Chelsea 2 Middlesbrough 0

Salomon Kalou kept Chelsea's title aspirations alive with a second-half double to leave Middlesbrough entrenched in the relegation zone after a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Kalou opened the scoring in the 58th minute and added a second 10 minutes from time as Chelsea moved second in the table, two points behind leaders Manchester United.
Middlesbrough have now gone 11 games without a win in the Barclays Premier League and this latest setback will only increase the pressure on boss Gareth Southgate.
Chelsea's start was hardly inspiring, though, with a hopeful dribble into the penalty area from Kalou the highlight of the opening 10 minutes of the game.
The Ivorian striker bamboozled most of the Boro defence but ran out of space before he could test keeper Ross Turnbull.
Alex saw a goal-bound header inexplicably glanced over the bar by Kalou in the second half but he broke the deadlock 58th minute when Boro defender David Wheater could only partially head clear and the frontman volleyed the ball home.
Kalou made it two for Chelsea 10 minutes from time with his last act of the game before going off to a standing ovation from the home faithful.
The Ivorian rose unmarked to head home a corner from Frank Lampard after Middlesbrough goalkeeper Turnbull had completely missed the ball.
Kalou celebrated his goal with a bizarre handcuff gesture, as the Blues took advantage of Liverpool`s draw at Wigan to move into second place on goal difference from the Reds and two points adrift of Manchester United.

Carlo Joins Spurs On A Free

Tottenham have today completed the signing of Italian goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini on a free transfer from Chelsea.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp stepped up his pursuit of a new keeper when his under-fire No.1 Heurelho Gomes was injured, and when veteran Spanish keeper Cesar Sanchez joined Valencia on Friday, Redknapp was forced to select Gomes as his back-up keeper to Ben Alnwick for Saturday's FA Cup defeat at Manchester United.

Carlo joined the Blues on loan in 1999 from Italian side Castel Di Sangro and signed a permanent deal a year later for £130,000. He was voted Chelsea Player of the Year in 2002, but has found his chances limited since Petr Cech's arrival in 2004. Cudicini's arrival will provide competition for Gomes, who has also been the subject of much criticism this season.

Carlo will be sorely missed at the Bridge where he gave long service and support to the other keepers, never moaning about his lack of first team opportunities and he thoroughly deserves his chance of first team football, having no trouble in becoming a permanent member of the Tottenham team.

Chelsea 3 Ipswich Town 1

Michael Ballack was Chelsea’s FA Cup hero as he scored twice to beat a plucky Ipswich side 3-1 at Stamford Bridge with Frank Lampard adding a stunning third.

Ballack struck either side of a goal from Alex Bruce – son of former FA Cup winner Steve Bruce – to end Ipswich’s hopes of creating a major upset and send Chelsea into the Fifth Round.

But the Championship side were always in the game and it was only a 35-yard special from Lampard that truly ended their dreams.

The Blues started strongly and should have gone ahead after only nine minutes when Ballack was found unmarked from an excellent Anelka cross but fired his shot wide.

By the 16th minute the home side had found a way through with an excellently-worked effort.

This time the outstanding Lampard swept a cross-field pass out to his England team-mate Ashley Cole who, at full pace, pulled it back for Ballack to stretch and turn home first time.

It was a goal Chelsea deserved - but then their old defensive problems returned as they gifted Ipswich a foothold in the match.

Blues manager Luiz-Felipe Scolari has had his players working hard on defending set pieces but it seems they still haven’t found the perfect system.

Because when Owen Garvan whipped in a free-kick after 32 minutes the home team were all at sea as the ball cannoned off Ricardo Carvalho – and straight into the path of Bruce to fire home unchallenged.

Suddenly Ipswich were filled with confidence and a famous FA Cup shock looked possible.

But Chelsea eventually turned to star striker Didier Drogba to try and save the day, bringing him on after 57 minutes, and it reaped instant dividends.

Almost immediately his strike partner Anelka won a free-kick a minute which Ballack curled home superbly for 2-1.

Ipswich had chances to equalise but when Lampard sent an incredible free-kick arrowing high into the net after 85 minutes the game was all over.

Blues Not For Sale Says Wilkins

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins does not believe that Roman Abramovich is looking to sell his ownership of the club, says Sky Sports.
Recent reports have suggested the Russian billionaire is looking to end his relationship with the Blues in the wake of the ongoing worldwide credit crunch.
A German consortium headed by Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim, who led the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover at Manchester City, is understood to be considering a bid.
But Wilkins has echoed the sentiments of chief executive Peter Kenyon in stating that Chelsea are not for sale.
"It is no-no," Wilkins told Sky Sports News when asked if he believed Abramovich was looking to sell.
"I think Roman is very keen to continue his support of Chelsea and what Peter said last weekend is the bottom line, it is not for sale."

