Chelsea must go on a long winning run if they want to challenge for the title ... - Daily Mail

By Paul Hirst, Press Association

PUBLISHED: 09:15 EST, 1 January 2013 | UPDATED: 09:15 EST, 1 January 2013

Frank Lampard admits Chelsea must come out on top in tomorrow's west London derby against QPR if they are to keep their title hopes alive.

Last year proved to be one of the most tumultuous of the club's history, with the sacking of both Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo.

Despite the drama earlier in the year, Chelsea ended 2012 looking as settled as they have done in recent times.

On target: Lampard scores the winner in Chelsea's 2-1 win away to Everton

Having racked up four successive wins to put them within 11 points of leaders Manchester United with a match in hand, there is now talk among the Chelsea squad of launching a title assault that would have seemed improbable at best two months ago.

And given that United are masters of closing out the title in the second half of the season, Lampard knows he and his team-mates must continue bringing home the points - starting with tomorrow's potentially feisty derby against bottom side QPR - if they are to keep the Red Devils in sight.

Where the heart is: Most Chelsea fans would be distraught to see Lampard go

'We do (have to win these games),' Lampard told Chelsea TV.

'That's the position we put ourselves in, because we had that funny run through November and December.

'We were top and all of a sudden we are adrift but you can't look back at that. We have to be positive now.

'We need to put a long winning run together. We have started doing that in recent weeks.'

The new Chelsea: David Luiz and Lampard have made a formidable partnership in the midfield

Lampard has seen recent signs that indicate Chelsea's resurgence will not be temporary.

The way they put eight past Aston Villa is an obvious sign that Chelsea are back to their best going forward, but Lampard has also noted an improvement in team unity that many felt was absent under previous managers.

'For me the biggest change is in our attitude,' he said.

'We go in to games with the desire not just to pass and move the ball around.

'The attitude is to get close, to work hard for your team-mates and to have a spirit about you.

'If we have that then we can do what we want.'

Lampard moved one behind Kerry Dixon in to second in Chelsea's all-time scorer list last weekend when struck twice to sink Everton.

But to the astonishment of many, Lampard is yet to be offered a new contract.

From today Lampard will be free to speak to any foreign teams - such as reported suitors the Los Angeles Galaxy - and as things stand he will leave the club he has spent 11 and a half years at in six months' time.

Lampard has been playing at the top of his game since Rafael Benitez was appointed as interim manager, and the 34-year-old wants the Spaniard to keep the faith in him for the remainder of the campaign.

'I need to play to go on a (scoring) run,' he said.

'There is a squad and you must respect that, but I'm the same as anyone - when I get on a run in the team I get more confidence and I score goals.

'The manager has played me generally since I have been fit to be fair to him.

'If I can contribute to games and keep fit I will be more than happy.'

Chelsea will again be without captain John Terry for tomorrow's game as he continues to struggle with his comeback from a knee injury.

The Blues are also without goalkeeper Petr Cech, who came off at half-time during Sunday's 2-1 win over Everton with an adductor injury.

Ross Turnbull has only started four league games since he signed from Middlesbrough in 2009, but Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is confident the 27-year-old is an able deputy.

He said: 'Ross hasn't played many games in such a long time but he came in and looked like he had being playing regularly, so we have a top keeper to come in.'

Share this article:

Live Text Commentary - BBC Sport

Manchester City had to be patient against a determined Stoke side but eventually clinched a comfortable victory which keeps them seven points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United.

The Potters visited the Etihad Stadium on the back of a 10-game unbeaten run and with a game-plan of frustrating the champions.

It was a tactic that worked for most of the first half until Pablo Zabaleta broke the deadlock and, from then on, the hosts were comfortable.

Man City can close title gap - Mancini

Edin Dzeko gave Roberto Mancini's men breathing space after the break and Sergio Aguero sealed a one-sided win from a penalty awarded after Steven Nzonzi had fouled David Silva outside the box.

