Steve Bennett pointed to the spot as Hreidarsson furiously berated Ballack for diving as he lay prostrate.
Lampard though was coolness personified as he stroked home the penalty to give Chelsea the lead – his second spot-kick success against Pompey this season following his effort in the league on the opening day.
Just before half-time Chelsea struck again, as Kalou cleverly laid back Wayne Bridge’s throw to Malouda, with the Frenchman drilling the ball low past goalkeeper David James, who might have dealt with the shot in a better way.
Portsmouth’s calamity night continued with another defensive disaster four minutes after the break.
This time Kalou got away down to the byeline and pulled the ball back. James pushed the ball straight onto Lampard, who could hardly avoid bundling it into the empty net.
That made it eight goals conceded against Chelsea alone this season for Pompey, after their 4-0 thumping at Stamford Bridge on the first day of the season.
Redknapp’s team rarely looked like disturbing Chelsea’s utter superiority, with Crouch all too often an isolated figure up front.
Their defence capitulated again just 12 minutes later.
This time Sylvain Distin dallied on the edge of the box and was robbed by Kalou, who simply drove past the helpless James, to cap an awful night for the South Coast club.
Portsmouth (4-1-4-1): James; Johnson, Pamarot Distin, Hreidarsson; Kaboul; Utaka, Hughes, Mvuemba, Belhadj (Traore 69); Crouch (Kanu 69).
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Bridge; Belletti; Kalou, Ballack (Ferreira 69), Lampard (Sinclair 74), Malouda; Drogba (Di Santo 80). Goals: Lampard 36 pen, 49, Malouda 45, Kalou 64.
Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
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morning papers man utd home 1-1

The Times

September 22, 2008

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari riled by Manchester United anticsMatt Hughes Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager, has criticised Manchester United's players for not showing respect to Mike Riley, the referee, during yesterday's 1-1 draw. United will be fined £25,000 for failing to control their players after collecting seven yellow cards on their first visit to West London since the so-called “battle of Stamford Bridge” in April, which threatened to take place off the pitch on this occasion when a brick was thrown through a window of the visiting team's coach as it left the ground. “There was an incident and it's in the hands of the police,” a United official said.
John Obi Mikel was the only Chelsea player booked in a feisty encounter, but Scolari showed no sympathy for his opponents after his first Barclays Premier League meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson. Three of United's bookings were the result of dissent in a game that ended with Rio Ferdinand condemning Didier Drogba's behaviour and Scolari unhappy that Chelsea were not permitted to take an injury-time free kick after Riley had signalled a foul on the Ivory Coast striker, then immediately blown the final whistle. United could face further charges because, five months after Ferdinand accidentally kicked a female steward after his side's 2-1 league defeat away to Chelsea, the player left the field mouthing obscenities about Riley.
“I'm not surprised there were so many yellow cards,” Scolari said. “The referee is there for this. If players don't respect him, they should get a yellow or red. Not only for Manchester. Chelsea, Liverpool, any club, if they don't respect the referee, yellow and red.
“I was more surprised the referee finished the game at that time. But like I said before, he is the referee, the boss on the pitch, and his decision is his decision. We have to respect it.”
Scolari was happier with the performance of his side, who came from behind to move up to second place, a point behind Arsenal. Park Ji Sung gave United the lead with an eighteenth-minute tap-in, but Salomon Kalou, a substitute, equalised with an 80th-minute header to extend Chelsea's unbeaten home league record to 85 matches. But Chelsea's salvage operation came at a cost, as Ricardo Carvalho, the defender, limped off with a knee problem after Deco, the midfield player, pulled a groin muscle in the pre-match warm-up. United lost Edwin van der Sar, the goalkeeper, in the first half with a knee injury.
“The game is one of the best we've played this season because we have many problems,” Scolari said. “My team have a fantastic spirit. [Michael] Ballack was only fit for 45 minutes, but started and played 70 minutes. Obi Mikel was fantastic, he played at the back of midfield, at the front, right side, left side, fighting and jumping.
“This is the spirit I want and this is the spirit Chelsea has. I'm happy with this. The record is not important for me, only the fans. The record we want is to win the championship.”
Ferguson expressed satisfaction at a result that left United fifteenth in the table, but was clearly irked by Riley's performance, as he demonstrated when explaining his shock when Mike Phelan, the United assistant manager, popped a balloon by his feet during the first half. “I wished he'd burst it under Riley as it might have woken him up,” Ferguson said. “It was a competitive game, but I did not think there was one bad tackle in it. The game is being screened worldwide, everyone is watching it, and that goes on. All things being equal, I felt we deserved a point. They had a lot of free kicks around the box at the end, but we worked hard and I felt we deserved it.”
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Telegraph:
Manchester United stand proud again after riveting draw with ChelseaChelsea (0) 1 Manchester United (1) 1 By Henry Winter at Stamford Bridge
As well as a bottle through the window of their bus, Manchester United took pride and a point back home from Stamford Bridge. Although frustrated that Salomon Kalou eventually equalised Ji-sung Park’s goal, the champions can take heart that they reminded everyone in the country of their class and their character. The title will not be surrendered without a fight, not with Sir Alex Ferguson motivating United’s players so stirringly.
As well as another magnificent advertisement for the people’s soap opera that is the Premier League, a riveting 90 minutes revealed certain truths for United. Dimitar Berbatov, the lord of languidness, and the all-action Wayne Rooney still need time to develop their partnership, although the rich potential was thrillingly in evidence here. Cristiano Ronaldo also requires games to bring his form and fitness back to last season’s Himalayan heights.
Apart from the point and the gutsy display, Ferguson can take other positives from the Bridge, notably an assured performance by Jonny Evans alongside Rio Ferdinand, a buccaneering contribution from Patrice Evra and sweat-soaked shifts from Owen Hargreaves and Darren Fletcher.
For Chelsea, a confident start to the season cannot mask the reality that Didier Drogba must return to the starting fold. Nicolas Anelka again failed to impose himself, and missed a chance presented by Joe Cole that could not have been more gift-wrapped had it come with ribbons and a card that began “Cher Nicolas’’.
In keeping with the celebratory mood, assorted balloons were blown on to the field, prompting Ferguson’s No 2, Mike Phelan, to stamp on one. “I wish he had burst it under Mike Riley because it might have woken him up,’’ quipped Ferguson. The Yorkshire referee actually handled the game well, allowing advantage when possible, mainly stopping only to book four United players for fouls and three more for dissent. If Riley erred, it was in ignoring an outrageous piece of simulation by Ronaldo, a swallow dive so preposterous that Frank Lampard burst out laughing.
Occasional subterfuge and tirades aside, United impressed. Their hunger was palpable. Ferguson had ensured his players were in the right, determined mood. So had the stadium announcer, welcoming the champions to the Bridge with a cheeky, “Here’s the 14th team in the Premier League’’. United’s impatience for the opening whistle quickened.
In hounding Luiz Felipe Scolari’s players all over the pitch, United did to Chelsea what Liverpool had done to the champions eight days earlier. Scarcely two minutes had crept on to the clock when both Paul Scholes and Park had clattered Joe Cole. A familiar intensity characterised the fray. Even Berbatov, so relaxed he looks like he should be playing in a smoking jacket, deigned to win a tackle. Until he tired badly in the second half, Berbatov was influential, knitting together moves, helping Rooney create a shooting opportunity for Ferdinand that would have brought reward but for Petr Cech’s reflexes.
Berbatov and Rooney played significant parts in United’s goal. When the lively Evra broke down the left and played the ball inside to Berbatov, Rooney was alive to the move’s possibilities. Berbatov’s lay-off drew a superb response from Rooney, who guided the ball first time down the inside-left channel, picking out Evra’s continued run. He raced on, but then cut the ball back to Berbatov. As Scholes dummied, the Bulgarian unleashed a shot that rattled into Cech’s midriff, gifting a sitter for the unmarked Park. As Ferguson celebrated, little details leading to the goal will have incensed Scolari. His full-backs, such a force going forward, were caught out badly. Jose Bosingwa failed to deal with Evra’s run. The Portuguese international has proved a marvellous addition, giving Chelsea real strength down the right, but he needs to tighten up defensively.
