League Cup, Matches - Written by BlueChampion on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 21:33 | 1,677 Views | 68 Comments | Add Comment
Portsmouth 0-4 Chelsea | Kalou > Anelka - Any Doubts?
About 15,000 people attended the game at Fratton Park. Add to that probably few thousands who had subscribed for Chelsea TV. That’s the number of the people who could witness this game. It’s such a shame that it was not broadcast on any channel, there were no streams and heck, it wasn’t even on ChelseaTV Online! Nevertheless, let me see how much trash I can make up for a match that I didn’t see!
Most of us expected a rout and that’s what we got. Man City’s thrashing of Portsmouth has now been put into perspective. It’s less about how brilliant Man City or Chelsea were and more about how poor has Portsmouth’s defence has become. Now that’s 10 goals in 2 games past David James. Still in contention for England No.1? Capello hates conceding goals, by the way.
I expected Franco di Santo, Fabio Paim and Mineiro. Then, I later on read that Scolari interview where he had said that it will take about 2-3 weeks to see Mineiro in action. Fabio Paim wasn’t even in the subs. Franco came in for 10 minutes. I guess we were leading 2-0 at half time which is not a bad time to bring on Franco. But I think Felipao considers the pitch time for Drogba and Kalou much more important than Franco finding his feet.
The star of the show was Salomon Kalou. Right in this blog, match after match, I kept saying Kalou should start for us as the lone striker. Felipao kept the faith on Anelka who showed that he did not deserve that trust. Whereas Kalou comes in at 70 minutes against Man Utd while we are goal down, and scores the all important equaliser. In terms of skill, pace and attitude, Kalou is way above Anelka.
Tonight, Kalou scored a goal and assisted Malouda and Lampard. And he was playing as the wide right midfielder in the 4-1-4-1. Kalou can be very frustrating at times, with his wayward finishing but he is a live wire, he can create chances and can be constantly dangerous. I’m happy for Malouda too. Unlike Anelka, he has started showing a lot of desire and improvement of late. He wants to do well and it reflects in his game. It is not a coincidence that he has started assisting and scoring. He looks to be very keen to get back to his form. He puts in that effort.
Lampard scored a brace. He’s been terrific this season, especially since he signed that contract. This season in 7 matches so far, he has scored 5 goals and assisted 3 times. How cool is that? I think he has lot more to offer. I’ll bet my house on 08/09 to be a great Frank Lampard season!
I expected Drogba to get a goal or two. Not sure if he played well. At least he played for 80 minutes. Now he has played in four games since his return from injury, including that reserve game. Now I guess that’s sufficient match practice or pitch time for him to start delivering. If not, at least he should get fit enough to start and play for all 90 minutes. Franco di Santo has played for 10 minutes and Sinclair for 20 minutes.
If this match has conveyed one thing loud and clear, it is ‘Anelka Out’. Need not be from the club, but at least from the playing eleven. Let him earn the priceless first team place in Chelsea. He did not even play tonight. Why am I picking on him? I’m picking on him because he was useless and he continues to be useless and shows no promise of becoming anything other than more useless. He’s simply blocking the growth and performance of many other able players who can do a lot better than what he dishes out.
Loading ...Allright, I’m done with my Anelka rant. I’m waiting for Chelsea TV Online to put up the highlights show. I’d then watch the goals and update this blog with my impressions on the goals.
Update: Now, I’ve seen the goals. You can also see it here. The first goal was a great penalty by Lamps. But I’m still not sure if that was a foul or Ballack just dived on time. Or at best Ballack was trying to avoid an injury by just falling over. It was still not a tackle that you should do inside the box. That little chip by Lampard during the build-up was nice and sharp.
Second goal to our goalscoring machine Malouda. It came from a throw-in. The throw-in from Bridge went to Kalou who was on the line between the corner and goal. Kalou slid through a short pass to Malouda who smashed the ball along the ground with some power. That’s surely a sign of Malouda’s growing confidence. Ballack and Drogba were there inside the box, when he banged that in. And, I did see Felipao showing his middle finger when Malouda scored. Did he bet with anyone that Malouda would score?
Third goal was again good work from Kalou. He made some smart and confident dribbling and covered quite some distance on his own. He seems so comfortable threading along the line. He gave this short-chip-cross from the line which was fumbled by James only to present the man who seems to score more consistently most of the strikers in business. Lampard’s semi-intentional touch resulted in the ball hitting the net but I won’t call it lucky. Most of Lampard’s goals are because of his excellent movement and positioning. Once again, he got himself into a position from where he could net one.
