fgl
Well-known member
...down the drain .... :twisted::-D
The Great Chelsea FC Thread
- Thread starter JaarVis.
- Start date
devilyangel
New member
lol!.....so bad sia kena down the drain...but i have to admit arsenal are really on form this season but i'm with chelsea all the way
Blue Is The Colour~!
but i'm with chelsea all the wayBlue Is The Colour~!
DarknessIsComfort
New member
Oh the KGB are knocking on his door
cos he's been stealin all his money
from the poor
When the Kremlin get his number....
Chelsea's going underrrrr
Oh the KGB are knocking on his door
cos he's been stealin all his money
from the poor
When the Kremlin get his number....
Chelsea's going underrrrr
Oh the KGB are knocking on his door
fgl
Well-known member
Portsmouth 1-1 Chelsea: Scoring debut for Defoe
PA
Jermain Defoe attained instant hero status at Fratton Park with the equaliser that prevented Chelsea setting a club record of 10 straight wins.
GettyImages
Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe celebrates his first strike for his new club.
Nicolas Anelka slotted Chelsea into a lead they did not deserve after 55 minutes, but Defoe, who had a relatively quiet first half, came up with a route-one equaliser, staying onside to drill in fellow debutant Milan Baros's header from a long clearance by goalkeeper David James and snatch a 1-1 draw.
The roof came off as Defoe struck and Pompey fans had already forgotten about Benjani Mwaruwari, whose transfer to Manchester City remains up in the air.
• Defoe delighted with debut goal
Indeed, the ex-Tottenham ace could have buried Chelsea with three more chances before the finish.
Lassana Diarra, the former Chelsea midfielder who signed from Arsenal for £5 million last month, drove Pompey forward early on.
He picked out on-loan Baros with a delightful diagonal ball after five minutes, but the striker, making his home debut, was off balance when he shot and skied the ball off target from 20 yards.
Ballack's miss for Chelsea soon afterwards was just as spectacular, his shot from the same sort of distance as Baros ballooning over the bar despite plenty of time and space to measure Ashley Cole's square pass.
Surprisingly, Hreidarsson partnered skipper Sol Campbell in the centre of Pompey's defence with Sylvain Distin absent for the first time this season with a hamstring injury.
But it was Hreidarsson's block tackle that halted a dangerous advance by Anelka after 10 minutes before Niko Kranjcar drove a good right-footed shot just wide.
Diarra tested Petr Cech with a firm drive from distance and Pompey more than held their own in midfield.
Even so, Ballack soon headed just over from a corner and then beat James with another header only for Kranjcar to clear off the line.
Pompey then appealed for two penalties.
Ballack appeared to escape referee Howard Webb's gaze when trampling all over Richard Hughes and a Chelsea hand then seemed to brush the ball in melee on the edge of their area.
Chelsea had their biggest escape so far when Pamarot's glancing header from Kranjcar's corner struck Cech's left-hand post and spun away.
The Londoners were out of jail again when Ballack risked another penalty claim by sliding in to rob Baros after Claude Makelele carelessly conceded possession near his own area.
Anelka, who had ploughed a lone furrow up front, could have hurt Pompey in added time at the end of the first half when Florent Malouda's perceptive pass set him up for a run on James, but the keeper stayed big to block the shot and Ashley Cole skied the rebound.
New boy Defoe had been quiet so far for Pompey but three minutes after the break he worked his away through the Chelsea box, defying three challenges, only for Shaun Wright-Phillips to get a foot in and Baros then wastefully fired the loose ball against the fallen Cech's knee.
Chelsea were finally stirred into their best passage of action by the escape, and after Hreidarsson saved Pompey with a timely intervention after Cole's solo run took out two defenders and stranded James, they struck with a classic breakaway.
Referee Webb waved away yet another mighty roar for a penalty when the ball seemed to bounce up onto Makelele's arm before he cleared in the 55th minute.
In the blink of an eye, Malouda was racing away down the left and when his perfect far-post cross was perfectly cushioned by Joe Cole's silky touch, Anelka was on hand to finish with clinical poise.
Home fans chanted 'one-nil to the referee', but their dark mood was lightened within nine minutes when Defoe joyfully put away his chance.
It was direct stuff as James boomed a clearance downfield, Baros headed on and Defoe stayed just onside to devour the opportunity.
Both sides went for the winner and Hreidarsson almost got it with a header from one of Kranjcar's quality free-kicks that dropped just wide.
So did Defoe, who had a chance almost as easy as the one he scored, but he toed it over the advancing Cech and wide of the post.
And right at the end he fired ferociously over from Diarra's pass.
But Pompey needed a masterful save by James to defy Juliano Belletti before the finish.
<LI id=quotes>Defoe delighted with debut goal
Debutant Jermain Defoe was Portsmouth's hero with the equaliser that checked Chelsea's winning run at Fratton Park but the £7.5million striker admitted he should probably have done more to inflict defeat on Avram Grant's side in a 1-1 draw.
'We could have won it in the end, although I think that would have been a bit rough on Chelsea,' said Defoe.
'I thought I would score again when I got through and chipped it over the keeper. Unfortunately it dropped just wide.