Over on the left, Ashley Cole had shuffled across to deal with unfolding problems in the middle, allowing Park the space to score. Liberated by Scolari, encouraged to raid upfield, Cole’s primary duty must always be to track his winger and he let Park go. Otherwise, the England international enjoyed an afternoon of non-stop endeavour that confirmed him as one of the leading left-backs in the world.
With Cole and Bosingwa quick to push up, Chelsea hit back, responding to the urging of their fans. Chances came and went. Joe Cole’s shot deflected over. The Matthew Harding Stand then screamed for a penalty when Edwin van der Sar caught Florent Malouda. United’s keeper was clearly going for the ball, his momentum carrying him into Malouda, injuring his knee in the process. The Bridge was in ferment, the fans in uproar, the players storming forward time and again in pursuit of an equaliser. John Terry, leading by example, charged 40 yards, taking the game to the champions. Then Joe Cole glided into the box, bringing an unconvincing stop from Van der Sar. Ferdinand moaned at his keeper, tapping his head as if to question the Dutchman’s mental state. Ferdinand’s stance quickly softened on realising the keeper was struggling. Tomasz Kuszczak leapt from the bench and into the fray.
The tempo never dropped. When Scholes clipped Michael Ballack’s heels, the German squealed like a ballerina who had been trodden on, making sure Riley was aware of the offence. Scholes escaped sanction that time but soon kicked the ball away, making his inevitable entrance in Riley’s bad book. More worryingly for United, they were dropping deep, dangerously so, inviting Chelsea on. They also stood off Alex, allowing the Brazilian to let fly from 25 yards. Kuszczak fumbled, Ferdinand cleared. Not for the last time. Ferdinand’s fuse was burning, the defender raging at a linesman. “There’s only one England captain,’’ sang the John Terry fan club.
Enmity filled the air. When Hargreaves fell over by the hoardings, a couple of Chelsea supporters bent over to deliver some west London witticisms. Bonhomie broke out only during the interval when Team GB’s successful Olympic sailors performed a lap of honour that drew a standing ovation.
Chelsea urgently needed someone to take the wind out of United’s sails. Scolari acted. Malouda was hooked and Drogba unleashed, entering like a favoured gladiator, intent on inflicting damage. Wary of Drogba’s threat, United pulled even further back, almost permanently to the edge of the box. When Lampard and Joe Cole conjured up some magic, Evans intervened.
For defenders like Evans, binoculars were required to see United’s attack. The gap was huge, but fortunately Rooney shuttled back and forth, carrying the ball to Berbatov, making a mockery of those who questioned the Merseysider’s fitness. The only thing heavy about Rooney is his heavyweight talent.
But he needed assistance. Ronaldo arrived and, the dive apart, produced some decent moments, although the force remained with Chelsea. When Kuszczak failed to hold a Joe Cole shot, Ferdinand again cleared and again complained about the marking, the officiating, the weather, the price of ciabatta bread. Still a tide of blue rolled towards Ferdinand and company. When Joe Cole drove the ball across, Anelka missed woefully. Rooney almost punished such profligacy, turning the Ronaldo’s exceptional cross into the side-netting.
Surrendering possession needlessly moments later, Rooney received a curt reminder from Ferguson of the need to keep control of the ball. It was a pity he did not throw in a caveat about self-control. Rooney subsequently flew in on Ashley Cole, who commendably jumped up immediately, but the damage was done. To United.
As well as the booking for Rooney, the champions had a free-kick awarded against them, 30 yards out, to the left of centre. As John Obi Mikel lifted the ball in, United focused most on Terry’s movement with Ferdinand shoving the Chelsea captain over. Unnoticed amidst the pushing and pulling, Kalou ghosted in to equalise. Chelsea had their point. United had also made their point.
FlashPoint1...
The bad feeling that marred last season’s match between Chelsea and Manchester United boiled over again as Rio Ferdinand stormed from the field after clashing with Didier Drogba.The pair had been involved in a challenge on the edge of the United penalty area just as referee Mike Riley blew the final whistle of a bad-tempered affair.
FlashPoint2...
The United team bus was attacked as it departed from Stamford Bridge following the match. A bottle was thrown and left a crack on one of the windows. Police arrested one man. It is understood that no United players or officials were hurt. “There was an incident but the matter is now in the hands of the police,” a United spokesman said.
Chelsea
Petr Cech 5Brilliantly tipped Ferdinand’s early effort on to the crossbar but then parried Berbatov’s shot straight into the path of Park
Jose Bosingwa 6Provides Chelsea with real width going forward, but was out-muscled by Evra in the build-up to United’s goal
John Terry 7Berbatov’s movement troubled Chelsea early on, but Terry gradually assumed control and dealt well with the Bulgarian’s threat
Ricardo Carvalho 6Hobbled off after just 12 minutes and, moments later, United twice carved open the Chelsea defence
Ashley Cole 7Still seems to relish his battles with Ronaldo and helped keep the Portuguese winger relatively quiet during the second half
John-Obi Mikel 7 Provided a shield in front of Chelsea’s defence and provided an excellent free-kick to set-up the equaliser
Joe Cole 5 Wasted two outstanding chances either side of half-time when he shot into the side netting and then straight at Kuszczak
Frank Lampard 7Outstanding this season and kept driving Chelsea forward as they assumed control during the second half
Michael Ballack 6 A late inclusion after Deco suffered a thigh injury during the warm-up. Looked short of match fitness
Florent Malouda 5 A peripheral figure with the exception of one penalty appeal. Chelsea improved after he was replaced by Drogba
Nicolas Anelka 4 Struggled to make any real impression and missed a golden opportunity when he somehow failed to connect with Joe Cole’s cross
Luiz Felipe Scolari 7 An animated and largely frustrated presence on the touchline, though his substitutions changed the game
Substitutes Alex replaced Carvalho, while Didier Drogba brought an added physical presence before Salomon Kalou replaced Ballack and scored the equaliser
Manchester United
Edwin van der Sar 5 Looked shaky and survived a penalty appeal from Malouda before being replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak after just 32 minutes
Gary Neville 7 Has moved ahead of Wes Brown in the pecking order and brought experience and authority to the Manchester United defence
Rio Ferdinand 7 Crept into space to have a great early chance saved by Cech, though just allowed Kalou to get behind him for Chelsea’s goal
Jonny Evans 7 Big test in the absence of Nemanja Vidic and justified his selection, particularly under considerable second-half Chelsea pressure
Patrice Evra 7 His early mistake should have been punished by Joe Cole, but threatened going forward and played a vital part in United’s goal
Owen Hargreaves 6 Demonstrated his adaptability by shifting inside to make way for Ronaldo after starting the game on the right
Paul Scholes 6 Industrious in the centre of midfield, though was perhaps fortunate to only collect one booking after several mistimed tackles
Darren Fletcher 6 Crept forward to glance an early chance wide and produced a disciplined performance to help restrict Chelsea’s midfield threat
Ji-Sung Park 7 Performed admirably with an energetic display on the left and was rewarded with a goal when following up Berbatov’s shot
Dimitar Berbatov 6 Outstanding in the opening 20 minutes and helped create United’s goal, but faded as the match unfolded
Wayne Rooney 7Unselfishly set-up Ferdinand in the opening stages and looked dangerous on the break, particularly when Ronaldo was introduced
Sir Alex Ferguson 7 The starting line-up was vindicated by the first-half display, though his substitutions could not halt Chelsea’s late momentum 7
Substitutes Tomasz Kuszczak fumbled a shot from Alex after replacing Van der Sar while United seemed to lose their shape somewhat after Cristiano Ronaldo’s introduction. John O’Shea also replaced Park.
