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Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
Drogba at the double as Arsenal fail to make possession pay...
| Bet: | Returns: | Napoli £25.50 | Draw £31.50 | Chelsea £25.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Napoli £25.00 | Draw £32.00 | Chelsea £26.20 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Napoli £25.00 | Draw £32.50 | Chelsea £27.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Napoli £25.00 | Draw £32.00 | Chelsea £28.80 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Napoli £24.50 | Draw £32.00 | Chelsea £26.50 |
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Feb 7, 2010 6:16:00 PM
By Alex Dimond
CHELSEA
Petr Cech - 7.5 - Made an instinctive save from Arshavin in the first half and a great parry from Fabregas's free kick in the second, two good saves at important times in the match. An encouraging performance.
Ashley Cole - 6.5 - Wenger tried to stall the rampaging left-back by presenting him with Walcott to deal with, and Cole rose to the challenge. Might not have been his usual attacking threat, but that wasn't really needed from him today.
John Terry - 7 - Got his head to the ball from Malouda's corner to present Drogba with a straightforward chance. Few people cannot be impressed with the Blues' captain's ability to block out his off-field dramas to keep putting in solid performances.
Ricardo Carvalho - 7 - Seemed to struggle a bit more once Bendtner came on, but for much of the match Carvalho's ability to read the game was invaluable as he closed down Arsenal in and around the box.
Branislav Ivanovic - 6.5 - Tended to stay in his own half, a sensible move as Arsenal looked to exploit any gaps in defence. Nasri caused him problems on occasion, but nothing he couldn't deal with.
John Obi Mikel - 6.5 - A positive return to action after national duty, Mikel did good work screening his defence as Arsenal passed the ball round. Inconsistent with his distribution while on the ball, however.
Michael Ballack - 6 - Put in a solid defensive shift, helping Mikel try and deal with Arsenal's intricate passing moves. Was eventually withdrawn as the effects of his efforts became evident.
Florent Malouda - 6.5 - Outswinging cross led to Drogba's opener. Created width and an attacking option for his side, but is less of threat when he cannot rely Cole for an overlap.
Frank Lampard - 7.5 - Another solid performance from the England man, who intercepted numerous balls in midfield and also provided the assist for Drogba's decisive second.
Nicolas Anelka - 6.5 - Intelligent movement created the space for Drogba's emphatic second, a moment that summed up Anelka's afternoon. Few moments of note while on the ball, but range of movement off it made a difference for his team-mates.
Didier Drogba - 8 - Presented with the easiest of opportunities for the opening goal, after peeling away from his marker. Second was an emphatic display of individual skill, taking advantage of defensive indecision.
Substitutes
Yuri Zhirkov - 6 - Replaced Ballack. Managed to pick up a booking in his short cameo.
Joe Cole - n/a - Late arrival for Anelka. Had little time to make an impact.
Salomon Kalou - n/a - Brought on to allow Drogba his ovation.
ARSENAL
Manuel Almunia - 5 - Much-maligned 'keeper didn't exactly silence the doubters today. Chelsea's two shots on target found the net, something that arguably the Spaniard couldn't do too much about, but nevertheless paints him as little more than a spectator.
Bacary Sagna - 5.5 - Up-and-down afternoon, the right-back was occasionally caught out by Malouda and Cole on the few occasions they pressured him. Withdrawn early for Eboue.
William Gallas - 6.5 - Not a memorable return to his former stomping ground. Stuck well with Drogba for much of the game, but saw the Ivorian nevertheless make the telling contributions of the match as the Gunners' defence failed to organise at crucial points.
Thomas Vermaelen - 5.5 - Mix-up with Clichy opened the space for the second goal. Still looks jittery in the big games, something that Wenger will be worried about.
Gael Clichy - 5.5 - Didn't look fully recovered from last week's horror show against Manchester United. Had his moments defensively and going forward, but was exposed brutally for the game's second goal.
Abou Diaby - 6.5 - Sorely missed last weekend, Diaby's return shored up the Arsenal midfield and gave them a more physical presence. But despite share of the possession he failed to create something with it.
Cesc Fabregas - 7 - Often shadowed by Mikel, the Spaniard worked hard to try and create something for his side. Was agonisingly close to success on a number of occasions — especially when he saw Cech deny him from a clever low free kick.
Alex Song - 7 - Failed to track Drogba for the opening goal, an early mark against his name. But was an effective ball-winner and distributor for his side in an eventually futile attempt to make amends.
Theo Walcott - 5 - Winger's pace and attacking intent was intended to keep Ashley Cole pegged back in his own half, but failed to fulfill the job. Did some good things defensively, but generally wasn't a threat going forward and still looks some way short of top form.
Andrei Arshavin - 5 - Had a good early opportunity to equalise kicked away by Cech. Was largely anonymous, especially in the second half, as Chelsea somewhat predictably gave him little to live on as his side's lone striker.
Samir Nasri - 6.5 - Arguably looked the most likely to grab something for his side, the Frenchman had a couple of decent chances to create what could have been a crucial goal for his side.
Substitutes
Nicklas Bendtner - 6.5 - Replaced Walcott. Physical presence gave his side an added dimension, certainly looked more likely to score with the Dane on the pitch.
