Hughes: The best Torres can hope for at Blues is fourth
Published 23:00 12/02/11
By Alex Shaw
(http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/match-centre/article692515.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/Fernando+Torres-Chelsea+cropped)
Mark Hughes reckons Chelsea won't catch leaders Manchester United now – and believes the best £50m striker Fernando Torres can hope for is qualifying for the Champions League.
Fulham boss Hughes, who has played for the Blues and United: "It's difficult to see if Chelsea can win the title now.
"But they do need to get into the Champions League as it's huge for them. I am sure, in time, Torres will have a bigger impact."
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-boss-writes-off-Chelsea-s-title-hopes-article696691.html#ixzz1Dn2266mq (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Fulham-boss-writes-off-Chelsea-s-title-hopes-article696691.html#ixzz1Dn2266mq)
Roy reckons Baggies will be easier to save than Fulham
Published 23:00 12/02/11
By Ralph Ellis
(http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/pictures/article582873.ece/ALTERNATES/gallery-large/Liverpool-Roy-Hodgson-Manchester-United-Sir-Alex-Ferguson)
Roy Hodgson believes West Brom's squad is better than the Fulham side he took over then saved from relegation three years ago.
The 63-year-old starts work properly at The Hawthorns tomorrow morning after being named as the replacement to Roberto Di Matteo.
Hodgson, sacked just five weeks ago by Liverpool, made only a brief statement about his new job following his appointment on Friday because the club wanted to keep their focus on yesterday's home game with West Ham.
But a friend said: "Roy is delighted about getting this job because he feels it will give him an immediate opportunity to restore his reputation as a top coach.
"Everybody knows what a difference he made when he took over at Fulham, but on that occasion he was appointed before the January window closed so he had a chance to sign players he knew such as Brede Hangeland.
"This time he felt it wasn't a problem to take over even though the window was shut because the squad is already more than good enough to stay up."
Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Roy-Hodgson-reckons-West-Brom-will-be-easier-to-save-than-the-Fulham-team-he-steered-clear-from-relegation-three-years-ago-article696057.html#ixzz1Dn2O2qbf (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Roy-Hodgson-reckons-West-Brom-will-be-easier-to-save-than-the-Fulham-team-he-steered-clear-from-relegation-three-years-ago-article696057.html#ixzz1Dn2O2qbf)
Chelsea's Abramovich targets Arsenal's new chief scout after bagging Torres and Luiz
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 10:36 PM on 12th February 2011
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is continuing his regeneration of the club following the £75million signing of Fernando Torres and David Luiz by trying to poach Arsenal's chief scout Steve Rowley.
And Dutch legend Marco van Basten is also being considered as a potential replacement if manager Carlo Ancelotti is sacked at the end of the season.
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/12/article-0-0C518782000005DC-507_306x423.jpg)
On the hunt: Abramovich has his eye on Arsenal's chief scout Steve Rowley
But it is Chelsea's pursuit of Rowley, responsible for a string of signings, including Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen, which will alarm their London rivals.
Rowley's record is unparalleled in England, with a string of young players joining Arsene Wenger's side after being recommended by his scouting network.
Players such as Alex Song Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy were all unearthed as youngsters and signed for small amounts.
Chelsea now want Rowley to do the same job for them after director of football Frank Arnesen leaves in the summer. Stamford Bridge is undergoing something of a revolution since Abramovich took a direct interest again with the big Torres and Luiz deals.
Van Basten is a leading candidate to take over if Chelsea's indifferent form continues. They travel to neighbours Fulham tomorrow, needing a victory to maintain their position as Champions League qualifiers.
Van Basten, one of the greatest strikers ever then Holland's coach at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008, put himself in the frame by declaring his readiness to return after a two-year break since quitting Ajax.
He said: 'I am thinking about a nice big club abroad. It's logical for me.
'I have been manager of the national team and Ajax and once you've done those jobs it's awkward to manage another club in Holland.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356441/Chelseas-Abramovich-targets-new-chief-scout-bagging-Torres-Luiz.html#ixzz1Dn3WzMNF (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356441/Chelseas-Abramovich-targets-new-chief-scout-bagging-Torres-Luiz.html#ixzz1Dn3WzMNF)
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/02/13/bobby-zamora-edging-nearer-to-a-return-to-the-first-team-at-craven-cottage-102039-22918416/ (http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/02/13/bobby-zamora-edging-nearer-to-a-return-to-the-first-team-at-craven-cottage-102039-22918416/)
Bobby Zamora edging nearer to a return to the first team at Craven Cottage
Feb 13 2011
by Dean Jones, The People
(http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/people3/feb2011/3/6/zamora-main-164694640.jpg)
BOBBY ZAMORA will play another friendly behind closed doors this week to see if he can make his Fulham comeback in the FA Cup fifth round at home to Bolton or Wigan next Sunday.
The striker has been targeting a Premier League game against Manchester City at the end of the month but could return sooner if he convinces Mark Hughes he is ready.
Zamora – out for five months following a broken leg – played 45 minutes against Brighton in midweek and now a second private test for him has been sanctioned.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/02/13/missing-steve-sidwell-all-set-to-put-his-foot-on-the-gas-102039-22918415/
'Missing' Steve Sidwell all set to put his foot on the gas
Feb 13 2011
by Dean Jones, The People
(http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/people3/feb2011/0/0/sidwell-main-502825419.jpg)
STEVE SIDWELL has revealed how a four-year football famine turned him into the hungriest player in the Premier League.
The midfielder arrived at Fulham on loan last month after two disastrous transfers – but now he is ready to rise again.
Sidwell, joined Chelsea from Reading on a free transfer in 2007 to chase honours and press for an England place, only to be sold on to Aston Villa 12 months later for £5million.
His nightmare continued in the Midlands and now, at 28, he is trying to resurrect his career.
Sidwell said: "Despite everything, I don't feel I have a point to prove to anyone at all. My time at Chelsea didn't go the way I wanted it to, but I still feel I made a healthy number of appearances in the circumstances.
"In terms of trophies, it was probably the unluckiest season I could have been there.
"We lost the Carling Cup final to Spurs, lost the league by a point to Manchester United and then we lost in the Champions League final to them too. So I didn't get any silverware at Chelsea but the experience I gained on and off the pitch was fantastic.
"At Villa I was drained and that's why I got out.
"You get a lot of English players who are just hungry to play. Whether they win or lose, it's about coming off after a game knowing that you have given your all. And I've missed that feeling.
"I don't think you'll find a player out there at the minute who is hungrier than me."
Quote from: White Noise on February 13, 2011, 06:04:18 AM
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/02/13/bobby-zamora-edging-nearer-to-a-return-to-the-first-team-at-craven-cottage-102039-22918416/ (http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/02/13/bobby-zamora-edging-nearer-to-a-return-to-the-first-team-at-craven-cottage-102039-22918416/)
Bobby Zamora edging nearer to a return to the first team at Craven Cottage
Feb 13 2011
by Dean Jones, The People
(http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/people3/feb2011/3/6/zamora-main-164694640.jpg)
BOBBY ZAMORA will play another friendly behind closed doors this week to see if he can make his Fulham comeback in the FA Cup fifth round at home to Bolton or Wigan next Sunday.
The striker has been targeting a Premier League game against Manchester City at the end of the month but could return sooner if he convinces Mark Hughes he is ready.
Zamora – out for five months following a broken leg – played 45 minutes against Brighton in midweek and now a second private test for him has been sanctioned.
Love to see this and read about it! :54:
Morning WN! Love your work buddy! :54: :54: :54:
Morning Tom. Cheers! :59:
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/02/13/mark-hughes-insists-london-neighbours-chelsea-won-t-win-the-title-this-season-102039-22918417/
Mark Hughes insists London neighbours Chelsea won't win the title this season
Feb 13 2011
by Alex Shaw, The People
(http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/people3/feb2011/6/4/hughespic-172509124.jpg)
MARK HUGHES has ruled Chelsea out of the title race – and reckons they only snapped up Fernando Torres and David Luiz to ensure they qualify for the Champions League.
Hughes is convinced that Carlo Ancelotti's men can't catch leaders Manchester United, saying: "It's difficult to see how they can win the title now.
"Historically, not many teams done it after losing seven matches – six used to be the benchmark.