The fourth goal was really bad defending from Portsmouth. A simple clearance failed and fell to Kalou inside the box. With his current form, Kalou need not have looked for other options than for himself to blast it in, which is what he did. I’ll say it again. Kalou should start. He brings so much to our game. He is always busy and he draws defenders towards him because he could dribble so well. We need him for 90 minutes. Kalou any day over Anelka.
I’ll be very keen to see the team that Felipao chooses for the Stoke match this weekend. Okay, Kalou was not fit after a fantastic Olympics. But now, he’s back fit, fine and is in form. So is Malouda. If Joe Cole is poor and inconsistent, why not try Belletti as a right winger? At least, he won’t lose possession, he would deliver some good crosses and he could tackle as well. He attacking/defensive mindedness can be adjusted according to the situation of the game. Just a thought!
68 Comments
1. churchill
2. needJOSE
for me, it a huge relief to see ivanovic plays..he is good player but due Avram Grant, ivanovic hasn’t play from january 08 until today…he has more to offer and this could also mean the end of fereira future in chelsea…
3. trueplatinum
i was never a fan of anelka but he could be utilised if we went back to either a diamond or a 4-2-2-2 formation like that of brazil which would effectively be the same principle of our formation, attacking fullbacks and wingers with a narrow central midfield but would shift accross abit more prowess to the front flank, with anelka playing off drogba, we would see much more success from him
4. xerxesk
where can see the highlights?
5. johnarejr
Dang, if y’all didn’t have too many chances to see the match over there, there was no way in the world I’d see it here in the US. Glad that Kalou had a heck of a game and that we got Minerio as well. Anelka, nope, he ain’t starting material. But, I wouldn’t get rid of him unless di Santos really shows something or Drogs is on crutches. Who knows, he could come through for us in a match or two.
The other Manchester team got knocked out by who?! “Where was Robinho?”
6. ravi
Not impressed with the team LFS started or even his tactics or should I say I did not understand .
Why did he start with Terry and Lampard. They have started all games and played near full time (except for his red card) and everyone knows their importance to the team. Last 2 seasons, we lost the title just because of their injuries. in my opinion, Frank scores 20 goals a season and also creates another 20 ..
I kind of understand why he started with Drogba and Ballack , but after 3 goals and 47 minutes, I would have one substitution Stoch or Sinclair in for Ballack . Franco should have come after probably 60 minutes, so that he has some time..
In a cup tie, a win is a win , 1-0, 4-0 or anything. But we lost an opportunity to test our young guns against a premiership opposition.
7. Adonis
BC, I could see the game on chelseatv…anyways,everyone truly was superb and especially beletti… his performance makes me question why he doesn’t start. then i remember ballack mikel lampard malouda and essien… 
he was a brazillian mikel today though. and what a superb start for ivanovics chelsea career. he is our new gallas. you heard it here first. he can play anywhere in the back and is very powerful and can go forwards. im very pleased. he made me not miss bosingwa, which is the best compliment you can give a right back… and last but not least our beast drogba is back and looking good. powerful display and always troubling for the[pathetic] portsmouth back four.
8. Adonis
“One thing’s for sure, they’ll win a trophy this season.” -Harry Redknapp
Speaking about Chelsea
9. Michael
YES! I knew Kalou would come through. Makes me even more happy that we didn’t sign robin-hoe to let this brilliant player such as Kalou the chance to shine. Drogba + Kalou will be a deadly duo in the future
10. Yousuf
SCOLARI give youngsters more chance, especially sinclair he has great speed-one thing none of our first team wingers cole and maluda have.
11. ish
playing a 4321 i think anelka, deco, kalou and j.cole should all be vying for a spot as the 2s. playing a 4222 it gives j.cole a free spot since we dont really have too many right wingers and i think every player needs the fear of being benched. a good line up would be kalou playing just off drogba and deco playing the triquestra role. ballack and lampard for support and midfield control and mikel for the dirty work.
That said how impressive has mikel been, i knew he was good but he has been improving leaps and bounds with every game. Compare him to last year and he is a new man. That and the emergence of belletti as a holding MF has really been interesting. Our depth is no longer what it used to be but its allowing many players to step up. Really want to see how sahar goes at portsmouth, sinclair and di santo go at chelsea. Chelsea has been slowly blooding youth and its working well, unlike arsenal or manU, chelsea started with a squad full of 25ish year old players or younger and thats why its been so hard for young players to steal spots, many players are still in their primes or close to.
12. BlueChampion
Quoting Adonis @ 51327
BC, I could see the game on chelseatv…
Adonis - I think you meant the real Chelsea TV on TV! In the online version of Chelsea TV it was not broadcast live. Anyways, I’m just downloading the highlights package (30mb) from tv.chelseafc.com.