'I had another chance earlier and got tackled. Then I lifted my head and put one over the crossbar - but although you'll always regret things like that I'll take the one goal and I'm happy.
'I've come here to score goals and help the team get three points every week. Hopefully that's just the start but we showed today we have a lot of quality in the side.
'Chelsea had chances too but I thought we matched them all the way and that's really encouraging. They are a very good side even with their missing players.'
Pompey manager Harry Redknapp praised Defoe's performance, which made him an instant hit with the home fans, but singled out former Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra as his star man.
'Jermain did well and took his chance. He'll score lots of goals for us and he could have had some more today but it was a great game and a good result for us,' said Redknapp.
'We've taken a point off all the top four here this season and we're looking a strong side even without the four African boys (Papa Bouba Diop, Kanu, John Utaka and Sulley Muntari) who are still away.
'And Diarra is a top player. I thought his performance was absolutely fantastic - and that's three just like that in a row since he walked in the place a couple of weeks ago.
'Milan Baros worked his socks off as well for us.
Grant, the former Portsmouth technical director who has presided over just two defeats in 31 matches since succeeding Jose Mourinho, said: 'I thought we created the better chances but Portsmouth are a difficult side to face and they did well.
'Harry is very good at getting them going and they are strong side, but of course we are not so happy when we don't win.
'Nicolas Anelka showed a great finish to put us ahead and he's always had that kind of touch in front of goal. He's not going to lose it here but Defoe took his goal well for Portsmouth as well.'
Defoe seized his opportunity to become Pompey's new hero with former favourite Benjani Mwaruwari locked in a stalled £8million move to Manchester City while the Premier League try to sort out issues over paperwork involving the transfer.
'I feel he (Benjani) is the biggest loser in all this but hopefully it will be resolved in the next few days,' added Redknapp.
'I don't even know the fee we'll get for him going and I never really wanted to lose him.
'But these are the kind of things you have to do if you want to buy a player like Defoe and still balance the books.
'You'll never meet a nicer boy than Benjani and he gave everything for the club. I really feel for him after what's happened.'
pity pity pity ...2 points dropped!!
ARSENAL ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!!:twisted::twisted::twisted:
PA
Jermain Defoe attained instant hero status at Fratton Park with the equaliser that prevented Chelsea setting a club record of 10 straight wins.
GettyImages
Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe celebrates his first strike for his new club.
Nicolas Anelka slotted Chelsea into a lead they did not deserve after 55 minutes, but Defoe, who had a relatively quiet first half, came up with a route-one equaliser, staying onside to drill in fellow debutant Milan Baros's header from a long clearance by goalkeeper David James and snatch a 1-1 draw.
The roof came off as Defoe struck and Pompey fans had already forgotten about Benjani Mwaruwari, whose transfer to Manchester City remains up in the air.
• Defoe delighted with debut goal
Indeed, the ex-Tottenham ace could have buried Chelsea with three more chances before the finish.
Lassana Diarra, the former Chelsea midfielder who signed from Arsenal for £5 million last month, drove Pompey forward early on.
He picked out on-loan Baros with a delightful diagonal ball after five minutes, but the striker, making his home debut, was off balance when he shot and skied the ball off target from 20 yards.
Ballack's miss for Chelsea soon afterwards was just as spectacular, his shot from the same sort of distance as Baros ballooning over the bar despite plenty of time and space to measure Ashley Cole's square pass.
Surprisingly, Hreidarsson partnered skipper Sol Campbell in the centre of Pompey's defence with Sylvain Distin absent for the first time this season with a hamstring injury.
But it was Hreidarsson's block tackle that halted a dangerous advance by Anelka after 10 minutes before Niko Kranjcar drove a good right-footed shot just wide.
Diarra tested Petr Cech with a firm drive from distance and Pompey more than held their own in midfield.
Even so, Ballack soon headed just over from a corner and then beat James with another header only for Kranjcar to clear off the line.
Pompey then appealed for two penalties.
Ballack appeared to escape referee Howard Webb's gaze when trampling all over Richard Hughes and a Chelsea hand then seemed to brush the ball in melee on the edge of their area.
Chelsea had their biggest escape so far when Pamarot's glancing header from Kranjcar's corner struck Cech's left-hand post and spun away.
The Londoners were out of jail again when Ballack risked another penalty claim by sliding in to rob Baros after Claude Makelele carelessly conceded possession near his own area.
Anelka, who had ploughed a lone furrow up front, could have hurt Pompey in added time at the end of the first half when Florent Malouda's perceptive pass set him up for a run on James, but the keeper stayed big to block the shot and Ashley Cole skied the rebound.
New boy Defoe had been quiet so far for Pompey but three minutes after the break he worked his away through the Chelsea box, defying three challenges, only for Shaun Wright-Phillips to get a foot in and Baros then wastefully fired the loose ball against the fallen Cech's knee.
Chelsea were finally stirred into their best passage of action by the escape, and after Hreidarsson saved Pompey with a timely intervention after Cole's solo run took out two defenders and stranded James, they struck with a classic breakaway.