"If you keep the defeats below that you have a chance. Chelsea won't want to lose any more games until the end of the season, so it looks beyond them – even if they put a run together.''
The Fulham boss was more optimistic about Chelsea's European ambitions.
He said: "The intention was first and foremost to get into the Champions League and you can be certain that given their position and players, they have a real chance.
"Torres needs to be cut some slack. In world football, he's up there with the best of them.''
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/premier-league-match-reports/2011/02/13/dave-kidd-s-verdict-mega-rich-manchester-city-can-t-buy-belief-102039-22919462/
Ferguson, also, made a couple of cunning little buys, almost under the radar, in deals struck before last summer's transfer window opened.
Javier Hernandez has proved a cat-burglar of goals and, yesterday, Chris Smalling proved why Ferguson spent £12million taking him from Fulham reserves.
The young English defender was man of the match despite Rooney's masterpiece.
Belief, it seems, is infectious, it comes with the red shirt, even young squad players like Smalling seem full of it.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/sport-confidential/2011/02/13/nicklas-bendtner-lions-up-the-flight-home-from-denmark-102039-22918830/
IT is time to reveal the secret behind David Stockdale's England call-up ... pre-match trips to Nando's! The Fulham stopper is a regular at his local chicken house on Friday nights – and has been in clucking brilliant form ever since.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/02/13/baggies-boss-roy-hodgson-wants-mike-kelly-as-his-no-2-at-the-hawthorns-102039-22919158/ (http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/02/13/baggies-boss-roy-hodgson-wants-mike-kelly-as-his-no-2-at-the-hawthorns-102039-22919158/)
Baggies boss Roy Hodgson wants Mike Kelly as his No.2 at The Hawthorns
Feb 13 2011
by Dave Kidd, The People
(http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/people3/feb2011/8/6/hodgsonpic-115598269.jpg)
ROY HODGSON wants to link up again with Mike Kelly who retired after the pair were axed by Liverpool.
Kelly, 68, was Hodgson's No.2 at Fulham and Anfield, and the new Baggies boss wants to team him up with former Fulham first-team coach Ray Lewington at West Brom.
People Sport can reveal that former Spurs boss Martin Jol was also approached for the Baggies job.
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/02/13/don-t-write-us-off-insists-frank-lampard-we-re-aiming-for-victory-roll-to-claim-title-102039-22918414/
Don't write us off, insists Frank Lampard – we're aiming for victory roll to claim title
Feb 13 2011
by Steve Bates, The People
(http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/people3/feb2011/7/1/lampard-main-685556407.jpg)
FRANK LAMPARD has fired up his Chelsea team-mates by telling them: The only way we are going to retain our title is by winning EVERY game.
He knows any more dropped points will effectively end their challenge for the Premier League crown – and the brief trip to Craven Cottage tomorrow night could define their up-and-down season.
As Chelsea look to bounce back after the shock defeat to Liverpool last weekend, Lampard said: "It will take a huge effort because we need to win all of our games and hope others slip up.
"But it's something we still believe in. The desire is still there for me – winning is like a drug. When you win leagues and cups you want to keep on having that feeling of success."
Chelsea had a goal-laden start to the season, hitting six past West Brom and Wigan, but stumbled as the season approached its halfway stage.
Lampard said: "We had a terrible run during November and December but we never believed it when people were calling us invincible at the start of the season.
"We know there is an awful lot of work to do from here on in after falling so far behind Manchester United but we feel we're capable of putting the kind of run together that we need."
Lampard said the two games against Manchester United – in March and May – could prove crucial.
He said: "The matches will be massive for both clubs but we can't afford to think about them too much. There are a lot of other big fixtures for the other teams involved in the title race.
"Our aim is to get a run of wins going so we can close the gap before we play United.
"Even though we lost to Liverpool, we feel we have come through the worst of it and this is when the big players and the big personalities stand up."
Lampard is certain the firepower that £50million Fernando Torres has added to Chelsea's attack will pay dividends, despite his disappointing debut against former club Liverpool.
He said: "I think Drogba, Torres and Anelka can all play together, but it's up to us as a team to find the best way for it to work.
"As a midfield player you can't complain about having three strikers of that quality in your team, but we need to find the balance and the system to get the best out of them."
Lampard's pride at leading out England for the first time against Denmark in midweek has given him a major boost as he runs into a rich vein of form.
He said: "Being England captain was a big moment for me and a great feeling. I didn't expect to get the opportunity at this stage of my career and it's another ambition I can tick off.
"But there's an awful lot of things left for me before I call it a day. I would love to win a few more caps with England, and to win the European Championships with England and the Champions League with Chelsea.
"I know you don't always get what you want, but I think it's important for any player to have big ambitions, regardless of what stage you're at in your career.
"The last few games are the best I have felt this season. I just want to keep playing because I'm the kind of player who feels at his best when I play every three or four days.
"I've been on the sidelines injured so I'm due a good run in the team. I just want to find some good form and some goals."
And he will be hoping for both in tomorrow's crucial Craven Cottage clash.
I'll prove I can cut it with Chelsea, vows frizzy Luiz
By Bob Cass
Last updated at 10:57 PM on 12th February 2011
David Luiz aims to show he is more than just top of the mops when he makes his full Chelsea debut at Fulham tomorrow night.
The Brazilian defender arrived at Stamford Bridge last month from Benfica with a big reputation and an even bigger hairdo, but he is determined that his football skills rather than his curly locks will catch the eye.
'I decided to let it grow one winter when it was very cold in Portugal and it became a trademark in Lisbon,' said Luiz, who insists he has not modelled himself on Barcelona captain Carles Puyol.
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/12/article-0-0D224A36000005DC-30_468x286.jpg)
Top of the mops: But David Luiz can be more than just a haricut for Chelsea
'I didn't get it done to look like Puyol or anyone else. I hope people judge me for my football and not my hair.'
The 23-year-old, who cost Chelsea 325million, boasts the latest in a line of shocking styles to grace the top flight, from George Berry's ultra afro to Marouane Fellaini's comedy crop.
Luiz's new clubmate Frank Lampard, meanwhile, refuses to concede defeat in the title race despite a 13-point gap between leaders Manchester United and Chelsea.
'We still feel we're in it,' he said. 'We know there is an awful lot of work to do but we feel we are well capable of putting the kind of winning run together that we now need.
'We still have to play United twice and there are a lot of other big fixtures for the other teams involved in the title race.'
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/02/12/article-0-0D10EFE2000005DC-976_468x350.jpg)
Faulty Torres: Chelsea's £50 million signing failed to impress on his debut
Lampard expects £50m signing Fernando Torres to play a key role, even if his debut defeat at home to former club Liverpool suggested it would be hard to strike the right balance up front.
He said: 'I think Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Torres can play together, but it's up to us as a team to find the best way for it to work.
'As a midfielder you can't complain about having three strikers of that quality in your team, but we need to find the system to get the best out of them.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356377/David-Luiz-vows-cut-Chelsea.html#ixzz1DopL3CFi (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1356377/David-Luiz-vows-cut-Chelsea.html#ixzz1DopL3CFi)
http://www.talkchelsea.net/chelsea-vs-fulham-match-preview.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TalkChelsea+%28Talk+Chelsea%29 (http://www.talkchelsea.net/chelsea-vs-fulham-match-preview.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TalkChelsea+%28Talk+Chelsea%29)
Chelsea vs Fulham: Match Preview
13th Feb 2011, In Match Previews, by Shane
The Chelsea v Fulham game could be known as the 'Forgotten' derby. No media make a big deal about it, and Chelsea fan's don't hate Fulham as much as they hate Spurs, Arsenal and maybe even Liverpool and United. The tie has thrown up some very good games in the best, Last year for example, Chelsea ended there bad streak that they were going through at the time, Coming from behind to beat Fulham 2-1.
Chelsea are coming into this game on the back of a devastating defeat to Liverpool, which ruined Fernando Torres's Blues debut. Our 50 million man was substituted around the 60th minute mark, Despite calls for Didier Drogba to be subbed. There was calls for the Ivorian to be benched for this game, But Ancelloti has said that Drogba will start, Alongside Fernando Torres. This is what Ancelloti thought of the calls that Drogba and Torres couldn't play together.
"My aim as a coach is to try and find the best solution with the players I have, In this squad Drogba and Torres are fantastic strikers and we have to try and do everything to get them to play together."
