League Cup, Matches - Written by BlueChampion on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 5:53 | 1,004 Views | 29 Comments | Add Comment
Everton vs Chelsea | 23-Jan-08 @ 20:00 UK
Let’s get ready to reach the second league cup final in two years. After the Spurs completely outplayed and outclassed Arsenal for a brilliant 5-1 win, we should be wary of how different things can be in the second leg. But I don’t see Chelsea losing with a 4-goal margin even without a goalkeeper.
Injury news to start with. Official Chelsea website reports that SWP might have a chance to play in this match though Guardian reports otherwise. In all the injury fiasco at Chelsea over the last season and this one, SWP has been the only player who never sat out because of injury. That’s as much as I can remember! Lampard looked like recovering but got something done to himself to keep him out for about two weeks. Terry would be available only after 3 weeks.
This is what Avram had to say about this match:
If you come only to defend, you can make a mistake and you have lost the game on just one mistake. And also that has not been our style for the last three months and I do not believe you can come for one game and play differently. Maybe you can play differently by 10 per cent but not totally differently. Until now we have played the same in away games as in home games. Sometimes it has not worked but most of the time it has. We will not change our system or our style. I believe Everton feel more comfortable to play at home but for us it is the same.
I agree. Only correction is ‘that has not been our style in many many seasons’ and not just last three months. To play defensively in the second leg away from home, is never a good idea. I think we should treat it like the first leg.
They play tactically very well, score goals and they know how to defend well. It is difficult to play against them and they will fight for a place in the Champions League. In the first leg we were very good until the sending-off of Mikel. We scored a goal, we had more chances, then came the sending-off. Everton equalised, they had one more very good chance to score but then we came back into the game. I can be happy for that result but I can be unhappy because of the sending-off. We could have had a bigger advantage than we have now.
Everton should certainly fancy their chances for a champions league spot. With Liverpool on a downward spiral, it could be contest among the red, Everton, Man City and may be Pompey. Frankly, I was expecting to read the ‘Rafa sacked’ news this morning when I opened the BBC website. He fights to live another day. With so much uncertainty around his position and his relationship with the owner, it’s certainly not comfortable and his concentration levels are going to be hit. We’ve seen this one before, we should know.
Back to this match and Avram’s quote above. We have never been lucky with the yellows and reds. If you make a compilation of all the red cards that were given to Chelsea players over the last few seasons, I guess only half them could be reasonable. In the first leg, we were helped by a Lescott own goal and I don’t think we expect any such favours in this leg, purely going by the law of averages. If he does that again, let’s give him karma :-)
Michael Ballack has sounded some very confident words ahead of the match:
I think it will be another difficult game because we know for Everton this is their chance to play in a final this year, and they know this and so I think they will give everything to go to the final. But we know that and we will as well, because we are the holders and it is also a big motivation for us. It would be good to be in the final again. We want to go to the final, so you have to take your chance. Every player is ready.
Now, that’s a captain-speak! As always, we respect every competition and we would take this cup pretty seriously as well. I would expect Avram to field a strong team. Anyone thinks Cech should be rested (dropped?) because of his recent performance? I think he is still the best out there and should start. That need not stop us from genuinely resting Cech and allowing Carlo to play.
The back four could be same set of guys - Alex, Belletti, Carvalho and Ashley Cole/Wayne Bridge. Tony Glover says, based on some confident sources, that Bridge has been allowed by Chelsea to have discussions with Newcastle. Liverpool or Newcastle, I get the feeling that he won’t be around with us next month. If he really goes I’d thoroughly disappointed and I know that I’ve said this a few times already. Ivanovic is available and eligible to play in this match. I’m sure we’ll see him for a short period but I’m just curious to see where he plays, if he comes in.
I’d play a 4-3-3. Despite his goal, I won’t pick Pizarro, simply because he has no role to play in a 4-3-3. He would be more suited for 4-3-1-2 or 4-3-2-1, where we play with strong midfielders instead of wingers. The easy choice would be Anelka supported by Malouda and Joe Cole on the wings. Sinclair might be on the bench and play his usual 5 minute cameo at the end. Poor him!
