Chelsea v Everton - I'll bite your hand off for 3 points now!.
Chelsea have won just one game out of five and Everton have won just one game in five ahead of the contest at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. Does...
https://www.chelseadaft.org/2010/12/chelsea-v-everton-ill-bite-your-hand.html
Chelsea have won just one game out of five and Everton have won just one game in five ahead of the contest at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. Doesn't sound like the kind of form you expect these two sides to be in right now but fact's remain we both haven't been good enough of late. Everton to be fair have drawn three games but two defeats at home to Arsenal and last week to West Brom have hit them hard and they will be looking to bounce back.
We all know Chelsea's form apart from a better performance against Newcastle and a win at home to Fulham, has been awful. Chelsea have had to deal with player injuries, people leaving the club, announcing they are leaving the club and had speculation about our managers future. Chelsea will be looking to re-focus everything on the pitch with Essien and Terry back and hopefully a much needed win.
Tomorrow with both sides looking for three points this could turn out to be a scrappy, tense game. Being honest I personally am desperate for the three points first, performance second so I would bite your hand off for any kind of win right now!.
The problem Chelsea have is Everton. Our bogey side last season. The Toffee's took four points off of us last year and always give us a good game. One thing you have to hold your hands up and admit is to how hard they work for their manager and for each other and right now they are much much better than the position they are in the League.
They will be without influential midfielder Mikel Arteta tomorrow, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert. There is also a doubt over Phil Jagielka ahead of the game so they have their injury problems. However, Phil Neville is back and Marouane Felliani is back (talking up the game as I posted earlier).
The thing with Everton is you know how they intend to play. Do not expect two up front to start with. It's a toss up between Saha and Yakubu to start the game tomorrow but I believe Saha's pace will give him the nod besides Saha loves a game against Chelsea.
Tim Cahill will look to support Saha whenever possible and will always be a threat in the air. He is the main danger and we need to deal with him. If we don't he will punish us without question. Heitinga and Felliani will look to close us down in midfield, win the ball and get it wide to the busy Pienaar to supply the ball into the box. We have to dominate midfield and especially against Everton its more important than ever.
For me their weakness is their right side. With Hibbert missing and Neville back, old Steptoe will fill the void but it's in front of him that is their weakness. With Osman out of the side expect Pienaar to play there. Don't get me wrong, he is a good player and a threat to Chelsea, but he likes to come inside and drift from his position at times. If Chelsea can break down their possession we can get the ball wide left and hurt Everton and double up on Neville.
Getting back to the Toffee's their obvious threat is in the air with Cahill and Fellaini, the pace of Saha and the threat out wide from Pienaar and Baines. It's how they play without the ball that could be key. Expect Heitinga to sit in and get in and around Essien and whoever plays next to him. Baines will look to get forward but if we can dominate the midfield we can force him back towards his own box and double up on him if as expected Bilyaletdinov plays wide right. Haven't seen too much of this bloke defensively and he will have alot on his plate dealing with Bosingwa.
One area of weakness for me is centre half. I am a big fan of Jagielka and if he is missing it will be a blow for David Moyes. For me Distin is the weak link. Drogba needs to dominate him early and get on top in his battles with him. He isn't the best in the air, at times seems sluggish to me and is weak one on one facing up to a big man like Drogba looking to out muscle him.
When Chelsea have the ball expect ten Everton men getting behind the ball in two banks of four. They will look to pressurise the man on the ball, condense the play and make Chelsea work to create space. Like I have said, they all work hard for each other so it could be a long day.
The major bonus as I have stated on this site already this week will be the return of JT and Michael Essien to the starting eleven tomorrow. JT will bring authority and organisation to the back five and most importantly of all will be the voice we have been missing. With Alex having his long-awaited surgery this week JT will slot straight back in next to Ivanovic. Expect Ashley Cole and Bosingwa to remain as starters.
It's important we are defensively sound tomorrow. Cech can't do everything himself and has been outstanding this season so far. You have to admit in recent weeks he hasn't been to blame for any of the goals we have conceded and needs help from our defence. Terry talking to him and organising our defensive shape when we do not have the ball will be a needed bonus and also a key component of the defensive side of our game.
As I have already said, Everton pose a threat from set plays and from the pace of Saha. Chelsea need to organise our marking to combat the threat of Cahill and Fellaini. Jose Bosingwa and Ashley Cole need to make sure they are aware to the threat out wide from Everton and maintain their shape throughout the game tomorrow when we don't have the ball.