Referee Webb waved away yet another mighty roar for a penalty when the ball seemed to bounce up onto Makelele's arm before he cleared in the 55th minute.
In the blink of an eye, Malouda was racing away down the left and when his perfect far-post cross was perfectly cushioned by Joe Cole's silky touch, Anelka was on hand to finish with clinical poise.
Home fans chanted 'one-nil to the referee', but their dark mood was lightened within nine minutes when Defoe joyfully put away his chance.
It was direct stuff as James boomed a clearance downfield, Baros headed on and Defoe stayed just onside to devour the opportunity.
Both sides went for the winner and Hreidarsson almost got it with a header from one of Kranjcar's quality free-kicks that dropped just wide.
So did Defoe, who had a chance almost as easy as the one he scored, but he toed it over the advancing Cech and wide of the post.
And right at the end he fired ferociously over from Diarra's pass.
But Pompey needed a masterful save by James to defy Juliano Belletti before the finish.
<LI id=quotes>Defoe delighted with debut goal
Debutant Jermain Defoe was Portsmouth's hero with the equaliser that checked Chelsea's winning run at Fratton Park but the £7.5million striker admitted he should probably have done more to inflict defeat on Avram Grant's side in a 1-1 draw.
'We could have won it in the end, although I think that would have been a bit rough on Chelsea,' said Defoe.
'I thought I would score again when I got through and chipped it over the keeper. Unfortunately it dropped just wide.
'I had another chance earlier and got tackled. Then I lifted my head and put one over the crossbar - but although you'll always regret things like that I'll take the one goal and I'm happy.
'I've come here to score goals and help the team get three points every week. Hopefully that's just the start but we showed today we have a lot of quality in the side.
'Chelsea had chances too but I thought we matched them all the way and that's really encouraging. They are a very good side even with their missing players.'
Pompey manager Harry Redknapp praised Defoe's performance, which made him an instant hit with the home fans, but singled out former Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra as his star man.
'Jermain did well and took his chance. He'll score lots of goals for us and he could have had some more today but it was a great game and a good result for us,' said Redknapp.
'We've taken a point off all the top four here this season and we're looking a strong side even without the four African boys (Papa Bouba Diop, Kanu, John Utaka and Sulley Muntari) who are still away.
'And Diarra is a top player. I thought his performance was absolutely fantastic - and that's three just like that in a row since he walked in the place a couple of weeks ago.
'Milan Baros worked his socks off as well for us.
Grant, the former Portsmouth technical director who has presided over just two defeats in 31 matches since succeeding Jose Mourinho, said: 'I thought we created the better chances but Portsmouth are a difficult side to face and they did well.
'Harry is very good at getting them going and they are strong side, but of course we are not so happy when we don't win.
'Nicolas Anelka showed a great finish to put us ahead and he's always had that kind of touch in front of goal. He's not going to lose it here but Defoe took his goal well for Portsmouth as well.'
Defoe seized his opportunity to become Pompey's new hero with former favourite Benjani Mwaruwari locked in a stalled £8million move to Manchester City while the Premier League try to sort out issues over paperwork involving the transfer.
'I feel he (Benjani) is the biggest loser in all this but hopefully it will be resolved in the next few days,' added Redknapp.
'I don't even know the fee we'll get for him going and I never really wanted to lose him.
'But these are the kind of things you have to do if you want to buy a player like Defoe and still balance the books.
'You'll never meet a nicer boy than Benjani and he gave everything for the club. I really feel for him after what's happened.'
pity pity pity ...2 points dropped!!
ARSENAL ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!!!!:twisted::twisted::twisted:
fgl
Well-known member
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool: Bore draw at Bridge
PA
Chelsea failed to turn up the heat on Premier League title rivals Manchester United and Arsenal as they stumbled to a goalless draw against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
AdrianDennis/GettyImages
Michael Ballack and Javier Mascherano stretch
The Blues had been boosted by Manchester United's defeat at the hands of rivals Manchester City earlier in the day and although the draw enabled them to increase their unbeaten home league sequence to 76 games, the Londoners may yet come to rue their inability to put Liverpool's season to the sword.
A disappointing game, littered with sloppy passing and dominated at either end by uncompromising defences, provided for a forgettable stalemate.
Avram Grant's side had been lifted by the return of midfielder Frank Lampard but his contribution was to end in the second half with the England international clearly not fully match-fit.
Chelsea's early fire soon burnt itself out and it was Liverpool who began to dominate proceedings.
Yet their final ball into the danger area left a lot to be desired with England's Steven Gerrard the main culprit.
But a cross from Steve Finnan in the 14th minute did allow the giant frame of Peter Crouch to head wide of the target from six yards.
It was the gangly Crouch who should have put the visitors in front in the 17th minute when he combined cleverly with Ryan Babel before driving a low left-foot drive wide of Petr Cech's upright.
Two minutes later a run down the right flank by the energetic Gerrard saw his cross find Crouch unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box. But the England striker could not direct his free header wide of Cech.
Chelsea thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the 26th minute when Joe Cole was up-ended in the area but referee Mike Riley waved away their appeals.