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Mail:
United come close to ending Chelsea's 85 game unbeaten home run - but not close enough
By Matt Lawton
CHELSEA 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 1
The first ‘real’ win of the season that Sir Alex Ferguson was so keen to secure never materialised at Stamford Bridge but the real Manchester United at least made an appearance.
After dropping points against Newcastle and producing such a desperate losing display at Liverpool, Ferguson’s side went some way to reminding us how they emerged last May as the champions of England and Europe.
It was far from pretty, their performance earning seven yellow cards and an automatic £25,000 fine as well as a precious point. United's Ji-Sung Park slots past Edvin van der Sar to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men a first half lead
But United will take heart from the fact that Ji-sung Park gave them a lead that lasted more than an hour, just as they should take pride in their contribution to what, for all their apparent indiscipline, was a wonderful match between the two best sides in the Barclays Premier League.
The team sheet suggested Ferguson had approached the encounter with more than a hint of trepidation and, when Mike Phelan chose to burst a balloon under his seat, United’s manager almost jumped out of his skin.
‘I wish he’d burst it under Mike Riley,’ Ferguson said, ‘it might have woken him up.’
In his players, however, there was only confidence and composure, the manner in which they responded to Ferguson’s decision to omit Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez from his line-up as impressive as it was perhaps surprising to Chelsea.
The sight of Owen Hargreaves and Park on each flank suggested they were going to defend.
They did anything but, attacking with pace, purpose and precision.
Good fortune appeared to be their companion and a hugely disruptive influence for Chelsea.
First came the warm up injury preventing Deco from even starting and then one that ended Ricardo Carvalho’s afternoon after just 13 minutes.
That gave the impression that it might be United’s day, as did the moment when Joe Cole squandered the first of two easy chances.
Edwin van der Sar was so convinced there was nothing he could do he dropped to his knees, seemingly in prayer.
Those prayers were answered, Cole guiding his effort wide and leaving United to continue their pursuit of a win that would have ended Chelsea’s unbeaten home league run, now stretched to 85 matches.
Industry rather than invention was the order of the day and how hard United worked.
The back four were superb, Jonathan Evans coping admirably in his role as partner to Rio Ferdinand, and so were the midfielders joining tireless Wayne Rooney in battling for every ball.
Chelsea coped well in the sudden absence of Deco but they were disrupted by the fact that Michael Ballack was not fully fit.
They earned the equaliser from Salomon Kalou and probably feel miffed that a late final chance to score a decisive goal was taken away by Mike Riley’s bizarre decision to blow the final whistle when time remained on the clock, with Didier Drogba wanting a free kickafter colliding with Ferdinand.
Ferdinand was incensed as he marched off, indicating to Ferguson that the Chelsea striker had dived and apparently delivering a less than flattering verdict about the referee.
Both sides will reflect on chances missed.
Shortly before Cole wasted the first of his two sitters Rooney sent a volley wide after Dimitar Berbatov attempted to catch Petr Cech off his line.
Set up by the excellent Rooney, who was enjoying his preferred role of support striker, Ferdinand failed to punish Chelsea, albeit with a shot that forced a fine Cech save.
If Chelsea’s keeper impressed on that occasion, he did not excel two minutes later.
Errors have crept into his game and his failure to hold a Berbatov shot presented Park with his chance to score in the 18th minute.
It was Rooney’s pass and Evra’s success in muscling past Jose Bosingwa that enabled Berbatov to shoot in the first place.
More good fortune for United followed. Riley, not having one of his better games, just about called it right when he ignored Chelsea’s penalty claims after seeing Van der Sar collide with Florent Malouda.
United survived but their keeper did not as he injured a knee in the incident. He was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak.
Further chances followed. Joe Cole drove a shot straight at Kuszczak and Nicolas Anelka, just two yards out, allowed a pass from Cole to slip through his legs when he seemed certain to score.
At the opposite end, Ronaldo — on for Paul Scholes — delivered a ball that Berbatov somehow missed and Rooney shot into the side-netting.
It was the inexperience of Kuszczak that ultimately cost United.
In failing to come for John Obi Mikel's 80th-minute free-kick, he allowed Kalou a free header that more than vindicated Luiz FelipeScolari’s decision to send him on and protect a superb home record.
Not quite the battle of The Bridge, but a battle nonetheless.
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Independent:
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 1: Kalou crowns Chelsea fightback in compelling battle of heavyweights
By Glenn Moore
It is too early in the season for this to be a seminal match, but for an hour yesterday it felt like it could be.
Manchester United, showing the form they have been searching for during the campaign's opening weeks, appeared poised to inflict Chelsea's first home League defeat for four-and-a-half years. That would have been a resounding psychological blow worth even more than the three precious points at stake.
Then Chelsea's resilience, which seems part of their DNA regardless of who is in the dugout, surfaced again. Trailing to Ji-Sung Park's 18th-minute goal, they had lacked the fluency previously displayed under Luiz Felipe Scolari. But the best teams graft when the craft is missing and Chelsea pushed the champions back by force of will.
Salomon Kalou levelled and United were hanging on at the final whistle which came just as Rio Ferdinand flattened Didier Drogba on the edge of the box. With Ferdinand's second yellow card seemingly imminent, and Chelsea anticipating a dangerously placed free-kick, Mike Riley signalled that time was up.
The result leaves United 15th, between Wigan and Bolton, with five points from four games. More pertinently they remain six points adrift of Chelsea, but with a game in hand, having already played two of their most demanding fixtures, here and at Liverpool last weekend. Chelsea are second, level with Liverpool and a point behind Arsenal. Those two teams will be happiest with this result, and the fact that Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Edwin van der Sar all suffered injury. Van der Sar's may be the most significant as United last week lost reserve goalkeeper Ben Foster to an ankle injury for six weeks.
Sir Alex Ferguson picked a team designed to stifle Chelsea, but with orders to attack them. Owen Hargreaves and Park were stationed on the flanks of a midfield four with a view to pinning back Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa, who have been such an outlet for Chelsea this season. The intent, though, was offensive, United perhaps surprising Chelsea with their attacking approach, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher having chances in the early minutes.
This was backed up by tackling fierce enough to suggest Ferguson's pre-match address had reminded his men how they had been second to the ball too often at Anfield. Scholes committed three fouls in the first 10 minutes and was the first of seven United names taken by Riley – to one of Chelsea. United will be fined by the Football Association for exceeding five cautions.
United's initial ascendancy was helped by Chelsea having to reshape their midfield after Deco became the weekend's third player – after Middlesbrough's Mido and Abdoulaye Méité of West Bromwich Albion – to be injured in the warm-up. Michael Ballack replaced him, his first start since missing four weeks with a foot injury. Deco has been Chelsea's midfield fulcrum and with Ballack taking time to settle their passing lacked cohesion. Then Carvalho had to limp off after 12 minutes to be replaced by Alex.
Outplayed though they were in the opening half, Chelsea should have scored first. Joe Cole, running on to Nicolas Anelka's flick-on, turned Patrice Evra, advanced on Van der Sar and to general astonishment steered his shot into the side netting. It proved an expensive miss as, 10 minutes later, United went ahead. Evra fed Dimitar Berbatov who laid the ball back to Rooney. He picked out Evra, who had continued his run into the box. The France international shrugged off Bosingwa and cut the ball back to Berbatov. Cech parried his side-footed shot and Park rolled in the rebound.
United had already gone close from an even unlikelier source. Ferdinand, having dispossessed Anelka and fed Berbatov, kept running and was played in by Rooney. Cech turned his shot onto the crossbar and over.
It was 10 minutes before Chelsea threatened to level, but through a defensive slip, Neville leaving a headed back-pass short. Florent Malouda just won a 50-50 race with Van der Sar but the Dutchman blocked his toe-poke with his chest before crashing into Malouda. On balance, Riley was right not to give a penalty and show a red card but the goalkeeper soon departed anyway, bruised in the collision.
