The Trevor Jackson Empire (Jog On Avram)

[Dr. Pepper]

Page last updated at 10:59 GMT, Sunday, 08 July 2007 10:59 UK​

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Chelsea vs Liverpool-Match Preview

Shevchenko after scoring his first goal for Liverpool.

Match: Chelsea vs Liverpool
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-Off: 16:05, Sunday 2nd September 2007
Referee: Michael Mullarkey​

Liverpool will travel to Chelsea today in both teams fourth Premier League match of the season. Chelsea currently lay third in the Premiership, only behind Man Utd and Newcastle Utd. Newcastle played their weekly fixture yesterday and could only manage a point at home to Portsmouth with a 2-2 scoreline.

Newcastle remained unbeaten but dropped two points which gives Chelsea and Man Utd a chance to both take a two point lead over them. Chelsea play today where as Man Utd play tomorrow and both are looking to continue their one hundred percent record this season. Man Utd will face Birmingham away from home at the St. Andrews stadium. Steve Bruce will face his former manager when he leads the Birmingham squad.

Liverpool are currently eleventh in the Premiership table with four points from three matches. They have won a game, lost one and drawn one to see themselves into that spot. They drew their first game which was a Merseyside derby at Anfield, it was 1-1 against Everton. In their second Premiership match, they were beaten by Arsenal 2-1 with Fernando Torres being the man who scored for them. In their last game against Birmingham they soundly won 3-0. Steven Gerrard, Andriy Shevchenko and Fernando Torres all scored.

Liverpool signed two former Chelsea players in the transfer market this season. The two being twenty five year old winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and thirty year old striker Andriy Shevchenko. Wright-Phillips had complained about lack of football since the previous season and was likely to move back to his former club Man City during the January transfer window but the transfer did not go through.

Andriy Shevchenko however had an awful spell at Chelsea. He signed for the Blues last season for a huge ?30 million cheque. He played in thirty matches for the Blues yet only scored in four of them. The former European Footballer Of The Year had an awful time at Stamford Bridge yet has made good impressions at Anfield. Shevchenko has played two games for Liverpool this season, coming off the bench for one of them and he has scored one goal.

Claudio Pizzarro is likely to make his first appearance of the season for Chelsea. Reports say that Avram Grant is giving Pizzaro a chance to prove himself by allowing him to start along side Roque Santa Cruz up front. Effectively, profilic finisher Didier Drogba will go to the bench. The South American duo are both looking to give a great performance to impress Avram Grant.

Avram Grant said this to BBC reporters earlier today "I think we can get a win from this game. It will be tough but I believe we have what it takes to be a quality side like Liverpool. They are one of the top four and a big club. We can beat them though, no doubt about that.

Rafael [Benitez] has attempted his mind games quite a few times this season and no doubt he'll try it again today. He is not going to achieve anything though because it doesn't affect me. He can carry on but he'll look quite stupid to be honest. He's a good manager, but poor psychologist.

I've given Claudio [Pizzaro] the chance to impress me. He deserves a chance, everyone does. I am sorry for Didier [Drogba] though. He hasn't put a foot wrong and doesn't deserve to be out of the starting eleven. I just feel that Roque [Santa Cruz] and Claudio will work well together as they are both from South America and know each other quite well. They have a good partnership and that will help in the game. They work well together in training."

Avram Grant confirmed Ricardo Carvalho's re-entrance to the starting eleven, after receiving a knock in the pre-match warm up against Reading last week which took him out. However, Joe Cole has failed his fitness test once again which has raised a few eyebrows on Cole's condition.

"Ricardo [Carvalho] is fully fit again. He will start. He has played very well in his two games. Alex gave a good performance against Reading but Ricardo hasn't done anything wrong to not get his place back. If Alex continues to perform in training, then his time time will come will get his place.

Joe [Cole] has once again failed his fitness test. He will not play any part of the match against Liverpool. He is not part of the squad. Unfortunately, he will watch from the stands again. It is very unfortunate for us as we would like for him to play against a team like Liverpool because he adds experience and flair."

Rafa Benitez was given the oppurtunity to give an interview on the match against Chelsea but he only said this "We will win. Guaranteed. Chelsea will lose. We are the better team. I say 6-0." He got to the point very quickly but the truth was seen by everyone as another attempt to get into the Chelsea managers head.

 

[treva]

This is a big game, especially as the relationship of the managers is pretty poor. It will be a good game, and a tight one. Not sure who's going to win this, so I'm going for a 1-1 draw.

 

[m_vaughan]

Grant's decision to play Santa Cruz and Pizzarro together, with Drogba on the bench, is a bold move, but one that does make sense, since being South Americans they might be able to build a good relationship.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Page last updated at 10:59 GMT, Sunday, 08 July 2007 10:59 UK​

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Super sub Drogba seals game for Blues

Drogba celebrates to the fans after scoring his second.​

Chelsea recorded their fourth win of the season against title contention rivals Liverpool. Liverpool were the better team through out the first half and up until the fifty fourth minute when substitute Didier Drogba levelled the game for Chelsea. Andriy Shevchenko gave Liverpool the lead in the thirty seventh minute after beating Petr Cech. In the sixtyth minute, Drogba turned the tables and scored his second goal and won the game for Chelsea.