This may have put the rumours to bed that Drogba would leave in the summer because of Torres, As Carlo clearly thinks that the two players couldn't play together. Similar comments were stated when Nicolas Anelka arrived at Stamford Bridge, and a game against Fulham put them to bed. Drogba set up Anelka for the opener, and Anelka returned the favour. Torres is fancied to score in this one, as he was against Liverpool, but with Torres and Drogba both starting, it helps them both in many regards. Usually when we played with one upfront, The defence could focus on that player solely. But now with two world class strikers, the best back centre back pairings in Europe could struggle against Drogba and Torres, if they learn to work together.
Carlo also said on Friday morning that new signing, David Luiz will start. Luiz did well when he came on against Liverpool, and held his own. The arrival of Luiz looks like a boost to our defence, Who were forced to playing Jeffery Bruma a few weeks ago. If both live up to the hype that is surrounding them, They could be a Chelsea centre half pairing in the future. The Brazilian played in their game against France during the week, and looked to pick up a knock but he is fine.
Alex, Zhirkov and Benayoun all remain injured, while Jose Bosingwa is doubtful. Benayoun looks close to a return though, and will be reunited with his former teammate Fernando Torres when he does. While Fulham have Ethutu, Zamora and Senderos miss out for Fulham. Chelsea youngster Gael Kakuta also misses out due to the agreement in his loan deal.
But unlike Kakuta, three players with big connections to Chelsea will feature. Former Chelsea double winner Damien Duff will be in action for Fulham, as will Blues fan favourite Eidur Gudjohnsen. Eidur also featured in the heartbreaking 1-1 draw against Barcelona, but for obvious reasons didn't get a reception that night, But hopefully the Chelsea fans will give him a warm reception on Monday, The game will fall on Valentine's day after all! Fulham manager Mark Hughes was also a fan favourite in his 3 years at Chelsea. Steve Sidwell will also play for Fulham, but big connection is probably going abit far!
The game itself is a strange one to predict, What Chelsea will turn up? What Fulham will turn up? These questions will not be answered until Monday evening, and the fact that Chelsea will be out to prove a point could be vital. Chelsea should go into this game hungry for success, and one man who needs to make an impression is Fernando Torres. He, and everyone connected to Chelsea are desperate for him to get his first goal, As the more time waiting, the pressure grows, and I'm sure some Chelsea fans still remember Chris Sutton! Didier Drogba needs to have a good game, not to make himself to feel good, But if he keeps playing the way he does, he will be lucky to be at Chelsea next season. This is also the third game Chelsea will play with Anelka behind the front two if he does. One amazing game, One terrible one, This could be a deciding game for 'Nico'.
Predicted Line Ups:
Chelsea
Cech
Ivanovic – Luiz – Terry – Cole
Mikel
Lampard – Essien
Anelka
Drogba – Torres
Fulham
Schwarzer
Panstil – Hughes – Hangerlaand – Baird
Dempsey – Sidwell – Dempsey – Duff
Demebele
Johnson
Verdict: The game is a tough one to call, as Fulham do pose a threat. Dempsey, Duff and Demebele are all players to watch that could cause a lot of problems. But if the blues hold firm and supply enough ball to the front 3, Fulham could be in for a long afternoon. I expect their gameplan to isolate the ball from going up to Drogba, Torres and Anelka, and when it does to get back in numbers.
Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Chelsea
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/176632/Fernando-Torres-worth-the-dough/
FERNANDO TORRES WORTH THE DOUGH
13th February 2011
By Tony Stenson
FULHAM manager Mark Hughes believes Chelsea have spent well forking out £50million for Fernando Torres.
And he thinks it will be money well spent if Torres helps keep Chelsea in the Champions League spots.
Hughes, whose side face the Blues tomorrow night, said: "To me, Chelsea are out of the title race and are now concentrating on a place in the Champions League.
"It you achieve that and are guaranteed £40million, then spending that much on a player is good business. I liked spending money at Manchester City. I liked bringing in quality players.
"It does bring pressure because people are checking your judgment. But it is all about budgets. I could not do that here.
"I see Torres doing well – but hopefully not too well on Monday!
"Chelsea have certainly come a long way since I was there. I signed on one side of the pitch and they had a huge hole on the other side. People thought back then leaving Man United was going down – but not any more. I won three trophies there."
Hughes has told John Pantsil and others seeking updated contracts they will only be rewarded by playing well.
Pantsil could leave Craven Cottage on a free this summer and Hughes said: "He needs to play well between now and the end of the season. We'll talk then
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/feb/13/chelsea-fulham-premier-league-top-four (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/feb/13/chelsea-fulham-premier-league-top-four)
London pride may be all Chelsea can salvage
Chelsea's trip down the road to Fulham on Monday will show if their eight-year residency in the top four is likely to be broken
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Paul Wilson The Observer, Sunday 13 February 2011 Article history
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2011/2/11/1297458719562/Fulham-Chelsea-007.jpg)
Fulham's Clint Dempsey, left, battles for the ball with Michael Essien during Chelsea's 1-0 home win in November. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images
A few seasons ago in the José Mourinho era, waiting for a Chelsea game to start, a couple of visiting Japanese journalists broke off watching the live early kick-off on the press-room TV to ask for information about one of the participants.
"Where exactly is Fulham?" was the question. To which the answer was, naturally, right here. "You're in Fulham now, mate," came the breezy reply, which just left the travellers looking even more puzzled. As well they might, given the propensity of English football clubs for misrepresenting matters geographical. It is fairly well known that Everton were around before Liverpool, that Arsenal have not always been in north London, that Manchester United is practically in Salford and that none of the Potteries' six towns is called Port Vale.
Chelsea actually being in Fulham is no more of a curiosity than Tottenham wanting to relocate to Stratford, though the real historical oddity about Stamford Bridge's origins is that an old athletics venue was redeveloped as a football stadium – by Archibald Leitch, no less – before a tenant club had been found. It seems to have been originally assumed that Fulham would move in but, when they declined in 1905, a new club had to be hurriedly formed. A new name was also required, since Fulham was taken, so after some deliberation it was decided to play as the borough next door. One of the names rejected, possibly short‑sightedly, was London FC. Thinking big had not done Liverpool any harm 13 years earlier and, though Anfield spectators like to taunt Chelsea with the charge of having no history, the origins of the two clubs are remarkably similar. Liverpool, too, had to form a team from scratch, after Everton left Anfield over a rent increase, and managed to do so only by buying players wholesale from Scotland.
One imagines if Chelsea were ever obliged to rename themselves in the future they would go for London like a shot. This is not an attempt to be controversial but, when foreigners think of London football, they tend to think of Chelsea. Not just because of Mourinho, and Didier Drogba, Petr Cech and the rest, but because of John Terry, Frank Lampard and the English core that Arsenal do not have. Tottenham are only just starting out in the Champions League while Arsenal are viewed as a wonderful side but not necessarily as an English one.
Outside this country to think London is increasingly to think Chelsea, which may partly explain Fernando Torres's rather hurtful comments about leaving Liverpool to join a big club. Does anyone imagine he would have spoken about Arsenal in quite the same way? One would not wish to exculpate Torres completely – he certainly appeared to be trying to twist the knife – though it is possible he viewed his new destination as a conflation of big Champions League name and big city.
In which case he had better do his best to prevent his side being upstaged by the lesser-known neighbours on Monday, the ones who managed to reach a European final as recently as last year. Fulham and Mark Hughes seem to have survived an early-season wobble and put together a decent run of results since the turn of the year. In six games since losing to Spurs on New Year's Day they have lost only once, and that was by a single goal at Liverpool when they were unlucky. They also lost by only a single goal at Stamford Bridge in November, allowing Chelsea a win between defeats by Liverpool and Sunderland that would be their last for another six league matches. Chelsea appeared to have recovered their poise in impressive wins at Bolton and Sunderland but then came the Torres business and a far from convincing display last week.
Torres may have been bought with an eye on this season's Champions League but, unless he can gel quickly and effectively with Drogba in the domestic fixtures, there is still a possibility of Chelsea's eight-year residency in the top four being interrupted.