Drogba came on at the restart, soon followed by Cristiano Ronaldo. The former had the greater impact with his physical presence and ability to hold the ball up. Gradually, Chelsea began to create chances. Ballack released Joe Cole over the top. This time he went for power, and blasted the ball at Tomasz Kuszczak's chest. Anelka managed to miskick when presented with gilt-edged chances by Bosingwa and Joe Cole, then Ballack shot wide.
Chelsea's profligacy should have been punished when Ronaldo released Rooney with 13 minutes left. He hit the side netting. Two minutes later, after Rooney had fouled Ashley Cole, Kalou exploited slack marking to head in John Obi Mikel's free-kick.
That there were no further goals was due to a last-ditch saving tackle by Neville on Kalou, and an extraordinary block by Alex from Fletcher's shot. Those two moments, as much as the artistry shown at times by red and blue, underlined why the title is likely to go to one of these teams for the fifth successive year.
Goals: Park (18) 0-1; Kalou (80) 1-1.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho (Alex, 12), Terry, A Cole; Ballack (Kalou, 74), Mikel, Lampard; J Cole, Anelka, Malouda (Drogba, h-t). Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Bridge, Ferriera, Belletti.
Manchester United (4-4-2): Van der Sar (Kuszczak, 32); Neville, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Hargreaves, Fletcher, Scholes (Ronaldo, 55), Park (O'Shea, 75); Rooney, Berbatov. Substitutes not used: Brown, Giggs, Nani, Tevez.
Referee: M Riley (West Yorkshire)
Booked: Chelsea Mikel; Manchester United Scholes, Ferdinand, Neville, Berbatov, Rooney, Evra, Ronaldo.
Man of the match: Rooney.
Attendance: 41,760
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The Guardian, Monday September 22 2008
Chelsea spirit keeps Bridge record intact
Chelsea 1 Kalou 80 Manchester United 1 Park 18
Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge Salomon Kalou came off the bench to head Chelsea level against Manchester United. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
This fixture is an exercise in time travel. We may only be in late September, but both teams displayed the desperate ambition of men playing as if the title hung in the balance with just a few seconds left of the last fixture. Judging by the unyielding determination, these sides may be locked together once again in May.
If it puts a terrible strain on United and Chelsea their suffering will be a spectacle to engross the rest of us. Here, the Stamford Bridge side held on to an intangible honour of profound importance. The unbeaten record at home in the Premier League now stands at 85 fixtures. While life had its travails for each team, Chelsea, in particular, were confronted by adversity.
Deco, who sets the side's tempo, picked up an adductor muscle injury in the warm-up and Ricardo Carvalho lasted a paltry 12 minutes before a knee problem ended his afternoon. The club seemed to be stripped of its right to sympathy on the day it became part of Roman Abramovich's portfolio, but money did not buy the searing pride that this squad possesses.
There were excellent prospects for United, especially once they were ahead. Chelsea, of necessity, had a semi-fit Michael Ballack on the pitch for 75 minutes and Didier Drogba, who is to yet recover peak condition, in action from very early in the second half. The visitors appeared ready to take full advantage.
They may not have been at full strength but the selection of Jonny Evans at centre-half for the suspended Nemanja Vidic did not enfeeble them. Their plan, predictable as it had been, troubled Chelsea deeply before the interval when Luiz Felipe Scolari's adventurous full-backs were pinned down by wide midfielders.
All of that could have been anticipated, and the side could not hit a rhythm when it went through the centre. For a spell, Chelsea were ill at ease. Sir Alex Ferguson had the footballers to prey on that and Jose Bosingwa's lack of trenchancy was exposed at the opener. The Portugal international, who loves to race down the wing, was overwhelmed in the 18th minute.
Patrice Evra flicked the ball inside to Dimitar Berbatov before having an excellent pass placed in front of him by Wayne Rooney. Bosingwa was too meek to halt the Frenchman. Evra put the ball in front of Berbatov and although his attempt was poor Petr Cech did not hold the shot and Park Ji-sung tucked away the loose ball.
By then there had nevertheless been signs that United were not watertight either, but Joe Cole missed the target when through on goal following a Nicolas Anelka flick. Ferguson's side were short of composure, with three of their seven bookings imposed for dissent. A £25,000 fine is automatic once a team reaches half a dozen cautions, but the real punishment for poor temperament is much more painful than that.
United, initially dominant, could not consolidate. There were distractions, such as the knee injury that forced the goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to make way for Tomasz Kuszczak, but United should have been more ruthless. In the second half, with Cristiano Ronaldo introduced, the conservative plan appeared to be to hit on the break.
If that strategy was meant to prey on Chelsea's nerves it was a lamentable failure. Any anxiety that Scolari's players were experiencing was self-inflicted. After 66 minutes, for instance, Joe Cole blasted at the chest of Kuszczak when the angle made it rash to shoot rather than pass.
The principal danger for Chelsea was of despair taking hold. Most sides would have surrendered to gloom after the sort of opportunity that was squandered in the 73rd minute, when Joe Cole droved in the perfect low ball and Anelka let it fly through his legs. As it turned out, United's organisation failed before Chelsea's morale could collapse.
Rooney gave away a foul in the 79th minute. Mikel John Obi, shorn of the poise he has been showing against inferior opponents, had sufficient morale left to hit a fine free-kick. Kuszczak stayed on his line and no one marked the substitute Salomon Kalou, who headed into the corner of the net.
A little earlier Rooney had been unable to squeeze a finish into the small gap at the post following a cut-back from Ronaldo. By such fine margins United failed to storm the Stamford Bridge citadel. They would not have deserved the conquest. The prize they did bear away with them was the result that keeps them within six points of Chelsea. Irrespective of the league position, it is not such a dreadful state of affairs when it is remembered that away fixtures at Fratton Park and Anfield have already been ticked off.
There was a disconcerting end to this game that might have done harm to United. With added time drawing to a close, Rio Ferdinand seemed to foul Drogba and, with a caution to his name already, might have been sent off. Debate over the rights and wrongs of that were forestalled when it emerged that the referee, Mike Riley, had blown the final whistle. There was a confusing scene but it still made perfect sense that these sides should divide the spoils.
Man of the match Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
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Sun:
From SHAUN CUSTIS at Stamford Bridge
IT could have been the day when one of football’s proudest records came to an end.
Manchester United were 10 minutes away from inflicting on Chelsea their first home defeat in 85 league games stretching back to February 2004.
But the champions, who had seven players booked, lost their composure in a frenetic finale and the Blues emerged with a point.
Chief head-banger was Wayne Rooney who ploughed into Ashley Cole only seconds after manager Alex Ferguson had given him a stern talking-to, seemingly for losing the ball.
Rooney clearly had no intention of losing it again but mistimed the challenge on his England team-mate and, from the free-kick, Chelsea bagged an equaliser which they must have feared would never come.
John Obi Mikel floated the ball into the box, Rio Ferdinand tried to shove John Terry out of the way and sub Salomon Kalou stole in to head home from close range.
Gary Neville then made a crucial saving block on Kalou a minute later which prevented Chelsea netting the winner.
Ferdinand clashed with Didier Drogba as tempers boiled over at the end and referee Mike Riley blew the whistle before there was any more trouble.
Ferdinand stomped off towards the tunnel cursing the ref, then raged at the fourth official. Meanwhile, Fergie had to usher his players away from Riley.
It summed up United’s frustrations because it was a missed opportunity to kick-start their season.
They have won only once in the Premier League and lost to arch-rivals Liverpool a week ago.
Beating Chelsea would have made a real statement that they were up and running.
But the Blues deserved the draw and could highlight a number of missed chances of their own, notably second-half opportunities that fell to Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka.
They also lost influential midfielder Deco in the warm-up and then accomplished central defender Ricardo Carvalho with a knee injury by the 12th minute.
It meant a major reshuffle and United took advantage early on.
First Ferdinand was denied by Petr Cech’s outstretched leg and then Ji Sung Park pounced to put the visitors ahead on 18 minutes.