The midfield should have captain Ballack, Makelele and SWP, if available, Sidwell otherwise. Or else, I would even try Wayne Bridge on the left midfield, if we want to be attack-minded and kill the game. I hope we don’t get into the mess of 4-2-3-1 again as our current set of players can’t actually excel in this formation right now.
On Everton’s side the key men, Cahill and Arteta would be available and would naturally start. At least McFadden won’t be there as he is with Birmingham now. They would be missing Yakubu and Yobo as they’re on international duty at the African Cup. BlueWinner has taken the pains to write his African Cup report. Makes a nice read.
Remember, if the scores are level at the end of the second leg, extra time is played. If the scores are still level after extra time, the team which has scored more away goals qualifies for the final. If the number of away goals is level a penalty shootout is used to decide the winners.
No extra time, no penalties. Another 2-1 for Chelsea.
29 Comments
1. Maysam
2. Nihongo Blue
Our away form has been far from satisfactory . we were never good at blackburn, fulham or even recently at birmingham city. Moreover everton will put in everything to win the only trophy they have a chance. Expect it to be a fierce battle.
I am not sure maka can play effectively after the no midfield game at birmingham city in such short period considering his fitness and ear operation.. but without him we have no other choice.
I expect him to play first half and then subbed at half time with sidwell.
i think grant will start farriera and A.Cole and not balletti and bridge in this match.
pizzarro to partner anelka in 4-1-3-2 .
I have no prediction for this match .
3. bestboyvijay
going by the law of averages maybe this time it might be Anelka’s turn to score. this will lift his confidence and ours as well. hope we dont have a poor second half. iwant the chelsea of JM era in the second half. even the tops teams in europe dreaded chelsea’s second half. if we can put in a great show may be spurs will be shivering in their boots. 0-1 to the blues…..
4. king blues
i go with BC 2-1 to chelsea
5. Maysam
@Nihongo Blue :
pizzarro to partner anelka in 4-1-3-2 . , I don’t think he does so , becasue we only have two ready strikers ,the rest are injured so it is not a good idea to start with both of them . but u never know maybe Avram chose both of them to surprise Everton .
6. BlueChampion
Maysam
I’ve sent you an email and expecting your response.
7. israeli
I got the feeling today is ballack ’s day
he was prety bad last game but tonight he will carry the team
2-1 chelsea
one by Pizz one by ballack
8. israeli
BC
how are you ?
any way to upload pictuers with a post ?
9. JH
Oh no, this electrifying yellow away kit is not a good sign for us. I hope we do try to put on the third away kit instead. (Call me superstitious).
No prediction either. Fingers crossed. Hope I can wake up at 4am for this match.
10. Owonatty
My Lineup and Prediction
———————-Cech—————————-
Fereira———Alex——Calvaho———AshelyCole
——————–Makalele—————————–
————SWP——————Ballack————-
JoeCole——————————————-Malouda
————————Anelka—————————-
Subs: Cudicini, Wayne Bridge, Pizzaro, Sinclair and Sidwell
If SWP is not fit then WayneBridge can be deployed there at the left hand side of the midfield supporting the attack. Anelka should stay as a lone striker and stop roaming about like the last match, where none of the 3 attacking players ( JC, Malouda and Anelka ) didnt know where exactly to play to upfront. Only SWP ( if played) should play free role. And wingers should be changing wings as the game goes on.
Prediction: I am hoping for a win or a score draw. 2-1, 1-1 or 2-2
Up Blues
11. used2gonwatchcfc
Tonight will not be easy, but chelsea will go through.
Regarding Avram’s comments in the press about Everton,
what a prat, he should have a bit more respect about other
clubs and managers, did he learn that with JM?, after all
in my opinion Moyes is a more acomplished manager than avram
has been doing very well in everton without the money tha avram
has.
12. blueboy
are u kidding me? as if AG is gona field a full strength squad in a carling cup game. expect to see the subs playing and hopefully AG is smart enuf to give sinclair a start. if we dont play the youngsters now, they will only very slowly grow in the reserves, which is not a good sign.
cudicini
ferreira carvalho benhaim bridge
makelele
sidwell ballack
j.cole sinclair
pizarro
subs: hilario ivanovic malouda swp anelka
13. king blues
cudicini
ferriera ben alex bridge
ivanovic
sidwell ballack
joe
sinclair pizarro
14. israeli
used2gonwatchcfc
If only you did not forget your daily pills
Then we wouldn’t read your stupidities here
15. bluewinner
I’ll give AG some, grudging, credit. He did manage to be mildly amusing during his last presser. I still hate the backhanding of JM when he gets a chance but maybe, slowly, he is getting better.
