Chelsea vs Fulham - 10/11/2010

[Jack Fulham]

Venue - Stamford Bridge

Team News

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful that Michael Essien will return from a toe injury against Fulham.

Fellow midfielder Frank Lampard is not yet available following a hernia operation, but Ancelotti says he may feature against Sunderland on Sunday.

Fulham left-back Carlos Salcido is facing several weeks on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury in the draw with Aston Villa.

Salcido's absence could mean a recall for defender Stephen Kelly.

Match Preview

It is almost 15 months since Fulham won a Premier League game on their travels, and the omens are against that run ending on Wednesday. Their last top-flight victory at Chelsea was back in 1964, while Chelsea have won 15 of their last 16 league games at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues may have come a cropper in Sunday's defeat at Liverpool, who are managed by former Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, but on home turf they are an entirely different proposition.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has never lost back-to-back Premier League games, and the unflappable Italian refused to panic after losing at Anfield, instead praising his side's second-half display.

Fulham are the top flight's draw specialists, sharing the points in seven of their 11 Premier League games this season. While the Cottagers have a poor record against the Blues, recent games have generally been close. The visitors led for for over an hour in this fixture last season before succumbing to two goals in three minutes.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes spent three years as a player at Chelsea, but has not enjoyed returning to Stamford Bridge as a manager. He has lost four of five games in the opposition dugout, drawing the other, conceding a total of 12 goals.

 

[cfc12345]

I think Fulham will give Chelsea a good game but can see us just getting all 3 points. gunna go for a 2-1 win for the blues

 

[CJACKO11]

Looking forward to hopefully bouncing back with a win. This was the fixture that really turned our season last season scoring 2 late goals to win the game 2-1. Hopefully Essien will be back to streghen our midfield and i want us to leave Lamps so he can play Sunday as i will be there. It will be a tough game but i just can't look past a Chelsea win, im going to predict a 3-0 win.

 

[Calum]

3-0 Fulham lol

truthfully 1-1

 

[Joss]

Hope Fulham win. (For obvious reasons plus) They're one of the teams I like watching and hope get good results whoever they're against.Want them to do well this season =)

 

[CJACKO11]

Chelsea statisticly do well on games around my Birthday and this is a day before so we have a better chance because of this lol.

 

[Jack Fulham]

Will be delighted with a draw, expecting a thrashing though, especially if Kelly is playing left back.


Feeling hyped about tonight <)

COYW

 

[Deano]

I have a feeling we're going to get battered.

 

[Ben]

Chelsea statisticly do well on games around my Birthday and this is a day before so we have a better chance because of this lol.

You must be joking?

Chelsea 1-0 Fulham.

 

[Jack Fulham]

I have a feeling we're going to get battered.

Briggs is supposedly starting at left back. Talk about throwing one in the deep end, however, Smalling played at Stamford Bridge last season and probably had the game of his life. Smalling did have some first team action prior to Chelsea though.

 

[Nick.]

Briggs is supposedly starting at left back. Talk about throwing one in the deep end, however, Smalling played at Stamford Bridge last season and probably had the game of his life. Smalling did have some first team action prior to Chelsea though.

No, I seriously doubt Briggs will play, he won't be able to cope with Anelka though. However, I will say 3-1 with Drogba returning to goal-scoring form with 2, McEachran with the other, and Hangeland to stick his head on one from a corner

 

[Deano]

Briggs is supposedly starting at left back. Talk about throwing one in the deep end, however, Smalling played at Stamford Bridge last season and probably had the game of his life. Smalling did have some first team action prior to Chelsea though.

Good lord...******* Salcido had to get injured.

Definately getting battered.

 

[DMF]

Got a massive feeling Fulham are going to be on the wrong end of a backlash against Chelsea tonight..

Chelsea 5-1 Fulham.

 

[Jack Fulham]

Good lord...******* Salcido had to get injured.

Definately getting battered.

To be honest, not sure if Salcido would be that great if we had our backs against the wall like we probably will tonight, he's looked a bit positionally suspect from what I've. Should be some good experience for young Briggs though. He was left out of the reserves last night and to be honest, I'd rather have him at left back than Kelly.

 

[Deano]

To be honest, not sure if Salcido would be that great if we had our backs against the wall like we probably will tonight, he's looked a bit positionally suspect from what I've. Should be some good experience for young Briggs though. He was left out of the reserves last night and to be honest, I'd rather have him at left back than Kelly.

I agree but his crossing ability is always a plus to have. And yeah, Kelly can be shocking at times, no faith in him whatsoever. Just worried Briggs might get ripped to pieces.

 

[Alcaraz]

We need Drogba to start as Anelka lacks the Strength to be a lone striker, his pace will be better used on the wings, in the Liverpool Game as soon as Drogba came on our performance improved quite a bit as then he was able to win the long balls from the midfielders, Ramires was dreadful in the Liverpool game so I think he will be benched for Essien to play

 

[CJACKO11]

I am watching ChelseaTV at the moment and as the Chelsea team arrived at the Bridge it was minus Alex and Anelka. So looks like Ivanovic will fill in at centre back with either Ferriera or Bosingwa at right back and Kalou will more than likely play upfront.

---------- Post added at 11:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 PM ----------

One lad i am worried about is Dempsey, he is excellent in the air and scores all types of goals. For me he is Fulhams Tim Cahil, definatly a resembulance in the way they play.

---------- Post added at 12:00 AM ---------- Previous post was yesterday at 11:53 PM ----------

Chelsea team:
Cech
Bosingwa
Cole
Terry
Ivanovic
Mikel
Essien
Zhirkov
Malouda
Kalou
Drogba

Subs:
Turnbull
Ramies
Ferriera
Sturridge
Bruma
Kakuta
McEachran

---------- Post added at 12:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 AM ----------

Fulham team:
Schwarzer
Kelly
Briggs
Hughes
Hangeland
Etuhu
Davies
Murphy
Duff
Dempsey
Dembele

Subs:
Stockdale
Pantsil
A.Johnson
Gera
E.Johnson
Dikgacoi
Greening

 

[cfc12345]

1-0 Essien the bison is back with a goal as usual when ever his out injrued he allways scores first game back

 

[Nick.]

Michael Essien :wub:

 

[Jack Fulham]

Meanwhile the white shirts of Fulham are static.