Latest indications are that Carlo Ancelotti's side may not be storming back to the top of the table after all and the best Chelsea may be able to hope for is securing a top-four finish at the expense of Manchester City or Tottenham. Their worst fear would be Liverpool coming up on the rails to claim a Champions League place of their own, throwing just about everyone's plans into disarray. While that may be a fanciful scenario, it could happen. Liverpool have already done their bit, beating the defending champions home and away, but Chelsea's season is still going to be defined, as Ancelotti has been saying all along, by the two games against Manchester United.
If by then there is any prospect of Chelsea dropping out of the top four and Liverpool sneaking in, or perhaps just Torres and his new team dropping out, United can expect to pick up an unprecedented degree of support from Merseyside.
http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2291318,00.html (http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2291318,00.html)
ANCELOTTI: STRENGTH IN DEPTH
Posted on: Sun 13 Feb 2011
Carlo Ancelotti is delighted with the options available to him ahead of our game at Fulham on Monday.
The manager has been able to welcome Ramires back to full training after the midfielder missed last weekend's defeat to Liverpool, and although Jose Bosingwa remains a doubt numbers are still up after the addition of Fernando Torres and David Luiz to his squad on transfer deadline day.
'Everyone is in good condition after the international matches and the squad trained without a problem,' the manager said. 'Bosingwa has a little inflammation on his knee but I hope that he will be recovered before Monday.
'Now we have a strong squad with David Luiz and Torres, we've improved our ability and we have more power. The squad was good, but now it is even better.
'This week Ramires has recovered and is able to play so we have a lot of options, he is improving game by game because he takes more confidence on his play and combinations with the other players so it will be good to have him back.
'In attack we can choose whether to play with two up front or with the Christmas tree, it depends on the game that we want to play. When we play with two strikers Nicolas Anelka can be in the number 10 position, in the hole, but with one striker he can play on the right.
'Florent Malouda can also play there, and sometimes we tried last year Lampard at the beginning of the season which was not bad. Malouda can also play in the Christmas tree, but I don't need to think of him as a central midfielder because we have a lot of options there.'
The Italian has been helped by having two extra days with which to try out combinations and tactics for what he anticipates will be a tough Craven Cottage test.
'It is perfect to be able to play on this Monday, the players have more time for recovery after the international matches but we can still prepare for Fulham, which will not be easy because I think Fulham now are having their best moment of the season,' he explained. 'They are playing well with confidence so for us to be able to take more time and play on Monday is good.
'On Thursday we worked hard with the players that were not involved in the internationals and the other players recovered, Friday was another recovery day, and Saturday and Sunday have been short and sharp to prepare for the game.'
Further good news this week came with Branislav Ivanovic's five-and-a-half year contract extension.
'We are very happy because Ivanovic has signed a new contract and with Davd Luiz, and Alex, he is young. We will not have a problem in the centre of defence in the future,' Ancelotti said.
'Ivanovic is important because he can play centre-back or right-back without a problem. He has a body that can recover very well from matches, and he has played more than any other player this season.'
http://www.fulham-mad.co.uk/news/prev/fm_preview_fulham_v_chelsea_14_feb_2011_645980/index.shtml (http://www.fulham-mad.co.uk/news/prev/fm_preview_fulham_v_chelsea_14_feb_2011_645980/index.shtml)
FM Preview: Fulham v Chelsea 14 Feb 2011
By Footymad Sunday, 13th February 2011
This week FootyMad's match preview focuses on the game between Fulham and Chelsea at 20:00 on Monday, 14th February 2011 in the Premier League.
History of the Fulham v Chelsea fixture
Fulham prepare to entertain Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Monday evening, looking to improve on a dire past record against their opponents. It does not make pleasant reading, winning just 7 of the 35 games played, and losing 21.
The most recent encounter between these two sides at Craven Cottage was just last season, in August 2009, as the visitors ran out cosy 0-2 winners in a Premier League match.
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here
Recent encounters between the teams:
2010/2011 Wed 10 Nov Chelsea 1 - 0 Fulham PREM
2009/2010 Mon 28 Dec Chelsea 2 - 1 Fulham PREM
2009/2010 Sun 23 Aug Fulham 0-2 Chelsea PREM
2008/2009 Sat 02 May Chelsea 3 - 1 Fulham PREM
2008/2009 Sun 28 Dec Fulham 2 - 2 Chelsea PREM
2007/2008 Tue 01 Jan Fulham 1 - 2 Chelsea PREM
2007/2008 Sat 29 Sep Chelsea 0 - 0 Fulham PREM
Recent respective form guides
Fulham have an excellent home record, winning five and losing just one of the last six games. In this time, Cottagers have rattled up an impressive 17 goals, and conceded 5.
Chelsea have an average recent record on the road, with two wins, two draws, and two defeats. The games have constituted a decent return of 11 goals for the Blues, and 5 goals against.
Fulham see themselves just below half way in the Barclays Premier League, showing a record of 30 points from their 26 games played so far, Chelsea's total of 44 points from their 25 games sees them sitting in the playoff places in Barclays Premier League.
For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here
Current form guides: P W D L F A P
Fulham 6 3 2 1 10 4 11
Chelsea 6 4 1 1 18 4 13
FootyMad's prediction ...
Fulham are starting to turn Craven Cottage into a fortress, but the quality of opposition for this game makes your FootyMad panel believe the teams will share the spoils on this occasion. Score draw
Sequence statistics:
Fulham Won 5 successive home games.
7 games since last home draw.
Unbeaten run of 3 matches.
Chelsea Undefeated in last 3 away games.
http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/02/12/great-time-to-play-chelsea-says-fulham-boss-82029-28161062/ (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/02/12/great-time-to-play-chelsea-says-fulham-boss-82029-28161062/)
Great time to play Chelsea says Fulham boss
By Paul Warburton
Feb 12 2011
(http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/fulhamchronicle/jan2011/8/7/mark-hughes-image-5-728538314.jpg)
FULHAM boss Mark Hughes reckons Monday's west London derby against Chelsea has come just the right time – and this despite £50million Fernando Torres set to bear down on his defence.
On Valentine's Day there will be no love lost between Whites fans and their fierce rivals down the Fulham Road – and it's the one match above all others they want to win.
Their manager reckons such is the Cottage industry at the moment with five wins and two draws from the last eight games – his side couldn't have timed it better.
In contrast, Hughes' counterpart Carlo Ancelotti has given up on the title, and the Fulham man can see why.
He said: "The bench mark has always been that if you lose six games in the Premiership, then it's going to be difficult to win the title.
"Chelsea have done that, and if they lose any more they may find it difficult to beat two other sides ahead of them."
"But we're pleased the derby is here and now. It's a great opportunity."
Three former Blues could figure against their old club on Monday night, with Damien Duff and Steve Sidwell almost certain to start - and Eidur Gudjohnsen likely to come off the bench at some point.
Hughes reckoned the time Duff spent at Stamford Bridge has helped make him the player he is.
He added: "Duffer had a great time at Chelsea, and he's grateful for that. That kind of experience shapes you – and he's reaping the benefits."
Fulham are without the injured Philippe Senderos, Matthew Briggs, and Bobby Zamora – although the striker is set to play an hour in a friendly on Tuesday, with a view to an entire 90 minutes if his rehabilitation allows it.
Dixon Etuhu is also still suffering with a hamstring problem and misses the match.
Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/02/12/great-time-to-play-chelsea-says-fulham-boss-82029-28161062/#ixzz1Dov9ygzP (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/02/12/great-time-to-play-chelsea-says-fulham-boss-82029-28161062/#ixzz1Dov9ygzP)
http://blogs.soccernet.com/fulham/archives/2011/02/belief_will_beat_the_blues.php
Belief will Beat the Blues
Posted by Phil Mison 18 hours, 49 minutes ago
(http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/John+Pantsil+Fulham+v+West+Bromwich+Albion+4huBnGzrNtAl.jpg)
Counting down to our biggest game of the season, the local derby Monday against the champions has Whites fans salivating and arriving from all parts to support the boys.
First up, welcome once again to all our loyal supporters from overseas who make the effort and the financial sacrifice to attend these games. Will Nick the Swede be looking out for the moron who swung a punch at him on the walk back from the Bridge last October?
It's Valentines Day after all so here's hoping the rival fans can spread a little love, regardless of the result. Lobbing heart-shaped chocolate bonbons at each other we could just about tolerate, but no hard centres please. To continue the theme, a massacre on the night is unlikely to be headlines come Tuesday.
