Bordeaux 1 Chelsea 1

Chelsea must wait on a seventh straight appearance in the knock-out phase of the Champions League after Bordeaux held them 1-1 while the Blues also had Frank Lampard sent off on a night of European drama yesterday.

Alou Diarra headed home from a corner with seven minutes remaining to cancel out Nicolas Anelka's opener as the French side carved out a well-deserved point to send Group A down to the final round of action on December 9 and 10.

Chelsea keeper Petr Cech said Chelsea should not have dropped points. "The moment we scored the goal I thought it was over. I think we should have done better. We should have closed the door," Cech told Sky Sports.

It was not a virtuoso performance from last season's finalists and they were somewhat fortunate to escape with a point despite taking the lead on the hour mark. The West Londoners had to wait until the 60th minute for their first shot on goal but when it came, Anelka made Bordeaux pay for all their wasted first half opportunities in the most clinical fashion.

Brendan Is New Hornets Manager

Chelsea reserve team coach Brendan Rogers has been appointed as the new manager of Watford as replacement for Adrian Boothroyd.
Rodgers, aged 35, has beat off strong competition to land the job. He has been coaching since 1995 when he started with Reading, eventually becoming their Academy Director.
Frank Lampard Senior has also joined them as Football Consultant.

Chelsea 0 Newcastle Utd 0

Chelsea squandered a great chance to pull clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League as stubborn Newcastle held them to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea dominated the game but could not find a way to break the deadlock.
Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given saved superbly from Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole went agonisingly close with a header - but Chelsea failed to capitalise on Liverpool's home draw with Fulham.
The Blues remain top on goal difference but failed to win at home for the second successive game.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side should have taken the lead in the seventh minute but Given made a tremendous save to prevent Lampard scoring.
Florent Malouda had picked out the England midfielder with a delightful chip into the penalty area but Given guessed correctly and dived to his right to keep Lampard's header out.
In the 10th minute referee Phil Dowd lectured Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari after the Brazilian moaned too long about a free-kick decision that went against his side.
It was all Chelsea in the opening 15 minutes and when Newcastle did break Michael Owen found himself isolated and unable to get the better of the home defence.
Malouda created a fine opening in the 16th minute when he left Fabricio Coloccini flat-footed and burst into the penalty area - but Given dived low to his right to prevent the Frenchman's shot from hitting the net.
Newcastle's first attempt on goal arrived in the 20th minute through Jonas, whose right-foot volley failed to trouble Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Chelsea continued to dominate with Deco and Joe Cole pulling the strings in midfield.
In the 23rd minute, some clever work on the left flank from Nicolas Anelka ended with Branislav Ivanovic heading his cross over the bar.
Moments later John Terry and Lampard just failed to carve out an opening inside the Newcastle area but their neat passing move was eventually stopped by Coloccini.
Deco's accuracy was found wanting in the 28th minute when his right-foot shot from 25-yards fell at least a yard wide of the upright.
But the Portugal midfielder almost made up for it two minutes later but Lampard just failed to connect properly with his sublime chip into the penalty area.
In the 31st minute, Ashley Cole sent a header inches wide of the far post after a curling cross from Jose Bosingwa had beaten the United defence.
Deco supplied another quality through ball for Joe Cole two minutes later but the England international just failed to apply the finishing touch as Given raced out to save.
Seconds later it was Ivanovic's turn to miss a gilt-edged chance when a free-kick from Lampard found him unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box.
The Chelsea defender sent his header flashing beyond the far post with Given flat-footed.
Anelka was unlucky not to put Chelsea in front in the 48th minute when he got on the end of Lampard's pass but his angled drive hit the chest of Given.
Chelsea had a goal ruled out for offside in the 54th minute. Lampard's through-ball allowed Malouda to fire in a shot which Given stopped, with Joe Cole who bundling the loose ball over the line from an offside position.
A Lampard free-kick was then held by Given on the line with the crowd claiming it was a goal.
Moments later another superb move from the home side saw Joe Cole and Anelka combine to set up Lampard.
The England midfielder burst into the penalty area but curled his shot just the wrong side of the upright.
Chelsea had increased the tempo at the start of the half but United continued to frustrate the league leaders with some resolute defending.
The hosts' frustration was beginning to show as two long-range efforts from Lampard failed to hit the target.
But for all their possession, Chelsea was now being forced to try and break the deadlock with long shots.
Chelsea continued to camp in United's half but the lack of penetrating final ball was a real problem.
Substitute Ballack, on for Joe Cole, shot into the side-netting in the 89th minute as Chelsea's frustration mounted - but the hosts had to settle for a point.

