Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Malouda, Lampard, Deco, Anelka, Drogba. Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, Joe Cole, Zhirkov, Kalou, Sturridge, Belletti. Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Petrov, Milner, Sidwell, Ashley Young, Carew, Agbonlahor. Subs: Guzan, Delph, Heskey, Reo-Coker, Shorey, Beye, Gardner. The game is on ESPN2 at 7:45 ET. ESPN just goofed on Villa's formation, putting Cuellar and Milner on the left and Warnock and Young on the right.
The game is slightly delayed apparently because the 4th ref has the flu. I think Collins/Dunne will have their hands full with Anelka/Drogba so Brad should have a busy day.
Bosingwa lucky not to give away a penalty for a challenge on Agbonlahor. Drogba goal from long distance. The ball bounced in front of Friedel and he should have blocked it away. 1-0 Chelsea in the 16th minute.
And Drogba scores from about 35-40 out. Friedel couldn't handle the knuckling shot that ducked down and bounced right in front of him.
Looking at the replays, it looked like Bosingwa took out Agbonlahor's plant leg as he was about to shoot. Friedel should have stopped the Drogba shot. The game is wide open right now.
Wow - Martin O'Neill gets wiped out on the sideline by a falling Anelka...gotta keep you head up, coach!
Richard Dunne equalizes. That's the 2nd game in a row he scored. Lampard flicked it right to him off a corner.
1-1 HT. Both teams are attacking and have had spells of pressure, Villa ended the 1st half pushing for a 2nd. Good game so far.
2-1 Collins with a header off a corner. Chelsea pushing to equalize in the 54th minute. Terry threw a fit because Collins was totally unmarked.
Friedel with a great save on Deco, who was in behind the defense. Another good save moments later on a powerful Malouda shot.
BBC makes it sound like Friedel made a pretty bad error on the Chelsea goal: A goal out of nothing for Chelsea but Brad Friedel won't be happy with being beaten like that. Didier Drogba turns neatly and fires in a speculative shot from 30 yards out - the ball bounces awkwardly in front of the Villa goalkeeper and he cannot stop it flying past him.
This is back and forth stuff. Carew had a great chance he couldn't quite get ahold of and Anelka with a great chance but hits it right at Friedel. Still 2-1 in the 76th. I'd be surprised if that's the final score though.
2-1 FT Brad more than made up for his previous error. Villa defended well but Friedel had to make some tough saves.
Didn't see it but It kind of sounds like when they say 'Friedel won't be happy' they're referring to Freidel's own high standards of keeping. He's recognized as one of the EPL's very best.
Saw it well - this was a long range shot that dipped but Friedel should have had it - he knows it - everybody knew it .... but as said in match report - he atoned for his error - stoned Chelsea the second half .... Martin Oneill is an excellent manager.
Despite the mistake on the Drogba goal, Brad Friedel today was largely responsible for Villa taking three points against a top 4 team. He earned his paycheck today.