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Preview: Chelsea vs Brentford, Sun 12:00

The Bees were denied a place in the fifth round by Fernando Torres' late goal at Griffin Park leaving the League One side with a tough task at Stamford Bridge in the replay

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Rescued: Fernando Torres scores the late equaliser at Griffin Park

Team News:

Chelsea:

John Terry (knee) could return for Sunday’s FA Cup replay against Brentford despite suffering a setback with his injury.

The Chelsea skipper travelled to Prague in the Europa League with the rest of the squad after missing the win over Wigan with inflammation on his knee, and was expected to figure against Sparta, only to be kept on the bench.

Ashley Cole also missed the midweek tie with a cold and is expected to replace Ryan Bertrand at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, while Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel could feature after returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria. Apart from that, Rafa Benitez has no fresh injury concerns.

Brentford:

Brentford boss Uwe Rosler is without Farid El Alagui (knee) and Kevin O’Connor (ankle) who remain on the sidelines with long-term injuries.

Excluding those two absentees, the Bees’ manager has a full-strength side to select from.

 

League Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

Chelsea: D-W-D-L-W Brentford: L-D-L-D-W

Head to Head

CHELSEA

BRENTFORD

WINS

5

3

DRAWS

2

Before last month’s clash, the only previous FA Cup meeting between these two teams came in 1950. Chelsea won 1-0.

The Stats:

  • Frank Lampard has been involved in 23 goals (scoring 14 and assisting nine) in his last 24 appearances in the FA Cup.
  • Chelsea will have played their west London neighbours Fulham, QPR and Brentford in the same season for the first time ever following the tie at Griffin Park.
  • The Blues are unbeaten in four matches in all competitions against Brentford, winning three and drawing once.
  • In just nine FA Cup games for Chelsea, Juan Mata has played a part in 10 goals, scoring four and assisting six.
  • Brentford have only reached the fifth round of the FA Cup on six occasions since the Second World War.
  • Brentford and Chelsea are separated by just six miles but have not played each other competitively since meeting in this competition 63 years ago.

 

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Gazza’s Greatest Moments

Times are worrying for the former England star and we wish him all the best for his recovery. We take a look at some of Paul Gascoigne's defining moments as a footballing legend

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Troubled Talent: Paul Gascoigne

“If he were ordinary, he would play ordinary football. Paul Gascoigne is an extraordinary footballer – it is hardly surprising that he is an extraordinary man.” – Simon Barnes, The Times, 1998.

After spending the weekend in intensive care in a hospital in America, a thought will be spared for Paul Gascoigne and his family during this tough time as he continues his battle against alcoholism.

Gazza was attending a detox programme in Arizona that had been funded by close friends, but problems with his health arose after he reacted negatively to the treatment. He is currently recovering in hospital.

For many football fans throughout the world there is a true poignancy to the Paul Gascoigne story. The concoction of such enormous promise combined with his insufferable demons drove him down a road that is almost impossible to turn back from, but putting aside Gazza’s inescapable self-destructive nature – that was arguably the catalyst for his alcoholism – in terms of talent he was a one-off and probably the most revered British players of his generation. His mesmerizing footballing skills and humorous antics on (and off) the field left fans begging for more and for pure entertainment value he was certainly worth the admission fee.

In an England shirt, Gazza became a national treasure after his 1990 World Cup semi-final performance against West Germany. A mis-timed lunge earned Gascoigne his second booking of the tournament and would mean he’d have had to sacrifice his place in the final had England triumphed. A scene that will forever stay in the memories of his fans, Gazza’s realisation of his pending suspension brought him to tears despite Gary Lineker’s efforts to console him.

 

Let’s just watch that goal against the Scots in Euro 96 again…

 

Playing for the majority of his prime in England at Tottenham, one moment that will stick in the minds of their north London faithful is his 1991 FA Cup semi-final rocket against bitter rivals Arsenal. With just five minutes gone, Gazza’s 35 yard free kick helped to end the Gunners’ hopes of double success that year – and what a way to do it! Despite having a relatively short run-out in the final against Nottingham Forest after painfully damaging a cruciate ligament, Gascoigne’s Spurs went on to lift the trophy for the eighth time in their history.

 

We all wish the best for Gazza during what must be a difficult time for his close friends and family. There is no doubt he will remain an English footballing icon. Get well soon.