Given the wealth of talent available to United it was a bit of a surprise to see Park in the starting line-up while Cristiano Ronaldo, returning from injury, and Carlos Tevez were confined to the bench.
But Park justified his inclusion after a lovely sweeping move begun by the impressive Patrice Evra. The Frenchman fed Dimitar Berbatov, who touched it on to Rooney who then released Evra into the box.
The full-back had plenty to do. But he easily shoved Jose Bosingwa aside and set up Rooney.
The striker’s shot was spilled by the shaky Cech and Park was in to fire the ball home.
Chelsea were claiming a penalty nine minutes later as Edwin Van der Sar came out to challenge Florent Malouda who tried to toe the ball past him.
The keeper got a faint touch on the ball but followed through on the French winger. Riley, however, waved away Chelsea appeals.
Van der Sar was injured in the challenge and when he made a hash of getting down to an easy ball in his area soon afterwards, he signalled to the bench to come off.
On came Tomasz Kusczcak in his place and the Pole’s first act was to drop an Alex drive which Ferdinand hacked clear.
United might have had a second on the stroke of half-time if Berbatov had aimed his pass better.
But he played it behind Park and the Korean had to check back, with the result his shot was blocked.
Ronaldo was on after 54 minutes in place of Paul Scholes which suggested Fergie was looking for another goal to kill the game off.
The Portuguese winger’s first act was to launch into an outrageous dive when Frank Lampard was nowhere near him.
Ronaldo should have been booked for his antics but got away with it — possibly because Lamps was laughing so much.
Chelsea, however, had found their feet and were getting stronger. Unfortunately Joe Cole’s finishing was not of the highest order and he smacked a good chance straight at Kuszczak.
Anelka was even worse when Joe Cole turned provider and from three yards out the ball just bounced past him.
But the Blues got their reward in the end thanks to Kalou’s header — and stay six points ahead of their northern rivals.
Big Phil Scolari had a moan about Chelsea’s missed chances but deep down he knows how crucial it was that his men did not lose.
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morning papers bordeaux home 4-0

Telegraph:
Champions League: Vintage Chelsea display sinks BordeauxChelsea (2) 4 Bordeaux (0) 0 By Henry Winter at Stamford Bridge
The tears of Moscow have begun to dry, the dream returns of a Champions League triumph. Chelsea were so imperious, so decisive in their attacks, so in tune with Luiz Felipe Scolari’s instructions, that their fans will begin to believe that this could be their year.
For those in blue searching for omens, the sight of Nicolas Anelka scoring with almost the last kick here, a contrast to his disastrous final touch in Moscow, seemed significant. With Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Florent Malouda also scoring, Chelsea have got Moscow out of their system, although Laurent Blanc’s visitors offered little threat.
Blanc’s old club, Manchester United, visit at the weekend, the first meeting since the Champions League final and it promises fireworks.
It was as if a summer of pent-up frustration over Moscow had been let loose at the Bridge. This was catharsis time for Chelsea, the moment to banish the ghosts of the Luzhniki. With the memories still raw, the vanquished Champions League finalists tore into Bordeaux, with Lampard and Joe Cole scoring good first-half headers to put Chelsea in complete command.
Chelsea’s 4-1-4-1 system may have echoed Bordeaux’s but any similarity ended there, emphatically so. Chelsea were superior in every department. Scolari’s full-backs, Ashley Cole and particularly Jose Bosingwa, were soon operating as flying wingers, giving Chelsea command of midfield and soon the lead.
Before his side took the lead after 14 minutes, Scolari had been screaming at Bosingwa to push on. The message, and the venom with which it was delivered, was easily understood by Bosingwa, who responded in style. With Scolari’s exhortations ringing in his ears, Bosingwa drove down the right, nutmegging Diego Placente as Chelsea tore into the French.
That move petered out, but the next shredded Bordeaux’s defence. Blanc, such an elegant centre-half in his time, must have been aghast at the porous nature of his back-line. When Joe Cole laid the ball off to Bosingwa on the right, Lampard made his move, gliding unnoticed into the box, knowing that a fine cross was imminent.
Bosingwa delivered in every sense, placing a perfect ball on to the head of Lampard, who flicked Chelsea in front. Scolari punched the air in delight, buoyed that his advice had been taken on board so well by Bosingwa. Like Scolari’s 2002 Brazilian World Cup-winners, Chelsea rely for much of their width on their full-backs.
Bosingwa may not be Cafu but his pacy breaks have lent Chelsea a terrific outlet this season; Chelsea’s problem position of right-back has been well and truly solved. Scolari’s love of attacking full-backs may be a riskier tactic away from home but at the Bridge, against such limited opponents as the French, it worked well.
This Blanc Bordeaux were poor, anything but vintage, and Chelsea were rampant. After an Anelka shot and a Terry header threatened to beat Ulrich Rame, Chelsea secured their deserved second on the half-hour. When Lampard swung a corner across the face of an expectant Matthew Harding Stand, few predicted Joe Cole would metamorphose into a latter-day Kerry Dixon. But timing his jump well, catching out Fernando and Franck Jurietti, England’s little big man flicked an excellent header across Rame and in.
As an enjoyable half unfolded, the one disappointment was to note that the Bridge was not full, a pity as Chelsea under Scolari are well worth watching. John Obi Mikel, responding to the Brazilian’s coaching, has grown into the anchoring role, and now looks the natural successor to Claude Makelele. With Michael Essien injured, Mikel has become even more important.
The tall Nigerian made one mistake in the first half, an undercooked pass intercepted by Wendel, and Mikel was grateful that Ricardo Carvalho and Terry were their usual alert selves. Otherwise Mikel’s tackling and range of passing gave Chelsea a strong platform to perform on, allowing Deco, Lampard and Joe Cole to go and display their talents.
Lampard, in terrific form of late, should really have made it three but dragged his shot wide. No matter. Chelsea were so in control.
With Bordeaux offering such minimal threat, for all the hard running of Marouane Chamakh, Scolari was able to make substitutions with their meeting with United in mind. Michael Ballack sprinted on to warm applause, with Deco making way.
At one point the German burst like a dreadnought through the middle, knocking Alou Diarra out of the way. Ballack’s arrival was simply another reminder of why Chelsea will be such a formidable force again this season, with their strength in depth.
Similarly encouragingly for Chelsea, there seemed signs of real understanding between Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda down the left. Joe Cole’s interplay with Bosingwa was another feature of Chelsea’s play, although Cole was removed with 17 minutes left. Juliano Belletti, showing his versatility, came on in right midfield.
Without Deco and Joe Cole, Chelsea’s creativity ebbed. Scolari kept shouting, kept cajoling, and the energy emanating from the dug-out transmitted itself on the terraces.
Chelsea’s fans urged the players to raise their tempo, perhaps knowing that such a laid-back attitude will bring punishment if repeated this weekend against Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.
Chelsea’s players responded, conjuring up a memorable goal eight minutes from the end. Mikel built up steam, breaking through a series of challenges, zigzagging through five white shirts, before laying off to Lampard.
The back-heeled return was probably intended for Mikel, but Malouda took over, firing the ball in. “We want four’’ chanted the Shed, and Carvalho almost obliged with a header that hit the bar.
The fourth did arrive with seconds left, Anelka tucking away the loose ball after Belletti’s thunderous shot had almost snapped the crossbar. After their downfall in Moscow, Chelsea are up and running again.
Match details:
Chelsea:(4-1-4-1): Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Mikel; J Cole (Belletti 74), Deco (Ballack 61), Lampard, Malouda (Kalou 84); Anelka. Subs: Hilario (g), Di Santo, Ferreira, Alex. Booked: Deco.Bordeaux (4-1-4-1): Rame; Jurietti, Planus, Diawara, Placente; Diarra; Gouffran (Obertan 65), Fernando (Ducasse 74), Gourcuff, Wendell; Chamakh (Cavenaghi 65). Subs: Valverde (g), Henrique, Bellion, Traore. Referee: P Vink (Netherlands). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Independent:
Chelsea 4 Bordeaux 0: Chelsea less than vintage but Bordeaux lack bottle on opening day
By Sam WallaceWednesday, 17 September 2008
Not really a vintage Bordeaux, more a crate of Laurent Blanc plonk. Chelsea, on the other hand, were sparkling as they began a new Champions League campaign after the tears and rain of Moscow in May. This year they really believe it is their turn for the big one and as opening statements go, this one will reverberate around Europe.
