The Happy One

First Knockout Round - First Leg

Let's be honest here about last night, we were sitting waiting to see what kind of performance Chelsea would put into the game. The world was watching in hope we'd slip up, the media were hungry for more Chelsea drama and with Atletcio not having lost at home in over a year, we definitely had a great match ahead. Instead and to their credit, Chelsea played well, put in a much better all round performance and won this one with ease.

Jose Mourinho surprised us all with his formation but not so much his selection after revealing that Costa would start against the club that shot him into stardom, and understandably Remy was bought onto the bench to offer something a little different if need be.

It wasn't so much the team selected and a certain Cesc Fabregas being played in a very unfamiliar position, but the formation of a flat 4-3-2-1 that surprised everyone, except the Chelsea players. With Mikel and Matic given the instructions to sit in front of the back four and not to stray from their duty it was back tobasics to get some solidity in defence. As the game progressed it became apparent that Chelsea were playing quite a narrow midfield three when we never had the ball and for the most part it worked.


Chelsea lined up quite defensively, but it was nothing new as weve seen this before in their away ties in the Champions League

With the ball it was really effective as Rodriguez and Azpilicueta were looking to get forward, Griezmann was buzzing in and around the front the main two of Costa and Hazard and Chelsea dominated the game. not no much the possession, they created numerous chances and had over 15 shots on goal in the game with just less than half on target. It was signs of encouragement from Chelsea.

Matic was busy all match, Hazard had his best game he has had in weeks and Diego Costa played really well. There were numerous instances that Costa is very much understanding his teammates with the constant link up the play. It still looks to me as though he is apprehensive at times in and around the box but the bloke is class and goals with continue to flow.

He was unlucky in the first half where he cut inside in the box and forced the keeper into a great save, he was through on goal a couple of times but under pressure couldn't quite get that killer strike on goal. Like I said it will come, but there is more than enough to suggest he will continue to play a massive role at Chelsea.

Isn't it funny though that with most of the headlines being about Costa, Luis and Griezmann, Costa did step upto the plate and grabbed the decisive goals and last night was the man of the match, His first goal was a gem. Miranda's back pass found Costa 35 yards from goal. With Hazard making a run to take one of the defenders away, Costa was head down and head into the box, under no real pressure he looked up and drilled his shot under the keeper and into the net from 15 yards. Great finish. As soon as the goal went in it seemed Chelsea down.

Atleti had their fair share of possession last night but found it difficult to open Chelsea's defence up and this was another thing that for the most part, was encouraging again.

If the ball was played up to their forward line then once more led by the hard working JT, closed the ball down. Rodriguez, Cesar and Zouma did the same and it was really good to see. Let's think back to the game, Courtois had a few saves to make but none of them ever really worried him or caused him any problems.



Chelsea killed the game off and you could say won the tie with Costa's second goal. Again slick passing in midfield found Oscar and with his instant reverse pass across Costa's body, Costa was onto it right side of the box and again, first time, he struck the ball cleanly into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance. Fantastic pass from Oscar getting in behind the front two supporting them.

It was game over. it was comfortable for Chelsea. A professional performance and one that Jose and supporters can take many positives from.

A late deflected strike from Willian gave Chelsea a victory over Arsenal that maintained their five-point Premier League lead.
The goal came moments after Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic went unpunished for a clash with Alexis Sanchez.

Arsenal keeper Szczesny had earlier denied Chelsea trio Costa, Nemanja Matic and Willian with fine saves, At the other end, Thibaut Courtois brilliantly denied Oliver Giroud from close range.

It was a dramatic finish to an unconvincing performance from Jose Mourinho's men, who were moments away from seeing their lead cut to three points by Liverpool, who were 4-1 winners at Bournemouth.


Willian celebrates giving Chelsea a very late lead, which sends them ever closer to retaining the EPL title

In a lively opening period, Chelsea had a penalty appeal waved away when Koscielny parried the ball with his arm.

Willian and Griezmann both squandered openings before Sczcesny palmed aside Costa's header.

Arsenal threatened on the break, with the recalled Aaron Ramsay feeding striker Giroud, whose low shot was saved by Courtois with his legs.

That incident proved to be a precursor to an even more crucial intervention by the away keeper midway through the second period.

Enjoying a rich vein of form, Thibaut Courtois, the Belgian star stretched out a leg to deny Ssanchez' close-range effort from Chamberlain's low cross, a save that drew a standing ovation from the away crowd.

With Koscielny and Mertesacker outstanding in the Arsenal back four and Szczesny flying to his left to deny Hazard's free-kick and Willian's curled effort, time appeared to be running out for Chelsea.

And when Matic had a late goal ruled out because Ivanovic was in an offside position, Mourinho's misery appeared to be compounded.

There was still time for a late twist, however, there was a scramble in the box after a poorly taken corner from Fabregas, but the ball somehow dropped to Willian who pounced to steal the points.

February & March results



Barclays Premier League table

Chelsea set to reward Willian with new contract even though current deal still has 3 years to run
Chelsea are set to offer a new contract to Brazilian star Willian.

The midfielder arrived at the Stamford Bridge club in summer 2013, when he was signed for £32million from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, Tottenham were also keen to sign Willian, but Chelsea won the race. His form under manager Jose ­Mourinho has been hugely ­impressive, especially this season.