Mikel has a big part to play in dealing with Cahill. Sitting off the front man Cahill will look to close him down and put him under constant pressure when Mikel has the ball at his feet. When Cahill has the ball, Mikel needs to do the same. Whoever get's on top between these two will have a major say in the result.
Essien's return is massive for Chelsea. It's massive because of his strength and power in midfield, but another reason that not many people pick up on is his willingness to get forward. Its the late run in the box that's been lacking or missing in recent weeks. Don't get me wrong, the players who have played there have done a job (in certain games) but are unable to impose themselves as Essien can.
I believe Ramires will get the nod next to Essien and I have to say he really impressed me at Newcastle. He has come in for some criticism this season and I have said it before, we need to remember he hasn't been with us long and has been thrown in at the deep end to cover for Lampard, Essien and Benayoun. At Newcastle he is beginning to show he is growing into this league and based on his performance last week, he should play tomorrow.
With Essien's return it means one other thing. Florent Malouda is released from midfield and back up top next to the miss-firing Drogba and Anelka. Malouda has been ok in my book in games and in some others hasn't really played to the level we expect of late. For example, against Newcastle it was only after 25-30 minutes into the game he sprung into life. When he plays well, Chelsea play well. We need him to play well tomorrow.
Up against Phil Neville he will need to dominate him early. Ashley Cole and Malouda down our left hand side is one of the strengths of our side and our play. If we can double up on Neville and expose their weakness down their right hand side we could cause them all sorts of problems.
Drogba needs a good game tomorrow and to dominate Distin if we are to have any hope of winning. I became annoyed at Drogba since last weekend as first of all he has a pop at our defence, then he is quoted in the papers talking of how this is the worst run of form he as known since he came to the club etc which to be honest is not what the players or Ancelotti want to be reading this week. It's pointing out the obvious about our form and you can imagine the defence wouldn't have been impressed with his comments. I stated its time for him to shut up and concentrate on his football and scoring goals and i really stand by that.
Drogba needs a goal tomorrow and Chelsea need a goal from Drogba. Against Everton it's no easy task normally but of late they have been shipping goals. If he can dominate, out muscle and get the better of Distin early he could have a good day. If he doesn't and becomes frustrated it could play straight into their hands.
The thing to remember about Drogba is his willingness with Malouda and Anelka to switch positions. Their movement at the beginning of the season caused all kinds of problems. We haven't really seen any of that of late. With Malouda being pushed further up the pitch its a chance for them to pull the Everton defence all over the place to allow the likes of Essien to surge into the box. This is one area we need to exploit tomorrow.
Anelka could also do with a goal. He remains consistent and classy at the same time. Very rarely loses the ball and will look to get in the box and make runs down the channels in between defenders. We just need Nico maybe to up his tempo slightly as at times he can seem laboured in possession.
If you took the class and quality of Anelka and mixed that with the willingness to run at defenders of Kalou we would have a great player. Let's hope Anelka has a good game. Up against Baines it could be his day if he can exploit the space in behind Baines if he pushes forward, but he needs to be alive to the threat Baines poses going the other way.
To sum up I believe it will really come down to who wants the game more tomorrow. Both sides haven't been playing well of late and will look to get back on track with three points. Chelsea have some big players back, Everton have and could have more key players missing.
However, this is Everton we are up against our bogey side of late who will make life difficult if we don't play well. It's David Moyes' 400th game as Manager tomorrow so his side will be looking to get the right result and will be determined to do so.
John Terry has spoken of working hard already today. If Chelsea work hard, win the individual battles and as a result dominate possession then it will come down to whether or not we can take our chances. It will then be down to Mr Drogba and co to ensure we do.
Bearing in mind the position we find ourselves in with some big big games coming up any kind of win will do tomorrow. I have said whoever wants it more will win the game and it has to be Chelsea.
I am going for a scrappy win by a goal after a hard fought battle. Drogba to nick a winner in the latter stages?... Come on Chelsea!!
Chelsea fans! Why not go and try the brand new Indian Restaurant in Fulham Broadway The MASALA ZONE before or after the game.
Why not grab a Curry, Rice and a beer for just £12!!
The Masala Zone has been awarded the following accreditations:
Best Restaurateur of the Year - Tatler Award
Amaya: Best Restaurant & Best New Restaurant - London Restaurant Awards
Chutney Mary: Best Indian Restaurant - London Restaurant Award
Veeraswamy: Britain's Oldest Indian Restaurant - Established 1926
Masala Zone: "10/10 for food, service & value for money" The Guardian
So if you need food before or after the game then why not head to The Masala Zone (opposite Barclays Bank) and please mention you have seen this advert on my website "Chelseadaft" for me when you go in.