13. Blabliblublu
Cant say anelka
Was scolari’s first choice striker….to him kalou was not 100% fit after the olympics…he wasnt th same kalou who starred in preseason
14. BC_ParTiZaN
Quoting xerxesk @ 51323
where can see the highlights?
You can look for the highlights here:
http://www.mightyfootball.com/
15. MoiBlue,
There is no place for monsieur anelka at chelsea.
His exit should help in more playing time for others at chelsea and we should look at replacements for Anelka and drogba as well, since he seems to lose his confidence. We may not be in a position to rely completely on drogba this season.
kalou, sinclar, di santo from the bench or may be our sulk + 25m euros for huntelaar, or gomez or luis fabiano are perfect choices.
16. Jo
this is gr8 man…ivanovic make his debut at last…i hope he and bridge will have more playing time esp in carling and fa cup…di santo to..maybe belleti should convert to midfield aso ivanovic ferriera will have more playing time…malouda is getting better and better….hope he has the confidence to dribble past defenders nw…
17. BuildChelsea
I can’t believe i missed the match….i tried looking for links but couldn’t get any…Portsmouth ’s defending is hilarious ……..glad to see Ivanovic finally playing…..and as for Kalou , he should definitely be in the starting eleven…I’m really happy for Malouda , always knew he was a good winger…
18. BLUE 4 LIFE
Anelka should be ousted from starting line up.Beating a team like Pompey who r always strong at home so convincingly tells te emergence of new Chelsea.Playing fearless soccer with a strong defense.This season i think they should aim 4 Quadruple.Blues 4 life
19. CJ - 16yrs Blues Fan
I’ve just watched the goals of the game via:
http://www.eplmatches.com/index.php/2008/09/24/portsmouth-vs-chelsea-carling-cup-highlights/
(there are some links for the full match but was faulty at buffering it so I’ll wait……)
It was another sweet and direct play from Chelsea but it also shows Pompey’s awful defending… but never the less, we got our victory…. and Marched on Chelsea!!!
But I must admit that I’m a little (tiny little) disappointed with the starting lineup. I can find excuses for playing Lampard (on fire and would like to keep it BURNING), Malouda (starting the fire), Didier (need match practice) but not for Ballack and Cech!!! Cudicini should have started as he does need to feel the sense of “needed”. Ballack should be rested (and not match fit) as we do need to protect our already trimmed midfield squad. But hey, who am I to critic as we won the game hands down without adding beds in our sickbay so I’m happy with a tiny disappointment. Kalou is starting to remind me alot of Eidur Gudjohnsen as he is there and ready everytime being called upon and his undoubtful commitment while wearing the Chelsea jersey made me proud, salute to the boy!!!
I can’t wait to see how LFS will counter Stokes’ die hard defending.
20. serbin
Please stop blaming Grant for everything. The guy has left. Leave him alone now. I personally think that Ivanovic should leave Chelsea. He should not waste his potential on the bench.He would be a starter in any other team in the world.It’s clear that Scolari is relying heavily on Brazillians and Portuguese players regardless of their quality. He’s just brought in Mineiro who is 34 and been released by Hertha . If he’s been released by Hertha Berlin then what can Chelsea expect from him?
21. CFCIR
Scolari must sell anelka and buy luis fabiano in jan. anelka is not a chelsea player. kalou is a great talent at chelsea and he could be our drogba but a bit faster and wiser. he can score lots of goals this season.
22. vijayanil
Fortunately, I just tuned ESPN and to my surprise Chelsea already 2-0, What a Match that was to witness, though it was onesided through out the game. It was wonderful to experience the moments.
Vijay Anil
23. CJ - 16yrs Blues Fan
Great unbeaten run and I think the team confidence is getting back. I’m happy with the results but at the same time, I’m slightly disappointed with the starting line up. I can fully understand fielding Lampard (on FIRE, keep it BURNING), Malouda (getting the fire started), Didier (need match practice) but why Cech and Ballack!!! Cudicini should have started as he needs to be needed for him to stay and I must say, it is REAL HARD to find another GREAT KEEPER playing second choice for so many seasons. Disappointed. Second, exposing Ballack to a cup match when he is not fully recover/fit will backfire to our already trimmed midfield squad. But hey, who am I to criticize…. the team came back with a big victory, no new beds needed at sickbay, a debut for Ivan, the return of Scotty. I’m just glad……………. but with a tiny little disappointment, that’s all… just a tiny little one.
