The Beautiful Game

[Scrutator]

Heard about the Liverpool fight and thought nothing of it since Bellamy was involved. Didn't affect their game since they won 2-1 against Barca, gutted.

Was disappointed somewhat that Celtic didn't get thumped against Milan either but they'll have to improve their away record in the competition if they want to go on.

Didn't hear about Eto'o possibly leaving Barca for Chelsea, don't know what this unrest is but it can't be worse than what's happening over there.

[Ryder]

Good result for Chelsea yesterday. Obviously could have been better but after a very shaky start with Terry going off injured and us conceding we showed our fighting spirit to get back in the game after a quality strike by Shevchenko. He was immense yesterday, his touch was immaculate and his work-rate unrivalled. For the first time this season he totally outshone Drogba who had an off day. Shevs has actually been playing well lately but as a striker is judged on goals people find it hard to see.

Congratulations to Liverpool. I hate Liverpool with a passion but I can't help but credit them for their display yesterday.

And anyone who says they've never rated Shevs or Ballack is a ****ing moron. Its one thing to say they've been poor this season (which they have) but to say you've never rated either of them shows a total lack of football knowledge.

[Blitzballer]

The Chelsea Arsenal Cup Final game at the weekend should be a good one. I say should because Arsene is going to play most of his kids it seems. Then again those 'kids' have got them to the final!

[Scrutator]

Those kids didn't win it though, they lost 2-1 to two goals from Chelsea's Didier Drogba who has continued his killer form this season to score his 27th and 28th goals I think for the season now.

Apparently it was a great game to see although it was marred slightly with Terry getting KO'd with a kick to the face early on and a mass brawl in injury time with three men sent off.

Funniest thing about the match was it's the only goal ever that Theo Walcott has scored for the Gunners yet still deemed worthless since they lost.

[Blitzballer]

He will always be remembered as the youngest ever person to go to the World Cup even though he didnt play, regardless of what he does...xD

[Scrutator]

I'm sure that he'll tell his grandkids that someday, great achievement.

You happy with Mellberg delaying talks with Aston Villa? Know that he's still got a season left but situations like this usually are tricky.

[Blitzballer]

You know what mate? I though Villa announced they had wrapped up his contract a month or so ago so this is quite disturbing news. He has been a quality player through our dismal seasons and if they dont get it sorted we wont bring in someone with his quality soon. That said, im sure Randy Learner and O neill will do their best to persuade him.

[crofty87]

i can happily say that i was at the chelsea VS arsenal game and what a game to go to being a chelsea fan helps as we won the (worthless)carling cup. i hope chelsea get all four titles this season (carling cup, FA cup, champions leaque and the premiership) so we can rub it in all the critics faces slandering chelsea and their players.

[Scrutator]

^ I don't think that Chelsea would get the quadruple personally, no offense to them at all but any team would struggle with that and they are a still a potential 9 points behind Man United and both them and Arsenal are still in the FA Cup. But with their biggest CL threat Barca struggling then they have a good chance there.

Originally Posted by Blitzballer

You know what mate? I though Villa announced they had wrapped up his contract a month or so ago so this is quite disturbing news. He has been a quality player through our dismal seasons and if they dont get it sorted we wont bring in someone with his quality soon. That said, im sure Randy Learner and O neill will do their best to persuade him.

This sort of situation is always a bit worrying especially since there is a big risk of another team trying to get him on the cheap, I wouldn't doubt that he himself would like to stay at the club but this is a situation where agents can be a right pain.

[Blitzballer]

Chelsea will win something this season, well they already have..xD, but all four trophies? I dont think so either and thats not Chelsea bashing either.

A contract isnt really a contract anymore. Players, agents, have a hell of a lot more power now. Especially in their last year of a contract- they can hold clubs to ransom or wait and pick up a better contract elsewhere leaving clubs with no money for compensation.

[crofty87]

i think two or three maybe we can achive. The champions leaque would be a nice one.