Tomas Rosicky - 6 - Arsenal hardly needed more trickery in midfield, but he added to that in replacing Diaby. Made little difference to game, however.
Emmanuel Eboue - 6 - Replaced Sagna to provide fresher legs out wide.
Petr Cech - 7.5 - Made an instinctive save from Arshavin in the first half and a great parry from Fabregas's free kick in the second, two good saves at important times in the match. An encouraging performance.
Ashley Cole - 6.5 - Wenger tried to stall the rampaging left-back by presenting him with Walcott to deal with, and Cole rose to the challenge. Might not have been his usual attacking threat, but that wasn't really needed from him today.
John Terry - 7 - Got his head to the ball from Malouda's corner to present Drogba with a straightforward chance. Few people cannot be impressed with the Blues' captain's ability to block out his off-field dramas to keep putting in solid performances.
Ricardo Carvalho - 7 - Seemed to struggle a bit more once Bendtner came on, but for much of the match Carvalho's ability to read the game was invaluable as he closed down Arsenal in and around the box.
Branislav Ivanovic - 6.5 - Tended to stay in his own half, a sensible move as Arsenal looked to exploit any gaps in defence. Nasri caused him problems on occasion, but nothing he couldn't deal with.
John Obi Mikel - 6.5 - A positive return to action after national duty, Mikel did good work screening his defence as Arsenal passed the ball round. Inconsistent with his distribution while on the ball, however.
Michael Ballack - 6 - Put in a solid defensive shift, helping Mikel try and deal with Arsenal's intricate passing moves. Was eventually withdrawn as the effects of his efforts became evident.
Florent Malouda - 6.5 - Outswinging cross led to Drogba's opener. Created width and an attacking option for his side, but is less of threat when he cannot rely Cole for an overlap.
Frank Lampard - 7.5 - Another solid performance from the England man, who intercepted numerous balls in midfield and also provided the assist for Drogba's decisive second.
Nicolas Anelka - 6.5 - Intelligent movement created the space for Drogba's emphatic second, a moment that summed up Anelka's afternoon. Few moments of note while on the ball, but range of movement off it made a difference for his team-mates.
Didier Drogba - 8 - Presented with the easiest of opportunities for the opening goal, after peeling away from his marker. Second was an emphatic display of individual skill, taking advantage of defensive indecision.
Substitutes
Yuri Zhirkov - 6 - Replaced Ballack. Managed to pick up a booking in his short cameo.
Joe Cole - n/a - Late arrival for Anelka. Had little time to make an impact.
Salomon Kalou - n/a - Brought on to allow Drogba his ovation.
ARSENAL
Manuel Almunia - 5 - Much-maligned 'keeper didn't exactly silence the doubters today. Chelsea's two shots on target found the net, something that arguably the Spaniard couldn't do too much about, but nevertheless paints him as little more than a spectator.
Bacary Sagna - 5.5 - Up-and-down afternoon, the right-back was occasionally caught out by Malouda and Cole on the few occasions they pressured him. Withdrawn early for Eboue.
William Gallas - 6.5 - Not a memorable return to his former stomping ground. Stuck well with Drogba for much of the game, but saw the Ivorian nevertheless make the telling contributions of the match as the Gunners' defence failed to organise at crucial points.
Thomas Vermaelen - 5.5 - Mix-up with Clichy opened the space for the second goal. Still looks jittery in the big games, something that Wenger will be worried about.
Gael Clichy - 5.5 - Didn't look fully recovered from last week's horror show against Manchester United. Had his moments defensively and going forward, but was exposed brutally for the game's second goal.
Abou Diaby - 6.5 - Sorely missed last weekend, Diaby's return shored up the Arsenal midfield and gave them a more physical presence. But despite share of the possession he failed to create something with it.
Cesc Fabregas - 7 - Often shadowed by Mikel, the Spaniard worked hard to try and create something for his side. Was agonisingly close to success on a number of occasions — especially when he saw Cech deny him from a clever low free kick.
Alex Song - 7 - Failed to track Drogba for the opening goal, an early mark against his name. But was an effective ball-winner and distributor for his side in an eventually futile attempt to make amends.
Theo Walcott - 5 - Winger's pace and attacking intent was intended to keep Ashley Cole pegged back in his own half, but failed to fulfill the job. Did some good things defensively, but generally wasn't a threat going forward and still looks some way short of top form.
Andrei Arshavin - 5 - Had a good early opportunity to equalise kicked away by Cech. Was largely anonymous, especially in the second half, as Chelsea somewhat predictably gave him little to live on as his side's lone striker.
Samir Nasri - 6.5 - Arguably looked the most likely to grab something for his side, the Frenchman had a couple of decent chances to create what could have been a crucial goal for his side.
Substitutes
Nicklas Bendtner - 6.5 - Replaced Walcott. Physical presence gave his side an added dimension, certainly looked more likely to score with the Dane on the pitch.
Tomas Rosicky - 6 - Arsenal hardly needed more trickery in midfield, but he added to that in replacing Diaby. Made little difference to game, however.
Emmanuel Eboue - 6 - Replaced Sagna to provide fresher legs out wide.
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Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
11:30 PM GMT
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
11:22 PM GMT
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
11:18 PM GMT
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
11:06 PM GMT
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
10:55 PM GMT
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
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