With Tottenham's 2-1 win over Sunderland, Chelsea were shoved into fifth place and out of Champions League spot. So there is just one goal for today's match at Craven Cottage - the Blues must take three points! But it will not be easy because during the first leg in November, it was a nervy 1-0 win for Chelsea over their London neighbours.
Michael Essien scored the goal but was sent off late in the second half for a dangerous tackle on Clint Dempsey. At that time, Chelsea were still in first place, four points ahead of Manchester United but things are a lot different now.
Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, is happy to have extra days to prepare for today's encounter but the Italian admits that his side have to be at their best today to beat a Fulham side that is playing well and getting results.
"It is perfect to be able to play on this Monday, the players have more time for recovery after the international matches but we can still prepare for Fulham, which will not be easy because I think Fulham now are having their best moment of the season," Ancelotti said.
"They are playing well with confidence so for us to be able to take more time and play on Monday is good."
Taking on former players
They will also be coming up against a former Chelsea player in Steve Sidwell, who was transferred from Aston Villa in January. Sidwell has been like a nomad since he left Chelsea three years ago but seems to be settling well after his move to Fulham.
"The reason I left Chelsea was to go and play football but it didn't work out at Villa and the same situation occurred. I left Villa to come and play football and it's working out," Sidwell, who made a handful of appearances for the Blues said.
Fulham coach Mark Hughes, also a former Chelsea player will try to nullify the Chelsea midfield and that could mean dropping one of his two strikers, possibly, Moussa Dembele, into the hole and mandating Adam Johnson, to run the channels behind Chelsea's full backs, who are pseudo-wingers.
Hughes has already ruled out his former team from challenging for the league title. "It's hard to see how they can win the title.
They've lost seven matches at this point.
"They're in a very difficult position and historically losing no more than six games has been the benchmark. Even if they don't lose again, I think it will be beyond them to put together a run that will overcome the teams above them."
Fulham's Ghanaian right back, John Pantsil has scored two own goals in his last three matches and Chelsea could target that channel in the hope that his gaffes will continue.
Brazilian midfielder, Ramires is back in the squad but Jose Bosingwa will face a late fitness test. Ancelotti is happy with the additions and believes his side now possesses more power.
"Now we have a strong squad with David Luiz and Torres, we've improved our ability and we have more power.
The squad was good, but now it is even better."
Fitting Drogba and Torres together
Ancelotti is also looking for a formula to fit in both Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres, who had a subdued debut against Liverpool, as a two pronged attacking unit.
"In attack we can choose whether to play with two up front or with the Christmas tree, it depends on the game that we want to play. When we play with two strikers Nicolas Anelka can be in the number 10 position, in the hole, but with one striker he can play on the right," he said.
"Florent Malouda can also play there, and sometimes we tried last year Frank Lampard at the beginning of the season which was not bad.
Malouda can also play in the Christmas tree, but I don't need to think of him as a central midfielder because we have a lot of options there."
Chelsea midfielder Gael Kakuta, on loan to Fulham cannot face his parent club, while Nigerian holding midfielder, Dickson Etuhu is a doubt with a hamstring problem. Bobby Zamora is still recuperating from a broken leg while former Arsenal defender, Philippe Senderos is a long-term absentee with an Achilles' tendon complaint. Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker, Eidur Gudjohnsen could also make a first start, after arriving on loan from Stoke City.
Whatever formation is employed in today's game by Ancelotti, Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich will be expecting a good result.
Source:234net
Michael Essien scored the goal but was sent off late in the second half for a dangerous tackle on Clint Dempsey. At that time, Chelsea were still in first place, four points ahead of Manchester United but things are a lot different now.
Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, is happy to have extra days to prepare for today's encounter but the Italian admits that his side have to be at their best today to beat a Fulham side that is playing well and getting results.
"It is perfect to be able to play on this Monday, the players have more time for recovery after the international matches but we can still prepare for Fulham, which will not be easy because I think Fulham now are having their best moment of the season," Ancelotti said.
"They are playing well with confidence so for us to be able to take more time and play on Monday is good."
Taking on former players
They will also be coming up against a former Chelsea player in Steve Sidwell, who was transferred from Aston Villa in January. Sidwell has been like a nomad since he left Chelsea three years ago but seems to be settling well after his move to Fulham.
"The reason I left Chelsea was to go and play football but it didn't work out at Villa and the same situation occurred. I left Villa to come and play football and it's working out," Sidwell, who made a handful of appearances for the Blues said.
Fulham coach Mark Hughes, also a former Chelsea player will try to nullify the Chelsea midfield and that could mean dropping one of his two strikers, possibly, Moussa Dembele, into the hole and mandating Adam Johnson, to run the channels behind Chelsea's full backs, who are pseudo-wingers.
Hughes has already ruled out his former team from challenging for the league title. "It's hard to see how they can win the title.
They've lost seven matches at this point.
"They're in a very difficult position and historically losing no more than six games has been the benchmark. Even if they don't lose again, I think it will be beyond them to put together a run that will overcome the teams above them."
Fulham's Ghanaian right back, John Pantsil has scored two own goals in his last three matches and Chelsea could target that channel in the hope that his gaffes will continue.
Brazilian midfielder, Ramires is back in the squad but Jose Bosingwa will face a late fitness test. Ancelotti is happy with the additions and believes his side now possesses more power.
"Now we have a strong squad with David Luiz and Torres, we've improved our ability and we have more power.
The squad was good, but now it is even better."
Fitting Drogba and Torres together
Ancelotti is also looking for a formula to fit in both Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres, who had a subdued debut against Liverpool, as a two pronged attacking unit.
"In attack we can choose whether to play with two up front or with the Christmas tree, it depends on the game that we want to play. When we play with two strikers Nicolas Anelka can be in the number 10 position, in the hole, but with one striker he can play on the right," he said.
"Florent Malouda can also play there, and sometimes we tried last year Frank Lampard at the beginning of the season which was not bad.
Malouda can also play in the Christmas tree, but I don't need to think of him as a central midfielder because we have a lot of options there."
Chelsea midfielder Gael Kakuta, on loan to Fulham cannot face his parent club, while Nigerian holding midfielder, Dickson Etuhu is a doubt with a hamstring problem. Bobby Zamora is still recuperating from a broken leg while former Arsenal defender, Philippe Senderos is a long-term absentee with an Achilles' tendon complaint. Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker, Eidur Gudjohnsen could also make a first start, after arriving on loan from Stoke City.
Whatever formation is employed in today's game by Ancelotti, Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich will be expecting a good result.
Source:234net
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