The Blues Brief: e-Chelsea Weekly Round Up

Article by Robert Wake

On The Pitch

05 January - Chelsea continued their recent improvement on the road with a routine victory over Championship side Derby County in the third round FA Cup tie at the iPro Stadium. Unlike some other Premiership clubs who fielded second string teams and fell at the first hurdle, The Blues sent out a strong eleven against The Rams and got the job done. As at Southampton on New Year’s Day, Chelsea dominated the first period, but were unable to find a way through a well-drilled home defence. After the interval however, as Derby began to run out of steam, Chelsea stepped up a gear. Jose Mourinho introduced Hazard and Torres for Essien and Eto’o, and 2 minutes after Torres arrival, saw his side take the lead. Willian, who is fast becoming a key component in Mourinho’s new look team, whipped in a a lovely free kick from the left which was met by the head of John Mikel Obi, making his 300th appearance for the club, who duly glanced the ball beyond Grant in the Derby goal. Five minutes later Chelsea made the game safe when Oscar worked some space on the edge of the box before firing past Grant. Ramires was booked for simulation, the second Chelsea player cautioned for that offence this week, and youngster Lewis Baker made his debut as a late replacement for Oscar.

Off the Pitch

02 January – New signing Bertrand Traore has joined Vitesse Arnhem until the end of the season.

03 January – Patrick Bamford has joined Derby County until the end of the season following a successful loan spell at MK Dons.

05 January – Chelsea were drawn at home to Stoke City in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The game will be played at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 26th January with a 15:30 Kick off. The game will be shown live on ITV.

06 January – Milan Lalkovic will remain on loan at Walsall for the remainder of the season..

07 January – Nigerian defender Kenneth Omeruo has joined Championship side Middlesbrough until the end of the season. Midfielder George Saville will remain with Brentford for the same period.

Looking Ahead

11 January – Hull City v Chelsea at the KC Stadium. Kick off 12.45. The game is being screened live on BT Sport.

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