Why? At home Fulham's defence is back to its miserly best. Roy's fortress has been well and truly restored. The side are going for their 6th straight home win in 2011, with no goal conceded in our last three league home wins. In fact, against WBA, Stoke and Newcastle chances created by the opposition were all but non-existent, while the Cup win over Spurs was a stroll in the park.
This suggests the same-again back four sent out at Villa Park. Forget the aberration of Pantsil's oggies this campaign. Before being injured last season in our narrow loss at the Bridge (own goal that day too, Smalling the unfortunate son), John had Drogba in his pocket. Go back further. In 2007 Bairdinho did such a number on Didier at their place, the Ivorian's frustration boiled up and he got sent off.
Chelsea, and Drogba are in decline. The club conceded their title chances had gone after last week's home loss to Liverpool. Drogba's season has been blighted by malaria, an ever lurking curse for players from West Africa. It's a disease difficult to eradicate from the body, and leaves you drained, playing as if with a heavy cold. I saw George Weah struggle with it for half a season at PSG in the 90's - his magnificent physique rendered torpid as a tortoise.
Will Hughes be sweating under the duvet Sunday night trembling at the threat of Torres? Why should he? He's done nothing against us recently and failed utterly to raise a performance against his old club last week. He and Luiz are just two further megabuck signings to a squad of superstars. Both are still feeling their way into a side that has at times lost its way on the road this season. As for that vital ingredient from your 12th man - 'motivation' - I sense the hunger may not be there for this visit as it has been in recent years.
Enough of the opposition. Hughes won't under-estimate them. But Monday sees an opportunity for Fulham to get on the ball from the off and really dictate the game. We don't want to see an improvement after the interval, as at Villa last week. We need to go for the throat at a high tempo from the off and really shake Chelsea to their boots. In contrast to last October, we have goals in the side now. Confidence levels, so vital in expressing yourself on the pitch, must be sky high. Monday is the perfect showcase for Hughes to demonstrate our 'top 10' credentials.
Ignore the record books and our dismal showing in London derbies, it's all in the mind. At the risk of repeating my optimism ahead of the Liverpool trip, Fulham must be fearless in their pursuit of a win Monday night. It is very achievable. A final plea to the footballing gods, how about an OG at the other end for once? And to the man on the whistle, Mr. Dean, 'keep it real!'
Away from Fulham stuff, it's been a week to make me chuckle. Laughing at others misfortune diminishes our humanity, but is deliciously irresistable. In their current striker crisis Newcastle have turned to 34 year-old semi-retired journeyman Shefti Kuqi to give them a 'bulk and presence' up front. Why not stick a shirt over the St James Park heavy roller? Both have the same amount of mobility.
Roy makes a quick return to management at West Brom. Nice club, good fit. Can he keep them up? Possibly. What's good about the appointment will be the exodus of Fulham players to the Hawthorns this summer. If the Baggies do drop, I'll be rushing to get money on them to walk the fizzy pop league next season with the likes of Gera, Davies, Kamara, Dikgacoi and Pants added to the 5 decent players they've got now.
COYW! The essence of a proper football club
Twitter@fulhamphil
Giving His All
Sunday 13th February 2011
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/Sidwell/SidwellAction.jpg)
Steve Sidwell has seamlessly slotted into Fulham's starting eleven since his January switch from Villa Park, with his arrival coinciding with an impressive run of results for Mark Hughes' side.
Sidwell is clearly enjoying a fresh start at Fulham and spoke of the satisfaction he is taking from playing regular first team football after a frustrating spell at Aston Villa.
"I don't think you'll find a player hungrier than me to get back playing again," Sidwell explained. "I've been given an opportunity and game-by-game I'll make the most of that chance and put in good performances for the Club.
"It's the feeling I wanted to get back. I want to feel drained and tired coming off the pitch after a good win and feel that satisfaction.
"All the games I've played in so far we've deserved something out of them which is good, because we play the right way and play good football. It's coming together now."
Monday night's SW6 derby will see Sidwell face his former side Chelsea and despite only spending a year at Stamford Bridge, the experience clearly aided the midfielder's development, on and off the pitch.
"It didn't work out the way I wanted it to at Chelsea, but in the year I was there, I made a healthy number of appearances," Sidwell explained. "I didn't come home with any silverware but in terms of experience, on and off the pitch, it was fantastic.
"The reason I left Chelsea was to go and play football but it didn't work out at Villa and the same situation occurred. I left Villa to come and play football and it's working out.
It's just one of those things in life – if it works out at a Club then great but if it doesn't you get your head down and move on. It didn't work out at either club but that's life and my life now is here at Fulham."
Fulham looked to have made another astute play in the transfer market with the capture of Sidwell and after a highly impressive start to his Fulham career the midfielder is adament there is much more to come from him.
"It's going well so far but there is still a lot more to come from me. I'm getting fitter and stronger game by game. I'm about 75% right now. It's just about being out on the pitch in a game situation but as I say, I'm getting stronger every game. I just want to put in the performances that the Manager and fans want to see."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/SidwellChelseaPreview.aspx#ixzz1DpJbpyBm (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/SidwellChelseaPreview.aspx#ixzz1DpJbpyBm)
Local Pride
Sunday 13th February 2011
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/Hughes/general1-1011.jpg)
Aaron Hughes is looking forward to possibly facing Chelsea's new look front line of Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba when the Whites face Chelsea at Craven Cottage on Monday evening (Kick-off 8pm).
Fulham have been in fine form since the festive period, losing only twice in the last ten games and Hughes is hoping to continue that form in the SW6 derby.
"There are a lot of London derby games but it's the South West London derby on Monday night - it's the big one," Hughes told fulhamfc.com. "They are just up the road and this match is about pride.
"They're seen as the big spending, highflying club that are expected to win titles. These games are always great to play in and they're good for the fans.
"You want to test yourself against the best players and that's why everyone always singles out these big games because we enjoy playing in them. It's about coming up against the best and testing yourself against them.
"One of Chelsea's strengths is being able to go out and buy a player of Torres' calibre. It's going to be a tough night on Monday. If you switch off for a second against a player of his [Torres] calibre you will get punished. Your concentration has to be spot on for the entire game.
"Drogba's powerful and strong and you've got to pick your moments when to go shoulder-to-shoulder with him. If you're not 100% certain, you can get embarrassed because he's got the strength to roll you. He can play off your shoulder as well because he's got that power."
Fulham have enjoyed an impressive record at Craven Cottage of late, in fact you would have to look back to Boxing Day to find the last Premier League goal the Whites conceded on home turf. A good defensive base at the Cottage has provided the team with a fine foundation upon which to build.
But it was Fulham's emphatic four-goal FA Cup victory over Tottenham at the Cottage that really emphasised the team's upturn in form.
"We never lost confidence or belief in what we were doing," Hughes explained. "There's always been the sense that we've got a lot of ability and good players in the squad. We knew it would eventually turn and I think the Spurs game is a good example of that.
"We came in off the pitch from that game and said, 'that's how we want to play'. We want to go at teams and if we do that every week we're going to get something from a game because you can't play that well and create so many chances without picking up points.
"We don't have one or two big massive star players at Fulham. We've got good, honest, hard working professionals who know what it takes to survive in this league. That's how we work and how we've worked over the last few years. One of the core values of the Club is that everyone contributes and I think that's why we've had the success we've had over the past few years. Everyone who plays knows their job and exactly what they need to do.
"Gradually we got used to what was being asked of us and took it on board. Now we're getting good results from it. Hopefully this little run we've been on can continue right through until the end of the season."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/AaronHughesChelseaPreview.aspx#ixzz1DpKpmOiM (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/February/AaronHughesChelseaPreview.aspx#ixzz1DpKpmOiM)
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/48983/fulham-vs-chelsea/preview (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/48983/fulham-vs-chelsea/preview)
Fulham – Chelsea Preview: David Luiz set for first start as Jose Bosingwa misses Craven Cottage trip
By Alex Stamp
Fulham
Fulham striker Bobby Zamora made a scoring comeback for the club's reserves in their midweek game against Brighton as he played 45 minutes on his return from injury. However Monday's game comes too soon for the striker who will not feature for Fulham against their local rivals as he continues his drive for full fitness following recovery from a broken leg.
Meanwhile manager Mark Hughes must also do without the services of Dickson Etuhu, who is out with a hamstring injury, and also on-loan Chelsea attacker Gael Kakuta, who is ineligible to face his parent club.
