11/13/04 Matchday 13: Fulham v. Chelsea FC [R]

Any word on injuries from the Newcastle match? Terry fit to play?

 

Should be an interesting derby, but honestly we should outclass them. 3-0 to us, with Robben again providing the spark.

 

Chelsea have doubts over midfielder Joe Cole and goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who are both suffering with a minor illness and high temperatures. So I think Terry is fit, but with Gallas and Carvhallo if there is any doubt we can always rest the lad. Alexei Smertin is doubtful as he is trying to shake off a groin problem which ruled him out of the midweek Carling Cup win over Newcastle. Drogba is still out.

Manager Jose Mourinho will await a report tomorrow before deciding whether to include them in his squad.

My guess is:
-----------------Cech
Ferriera---Carvhallo---Terry---Bridge
--------------Makalele-------------
------Lampard---------Parker*
Robben-----------------Duff
-----------Eidur

* Parker? Nah, I meant to say Tiago Jose will pick Tiago

 

That is the lineup I fully expect to see tomorrow morning.

 

I like your outlook on the game.

I think it'll be ahard fought, extremely physical game.Wouldn't be surprised if there's a red card in this one too be honest.
Really can't see us banging in 3 against them and i bet that little shit Cole scores against us - again!

1-2 the Chelsea.

 

Referee:
Uriah Rennie (Sheffield) is taking charge of his seventh Premiership match of the season, and first involving either of these sides.

Fulham are set to be without Claus Jensen & Collins John. meh.

i'm hoping one of the lads tackles the hell out of Radzinski.

 

I'll be missing the match on here as I get to experience the FA Cup match between Leyton Orient and Dagenham & Redbridge. Should be a good atmosphere seeeing as its a cup match.

I am feeling a 3-1 to us today. Come on Chelsea!

 

Let me know if anyone wants commentary - I think I can do it today.

 

any updated speculations on arrival of joaquin or other players to chelsea in jan window? really hope chelsea make a move for joaquin... im sure we can afford him and im sure he'll be a gem...

 

Strong team going out today.

-------Cech---------

Ferriera - Terry - Carvalho - Gallas

Smertin - Makelele - Lampard

Robben - Gudjohnson - Duff

CC
WB
MK
RH
T

Like the line up.

Off to the telly in a bit...

Interestingly Bridge is on the bench to make way for Gallas - thats becoming a bit of a habit, not too sure i like it really.
Glad to see smertin in the line up, i think he'll be needed in this game, get the feeling it'll be a rather tough (physical) game.

 

Yeah that worries me too. Bridge had a slow start last season as well though. It is the dilema of having the 3 brilliant CB's.

This does seem to be the favoured Jose line-up though. Maybe Drogba for Eidur (though Jose won't rush him back and Eidur is having some great form). Kezman will get some minutes today and he'll have to make them count as Drogba is returning. Parker is the understudy for the Makalele DM role that seems pretty clear now. Smertin, Geremi and Tiago battle it out for the other midfield spot. which is a different role to the DM spot etc

btw - Robben only 20, but he looks about 45 whats all that about then?

Also, Clan, I don'thave an answer for the badge trivia question, my brain is still working on it though

 

Sorry bout the delay - I was having router issues with my laptop (two TVs and two computers - what a problem!)

5' Lampard with a great header that Crossley just pushes away, but corner comes to nothing.

 

In prior action, Radzinski and Cole lashed shots high and wide, although it'd have taken something special from those ranges. Robben just can't quite get away, and his touch is a bit heavy.
Terry nearly runs the entire length of the pitch to put it in! Wide though. 7'

 

9' Some great stuff from Chelsea, but Duff's final cross is poor, and right to Crossley. Malbranque with a cross, but Terry has enough time to just chest it down.
10' Chelsea not paying attention, as a ball from Robben should really have had more people go after it in the Fulham box.

 

12' Miscommunication between Duff and Gallas, as we're still trying to get into the flow of the game.
Robben looks like he got taken out, but Volz goes unpunished. Robben is furious with Rennie - he has to be careful.

 

13' on the counter, Robben skins Volz, but Crossley saves. Maybe a cross would have been better. Gallas shanks his cross out of play.

 

14' Gallas seems to have miscommunications on the left, but Fulham gift it back. Robben has a shot but its saved again.

 

17' its all Chelsea possession, but Robben can't quite control a long ball, Fulham reprieve.

 

18' Robben with another nice run after interplay with Gallas, but a completely free onrushing Smertin drags it wide.

 

19' Fulham haven't had any possession in our end in ages. Robben squares it to Gudjohnsen after a great run and Eidur has a free shot from the middle of the box and he just puts it wide. (Might have come off a knee.) Really should have scored.

 

21' Terry dithers on the ball, and loses it, but Carvalho cleans up easily. Still, John had better be careful; he's not a forward.
Duff wins it back though after a foul, as Chelsea have a throw way up on the right side of the pitch, but its back to Terry.

 

23' Some nice play by Fulham sees Makelele bring down Malbranque, and get a yellow in the process. Malbranque might have been away, so its not a bad card to take, really.
Malbranque wastes the FK high.

 

25' Some awkwardness for Gallas on the left again. We're getting sloppy in midfield.

 

26' Fulham had some possession, but Carvalho muscles Cole off the ball.