CECH BACKS GALLAS

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has complete faith in William Gallas' honesty after his former team-mate sparked a row with his public criticism of Arsenal.

 

Gallas stripped of the Arsenal captaincy and dropped for last week's defeat at Manchester City for the outspoken attack when he also questioned his team-mates' fighting spirit.

 

Cech played with Gallas for two years at Stamford Bridge before joining Gunners in 2006 and Ashley Cole went in the opposite direction. The Czech Republic international has no doubt Gallas was only speaking his mind when he made his feelings public.

 

BORDEAUX 1 - CHELSEA 1

Chelsea squandered the chance to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League with another dreadful European away performance against Bordeaux. Alou Diarra's 82nd-minute equaliser forced 10-man Chelsea to put their qualification celebrations on hold and leaves them needing a win against Cluj in the final round to ensure a place in the next phase.

Nicolas Anelka's 60th-minute strike, his 14th of the season, looked set to give Chelsea their first away win in Europe this season. It was an extremely poor performance from Scolari's side who had goalkeeper Petr Cech to thank for keeping them in the game in the first half. In the 86th minutes, Frank Lampard was then sent off for a second bookable offence as Chelsea's night ended on a sour note.

ROBINHO IN SCOLARI'S WISH LIST

Speculation that Chelsea still have an interest in signing Robinho has
mounted after reports from Brazil quote Luiz Felipe Scolari as
suggesting Manchester City star Robinho could have a future at
Stamford Bridge.

City beat the Blues to the forward's signature on transfer deadline
day in the summer, but Scolari appears still to be keen on the
24-year-old. Robinho signed for City sight unseeen for a record
£32.5million fee, having fallen out with Real, but has been in
free-scoring form and has started to enjoy life in Manchester, even
choosing to tour the city on a municipal bus.

CHELSEA 0 - NEWCASTLE 0

Chelsea squandered a great chance to pull clear of Liverpool at the
top of the Barclays Premier League as stubborn Newcastle held them to
a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea dominated the game but
could not find a way to break the deadlock.

Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given saved superbly from Frank Lampard and
Ashley Cole went agonisingly close with a header - but Chelsea failed
to capitalise on Liverpool's home draw with Fulham. The Blues remain
top on goal difference but failed to win at home for the second
successive game.

GERMANY 1 - ENGLAND 2

England travelled to the German capital ravaged by injuries and
surrounded by debate regarding the importance of Wednesday's friendly,
but Capello's side produced a thoroughly convincing display to secure
a fifth successive win.

A late John Terry header ensured England continued their resurgence
under Fabio Capello with a 2-1 victory over Germany in Berlin to end
2008 on a high. The Three Lions, who recorded a famous 5-1 success on
their last visit to Germany, took a scrappy lead in the 23rd minute as
centre-back Matthew Upson poked home after Rene Adler had flapped at a
Stewart Downing corner.

After the break, England continued to enjoy the better of proceedings
but substitute goalkeeper Scott Carson endure a horrible mix-up with
Terry to allow Germany striker Patrick Helmes to equalise on 63
minutes. Terry headed a late winner at the Olympic Stadium after
Matthew Upson's first-half opener was cancelled out by Patrick Helmes,
and the Chelsea defender was pleased to secure the win.

Injuries forced Fabio Capello to name an experimental line-up in
Wednesday's friendly in Berlin, with Aston Villa striker Gabriel
Agbonlahor making his debut. But an England side which also included
fringe players such as Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Carrick and
Stewart Downing put on a highly impressive performance.

DROGBA BANNED

Didier Drogba has been clobbered with a three-match ban for his coin-throwing shame. The Chelsea striker, 30, last night admitted an FA charge of violent conduct over the flashpoint during last week's Carling Cup defeat by Burnley. A disciplinary panel today imposed an immediate three-game suspension from Saturday's home match against Newcastle and the following dates with Arsenal and Bolton.

BOLA BOYZ   CHELSEA 

INJURY HIT ENGLAND

Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have both been forced to withdraw
from the England squad ahead of Wednesday's friendly with Germany.
Liverpool stated on Sunday that Gerrard would be unavailable after
picking up a groin injury at Bolton the day before.

England asked Gerrard to report for duty but he has now had to
officially pull out following a check by the Football Association's
medical staff. Fellow midfielder Frank Lampard will also miss out
after scans on a rib injury he picked up in Chelsea's game at West
Brom on Saturday revealed he would not be fit enough to be involved at
the Olympic Stadium.

Scott Parker of West Ham and Fulham's Jimmy Bullard have been called
up to replace Gerrard and Lampard. The likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio
Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole are also absent through injury,
but captain John Terry has been declared fit following a foot problem.

WEST BROM 0 - CHELSEA 3

Chelsea roared back to the top of the Premier League table on Saturday
evening as Nicolas Anelka continued his prolific form to take them
back to the top of the Barclays Premier League following a 3-0 win at
West Brom. Portuguese full-back Jose Bosingwa opened the scoring for
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, before Nicolas Anelka wrapped up the
points with a brace before the interval.

Anelka's double took his tally to 12 league goals for the season and
eight in the last four games. The Blues also equalled Tottenham's
48-year-old record with a 10th successive away win in the top flight.
The Blues had numerous opportunities to stretch their lead after the
break but, with the result already beyond doubt, they were ultimately
let down by some wayward finishing.

Despite the comfortable win, captain John Terry will need a scan on
his foot injury to determine whether he can join up with Fabio
Capello's squad for Wednesday's friendly international with Germany.

DROGBA CHARGED

Didier Drogba has been charged with violent conduct by the FA for
throwing a coin back into the crowd during Chelsea's Carling Cup
fourth-round defeat against Burnley at Stamford Bridge. The striker
was prevented from celebrating his first goal of the season when an
object was thrown on to the pitch and, despite apologising for
slinging it back, Drogba is facing disciplinary action.

Referee Kieth Stroud booked the 30-year-old at the time of the
incident but that was for celebrating in front of the away fans, he
did not see the missile throwing incident. Professional Footballers'
Association (PFA) chief Gordon Taylor expects the Ivory Coast
international to be given a three-match ban by the FA.

CHELSEA 1 - BURNLEY 1 (BURNLEY WON PENALTIES)

Burnley are through to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup after
sensationally knocking Chelsea out on penalties. The match was tied at
1-1 after 90 minutes, before both team failed to score anymore in the
extra-time.

Chelsea opened the scoring after 37th minutes through Didier Drogba,
who has just returned from injury. However, Burnley equalised by
Akinbiyi goal in the 70th minute. The scored tied until the end of
extra-time. Obi Mikel and Wayne Bridge failed to score from the spot.