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CHELSEA GIVE NO CHARITY TO UNLUCKY UNITED
Chelsea 2-0 Manchester United
Shanyi's first competitive game (well, sort of) finished with a solid win over rivals Man Utd and with no attempts at assassination from disgruntled owner Roman Abramovich. United, who fielded a stronger team than expected and were only deprived of Wayne Rooney through injury, had the best of the first half, with Wes Brown firing over from a Giggs corner, Paul Scholes sliding the ball just wide from a terrific pass from Darren Fletcher and Ruud van Nistelrooy also missing a cross goal shot by mere inches, thanks to the outstretched arms of Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini.
Chelsea grew steadily in stature as the game progressed, Arjen Robben causing Neville problems down the right and Lampard spreading the play in typically impressive fashion. Joe Cole, on his return from injury, forced Van der Sar into the first of many good saves with a strike from just inside the area, Crespo later stinging the keeper's palms with a bullet header from Shaun Wright-Phillips' cross. Wright-Phillips, subject today to a rejected £8m bid from CF Real Madrid, otherwise had a quiet game. Lampard tested again from free kicks, while Scholes tried his luck at the other end.
The decisive moment came when van Nistelrooy lost a challenge to Makelele and picked up a knock in the process. Smith replaced him, but much of United's attacking guile and creativity was gone. Chelsea burst forward on a counter attack and from a Frank Lampard pass, unlikely hero Claude Makelele somehow slid the ball into the back of the net. United pushed forward but Geremi, replacement for Joe Cole, proved a more solid defensive barrier and reinforced Chelsea's rearguard. As van der Sar, whose evening was otherwise faultless, went up for a corner, Johnson easily cleared and Drogba struck the ball into an empty net from ten yards, to the great disappointment of shortdevil10, who had earlier announced his support for Manchester United at this early stage of the season.
MAN UTD (4-4-1-1): van der Sar, Neville, Brown (Bardsley), Heinze (Fortune), Silvestre, Park, Fletcher (Miller), Keane, Giggs (Saha); Scholes; van Nistelrooy (Smith).
MAN OF THE MATCH: J Terry (Chelsea), E van der Sar (Man Utd)
08-20-2005, 12:42 PM
Chelsea LIVE & UNCUT! The drama, the passion, the roubles! Post #12
UNITED AND ARSENAL MISS OUT ON TARGETS, CHELSEA AGREE NIGERIAN FEE
Arsenal today missed out on Croatian forward Ivica Olic, who instead opted to join Valencia for an initial fee of £6.75m. Manager Arsene Wenger, who have voiced his appreciation of the player, will be no doubt disappointed. With limited transfer funds, Arsenal are rumoured to be turning their interest towards Ivory Coast and Feyenoord winger Salomon Kalou, a good friend of centre back Kolo Abib Toure. Goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis is, so far, Arsenal's only summer signing for £4m.
Manchester United received a rebuff from target Javier Zanetti, responding to rumours in the newspapers. Zanetti, who was seen by United boss Ferguson as an eventual successor to Roy Keane, said that he was very happy at Internazionale and would not be interested in a potential £6m move.
After weeks of careful negotiation, Chelsea have agreed an initial £800k fee with Lyn for the transfer of young Nigerian Mikel John Obi. Lyn are believed to have previously wanted a starting fee of £1m, rising to £2.75 depending upon appearances. Chelsea's initial bid of £750k was dismissed as derisory, but their fourth bid, £800k rising to £2m with a 5% sell-on clause, seems to have been reluctantly accepted by the Norweigan club, for whom Obi has been a star in league campaign.
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Chinese defender Jihai Sun for a fee of £1.6m. The former Man City defender will be expected to make his debut in Villa's opening game of the season against Tottenham.