The margin of victory was a welcome boost for Manchester City's goal difference, although United outscored them in their win at Wigan.

But in a week where he bemoaned his inability to sign Robin van Persie in the summer, Mancini will be cheered by the fact that, with his side scoring seven goals in their last two games, his strikers appear to be firing again.

Only a late hamstring injury to Aguero, who was by far the home side's most effective attacking force from the first whistle, took the shine off their day.

City on the spot

Manchester City have now taken 22 penalties in the Premier League since August 2010, and 21 have them have come at the Etihad Stadium

The game was barely a minute old when the Argentine striker met a James Milner cross but saw his shot blocked by Asmir Begovic at his near post.

That set the tone for a first half that turned into an almost endless exercise of attack versus defence, with the champions unable to take their chances when they found a way through Stoke's massed defence.

Aguero was wasteful when he fired over after running on to Gareth Barry's clipped pass but went a lot closer when he shaved the post with a header from another Barry delivery and saw a fizzing shot clawed away by Begovic.

With the score still goalless, frustration among the home fans inside the Etihad Stadium was growing, although it was directed at Stoke's perceived time-wasting tactics rather than their own side's shortcomings in front of goal.

Tough to compete with Man City - Pulis

It was Zabaleta who put the latter right just before half-time, taking advantage of some uncharacteristically poor Stoke defending to advance unchallenged from the right touchline with Milner, and tuck away the loose ball after Begovic blocked Milner's cross.

The pattern of the game did not change after the break, with the title contenders still the only side who looked like scoring, and they did not take long to put the game beyond Stoke's reach.

Dzeko, who had already crashed a dipping first-time shot over the bar, was in the right place to slot home when Begovic spilled Aguero's angled shot.

Stoke, at last, ventured forward with intent and Joe Hart was forced into his first meaningful action of the game when he clawed away Charlie Adam's free-kick, before Jon Walters skewed a shot over from close range.

The Potters' chances of a comeback still looked remote, however, and they were ended completely when Aguero made it 3-0 from the spot.

There was still time for Glenn Whelan to force a late diving save from Hart, with the England keeper pushing his shot on to a post.

But the only late drama at the Etihad Stadium was the injury to Aguero, who limped off late on. The champions can ill-afford to be without one of their most potent strikers for much of 2013.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini: "We played very well, like we played against Norwich and Sunderland, but sometimes it's not enough to play very well, it's important to score.

"In the first half we deserved to score two or three goals, but it was difficult because Stoke is the best defence in the Premier League.

"It was important to keep a clean sheet, because if we start to score and don't concede a goal we can have a chance to recover these points."

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis: "We've come here and played right at our maximum, and they've played below par. We didn't play as well as we can play, and they played well.

"Sometimes you have to be a little bit grounded, not get carried away and look at facts and figures. When you have spent that much money on the quality they have, it's always difficult.

"We've played Tottenham, Liverpool then Southampton with 10 men for the last 25 minutes so it's been tough. Coming here, against one of the best teams in the Premier League, the lads looked tired in the second half. They kept going, they had great spirit, great commitment and I'm not criticising them at all."

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:22 Full time

Full Time The referee blows for the end of the match.

90:00 +1:53

Gareth Barry challenges Steven Nzonzi unfairly and gives away a free kick. Glenn Whelan takes the free kick.

90:00 +0:59 Substitution

Substitution Abdul Razak comes on in place of Edin Dzeko.

90:00 +0:41

The ball is swung over by James Milner.

85:41

Glenn Whelan takes a shot. Save by Joe Hart. Matthew Etherington takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by Joleon Lescott.

83:35

Ryan Shawcross concedes a free kick for a foul on Carlos Tevez. Carlos Tevez restarts play with the free kick.

81:39 Substitution

Substitution Scott Sinclair replaces David Silva.

81:12

The ball is delivered by Carlos Tevez, save made by Asmir Begovic.

79:44

Carlos Tevez takes a shot. Robert Huth gets a block in.