"We're on our way to Rome," was the introduction from one of Chelsea's pitchside announcers with the kind of modest understatement to which we have become accustomed at Stamford Bridge. You can take it as read that he meant the Champions League final in Rome on 27 May rather than the Group A game against Roma in November. At this club they have a sense of entitlement when it comes to success in this competition. Last night you could see why.
At times it was captivating to watch, although Blanc, the Bordeaux manager, may have preferred to have removed his trendy spectacles and rubbed his eyes in despair. The English, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, led the charge with the goals in the first half; the French contingent in blue shirts, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka, finished the visitors off after the break. It was brutal at times. And the only one who was not completely impressed was Scolari.
It was a favoured tactic of Jose Mourinho to deflate the mood after a big win and this time it was Scolari who chose that approach. From his manner it sounded as if the Brazilian had just cut short the party mood in the changing rooms with his complaints about what he said was a lack of discipline in the second half. "We didn't play very well, they made many mistakes when they had the ball," Scolari said. "You need to control the game more, and we didn't control it very well in the second half." They controlled it enough to make sure that Bordeaux did not muster a single meaningful shot on target all night.
Sometimes you had to remind yourself that this was the second-best team in France, the football nation that reached the last World Cup final. In the strange world of European club football that we inhabit, skewed by the Premier League's billions, France's league runners-up cannot even give England's equivalent a decent game. But tell us something we don't know. There was not an area of the pitch in which Chelsea did not dominate.
While the Romanian team CFR Cluj held on for a momentous win against Roma in the other group game, Chelsea showed how to deal with European football's second tier. They drove Scolari to distraction with their sloppiness in front of goal, but that was only because when it came to scoring goals it was inevitable that they would win with a few to spare. Lampard and Anelka both missed sitters in the first half. Scolari threw his arms up in disgust. And yet when they put their minds to it, Chelsea ripped Bordeaux to shreds.
"We took some punishment because we lost many balls in the middle," Scolari complained. "On another night, another team getting those positions in front of goal might have hurt us quicker. If they'd had more quality, it would have been dangerous for us." Quality, however, is in abundance in the Chelsea team and before they had even settled into the game, this young Bordeaux side found themselves two goals behind and struggling to keep pace.
First to strike was the in-form Lampard who glided into the spaces between Bordeaux's defenders to guide in with his head the third goal of his season and the 113th of his Chelsea career. It came from a cross from Jose Bosingwa who was excellent, an overlapping right-back who has given Chelsea a new dimension in attack. Bordeaux could not stop him.
The second goal was flicked in off Joe Cole's sore head from Lampard's corner. The elbow from Robert Kovac against Croatia last week does not seem to have done any permanent damage to the England midfielder who out-jumped a much bigger Bordeaux defence. There was more of the same in the second half, the blue torrent showing no sign of abating. Even Malouda was having a good game.
Just after the hour, Michael Ballack came on for his first appearance since the Wigan game on 24 August and he did so to a rapturous reception. How times have changed at Stamford Bridge for the German midfielder about whom the locals were once so distrustful. He was the driving force in Chelsea's late run last season and now Scolari must try to keep him, Deco and Lampard all happy. It will not be simple.
Under Mourinho, Chelsea would have closed this game down long before the hour but, to their credit, they kept up the impetus to go forward long after Bordeaux had given up hope. Malouda scored the third after a brilliant flick from Lampard. Anelka's goal came in injury time when goalkeeper Ulrich Rame touched Juliano Belletti's shot onto the bar and the French striker tidied up the loose ball. Chelsea took the first step on their way to Rome, although successful Champions League campaigns are not built in a day.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Mikel;J Cole (Belletti, 75), Deco (Ballack, 61), Lampard, Malouda (Kalou, 83); Anelka. Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Di Santo, Ferreira, Alex.
Bordeaux (4-2-3-1): Rame; Jurietti, Diawara, Planus, Placente; Diarra, Fernando (Ducasse, 75); Gouffran (Obertan, 65), Gourcuff, Wendel; Chamakh (Cavenaghi, 65). Substitutes not used: Valverde (gk), Henrique, Bellion, Abdou Traoré.
Referee: P Vink (Netherlands).
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Flair of Lampard puts Chelsea in fantasy league of their ownAmbition rises as Chelsea take first step to Rome Champions League Group AChelsea 4 Lampard 14, Cole, J 30, Malouda 82, Anelka 90 Bordeaux 0
Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge The Guardian, Wednesday September 17 2008
The only battle that daunted Chelsea was the struggle to maintain an interest in the match. They came out ahead in that battle with late goals. The third, in particular, was a demonstration of the verve which is becoming characteristic under the management of Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Eight minutes from the end Mikel John Obi, who was nominally a holding midfielder, set off on a weaving run and a flick of Frank Lampard's heel then put Florent Malouda in position to fire into the far corner of the net. Scolari's disgust for even minor mistakes is always displayed but that would have gladdened him.
It will have raised the Brazilian's spirits that so little was taken out of his squad before the arrival here of Manchester United on Sunday. Perhaps he will remember this occasion primarily as a useful opportunity to give Michael Ballack half an hour's practice after his foot injury. If the night lingers in the memories of the Premier League side it will be because of a disbelief that there was not an utter rout. A wasteful Nicolas Anelka will be baffled that he made so little of his openings until, at the very end, he netted after the substitute Juliano Belletti had struck the bar.
Neutrals would have felt sorrow that French football could send out a side so meek and fatalistic. They could not clear any sort of barrier, a limitation symbolised by the striker Marouane Chamakh falling over an advertising hoarding. Even the talent that Bordeaux do have was misapplied. Yoann Gourcuff, freed from his misery at Milan by a loan to Bordeaux, possesses talent but it was not used here and he sent a hapless free-kick nearly as far wide as it was high.
Although Scolari was unimpressed by Chelsea's display, it takes resistance of some sort for any team to define themselves. Their gaze, in any event, is unavoidably fixed on the final in Rome next May. Having come close under Claudio Ranieri as well as Jose Mourinho and closer still under Avram Grant, Chelsea have no option but to imagine their hands on the trophy at last. The majority of the line-up here had also started when United raised the European Cup aloft four months ago.
Scolari, managing in the Champions League for the first time, would not have suffered from beginners' nerves. It was his own midfielder Mikel who caused fleeting concern when he hit a sloppy pass in a dangerous area after 10 minutes but it had already been clear that Chelsea would have many chances.
They were well aware of the most appealing avenue. The right-back Jose Bosingwa, indeed, was so far advanced that he was offside soon after kick-off. Regular watchers of Bordeaux had predicted that Chelsea would prey on their left-back, Diego Placente, and the opener did come from that wing, in the 14th minute, as Bosingwa crossed and Lampard, undisturbed by markers, headed home with care.
Resilience was not part of the visitors' repertoire and neither was attacking. All the same, this was additional evidence of the gusto in Chelsea's play that has been fostered by Scolari. Lampard's corner from the left, shamingly for Bordeaux, was headed into the net by the diminutive Joe Cole with half an hour gone. He does not get such chances very often but everything was possible for a Chelsea line-up encountering marginal resistance.
Lampard's miscue, after a delivery from Bosingwa had broken to him, felt like light entertainment. Scolari, however, is not prone to such indulgence. It says much for his professionalism that he could find it within himself to be disgruntled. Most spectators, when not heartened by the freedom with which Chelsea play, would have been staring in disbelief at the ineptness of Laurent Blanc's men. If Chelsea were troubled it would have been by their lack of ruthlessness and by the yellow card collected by Deco for a foul on Alou Diarra. Scolari soon took off the Portugal international, although that was less a punishment than a means of allowing Ballack his match practice.
