Fulham Vs Chelsea

ShoulderChip

Kick-Off: Sunday, August 23, 2009, 16.00 BST.
Craven Cottage, west London, SW6



Hodgson's say

Hodgson concedes there is not as much animosity between the two clubs as some local derbies, but he insists the desire to grab a shock win is strong. "I don't think it's a bitter rivalry between the two clubs. I don't get that feeling," said Hodgson. "Last year Chelsea offered us the chance to train at their training ground when the weather was bad. If there was a really bitter rivalry then they wouldn't do that. The only rivalry is on the pitch and the big question is can we, as underdogs, create the kind of stir that Burnley created the other night by beating one of the title favourites?

TEAM NEWS (from goal.com)

Fulham

New signings Damien Duff and Jonathan Greening could be set to make their debuts. Dickson Etuhu is a doubt, so too are Erik Nevland and Andrew Johnson.

Possible Starting XI: Schwarzer, Painstil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Gera, Greening, Murphy, Duff, Johnson, Zomora.

Chelsea

Ricardo Carvalho will continue in place of the crocked Alex who is nursing a groin injury. Juliano Belletti has an ankle issue, while Joe Cole, Paulo Ferreira and summer recruit Yuri Zhirkov are all still experiencing knee problems.

Possible Starting XI: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Deco, Anelka, Drogba.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fulham

If Ancelotti, as expected, continues with his diamond, then Michael Essien may be played on the right. With this in mind, together with Jose Bosingwa's penchant for forward runs, Fulham would do well to utilise their left flank. Paul Konchesky and recent import Damien Duff, if they build up a good understanding, could pose many problems for the aforementioned Chelsea men.

Chelsea

One player to seemingly slot into Chelsea's set-up last season with a relative ease was Deco, but the Portuguese - who had only played in warmer climes - witnessed a dip in form around Christmas and beyond and also had injury trouble. The two-time Champions League winner, though, has shown at the start of this season that he is still a playmaking threat, and should he start then Fulham's backline will need to be at their stifling best.

cruiserweight

I think Johnson was injured on Thursday night and will be out

8-10

cruiserweight wrote: »

I think Johnson was injured on Thursday night and will be out

Yep he dislocated his collarbone, could be 8 weeks on the sideline but out for sure today I reckon. Where's Dempsey? He might play further up instead, either that or Nevland.

Stargate

I have Hangeland in my FF team , hope he starts and has a great afternoon

Stargate

Duff plays today

selpher

* 01 Cech
* 03 A Cole
* 06 Carvalho
* 17 Bosingwa
* 26 Terry
* 08 Lampard
* 12 Mikel
* 13 Ballack
* 15 Malouda
* 11 Drogba
* 39 Anelka

Substitutes

* 22 Turnbull,
* 02 Ivanovic,
* 41 Hutchinson,
* 05 Essien,
* 20 Deco,
* 21 Kalou,
* 23 Sturridge

ynwa_17

Stargate wrote: »

I have Hangeland in my FF team , hope he starts and has a great afternoon

Same :pac:

But i'd rather have him have a good game for the fact i want Chelsea to lose.

Headshot

Cmon drogba

Stargate

ynwa_17 wrote: »

Same :pac:

But i'd rather have him have a good game for the fact i want Chelsea to lose.

HeeHee , same here ,double happy

LuckyLloyd

Craven Cottage looks like such a nice ground (and located in a genuinely nice part of London).

Villain

Have Duff backed at 20/1 to be first scorer, come on Duffer

therecklessone

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Craven Cottage looks like such a nice ground (and located in a genuinely nice part of London).

Best away day in the PL.

Stargate

Come on Fulham :D

LuckyLloyd

Oh Dempsey, great first touch. The second wasn't. First blood to Fulham.

Stargate

therecklessone wrote: »

Best away day in the PL.

Spurs Playing at home next , just guess who they are playing ?
Birmingham :rolleyes: my bro in law wont be about to contain himself with delight

LuckyLloyd

I expect Hughes and Pantsil to be the two big weaknesses for Fulham. Think Chelsea will get some change off them as the game develops.

Fulham have a very decent front four really in Duff, Dempsey, Zamora and Gera. There are goals in them so I'm hoping this will be a good game.

Soby

Im just worried about Duffer today really.If hes in the mood...

Stargate

Chelsea very quick on the break !

LuckyLloyd

That's twice now where I think Dempsey could have done better...