The Masala Zone - Real Indian Food!
KTBFFH!
Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft
We all know Chelsea's form apart from a better performance against Newcastle and a win at home to Fulham, has been awful. Chelsea have had to deal with player injuries, people leaving the club, announcing they are leaving the club and had speculation about our managers future. Chelsea will be looking to re-focus everything on the pitch with Essien and Terry back and hopefully a much needed win.
Tomorrow with both sides looking for three points this could turn out to be a scrappy, tense game. Being honest I personally am desperate for the three points first, performance second so I would bite your hand off for any kind of win right now!.
The problem Chelsea have is Everton. Our bogey side last season. The Toffee's took four points off of us last year and always give us a good game. One thing you have to hold your hands up and admit is to how hard they work for their manager and for each other and right now they are much much better than the position they are in the League.
They will be without influential midfielder Mikel Arteta tomorrow, Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert. There is also a doubt over Phil Jagielka ahead of the game so they have their injury problems. However, Phil Neville is back and Marouane Felliani is back (talking up the game as I posted earlier).
The thing with Everton is you know how they intend to play. Do not expect two up front to start with. It's a toss up between Saha and Yakubu to start the game tomorrow but I believe Saha's pace will give him the nod besides Saha loves a game against Chelsea.
Tim Cahill will look to support Saha whenever possible and will always be a threat in the air. He is the main danger and we need to deal with him. If we don't he will punish us without question. Heitinga and Felliani will look to close us down in midfield, win the ball and get it wide to the busy Pienaar to supply the ball into the box. We have to dominate midfield and especially against Everton its more important than ever.
For me their weakness is their right side. With Hibbert missing and Neville back, old Steptoe will fill the void but it's in front of him that is their weakness. With Osman out of the side expect Pienaar to play there. Don't get me wrong, he is a good player and a threat to Chelsea, but he likes to come inside and drift from his position at times. If Chelsea can break down their possession we can get the ball wide left and hurt Everton and double up on Neville.
Getting back to the Toffee's their obvious threat is in the air with Cahill and Fellaini, the pace of Saha and the threat out wide from Pienaar and Baines. It's how they play without the ball that could be key. Expect Heitinga to sit in and get in and around Essien and whoever plays next to him. Baines will look to get forward but if we can dominate the midfield we can force him back towards his own box and double up on him if as expected Bilyaletdinov plays wide right. Haven't seen too much of this bloke defensively and he will have alot on his plate dealing with Bosingwa.
One area of weakness for me is centre half. I am a big fan of Jagielka and if he is missing it will be a blow for David Moyes. For me Distin is the weak link. Drogba needs to dominate him early and get on top in his battles with him. He isn't the best in the air, at times seems sluggish to me and is weak one on one facing up to a big man like Drogba looking to out muscle him.
When Chelsea have the ball expect ten Everton men getting behind the ball in two banks of four. They will look to pressurise the man on the ball, condense the play and make Chelsea work to create space. Like I have said, they all work hard for each other so it could be a long day.
The major bonus as I have stated on this site already this week will be the return of JT and Michael Essien to the starting eleven tomorrow. JT will bring authority and organisation to the back five and most importantly of all will be the voice we have been missing. With Alex having his long-awaited surgery this week JT will slot straight back in next to Ivanovic. Expect Ashley Cole and Bosingwa to remain as starters.
It's important we are defensively sound tomorrow. Cech can't do everything himself and has been outstanding this season so far. You have to admit in recent weeks he hasn't been to blame for any of the goals we have conceded and needs help from our defence. Terry talking to him and organising our defensive shape when we do not have the ball will be a needed bonus and also a key component of the defensive side of our game.
As I have already said, Everton pose a threat from set plays and from the pace of Saha. Chelsea need to organise our marking to combat the threat of Cahill and Fellaini. Jose Bosingwa and Ashley Cole need to make sure they are aware to the threat out wide from Everton and maintain their shape throughout the game tomorrow when we don't have the ball.
Mikel has a big part to play in dealing with Cahill. Sitting off the front man Cahill will look to close him down and put him under constant pressure when Mikel has the ball at his feet. When Cahill has the ball, Mikel needs to do the same. Whoever get's on top between these two will have a major say in the result.