A trace of slackness in Chelsea was perhaps inevitable. When Lampard hit a crossfield pass after 69 minutes and merely picked out the opposition midfielder Wendel, there was no price to be paid. Without the suggestion of danger from Bordeaux the levels of concentration slipped in the Premier League team. It is, for all that, a gratifying evening for a side when boredom is the most severe problem with which they must wrestle.
Other result
Roma 1 CFR Cluj 2
Remaining fixtures
Oct 1 CFR v Chelsea, Bordeaux v Roma
Oct 22 Bordeaux v CFR, Chelsea v Roma
Nov 4 CFR v Bordeaux, Roma v Chelsea
Nov 26 Bordeaux v Chelsea, CFR v Roma
Dec 9 Chelsea v CFR, Roma Bordeaux
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Mail:
A drop of red: Bordeaux find Scolari's Chelsea vintage far too classy By Matt Lawton
Chelsea 4 Bordeaux 0
According to Luiz Felipe Scolari, Chelsea stunk the place out last night. They were poor in possession. Wasteful in front of goal. A waste, seemingly, of space.
It was nonsense, of course, Chelsea's manager no doubt delivering his speech with Sunday's meeting with Manchester United very much in mind.
A case of guarding against complacency, having seen his side attack with such pace that they did occasionally lose control of the ball.
The damn fools. Privately, however, Scolari is sure to reflect on this and the sight of Frank Lampard and Joe Cole scoring with two perfectly executed headers and wonder how this competition ever claimed the jobs of his three immediate predecessors.
His side made Champions League football look ridiculously easy last night, a further two goals in the second half against a lousy Bordeaux representing what would already seem to be the first steps on a long march to the final in Rome.
The competition has been cruel to Chelsea in recent years and the empty seats here at Stamford Bridge might well have been a reflection of that. John Terry has said the scars of Moscow will never heal.
Add their three semi-final losses to the heartache of defeat against Manchester United last May and there are probably those who would rather they did not bother entering.
For Scolari, though, there are no such scars and there is no such hangover. This was his first encounter with Europe's elite and his side were so in control he even had time to panic at the sight of Marouane Chamakh flying over an advertising hoarding and landing in a heap on concrete.
You have to hand it to the Brazilian. His facial expressions are wonderful. He was every bit as animated not just in the way he celebrated the four goals but in the way he cursed the few mistakes his players made.
That Joe Cole, like Lampard, scored with his head was remarkable enough. That he did so with a head full of stitches against what Laurent Blanc described as 'three big blokes' made it all the more amazing.
But the England midfielder still appeared to get a ticking-off when Scolari eventually replaced him with Juliano Belletti in the 74th minute. High standards, indeed.
Not for the first time this season, Chelsea were mightily impressive.
They appear to be thriving in the system Scolari has created as well as in the freedom their Brazilian manager has given them.
Bordeaux coach Blanc noted how Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa were 'playing like wingers' and Cole certainly seems to be enjoying life now the shackles fitted by Jose Mourinho have come off.
Bosingwa has added an extra dimension to Chelsea's attacking play and so, perhaps more significantly, has Deco.
Chelsea have become hugely enjoyable to watch, defensively disciplined but daring and direct when going forward. Never mind that Bosingwa was at times berated by Scolari for being too cavalier.
He was a major reason why Bordeaux were so comprehensively beaten. That Didier Drogba has made just one appearance as a substitute merely emphasises their considerable quality.
He was suspended last night after missing the start of the season with injury but is bound to start this weekend at the expense of Nicolas Anelka.
If it is tough on Anelka, who has now scored two goals in as many games, it will be even harder on United.
A good Bordeaux should always travel well but Blanc deserves the coaching award he received last season for guiding these chaps to second in the French league.
They were no match for a Chelsea side lifted by the news of Terry's availability for United on Sunday and never looked like responding the moment Lampard secured the lead in the 14th minute.
In 90 minutes, they did not actually managed a single shot on goal. No wonder Scolari was angry.
Chelsea might have winced when they gave Lampard a massive new contract at the age of 30 but they can hardly accuse him of failing to earn his money.
As well as providing the assists for Chelsea's second and third goals, he timed his run brilliantly to meet Bosingwa's cross with a terrific header.
An own goal very nearly followed when Fernando forced a fine save from Ulrich Rame, but there was nothing the Bordeaux goalkeeper could do to deny Joe Cole in the 30th minute.
Lampard delivered the corner and his team-mate rose above those big brutes to guide a header past the Frenchman.
Chelsea were so comfortable. So in control. Lampard squandered an opportunity to move ahead of Drogba as Chelsea's most prolific scorer on the continent but made amends by then providing the delightful back-heel that enabled Florent Malouda to add his name to the scoresheet eight minutes from time.
The finish, rather like the final ball, was a fine one. On the touchline Scoalri continued to curse.
This was garbage after all - a fourth Chelsea goal failing to appease the Brazilian perfectionist, probably because Anelka simply seized on a rebound after Rame had diverted a missile of a shot from Belletti on to his crossbar.
Up in the directors' box, Roman Abramovich appeared to be rather more impressed than his manager. 'Let's have more of this rubbish,' the Russian doubtless declared.
CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): Cech 6; Bosingwa 8, Carvalho 7, Terry 7, A Cole 7; Deco 7 (Ballack 61 7), Obi 7, Lampard 8; J Cole 8 (Belletti 74 7), Malouda 7 (Kalou 84); Anelka 6. Booked: Deco.
BORDEAUX (4-2-3-1): Rame 5; Jurietti 5, Diawara 5, Planus 5, Placente 5; Diarra 5, Fernando 5 (Ducasse 76); Gouffran 5 (Obertan 65 5), Gourcuff 6, Wendel 4; Chamakh 6 (Cavenaghi 65 5). Man of the match: Joe Cole. Referee: P Vink (Holland).
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Express:
SCOLARI SETS OFF ON EURO GRAIL QUEST
By Tony Banks
Chelsea 4 Bordeaux 0
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI has insisted that he will not be weighed down by the baggage of ChelseaÌs Champions League history. And he showed why last night as his team ruthlessly began their clubÌs sixth tilt at glory in this competition.
Goals from Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka began the task of burying the painful memories of that final defeat by Manchester United in Moscow last May, as Scolari saw his debut in this competition rewarded with a comfortable win at Stamford Bridge.
This Bordeaux team looked very far from a fine vintage as they crumbled before ChelseaÌs flowing football, and it was only when ScolariÌs team started to take their foot off the pedal in the second half that Laurent BlancÌs side threatened.
It was only four months ago that John TerryÌs tears after missing in the penalty shoot-out saw Chelsea troop home defeated from the final in Moscow, and it was as if the pain of that dismal night was driving on ScolariÌs team.
The Brazilian insists he has never talked to his team about that final, but it is clearly still in the bloodstream of some. Seven of last nightÌs side started in Moscow. The Champions League remains the Holy Grail of Blues owner Roman Abramovich.
And his Brazilian manager, whose team hit the top of the Premier League with SaturdayÌs win over Manchester City, has never lacked confidence and ebullience Ò as befits a man who has already won the South American equivalent of this competition, the Copa Libertadores, twice in his career with two different clubs.
No coach has ever triumphed in both competitions, and Scolari did admit before last nightÌs game that the Champions League is a far different kettle of fish, with many stronger teams involved.
Chelsea already had a victory under their belts before kick-off, with the FAÌs decision to rescind skipper TerryÌs red card for his sending-off against Manchester City.
Bordeaux coach Blanc, once of Manchester United, had taunted Chelsea during the week for spending so much money and yet failing to win the competition in five years of trying. But after a shaky start when Mikel John ObiÌs wayward pass handed Wendel the opportunity to drive narrowly over, ScolariÌs side quickly found their stride.