However, there will be several familiar faces in the Fulham squad for Chelsea fans, as old boys Steve Sidwell, Damien Duff and Eidur Gudjohnsen could all come up against their former club along with manager Hughes who won an FA Cup with the Blues.
Possible starting XI: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Baird; Sidwell, Murphy, Duff; Dempsey; Dembele, Johnson.
Chelsea
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that £21.3 million defender David Luiz will make his first start for the Blues following his January move from Benfica.
However, defender Jose Bosingwa picked up a knock while on international duty with Portugal and misses out, with Branislav Ivanovic likely to move to right-back as Ancelotti otherwise has a full squad to choose from bar long-term absentees Alex, Yossi Benayoun and Yuri Zhirkov.
£50m man Fernando Torres is likely to start alongside Didier Drogba with Ancelotti looking to move to a two-man forward line after the team struggled for fluidity with a three-man strike force against Liverpool.
Speaking to the club's website ahead of the game, Ancelotti said: "My aim as a coach is to try to find the better solution with the players we have in the squad. I think Drogba and Torres are fantastic strikers and we have to try everything to put them together to play.
"There is not a sacrifice, if sometimes I choose one player or another, because in the future we will have very important games and I think rotation of the players will be very important."
Possible starting XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole; Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Malouda; Drogba, Torres.
Hughes starts looking forward
After enduring a topsy-turvy start to his Fulham career, Mark Hughes has admitted that he always believed the second half of the campaign would be the time his team would shine.
Speaking to the club's website ahead of Monday's game, he said: "I've always stated that the second half of the season would be better for us
"The results are backing up the performances we've been producing. It was always going to change because we were getting players back and Dembele and Johnson are playing really well for us at the moment.
"We've got a real cutting edge now which we were lacking earlier in the season and as a consequence we're winning more games. Confidence is high at the moment and given the opposition on Monday I would suggest we're in as good a state as we could possibly be, confidence wise, going into the game."
Ancelotti sings Luiz's praises
Carlo Ancelotti sang the praises of new boy David Luiz ahead of his side's derby date at Craven Cottage, and suggested he could become world class.
Speaking to the club's website ahead of the game, he said: "I think he will be one of the best defenders in the world in the future. He is young but has fantastic experience; he played in Benfica and the Champions League. We are upset because he cannot play in the Champions League for us but he can show his quality in the Premier League and FA Cup.
"With David Luiz we can have more rotation and maintain freshness in the other defenders. Now we have a lot of opportunity to choose players, give someone a rest and keep every defender fit for the rest of the season."
A one-sided rivalry
Fulham and Chelsea are two of the closest Premier League teams in terms of distance with Craven Cottage and Stamford Bridge just two miles away from each other; but in footballing terms these two clubs have seldom been close.
In fact Chelsea have lost just once in their last 28 league and cup meetings with their London rivals, which came in 2006 when Fulham triumphed 1-0 courtesy of a Luis Boa Morte strike.
But Mark Hughes' side are in terrific form at their home ground, winning their last three games without conceding a goal, while Carlo Ancelotti's side have been less than impressive away from Stamford Bridge, failing to keep a clean sheet in all but one of their last nine away matches - though they have won their last two matches, scoring eight goals in the process.
And one more...............
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-1356401/Lewis-Moody-Chris-Ashton-definitely-doghouse-drops-ball.html?ito=feeds-newsxml (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-1356401/Lewis-Moody-Chris-Ashton-definitely-doghouse-drops-ball.html?ito=feeds-newsxml)
Interestingly FFC have a hyperbaric chamber and MAF has offered it to help England Rugby - bless his little Egyptian cotton socks. Nice gesture I thought but doubt our chairman will get any credit from the British press - it was pure chance I came across it.
Quote from: White Noise on February 13, 2011, 06:30:23 AM
http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2011/02/13/mark-hughes-insists-london-neighbours-chelsea-won-t-win-the-title-this-season-102039-22918417/
Mark Hughes insists London neighbours Chelsea won't win the title this season
Ah, Sparky, in the immortal words of the late Bob Marley
Bob Marley - Stir it up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6U-TGahwvs#)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/)
All that activity may distract, unfairly, from Committee Corridor where there are plenty of meaty hearings scheduled. The Transport Committee will be asking some searching questions about the adverse weather conditions this winter. "There'll be standing room only," titters one source. The Health Committee will be looking once again at litigation and complaints against the NHS, with the Health Service Ombudsman Ann Abraham. Culture Media and Sport will be investigating football governance - with (gasp!) the chance to question a real life footballer, Brede Hangeland. Home Affairs will be discussing the significance of Turkey joining the EU - would Turkish accession mean more access to Britain for people traffickers and organised crime? The witnesses include the Serious and Organised Crime Agency and the Poppy Project which helps women caught up in the sex trade.
http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/02/13/fulham-v-chelsea-preview-moussa-dembele-looking-good-for-derby/
Fulham v Chelsea Preview: Moussa Dembele Looking Good for Derby Duel
13/2/2011 5:00 AM GMT
By Ben Hunt
PREMIER LEAGUE: CRAVEN COTTAGE, MONDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2011. KICK-OFF: 2000 GMT
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.fanhouse.co.uk/media/2011/02/moussa-dembele-13211.jpg)
If Sir Alex Ferguson had a justified complaint about Manchester City being Manchester United's "noisy neighbours", then surely the Fulham manager, Mark Hughes, could say the same about Chelsea.
The west London derby is usually one that slips below the radar, with Fulham's chances generally discounted against Chelsea's expensively assembled squad.
But make no mistake about it - this match means a lot to the clubs' more senior supporters, for in the past it has been a hotly contested fixture.
It promises to be another interesting game because Chelsea's £71 million duo David Luiz and Fernando Torres will again come under the spotlight.
Yet also because Fulham are in a good run of form and will be motivated by the prospect of silencing the noisy club from a mile down the Kings Road.
Form Guide: Fulham are on a roll and have pulled away from the relegation zone. Last weekend's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa means they have now only lost twice in their last ten games. Goals have also been in plentiful supply, with four coming against Tottenham in the FA Cup. Chelsea's slump is officially over with five wins and a draw in their last six outings, although the performances have been somewhat laboured. Chelsea have enjoyed the better form in this fixture in recent years with five wins in their last seven west London derbies.
Key Match-up: Moussa Dembele v David Luiz Fulham striker Dembele is proving to be a real find for Fulham. A few eyebrows were raised when Fulham signed the Belgium international from AZ Alkmaar but his contributions have been impressive and he has created opportunities for his team mates. Dembele could be a real test for Luiz - the £21 million deadline day signing from Benfica. The Brazilian made a good debut when he came on as a substitute against Liverpool last weekend and could add to that reputation with another solid showing alongside John Terry.
Odds: Fulham 4/1, Chelsea 8/11, Draw 13/5
Tweeter Facebook FourSquare iPhoneFULHAM:
Fulham's league position is much healthier than it was a month ago when Hughes was under pressure to halt their slump towards the relegation zone.
The club are now looking to make it six consecutive wins at Craven Cottage and Hughes is feeling confident.
He said: "I've always stated that the second half of the season would be better for us. The results are backing up the performances we've been producing.
"It was always going to change because we were getting players back and Dembele and Andrew Johnson are playing really well for us at the moment.
"We've got a real cutting edge now which we were lacking earlier in the season and as a consequence we're winning more games.
"Confidence is high at the moment and I would suggest we're in as good a state as we could possibly be, confidence wise, going into the game."
Strategy: It is highly likely that Hughes will resist the temptation to change his approach, although he may move Dembele deeper at times to create a midfield of five with the purpose of nullifying Chelsea's midfield. John Pantsil has been the Cottagers' weak link and either Damien Duff or Simon Davies could be told to provide protection for the Ghana defender.
Injury Update: On-loan Chelsea midfielder Gael Kakuta is ineligible to face his parent club and midfielder Dickson Etuhu is doubtful with a hamstring problem. Bobby Zamora (broken leg) and Philippe Senderos (Achilles' tendon) are still not fit. Eidur Gudjohnsen could make his first start.
CHELSEA:
Chelsea defender Luiz cannot wait to get stuck into the rough and tumble of the Premier League.