WBA 0 Chelsea 3

Chelsea rewrote the history books in a 3-0 result over West Brom as Nicolas Anelka continued his prolific form to take the Blues back to the top of the Premier League.
Luiz Felipe Scolari's side equalled Tottenham's 48-year-old record with a 10th successive away win in the top flight and surpassed its own previous best Premier League run away from Stamford Bridge set four years ago.
Anelka's double took his tally to 12 league goals for the season and eight in the last four games after Jose Bosingwa had broken the deadlock.
Chelsea's comfortable success, courtesy of three goals in 12 minutes before half-time, saw it overtake Liverpool on goal difference at the top of the table.
The Blues have now scored 19 goals in seven away league matches this season and conceded just one.
Albion showed plenty of promise in the opening half hour and knocked the ball around in the style demanded by manager Tony Mowbray.
But it lacks a cutting edge and is not strong enough defensively and remains anchored at the bottom of the table after collecting just one point from its last six games.
Albion began well and James Morrison was only just too high with a powerful 20-yard effort.
The first decent chance fell to West Brom after a powerful 50-yard run by Borja Valero. He reached the edge of the box before picking out the run of Ishmael Miller but the former Manchester City striker dragged his shot across the face of goal.
Chelsea retaliated and Salomon Kalou drilled a rising shot past the post from a wide angle. The visitors started to find more space near the Albion goal and the home side was indebted to Scott Carson for keeping it on level terms.
Malouda's first time ball was perfectly weighted for the run of Lampard into the inside left channel and his powerful drive was beat out by the England goalkeeper.
Carson was tested for the second time in turning away a swerving drive from Malouda after he had advanced towards the box unchallenged.
But out of nothing a superb strike from Bosingwa gave the Blues the lead after 34 minutes.
There appeared to be little danger but Bosingwa suddenly unleashed a powerful left-footed drive from 30 yards out which Carson got a hand to but could not prevent from crossing the line.
Albion was stunned and it needed a fine tackle from Jonas Olsson to deny Malouda as he lined up a shot inside the area.
But after 38 minutes Anelka doubled Chelsea's lead, seizing Malouda's headed pass and racing into the area to beat an exposed Carson.
Chelsea now threatened every time t ventured forward and in first-half injury-time Anelka struck again, beating Carson from a narrow angle with Kalou this time the provider.
Mowbray made a half-time substitution, taking off striker Roman Bednar and replacing him with midfielder Kim Do-Heon in what seemed a damage limitation exercise.
Chelsea was soon back on the offensive and Carson managed to block an effort from a narrow angle by Malouda.
Anelka had the chance to go for his hat-trick when in space 15 yards out but he unselfishly attempted to tee up Deco, who was denied by a last-gasp tackle from Paul Robinson.
The Chelsea players were now queueing up to take shots at goal and Abdoulaye Meite threw himself in front of a shot from Anelka.

Bosingwa picked up the first yellow cards of the game for challenges on Miller and Morrison respectively. Morrison had to limp out of the action and he was replaced by Felipe Teixeira.
The Portuguese player almost made an immediate impact with a curling shot which was only inches too high but Malouda should have made it 4-0 when he shot across the face of goal with only Carson to beat.

Chelsea 1 Burnley 1 aet (4-5 penalties)

Championship side Burnley have knocked Chelsea out of the Carling Cup after beating them 5-4 on penalties at Stamford Bridge.

The fourth round tie finished 1-1 after normal time and neither side could add to that during extra time so penalties were required.

Burnley had the chance to win it after five penalties due to Wayne Bridge's miss but Wade Elliot blasted his shot wide.

Michael Duff then scored the first sudden death penalty for the visitors and Jensen made the crucial save from John Obi Mikel to send Owen Coyle's side into the quarter-finals.

Chelsea had dominated proceedings in the first half with Bridge shooting over the bar and Salomon Kalou being denied by Jensen on the edge of his box, before they managed to get the breakthrough.

With 30 minutes gone Didier Drogba was on hand to put the blues in front. Lampard picked him out inside the ox and the Ivorian's close control allowed him to get the shot away. The goal was Drogba's first of the season on his return from injury.Just before half time the Blues should have doubled their lead but Branislav Ivanovic could only head Florent Malouda's cross onto the woodwork.

With an hour gone the Blues took off Drogba and replaced him with Franco di Santo and were made to regret the decision soon after.

Burnley substitute Ade Akinbiyi made it 1-1 and got his side back in the match when he poked home a rebound when Carlo Cudicini failed to hold on to the ball.

Chris Eagles was sent though on goal and although Cudicini saved one-on-one with the midfielder the ball broke to Akinbiyi who tucked it home.

With no further addition to the scoreline extra time was called for and no sooner had that started than the Blues suffered another setback.