Essien's return is massive for Chelsea. It's massive because of his strength and power in midfield, but another reason that not many people pick up on is his willingness to get forward. Its the late run in the box that's been lacking or missing in recent weeks. Don't get me wrong, the players who have played there have done a job (in certain games) but are unable to impose themselves as Essien can.
I believe Ramires will get the nod next to Essien and I have to say he really impressed me at Newcastle. He has come in for some criticism this season and I have said it before, we need to remember he hasn't been with us long and has been thrown in at the deep end to cover for Lampard, Essien and Benayoun. At Newcastle he is beginning to show he is growing into this league and based on his performance last week, he should play tomorrow.
With Essien's return it means one other thing. Florent Malouda is released from midfield and back up top next to the miss-firing Drogba and Anelka. Malouda has been ok in my book in games and in some others hasn't really played to the level we expect of late. For example, against Newcastle it was only after 25-30 minutes into the game he sprung into life. When he plays well, Chelsea play well. We need him to play well tomorrow.
Up against Phil Neville he will need to dominate him early. Ashley Cole and Malouda down our left hand side is one of the strengths of our side and our play. If we can double up on Neville and expose their weakness down their right hand side we could cause them all sorts of problems.
Drogba needs a good game tomorrow and to dominate Distin if we are to have any hope of winning. I became annoyed at Drogba since last weekend as first of all he has a pop at our defence, then he is quoted in the papers talking of how this is the worst run of form he as known since he came to the club etc which to be honest is not what the players or Ancelotti want to be reading this week. It's pointing out the obvious about our form and you can imagine the defence wouldn't have been impressed with his comments. I stated its time for him to shut up and concentrate on his football and scoring goals and i really stand by that.
Drogba needs a goal tomorrow and Chelsea need a goal from Drogba. Against Everton it's no easy task normally but of late they have been shipping goals. If he can dominate, out muscle and get the better of Distin early he could have a good day. If he doesn't and becomes frustrated it could play straight into their hands.
The thing to remember about Drogba is his willingness with Malouda and Anelka to switch positions. Their movement at the beginning of the season caused all kinds of problems. We haven't really seen any of that of late. With Malouda being pushed further up the pitch its a chance for them to pull the Everton defence all over the place to allow the likes of Essien to surge into the box. This is one area we need to exploit tomorrow.
Anelka could also do with a goal. He remains consistent and classy at the same time. Very rarely loses the ball and will look to get in the box and make runs down the channels in between defenders. We just need Nico maybe to up his tempo slightly as at times he can seem laboured in possession.
If you took the class and quality of Anelka and mixed that with the willingness to run at defenders of Kalou we would have a great player. Let's hope Anelka has a good game. Up against Baines it could be his day if he can exploit the space in behind Baines if he pushes forward, but he needs to be alive to the threat Baines poses going the other way.
To sum up I believe it will really come down to who wants the game more tomorrow. Both sides haven't been playing well of late and will look to get back on track with three points. Chelsea have some big players back, Everton have and could have more key players missing.
However, this is Everton we are up against our bogey side of late who will make life difficult if we don't play well. It's David Moyes' 400th game as Manager tomorrow so his side will be looking to get the right result and will be determined to do so.
John Terry has spoken of working hard already today. If Chelsea work hard, win the individual battles and as a result dominate possession then it will come down to whether or not we can take our chances. It will then be down to Mr Drogba and co to ensure we do.
Bearing in mind the position we find ourselves in with some big big games coming up any kind of win will do tomorrow. I have said whoever wants it more will win the game and it has to be Chelsea.
I am going for a scrappy win by a goal after a hard fought battle. Drogba to nick a winner in the latter stages?... Come on Chelsea!!
Chelsea fans! Why not go and try the brand new Indian Restaurant in Fulham Broadway The MASALA ZONE before or after the game.
Why not grab a Curry, Rice and a beer for just £12!!
The Masala Zone has been awarded the following accreditations:
Best Restaurateur of the Year - Tatler Award
Amaya: Best Restaurant & Best New Restaurant - London Restaurant Awards
Chutney Mary: Best Indian Restaurant - London Restaurant Award
Veeraswamy: Britain's Oldest Indian Restaurant - Established 1926
Masala Zone: "10/10 for food, service & value for money" The Guardian
So if you need food before or after the game then why not head to The Masala Zone (opposite Barclays Bank) and please mention you have seen this advert on my website "Chelseadaft" for me when you go in.
The Masala Zone - Real Indian Food!
KTBFFH!
Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft
