Via the Guardian … “The competition may change, the advertising hoardings spinning to proclaim Champions League or Premier League or Carling Cup, but Chelsea’s swashbuckling home form remains a constant. A tenth consecutive win here, achieved gracefully and impressively last night, has propelled Carlo Ancelotti’s team into the quarter-finals. This side feels untouchable in these environs.”

Love it. Anybody see the match? If you did, let us know how it went down.

Chelsea’s nine-match winning streak in all competitions — six consecutive in the Premier League — came to an abrupt, and surprising, end on Saturday against Wigan. Yes, that Wigan.

Petr Cech was sent off early in the second half after clipping Hugo Rodallega in the box. The Colombian forward, enjoying his first full season in England, easily dispatched the following penalty with ease against substitute keeper Hilario — on for Malouda, the architect of our only goal via Drogba — and the Latics were rarely threatened the rest of the day.

Think the defeat may be unwarranted? You would be wrong. Wigan was so impressive, organized and attack-minded from the onset, even Ancelotti was forced to admit so.

“They played very well and ours was a bad performance,” CA said afterward, bemused. “They were well-organised. Yes, I was surprised by how good they were.”

What went wrong? Well CA, for one, hasn’t a clue.

The opening 10-15 minutes displayed what we’ve come to expect from Chelsea this season. Fluid movement, crisp passing, quality looks at goal — they were all there. Then, Titus Bramble of all people takes advantage of some egregious set-piece defending to hand Wigan a shock lead.

It all really fell apart from there.

Following the sending off — no doubt a penalty, but I’m still not sure on whether or not it was indeed a red card — Lampard was forced to drop into a deeper position as our increasingly overworked midfield looked for open avenues. This hindered his ability to link with Drogba, who so often looks for the England midfielder with his back to goal. Thus, hold up play and, more importantly, our attack suffered.

All this is illustrated with the Guardian’s super-underrated interactive chalkboards…

by Guardian Chalkboards

It didn’t help that Michael Ballack, celebrating his 33 years on this here planet Saturday, was ruled out with a calf strain. Joe Cole, who returned after a decade in treatment, against Queens Park Rangers, also failed to be included. His creative zest would have been a nice option.

Luckily, Ashley Cole’s knee injury suffered late in the second half isn’t as serious as could’ve been. He will likely miss our midweek trip to Cyprus, but should return for our crucial tilt against Liverpool on the weekend.

So, is this just an isolated blip during an otherwise pristine run of form? Or are there more worrying signs to be taken from Saturday’s debacle? I vote the former.

Only time will tell.

Ancelotti, a notorious smoker, may not have been able to light one up during the match, but no doubt partook in the old puff following Saturday’s dramatic opening day. A day which ended with an all-too-close, just-in-time 2-1 win over Hull City at Stamford Bridge.

As seen last season, travellers to the Bridge remained resolute. Deep-lying Hull nearly walked away with their second point in as many trips to the west of London, until a certain Ivorian emerged from the share-of-the-points depths with a piece of inspired luck not seen on this side of the capital in some time.

Didier Drogba’s lofted crossing pass to the far post may have been intended for the unmarked Salomon Kalou. Yet when it drifted over Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, inspired for much of the day, and looped just under the crossbar, you didn’t mind. You didn’t mind at all.

Regardless of the final result, this was a frustrating day for Chelsea staff, players and fans alike.

Hull, and it’s record of one win in 22 games — now 23 — warmed to this ocassion. The Tigers’ centerhalf pairing, in particular Michael Turner, proved to be worthy detractors to the Chelsea cause. The visitors did well to deny both Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa pathways into attack; this negated the width we sought, width needed to avoid a midfield clusterf***. If not for Drogba, two-plus minutes into added time, Hull would’ve succeeded.

There are more worries, too. The lack of sharpness in front of goal brings back some haunting memories. Of Chelsea’s 33 shots, just 10 were on target. Thirty-three shots, two goals? Worrying to say the least.

Nicolas Anelka provided little, in my view. Even Drogba struggled in the goalmouth, hurling an opening-minute sitter wide and finding Myhill on a pair of ocassions when it looked as if the goal was an easier target. Still, the Ivorian was at his battering best for much of the day — the same cannot be said for Anelka.

 by Guardian Chalkboards

The introductions of both Ballack, at intermission, and Deco later into the second half proved positive. Deco was incisive and Ballack’s replacing of Mikel allowed Essien to move into defensive midfield where his energy and versatility dwarf that of the young, but promising, Nigerian.