 

 

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FA Cup Preview: Brentford v Chelsea, Sunday 12:00

After being knocked out of the Capital One Cup midweek in a match shrouded in controversy, can Chelsea live up to their favourite status and prevent a shock?

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Benitez won't be attempting to win over his doubters as much as he will be trying simply to meet expectations on Sunday

Team News:

Brentford:

  • On-loan defender Jake Bidwell misses this game through suspension with Scott Barron expected to deputise
  • Kevin O’Connor is out with an ankle injury
  • Harry Forrester will feature having been rested in the previous Brentford fixture

Chelsea:

  • Eden Hazard will be unavailable as he begins the first of his 3 match suspension
  • Yossi Benyoun and Oriol Romeu are Chelsea’s only long-term injury absentees
  • John Terry is likely to start the match as Chelsea seek to bring him back to full match fitness

 

League Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

Brentford: D-L-W-D-D                                    Chelsea:  W-D-W-L-W

 

Head to Head (Last 6 Matches)

 

BRENTFORD

CHELSEA

WINS

2

3

DRAWS

1

These London neighbours haven’t met since just after WWII. Chelsea are 1/3 favourites to win this match, and with Brentford’s indifferent home form, this should be a walk in the park. Chelsea will be without influential midfielder Eden Hazard as he begins his suspension after receiving a red card for his altercation with a ball-boy, but with no other first team players unavailable through injury, Benitez will have a strong squad to choose from.

 

The Stats:

  • Chelsea are yet to lose an away game under Benitez
  • Brentford have kept 2 clean sheets in their last 10 home games
  • Before the Swansea game, Chelsea had scored 17 goals in 5 away games
  • Chelsea have not lost in 11 away FA Cup fixtures, and won 10 of those
  • Brentford are unbeaten in their last 5 FA Cup games

Follow Sunday’s FA Cup clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, stats, photos, games and interact with other fans on your PC: CLICK HERE

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Preview: Chelsea vs Arsenal, Sun 13:30

Chelsea have won just 1 of their last 7 Premier League home matches, but they’ll hope to make Stamford Bridge the fortress it once was when Arsenal visit on Sunday afternoon.

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Spanish striker Fernando Torres celebrates with John Terry after opening the scoring against Arsenal earlier in the season.

Team News:

Chelsea:

  • Oriol Romeu (knee) is the only absentee for Chelsea through injury, giving Rafa Benitez lots of options against Arsenal.
  • However, the Blues manager will also be without Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel, who have joined Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations.
  • Club captain John Terry returned to action against Stoke last weekend after a lengthy lay off with a knee injury, but only made the bench in Chelsea’s recent 2-2 draw with Southampton. The Englishman is likely to start at centre back with David Luiz this week.
  • Once again, it’s a toss-up between Demba Ba and Fernando Torres for who will start up front this week, Ba is the most likely after his goal against the Saints in midweek.

 

Arsenal:

  • Midfielders Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky are Arsenal’s only real injury concerns ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge, the pair will miss out.
  • Abou Diaby will continue to deputise in midfield, as he did in the 2-0 loss to Manchester City last week.
  • French defender Laurent Koscielny is back from a one match ban for the Premier League game at Chelsea.
  • Gervinho is Arsenal’s only other definite absentee after joining the Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations.
  • Arsene Wenger is likely to name an unchanged side with Theo Walcott once again starting up front.

 

Think you can predict the line-ups? Play our Facebook game ‘The Insider’ and win great prizes: PLAY NOW

 

Premier League Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

Chelsea: D-W-L-W-W                                    Arsenal:  L-D-W-W-W

 

Head to Head (Last 10 Matches)

 

CHELSEA

ARSENAL

WINS

6

3

DRAWS

1

 

When these sides met in the Premier League back in September, Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners at the Emirates Stadium thanks to goals from their influential Spaniards. Fernando Torres opened the scoring on the day, before his countryman Juan Mata then had the final say with a well taken goal to succumb Arsenal to their first Premier League defeat of the season.

