ZolaIn pre season games we saw Ancelotti prefer a a diamond formation in the midfield. I am not convinced Lampard and Essien are best utilised in these positions but, that seems to be the decission for now.

Sturridge is on a hot streak, I'd give him a chance ahead of Drog. But if Ancelotti chooses to play safe, he will be on the bench.

This game will be a real test for both Chelsea and Man U. We can see either of the teams rushing into transfer activity, if things go wrong in that one.

07.08.2009

Robert O'CarlosFor the first prestige match of the summer (not that either will take it that seriously), I wouldn't be surprised if Drogba and Zhirkov played reasonably major roles, even if only coming on as subs.

Haven't been watching Chelsea's pre-season games - has Deco suddenly got good then?
:-)

09.08.2009

ZolaAncelotti was giving him a lot of chances but didn't start him today.

I was in the game, we were all over the place in the first half. Cech was the culprit in the first goal we conceded. You stay on your line when the opponent takes a shot outside of the box.

A.Cole changed his boots, Ancelotti changed Ivanovic and we started ticking. Once we got Bosingwa and A.Cole storming forward from the back, we started dominating the game.

Evra made a complete fool of himself in our second goal. He went down, we broke and scored. He furiuosly stood up and sprinted to the ref. He was lying down 20 seconds ago as if he broke a leg or something.

The goal we conceded was pure class from Rooney, I must say. Drog had a similar chance in the first half and only thing he could produce was a weak shot.

The game was quite a competitive one for something, what's essentially a glorified pre season friendly. We looked more ready to the new season overall.

09.08.2009