Obviously, there are improvements to be made. But three points from three is what is is, quality. Remember 2005-06?

Wigan? Crespo? Premiership title.

Oh, and Chelsea grabs the first hardware of the season. What a fantastic start.

Bravo, boys.

Chelsea netted twice in the final five minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw with Reading at the Madjeski on Saturday afternoon. Kalou bagged the first — I know, shocking — with an own goal, set up by the towering Alex, providing the late-game theatrics in added time.

I did not get to see the match but, from what I’ve read, it was far from an ideal display — though we seemed to improve somewhat during the second half.

Lineups
Chelsea (4-4-2 diamond): Cech (Turnbull 76); Ivanovic (Bosingwa h-t), Carvalho (Alex h-t), Terry (c), A Cole; Mikel, Essien (Belletti 63), Deco (Malouda h-t), Lampard; Anelka (Sturridge 63), Drogba (Kalou 63).

Reading(4-3-3): Federici; Rosenior, Pearce (c), Cisse, Bertrand; Gunnarsson (Bikey h-t), Tabb (Harper 55), Davies (Mooney 63); Robson-Kanu (N Hunt h-t), Long (Church 55), Kebe (Henry 78).

As always, discuss the match right here. If you were there or saw it on the tele, let me know what you thought. Is the 4-4-2 the future — or should it already be the past? Let me know, people.

All is good.

It finally went right for young Franco Di Santo who, as a second-half substitute, scored and set up the Blues’ second goal. Flo-Rida netted the night capper.

With the result, Chelsea wrapped up the World Football Challenge undefeated — three matches, three wins — and it’s first trophy of the season. Perhaps it’s meaningless but, for me, not so much.

It was imperative Ancelotti enjoy a near seamless transition. Our preseason tour of North America has ensured that. Ancelotti’s diamond 4-4-2 has been a success. Our new signings have been a success. Everything has been a success — so far.

Let’s just hope we can keep it up.

What we have learned from Chelsea’s American tale?

Dominic Fifield, of the Guardian, did an interesting piece on our trip to the States and what we can take away from it.

Included is the opinion that North America is warming to Chelsea. From evidence of my trip to Baltimore for the Milan match, I must agree. There was plenty of blue in the area. Still, though, it was a pro-Milan crown — gross.

But Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea? They were quite impressive during Tuesday’s decisive 2-0 win in Pasadena.

Again, Carlo broke out the 4-1-2-1-2 formation and, again, the result was a tidy attacking performance. The movement, the passing, the control, the speed of play … it was all just so fluid. In fact, it was more silky than Chelsea fan Will Ferrell’s mustache in Anchorman.

Mourinho probaly needed a whole heck of a lot of scotchy, scotch, scotch after what really was a miserable outing from Inter. Balotelli, in particular, looks appalling. The so-called next thang thang, huh? I guess the next thing is gar-bage.

Shout outs

Deco. Again the old man proved he’s not entirely useless. I’d gauge he’s got a future at Stamford Bridge following two quality displays. His passing and workrate have certainly risen to another level since last season’s close.

Di Santo. Again, the kid shows up — and doesn’t score despite looking the part. Santo exudes this calm that I just love; he looks so comfortable out there.

Drogba. Looks fitter than he did at anytime last season. About to ink a new deal. All-around good news there.

Anelka/Sturridge. Appear a lethal pairing. Anelka may have gained a step in pace — nuts at his age. Sturridge looks an amazing fit.

Dumb downs

Kalou. New position, same old Kalou. Will this guy’s touch ever get better?

Narrowness. A minor issue, due to the diamond. Malouda found himself in a central position, or entering a central position looking for the ball, a number of times. Again, this is a slight worry, one I think we may well not need to address. After all, Carlo won the CL with this formation.

Chelsea left it all on the pitch Wednesday, coming within seconds of a second consecutive appearance in the Champions League final. Those who wanted football got it; the Blue, for large portions of the match, toyed with the Barcelona defense. Well, let’s be honest here, the Blues dominated this match save for a minute of extra time.