 

The Stats:

  • Arsenal have won away at Stamford Bridge more often than any other Premier League side (seven times) and scored more goals (27).
  • When Arsenal won 5-3 away at Chelsea last season, they became the first and only away team to net five times in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge – though 3 of those goals came from Robin van Persie.
  • Demba Ba scored two goals in his final match for Newcastle before signing for Chelsea and they came against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on December 29th.
  • Arsenal have fewer points this season after 21 games than in any previous Premier League campaign under Arsene Wenger.
  • The Gunners have lost just three of their last 19 Premier League away matches (W9 D7 L3) and are unbeaten in the last five (W2 D3 L0).
  • Arsenal have scored more goals (9) in the final 10 minutes of games this season than any other team in the top flight.
  • Rafa Benitez’s home record in games as an opposition coach against Arsene Wenger is (W5 D2 L3).
  • Chelsea have won only one of their last seven Premier League home games.

 

Follow Sunday’s Premier League clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, stats, photos, games and interact with other fans on your PC: CLICK HERE

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Preview: Chelsea vs Southampton, Weds 19:45

Chelsea inflicted a convincing 5-1 victory over the Saints when they met in the FA Cup at the start of the year, and they’ll be hoping for a similar outcome when Nigel Adkins’ men visit Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

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Demba Ba celebrates one of his two debut goals for Chelsea at St Mary's in the FA Cup. 11 days later, and the Senegalese striker will be looking to inflict more misery onto the Saints.

Team News:

Chelsea:

  • Oriol Romeu (knee) is the only long term absentee through injury for the Blues ahead of their clash with the Saints.
  • Midfielders John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses are also unavailable after travelling to the African Cup of Nations to represent Nigeria.
  • Aside from that, Rafa Benitez has no injury or suspension concerns and is likely to name the same side that beat Stoke 4-0 at the weekend.
  • New signing Demba Ba started in place of misfiring Spaniard Fernando Torres, and is likely to do so again after scoring twice against Southampton in the FA Cup fixture.
  • Chelsea captain John Terry returned to action following his knee injury at Stoke, and made a 10 minute cameo from the substitutes’ bench. Terry is likely to sit on the bench once again on Wednesday, but could return to the starting line up this weekend.

 

Southampton:

  • Adam Lallana and Jose Fonte (both knee) are on the long term injury list for the Saints and will miss out on Wednesday.
  • Emmanuel Mayuka is the only other player definitely out, having travelled to the African Cup of Nations to represent Zambia.
  • Luke Shaw is the only other concern after he sustained a gashed leg in Southampton’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend. He has around a 50% chance of featuring this week.
  • Nigel Adkins is likely to name the same side that beat fellow strugglers Aston Villa. Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez will once again start up front, as Southampton look to extend their unbeaten league run to 5 matches.

 

Think you can predict the line-ups? Play our Facebook game ‘The Insider’ and win great prizes: PLAY NOW

 

Premier League Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

 

Chelsea: W-L-W-W-W                                    Southampton:  W-D-D-D-L

 

Head to Head (Last 10 Matches)

 

CHELSEA

SOUTHAMPTON

WINS

7

1

DRAWS

2

 

 

The Stats:

  • Chelsea have won their last 5 matches on the bounce against the Saints in all competitions.
  • The last time that Southampton recorded a victory against the Blues was on New Year’s Day 2002, in a 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge.
  • Rafa Benitez’s Chelsea have lost their last 2 matches at home in all competitions without scoring a goal. Losing 1-0 to QPR in the league before a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Swansea in the Capital One Cup.
  • Southampton have lost just 1 of their last 5 away games, winning 2, and drawing the other 2 in that run.
  • The Saints have won just once at Stamford Bridge since 1995 in the league.
  • Chelsea strikers Fernando Torres and Demba Ba have scored 20 Premier League goals between them this season, 9 more than the combined total of Southampton’s front-men Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert.
  • The Blues have won just 1 of their last 6 matches at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, that win came in an 8-0 thrashing over Aston Villa at the end of December.

 

Follow Wednesday’s Premier League clash via the PlayUp app – view live commentary, stats, photos, games and interact with other fans on your PC: CLICK HERE

You can also follow all Premier League games on your smart phone, download PlayUp to your iPhone and make sport social - DOWNLOAD NOW

 

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“Stats all, folks”: Lampard and Cole’s Chelsea Legacy

As Chelsea stalwarts Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole's Chelsea careers come to an end, we take a look at their achievements for the west London club.

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Leaving Legends: Cole and Lampard

Rafael Benitez prepared Chelsea fans for the inevitability of replacing the old guard for a more youthful generation of players.

The recent revelation that Frank Lampard’s imminent departure in the summer has sparked outrage amongst fans at Stamford Bridge who, despite being in the latter stages of his career, believe that the 34-year-old still has what it takes to perform at the highest level.