Chelsea went into the game by making three changes to the team that beat Reading 2-1 last week. Ricardo Carvalho returned to the team to replace Alex. He received an injury in the pre-match warm up against Reading and was replaced by Alex. Michael Essien was brought back into the starting line up. He took the holding midfielder role and replaced Gareth Barry. Claudio Pizzaro played his first game of the season for Chelsea, playing along side Roque Santa Cruz up front. Didier Drogba moved to the bench.

Andriy Shevchenko and Shaun Wright-Phillips both started for Liverpool. The duo signed from Chelsea during this seasons transfer window as part of Avram Grant's clear out and this is their first game back at the Bridge. Andriy Shevchenko scored his first goal for Liverpool against Birmingham in their last Premiership match.

After twenty seven minutes of an even ball game in the centre of the field, Liverpool were the first to have a chance. John Arne Riise put a long ball into the box which was headed out by Terry. The ball only went to Xabi Alonso who played it through to Andriy Shevchenko. Shevchenko had a chance to score against his former club and put Liverpool ahead but he wasted his chance as Petr Cech made a good save.

Ten minutes later Chelsea made an error at the back. A pass across their defensive line saw Andriy Shevchenko intercept the ball. He sprinted past John Terry and was against Petr Cech in a one on one situation. This time he didn't waste his chance as he put the ball in the top right hand corner and put Liverpool ahead by one goal.

The whistle blew for half time in a very boring match. Liverpool were the better side, and the only of the two sides to have an actual shot on goal. They went into the changing rooms knowing they were better than Chelsea in the first half and they were rewarded with a great Andriy Shevchenko goal.

For the second half, Chelsea made one change. Claudio Pizzaro's first game of the season ended at half time as he was replaced by Didier Drogba in an effort to create some more chances. Pizzaro had played quite poorly as he hadn't got into the game and hadn't actually had a chance for that matter.

Liverpool carried on their superiorness at the very start of the second half. John Terry attempted a clearance of the ball from the Chelsea edge of the box but it was blocked by former Blue Shaun Wright-Phillips. Wright-Phillips put a ball into the box for Fernando Torres but the header was poor and was easily saved by Petr Cech.

A minute later, from the clearance, Xabi Alonso headed the ball onto Steven Gerrard from the half way line. Gerrard took on two players in his run from the half way line to the Chelsea area. He took the ball past Petr Cech and had an open goal to shoot at. Shockingly he missed the net and send the ball high and wide. An embarrassing miss for the Liverpool captain.

Chelsea finally had their first chance of the match in the fifty third minute. A long ball from John Terry to Roque Santa Cruz was nudged onto Joaquín on the right wing. Joaquín shrugged off Jamie Carragher and put in a brilliant low cross to Didier Drogba. Drogba tried to hit the ball on the volley and the powerful shot was saved by Pepe Reina. Reina couldn't hold onto the ball and Drogba took advantage and put the ball in the back of the net on the rebound. Chelsea levelled the scores with their first chance of the match.

A few minutes later, Liverpool brought on a fresh pair of legs and made a tactical change. Former Chelsea man, Shaun Wright-Phillips went off for young Brazilian Lucas Leiva, a central midfielder.

Liverpool made a second change a minute later. Spanish international Fernando Torres made way for Dutch international Dirk Kuyt. Rafa Benitez was starting to panic after conceding a goal despite dominating the whole game.

A few minutes later, in the fifty nineth minute, Chelsea had their second chance of the match. Ashley Cole's throw in from the half way line went to Frank Lampard. Lampard passed it on to Robinho on the wing. Robinho tried a few skills against Steve Finnan and cut inside. Finnan was easily beat. Robinho put in a cross to Drogba on the edge of the box. Drogba controlled the ball by taking it on his chest and nudged it on past Javi Navarro and ran on. Pepe Reina jumped out to try and take the ball but Drogba touched the ball to Reina's side and carried on. Drogba shot at an open goal and converted it into Chelsea's second goal of the match. From only two chances, Chelsea had scored two goals and the tables had suddenly turned at Stamford Bridge. The fans were ecstatic as Drogba ran to the corner flag to celebrate his second goal.

In the sixty fifth minute, John Arne Riise won a corner for Liverpool on the left hand side. He took the corner and curled it inwards towards Cech hoping for someone to get a touch on it. Cech came out and took the ball into his hands and cleared the ball away to stop any possible goal. Rafa Benitez was now panicking even more, making tactical changes every few minutes.

A minute later Chelsea made their last two changes. Avram Grant took off Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard and brought on Gareth Barry and Michael Ballack. The quality did not drop from the changes and only made Chelsea's team fresher. Liverpool were in an awful position and Benitez urged his team to go more attacking.