79:19

Edin Dzeko takes a shot. Ryan Shawcross gets a block in.

78:44

James Milner decides to take a short corner.

77:24

Shot on goal by David Silva from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

75:31

Joe Hart restarts play with the free kick.

75:31 Substitution

Substitution Carlos Tevez is brought on as a substitute for Sergio Aguero.

75:31

The referee blows for offside against Jonathan Walters.

73:29

Assist on the goal came from David Silva.

73:29 Goal scored

Goal - Sergio Aguero - Man City 3 - 0 Stoke Sergio Aguero scores a placed penalty. Man City 3-0 Stoke.

72:11 Booking

Booking Steven Nzonzi goes into the book.

72:04

Penalty awarded for an unfair challenge on David Silva by Steven Nzonzi.

64:49

Glenn Whelan takes a shot. Blocked by Joleon Lescott. Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sergio Aguero by Robert Huth. Free kick taken by David Silva.

66:56

Asmir Begovic takes the free kick.

66:56 Substitution

Substitution Dean Whitehead is brought on as a substitute for Charlie Adam.

66:56

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andy Wilkinson by Edin Dzeko.

66:03

Corner taken by David Silva played to the near post, clearance made by Ryan Shawcross.

65:49

The ball is swung over by Sergio Aguero, clearance by Andy Wilkinson.

64:49

Glenn Whelan takes a shot. Joleon Lescott gets a block in. Sergio Aguero fouled by Robert Huth, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by David Silva.

61:12

Andy Wilkinson produces a cross, Pablo Zabaleta gets a block in. Corner taken by Glenn Whelan, Close range effort by Jonathan Walters goes over the bar.

59:58

Jonathan Walters takes a shot. Vincent Kompany gets a block in.

58:06

The free kick is swung in left-footed by Charlie Adam, save made by Joe Hart.

58:06 Booking

Booking Joleon Lescott goes into the referee's book.

58:01

Joleon Lescott concedes a free kick for a foul on Cameron Jerome.

56:45 Booking

Booking Booking for Edin Dzeko.

55:25

Assist on the goal came from Sergio Aguero.

55:25 Goal scored

Goal - Edin Dzeko - Man City 2 - 0 Stoke Edin Dzeko scores a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Man City 2-0 Stoke.

55:12

David Silva fouled by Steven Nzonzi, the ref awards a free kick. Yaya Toure takes the direct free kick. Sergio Aguero takes a shot. Save by Asmir Begovic.

52:43

Inswinging corner taken by James Milner, save by Asmir Begovic.

52:01

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by James Milner.

49:32 Substitution

Substitution Matthew Etherington replaces Kenwyne Jones.

48:33

Shot from just outside the box by Edin Dzeko goes over the bar.

47:25

Foul by Andy Wilkinson on James Milner, free kick awarded. Pablo Zabaleta restarts play with the free kick.

46:12

The free kick is delivered right-footed by James Milner from right channel.

46:12 Booking

Booking Robert Huth is given a yellow card.

46:05

Free kick awarded for a foul by Robert Huth on Sergio Aguero.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:00 +1:03 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.

44:27

James Milner challenges Andy Wilkinson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Glenn Whelan takes the direct free kick.

42:04

Assist on the goal came from James Milner.

42:04 Goal scored

Goal - Pablo Zabaleta - Man City 1 - 0 Stoke Goal scored by Pablo Zabaleta from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Man City 1-0 Stoke.

41:35

James Milner sends in a cross, clearance made by Ryan Shawcross.

39:40

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steven Nzonzi by James Milner. Asmir Begovic restarts play with the free kick.

38:28

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan Shawcross on Edin Dzeko. Yaya Toure produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick, Cameron Jerome manages to make a clearance.

37:31

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Vincent Kompany by Cameron Jerome. Yaya Toure takes the direct free kick.

34:49

Foul by Yaya Toure on Steven Nzonzi, free kick awarded. Asmir Begovic takes the direct free kick.

34:10

James Milner crosses the ball.