Other players from the old guard to face the axe in the near future are Ashley Cole, whose contract also terminates in the summer, and John Terry who has 18 months left on his current deal.

Although both Lampard and Cole are likely starters for tonight’s Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Swansea, Benitez broadcast to Chelsea followers that new blood would be needed in order for the club to come through the “transition period” he spoke of yesterday.

“What [the legends have] achieved for this club has been fantastic. But you have to see new players coming. It’s part of life,” he said.

Lampard joined the Blues from West Ham for £11million in August 2001 and has since made a total of 571 appearances for them scoring 192 goals. He is a three-time Premier League winner with the west London club and has lifted the FA Cup in four different seasons.

He also played a pivotal role in the memorable Champions League triumph last summer, the first time in the club’s history.

A FIFPro World XI selection in 2005, his record in the Premier League has also given him legendary status at Chelsea, scoring 132 in his 386 league appearances and assisting on 89 occasions. In continental games, Lampard has netted 24 in 99 games for his club. Lampard currently sits joint second on Chelsea’s all time top goal scorer’s list with 193 and needs 10 by the end of the season to top the list.

Since moving from north London club Arsenal in the summer of 2006 in a deal worth £5m plus Chelsea defender William Gallas, Ashley Cole has had 284 outings for Chelsea and has even been on the scoresheet seven times.

Plying his trade as a full back, Cole has made a name for himself as one of, if not the best left backs in the world and has twice been named in the UEFA Team of the Year in 2004 (whilst at Arsenal) and 2010.

Cole started all 38 league games for Chelsea in the 2010/11 season and was subsequently awarded the Chelsea F.C. Player’s Player of the Year award for the second time after winning it in the 2008/09 season.

Like Lampard, he has also lifted the FA Cup four times and was part of the squad that won the league in 2009/10 and the Champions League in 2011/12.

Amid turbulent times in SW6, Chelsea will be pleased to hear John Terry is on the brink of a comeback and will appear in Chelsea’s under-21 game with Fulham. The 32-year-old suffered a knee injury in a collision with Liverpool’s Luis Suarez in November.

 

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Most memorable football moments of 2012

Here's our run-down of the highlights and most newsworthy events in the footballing World for 2012!

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2012: A year in Football

January

The transfer window is reasonably quiet affair with the main movers being Nikita Jelavic’s move to Everton and Papiss Cisse’s move to Newcastle.

January ends with Manchester City still top of the Premier League, but with United now level on points with them, five points ahead of third-place Tottenham. Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle complete the top seven.

February

 

kenny-dalglish_2151293b.jpg

Kenny Dalglish lifts the Carling Cup trophy

Liverpool won the Carling Cup final under “King Kenny” Dalglish beating Championship side Cardiff in the final.

Zambia won the African Cup of Nations beating the Ivory Coast on penalties in the final for a shock victory!

74 people die at a game in Egypt after violence escalated by rival fans- The Egyptian FA cancel the rest of the league season because of it.

Fabio Capello resigns as England manager after a disagreement with the FA over stripping John Terry of the English captaincy.

Harry Redknapp and Milan Mandaric are cleared of tax evasion

March

Chelsea sack Andre Villas-Boas.

Fabrice Muamba collapses on the field of play vs Tottenham in the FA Cup after suffering from a heart-attack. He praises medics for saving his life and subsequently retires from football

April

Pep Guardiola steps down as Barcelona manager after 4 years and winning 14 trophies.

May

Chelsea won their first ever Champions League- Didier Drogba scores winning penalty against Bayern Munich

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Chelsea won their first ever Champions League final in May

Blackburn, Wolves and Bolton relegated.

Man City win the Premier League for the first time and their first top-flight title since 1968

Agueroooooooooooooooo

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Aguerooooo wins Manchester City the Premier League title deep into stoppage time!

Real Madrid won La Liga beating Barcelona into second place- Jose Mourinho became the first coach to win top-flight titles in 4 different countries.

Atletico Madrid win the Europa League.

Juventus win the Italian league undefeated.

Roy Hodgson became the new England manager.

Chelsea won the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley

June

England were knocked out by penalties in the quarterfinals of the European Championships against eventual finalists Italy.

Niklas Bendtner was fined £80k by UEFA for showing his “Paddy Power” underpants after scoring at the Euro’s!