[Scrutator]

Well your still in the CL beating Porto 2-1 with goals from Ballack and Robben putting Chelsea through to the quarter-finals, Liverpool sadly knocked out Barcelona despite losing 1-0 at Anfield.

Full Results
Chelsea 2 (3) - (2) 1 Porto

Liverpool 0 (2) - (2) 1 Barcelona - Liverpool through on away goals

Lyon 0 (0) - (2) 2 Roma

Valencia 0 (2) - (2) 0 Inter Milan - Valencia through on away goals

Todays Games
Arsenal (0) vs (1) PSV

Bayern Munich (2) vs Real Madrid (3)

Manchester United (1) vs (0) Lille

AC Milan (0) vs (0) Celtic

I would imagine that Arsenal, Man United and Milan should go through, the Bayern/Madrid game though could go either way.

[Blitzballer]

Well Arsenal went out, Celtic were very unlucky against Milan- they should have had at least a penalty- though they eventually went out to a Kaka goal. Real went out and Man Utd went through.

UEFA cup tonight, i think Channel 5 have a couple of games on tonight.

[Scrutator]

Bit gutted that Celtic were knocked out the way they were, heard they were screwed over a couple of penalty decisions which isn't a nice way to go. Arsenal just shot themselves in the foot really and Real just payed for their bad defense in the home game.

Nice to see Larsson get the goal for United, they'll miss him especially if Saha is going to be out for a month or so. He said he would have stayed if his club got a striker to cover for him so maybe United could have sent over one or two of their youngsters or fringe players over.

UEFA Cup actions as you've said, the Mighty Glasgow Rangers playing Osasuna. We've got a bit of an advantage in that they're playing a weakened side so they can't concentrate on poor domestic form but Rangers have their bad games when they've got the apparent advantage, it's a home game so a 2-0 win or better would suit me fine.

Other games are Newcastle United vs AK Alkmaar and Braga vs Tottenham.

[Blitzballer]

Chelsea face Valencia
Liverpool will play PSV Eindhoven
Manchester United tackle AS Roma
AC Milan will meet Bayern Munich

Champions League draw has been announced! English teams not drawn together!

[Naked Gackt]

I'm liking the looks of that, tough draw for Chelsea and I can't have any complaints about Liverpools.

[Blitzballer]

David Villa might cause some problems for the Chelsea defence i agree there. I like the look of Alex, the brazilian defender at PSV (whose actually on loan from Chelsea!). Although Liverpool dealt with Barca pretty comfortably, i think Koeman might have a few tricks up his sleeve with his tactics and preparation for PSV

[Scrutator]

If Chelsea can keep their defenders and Drogba fit then they shouldn't struggle too badly against Valencia, Liverpool's chances depend a lot on their defense as shown against Barca so if PSV can get two gaols in the first game and force the them to come forward in the nest then they'll have a chance, the other two games to me are quite well balanced although going by current forms them United and Munich will be slight faves to go through.

In the UEFA Cup Rangers drew 1-1 which was a slightly unfair result for Osasuna, we were absolute crap and should have been 2 or 3 down really. Newcastle won 4-2 against AK and Spurs won 3-2 away to Braga giving both teams a decent chance of progression.

Big news of the day is Liverpool's takeover by American tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks was completed after they bought 80% of the shares in the club. Another club in the Premiership now with a big backer after similar takeovers on Man United, Chelsea and Aston Villa. Should in theory be good I suppose but really just widens the gap between the top and bottom clubs, would be a greater thing for me if this happened to the smaller clubs.

[Ryder]

It would bring me untold pleasure to knock Liverpool out of the champions league.

[Blitzballer]

Newcastle were rubbish last night and deserved to go out to AZ as Roeder has said today, they have an excellent goalkeeper but ****e defence (im reading between the lines there..xD). Rangers also went out to Osasuna as well and they apparently werent that much kop either- leaving Spurs as the onlyBritish representatives in the UEFA cup.