And the 28-year-old has played a major part in helping Chelsea to the top of the Premier League and played a massive part in their Champions League success last seasn. He will still have three years left on the contract he signed when he joined the club.


Blue Ink: William has quashed rumours of a move by signing a new deal

"Im pleased to get this contract saga out of the way, I was never going to leave Chelsea, hopefully with me signing, this will quash any rumours there may have been about me wanting to leave.

Jose Mourinho has played a massive part in our success here over the past two years, his way of thinking, the respect he shows to all of us, everything Jose does is second to none, so I cant wait to spend the next 3 years here, and winning more silverware"

But Chelsea have shown their ­ambition by securing the long-­term futures of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta.

Discussions are on­going with central defender Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma and now Willian is set to join them.

There have been positive talks between the club and Willian’s representatives and it is expected agreement will be reached by the end of this season.

London, England — Chelsea threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at home to Aletico Madrid on Wednesday, but still advanced to the next round after their 2-0 win at the Calderon two weeks earlier .
Diego Costa and John Terry scored for Chelsea in a commanding first-half display, but Mandzukic began Atleti's comeback in the 56th minute and Gabi grabbed the equalizer in the 89th minute.

It means the defending champions are still on course to become the only club to ever win back to back Champions League titles .

"Maybe winning 2-0 we thought the game was over but until the last whistle the game is never finished," Mourinho said. "It is clear we couldn't keep the same intensity in the second half."

Atleti's fightback denied Chelsea their 5th straight win in this season's Champions League.
"I thought the endeavor was high, I though the organization was high," Atleti manager Simeone said. "I can't work out why I keep reading about people saying we are defensive, we are not bloody defensive!!,"

Atleti had a good spell early on but failed to take advantage of some good openings before Costa's well-worked 25th-minute opener.

Fed by Ivanoivc on the right flank, Hazard turned the ball back inside to find Costa and he had the space to turn in a drill home a low shot for his third goal in this tie.

Chelsea doubled less than 10 minutes later after a well worked corner.

Fabregas looked to take the corner short, Oscar received the ball and played a nice little one -two with Fabregas before chipping it to the back post where John Terry was waiting, Terry made no mistake by heading it back across the keeper and into the top corner.


Chelsea lined up in their usual here as they looked to go a=out and wrap this tie up, Simeone somewhat shocked everyone by only fielding one striker, though needing minimum two goals

Chelsea looked in control and went close to a third before the break as Hazard tested David Gil with a powerful shot following another quick break. Koke got the better of Rodriguez on the left and shot across goal. Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois looked to have it covered but Mandzukic nipped in and, despite suspicions of offside, appeared to get a final touch to divert the ball into the net.

"The first goal was very important for them because they improved a lot and had a lot of trust," Mourinho said.

Atleti began to look a much tougher proposition as Gabi flashed a shot narrowly wide and Rodrigo headed over.

Mourinho decided it was time to introduce another midfielder, Mikel came off the bench to provide the team with a new defensive rock. But still Atleti dug in and was rewarded with the equalizer.

Koke's free kick was flicked on by Mandzukic. It rebounded off Juanfran back into Gabi's path and he struck a ferocious shot from inside the area that flew into the top corner.

Atletico were unable to find a third and fourth and bowed out, not for the lack of trying, Chelsea march on

Match Stats

Champions League quarterfinal draw: Liverpool draw PSG, while the current holders face Manchester United

Let the draw begin

The Champions League draw took place this morning and as always it provided us with a host of mouth-watering matchups. Once you get to the quarterfinals it’s hard to go wrong any direction you turn.

The ties will see the first leg take place on Monday and Tuesday April 5 and 6, while the second legs will follow just a week later on April 13 and 14. With three English clubs left in the competition, the balls were drawn and here’s the results in the order they were drawn:

Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool
This is as tough a draw as it gets for PSG, but guess what: they’ve done it before. This season. Without Zlatan.

A rematch of the group stage – where both teams won on their home ground – this is one of the most savory matchups of the quarterfinal draw. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be back from suspensions after his two match ban, but they'll be without Thiago Motta who has been ruled out through injury.

Chelsea vs Manchester United

Chelsea the current holders face English counterparts Manchester United, Jose Mourinho has a great record against Louis Van Gaal, where the Portuguese man is yet to taste defeat. Manchester United had been on a great run in the Premier league and at one point even lead the EPL race, but a poor run of results has seen Chelsea gain control, Manchester United will have to find their rhythm again if they are to stand any chance of progression

Real Madrid vs Hoffenheim

Madrid drew what could be claimed to be the easiest opponent left in the field, but Hoffenheim is in good form. They dispatched Valencia with ease in the Round of 16, and haven’t lost in league play since late February. Still, the Spaniards will be heavy favourites in this matchup, and the burden will be on their opponents to prove everyone wrong.

Marseille vs Bayern

This matchup won’t get the headlines, but it has all the makings of a great fight. Marseille are without Gignac for a long while due to his hamstring injury, and they’ll have to take on Bayern's outstanding attack, we are hoping Marseille wont miss the goalscoring ability if Gignac too much, The French club shocked Dortmund in the last round, and they again get the home leg second.

Quick Announcement
as ive fallen a bit behind with updating the story, im going to do one end of season update just to wrap it all up, ill just display how the Barclays Premier League and Champions League went at the end of the season