Terry Out For The Tractor Boys

John Terry has been ruled out of Chelsea's FA Cup tie against Ipswich on Saturday after the latest in a long line of back injuries.
The Chelsea and England captain suffered a spasm in his back during the warm-up for last Saturday's league match against Stoke and what was initially thought to be a minor problem has lingered.
John Mikel Obi will also miss the fourth round match, the Nigerian midfielder being suspended, but Didier Drogba is back in Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad after being dropped for Chelsea's last two matches.

Forget Kaka. We've Already Got The World's Best Player

Luiz Felipe Scolari insists Chelsea Football Club have the best player in the world.

As Manchester City prepare to fork out a staggering £107million for AC Milan’s Kaka, Scolari has praised midfielder Frank Lampard as the best player on the planet.

“He is fantastic,” said the Blues boss. "If one day maybe, after two or three years, I can be a national coach again and I get to vote for world player of the year, my vote would be for Frank. "He is not a player only, he is a man. He loves to play. Before I only had an impression of him. But now I know him."

JT To Play Against Ipswich

John Terry should be fit to play in this weekend's FA Cup tie with Ipswich despite suffering a back injury on Saturday.
The skipper was forced to withdraw from the Blues side to face Stoke on Saturday after feeling discomfort in his back in the warm-up, which led to Alex partnering Ricardo Carvalho in the centre of defence. But the England star insists the problem is not serious and he will be available for selection when Ipswich travel to Stamford Bridge for Saturday's fourth round tie.

More importantly from Chelsea's perspective, Terry will be fit to face Middlesbrough on January 28 and then title rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday February 1.

On the title battle, the 27-year-old said: "We haven't been playing well enough to win the Premier League. As a group of players we've not been good enough of late. Results haven't been good enough home or away.

"We've got to, and can, put together a string of results from now to the end of the season, but we'll need to win at Liverpool."

Big Phi Looks For Kenyon's Backing

Big Phil is planning a surprise move for Benfica winger Angel di Maria.
The Times says Scolari sees the young Argentine as the ideal replacement for crocked midfielder Joe Cole, who has been ruled out for the season.
Scolari views Ángel Di María, Benfica's Argentina winger, as his best long-term prospect, though he also fancies Wigan's Luis Antonio Valencia.
Benfica have accepted that Di María will leave sooner rather than later, although they are reluctant to sell him while they remain in contention for the Portuguese title.
Scolari's negotiating position with Peter Kenyon, the Chelsea chief executive, is helped by his refusal, unlike some of his predecessors, to complain in public about a lack of transfer funds and has taken full responsibility for his side's inconsistent performances.

Blues In For Valencia?

Chelsea are reportedly lining up a £7million bid for Wigan's Antonio Valencia, reports the Daily Mail.
Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari wants the winger to replace Joe Cole after the England international was ruled out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage.
Manchester United and Real Madrid have also been monitoring 23-year-old Ecuadorian Valencia but he would not be guaranteed as starting place at Old Trafford or the Bernabeu.

Big Phil To Bring In Winger?

Luiz Felipe Scolari is reportedly looking to bring in a winger to Stamford Bridge during this January transfer window to fill the void left by Joe Cole, with Jermaine Pennant at Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur's David Bentley being linked to the Premier League club.
The Blues are a little light on the flanks, after Cole was ruled out for the rest of the season, after damaging his knee ligament's during last week’s FA Cup replay against Southend United.
Shaun Wright-Phillips left last summer to return to Manchester City, which means that Scolari has just Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and the inexperienced Miroslav Stoch at his disposal.
According to reports in The Sun, Chelsea are keeping an eye on Reds winger Pennant and former Arsenal player Bentley.
With the board allowing the manager a very meagre amount to spend during this transfer window, Big Phil is hoping that they at least allow him to bring in the players on loan.
The Brazilian is known to have strong interest in 26-year old Pennant, however Chelsea will have to work smart and fast if they are to sign him, as Pennant is reportedly on the brink of completing a transfer to Portsmouth.
On the other hand, Bentley might be an easier target as the winger has been seen struggling at White Hart Lane ever since joining Spurs last summer from Blackburn Rovers

