Rant box: Chelsea v Fulham

By: Jack | August 22nd, 2009

Chelsea’s first London derby of the new term may not be the most fiercest, or the most glamorous. It does, however, represent a strong test — and a reunion of sorts for two of the game’s most astute managers.

Fulham’s Roy Hodgson and CA are well-aquainted. As managers in Serie A, the two clashed thrice; of the three, Carlo won two. It shall be interesting how each counters the other in a match Chelsea will be keen to claim — a late Clint Dempsey leveller earned Fulham a 2-2 draw last season at Craven Cottage.

Team News: Following Deco’s superlative show midweek at Sunderland, expect him to continue in the hole behind the strikers with Super Frank setting up shop on the left side of midfield. Anelka should return to partner Drogba. Will Mikel be dropped in favor of an Essien-Ballack axis at defensive and right mid? Likely.

Fulham have been dealt a severe blow with the news that striker Andy Johnson will be sidelined for eight weeks with a shoulder injury. That leaves Diomansy Kamara to partner Bobby Zamora?! Yikes. Former Chelsea boy Damien Duff could be in line for a debut, as could Jonathan Greening.

Odd, but inspiring, fact: Chelsea won twice from behind last season. They’ve already matched that total in 2009-10.

More fun facts:
Chelsea are seeking an 80th London derby win in 161 attempts.

Didier Drogba has six shots on target so far this season, tops in the Premier League.

Frank Lampard led the Prem in chances created last term, and is in already back out front with 10.

In the last three seasons, Chelsea have won one of the games against Fulham and drawn the other.

Fulham have won just once in 16 league meetings with the Blues.

It’s been nine league matches without a draw for Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Starting XIs (visual jacked from the Guardian):

	EPL Match Schedule			Discount Travel to London & Chelsea
	Chelsea Scores			Stamford Bridge information & hotels

Category: Chelsea Team News, Fixtures, Match Previews, Premiership, Rant Box

Tags: Andrew Johnson, Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea Team News, Deco, Didier Drogba, Fixtures, Frank Lampard, Fulham, Match Previews, Premiership, Rant Box, Roy Hodgson

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• anonymous |  August 22nd, 2009 at 5:44 pm

  
  
  

  OFF TOPIC:

  For the chelsea fans complaining about barca going through due to unfair referee decisions, well, how about 05 when terry scored a header after some chelsea player clearly and blatantly held valdes??? What goes around comes around, GET OVER IT AND GROW UP!!!

  Posted from United States

  

• anonymous |  August 22nd, 2009 at 5:49 pm

  
  
  

  OH, and,

  Barca and chelsea have met three times in the knockout stages of the cl. And Barca are leading 2-1. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Posted from United States

  

• Jack |  August 22nd, 2009 at 7:04 pm

  
  
  

  Will this Barca-Chelsea s*** never end? Move the f*** on, you clown.

  Posted from United States

  

• anonymous |  August 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 pm

  
  
  

  ME? You are talking to me??? Its the Chelsea fans who invade every barca article on soccernet, goal.com, and cry about the unfair ref.

  Posted from United States

  

• Jack |  August 22nd, 2009 at 9:38 pm

  
  
  

  This coming from the guy whose web name is “anonymous.” We at The Chelsea Offside have moved on; we haven’t discussed that s*** in months. Is sounds as if you haven’t moved on — and you’re a Barca fan, hilarious.

  Posted from United States

  

• ph0bolus |  August 23rd, 2009 at 8:20 am

  
  
  

  Game is turning into a snoozefest..inaccurate long balls after another…

  Posted from United States

  

• Michael Benoit |  August 23rd, 2009 at 8:54 am

  
  
  

  oh its over already?

  Posted from United States

  

• Jack |  August 23rd, 2009 at 8:55 am

  
  
  

  Snoozefest, perhaps, but I’ll take it. As comfortable as you’d like, with Drogba and Anelka superb.

  Posted from United States

  

• BANANA |  August 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 am

  
  
  

  Drogba GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Posted from Australia

  

• Chelsea |  August 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 am

  
  
  

  Maaaaaaaan if the whole 09/10 season is like this…Win after Win…Then I will sure be Happy, as I am now!

  Posted from United States

  

• Chelsea |  August 23rd, 2009 at 10:24 am

  
  
  

  Jack(or anyone who knows) why was Essien benched for John Obi Mikel and did not play at all? Is it some sort of a rotation against weaker opponents to have some particular players rested?

  Posted from United States

  

• mattsmash |  August 23rd, 2009 at 8:45 pm

  
  
  

  Another comfortable win under our belts. I was hoping that we’d win the first 5 games of the season and it’s looking promising so far.

  Posted from Australia

  

• Chelsea shirts |  August 24th, 2009 at 1:55 am

  
  
  

  Good result and good performance, Fulham weren’t really given any time on the ball

  Posted from United States

  

• Michael Benoit |  August 24th, 2009 at 12:03 pm

  
  
  

  ahhh FIFA 09 knows how to make a game more interesting. Chelsea 5 – Fulham 2 with Lampard getting a penalty kick in the 90th minute and Kalou getting a goal after being subbed for drogba when he got his goal in the 2nd half .. i’m lazy to change the main squad list lol

  Posted from United States

  

• Anonymous |  August 26th, 2009 at 11:32 am

  
  
  

  Hello? This blog is nearly as boring as Chelsea. LMAO!

  Posted from United States

  

• Jack |  August 26th, 2009 at 5:00 pm

  
  
  

  Then why are you always here? Clown.

  Posted from United States

  

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