Chelsea through 3-1.
16. Owonatty
Until I see the lineup 30 minutes to the match then I can be able to predict perfectly. I am just having a feeling that we might not get through to the final. I do not know why but hand crossed. A surprise will definitely occur but i do not know which way.
Go Go Go Blues Army
17. bluesluv
—–Cech——
Ferreira—Alex–Cahrvallo—Ivankovic-
————-Makalele——–
———–Ballack————-SWP
Malouda————
———————Sinclair
————Anelka
we should win this , just to show that we have a backbone, unlike arsenal
18. blufan nr:1
————–cech—————–
ivanovic/ferrera——–alex—–carvalho——ashly
belleti——sidwell/ivanovic——balack—-malouda
———sinclair/j.cole——————————–
—————————-anelka———————
i wanna se how belleti plays mid, and i wanna se how ivanovic plays. ashly and cech needs to play more because i feel they havnt had enough time lately. anelka needs more time to play to, he just came. wanna se how malouda plays in the mid and not like a striker cause he is a good crosser and passer plus he can play good enough defense. he is a great left back defender makes a team go allot forward and he is fast so he can run back to.
19. Maysam
BC, I answered yuor mail ,
I was busy so I answered late .
blufan nr:1 : nice line up .
20. BlueFan nr:1
give me good karma then. hahaha
21. SH.IBRAHIMI
why Ballack is not even in bench??
22. Owonatty
Official Team Line Up
Chelsea are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation as follows:
1 Petr Cech
35 Juliano Belletti
33 Alex
5 Ricardo Carvalho
18 Wayne Bridge
24 Shaun Wright-Phillips
4 Claude Makelele (c)
9 Steve Sidwell
10 Joe Cole
39 Nicolas Anelka
15 Florent Malouda
Subs: 23 Carlo Cudicini, 20 Paulo Ferreira, 22 Tal Ben-Haim, 3 Ashley Cole, 14 Claudio Pizarro
Only God knows what happen to Ballack.
With this team lineup finger crossed
23. Den
0-0 at half time, Anelka has had some chances
24. israeli
yes yes yes
1-0 chelsea
25. SH.IBRAHIMI
i’m very pleased with the win and i think we play a good game .. Anelka had some good chances and hit the bar once but i have to say that i’m very very impressed with Carvalho he’s with no doubt one of the best central defenders in the world today .. looking forward to Wigan game .. Goo Blues ..
26. israeli
When your plan for the game is changing with every day that passes, when your injury list is getting longer and longer, when your midfield is totally gone .when your coming to play at Goodison park, you would think all odds are against you
But the best tactical game I sow in a long time gave us the win ,more then that it could have been 3 -1 or 4-1 easy
Even when Everton looked like they dominate some of the time it was very mistaken Chelsea looked so patients like they know exactly what to do , when to go up when to go back and wait for them,
We sow a well managed team very organized with lots of spirit
We could have sting more
27. Den
ivanovic should make his debut against readind as belletti is suspended
28. blufan nr:1
CHELSEAAAAAAAAA
29. Owonatty
The match was wonderful. I can say the best performance so far under AG. Petr Cech worth 100 million pounds. Everyone of the players did well more surprisingly Sidwell. Anelka is world class . Chelsea through to Wembley courtesy of Joe Cole well taken goal, thanks to a beautiful pass from Malouda. I think the stability at the defence is coming back to normal . Up Blues
Tot. humbled Arsenal 5-1 , and we won Tott. before so we are favor to win the cup , but first we have to beat Evertn .
Everton is very good at setpieces , like free kicks and corner kicks and unfortunatly we are not good at defending them . so I do not think we can acheive cleen sheet .
———————-Cech———————–
Bellett——–Alex—–Carvaliho——Bridge-
———————-Makelele—————–
—————-Ballack–Sidwell—————–
Cole————————————Malouda
———————-Anelka———————
Chelsea 1-1 Everton
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