Chelsea 2 Stoke City 1

Chelsea pulled-off a sensational late 2-1 fightback to ease the pressure on under-fire boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The Blues looked on the way to their third home league defeat of the season until substitute Juliano Belletti equalised in the 88th minute.
Frank Lampard then grabbed an unlikely winner in stoppage-time to cap his 400th appearance for the club in style.
The victory keeps Chelsea in the title hunt and will take some of the heat off their Brazilian coach.
Scolari's plight has not been helped by the loss of England midfielder Joe Cole with a knee injury for the rest of the season and John Terry's back problem in the pre-match warm-up meant he was unable to play.
But Scolari's public feud with Ivorian striker Didier Drogba appears to have backfired on him as he would have provided just the kind of cutting edge lacked by the Blues.
Since beating Sunderland 5-0 at the start of November, Chelsea had only managed home wins over CFR Cluj and West Brom.
They should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute but once again their attacking frailties were exposed.
It was perhaps unfortunate for Scolari that Frank Lampard's free-kick landed at the feet of Salomon Kalou instead of top scorer Nicolas Anelka.
The Ivorian failed to show the kind of coolness Anelka has been displaying this season and shot high over from just six yards.
Florent Malouda then had a shot charged down, then Anelka was unlucky not to take his tally for the season to 18 goals when his shot on the turn was superbly parried by Thomas Sorensen.
Stoke suffered a blow in the 32nd minute when defender Danny Higginbotham went off injured to be replaced by Andy Griffin.
In the 35th minute a superb run by Lampard helped set up Malouda on the left flank and his cross was destined for the head of Anelka until Sorensen's fingertips intervened.
Scolari's pitchside animation was a joy to behold from outstretched arms aimed at the fourth official to the scratching of his head at misplaced passes.
But despite his various gestures, his side was still lacking the cutting edge the axed Drogba would have certainly provided.
That fact was underlined in the 41st minute when a corner from Lampard was met at the far post by Anelka - but his header was caught by Sorensen.
Two minutes before the break the Dane pulled off another great save when he tipped a vicious left-foot shot from Ashley Cole over the crossbar - and seconds later he produced another stunning save to stop a volley from Lampard.
Chelsea should have taken the lead in the 50th minute but an unmarked Ballack sent an eight-yard header the wrong side of the post following good work by Malouda.
Stoke managed to engineer a chance for new signing James Beattie in the 57th minute but the striker's attempted lob over Petr Cech was just too high.
It was a timely portent as Stoke stunned Chelsea with an opening goal in the 59th minute.
Beattie superbly chested the ball down and fed the onrushing Delap, who ran into the penalty area and held off the challenge of Alex before calmly slotting the ball over the advancing Cech.
It was a goal completely against the run of play - and another example of Chelsea's poor defending.
Scolari's reaction was to replace Malouda with Franco Di Santo but Stoke almost added a second goal when Cech flapped and missed a long throw from Delap.
However, Matthew Etherington just could not turn quickly enough to try his luck at an open goal and Chelsea cleared the danger.
Moments later Chelsea wasted another chance when Lampard shot wide from an acute angle after Anelka had put him clear.
Then Cole, found superbly by Anelka, fired a left-foot shot inches wide of the far post with Sorensen beaten.
Chelsea piled on the pressure with substitute Di Santo causing Stoke problems on the right flank - and with an embarrassing defeat on the cards, it produced the great escape.
First a cross from Kalou was headed back into the six-yard box by Di Santo and Belletti, on for Jose Bosingwa, converted from close range.
Then in stoppage-time, Lampard seized his chance to send a 20-yard shot beyond Sorensen for the winner.