32:13

Centre by James Milner, Sergio Aguero produces a header from close range which bounces off the post.

27:36

Edin Dzeko produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty area which goes wide of the right-hand post.

24:56

Andy Wilkinson crosses the ball.

24:03

David Silva takes a shot. Clearance made by Glenn Whelan.

21:55

Sergio Aguero takes a shot. Asmir Begovic makes a save.

21:55

Sergio Aguero takes a shot. Save by Asmir Begovic.

19:43

James Milner crosses the ball.

18:28

Cameron Jerome challenges James Milner unfairly and gives away a free kick. James Milner produces a cross, David Silva produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

16:48

The ball is sent over by Gael Clichy, Glenn Whelan manages to make a clearance.

13:50

Effort on goal by Yaya Toure from long range goes over the bar.

13:26

Centre by James Milner.

11:15

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by David Silva from the right by-line, Asmir Begovic makes a save.

8:20

Shot from inside the area by Sergio Aguero clears the bar.

7:15

Shot by Yaya Toure from outside the area goes high over the crossbar.

6:30

Edin Dzeko delivers the ball, Robert Huth makes a clearance.

2:27

James Milner takes a short corner.

1:03

Sergio Aguero takes a shot. Asmir Begovic makes a save. Corner taken left-footed by David Silva to the near post, clearance by Glenn Whelan.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association

Chelsea defender Cahill 'frustrated' by Di Matteo's rotation policy - Goal.com

Gary Cahill admits he has been frustrated by Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo's rotation policy this season.

The 26-year-old has had to compete with John Terry and David Luiz, but is set to play against Manchester United on Sunday with Terry serving a four-match ban for racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

And while the former Bolton defender has not played as many games as he would have liked, he believes life under Di Matteo is better than the "madness" of Andre Villas-Boas' time in charge of the club.

"It has been frustrating for me at times this season, I'm not going to lie – like on Tuesday night in the Champions League [against Shakhtar Donetsk], the rotating," Cahill told Sunday Mirror Sport.

"I think you can accept it if you are playing the same amount of games as everybody else. That's the only way you can come to terms with it.

"When I first came into the club, it was a bit of a whirlwind with all sorts going on. Trying to find my feet was a bit strange. It's unsettling for a start and then to come into the club that was ­unsettled at the time, it was double madness.

"But, 100 per cent, Chelsea is now a different club from the one I joined. It took a couple of months, but ­everything has settled down now and I knew that would happen."

In Terry's absence the Englishman will be playing alongside Brazilian Luiz, with whom he believes he has struck up a good partnership.

"It seems to have gone well," he added. "But it's gone well ­whatever pairings have been put out. I've done well with JT or David. I enjoy playing with both."

Cahill made his debut in a thrilling 3-3 encounter against Manchester United last season, with Chelsea throwing away a three-goal lead during a chaotic period for the London club.

"My debut against United was a crazy game. At 3-0, I thought it was going to be a dream debut. It was all going to plan and then suddenly, as you come to expect from Manchester United, it all turned around."

And Cahill believes he can prevent Wayne Rooney from firing United to victory on Sunday afternoon as he know the forward's strengths from playing with him for England.

"It helps that I know a lot of Wayne's strengths," he continued. "But like all players of that calibre, he can do the unexpected."

Chelsea malaise runs deep after West Ham comeback widens task, admits ... - Telegraph.co.uk

The difficult start has inevitably raised questions about Benitez's future, even after such a short time in charge.

But he said: "My concern is improving the team. If we do that, and start winning games, we'll be able to turn things around. The main thing for me is to improve the team. I'm not thinking about anything else."

And he insists he has the support of the players.

"After one week, I'm 100 percent sure they want to improve and want to win," he said.

Juan Mata put Chelsea ahead in the 13th minute but Benitez's side failed to build on that lead despite dominating the rest of the first half.

West Ham were transformed after the break, clinching victory through goals from Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga, and sparking an angry reaction from Chelsea's fans.

Benitez said: "We have to improve on the pitch and the fans will be happy.

"We need to win. Simple. In the first half we deserved to score more goals. Second half we had one or two chances, but we didn't do enough. It's about working still."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce agreed Benitez needs to start winning games to win over the fans, but believes that he has no chance of success if he cannot get their backing.

"You can't do it, no, if the fans are not behind you," said Allardyce.

"The only way you get the fans behind you is win. You have to win. It's all you can do. If you're winning games of football, the fans will always be behind you."

Asked if he had sympathy for his opposite number, the West Ham manager added: "We don't have sympathy for each other, do we? We compete against each other, we toil against each other, play mind games against each other.

"In the end, we came out on top."

West Ham's victory came after Andy Carroll, the on-loan Liverpool striker, was ruled out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury.

"It (the news of Carroll's injury) is sweetened by Carlton Cole's performance," said Allardyce.

"And Maiga scoring, too, because we need him now more than ever to adjust to the Premier League. We're back in the top half again, which shows how good and determined we are.

"It's a lateral ligament injury (for Carroll). He's in a brace. He stays with us, yes. We've contacted Liverpool.

"They have all the information. They sent a medical representative down when he visited the specialist, who is the same one we use, and there's a diagnosis for what he has to do. Hopefully he will recover as they expect."

Premier League - Matchpack: Aston Villa v Reading - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

TEAM NEWS

Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar is an injury doubt for the bottom-three clash with Reading at Villa Park. The central defender suffered a calf injury during Saturday's home goalless draw against Arsenal and was substituted early in the second half. If he is ruled out, then Matt Lowton is likely to partner Ciaran Clark at the heart of the defence with Eric Lichaj being recalled at right-back.

Reading midfielder Jimmy Kebe will miss the Premier League clash with Aston Villa. Kebe had returned to training after being sidelined with a groin problem, but will miss out once more. Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and midfielders Danny Guthrie and Jem Karacan remain in the treatment room.

MANAGER QUOTES

Paul Lambert: "(Leaving out Darren Bent is) my decision. I'm the man that picks the team. Listen, it's my choice and I've 26, 27 lads that I have to look after. Everybody's in it together and I need everybody in it together. I know the disappointment when you don't play. I was dropped about five million times as a player, but that's the nature of the game. If you could pick everybody you would. Darren's still part of it but I've got 25, 26 guys to take care of and think of."

Brian McDermott: "In the dressing room we had a conversation and I said to the players the same thing, we have to be ruthless. Over the years we've scored many late goals but it's tough to stomach when it goes against you."

MATCH FACTS

Aston Villa have won 13 and lost just one of the last 15 matches in all competitions against Reading.

There has been a 90th minute goal in the last four games between Villa and Reading in all competitions.

Reading have averaged only 40% possession this season, less than any other Premier League team.

Only once have Villa won fewer of their opening 13 top-flight games than they have this season (one in 1955-56).

Reading have scored first in five PL games this season and won none of them (D4 L1).

Reading are the least accurate passing side in the Premier League this season (68%).

Only Sunderland (who have played a game fewer) have had fewer shots at goal than Aston Villa this season (98).

Villa have lost three of their last four league games played on a Tuesday.

Nicky Shorey has created as many goalscoring chances as Chelsea's Juan Mata this season (28).

Only four players have assisted more Premier League goals than Jobi McAnuff this season (4). He also has twice as many as any other Reading player.

MATCH ODDS

Aston Villa EVS, Reading 3/1, Draw 11/5

Everton v Chelsea: how Leighton Baines closed the gap to left-back rival ... - Telegraph.co.uk

Last season he was named in the Professional Footballers' Association team of the year, which is selected by the Premier League players. It was the first time in a decade that Cole had lost out to a fellow Englishman.