08-20-2005, 02:05 PM
Chelsea LIVE & UNCUT! The drama, the passion, the roubles! Post #13
Although Mikel John Obi agreed a four year deal (subject to a work permit) today, Chelsea have achieved a feat usually only managed by fat balding sweaty uncles chatting up girls at a bus stop: being rejected three times in under an hour. A bid for little known Brazilian winger Evandro Roncatto, believed to be in the region of £800k, was turned down by Guarani (who are believed to be holding out for closer to £4m for the 18 year old). Meanwhile, Premiership rivals and part time talent vendors West Ham laughed off a combined bid of £4m for duo Mark Noble and Chris Cohen, two of the hottest young stars at Upton Park. The Hammers are valuing each player at roughly £5m each. Although Chelsea have more than enough money to buy such players (and prevent government investigations into offshore accounts), manager Shanyi has confirmed that, at this time, no further bids will be made for those players. It has also emerged that Kerlon, who agreed a £650k deal with Chelsea two weeks ago, has failed his first application for a work permit while Lenny Pidgeley, the Chelsea third choice goalkeeper, is in negotiation for a 3 month loan to either Brighton or Nottm Forest. A £3m bid from Sevilla for Carlo Cudicini has been rejected.
Other recent signings:
Bogdan Lobont>Middlesbrough (£825k)
David Clarkson>Fulham (£200k)
Burton O'Brien>Blackburn (£190k)
Maciej Zurawski>Aston Villa (£2.75m)
08-20-2005, 02:41 PM
Chelsea LIVE & UNCUT! The drama, the passion, the roubles! Post #14
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK ONE
POMPEY POUNDED AS CHELSEA ESTABLISH TITLE CREDENTIALS
Portsmouth 0-4 Chelsea
Chelsea manager Shanyi showed club oil alchemist Roman Abramovich that he isn't going to let his job or his life go without a fight, as Portsmouth were on the receiving end of a virtuoso performance. Frank Lampard volleyed home Chelsea's first goal in a first half under Shanyi from Duff's high ball into the area. Things didn't improve for Pompey as Lampard then played Drogba in to slide the ball past the despairing Ashdown. Robben suffered an injury before the break and was replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips, who opened his Chelsea account with an astonishing run and strike on 49mins. Under a minute later, a speculative ball forward from Del Horno was picked up by Duff, and picked out of the net by Ashdown. With Lampard causing havoc in midfield and Tiago, standing in for Essien while the Ghanaian is on Olympic duty, with Makelele clearing any unwanted danger, Portsmouth's only significant attack came from a Stefanovich free-kick, which Cech held comfortably. Crespo will feel frustrated that he couldn't take a good chance late on, with Ashdown redeeming his earlier mishaps, but on this form Chelsea are looking to push favourites Arsenal all the way.
CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Gallas, Del Horno; Lampard, Makelele, Tiago; Robben (Wright-Phillips), Drogba (Crespo), Duff (J Cole).
ARSENAL 5-2 MIDDLESBROUGH
Speaking of Arsenal, they also secured a terrific win over a strong Boro side thanks to a Thierry Henry hattrick. An own goal by Mendieta and a typical Henry finish put Arsenal in control, only for Jerell Floyd Hasselbaink, as his mother likes to call him, to pull one back. Henry struck again in the 32nd minute, but Yakubu was on hand to keep Boro in with a chance. That chance was all but destroyed when Henry slammed home number four, and Lauren wrapped up the victory late on. An injury to Henry was a downside to the game, but Arsenal physios reassure this journalist that he should be fit again soon, and Roman Abramovich had nothing to do with the Russian-made landmine which exploded under his feet.
OTHER PREMIERSHIP SCORES
Aston V 0-0 Tottenham
Charlton 0-3 Birmingham
Fulham 2-2 Blackburn
Liverpool 3-0 West Ham
Man Utd 0-0 Sunderland
West Brom 4-1 Everton
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK TWO
ARSENAL FAIL TO BREACH CHELSEA STRONGHOLD
ARSENAL 0-0 CHELSEA
Arsenal went top with a no score draw against Chelsea, though Liverpool have a game in hand and have the chance to take a two point lead at the top of the table. Arsenal launched an onslaught on the Chelsea goal, but John Terry and Petr Cech were utterly unmovable, Terry blocking twice in succession from Bergkamp and Pires with Cech beaten, and the goalkeeper pulling off an astonishing late save from Quincy Owusu Abeyie which looked set to win the day for Arsenal. Chelsea, fielding the same team which defeated Portsmouth so comprehensively, played defensively but were dangerous on the break. Damien Duff tested De Sanctis with the first effort of the game, and Robben played a long ball to Drogba, who fired inches wide. Joe Cole, a late substitute, also came close and Crespo's poor form in front of goal continued as he fired well over when in a good position, albeit under pressure from Toure.