Southend Utd 1 Chelsea 4

Luiz-Felipe Scolari lives to fight another day after Chelsea avoided embarrassment in an FA Cup tie against Southend but the result, a 4-1 victory, could not hide all his team's problems.
Goals from Michael Ballack, Salomon Kalou, Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard earned the Blues victory in the 3rd round replay at Roots Hall after they had astonishingly gone behind to a team that play in the third tier of English football.
The relief on Scolari's face was clear as the final whistle blew, not least because a meeting of the club's board tomorrow could have proved very uncomfortable if the result had been any different.
But the shaky nature of our first-half display, especially in defence, leaves his critics with plenty of ammunition for the future.
Make no mistake, this was a crucial match in Chelsea's season even though it was played out at a tiny 12,000-capacity ground in the backwaters of Essex and against a team currently sitting half-way down League One.
Chelsea went into the game after Southend had produced a shock 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago and under the glare of the media spotlight following an horrendous run of form which culminated in a 3-0 defeat at title rivals Manchester United on Sunday.
Rumours of off-field rows have also added to the pressure on Scolari, the latest involving striker Didier Drogba who was not included in the squad for this match following rumours he tried to engineer a January move to his former club Marseille.
The fact that Drogba produced such a poor performance at Old Trafford surely influenced Scolari's decision-making, too. But his absence from the bench suggests there could be more to it than that.
Certainly, Scolari, who is one of the most respected coaches in the world and a former World Cup winner with Brazil, is being made to look hapless by some of his recent decisions.
Having seen his side concede so many goals from set pieces, including two in the 3-0 drubbing at United, Scolari made a big fuss of letting everyone know he was changing from a man-to-man system to a zonal one for this match.
Whichever system was used looked totally ineffective when Southend were handed their first corner of the match after only 15 minutes.
The kick was flapped to safety by goalkeeper Petr Cech but when Junior Stanislas took a second corner from the opposite flank Southend defender Adam Barrett rose completely unmarked to head home past a static defence.
The embarrassment in the Chelsea ranks was evident and as Southend supporters begun chants of 'You're getting sacked in the morning', it seemed the consequences our Brazilian manager could be far more significant than just the end of another cup dream.
Thankfully for him the team found an escape clause with an assured display in the second half but it wasn't always easy.
Southend could have gone further ahead when Alex Revell thundered in a flying header from an excellent Stanislas cross but Cech's point-blank save proved a turning point for the Blues.
Chelsea, who had created a string of chances but been denied by last-ditch defending, eventually found a breakthrough a minute before half-time when goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall punched a clearance straight to Ballack, whose half-volley from the edge of the area provided Scolari some respite.
In the end Premier League class did tell, however. And when Kalou drilled home an angled shot for 2-1 after an hour the threat of the sack seemed to be easing for Scolari, even if the glint of knives could still be seen glittering behind him.
Kalou then set up Anelka to finish smartly for 3-1 after 78 minutes and Lampard curled home from the edge of the area in the last minute to underline the superiority the team had belatedly displayed.

Man Utd 3 Chelsea 0

Jose Mourinho's return to the Premier League did not do Chelsea much good as Manchester United turned the heat up under Luiz Felipe Scolari with a thumping 3-0 win.
Chelsea suffered their worst Old Trafford defeat in 15 years as United eased to a thoroughly deserved success after Nemanja Vidic had broken the deadlock in first-half stoppage time.
Wayne Rooney added another just after the hour mark before Dimitar Berbatov completed victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's men near the end.
With Mourinho looking down from the stands in judgment on his old club, this would have been the perfect time for Scolari to start proving his doubters wrong.
The decision not to start with Nicolas Anelka, especially with Rio Ferdinand's back injury ruling him out, seemed strange.
But Chelsea seemed more incisive in midfield, even if its hosts had more possession.
Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack both had chances and a more natural offensive player than Ashley Cole would surely have profited from Deco's inspired pass instead of allowing it to bounce through to Edwin van der Sar.
In return a viciously curling Giggs free-kick caused Petr Cech a problem, more so than Berbatov's scuffed shot after being invited to shoot by Rooney.
But, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ballack also having penalty claims turned down, a hotly contested scrap was still waiting for its switch to be triggered as it entered the last couple of first-half minutes.
Ronaldo might have flicked it but he mis-hit a shot that bounced into Rooney. Then Darren Fletcher had a penalty appeal turned down when his effort struck John Terry on the arm.
Instead, United got the corner which will still be debated years from now.
Rooney seemed to know exactly what he was doing when he rolled the ball into, then out of the quadrant. Giggs ambled over, crossed and Ronaldo powered home a near-post header.
Referee Howard Webb said no. United reacted with fury at the perceived injustice of it all, surrounding the linesman who had made the decision. Chelsea was merely bemused.