The former Benfica player, whose move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day was somewhat overshadowed by that of Fernando Torres at the same time, will make his first start against Fulham.
And after playing the final 20 minutes of Chelsea's loss to Liverpool last week, the Brazilian knows what he can expect for the rest of the season.
Luiz said: "The Premier League is a lot faster and a lot more physical than the leagues I have played before. I now it is a higher level, but I know I can become a better player here. I also understand Chelsea have the greatest facilities available for me to improve.
"I enjoy the physical side of the game – if I didn't like it I would be playing tennis."
Luiz arrived at Stamford Bridge having won the Portugal Player of the Year award after helping Benfica to the title. And his manager Carlo Ancelotti claims he will be regarded as the best defender in the world one day.
Luiz is eager to learn more about the game from current captain Terry. He said: "Terry has won a lot and I hope I can learn a lot from him and have the same kind of success he has had."
Strategy: Ancelotti is insistent on trying to find a way to play Torres alongside Didier Drogba – and is not yet ready to drop one to accommodate the other. Chelsea's build-up play will be boosted by the inclusion of the technically adept Luiz.
Injury Update: Chelsea have no new injuries from the international break, although defender Jose Bosingwa faces a late test. Alex is back in training but is at least three weeks from a first-team return. Long-term absentees Yossi Benayoun and Yuri Zhirkov remain out.
http://betting.betfair.com/football/premiership/premier-league-betting-fulham-v-chelsea-1-130211.html
Premier League Betting: Fulham v Chelsea.
Premier League / Dan Fitch / 13 February 2011 /
Fulham have been in excellent defensive form of late, keeping clean sheets in four of their last five home games.
With the title out of reach, Chelsea must concentrate on qualifying for the Champions League, but Dan 'The Betting Man Fitch' doesn't think that their West London rivals Fulham will make things easy. Best Bet: Back Fulham in the Corners Match Bet @ 2.8.
Venue: Craven Cottage
Kick Off/TV: 20:00/Sky Sports 1
With Spurs having gone three points clear of Chelsea on Saturday, thanks to their 2-1 win over Sunderland, this West London derby has suddenly become even more important for Chelsea.
The debut of Fernando Torres against his old club Liverpool last week, proved to be something of an anti-climax, as the Blues slumped to a 1-0 defeat. Carlo Ancelotti has written off his side's chances of retaining their Premier League title, but to finish outside the top four would represent a true disaster.
Ancelotti has claimed that Chelsea's new £21.3m signing David Luiz will make his first start and with Jose Bosingwa struggling with an injury, it looks likely that Branislav Ivanovic will switch to right back, with Luiz taking his place in the centre of defence.
Fulham will be without the ineligible Gael Kakuta, who is currently at Craven Cottage on-loan from Chelsea, while Bobby Zamora has not been considered fit enough to be involved, despite scoring in the reserves this week, as he recovers from a broken leg.
Match Odds: Fulham 5.2, the draw 3.8, Chelsea 1.82
Chelsea have not lost at Fulham since 2006, but I've got my doubts in regards to backing them to win at anything less than evens. The introduction of Fernando Torres saw Chelsea switch to a diamond formation against Liverpool. They lacked width as a result and if they persevere with the same system, then they could struggle to overcome a Fulham side who tend to keep things very tight.
For my money, Florent Malouda has been Chelsea's best player this season, so it was puzzling to see him on the bench last weekend. The switch from 4-3-3 also reduces the effectiveness of Frank Lampard and his ability to get forward into goalscoring positions.
Of course, you cannot discount a Chelsea victory when they have so many match-winners available to them, but since the days of Jose Mourinho, any attempt to change their normal formation has ended in failure. I would stay clear of this market, but if I had to recommend anything, then I think that the draw at 3.8 represents the best value.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Under 2.5 goals 1.89, over 2.5 2.1
Chelsea have scored two goals in each of their last four visits to Craven Cottage, but Fulham have been in excellent defensive form of late, keeping clean sheets in four of their last five home games.
Earlier this season, the reverse fixture saw Chelsea come away with a narrow 1-0 win. Considering that Chelsea are adapting to a new formation and that Fulham are better in defense than attack, then I'd expect a similar scoreline and fancy the 1.89 for unders as a decent price.
Corners Match Bet
When this market gains more liquidity closer to kick off, I would expect Chelsea to be priced at around 1.6, with Fulham at about 2.8 and the draw at 8.0.
I think that such a price would be very good value for a Fulham side who possess genuine width in the form of Damien Duff, especially if Chelsea field the same narrow diamond formation as they did against Liverpool.
Half Time
Five of Chelsea's last seven Premier League games have been all-square at half-time, so as I anticipate a tight match, I like the look of the 2.24 on offer for the half-time draw. Chelsea are 2.46 to be winning after 45 minutes, with Fulham at 5.5.
Best Bet: Back Fulham to win the Corners Match Bet @ 2.8.
Recommended Bets: Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.89, back the draw at half-time @ 2.24.
http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/02/13/eidur-set-for-long-fulham-deal-82029-28163662/
Eidur set for long Fulham deal
By Paul Warburton
Feb 13 2011
(http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/fulhamchronicle/feb2011/3/6/eidur-gudjohnsen-image-1-311437376.jpg)
EIDUR Gudjohnsen will get a long-term contract in the summer if he lives up to Fulham expectations. The former Chelsea striker is set to feature in tomorrow night's west London derby against old club – with boss Mark Hughes so far impressed with what he's seen.
The Icelandic international, now 32, arrived from Stoke in the transfer window with a mere five substitute appearances behind him this season.
But Sparky insists it was no gamble to take the player who Barcelona thought was worth around £8million when he joined the Spanish giants five years ago.
Hughes said: "I don't think it was a gamble.
"We allowed David Elm and Eddie Johnson to leave in the transfer window, so it was a case of bringing one forward in.
"Eidur has pedigree and quality, and in the time he's been here he's already showed that. He'll play games and be given a chance to show what he can do."
But Hughes warned there were no appearance guarantees expected from either party – and that to displace the likes of Andy Johnson, Mousa Dembele and Clint Dempsey – the Icelander had to show his worth.
The manager added: "He just wanted to come to a club that matched the way he played and get his career back on track and be given an opportunity to show what he can do.
"He's here short-term – but we'll look at it again in the summer. He's in good shape and technically one of our better players."
Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/02/13/eidur-set-for-long-fulham-deal-82029-28163662/#ixzz1DrNCjsq0 (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2011/02/13/eidur-set-for-long-fulham-deal-82029-28163662/#ixzz1DrNCjsq0)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/605964-mvp-samir-nasri-and-the-top-10-players-of-the-2010-11-premier-league-season#page/4
MVP?: Samir Nasri and the Top 10 Players of the 2010-11 Premier League Season
By Omar El-Sadany (Contributor) on February 13, 2011 1,691
(http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/716/899/108843724_display_image.jpg?1297477355)
8. Clint Dempsey (Fulham)
Matthew Lewis/Getty Images Fulham have underwhelmed this season, failing to reach last year's illustrious heights (most notably being a Diego Forlan goal away from winning the Europa League). With the departure of Roy Hodgson, Fulham initially struggled, battling to escape the relegation zone. In midst of the slump, however, Clint Dempsey shined, with his 10 goals putting him on level with superstars like Didier Drogba and Darren Bent. The fire, passion, and dedication with which Dempsey plays his game has inspired his teammates, won over fans, and clearly placed him at a leadership position at Craven Cottage. Dempsey has also been integral in Fulham's recent run of good form (which has carried them 4 points clear of the relegation zone), with 4 goals in his last 6 Premier League matches.
http://www.bettingzone.co.uk/football/betting/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=betting/11/02/13/manual_122006.html&BID=3711 (http://www.bettingzone.co.uk/football/betting/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=betting/11/02/13/manual_122006.html&BID=3711)
BACK FULHAM TO STUN CHELSEA
By Ben Linfoot
BETTING BOX
FIXED ODDS
1pt Fulham to beat Chelsea at 4/1 (general) Won last five at home and Chelsea still getting to grips with new strikeforce.
Fulham v Chelsea
If Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka 'click' in this game then Fulham could be in trouble.
It will be a matter of time before Chelsea do hit top gear, but by then their title aspirations will have gone and they aren't guaranteed a Champions League place either with Tottenham holding their form so well.
