Hamburg 2 ‏vs ‏ 1 Chelsea

Hamburger SV pulled off a fine pre-season win over a Chelsea side who will rue the equaliser from the Germans.

Chelsea named a strong starting eleven for their freindly match against Bundesliga side Hamburg in their final match before Carlo Ancelotti's side prepare to face rivals Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday.

The Blues named England trio Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry in their team and Ancelotti decided to start with a 4-4-3 formation with Anelka, Kalou and Malouda operating as the front three.

Ross Turnball got the nod in goal as he continued to deputise for the injured Petr Cech, whilst Michael Essien continued his road back to full fitness.

Chelsea started the game well against the German side, dominating the lions share of possession at the Imtech Arena with some controlled passing movements, but the English champions never really created any clear cut chances.

Saloman Kalou had the first golden chance off the game when he had a free header from an unmarked position which he headed over.

Frank Lampard opened the scoring for Chelsea just after that however, when Hamburg defender Jonathan Pitroipa sold a back pass short to his goalkeeper and Michael Essien supplied the England midfileder who made no mistake in front of goal.

Pablo Guerrero nearly equilised for the home side on 35 minutes when he headed against the crossbar after darting in front of the Chelsea defence from a corner, it was a let off for Carlo Ancelotti's side who had began to let their opponents boss proceddings.

Chelsea were still causing Hamburg problems on the counter attack though and Ashley Cole was close to getting a second when delightfully put through, however he chose the wrong option in front of goal and the chance was wasted.

Ruud van Nistelrooy spurned a great opportunity to grab an equaliser for Hamburg on 53 minutes, when after picking up the ball on the edge of the box, tried a first-time effort, which flew harmlessly over the cross bar.

And the home side were almost punished immediately after. Some sloppy play from the Hamburg defence saw Mikel close down the play, and the ball trickled through to Lampard who fired an effort on goal, but unfortunately for the visitors, dragged the shot wide.

Drogba then spurned a glorious chance for the visitors. Having been played through on goal by Essien, the Ivorian cut inside his marker, but took too long on the ball, and Rost did well to smother the striker’s advances.

And wasted opportunities continued to fuel the plot of the second half, as Hamburg missed another gilt-edged opportunity, with Mladen Petric the culprit this time. Jarolim whipped in a corner, which evaded the Chelsea defence before reaching the Croatian’s head, but Petric was unable to direct his effort goalwards.

But the Croatian made amends on 71 minutes. Chelsea seemed comfortable, as Terry played a simple pass to Yuri Zhirkov, but the Russian played a suicide ball back to Ross Turnbull, and the goalkeeper was unable to reach the ball before Petric, who coolly lifted the ball over him, and into the net.

And with the match seemingly destined to end in a draw, up popped Heung Min Son to grab a winner for the home side with less than five minutes to go. The 18-year-old took he chance expertly, collecting the ball inside the Chelsea penalty area, before calmly slotting the ball underneath Turnball, and into the net.

Clash of the TITANS

CHELSEA VS MANCHESTER UNITED

Old Trafford will face the much awaited " clash of the TITANS " today with the table toppers Manchester United and Chelsea playing against each other today afternoon. The match may turn out to be a Final in prospect of Premier League title hunt as the two teams are separated by just one point in the table.

Manchester United will not have the service of inform striker and the leading goal scorer Wein Rooney as he picked up an injury during the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. While Chelsea will feel much stronger as their main hit man Drogba came back to side after sidelined to last match with an injury.
Man Utd
Injured: Anderson (knee), Brown & Welbeck (both metatarsal), Owen (hamstring), Rooney (ankle)

Chelsea
Injured: Bosingwa, Essien & Ivanovic (all knee), Carvalho & A Cole (both ankle)

MATCH PREVIEW
April could prove to be the cruellest month, at least for Manchester United fans. The Red Devils could be without star man Wayne Rooney for three crucial weeks after he damaged ankle ligaments in Tuesday's Champions League loss at Bayern Munich.

Wayne Rooney has had a fantastic season but his injury could be an advantage for us
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti

Rooney now faces an anxious wait to see if United's pursuit of Premier League and Champions League glory falters in his absence.
While Sir Alex Ferguson has lost his biggest goal threat, the headache for Carlo Ancelotti is how to find room for both of his front-line strikers. Perversely, Chelsea have produced some of their best performances without leading scorer Didier Drogba. His absence allows Nicolas Anelka to play a more advanced role, which in turn gives Frank Lampard more space in midfield.
Drogba was not involved in either of the Blues' seven-goal victories this season (against Aston Villa and Sunderland). Chelsea also had few problems coping without him during the Africa Cup of Nations, winning all five of their league and cup games in January. But with 10 goals in his last eight league games, dropping Drogba is not an option.
Ancelotti may feel now is a good time to visit Old Trafford, scene of his win in the 2003 Champions League final with AC Milan. The Red Devils have lost three of the four league games that have followed European away games this season.
The Italian, who has won five of his last six meetings with Sir Alex Ferguson, says Rooney's injury is a boost to Chelsea's title hopes, but he knows better than most that United will fight to the finish. Ancelotti was the Juventus coach when the Red Devils famously clawed back a two-goal deficit in Turin to reach the 1999 Champions League final.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
• Chelsea and Man United have met 35 times in the Premier League, with the Blues winning 11, the Red Devils 10 and 14 games drawn.
• Manchester United are unbeaten in their last four home league games against Chelsea, winning three of those. The Blues' last win at Old Trafford was 3-1 on 10 May 2005.