Soby

Great effort by Mikel

ynwa_17

If Fulham are going to cause Chelsea any problems they have to spread the ball down their left hand channel. The Chelsea midfield looks narrow on that side and Bosingwa can be questionable defensively at times

Soby

ynwa_17 wrote: »

If Fulham are going to cause Chelsea any problems they have to spread the ball down their left hand channel. The Chelsea midfield looks narrow on that side and Bosingwa can be questionable defensively at times

Ye we dont seem to have anyone out on the right.Anelka just keeps coming in

LuckyLloyd

Gera looks a tad off the pace so far.

LuckyLloyd

ynwa_17 wrote: »

If Fulham are going to cause Chelsea any problems they have to spread the ball down their left hand channel. The Chelsea midfield looks narrow on that side and Bosingwa can be questionable defensively at times

And it's Fulham's better side offensively.

ynwa_17

Soby wrote: »

Ye we dont seem to have anyone out on the right.Anelka just keeps coming in

And Ballack isnt helping either. Seems to be playing very far infield.

LuckyLloyd

That was a super recovery from Etuhu on Ballack.

ynwa_17

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

And it's Fulham's better side offensively.

Yet they've played very few balls out towards dempsey. A few high balls. Give it to feet and let him take on Bosingwa and Carvalho

Hank Scorpio

anyone got a half decent stream?

ynwa_17

Can we post streams in here?

If not i apologise

http://www.justin.tv/ch143/popout

Best i can find, all the rest seem to be very slow.

Soby

nuxxx wrote: »

anyone got a half decent stream?

This one is good quality
http://www.justin.tv/kjdfvnhkjodfx

LuckyLloyd

ynwa_17 wrote: »

Can we post streams in here?

yep

ynwa_17

Good to know

LuckyLloyd

Both sides have been sloppy in possession thus far, virtually no good passages of play in either final third.

ynwa_17

Stay out wide, Dempsey you complete fool. Why come in field? Ballack will own him all day long if he keeps coming inside for the ball

LuckyLloyd

ynwa_17 wrote: »

Stay out wide, Dempsey you complete fool. Why come in field? Ballack will own him all day long if he keeps coming inside for the ball

Did you mean Duff? Dempsey is playing upfront alongside Zamora I think (or is supposed to be).

Agree that Ballack laid down the law with that crunching tackle.

ynwa_17

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Did you mean Duff? Dempsey is playing upfront alongside Zamora I think (or is supposed to be).

Agree that Ballack laid down the law with that crunching tackle.

Duff my apologies haha. Thats twice i've confused Duff with Dempsey. :pac:

thomond2006

Who's the better team so far?

Soby

GET IN!!!:D 1-0 Drogba

Villain

Drogba 1 up

Headshot

get in and damn it

LuckyLloyd

Onside I think, really a bit too easy for Lampard and Anelka to find space infront of the Fulham backline. Hmmm.

ynwa_17

Chelsea have been the better side

Definitely offside. It was a tough call but assistant refs are paid enough to make those sorts of calls.

Stargate

Offside ?

Soby

Well if the linesman didnt see Ballack standing a mile offside before that free kick i doubt he woulda seen Drogba there for the goal

LuckyLloyd

thomond2006 wrote: »

Who's the better team so far?

Chelsea had more possession, but both teams had been equally poor and nonthreatening if the truth be told. Chelsea get one look and BOOM!! though. Guess that is what makes them Chelsea.

Villain

Very tight and attackers are meant to get the advantage, also the linesman called 1 earlier offside that was on

LuckyLloyd

From an Irish perspective, Duff looks sharp. Hasn't had much of a chance to shine in the final third, but has been switched on and made some good battling sort of contributions.

ynwa_17

Duff is pretty much playing as another CM. If i can see it then surely Roy Hodgson can see it. If he doesn't stay wide, Fulham will get nowt all day. Its the only weaklink in the Chelsea set up.

Stargate

ynwa_17 wrote: »

Duff is pretty much playing as another CM. If i can see it then surely Roy Hodgson can see it. If he doesn't stay wide, Fulham will get nowt all day. Its the only weaklink in the Chelsea set up.

LoL ynwa i thought Duffer was playing for Fulham today

8-10

Stargate wrote: »

LoL ynwa i thought Duffer was playing for Fulham today

I think he means the weaklink is Chelsea out wide. Ballack and Mikel are playing well in the middle.

redzerdrog

Stargate wrote: »

LoL ynwa i thought Duffer was playing for Fulham today