Last week Carlo Ancelotti's team failed to deal with a Liverpool side that defended deep and well and with that in mind the odds-on quotes about them at Fulham just don't appeal.
The Cottagers have been extremely miserly at home recently, keeping four clean sheets in their last five games at Craven Cottage.
They've won all five of those games too, and, despite being perennially one of the worst teams in the Premier League away from home, they dug deep to pick up a point following a 2-2 draw at Villa Park on their latest start.
That shows they're in good form and I find it hard to resist the 4/1 being dangled about Mark Hughes' men.
Several bookies offer that price and it seems too big for a team that is so solid and in such good form at home.
They only just lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture and with their defence in good nick there's every chance they'll be able to repel Chelsea's strikeforce who are still learning about each other.
Considering that last point there may be some value in the first scorer market as messrs Drogba, Torres and Anelka are the three favourites.
Andy Johnson and Clint Dempsey are among the goals at the moment and are both available at around the 9/1 mark, while set-piece specialist Danny Murphy might be worth a tickle at 22s.
However, we'll keep things simple in this one and just have a small punt on the home win at a generous 4/1.
Verdict: Fulham 1 Chelsea 0
http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/the-riverside-rockets/
The Riverside Rockets
Filed under: General — rich @ 3:05 pm
Just doing a bit of digging around for something, and found a report from 1954 describing Fulham as "The Riverside Rockets". We were scoring a lot of goals at the time, you see. Nice.
http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/02/fulham-v-chelsea-preview/ (http://hammyend.com/index.php/2011/02/fulham-v-chelsea-preview/)
Fulham v Chelsea: Preview
by Lork on February 13, 2011
When the fixture list gets released there are always certain games you look for first. Some might look for when they get the chance to travel to a promoted club for the first time, others might want to know when they can go with their Spurs supporting brother to White Hart Lane because 'this is the season we'll turn you over'. For us Fulham lot this is the match that everyone looks for and there couldn't be a better setting for it; Chelsea at Craven Cottage under the lights on a weekday evening, what a game this is going to be.
Over the last few years we've relied on our home form to consistently put points on the table. That's not to say our away form is shocking, infact relative to others it's ok (check out the away league tables, they're quite suprising), but when a team came here we knew that we'd always push them close and, more often than not, get a good result. Not so much this season before the new year during which we only won twice but since then the turn around has been remarkable. It is now 5 straight wins in all competitions with 4 clean sheets since that West Ham defeat and whilst they're against teams which we would be favourites to get the win against (Tottenham aside perhaps) the ease at which we dispatched them all is what really gives me confidence going into monday's game. Even against Newcastle I felt confident that we'd hold out comfortably instead of expecting the usual 89th minute own goal and of course the 4-0 dismantling of Tottenham, who are 3 points above Chelsea in the league, is still fresh in the memory and will no doubt raise our expectations of what we can take from the game.
Mind you, Chelsea are starting to play their way back into form as well. Our games against them this season sandwich a staggering dip in performances that saw them win just one league game in nine, a run which has pretty much extinguished their title ambitions despite the incredible sums of money spent on Torres and Luiz. A 7-0 thrashing of Ipswich in the cup proceeded wins over Sunderland, Blackburn and Bolton, although they suffered a suprising loss to an improving Liverpool last Sunday, and the 70 million spent on the two players will have lifted spirits amongst players and fans alike. I still have the feeling though that confidence is fragile and if we get at them and force the play, we'll have a good chance of a win.
Team news courtesy of the BBC:
Fulham's Bobby Zamora scored for the reserves in midweek but is still a few weeks away from making a first-team return from his broken leg.
Gael Kakuta, on loan from Chelsea, is ineligible under Premier League rules.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed £21.3m defender David Luiz will make his first start after coming off the bench against Liverpool.
Ancelotti has also revealed that Portugal defender Jose Bosingwa is a doubt with an unspecified injury.
We have no front page injury news really. Etuhu, Senderos and Zamora are still out, although it's great to hear Senderos and Zamora are returning to training, and Kakuta won't be allowed to play as standard for a loan player and their parent club. Sidwell and Gudjonsen are a week closer to peak fitness which is nice for us (Sidwell says he's only at 75%! Can't wait to see him at 100 if that's the case) but other than that our squad is as it was last week, with Hughes seemingly getting over the injury which stopped him from playing for his country in midweek. There is speculation this morning that Gudjonsen will start but I can't see who he'd play over or why Hughes would change a successful side so I expect us to start with the team which got the draw at Villa. We've played so well recently that I'd feel quite bad picking specific players out for praise but I have to mention Dempsey who is so far my man of the season, 10 goals by this stage for a midfielder is really impressive and hopefully he pushes on from here. Credit also to Murphy who keeps our midfield running like a well oiled machine, Schwarzer who's come back from the Asian cup and played like he's never been away and Duff who started the season slowly but is now playing as he was last year.
You'd expect this game to be Torres' second start for Chelsea but I'm not really sure what to predict of his performance. The usual football cliche is that if a player moves for big money they'll be quick off the mark, desperate to make a big impact as soon as possible, but against Liverpool when it was destiny to see a Torres winner he was anonymous. I'd be cautious because he's still a brilliant player but I don't think he'll be make much of an impression tommorow, he still seems far off what we've seen from him before.
We've seen over the last few weeks that Chelsea's biggest troubles involve a significant lack of width. Liverpool's three centre halves dealt with everything Chelsea threw at them, and despite getting almost 20 shots on goal none of them were real goal scoring opportunities. This then plays perfectly into our style of play, a deep, narrow 4-4-1-1 with Dembele dropping very deep when defending which was moderately succesful in the harsh loss to Chelsea earlier in the season. This problem will be accentuated with the absence of Bosingwa. With no real wingers in the side the fullbacks are key in providing any width they do have and as good as Ivanovic, who will surely deputise for Bosingwa, is he's neither quick or gifted on the ball. Cole down the left is probably the world's best left back but if Duff and Pantsil stay disciplined I think that threat is fairly easily negated. What is key to getting a result against Chelsea is to concentrate and stay disciplined, a point which Hughes made in his interview to the official website earlier today. Give a player a yard more space than they should and they can punish you very, very easily. A front pairing of Drogba and Torres is the stuff fantasy football dreams are made of and when you look further down the team sheet you see Lampard and Essein pairing each other in midfield, with Nicolas 'most expensive footballer in history' Anelka and Malouda in reserve! Not only that but Chelsea are exceptional on the counter, the pace and fluidity they got the ball forward during their early season wins was exceptional to watch so it will be important not to get absorbed in the moment when we have the opportunity to push forward. We musn't overcommit and leave gaps at the back, something which Liverpool did exceptionally at (how many times did Chelsea players run at the back four? The early Torres chance is all I can think of) so Murphy and Sidwell will have to be on their game defensively if we're to restrict their opportunities. My prediction? It'll be a tough game, 1-1, with that man Clint Dempsey getting on the score sheet.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6749932,00.html (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6749932,00.html)
Sidwell puts past behind him
Midfielder has nothing to prove to former employers
Last updated: 13th February 2011
(http://img.skysports.com/11/01/218x298/SteveSidwell_2555115.jpg)
Sidwell: Working hard
Steve Sidwell insists he will not be looking to prove a point when Fulham face Chelsea on Monday.
The midfielder, who joined the Cottagers from Aston Villa in January, endured a frustrating 12-month spell at Stamford Bridge in 2007/08.
He made just seven league starts for the Blues before being moved on to Villa.
The 28-year-old also struggled to hold down a regular role during his time in the Midlands, leading to his switch to Fulham during the winter transfer window.
He is now determined to get his career back on track at Craven Cottage, with it important for him to get vital minutes under his belt.
Trial
A Premier League date with Chelsea will offer him another chance to prove his worth at the highest level, but he claims he will not be raising his game just because the Blues are the opposition.
"I don't feel I've got anything to prove," said Sidwell, who has penned a short-term deal with Fulham which could be extended through to 2014 over the summer.
"It's one of those things in life where if it works out at a club then great, if it doesn't you get your head down and move on.
"It didn't work out at Chelsea but I'm at Fulham now, and all I'm concerned about is putting in a performance for the fans and the manager.
"Every training session and game is a trial for me. I've got to prove my worth to Mark Hughes and wait for discussions at the end of the season."