The fact that Rooney rolled the ball into then out of the quadrant is the key to the goal being disallowed. If he had taken his foot off the ball while it was in the quadrant it would've been okay. As it was the ball didn't stop moving and it was disallowed for this reason the same as a moving ball at a free kick has to be retaken.
Amazingly, Chelsea were still trying to take it in as Giggs swung over the re-take. This time Berbatov got there first, flicking the ball on towards the far post where Vidic arrived to power home.
This prompted Scolari into a half-time reshuffle, with Anelka replacing Deco.
The move worked to the extent that Chelsea was able to enjoy more sustained spells with the ball.
However, the double negative for the visitors was that their finishing was poor and their need to attack played to United's strengths.
Nevertheless, Chelsea's goal should not have been under threat once Patrice Evra exchanged passes with Ronaldo but then skimmed Berbatov's head with the left-wing cross.
Cole seemed to be in control of the situation but Rooney had other ideas as he pushed his leg between the England full-back's and got enough power into a shot to divert it past a startled Cech.
And when Ronaldo picked out Berbatov with a low free-kick four minutes from time that gave the Bulgarian an easy finish, Scolari could probably feel Mourinho's eyes burning into him from above.
But this is a different team to the one Mourinho crafted. Some of the names may be the same but their power has waned.
Once the most feared Premier League striker, Didier Drogba hit one shot so wide he conceded a throw-in, another skidded off the side of his foot and missed the target by 20 yards.
United are now a single point adrift of the us with two matches in hand. And if they win the first of them, against Wigan on Wednesday, they will only trail Liverpool by two.
Given those statistics, it is maybe little wonder Rafael Benitez went for Ferguson's jugular earlier in the week. It might be the best chance he gets.

Ref watch:

It is well worth noting that Frank Lampard, not a dirty player by any means, was booked in the 4th minute for accidently catching Ronaldo innocuously on the shin, the Portugese prat rolling over about ten times to emphasise the point.

Shrek, however, viciously lashed at and made contact with the back of Bosingwa's legs and then gesticulated at the referee when the free kick was given against him. Did he get booked for it? Of course not.

Consistent refereeing. I don't think so. And this prat Howard Webb is supposed to be the best.

Incidentally, towards the end of the game, Ronaldo went through the back of Frank's legs, giving away a free kick. As Mr. Webb started to walk towards the spotty show pony with his hand in his pocket, Frank asked the referee not to give him a second yellow card. What a gentleman. Pity though, it would've been nice to see that twat get sent off again.

Wayne Bridge Moves To City

Chelsea have sold Wayne Bridge to Manchester City for a reported £12 million.

The England international completed his move over the weekend.

Bridge joins the club at a difficult time, having been embarrassingly dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest, while they are currently lying just two points above the relegation zone after winning just once in their last six games.

But the 28-year-old is confident he will enjoy success at Eastlands.

"Most importantly, I want to show the fans here and everyone around that I can do well at Manchester City," he told the club's website."I'd like to think I'm coming into my prime but I like to keep myself fit anyway and I've got a good engine and a good left foot so I'll be looking forward to showing that on the pitch."

Personally I think we were mad to sell Wayne, being one of the best crossers of a ball at the club.

Big Phil is already bemoaning his lack of left sided players.

Is it all going pear shaped?