Of course, Barca dominated possession as has become standard for a match featuring the likes of Messi, Eto’o, Iniesta and Xavi. However, those transcendent attackers fell victim to the relentless, unwavering power of the Chelsea defense. Barcelona produced only one shot on goal, an Iniesta dagger in the 94th minute that earned the Catalans a date with Manchester United in Rome. And even that was a fluke, Essien somehow losing his footing when a simple clearance looked all too simple.

It was harsh on the Ghanaian who solidified himself as one of the five best players in the world — yeah, I said it — with his box-to-box melee on Barca heads. His goal, a miraculous volley from just outside the penalty area, is the stuff of myths.

Barca, and fans alike, will no doubt feel they deserve to be in Rome alongside United. It’s a victory for football they say. One shot on goal is a victory for football? To each is his own, I guess.

Chelsea, however, as Frank Lampard remarked before this second leg, probably feel cursed. It was footing that cost the Blues a first CL title a year ago. This season, disappointment came in the form of a sparkling strike from the man with the biggest head on earth.

The blue half of London has to be proud, though. This was a performance worthy of praise. If not for some wasted opportunities, particularly from Didier Drogba, this one would have been over well before the final minutes. Yes, dubious officiating played a role , but now that I’ve calmed down a bit I’m not going to complain. We had our chances; we should’ve buried them.

John Terry was masterful. So, too, was the entire team for that matter. Cech had little to do and Anelka may well have failed to match his form from the weekend, but this team truly showed why it’s become one of the world’s elite. Hiddink as well, over his few months in charge, has display the kind of steel and tactical nous needed for this position. If only we could persuade him to stay on permanently.

Regarding the Drogba substitution: Is it me or was he injured prior to being subbed. I know people are giving Hiddink slack for removing him but, at least to me, he appeared to be struggling with a knee knock just before. I can’t imagine Guus wouldn’t have wanted him on the pitch at that point.

As for this Chelsea’s classlessness, I can’t defend the actions of Drogbs & Co. after the final whistle. What I can do is let Pep Guardiola tell it…

“I want to thank John Terry for coming into the dressing-room and congratulating us. He’s a true gentleman,” Guardiola said after the match.

We’ve stil got one piece of hardware to collect this year, boys. Let’s go get it at Wembley.

“But when you outplay yourself… You simply cannot have that. That’s why you get angry. We expressed ourselves to the players and addressed it after the game. I have been known to throw the odd cup of tea around which might be there in the locker room. Every now and then it happens. But this time they knew without me having to tell them.”

This match went from being considering to a superlative display to the bordeline ridiculous in less than 10 minutes. Chelsea lead by what appeared an insurmountable four goals after Didier Drogba bagged his second after 63 minutes. Instead, Bolton responded with a blue collar rally behind the inspired play of Kevin Davies and former McDonald’s crew chief Chris Basham.

First it was Andy O’ Brien, though — who hadn’t scored in four-plus seasons. Basham followed before Davies headed on for Matt Taylor to finish. And there was still 15 or so minutes remaining at the point. Only after Gretar Steinsson’s effort from close-range deflected off a teammate and out with seconds remaining could Chelsea actually breathe.

Of course, those on the red side of Merseyside were licking their lips at the sight of Ricardo Carvalho offering little resistance, a panicky John Terry and a — dare I say it — useless Petr Cech. But lets be realistic, here.

Chelsea clearly let off the gas. Do you think a Blues side would ever do that against Liverpool? In the Champions League? Get real. Second, Liverpool doesn’t have a Kevin Davies.

Third, Frank Lampard was off the pitch when Bolton netted all three of its goals. So was Didier Drogba. Oh, and Michael Essien wasn’t even in the squad. A coincidence? Hardly.

The real problem with us giving up three goals to Bolton is we’ve given Liverpool the formula to beat us … let Chelsea score four, in turn lulling us into a false sense of security. HA.

 by Guardian Chalkboards

As for the rest of the Bolton match, Chelsea began slowly before absolutely blowing the Wanderers off the pitch for the better part of 60 minutes. Michael Ballack tallied his first league goal of the season to start it off. Lampard added a penalty and Drogs closed the scoring for the Blues with a pair.

At the back, Ivanovic once again looked fantastic — save for missing his assignment on the second Bolton goal. Ashley Cole, once again, proved a constant threat on both ends of the pitch. Worrisome for Blues fans was the form of both Carvalho and Terry; our first-choice pairing just didn’t look solid at all. It’ll be interesting to see what Hiddink opts to do in central defense against the scouse.