A cross from Gerrard in the 33rd minute was only half-cleared by Ricardo Carvalho and Chelsea were lucky to see a follow-up shot from Leiva Lucas deflected to safety.
The visitors were now enjoying a greater share of possession but were finding it difficult to engineer a clear-cut scoring opportunity.
Crouch was a continual threat in the air and he should have at least hit the target when he got on the end of a cross from Dirk Kuyt in the 37th minute.
The move was again sparked by a pass from Gerrard who was now beginning to stamp his authority on the midfield.
Chelsea were still a threat on the break though and Nicolas Anelka won a corner when a speculative 20-yard effort was deflected wide by John Arne Riise.
Five minutes before the interval Babel became the second player to enter Riley's notebook when he committed the same handball offence that had brought Juliano Belletti his yellow card earlier in the half.
A free-kick from Belletti seconds before the interval almost brought Chelsea the reward of a goal but Riise managed to head the ball for a corner.
Chelsea were much better after the restart and Claude Makelele, not known for his goalscoring prowess, was predictably well off-target with a long-range effort in the 50th minute.
His passing is far superior and moments later the Frenchman sent fellow countryman Anelka clear on the Chelsea left. But the former Anfield favourite's low cross eluded everyone in the penalty area.
Chelsea were finding it difficult to break down a Liverpool defence that steadfastly refused to buckle and it required more than the energetic enthusiasm of the lone Anelka to unlock the Reds.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was concerned that momentum of the game was swinging into Chelsea's favour and a defeat for the Merseysiders would surely have ended their hopes of Champions League qualification this season.
Liverpool's frustration was compounded by a booking for Riise who wrestled Lampard to the ground in the 62nd minute.
It was clear Anelka required some help if Chelsea were to break the deadlock and Grant, in keeping with his penchant for attacking football, opted to introduce Florent Malouda into the fray in place of Shaun Wright-Phillips two minutes later.
A mistake by Gerrard, who was caught in possession by Makelele, almost allowed Cole to punish the Reds but his cross was headed away for a corner by Finnan.
Moments later it was the visitors who caused problems for the home side but a quick break ended with Crouch's inability to finish off a cross from Babel.
Michael Ballack almost snatched a late winner 10 minutes from the end but his volley fell just inches wide of Jose Reina's left-hand upright.
Chelsea will welcome back Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou in time for their next outing against Huddersfield in the FA Cup and given the lack of a cutting edge against Liverpool, the end of the African Nations Cup could not have come a moment sooner.
PA
Chelsea failed to turn up the heat on Premier League title rivals Manchester United and Arsenal as they stumbled to a goalless draw against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
AdrianDennis/GettyImages
Michael Ballack and Javier Mascherano stretch
The Blues had been boosted by Manchester United's defeat at the hands of rivals Manchester City earlier in the day and although the draw enabled them to increase their unbeaten home league sequence to 76 games, the Londoners may yet come to rue their inability to put Liverpool's season to the sword.
A disappointing game, littered with sloppy passing and dominated at either end by uncompromising defences, provided for a forgettable stalemate.
Avram Grant's side had been lifted by the return of midfielder Frank Lampard but his contribution was to end in the second half with the England international clearly not fully match-fit.
Chelsea's early fire soon burnt itself out and it was Liverpool who began to dominate proceedings.
Yet their final ball into the danger area left a lot to be desired with England's Steven Gerrard the main culprit.
But a cross from Steve Finnan in the 14th minute did allow the giant frame of Peter Crouch to head wide of the target from six yards.
It was the gangly Crouch who should have put the visitors in front in the 17th minute when he combined cleverly with Ryan Babel before driving a low left-foot drive wide of Petr Cech's upright.
Two minutes later a run down the right flank by the energetic Gerrard saw his cross find Crouch unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box. But the England striker could not direct his free header wide of Cech.
Chelsea thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the 26th minute when Joe Cole was up-ended in the area but referee Mike Riley waved away their appeals.
A cross from Gerrard in the 33rd minute was only half-cleared by Ricardo Carvalho and Chelsea were lucky to see a follow-up shot from Leiva Lucas deflected to safety.
The visitors were now enjoying a greater share of possession but were finding it difficult to engineer a clear-cut scoring opportunity.
Crouch was a continual threat in the air and he should have at least hit the target when he got on the end of a cross from Dirk Kuyt in the 37th minute.
The move was again sparked by a pass from Gerrard who was now beginning to stamp his authority on the midfield.
Chelsea were still a threat on the break though and Nicolas Anelka won a corner when a speculative 20-yard effort was deflected wide by John Arne Riise.
Five minutes before the interval Babel became the second player to enter Riley's notebook when he committed the same handball offence that had brought Juliano Belletti his yellow card earlier in the half.
A free-kick from Belletti seconds before the interval almost brought Chelsea the reward of a goal but Riise managed to head the ball for a corner.
Chelsea were much better after the restart and Claude Makelele, not known for his goalscoring prowess, was predictably well off-target with a long-range effort in the 50th minute.
His passing is far superior and moments later the Frenchman sent fellow countryman Anelka clear on the Chelsea left. But the former Anfield favourite's low cross eluded everyone in the penalty area.