Bendtner-paddy-power.jpg

Niklas Bendtner was fined £80k for showing off these pants! Ouch

July:

John Terry gets off a racially aggravated public order offence towards Anton Ferdinand.

Rangers were demoted to the Scottish 3rd division after going into liquidation.

Spain became the first team to win back-to-back European Championships after beating Italy 4-0 in the final.

August

Southampton, West Ham and Reading start their campaigns in the PL after being promoted from the Championship.

Mexico won the Men’s Olympic Gold beating Brazil in the final at Wembley. USA won the women’s gold.

September

The transfer window closed with several high profile players moving clubs in the summer. These included Robin Van Persie moving to Manchester United, Eden Hazard joining Champions League winners Chelsea and Julio Cesar ending up at QPR!

John Terry was banned for 4 games by the FA in connection to the Anton Ferdinand case after being found guilty of using offensive language.

Steve Kean finally resigned as Blackburn manager

October

Chris Kirkland is assaulted by a Leeds United fan who ran onto the field of play during a match.

November

Roberto Di Matteo is sacked as manager of Chelsea just months after masterminding their Champions League victory. He was replaced by Rafa Benitez, a move that angered many Chelsea fans.

Manchester United move 5 points clear at the top of the Premier League at this early stage in the 2012-13 season.

December

Lionel Messi scores 91 goals in a calendar year, breaking Gerd Muller’s long-standing record!

Manchester United are top at Christmas, QPR were bottom.

More than 33,000 amateur games were also cancelled in the Netherlands this month following the death of a linesman who was beaten up and killed after giving a decision in a junior match.


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All I want for Christmas…

What present do you give for Christmas to the footballer who already has everything? Here is PlayUp's review of a few special Christmas requests to Old St. Nick.

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1. Cristiano Ronaldo wants… A signed shirt from Messi

Life must be tough for Cristiano Ronaldo. Ignoring all of the women falling at his feet and a wage packet that could choke a dozen donkeys and then some, his time as the single best footballer on the planet was short-lived. Since the emergence of his ultimate adversary, Lionel Messi, after his debut in October 2004, the Portuguese has been playing a waiting game for Messi to eclipse him as the greatest. With the Argentinian outdoing Gerd Muller’s 40-year-old goalscoring record this month, people’s minds are certainly beginning to be made up.

2. Chelsea FC want… John Terry back

What an interesting year it has been for Chelsea. Sacking Andre Villas Boas as their manager after just eight months and 12 days, brought the arrival of now-idolised manager Roberto Di Matteo, the FA Cup and the elusive Champions League trophy to Stamford Bridge. How idyllic that all sounds. Since then, although they sit third in the Premier League and are into the FIFA Club World Cup Final, they seem to have wobbled seriously off the beaten track and find themselves without the nucleus of their side, John Terry and with a manager the fans do not like (or want for that matter). Returning from his four-match ban against Liverpool after the racism row with Anton Ferdinand, things were looking fine and dandy for the Blues. Terry scored within 20 minutes of his return but in the same amount of minutes after that, he was sidelined for 6 weeks with a knee injury. Chelsea’s defense hasn’t looked comfortable since then and they need him back.

3. Gareth Bale wants… scuba diving set

Supposedly wanted by clubs throughout the land – and further afield – Gareth Bale is one of the most talented footballer’s the Premier League has produced. In the final list for FifPro’s World XI this year, the Welshman, 23, has got many years of success ahead of him. However, talented as he is he has the naggingly annoying tendency to hurl himself about like a ragdoll the moment he reaches the edge of the 18-yard box. Throughout Europe, the Premier League is currently the second worst league in the ‘top 5’ when it comes to simulation. With 19 sanctions given out so far this season, Bale is top of the offender’s list with a shameful four yellows. Sort it out Gaz, you’re better than that.

4. Arsene Wenger wants… Bernard’s Watch

Oh, how times have a-changed since the ‘Invincibles’ era. A whole season of 38 games without a loss in the Premiership won them the league title and their streak eventually reached forty-nine games until they fell to Manchester United. They also won the 2005 FA cup, which remains the last piece of silverware they held. Since then, Arsenal have been a squad of ‘nearly-Nigels’. Runners-up and quarterfinalists in numerous cup competitions and missing out on league success for so long has all but condemned Wenger to mistrust from the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust who believe he is too prudent with the club’s apparent £70m available bank balance. A businessman at heart, the Frenchman believes a club should be run responsibly, which is fair enough. But with nothing to prove for such a cautious approach, that silverware seems like a distant memory.