Chelsea 1 Southend Utd. 1

League One minnows Southend stunned Chelsea with a stoppage-time equaliser to earn a deserved 1-1 draw and a third-round replay.
Salomon Kalou's first-half goal looked to have earned Chelsea a place in the next round until Peter Clarke headed an equaliser from close range in the 90th minute.
Chelsea had dominated the game but paid for a host of squandered chances by allowing an unmarked Clarke to beat Carlo Cudicini with a close-range header.
It was just reward for the Shrimpers who valiantly kept out Chelsea's wave of attacks in a pulsating second half.
But Chelsea's need for a first-class finisher was further underlined after an afternoon when they failed to kill off their lowly opponents.
Chelsea's first attempt in the fifth minute was lamentable with Frank Lampard sending a 30-yard free-kick well wide of the target.
Drogba should then have put the Blues ahead in the 10th minute but he waited too long to shoot and former Chelsea youngster Anthony Grant managed to get in a superb tackle to deny the Ivorian.
Lampard then fed Joe Cole inside the penalty area but the England international's shot fizzed across the face of the goal and beyond the far post.
In the 14th minute, another Lampard effort from the edge of the penalty area was deflected to safety but the Shrimpers were living dangerously.
But despite their possession, Chelsea were unable to find a chink in the Southend rearguard.
United defender Clarke had to be alert to stop a low cross from Ashley Cole reaching Drogba in the 20th minute and Kalou wasted a clear chance by shooting over from 20 yards seconds later.
Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure and when Lampard found the rampaging Ashley Cole in the 22nd minute, a goal seemed the only eventuality.
However, the England left-back's right-foot shot from 12 yards was saved by Steve Mildenhall and moments later Drogba placed a shot wide with just the United goalkeeper to beat.
Chelsea continued to dominate and eventually opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Kalou rose unmarked to head home a corner from Lampard.
Three minutes later Drogba could not find the power to beat Mildenhall with a close range header after Ashley Cole had set him up with a cross to the near post.
The goal had enabled Chelsea to with go about their work with calmness but their attempts to increase the scoreline from set pieces were woeful in the extreme.
Juliano Belletti decided it was his turn to try his luck from long-range in the 38th minute but his effort was caught by a surprised onlooker in the second tier of the 'Shed' stand.
Southend had enjoyed little success in attack but a cross from Jean-Francois Christophe had to be turned over his own crossbar by Branislav Ivanovic in the 39th minute.
It was a rare moment of panic in the Chelsea defence and moments later they were back in attack.
But once again their finishing lacked the required quality and Belletti was again guilty of sending his 20-yard effort high and wide.
Southend were unlucky two minutes before the interval when Junior Stanislas made Paulo Ferreira look distinctly ordinary with a great run down the left flank.
However, his low cross into the six-yard box was cleared by a relieved Chelsea defence.
In the 52nd minute Drogba brought a fine save out of Mildenhall when he met a cross from John Obi Mikel.
Chelsea continued to push for a second and Mildenhall was forced to punch clear off the head of Ricardo Carvalho in the 63rd minute.
There was little respite for Steve Tilson's side but they continued to defend valiantly inside their own penalty area.
In the 66th minute Belletti saw his header cleared off the goal-line as the Premier League side searched in vain for a second.
Southend were beginning to show some attacking desire as the game wore on but they were restricted to the odd counter-attack.
The Premier League side pushed the ball around with confidence but their cutting edge was well below par.
In the 82nd minute, Lampard endeavoured to put the game beyond Southend but his 20-yard lob was straight at Mildenhall.
Chelsea then had a narrow escape a minute later when a cross from Johnny Herd was met by Clarke under pressure from Cudicini. The United defender got to the ball first but his header bounced off the top of the crossbar to Chelsea's relief.
But worse was to follow when defender Clarke stunned Chelsea with a 90th-minute equaliser from close range.
Chelsea were denied a late winner by Mildenhall when he somehow kept out a header from substitute Franco Di Santo.
Scolari wants more concentration from Blues
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari hinted that his players were suffering a crisis of confidence in front of goal after League One minnows Southend snatched a last-gasp draw at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's front three of Joe Cole, Didier Drogba and goalscorer Salomon Kalou cost almost £40million to assemble and yet they squandered another hatful of chances to kill off their lowly opponents.
The Blues were guilty of the same offences when Championship side Burnley bundled them out of the Carling Cup on penalties and the Brazilian's post-match lament is becoming all-too familiar.
''I need to teach to my players more concentration when they arrive in front of goal,'' said a disappointed Scolari.
''This is my job every day.
''Maybe it is confidence when they arrive in front of goal, maybe pressure. They need to score more goals and get more confidence. Only this.
''If they are not together, they would not create 15 chances. We played very well and created 15 chances but only one goal.
''Southend played hard and very spirited for a draw. They got a draw but only had one shot on goal.
''Carlo Cudicini didn't make one save. Not scoring is our mistake. All the players feel the same as me.''
But Scolari reiterated that he will not buy a new striker and pledged to work harder on the training ground instead.
''We need to follow the same ideas - train, train, train,'' said Scolari. ''I don't need another striker. I have a good squad, good players.
''We are still in the cup. Other teams that lost today are out, we are not out. We were better than Southend but didn't score a second goal.''
Southend rejoiced in Clarke's equaliser and will now look forward to another pay-day in the replay at Roots Hall.
United boss Steve Tilson was understandably delighted with the outcome.
''It's a fantastic day for the club and fans,'' said Tilson.
''We had to ride our luck and we got the chance at the death.
''Our goalkeeper made a great save at the end to keep us in it but the idea was to stay in the game for as long as we could.
''We had to get a lot of bodies behind the ball and it is not how we normally play. But it worked wonders.
''But whatever happens, we have had a good cup run. Beating Crewe at home in the league in our next game is more important than Chelsea.
''We have not worked on the long throws from the right-hand side so that was a bonus.
''Peter does get in good positions and that is his second goal this season. But on another day we could have lost by four or five goals.
''If they had scored early on then we would have had to open up and possibly got beaten by a hatful.
''But it is a great result for us against a team that will finish in the top two of the Premier League I'm sure.''