Premier League - Chelsea vs Manchester City

Premier League Matchday 23 sees Stamford Bridge play host to a huge 1^st vs 2^nd clash between League-leaders Chelsea and Manchester City just behind them that could have profound implications on the destination of the season's title....





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Indeed, with 5 points separating the two going into the weekend's clash, the match is looking very much like a pivotal moment in this campaign's title push. A win for Chelsea would send the Blues 8 points clear — the biggest gap at the top they'll have held all season and the second such one they'll have had over Manchester City this term — surely prompting José Mourinho to feel like his side are well on their way to the championship come May. A win for the Citizens, likewise, would instill them with no less confidence. 2 points between themselves and their rivals from the south will feel like little at all, especially having already clawed back a far bigger disadvantage just a month before as the festive season began to take its toll on the seldom-rotated Chelsea squad, and with over 3 months still to go in the long campaign, there's much football yet to be played.










The day's guests, despite that 5-point deficit, were, up until very recently, the Premier League's form side. 12 games undefeated in the League before their 1-1 draw away to Everton at Goodison Park on the tenth of January saw Manuel Pellegrini's men claw their way back onto terms with their previously soaring rivals from the south, so that by New Years' Day, the two sides were separated remarkably by just the alphabet. A recent slip in fortunes, however, has restored much of that advantage in favour of the Blues in the 3 or so weeks since, and the Citizens will know only too well that a loss at the weekend could spell ominous times ahead for them indeed.
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Looking back a bit farther, the Blues' recent record against the Mancunians at Stamford Bridge is quite good. In their last 5 matches, the Londoners have won 3, with a draw and a loss finishing up the quintet. That trio of victories also came within the 4 most recent clashes, and José Mourinho will be looking to valuably add another to that tally come the final whistle on Saturday.
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The corresponding fixture last term was a dramatic affair that saw the Blues run out last-gasp winners. André Schürrle struck first on 33 minutes to put his side in front after seeing them miss a number of gilt-edged opportunities to not only score, but assemble an early sizable advantage over their opponents, namely from Gary Cahill and a pair from Fernando Torres. The visitors would respond, though, 4 minutes after the break through a superb strike from the corner of the box by Sergio Aguero into the roof of Petr Cech's net. The game appeared destined for a stalemate, until a late, late mix-up at the back between goalkeeper Joe Hart and centre-half Matija Nastasić in the final minute of regular time presented the ball to a persistent Fernando Torres, who didn't, for once, let the glorious opportunity go to waste, slotting the ball in from slightly a challenging angle to send the Stamford Bridge crowd into euphoria and José Mourinho into the stands to join in the celebrations.













The reverse fixture in late September was something of another story. The Blues were expectedly set up in their usual 'away-from-home-against-a-big-side' fashion that José Mourinho is famous – or perhaps infamous – for. Even still, it was they who arguably had the better chances of the first half, the foremost of which was Diego Costa hitting the post. Nevertheless, the game headed into the break honours even at nil apiece. The second half, undoubtedly to the delight of spectators both in the stadium and at home, was to see much more excitement. Pablo Zabaleta was sent off on 66 minutes courtesy of a second yellow card incurred through a challenge on Diego Costa. 5 minutes later, the Blues at last scored the opening goal on the day the match desperately needed through André Schurrle with just under 20 minutes remaining. Mourinho's men then went summarily but unsurprisingly back into defence mode, clinging hopefully onto their lead. Undiscouraged, the hosts still were pushing hard for an equaliser, before 5 minutes from time it finally came — and a dramatic one at that, through former-Blue and Chelsea all-time highest goalscorer Frank Lampard, to earn a precious point for his side and crush the away side's hearts in more ways than one.










In more recent events, the pair obtained contrasting results a fortnight before in their Matchday 22 fixtures. The Blues strolled to a 5-0 annihilation of Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium courtesy of an early opener from Oscar, a 14-minute brace from Diego Costa, a second from Oscar about 10 minutes before the interval, and a final strike from André Schurrle just over 10 minutes from time to complete the demolition, while Manchester City were handed a surprise but decisive defeat at the hands of Arsenal at the Etihad when goals from Santi Cazorla from the spot and Olivier Giroud either side of the break, supplemented on the evening by an unexpectedly organized and solid Gunners defence, ended the home side's aforementioned 12-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and put Manuel Pellegrini's men 5 points behind their Saturday hosts.










Mark Clatteburg, who last officiated for Chelsea in their 3-1 defeat of Fulham in March of last year and for Manchester City in their victory by the same scoreline over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Boxing Day, has been appointed referee for Saturday's affair.
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I imagine we'll see a full strength side for this one.