Jose Bosingwa picked up Joe ColeÌs square ball, and his first-time cross caught the Bordeaux defence watching the ball. Lampard stole in at the back post to nod home his second goal in four days.
BlancÌs young side were showing their rawness, goalkeeper Ulrich Rame then being forced to turn AnelkaÌs drive round the post. Terry then nodded wide when he should have scored Ò and defender Fernando Menegazzo almost scored an own-goal.
The French side were all over the place at the back, and when Lampard this time swung in a corner it was Joe Cole of all people popping up at the near post to flick in the second.
Bordeaux, like Chelsea, finished domestic runners-up last year, but there was a huge gulf between the sides last night. ScolariÌs side have been playing with markedly more freedom this season, and when Lampard and Cole combined skilfully again to carve the Bordeaux defence open, Cole sliced his shot wide.
As Chelsea eased off BlancÌs side advanced but they did not have anything like enough firepower to threaten a comeback.
And they were finished off with two more goals in the last eight minutes. First Lampard cleverly put Malouda through, and in injury-time substitute Juliano Belletti saw his shot tipped on to the bar only for Anelka to roll in the rebound.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Mikel; J Cole (Belletti 74), Deco (Ballack 61), Lampard, Malouda (Kalou 84); Anelka. Booked: Deco. Goals: Lampard 14, J Cole 30, Malouda 82, Anelka 90.
Bordeaux (4-2-3-1): Rame; Jurietti, Planus, Diawara, Placente; Fernando (Ducasse 74), Diarra; Gouffran (Obertan 65), Gourcoff, Wendel; Chamakh (Cavenaghi 65).
Referee: P Vink (Holland).
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Mirror:
Champion League: Chelsea 4-0 Bordeaux
Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka were all on target to give Chelsea a 4-0 win over Bordeaux in their opening Group A Champions League match.
Failure in Europe's elite competition has signalled the end for the previous three Chelsea bosses but there were no scares for Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge, whose debut in the competition was straightforward after the hosts established a lead.
With Didier Drogba to return from suspension, Scolari will head into the Group A matches against Cluj and Roma encouraged by their start to the campaign - they were comfortable winners but did not have to be at their vintage best to beat Bordeaux.
Although the scoreline was predictable, it was a minor suprise Scolari selected an named an unchanged starting line-up, the first time Chelsea had done so in 18 months.
More of a shock was the fact Chelsea's goals in the first half came from Lampard and Cole headers, with neither midfielders known for their aerial ability.
It would be enough to enrage Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc, the World Cup-winning defender with France who has been tipped to take charge of Les Bleus.
It was also Blanc's first match in the Champions League and his team looked like a Premier League graveyard - ex-Liverpool midfielder Alou Diarra was in midfield and Souleymane Diawara, who was relegated with Charlton, was in defence. He even had David Bellion on the bench.
Brazilian Wendel had an early shot from long range that dipped over following a sloppy pass from John Mikel Obi - but after that it was all Chelsea.
They were ahead in the 14th minute when Lampard finished off a crisp move for his third goal of the season.
Deco had moved the ball inside to midfielder Cole, who in turn fed Jose Bosingwa on the right flank.
Bosingwa drove his cross in first time and Lampard sent his header in the far corner before wheeling off in celebration.
Anelka, looking to atone for his penalty miss in the final last season, forced a save from Ulrich Rame when he cut inside from the left and drove towards the near post, and the Bordeaux goalkeeper also had to work when midfielder Cole backhealed on target.
Captain John Terry then went close when he met Lampard's free-kick with a header.
The French runners-up had no answer to Chelsea's attacks, with Fernando almost scoring an own goal trying to cut out a Bosingwa through-ball. The second goal came on the half-hour mark through Cole, with the England midfielder beating centre-backs Fernando and Franck Jurietti at the near post to nod home Lampard's corner.
Chelsea's own wastefulness kept the scoreline down - Anelka raced beyond the Bordeaux defence and passed into open space when he could have shot, then Lampard screwed a volley wide from six yards.
Bordeaux's attempts to fight back consisted of three Yoann Gourcuff free-kicks, each of which was increasingly speculative and Petr Cech was not troubled by them.
Striker Marouane Chamakh started the second half by tripping over the advertising hoardings and into the crowd, and he required treatement after the fall.
The visitors were showing ambition to get back into the game but it left them prone to Chelsea counter-attacks.
Scolari gave Michael Ballack the final half-hour as he made his comeback from a foot injury, with the Germany captain replacing Deco in midfield.
Anelka came close to adding another, latching onto Lampard's reverse ball but firing into the side-netting.
Malouda added the third after a run from Mikel that took him around three defenders. He passed to Lampard, whose backheel invited Malouda to fire into the far corner.
Ricardo Carvalho hit the crossbar with a header before the end, and a goal would not have flattered the hosts.
Then Juliano Belletti hit the crossbar and Anelka tapped in for the fourth.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole (Belletti 74), Obi, J Cole, Deco (Ballack 61), Lampard, Malouda (Kalou 84), Anelka. Goals: Lampard 14, J Cole 30, Malouda 82, Anelka 90
Bordeaux: Rame, Jurietti, Diawara, Planus, Placente, Diarra, Menegazzo (Ducasss 74), Gouffran (Obertan 65), Gourcuff, Wendell, Chamakh (Cavenhagi 65). Ref: P Vink
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Sun:
Chelsea 4 Bordeaux 0
From IAN McGARRY at Stamford Bridg CHELSEA went through Bordeaux like water — but Phil Scolari still had a whine.
Big Phil toasted his four-goal Champions League debut with a dose of sour grapes.
The Blues boss tore strips off his team’s magnificent performance in a thinly-disguised bid to keep them sharp ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United.
How the former Brazil coach could keep a straight face as he criticised his team’s poor possession and bad attitude is a mystery.
As bad as Bordeaux were, scoring four goals in Europe is still an occasion to be savoured.
So to turn the triumph into a bout of mind games with his own players seemed harsh.
Chelsea were simply dominant. First to the ball, lightning quick on the break and deadly in front of goal in this Group A opener.
Scolari should be thankful that on this evidence, he will not have to worry much about the Champions League until the knockout phase next year.
Frank Lampard shone again — running the match, scoring one goal and making two.
Among the other stand-outs were Lamps’ fellow England internationals Joe Cole and John Terry.
On the bench were two World Cup winners in Scolari and Bordeaux chief Laurent Blanc, who was in the France squad which triumphed in 1998.
On the pitch, there was only ever going to be one victor.
Even Chelsea right-back Jose Bosingwa had a free rein on the flank and the clock was only on 14 minutes when he wandered to the edge of the area. His cross perfectly picked out the unmarked Lamps, who had time to check the keeper’s position before heading neatly into the bottom corner.
Already Chelsea’s record-holder for Champions League appearances with 63, his 18th goal put him level with Didier Drogba as their top marksman.
Nicolas Anelka rifled a shot from 20 yards on the angle which made keeper Ulrich Rame more nervous.
Then Joe Cole tried a cheeky backheel which was scrambled clear.
Bosingwa’s cross was turned towards goal by Fernando but luckily for the Bordeaux defender, Rame dived back to stop the ball just before it trickled into his own net.
But, on the half-hour, Lamps launched the perfect corner to the near post and Joe Cole rose to guide in a brilliant header.
Lamps should have made it three but pulled his volley wide.
Florent Malouda added a third in the 82nd minute when Lampard found him some space with a clever reverse flick.
By this time Michael Ballack — back from a foot injury — had been brought on to warm him up for the United clash and the Blues were on cruise control.
When Anelka followed up Juliano Belletti’s long-range blast to make it four in the dying seconds, it was the port at the end of a gourmet meal.
Chelsea are still unbeaten this season and on this form they do not look likely to lose any time soon.
With every goal they scored last night the warning for United was stark.
Beware. Chelsea are coming to get you. Whatever Big Phil says.