Chelsea were finding it difficult to break down a Liverpool defence that steadfastly refused to buckle and it required more than the energetic enthusiasm of the lone Anelka to unlock the Reds.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was concerned that momentum of the game was swinging into Chelsea's favour and a defeat for the Merseysiders would surely have ended their hopes of Champions League qualification this season.
Liverpool's frustration was compounded by a booking for Riise who wrestled Lampard to the ground in the 62nd minute.
It was clear Anelka required some help if Chelsea were to break the deadlock and Grant, in keeping with his penchant for attacking football, opted to introduce Florent Malouda into the fray in place of Shaun Wright-Phillips two minutes later.
A mistake by Gerrard, who was caught in possession by Makelele, almost allowed Cole to punish the Reds but his cross was headed away for a corner by Finnan.
Moments later it was the visitors who caused problems for the home side but a quick break ended with Crouch's inability to finish off a cross from Babel.
Michael Ballack almost snatched a late winner 10 minutes from the end but his volley fell just inches wide of Jose Reina's left-hand upright.
Chelsea will welcome back Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou in time for their next outing against Huddersfield in the FA Cup and given the lack of a cutting edge against Liverpool, the end of the African Nations Cup could not have come a moment sooner.
JaarVis.
New member
we shall wait and seee. you may never know what'll happen.
chelski will never fallll.. they jus lack support.
man u's going down . liverpool went down . chelsea remains . arsenal , SOON .
hahah. though i think arsenal is playing well these days. FEB 16 !
FA CUP Quaters. Man U vs Arsenal .
WE SHALL SEEEE !
chelski will never fallll.. they jus lack support.
man u's going down . liverpool went down . chelsea remains . arsenal , SOON .
hahah. though i think arsenal is playing well these days. FEB 16 !
FA CUP Quaters. Man U vs Arsenal .
WE SHALL SEEEE !
JaarVis.
New member
wah. not enough chelsea fans to support this thread.
ANYWAY.
ARSENAL'S GOING DOWN IN UCL TOO !
CHELSEAS GONNA KICK OLYPIACOS OUT OF UCL AT STAMFORD BRIDGE.
i got shocked when liverpool won inter by 2 goals. impressing.
and man u got a draw with lyon in an away match. not bad.
other than they got an advantage of an away goal.
Goalless tie suits Grant's Blues
Scoring Summary
Match Stats
Olympiacos Chelsea
Shots (on Goal) 6(2) 11(3)
Fouls 16 17
Corner Kicks 5 2
Offsides 4 4
Time of Possession 45% 55%
Yellow Cards 1 4
Red Cards 0 0
Saves 3 2
Match Information
Stadium: Karaiskaki Stadium, Athens, Greece
Attendance: 29,500
Match Time: 19:45 UK
Referee(s):
Konrad Plautz (Referee)
Fritz Stuchlik (Linesman)
Markus Mayr (Linesman)
Egon Bereuter (Linesman)
Updated: February 19, 2008, 4:53 PM ET
Chelsea carved out a goalless draw against Olympiacos in Athens to give themselves a real chance of reaching the last eight of the Champions League.
But the rest of Europe will hardly be quaking in their boots after the Blues failed to create one real clear-cut chance against their opponents.
However, the Londoners will be favourites to progress into the quarter-finals when the two sides meet again in the return leg at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight.
Chelsea coach Avram Grant took a massive Euro gamble in leaving both captain John Terry and midfielder Frank Lampard on the bench against the Greek champions.
But his plan worked as Chelsea ground out a bore draw that made a mockery of the plan to turn his side into one of the most free-flowing in Europe.
Olympiacos proved they were no pushovers after qualifying for the knockout stages from a group that included Werder Bremen, Lazio and Real Madrid.
They have won 10 domestic titles in 11 years and Grant's decision to rest the England international duo was a brave one to take given the strength of the opposition.
It took Chelsea just 31 seconds to have the first shot on goal but unfortunately Michael Essien's effort was well wide.
Chelsea were lucky to escape in the seventh minute when Ieroklis Stoltidis tried to find Darko Kovacevic only for Ricardo Carvalho to react quickest and cut out what would have been a goalscoring opportunity for the Olympiacos forward.
In the 13th minute Anastasios Pantos got the better of Joe Cole on the left flank only for his shot to deflect off Kovacevic and out for a goal-kick to Chelsea.
Florent Malouda tested home goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis in the 15th minute with a right-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area which the veteran shot-stopper did well to collect at the first attempt.
The hosts almost opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Vassilis Torosidis just failed to connect with a flick-on from Stoltidis.
The Greek side were clearly capable of unsettling the visiting defence but for most of the half, it was Chelsea who dominated possession.
The Greeks were far from fluid in going forward and this allowed the English side to deal comfortably with their sporadic attacks.
Chelsea defender Alex was shown the yellow card in the 35th minute for a foul on Cristian Ledesma.
The English side were being forced to defend in numbers for the first time in the game now but the home side continued to show little invention in attack.
Too many aimless long balls were collected with ease by the Chelsea defence who, like their hosts, were unable to make the most of their possession.