Though the game was often exciting, with Chelsea's attacks frequently coming directly after Arsenal's, there was not enough between them to pick one out as a title favourite... yet.
ARSENAL (4-4-2): De Sanctis, Lauren, Campbell, Toure, A Cole; Ljungberg, Hleb, Gilberto (Reyes), Pires (Clichy); Henry (Quincy), Bergkamp.
CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Gallas, Del Horno; Lampard, Makelele, Tiago (J Cole); Robben, Duff (Wright-Phillips); Drogba (Crespo).
MAN OF THE MATCH: John Terry (Chelsea), Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal).
OTHER RESULTS
Man Utd 3-1 Man City
(Saturday 21st August)
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
Birmingham 3-0 Middlesbrough
Charlton 0-0 Everton
Fulham 2-0 Aston Villa
Newcastle 0-0 Blackburn
Portsmouth 1-2 Sunderland
West Brom 0-2 Bolton
Wigan 3-2 West Ham
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE WEEK THREE
SHANYI'S KIND WORDS LACED WITH CRESPO'S VENOM
CHELSEA 4-0 BIRMINGHAM
Having spent the past few days exchanging pleasantries about one another, there was only likely to be one outcome in the battle between Shanyi and Steve Bruce. Chelsea, fielding what teams would consider a World XI but featured several changes from the team which beat Portsmouth and drew with Arsenal, showed that they were in no mood for mercy. Crespo, whose finishing has been disappointingly erratic, took the chance given to him of a second start of the season to claim a first half hattrick with three composed, unspectacular finishes thanks to good work from Duff, Lampard and Wright-Phillips. Gudjohnsen, whose appearances are likely to be limited this season, increased competition for Shanyi's sole striking spot with his second goal in two appearances (both from the bench) from twenty yards and out wide.
Though Chelsea occasionally looked tired, especially in the second half, though the defensive strength which has characterised their start to the season allowed for enough strong counterattacks to yield a potent scoreline and further worries for Man Utd and Arsenal.
CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho, Bridge; Lampard, Makelele, J Cole (E Gudjohnsen); Wright Phillips, Duff; Crespo (Drogba).
OTHER RESULTS
Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool
Blackburn 0-0 Wigan
Bolton 3-2 Portsmouth
Man City 0-3 West Brom
Middlesbrough 0-1 Fulham
Sunderland 0-1 Charlton
Tottenham 1-1 Newcastle
TRANSFER NEWS
Roman Abramovich's vast wads of cash weren't enough to convince Anthony Grant to stay, moving on loan to Plymouth for three months. Lenny Pidgeley is set for a similar move to either Nottm Forest, Brighton or Leicester. Rumours that the club oligarch is so distraught he's bought a new yacht are proving unfounded.
08-20-2005, 07:48 PM
Chelsea LIVE & UNCUT! The drama, the passion, the roubles! Post #17
Talented Brazilian youngster Kerlon was confirmed as a Chelsea player last night at the same press conference which saw the club announce a difficult Champions' League group. In a midfield occupied by talents such as Lampard, Essien, Makelele, Robben, Joe Cole and Duff, Kerlon is unlikely to get in the first team for a while. However, the young star (who has been given his preferred no.17 shirt) has said this doesn't disturb him and he plans to earn his place.
Speaking through a translator, Kerlon said: "There is a lot of fantastic talent at this club, and getting into the first team will be a big challenge but I plan to work hard and earn my place." When asked about working for an inexperienced manager towards whom the club's owner may or may not be attempting assassination, Kerlon was unmoved. "I am an unknown player to many people. I hope the manager, the club and I can succeed together." Manager Shanyi said, consisely, "He is a great talent and represents the future of Chelsea Football Club."