I hope Cesc is fit, if not, I think Ramires might get the nod alongside Matic.


We need the win here, but I'd take a draw.

Cuadrado
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Ever the optimist


As for the rest, I think it's pretty obvious we'll have as strong a side out as possible. Shame we had to go through an extra 30 minutes tonight but I reckon the boys will be well up for it regardless and with City stuttering atm, suffice it to say, it's a real opportunity to take a giant step towards lifting the title come May.

Will Cesc play? I heard he's having some hamstring issues and is doubtful for the match.

That's the million dollar question atm.

We certainly need him.

That said, I'd rather have him out than Matic, if I had to choose one of them.

damn costa the stamper

Chelsea fanzine asks supporters to give Frank Lampard a good reception when he returns to Stamford Bridge:
Chelsea fanzine cfcuk has attempted to preempt a civil war breaking out among Blues fans over the return of Frank Lampard to Stamford Bridge on Saturday by urging supporters to give a ‘good, appreciative reception’ for a player they consider the greatest in the club's recent history
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2929770/Chelsea-fanzine-asks-supporters-Frank-Lampard-good-reception-returns-Stamford-Bridge.html

'Like all Chelsea supporters, we would have preferred him to have worked out a deal that would have seen him stay at Stamford Bridge but, failing that, we wish he had gone straight to New York City rather than to another English team, especially the Etihad side.'

'That said, the majority of the regular contributors to this fanzine are of the opinion that Lampard is still the greatest player they have seen in a Chelsea shirt and nothing – even match-winning performances for one of Chelsea's rivals – will bring about a change of mind.'

'Those who say he is being disloyal to Chelsea by helping Manchester City are simply naïve. Should he play at Stamford Bridge, we hope that he will receive a good, appreciative reception from the home supporters before and after the match but, for the 90 minutes that the game is being played, they give their all in back the team in Royal Blue.'

That would be very classy to say the least.

http://www.thefa.com/news/governance/2015/jan/diego-costa-charged-violent-conduct-chelsea-liverpool-semi-final-second-leg
This means Costa won't play this match?

Looks that way

Shed wrote:Chelsea fanzine asks supporters to give Frank Lampard a good reception when he returns to Stamford Bridge:
Chelsea fanzine cfcuk has attempted to preempt a civil war breaking out among Blues fans over the return of Frank Lampard to Stamford Bridge on Saturday by urging supporters to give a ‘good, appreciative reception’ for a player they consider the greatest in the club's recent history
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2929770/Chelsea-fanzine-asks-supporters-Frank-Lampard-good-reception-returns-Stamford-Bridge.html

'Like all Chelsea supporters, we would have preferred him to have worked out a deal that would have seen him stay at Stamford Bridge but, failing that, we wish he had gone straight to New York City rather than to another English team, especially the Etihad side.'

'That said, the majority of the regular contributors to this fanzine are of the opinion that Lampard is still the greatest player they have seen in a Chelsea shirt and nothing – even match-winning performances for one of Chelsea's rivals – will bring about a change of mind.'

'Those who say he is being disloyal to Chelsea by helping Manchester City are simply naïve. Should he play at Stamford Bridge, we hope that he will receive a good, appreciative reception from the home supporters before and after the match but, for the 90 minutes that the game is being played, they give their all in back the team in Royal Blue.'

I wouldn't boo him if I was there, I just wouldn't cheer him.

Also GG Costa ah well.

Ivory Coast through

Remy up top is fine, imo.

Cesc Fàbregas likely to miss Manchester City game with hamstring injury
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/28/cesc-fabregas-manchester-city-injury

Chelsea are braced to be without Cesc Fàbregas as well as Diego Costa in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City, because of the hamstring the Spain midfielder damaged in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool.

Fàbregas was involved in a collision with John Terry early in the second half of the hosts’ 1-0 win and was withdrawn after 50 minutes to be replaced by Ramires. José Mourinho had initially suggested his withdrawal was merely precautionary with one eye on the visit of the champions but the Spaniard underwent treatment on Wednesday and is rated highly doubtful for Saturday’s Premier League game.

His fitness will continue to be monitored over the remainder of the week though the initial prognosis is far from encouraging. His absence would represent a considerable blow given Fàbregas’s hugely positive impact – as a goal provider – since returning to English football from Barcelona last summer.

More bad news.

Mou will play drogba up top for sure

I get the feeling he will, Remy should start, though.

What we should play:

What Jose will do:

I'd play Ramires over mikel personally

It wouldn't shock me if Mou had Matic and Mikel at CM and Ramires on the wing though

I'd prefer Remy to start as well but having gotten the nod at Old Trafford and at home to Spurs when we were also without Diego, and scored in both, I think he'll go with Drogs too.