5. Michael Owen wants… Fisher Price medical kit

He was the charm of the nation, the apple of English football’s eye and we all remember THAT goal he scored against the Argentinians. After leaving his boyhood club Liverpool with whom he made a name for himself as a striker with a killer instinct, Michael Owen was feted to become the “next Galactico” by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. After scoring 118 goals in 216 league appearances for the Reds, Owen’s move to Madrid didn’t last long and after a disappointing season with los Blancos, he returned to England. Since then his career has been plagued with injury, and defenders realising he will only attack them on his right side. After spells at Newcastle and Manchester United, the 32-year-old now plies his trade for Stoke City, where he is currently nursing a hamstring injury.

6. Leonardo Bonucci wants… a set of rugby studs

Having run the full length of the pitch, Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci receives a wonderful ball that beats the Palermo offside trap. One-on-one with keeper Samir Ujkani, the gravitationally impaired Italian decides that rounding him is not enough. Instead, what follows is like a scene from a poorly shot budget version of Platoon and he is duly booked for the effort and receives a one match ban. After admitting to his Twitter fans that the dive was ridiculous, the defender was hit with a €2,000 fine. With Santi Cazorla’s poor excuse for a penalty claim against West Brom (which he consequently won) still fresh in our heads, cries of “Too bloody right!” went out all over Europe. As a deterrent, maybe repeat offenders should be supplied with a footballing version of a dunce’s hat.

7. Fernando Torres wants… Jimmy Grimble’s football boots

Is he back? Is it just a figment of our imaginations? Or is Fernando Torres actually beginning to score again? With five goals in three games for the Blues, the 28-year-old has started to look like he wants his name on the score sheet again. Is Rafael Benitez beginning to get the most out of the £50m burden on his shoulders? That may be so, but just to make sure he doesn’t regress back to his non-scoring ways, a pair of magic football boots certainly wouldn’t go amiss.

8. Jose Mourinho wants… Fergie’s job

It’s been long established that Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho share a mutual friendship and respect for each other. It is also common knowledge that Fergie has been considering retirement year-after-year for the past decade or so. ‘The Special One’ will find himself out of a job at the end of the season since falling out with Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, which would be the perfect excuse for the young and vivacious Portuguese to take over from the aging and surly Scot. Keep your eyes peeled, though, as Pep Guardiola will be seeking employment come the summer, so who knows what next season will bring

9. Leon Osman wants… a male grooming kit

Movember, the time of year when gentlemen throughout the land combine in a ritual that puts your masculinity to the ultimate test. There is nothing more manly than the ability to grow a ground-breakingly volumising strip of hair on your top lip and one person who narrowly missed out on achieving that this year was Everton midfielder Leon Osman. Along with countless other Premier League young bucks, Osman was seen sporting what can only be described as something your pet cat would have no problem licking off. Although he did do his bit for charity, maybe he should steer clear of moustache-growing until it’s physically possible.

10. A gift for all… Magnetic coin-attracting headgear

It is a small minority of idiots who hurl racist abuse and projectiles towards the athletes they’ve paid “extortionate” prices to go and watch. But to avoid any future coin-related bloodshed like we saw at the Etihad on Sunday, maybe players should wear specially crafted magnetic headgear (we believe Petr Cech may be testing the prototype) to collect the unwanted spare change that has been thrown towards their crania. A simple idea, but also fiscally advantageous for the target recipient. And footballers love a bit of cash.

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Terry Injury Blow

The perfect comeback was ruined for John Terry after he was forced off against Liverpool yesterday. But what does this setback mean for the Chelsea captain?

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Down and Out: John Terry could be sidelined for quite some time.

Chelsea fans will be anxiously awaiting news about the knee injury that captain John Terry picked up against Liverpool yesterday.  The 31-year-old had just returned from a four-match ban for racist abuse and had the dream start to his comeback when he scored for the Blues in the 20th minute to put them ahead.

However, delight turned to anguish twenty minutes later when Terry fell awkwardly following a collision with a stumbling Luis Suarez, leaving him writhing on the floor in agony. Renowned for his robustness, the Chelsea man uncharacteristically signalled to the dugout, suggesting the injury was serious. It is reported he underwent an MRI scan this morning to assess the extent of the damage.