Chelsea also announced their Champions League group, just in time for Gwyn Williams to rush home and watch Joss Stone on Top of the Pops, a tough draw against Porto, Juventus and Rangers.
08-20-2005, 09:07 PM
Chelsea LIVE & UNCUT! The drama, the passion, the roubles! Post #18
A limp Manchester United side, missing Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney through injury, Cristiano Ronaldo on international duty and Rio Ferdinand to suspension among others, was comprehensively beaten by a strong Blackburn side at Old Trafford. Paul Dickov struck the away side in front, silencing the crowd, and young Paul Gallagher wrapped up the victory late on with a cool finish past van der Sar. Scholes had United's best chance, but Brad Friedel was more than equal to the long range drive. The loss leaves United nursing their wounds in fourteenth place. The once all-conquering United will be counting the days until their three Rs, Rooney, Ruud and Ronaldo, can return to action. In other news, a Manchester United spokesperson confirmed that Gary Neville's moustache has grown another millimetre. He expects full growth by age ninety six.
Man Utd (4-4-1-1): van der Sar, Brown, O'Shea, Heinze, Silvestre; A Smith, Keane, Heath, Giggs; Scholes; Saha.
If ever there was a match which epitomised the old adage that football is a game of two halves, this was probably it. Having seen Hernan Jorge Crespo and Eidur Gudjohnsen rip through Birmingham and Didier Drogba's impressive display against Portsmouth, Chelsea manager Shanyi decided, in a no doubt drug induced fit of bravado, that the best way to decide between his three competing strikers was to field them all. And Boro were the unfortunate victims, as Gudjohnsen laid Drogba on with a 30 yard ball to be calmly placed in the near post after only five minutes. Crespo then had a goal ruled out for a foul, but reversed the situation and won a penalty for Lampard to slot away before John Terry scored his first of the season from a header.
Cruising at the half, Shanyi took the chance to bring on Robert Huth and Carlton Cole, the two players with possibly the most difficult jobs at the club. Unfortunately, McClaren had obviously taken notes from former boss Sir Alex's hairdryer technique and Chelsea could barely move out of their own half. Unfortunately, the difference in quality was so evident: Morrison contrived to volley wide when faced with an open goal, Yakubu raced onto Boateng's speculative ball and beat Cech with the header but looped it over, Nemeth missed two sitters after mistakes by Huth and Ferreira respectively, Doriva fired a freekick inches over the crossbar and Cech had to tip Downing's low drive onto the post. Carlton Cole could have made the unjust scoreline a further insult had he taken his one opportunity, but instead struck the ball wide of the near post. Quality counted though, and despite their best efforts, Boro remain seated on the foot of the table while Chelsea continue their rise back to the top. Two halves, indeed.
CHELSEA (4-3-3): Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Gallas (Huth), Del Horno; Lampard, Makelele, Gudjohnsen; Crespo, Drogba (Robben), Duff (C Cole).
--- MANAGER SHANYI TO BE INTERVIEWED BY CHELSEA MAGAZINE!
Probably the best magazine in the World. Apart from Big Jobblies, but that's another story. Anyway, Chelsea manager Shanyi has agreed to partake in an interview with Chelsea magazine purely to see if anyone actually reads this **** I spend so much time writing. If anyone has any questions about his management style, transfer shortlists or if he did in fact eat your hamster, post them here and if any come in, they will be answered eventually. Shanyi promises to be candid but speculative. If anyone knows what that means, answers on a postcard.
TRANSFER NEWS
On the final day of the transfer window, Chelsea have secured the signing of Mikel John Obi for a fee of £850k (rising depending on appearances). Lenny Pidgeley has decided to go to Leicester, where he will be courted by a certain jug eared **** Jonathan Ross is secretly in love with.
08-20-2005, 09:53 PM
Chelsea LIVE & UNCUT! The drama, the passion, the roubles! Post #20
Linear Mode