24. Adonis
Quoting BlueChampion @ 51342
Quoting Adonis @ 51327
BC, I could see the game on chelseatv…
Adonis - I think you meant the real Chelsea TV on TV! In the online version of Chelsea TV it was not broadcast live. Anyways, I’m just downloading the highlights package (30mb) from tv.chelseafc.com.
I saw it it on tv.chelseafc.com at 10 London time.
25. bluefan #1
i saw the game. malouda and kalou was superb. very good performance from belleti lampard to. drogba started good with a great shot just passed the post. he is coming back. ivanovic was good to but he dont have the speed and the mind of a good right back as bosingwa. think he would do better playing center defense with carv or terry. balack is allso getting quick feet and is getting back to reguilar fittnes. brigde was really good in the forward playing last night. a grat sub for ashley. im glad to se that malouda and kalou are finding their game cause we need forwards.
26. Adonis
Something to watch this season… Is Drogba ever going to be back to his form from the season before last? He showed it for a run of two or three games last year… Against Arsenal and then Liverpool at home in the CL Semis… But is the Golden Boot Drogba ever coming back?
The signs are encouraging, if we go by last night’s game. Sure, he didn’t score, but he was immensely powerful, moved intelligently, and interacted well with the team. Whether he’s got his scoring touch or not as of yet is besides the point: I can do better than the man he’s replacing. He’s certainly still part of the tried, true, battle-tested Chelsea spine.
But, on the other hand, he’s in his thirties already, two years past what is generally a footballer’s prime. Sure, he came on late, but with a big frame and so much effort put forth each match, and being the pinpoint of Chelsea’s spear-like formation, will his body last for much longer?
I love Drogba, I believe he’ll be one of the best strikers in the world for the next couple of seasons, but will the injuries keep piling up, and thus the goals per game ratio decrease??
Just a little something to watch…
27. Oh My Blue,
Quoting BC_ParTiZaN @ 51346
Quoting xerxesk @ 51323
where can see the highlights?
You can look for the highlights here:
http://www.mightyfootball.com/
Just going through the link, did u guys check out the second goal by Van der vaart in last weekends game against sporting gijuon . Looked very cheeky and requires great skill. Robben also seemed to have a good game.
28. xerxesk
I was so mad Paulo Ferreira didnt play!
29. Pensioner
Well done Chelsea.
30. serbin
I am very disappointed with Chelsea. You have not filed a complaint to FIFA regarding 1-year-suspension of your young player Rajkovic. Only Serbian FA has done it. And most likely our appeal will be turned down because we are not that influential.
31. moyo
Who the hell is miniero and why tht fvck did we sign him?
From what i gathered, he is a 32/34 year old brazilian midfielder who was released by Hertha Berlin. What is a 34 year old player released (for free) by Hertha berlin going to do to help our midfield. I like Scolari but I think he is making some wrong choices. He seems to be interested in just portugese and brazilians.
What the hell was paulo ferreira doing on the bench against portsmouth? Has he even played a game this season?
32. owonatty
@30 Moyo
Minerio is a stop gap for the space of essien in the midfield till the end of season. Try and understand that. He signed a short term contract. He has a lot of exprience and still played for brazil national team last year.
33. bluefan #1
mikel is better than miniero. and we have beletti who did a good job taking essiens role last knigt, and ivanovic gibe him a chanse. im with u moyo. why is scolari just bringing portguise and brazilien players. dont he watch other players. we dont nees miniero. we had makelele. diddnt scolari tink that essien might get injured, and why sell makelele in that case.
34. owonatty
@32
What if there is an injury to either Mikel or Ballack (or both at the same time, is it impossible?) Belleti can play the position too but not like Mikel or Essien. Thats why we need another midfielder and I believe Minerio is a good buy with a lot of experience
35. Adonis
At 30 and 32: why are you complaining? He’s a free signing, he’s experienced, and he is a good guy in the locker-room from what Big Phil is saying about him. He’s won the world cup and is a good defensive midfielder. What’s the problem?! He’s a bit more cover in case we have more injuries. Settle down, calm down, it’s a good thing.
36. CFCIR
scolari is a intelligent man . he should play di santo/ivanovic/sinclair against stoke city.
37. denver
Guys im soooo happy IVANOVIC got to play the full 90 mins!!
BC I have said it too Kalou must start…. he is much better than J.Cole now you see just a glimpse of what Malouda can do !!
38. mcurto
Better safe than sorry.As you guys will find out Scolari doesnt risk more than he knows he can.Mineiro is not a replacement for Essien, hes a rotation player for Mikel.