Everton manager David Moyes summed up the rivalry. "I have always said Ashley Cole is England's No?1 left back but Leighton Baines is getting very close," he said. "He's kept pushing and he's improving all the time. He's a terrific player. He's as close to Cole as he's ever been. I don't watch enough of Cole to be able to judge how he is playing but his form for England has been exceptional. Cole was head and shoulders above everyone at one point."

Clubs are taking note. With Cole in the final year of his contract, Chelsea have joined Manchester United and Paris St-Germain in scouting the 28 year-old. It would be a surprise to see Baines at Everton next season; he is unlikely to be sold for less than £15?million.

Baines has grown up. He was homesick with England. In the past, he questioned whether he belonged in the top flight and whether he would be "found out", initially when he did not make it at Everton first time round, then on his Premier League debut for Wigan Athletic, against Chelsea, and before his international bow.

It helps that Moyes has created the most comfortable environment for Baines to thrive within, especially when Steven Pienaar is in the Everton team.

Cole, though, must not be dismissed. Having just turned 32, and suffering from a chronic ankle problem that prevents him from training properly after matches, he is in decline. But his standards are still extremely high, as is his competitive edge.

Though a difficult character — shooting interns with air rifles, sending injudicious messages on social-media sites — Cole can be a very good team-mate. He travelled up to Leicester a couple of seasons ago to watch Chelsea defender Patrick van Aanholt make his debut on loan. On England duty, Cole changes next to Baines before training.

Baines has been deferential. Though Cole is no longer an automatic selection for England, Baines has said he cannot be regarded as a genuine challenger for Cole's place, partly because he has no experience of the Champions League. "It must carry some weight if you're playing in Europe's top competition," Baines said. He also dismissed any suggestion that he was now at the same level as Cole, who has 99 caps. "I wouldn't have thought so. Ash has got terrific experience and he's playing for a club that's trying to win the league."

Next season, Baines might be able to say the same. The gap is narrowing rapidly.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs monitoring Wilfried Zaha - The Guardian

Wilfried Zaha could be the subject of an auction among Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, with all four clubs monitoring the Crystal Palace winger, whose price would be around £10m.

There has not been a formal bid for the 20-year-old but Palace are expecting official interest to be lodged once the winter transfer window opens on 1 January. Although Palace are reluctant to sell, they realise it is impossible to hold on to Zaha, despite him being protected by a five-year contract. Zaha has also expressed a desire to play in the Premier League.

If he is to be sold Palace are keen to do business in the first week of the transfer window so as to use the fee on two or three players to reinforce their squad. Palace are fourth in the Championship, four points behind Hull in the second of the automatic promotion places.

Once United, Chelsea, Spurs or Arsenal confirm their interest Palace will try to secure a price in the region of £15m to £20m but in reality Zaha is expected to fetch £10m. Zaha has never played in the Premier League but has made more than 100 appearances in the Championship and has scored 12 times since making his debut in March 2010 as a substitute against Cardiff City.

Born in Ivory Coast, he came to prominence with a dazzling performance against United in Palace's 2-1 win at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup quarter-finals in 2011. Fábio da Silva was booked during the United full-back's attempts to stop Zaha's powerful runs from his favoured wide-left position. Zaha won the free-kick eight minutes into extra time from which Glenn Murray headed Palace's winner. He made his senior England debut this season as a substitute in the 4-2 defeat to Sweden in November.

Zaha is from the same Palace production line as Victor Moses, who was sold for £2.5m to Wigan Athletic two years ago before Chelsea bought him last summer for £9m.

Crystal Palace will attempt to deflect an anticipated bid of £3m from Norwich City by offering the Championship's leading scorer, Glenn Murray, a new contract at Selhurst Park.

Murray has registered 22 goals this season for Palace, who have risen to fourth in the division having scored in all but one of their matches this term. The forward, a free transfer signing from Brighton in the summer of 2011, earns around £13,000-a-week at Palace but will be offered improved terms to extend his stay at the south London club. "He's still got a lot to learn, I imagine he would say that, but there's enough of a basis to say he could do very well. He's grown from a young man's body into a man's body. He's more muscular."