Super Saturday: The Blues Brief - 29.03.14
Article by e-Chelsea Correspondent Robert Wakee-Chelsea Weekly News Round Up
On The Pitch
21 March – Manchester United U21’s 0-0 Chelsea U21’s.
Chelsea’s second string earned a credible draw at Old Trafford on Friday evening. The point strengthens The Blues position in the top four of the Under-21 Premier League. Holland International Marco Van Ginkel continued his rehabilitation from a long-term injury with a useful 45 minute workout.
22 March – Chelsea 6-0 Arsenal.
Chelsea produced an exhilarating performance against their London title rivals to strengthen their own title credentials, and surely end those of the visitors. The Blues tore into Arsenal from the off, and took the lead after just 4 minutes. Samuel Eto’o took Andre Schurrle’s pass in his stride, cut in on his left foot, and curled a delightful shot beyond the despairing reach of Szczesny. Within three minutes, The Blues had doubled their advantage when Nemanja Matic robbed Mikael Arteta and fed Schurrle who finished unerringly into the corner. It went from bad to worse on 15 minutes when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain inexplicably handled Eden Hazard’s speculative shot. It had to be a penalty and a red card, but surely not for Kieran Gibbs who was incorrectly identified as the culprit by the officials, and was duly sent-off. Hazard calmly dispatched the resultant penalty straight down the middle. The game was over as a contest and Chelsea added a fourth before the break when Oscar converted Fernando Torres cross from close range. The second period at times resembled a training exercise, with Oscar adding his second on 65 minutes, and substitute Mohamed Salah scored his first goal for the club, beating the offside trap and shooting calmly beyond the beleaguered Szczesny on 71 minutes.
22 March – Chelsea Youth 2-0 West Bromwich Albion Youth.
The Under 18’s put in a solid performance against West Brom on Saturday, registering a comfortable victory courtesy of a goal in each half from Charlie Colkett and Fankaty Dabo.
25 March – Fulham Youth 0-0 Chelsea Youth.
A youth team featuring seven schoolboys throughout the 90 minutes earned a league point away at second-placed Fulham on Tuesday evening.
Off The Pitch
21 March – Chelsea have been drawn to play Paris St Germain in the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League. The First Leg will be held in the imposing Parc de Princes stadium in Paris on Wednesday 2nd April, Kick-off 19:45hrs (GMT). The Second Leg will take place at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday 8th April, Kick-off 19:45hrs (GMT).
24 March – The dates for the FA Youth Cup Semi-Final matches against Arsenal have been confirmed. The First Leg will take place at Stamford Bridge on Thursday 10th April, Kick-off 19:05hrs (GMT). The return fixture will take place at The Emirates on Thursday 17th April, Kick-off 19:00hrs.
27 March - The team has won its second Performance of the Week Award of the season with the 6-0 victory against Arsenal judged the best display by any team in all four divisions by the League Managers Association.
Looking Ahead
02 April – Paris St Germain v Chelsea, UEFA Champions League, Quarter Final 1st Leg, Parc de Princes, 19:45hrs (GMT).
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