Just how many decent free agents playing defensive midfield do you think there are in the market?Hes a great player for the role Scolari wants him.
Scolari is just covering his ass.The same way I think hes trying to settle team avoiding too many changes at once trying to open a gap in the table so he can safely put fringe/youngsters to play.So far so good, and hes putting pressure on rivals and may i say it: some fear.Oposing teams will have to allways put their best 11 on field, even after internacionals (being most afected Chelsea,MU and to some extent Arsenal/Liverpool) or even in cup games.
By December there should be some tranquility and Chelsea will be on cruise speed…thats when European Schedules are more important.
39. denver
35. CFCIR … your damn right man !!! i agree 100%
this season is the season for youth !!!
40. xerxesk
Paulo Ferreira deserves better then this.
41. denver
39. xerxesk yeah i know …. thats just football…. for real though…. he must be a bit uncomfortable
42. Nihongo Blue
i think its more of a players willing to play .. no ones place is safe in the team !!! 
especially terry .
43. xerxesk
in the portsmouth match, out back line should look like
Bridge-Ivanovic-Alex-Paulo Ferreira
44. KG
i so disagree with having Ferreira back in the squad. as far as im concern, his Chelsea days are numbered. besides, he’s way inferior compared to both Bosingwa and Ivanovic. sell him or let him leave for all i care. and having Mineiro is good cover. with essien out for a whole big part of the season, we cant afford to leave the squad too damn dry.
45. CJ - 16yrs Blues Fan
All-in-all, I think most of us are overlooking the important role Terry is to the lineup. Yes, I agree that Terry the Defender Center looks ordinary if not below average as compares to the likes of Alex and Ricardo. This workrate is below-par and his error prone has cost us a few unnecessary goals. But you must understand that Terry the Captain is still very much needed in despair times which we have yet to experience this early of the season. Not even in the ManUtd games that we needed Terry to step up as we were in control of the midfield and most of the play were in ManUtd’s half. I personally felt that despite Lampard being the deputy, Frank is at best playing Deputy and doing his thing knowing that he has got Terry to do the shouting. Don’t get me wrong, Frank is more than capable of wearing the “C” band but it will also holds him back slightly as he needs to carry the entire team with him throughout the game. So please do look at Terry as the whole package rather than just another DC. When he is back on form (which I sure he will), he is sure to be playing a key role in CFC success.
46. sam
an
47. stan
chelsea attack shuld look like this
malouda—-drogba——kalou
mikel always better than essien in the holding role (essien is more offensive) belleti shuld act as a cover
ivancovic as utility in the defence
fereirra can go (is too slow, easily beaten, and causes penalty sumtimes)
joe as a sub
anelka reserve
48. Blues_Godson
i just saw the goals and i think we’re really doing good…really impressive…i hope and pray that we feild the young ones against stoke over the weekend…..we really need that…pleasee LFS
49. bluefan #1
@ 34. im saying if we bring in miniero he will take in charge when essien is away and the players we allready have still has to sit on the bench. i would like to se players like ivanovic, belleti, mikel, alex play that role. the players we allready have. all im saying is that i dont belive we need him. and im possitive that if miniero wasnt brazilian and was still playing the same he wouldnt play for uss now. he plays in chelsea cause he is brazilian and thats wrong.
50. Blue Dominos
Quoting bluefan #1 @ 51492
@ 34. im saying if we bring in miniero he will take in charge when essien is away and the players we allready have still has to sit on the bench. i would like to se players like ivanovic, belleti, mikel, alex play that role. the players we allready have. all im saying is that i dont belive we need him. and im possitive that if miniero wasnt brazilian and was still playing the same he wouldnt play for uss now. he plays in chelsea cause he is brazilian and thats wrong.
Hey.. When you are to sign a free agent, you dont get much time to work with them and analyse n then draft into the squad.. What LFS did was find a cover whom he knows only quite too well.. so wat if he is from Brazil or India !!! As long as we get a quality cover, its not bad.. I wudnt have a problem if he gets more brazilians in the future.. Abs. not !!! Anywes, a player who played in the Brazil national team just over a yr ago, cant be that bad !!! So cheers mate !!
51. Mike Ayad
this should be our line up against stoke:
———————————————cech—————————————
bosingwa——————alex———————terry————————–cole
—————————————–mikel——————————————
——————————-ballack————lampard——————————-
—————kalou———————————————-malouda——————-
—————————————-drogba————————————————
stoke 0-2 chelsea
kalou,ballack
anelka should be gone. if we can get anything for him that would be great, but we should just let him go. outside the friendly vs. milan, he has been nothing but trouble for the club. i say sell him.
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