• The Red Devils have won nine of their last 11 league games, scoring 30 goals in the process. The 3-1 loss at Everton is their only defeat in 14 top-flight games.
• Manchester United have won their last nine league games without Wayne Rooney, a run stretching back to December 2008.
• The Red Devils have conceded only nine league goals in 16 league games at Old Trafford this season. No Premier League club has a better defensive record on home soil.
• Manchester United have benefited from 11 own goals in this season's Premier League.
Chelsea
• The Blues have netted 82 goals in 32 league games, the highest tally in England.
• Chelsea have won their last five league matches against 'Big Four' clubs, keeping clean sheets in the last four of those victories.
• Didier Drogba has scored 10 goals in eight league matches since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

Man Utd
Rooney: 34 goals (26 league);
Berbatov: 12 goals (12 league)

Chelsea
Drogba: 30 goals (24 league); Lampard: 21 goals (17 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Dean
Assistant referees: Simon Beck & Stephen Child
Fourth official: Chris Foy

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Man Utd (W4-0 v Bolton, a): Van der Sar, Neville, Vidic, Jonathan Evans, Evra, Fletcher (Gibson 80), Scholes (Carrick 74), Valencia, Giggs (Macheda 84), Nani, Berbatov. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Park, Rafael Da Silva, De Laet.

Chelsea (W7-1 v Aston Villa, h): Cech, Ferreira, Alex, Terry, Zhirkov (Van Aanholt 76), Deco (Ballack 72), Mikel, Lampard, Joe Cole (Kalou 76), Anelka, Malouda. Subs not used: Turnbull, Drogba, Sturridge, Bruma.

MOST RECENT MEETING
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd (8 November 2009)
Chelsea scorer: Terry 76

Chelsea vs West Ham Prematch review

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Saturday, 13 March 2010 Kick-off: 1500 GMT

TEAM NEWS
Goalkeeper Ross Turnbull will make his league debut for Chelsea as Hilario is sidelined with an abductor muscle injury.
Juliano Belletti and Michael Ballack return after one-match bans, while Yuri Zhirkov has recovered from a calf strain.
West Ham welcome back Benni McCarthy and Danny Gabbidon after injuries.
But full backs Julien Faubert and Herita Ilunga are not fit for the trip across London.
Chelsea
Injured: Bosingwa & Essien (both knee), Carvalho (hamstring), Cech (calf), A Cole (ankle)

West Ham
Suspended: Da Costa
Injured: Boa Morte & Hines (both knee), Davenport (leg), Faubert (hamstring), Ilunga (tendon), Noble (arm)
MATCH PREVIEW
In 1996, new Parma manager Carlo Ancelotti decided that the unique talents of Gianfranco Zola did not fit into his system and sold the diminutive striker to Chelsea, thus setting in motion the process that led to Zola becoming a Blues legend.

Last year we got a point in both games, so you never know what is going to happen... We are not going there already beaten, because I know that football can give you a surprise
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola
On Saturday the Italian returns to Stamford Bridge desperate for a result that would seriously damage his former club's title ambitions, and boost his own side's stuttering survival bid.
Zola's side hover just three points outside the drop zone and suffered a morale-sapping defeat at home to relegation rivals Bolton last time out. They follow up Saturday's trip to Chelsea with another London derby at Arsenal - a daunting prospect for a side who haven't won away from home since the opening day of the season.
Chelsea's hopes of a first Premier League title since 2006 have been hit by two defeats in their last three league outings amid question marks over team-morale in the wake of several high-profile scandals.
Ancelotti's side go into Saturday's game trailing leaders Manchester United by two points, but will take heart from a 10-match unbeaten run against their east London rivals.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• West Ham have not beaten Chelsea in any of their last 10 meetings in all competitions (D2, L8). Their last win came in May 2003, with their last victory at Stamford Bridge coming a year earlier in September 2002.
• In the last 10 Premier League meetings with the Blues, West Ham have failed to score more than one goal.
Chelsea
• Chelsea have not lost back-to-back Premier League games since May 2006.
• Didier Drogba has scored 10 goals in his last 11 Premier League appearances.
• If the Blues concede a goal, they will have shipped more goals already than in any full season since 2003-04.
• Nicolas Anelka turns 31 on Sunday.
West Ham
• The Hammers have not won any of their last eight Premier League London derbies.
• They have only earned one point after conceding the first goal this season, losing 12 times and drawing once. They last came from behind to win a league match in December 2008, beating Stoke 2-1.
• Along with Bolton, West Ham and Chelsea have scored the most goals from set pieces this season (20).
LEADING GOALSCORERS

Chelsea
Drogba: 25 goals (19 league); Lampard: 16 goals (12 league)

West Ham
Cole: 9 goals (9 league); Diamanti: 8 goals (7 league)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Assistant referees: Stephen Child & Rob Lewis
Fourth official: Stuart Attwell
LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS
Chelsea (L2-4 v Man City, h): Hilario, Ivanovic, Carvalho (Kalou 69), Terry, Lampard, J Cole (Sturridge 60), Mikel (Belletti), Ballack, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Alex, Matic.
West Ham (L1-2 v Bolton, h): Green, Faubert (Dyer 47), Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Behrami, Parker, Kovac (Stanislas 75), Diamanti, Cole, Franco (Mido 67). Subs Not Used: Stech, Ilan, Da Costa, Daprela.
MOST RECENT MEETING
West Ham 1-1 Chelsea (20 December 2009)