In the seventy second minute, Chelsea had another attack. Xabi Alonso, for once, made an awful pass behind to the defence. Robinho took the ball on and ran past the defenders. He was one on one with the keeper but took one extra touch and Reina pounced on the ball.

There was another poor pass. This time by Chelsea. Dani Alves passed it across his defence and Dirk Kuyt took the ball. His first touch was poor and he had to sprint to regain the ball. His shot was not great and was easily saved by Cech. Chelsea were still ahead.

In the eighty third minute, Chelsea won a corner on the left hand side. Michael Ballack took the corner and curled it in. Didier Drogba jumped in the air to try and get a head on it but Pepe Reina beat him to the ball and took the ball into his hands.

Even in the last few minutes, Chelsea continued to put on the pressure instead of sitting back and holding the score. The final whistle was blew by Michael Mullarkey and Chelsea celebrated victory over rivals Liverpool. Super sub Didier Drogba was awarded the Man of the Match award after scoring the two goals to give Chelsea the win. Chelsea went top of the table with Man Utd to play tomorrow.

 

[Jaztheman]

Nice to see Chelsea attacking till the final whistle. A good 2-1 result for Chelsea, with Drogba doing very well when he came on. Chelsea are currently top, so congratulations Mani.

United to go top tomorow though.

 

[m_vaughan]

Probably now Grant will never consider benching the Ivory Coast striker. What a key figure he is for Chelsea.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

A great 2-1 result for Chelsea. Drogba had to be the super sub but at the end he scored. Chelsea on top of the table so great work Mani.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Page last updated at 10:59 GMT, Sunday, 08 July 2007 10:59 UK​

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Benitez: "An angel delight headline"

Benitez has supposedly "lost the plot" and could face the axe.​

Rafa Benitez has made another controversial interview following Liverpool's loss to Chelsea. Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 thanks to substitute Didier Drogba netting two goals to turn the game around. Shevchenko scored for Liverpool. Benitez said that the game for Chelsea was "An angel delight headline".

Benitez said this about the loss "We won the game theoretically. It was a win in the heart. We know the scoreline. Everyone does. Especially Claudio Pizzaro. He was wonderful. I know that there is food in the fridge but we have to open the fridge first.

Claudio [Pizzaro] is my friend and I think he understands how proud I am of him. He eat his heart, he played so well. It was amazing to watch. I will sign him tomorrow. The transfer market has closed but it doesn't matter because he's such a good player.

Chelsea had an angel delight headline game. It was amazing that you could eat it. They were almost as good as us, almost. Though we won we did not lose to the Chelsea team filled with angel delight. It was brilliant. I think it's time to announce the fact that Chelsea have tried to sign me as manager. I declined."

Due to the loss against Chelsea, a poor start to the season and the constant ridiculed interviews, Rafa Benitez' job may be on the line. He responded by saying this "Haha. You believe the newspapers don't you. You should not listen to strangers. Didn't your mother tell you that. Mine did.

I think that the fact that you are standing here and questioning me about that is ridiculous more than the fact that Claudio Pizzaro hasn't signed as my assistant manager yet. You have to have guts to ask the question. Do you?"

 

[treva]

Big win for Chelsea, and a big boost for Didier Drogba. Looks like leaving him on the bench fired him up and he played some wonderful football. Played quite poorly first half, but Grant must be very happy with their comeback. It all looks good so far.

 

[m_vaughan]

Its official. Rafa is a coke-head.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

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Grant responds to Benitez' comments

Grant is not bothered by Rafa Benitez.​

Avram Grant responded to Rafa Benitez' comments on his team and their Premiership match by saying he wasn't bothered. Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 at Stamford Bridge and at the post-match interview Rafa Benitez continued his mind games. Grant said that Benitez should worry more about his own team.

Avram Grant said this "I think Rafa Benitez is to worried about playing games with me and my head that he hasn't realized that his team is in turmoil. Every one has turned their back on him. He is a lone person in that team. They are already looking for replacements for him.

He has been to busy trying to play mind games on me and my team that he has lost all sight and direction for driving his team to glory. He is going to get the sack in the next few days I believe. It's been on the news everywhere hasn't it? Well that just sums it up for you, no good comes from petty mind games.

Chelsea haven't approached him to become their manager. If they had I wouldn't be sitting here right now would I? The things he comes out with are utter rubbish and just do not make sense whatsoever. There is no point listening to him because in about two days he'll be on the doll."

This has sparked more rumours about the Liverpool board giving Rafa Benitez a chance to leave peacefully or else they will sack him. There are no clear favourites of who will take the job if he does leave the club and there are no clubs showing their interest to snap up the current Liverpool manager as of yet.

 

[m_vaughan]

Not so dignified response from Grant, but atleast he conveyed the message. Adios Rafa!

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Sorry about no updates the past two days. Had guests yesterday and I couldn't get on PC today.

 

[m_vaughan]

No problem mate. Take your time.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

My laptop is having problems today (crashing, losing internet connection) so the update will have to wait another day .