Di Santo was forced to leave the game with a hamstring injury but could not be replaced as Chelsea had used all three of their substitutes earlier, thus forcing them to go down to ten men.Both teams could have won it during the extra period, Lampard shot over the bar and Cudicini made a smart save to deny Alan Mahon. The best chance fell to Alex but the Brazilian defender blazed high over the bar from four yards out.

Burnley captain Steven Caldwell was then sent off for a second bookable offence meaning it was ten against ten heading into the shootout.

The Burnley players held their nerve well and looked to be heading into the last eight when Jensen saved Bridge's penalty but Elliot sent their fifth penalty into the stand to keep the match alive.Malouda converted his spot kick to force sudden death and it seemed as if the Premier League side would not let it slip from their grasp again.

But Duff scored his spot kick and Jensen made another fine save to deny Mikel and send the Championship side through and send the Premier League leaders out.

Blackburn Rovers 0 Chelsea 2

Nicolas Anelka struck twice as Chelsea went back to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at a rain-soaked Ewood Park.
A torrential downpour made conditions almost unplayable in Lancashire but Anelka overcame the elements to find the net in each half and fire Chelsea back above Liverpool on goal difference.
Anelka broke the deadlock on 39 minutes, deflecting a long-range Alex shot past Paul Robinson, before adding a second in the 68th minute with a cool dinked finish over the otherwise excellent Rovers keeper.
The win - on manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's 60th birthday - was Chelsea's sixth out of six on the road so far this season and did much to make amends for their Champions League defeat to Roma in midweek.
Despite the appalling playing conditions, the visitors flew out of the blocks and went on to dominate the first half, even though it took them the majority of the opening period to find a way through the Rovers defence.
That the deadlock lasted so long had much to do with the form of Robinson, who pulled off a string of fine saves to deny Anelka two headed efforts, a John Obi Mikel header and Frank Lampard's bouncing strike before even 20 minutes were on the clock.
Chelsea had earlier seen a loud penalty shout waved away by referee Chris Foy when Anelka tumbled to the ground under a challenge from Robinson after having latched onto a suicidal Keith Andrews back pass. Replays showed there was minimal contact between the two.
Terry saw a header fly over the bar before Anelka and Lampard were again thwarted by Robinson as Chelsea pressed for an opener.
The pressure finally told as Anelka netted his first of the day six minutes before the half-time whistle; the goal stood despite loud calls from Robinson for handball against the Frenchman.
During the break, the skies cleared and by the time the second half kicked off the weather were far more clement - Blackburn capitalised and began to work their way back into the game as Chelsea eased off the gas.
During the opening period, Blackburn had just a Carlos Villanueva shot on the break to shout about - an effort which brought a fine save out of Petr Cech - but once the rain had stopped, Paul Ince's side looked far more threatening.
The hosts could have equalised soon after the restart when jason Roberts - asked to play as a lone striker due to Blackburn's injury problems - turned John Terry with some neat control on his chest to make space for a shot. Only a fine save by Cech foiled him.
Blackburn continued to press for an equaliser, but Chelsea hit them on the break on 68 minutes to effectively seal all three points.
Anelka registered his sixth goal in the last three league games when he reacted sharply to pounce on a loose ball in the box ahead of Robinson, clipping it over the keeper and into the back of the net.
At 2-0 up, Chelsea were able to cruise for the remainder of the game, and they should have added to their tally, Lampard rattling the cross bar with a terrific free-kick moments before Terry missed his kick from close range with eight minutes left.