Manager Roberto Di Matteo was quick to express his concern for the centre back – “I hope the injury is not too serious.”

The degree of damage sustained by the accident is unclear and whether Terry will be sidelined for the rest of the season is yet to be reported. He was seen leaving Stamford Bridge last night on crutches with his knee firmly supported in a brace.

Worryingly for Chelsea, Terry’s absence was noticeable as the current champions of Europe struggled defensively against their visitors after he went off. Ironically, it was Suarez who rescued a point for Liverpool when he equalised in the 73rd minute.

Di Matteo shrugged off any suggestions that the injury will affect his team’s momentum, but it is worth pointing out that whilst serving his ban, Chelsea dropped valuable points against both Manchester United and Swansea.

Questions will be asked about the future of John Terry should his injury set him back for the remainder of the season. The Chelsea manager will most probably continue to use the combination of David Luiz and Gary Cahill, with the duo starting ahead of Terry in last week’s Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Usually one of the first names on the team sheet, he watched Chelsea’s 3-2 victory from the bench last Wednesday and considering his age and the fact his contract expires at the end of next season, concerns about his future will be further heightened following his recent injury. Di Matteo remains confident he has the adequate staff to cover Terry’s absence however, “We’re still playing well and creating chances” he said.

 

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Preview: Chelsea vs Shakhtar Donetsk, Wed 19:45

Roberto Di Matteo’s Blues haven’t echoed their domestic brilliance in the Champions League yet, and they were outplayed and embarrassed in a 2-1 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in matchday three. They’ll be out for revenge when the Ukrainians travel to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

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Oscar celebrates scoring against Shakhtar Donetsk on an off night for the Champions League holders in October.

Team News:

Chelsea:

  • Chelsea captain John Terry will be back in contention for a starting place against the Ukrainians, and has now seen off his domestic 4-match ban.
  • The Blues have shipped 10 goals in the 4 matches than JT has missed through suspension, although he may not find his way immediately back into the side.
  • Chelsea were without Frank Lampard, David Luiz and Juan Mata for last Saturday’s disappointing 1-1 draw at Swansea City, but the latter two are expected to return.
  • Spaniard Mata missed that game with a hamstring strain, but should be fit to return in the midfield trio with Eden Hazard and Oscar at Stamford Bridge.
  • Luiz is expected to return from an ankle injury for the clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, and is likely to partner Gary Cahill at the back in the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation for Chelsea.

 

Shakhtar Donetsk:

  • Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu will have a full strength squad at his disposal for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
  • Lucescu rested Luiz Adriano, Willian and Alex Teixeira for their 2-0 win over Metalurg Zaporizhya in the Ukrainian league on Saturday – but all 3 are set to return to the starting XI.
  • Teixeira scored the opener against Chelsea in Shakhtar’s 2-1 home win over the Blues last month, and will start on the left wing on Wednesday night.

 

Domestic Form Guide (Last 5 Matches)

 

Chelsea: D-L-W-W-W                         Shakhtar Donetsk:  W-W-W-W-W

 

These sides have only met once in their entire history, and it was of course the 2-1 win for Shakhtar on October 23rd this year in matchday 3 of the Champions League. Shakhtar dominated the game for 90 minutes, though the 2-1 score-line suggests otherwise.

Goals from Alex Teixeira and Fernandinho gave the Ukrainians a deserved 2-0 lead, before Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Oscar converted a last minute consolation to restore some pride for the 2011-12 champions of Europe.

 

The Stats:

  • Chelsea are currently on a 17-month unbeaten home run in the Champions League.
  • Their last loss in a home tie in the Champions League was a 1-0 semi-final first-leg defeat to Manchester United in April 2011.
  • Their general home form has also been very good, only Manchester United and Juventus have avoided defeat at Stamford Bridge this season.
  • Chelsea have not won in 90 minutes of football in 3 matches now – losing and drawing against Manchester United before their 1-1 draw with Swansea at the weekend.
  • Shakhtar Donetsk have won 14 out of 14 matches in their domestic league so far this season.
  • Juventus are the only team to have avoided defeat against the Ukrainians this campaign – drawing 1-1 in Turin.
  • Attacking midfielder Henrik Mkhitaryan is the top goalscorer in Europe’s major leagues with 14 goals in 13 games so far this season.

 

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