For Chelsea, the fire’s were burning as the last home game played out to a devastating 5-3 loss to bitter rivals Arsenal. As for Liverpool, they’re the English kings of European football, but as of late, have not even qualified for the Europa Cup, so with both team’s fighting for their own reasons, this was guaranteed a shake down of a game.
Fernando Torres, Raul Meireles and Nicolas Anelka were all lining up against their former club Liverpool this afternoon hoping to grab a goal that would help Chelsea avoid a second consecutive home defeat in nine years, however it was a former Blue now playing for the Reds who scored to condemn Villas-Boas’s side to a second home defeat in a row.
On an afternoon when eyes turned towards the sky to view a protest by the home fans against their team’s manager, Lampard dived down low to head the game’s deciding goal shortly after half-time.
Chelsea have a great record against Arsenal and look worthy odds-on favourites to maintain their unbeaten home record in this weekend’s London Derby.
Chelsea are into the Carling Cup quarter-finals thanks to an extra-time winner from substitute Sturridge, but would never have got there had it not been for the goalkeeping heroics of Petr Cech.
AVB rotated his squad once more, with five players returning to the line-up after midweek Champions League rests. Torres completed his suspension so Drogba returned in attack, and Terry resumed captaincy duties from Lampard, who was making his 500th Premier League appearance.
Chelsea are really beginning to hit top gear and another win looks on the cards when they travel to Loftus Road on Sunday to take on near neighbours QPR.
Chelsea hammered Genk 5-0 in a ruthless performance highlighted by the clinical finishing of Fernando Torres. The Spanish striker scored a brace after Raul Meirles’ opener, before Branislav Ivanovic and Salomon Kalou added to the comfortable victory as former Barcelona B player, Oriol Romeu made his first Champions League start for the club.
Fernando Torres scored twice during Chelsea’s comfortable 5-0 victory on Wednesday, a win that matched the club’s biggest ever in the Champions League.
Chelsea took on Everton at the Bridge in the Saturday’s eveniong kick-off.