Roma 3 Chelsea 1

A Mirko Vucinic brace inspired Roma to a superb 3-1 victory over 10-man Chelsea in the Champions League Group A clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Romans, fourth from bottom in Serie A, were too strong for the Premier League leaders, for whom John Terry's late goal was nothing more than a consolation after Christian Panucci's strike before the break and Vucinic's second-half double.
Chelsea also saw Deco dismissed late on, perhaps harshly, after the Portuguese was shown two yellow cards.
The Blues had much the better of the possession in the opening half-hour but failed to test Doni with anything other than efforts from long range. The Brazilian keeper twice denied Frank Lampard from distance after he had turned away a Deco drive from outside the box as Chelsea made all the early running.
The hosts however grabbed the lead, against the run of play, in the 34th minute. Cicinho escaped the attentions of the Chelsea defence as Francesco Totti lined up a long-range free-kick, and the right-back's low cross was turned home by Panucci as the Chelsea defence stood and watched. The former Blues defender's strike was the first Chelsea have conceded in this season's Champions League campaign and it seemed to settle the hosts down.
Florent Malouda blasted high and wide of the target five minutes later when he was sent clear down the inside-left channel by John Obi Mikel's fine pass, and that was the French wideman's final contribution as he was withdrawn at half time, along with Joe Cole, to make way for Didier Drogba and Juliano Beletti.
Despite the decisive substitutions, things got worse for Blues boss Luiz Filipe Scolari when Roma doubled their lead only three minutes after the break. Matteo Brighi laid the ball off the Mirko Vucinic to unleash a superb 20-yard drive which flew past Cech and into the corner of the Blues net.
If the second goal was good, Roma's third 10 minutes later was even better, and it was Vucinic again. The Montenegrin striker robbed Mikel in the host's half and carried the ball fully 50-yards, outpacing and riding the tackle of the Nigerian before fooling Cech to slide the ball coolly inside the near post.
Chelsea looked ragged but Terry gave his side a lifeline, somewhat controversially, with 15 minutes remaining. Deco's shot was directed goalwards seemingly off the arm of the England skipper and despite Doni's point-blank block, Terry sidefooted home the rebound.
Deco, cautioned in the first half, was lucky to avoid a second booking when he up-ended Totti early in the second period. But his luck ran out in the 81st-minute when referee Luis Medina Cantalejo brandished a yellow card, followed by a red, when the Portuguese took a free-kick too quickly for the official's liking.
Despite the result, Chelsea remain top of Group A with seven points, one ahead of Roma and Bordeaux, with the French side due to arrive at Stamford Bridge in three weeks time.
Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was left to rue an under-par performance from his side.
Scolari felt his side made too many errors to merit taking anything away from their trip to the Italian capital.
"We didn't play well," Scolari admitted after goals from Christian Panucci and two from Mirko Vucinic gave the Italians a deserved victory.
"We made mistakes at critical times. We allowed Roma chances and individual mistakes cost us dearly."

Chelsea 5 Sunderland 0

If the mission was to make Stamford Bridge the fortress it had been for the past four and a half years before Liverpool barged down the gates last week then this was a splendid start.
A short-range effort from Brazilian defender Alex notched up the 1,000th Chelsea goal in the Premier League. A Frank Lampard header gave the Chelsea midfielder the 100th league goal of his career. And a Nicolas Anelka hat-trick completed a rout which had the home jokers chanting sarcastically "Boring, boring Chelsea."

In truth Chelsea hardly required a fortress to repel a Sunderland side who all but waved a white flag in the teeming rain which drenched Stamford Bridge.

The Wearsiders, dismal in defeat against Stoke in midweek, were as woeful as Chelsea's passing and movement was wonderful.

So woeful that manager Roy Keane was sent to the stands by referee Martin Atkinson as his frustration boiled over in the half-time tunnel when he verbally remonstrated with the officials.

Before the match Keane had warned it takes at least four days for him to recover his karma when he loses his temper. After this performance it might take him until Christmas.

Keane had made five changes to the starting line-up, dropping Djibril Cisse and El-Hadji Diouf to the bench and handing striker Kenwyne Jones his first start of the season after recovering from the knee injury which had kept him out for four months.

But not one Sunderland player would have passed the exacting Keane contribution test on an afternoon when the Chelsea fans taunted them with chants of "Cheerio".

The tone was set from the kick-off as Chelsea penned Sunderland in their own half, dominating possession, fizzing the ball around the greasy surface with precision.

They signalled their intentions as early as the 16th minute when Deco swivelled sweetly on the edge of the area and sent a swerving angled shot thundering against the Sunderland crossbar. It was the shot of the match, a demonstration of Portuguese quality. But there was more, much more, to come.

And Chelsea confirmed their authority with two goals in two first-half minutes.

The first arrived from Rodrigo Dias de Costa, otherwise known as Alex, who started the move in midfield. The ball was switched to Joe Cole out on the right and when it fizzed across the penalty area it deflected off goalkeeper Marton Fulop into the path of Alex, who had continued his run, and he swept the goal home from three yards.

Not the grandest of strikes but it will still grace the record books as Chelsea's 1,000th Premier League goal.

Number 1,001 was scored by Anelka, but again owed much to the prescience of Alex.

This time it was Lampard who provided the angled cross, which skidded across the penalty area off the rain-drenched surface.

Alex again got the touch as he slid in and although the ball was about to cross the line Anelka made sure, smashing the ball home from no more than 12 inches.

Anelka slotted his second, again from close range, on the stroke of half-time.

It got worse for Sunderland in the 51st minute when Joe Cole supplied the cross for Lampard to head home and two minutes later Anelka completed his hat-trick, again from close-range with the ball looping off the body of goalkeeper Fulop and dropping agonisingly over the line.

Sunderland raids were rare but one did bring the save of the match from Petr Cech, who dived bravely at the feet of Cisse to palm the ball away.

But that was scant consolation for Keane who sat in the stand, hunched into his overcoat, whispering into his mobile phone.

He might well have been telling chairman Niall Quinn how many reinforcements he needs in the January transfer window.

As for Chelsea, they go to Roma in midweek in buoyant mood. The fortress as secure as ever.