It was a measure of their frustration that a shot from Claude Makelele was way off-target when the France veteran, and captain on the night, tried his luck from 30 yards.
Chelsea wasted another chance when a free-kick from Juliano Belletti was headed well wide by the unmarked Michael Ballack.
Grant resisted the opportunity to change his side during the interval but his team failed to raise their game at the start of the second half.
In the 56th minute Belletti was booked for a rash challenge on Stoltidis and Petr Cech had to be at his best to keep out a 25-yard drive from Predrag Djordjevic.
There was little to enthuse about as both sides struggled to find any fluidity during a game that rarely threatened to entertain.
It was far from the best advert for free-flowing football and Chelsea seemed quite content to pass the ball around without purpose until they lost possession.
Olympiacos would have benefited from an injection of pace in attack but the tall frame of Kovacevic was not the man to supply it.
One the rare occasions they found some pace it was from the combination of Stoltidis and Djordjevic.
They combined superbly in the 65th minute to set up a real chance for Luciano Galletti but the Olympiacos midfielder sent his right-foot volley over the crossbar from 10 yards.
Chelsea were devoid of ideas and their lack of initiative in the final third was summed up by an aimless ball from Makelele in the 68th minute that caught both Drogba and Ballack offside.
Chelsea sent on Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard and Salomon Kalou in the closing stages in a bid to find a goal from somewhere but it was much too late for them to make an impact.
Now Chelsea will have to finish the job on home soil to reach the quarter-finals of a competition Grant is desperate to win.
ANYWAY.
ARSENAL'S GOING DOWN IN UCL TOO !
CHELSEAS GONNA KICK OLYPIACOS OUT OF UCL AT STAMFORD BRIDGE.
i got shocked when liverpool won inter by 2 goals. impressing.
and man u got a draw with lyon in an away match. not bad.
other than they got an advantage of an away goal.
Goalless tie suits Grant's Blues
Scoring Summary
Match Stats
Olympiacos Chelsea
Shots (on Goal) 6(2) 11(3)
Fouls 16 17
Corner Kicks 5 2
Offsides 4 4
Time of Possession 45% 55%
Yellow Cards 1 4
Red Cards 0 0
Saves 3 2
Match Information
Stadium: Karaiskaki Stadium, Athens, Greece
Attendance: 29,500
Match Time: 19:45 UK
Referee(s):
Konrad Plautz (Referee)
Fritz Stuchlik (Linesman)
Markus Mayr (Linesman)
Egon Bereuter (Linesman)
Updated: February 19, 2008, 4:53 PM ET
Chelsea carved out a goalless draw against Olympiacos in Athens to give themselves a real chance of reaching the last eight of the Champions League.
But the rest of Europe will hardly be quaking in their boots after the Blues failed to create one real clear-cut chance against their opponents.
However, the Londoners will be favourites to progress into the quarter-finals when the two sides meet again in the return leg at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight.
Chelsea coach Avram Grant took a massive Euro gamble in leaving both captain John Terry and midfielder Frank Lampard on the bench against the Greek champions.
But his plan worked as Chelsea ground out a bore draw that made a mockery of the plan to turn his side into one of the most free-flowing in Europe.
Olympiacos proved they were no pushovers after qualifying for the knockout stages from a group that included Werder Bremen, Lazio and Real Madrid.
They have won 10 domestic titles in 11 years and Grant's decision to rest the England international duo was a brave one to take given the strength of the opposition.
It took Chelsea just 31 seconds to have the first shot on goal but unfortunately Michael Essien's effort was well wide.
Chelsea were lucky to escape in the seventh minute when Ieroklis Stoltidis tried to find Darko Kovacevic only for Ricardo Carvalho to react quickest and cut out what would have been a goalscoring opportunity for the Olympiacos forward.
In the 13th minute Anastasios Pantos got the better of Joe Cole on the left flank only for his shot to deflect off Kovacevic and out for a goal-kick to Chelsea.
Florent Malouda tested home goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis in the 15th minute with a right-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area which the veteran shot-stopper did well to collect at the first attempt.
The hosts almost opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Vassilis Torosidis just failed to connect with a flick-on from Stoltidis.
The Greek side were clearly capable of unsettling the visiting defence but for most of the half, it was Chelsea who dominated possession.
The Greeks were far from fluid in going forward and this allowed the English side to deal comfortably with their sporadic attacks.
Chelsea defender Alex was shown the yellow card in the 35th minute for a foul on Cristian Ledesma.
The English side were being forced to defend in numbers for the first time in the game now but the home side continued to show little invention in attack.
Too many aimless long balls were collected with ease by the Chelsea defence who, like their hosts, were unable to make the most of their possession.
It was a measure of their frustration that a shot from Claude Makelele was way off-target when the France veteran, and captain on the night, tried his luck from 30 yards.
Chelsea wasted another chance when a free-kick from Juliano Belletti was headed well wide by the unmarked Michael Ballack.
Grant resisted the opportunity to change his side during the interval but his team failed to raise their game at the start of the second half.
In the 56th minute Belletti was booked for a rash challenge on Stoltidis and Petr Cech had to be at his best to keep out a 25-yard drive from Predrag Djordjevic.
There was little to enthuse about as both sides struggled to find any fluidity during a game that rarely threatened to entertain.
It was far from the best advert for free-flowing football and Chelsea seemed quite content to pass the ball around without purpose until they lost possession.
Olympiacos would have benefited from an injection of pace in attack but the tall frame of Kovacevic was not the man to supply it.
One the rare occasions they found some pace it was from the combination of Stoltidis and Djordjevic.
They combined superbly in the 65th minute to set up a real chance for Luciano Galletti but the Olympiacos midfielder sent his right-foot volley over the crossbar from 10 yards.
Chelsea were devoid of ideas and their lack of initiative in the final third was summed up by an aimless ball from Makelele in the 68th minute that caught both Drogba and Ballack offside.
Chelsea sent on Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard and Salomon Kalou in the closing stages in a bid to find a goal from somewhere but it was much too late for them to make an impact.
Now Chelsea will have to finish the job on home soil to reach the quarter-finals of a competition Grant is desperate to win.
JaarVis.
New member
Jonathan Woodgate's headed goal in extra-time gave Tottenham Hotspur a 2-1 victory over holders Chelsea in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.
A first-half goal from Didier Drogba, his 10th of the season, put the Blues on the brink of a second successive Carling Cup triumph but a second-half penalty from Dimitar Berbatov sent the game into extra-time.
Then just four minutes into the extended period, a somewhat fortunate header from Woodgate earned Spurs their first trophy since they claimed the Worthington Cup in 1999.
The pre-match focus had revolved around Chelsea coach Avram Grant's team selection with Frank Lampard and captain John Terry, omitted from the Champions League side against Olympiacos the previous Tuesday, unsure of their places.
But the 52-year-old Israeli, who replaced Jose Mourinho as manager last September, selected them both in his final line-up.
Instead, it was England left-back Ashley Cole, France veteran Claude Makelele, Germany captain Michael Ballack and England midfielder Joe Cole who found themselves out of luck.
Grant also paired new £15 million signing Nicolas Anelka and Drogba together for the first time in attack but the former was largely anonymous.
The opening half was dominated by Spurs even though they found themselves behind at the interval.
Tottenham's supremacy began from the kick-off when Chelsea full-back Juliano Belletti gave the ball straight to Robbie Keane.
The Irishman couldn't believe his luck but his shot was deflected to safety by Terry - an instant repayment of Grant's faith.
In the ninth minute Spurs hit the crossbar when Aaron Lennon's corner was met by the head of Pascal Chimbonda at the far post. Fortunately for Chelsea, the ball dropped onto the top of the bar and out to safety.
Seconds later it was the turn of Berbatov to squander a gilt-edged opportunity when he headed Keane's cross wide of the target from six yards.
Tottenham continued to remain in the ascendancy and in the 27th minute Steed Malbranque brought a fine diving save from Petr Cech when he tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area.
Chelsea, in contrast, had failed to find their normal free-flowing football but Tottenham's inability to find some reward for their control eventually let Grant's side seize back the initiative.
The warning signs were there for Spurs when Didier Zokora brought down Shaun Wright-Phillips on the edge of the penalty area in the 33rd minute.
Drogba's free-kick was a foot wide of the target but when Zokora fouled his Ivory Coast team-mate four minutes later, the misdemeanour had major implications for Juande Ramos' side.
Firstly, Zokora was booked by referee Mark Halsey but the more lethal punishment was to follow.
It arrived a minute later when Drogba's free-kick found the back of the net with the Spurs wall and, more importantly, goalkeeper Paul Robinson completely flat-footed.
Robinson was playing only his second game since being recalled by Ramos following a long spell as number two to Radek Cerny.
Robinson's positioning was at fault as Drogba curled his effort into the Spurs net with ease.
Tottenham's response was immediate when Berbatov flicked the ball on to Keane to shoot straight at Cech.
Chelsea continued to look comfortable after the restart and although Tottenham raised their game it took a fine stop from captain Ledley King to prevent Anelka from increasing their lead in the 65th minute.
But Tottenham found a way back into the game in the 69th minute. Wayne Bridge was adjudged to have handled the ball under pressure from Spurs substitute Tom Huddlestone and the referee's assistant immediately signalled a penalty.
Bulgarian striker Berbatov stepped up to send Cech the wrong way and keep Tottenham's dreams alive.
Spurs were now inspired and they should have gone in front in the 80th minute when Keane sent Zokora clean through with just Cech to beat.
The Chelsea 'keeper saved Zokora's first effort with his face and the Ivory Coast midfielder then blasted the follow-up over the bar.
Grant was clearly concerned by Tottenham's resurgence and he had every right to be especially when Berbatov brought another stunning save from Cech in the 84th minute.
Chelsea were now hanging on like a punch-drunk boxer in the final rounds but Spurs could not find the knockout salvo.
Keane then wasted a chance to win it at the death when a long through ball from Huddlestone was flicked on by Woodgate for the Irishman to hook his shot over the bar.
But Ramos clinched his first trophy as Spurs manager when Anelka fouled Lennon midway in the Chelsea half just four minutes into extra-time.
Woodgate, signed from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window for £8 million, glanced the free-kick from Jermaine Jenas onto Cech's gloves and the ball then rebounded off the Spurs defender's face and into the net.
Robinson justified his selection with seven minutes remaining when he saved superbly to deny Chelsea substitute Salomon Kalou.
Spurs had to withstand some more anxious moments as Chelsea threw everyone forward in an attempt to equalise but the final whistle signalled a fabulous triumph for Ramos who had won his first silverware just four months after taking over from Martin Jol.
A first-half goal from Didier Drogba, his 10th of the season, put the Blues on the brink of a second successive Carling Cup triumph but a second-half penalty from Dimitar Berbatov sent the game into extra-time.
Then just four minutes into the extended period, a somewhat fortunate header from Woodgate earned Spurs their first trophy since they claimed the Worthington Cup in 1999.
The pre-match focus had revolved around Chelsea coach Avram Grant's team selection with Frank Lampard and captain John Terry, omitted from the Champions League side against Olympiacos the previous Tuesday, unsure of their places.
But the 52-year-old Israeli, who replaced Jose Mourinho as manager last September, selected them both in his final line-up.
Instead, it was England left-back Ashley Cole, France veteran Claude Makelele, Germany captain Michael Ballack and England midfielder Joe Cole who found themselves out of luck.
Grant also paired new £15 million signing Nicolas Anelka and Drogba together for the first time in attack but the former was largely anonymous.
The opening half was dominated by Spurs even though they found themselves behind at the interval.
Tottenham's supremacy began from the kick-off when Chelsea full-back Juliano Belletti gave the ball straight to Robbie Keane.
The Irishman couldn't believe his luck but his shot was deflected to safety by Terry - an instant repayment of Grant's faith.
In the ninth minute Spurs hit the crossbar when Aaron Lennon's corner was met by the head of Pascal Chimbonda at the far post. Fortunately for Chelsea, the ball dropped onto the top of the bar and out to safety.
Seconds later it was the turn of Berbatov to squander a gilt-edged opportunity when he headed Keane's cross wide of the target from six yards.
Tottenham continued to remain in the ascendancy and in the 27th minute Steed Malbranque brought a fine diving save from Petr Cech when he tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area.
Chelsea, in contrast, had failed to find their normal free-flowing football but Tottenham's inability to find some reward for their control eventually let Grant's side seize back the initiative.
The warning signs were there for Spurs when Didier Zokora brought down Shaun Wright-Phillips on the edge of the penalty area in the 33rd minute.
Drogba's free-kick was a foot wide of the target but when Zokora fouled his Ivory Coast team-mate four minutes later, the misdemeanour had major implications for Juande Ramos' side.
Firstly, Zokora was booked by referee Mark Halsey but the more lethal punishment was to follow.
It arrived a minute later when Drogba's free-kick found the back of the net with the Spurs wall and, more importantly, goalkeeper Paul Robinson completely flat-footed.
Robinson was playing only his second game since being recalled by Ramos following a long spell as number two to Radek Cerny.
Robinson's positioning was at fault as Drogba curled his effort into the Spurs net with ease.
Tottenham's response was immediate when Berbatov flicked the ball on to Keane to shoot straight at Cech.
Chelsea continued to look comfortable after the restart and although Tottenham raised their game it took a fine stop from captain Ledley King to prevent Anelka from increasing their lead in the 65th minute.
But Tottenham found a way back into the game in the 69th minute. Wayne Bridge was adjudged to have handled the ball under pressure from Spurs substitute Tom Huddlestone and the referee's assistant immediately signalled a penalty.
Bulgarian striker Berbatov stepped up to send Cech the wrong way and keep Tottenham's dreams alive.
Spurs were now inspired and they should have gone in front in the 80th minute when Keane sent Zokora clean through with just Cech to beat.
The Chelsea 'keeper saved Zokora's first effort with his face and the Ivory Coast midfielder then blasted the follow-up over the bar.
Grant was clearly concerned by Tottenham's resurgence and he had every right to be especially when Berbatov brought another stunning save from Cech in the 84th minute.
Chelsea were now hanging on like a punch-drunk boxer in the final rounds but Spurs could not find the knockout salvo.
Keane then wasted a chance to win it at the death when a long through ball from Huddlestone was flicked on by Woodgate for the Irishman to hook his shot over the bar.
But Ramos clinched his first trophy as Spurs manager when Anelka fouled Lennon midway in the Chelsea half just four minutes into extra-time.
Woodgate, signed from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window for £8 million, glanced the free-kick from Jermaine Jenas onto Cech's gloves and the ball then rebounded off the Spurs defender's face and into the net.
Robinson justified his selection with seven minutes remaining when he saved superbly to deny Chelsea substitute Salomon Kalou.
Spurs had to withstand some more anxious moments as Chelsea threw everyone forward in an attempt to equalise but the final whistle signalled a fabulous triumph for Ramos who had won his first silverware just four months after taking over from Martin Jol.
