Bolton v Chelsea Preview: Didier Drogba Returns For Suspended Torres
by Ian WhittellFiled under: Bolton, Chelsea, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: REEBOK STADIUM, SUNDAY OCTOBER 2, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1330 BST
Carlos Tevez could certainly learn a thing or two from Frank Lampard as the Chelsea veteran looks to regain a starting spot after an indifferent start to the season.
Lampard, 33, scored the opener on his first start in four games as Andre Villas-Boas's side were held to a draw away at Valencia on Wednesday, and the midfielder will be hoping his display, and patience, will earn him a place against rock bottom Bolton.
The England international was apparently frustrated at being an unused substitute in his team's last league outing, a 4-1 win over Swansea, but now a solid display in Spain could be repaid with a starting place.
Daniel Sturridge is set to return to Bolton for the first time after last season's successful loan spell, in which he scored eight goals in 12 appearances, and he could heap more woe on former boss Owen Coyle.
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The Chelsea striker, who has been receiving treatment for a knee injury, will be forever in debt to Coyle who gave him the chance of regular first-team football which has seen him jump from Stamford Bridge fringe player to the brink of the England senior squad.
But how Coyle would love to have the 22-year-old back at the Reebok after a shocking run of form.
Bolton have lost 10 of their last 11 league games and were dealt another huge blow in midweek when midfielder Stuart Holden was ruled out for a further six months after a routine check on the knee injury which has kept him out since March showed further cartilage damage.
Key Match-up: Gary Cahill v Didier Drogba: With Fernando Torres suspended, Drogba may return to the starting line-up and will be up against reported Chelsea target Cahill. After Arsenal's failed summer bid for the England defender, Villas-Boas has apparently now got an eye on a January move for Cahill and will be watching to see how he handles the fit-again Chelsea striker.
Form Guide: Bolton fans have certainly seen plenty of goals this season. Unfortunately for them in the wrong end after five straight defeats since an opening day win at QPR. Chelsea, after now what seems a good opening day draw at Stoke, have quietly climbed the table. A defeat against title rivals Manchester United was a blip, but last week's win over Swansea was impressive. The last time the teams met at the Reebok, Chelsea were resounding 4-0 winners.
Odds: Bolton 11/2, Chelsea 8/15, Draw 3/1
BOLTON:
Coyle is refusing to press the panic button in the wake of Bolton's nightmare end to last season - and an even worse start to this term.
He said: "When you a playing well confidence is high, and when it's going you against you then the mental strength comes in.
You have to have belief and that's what we have here. We won't feel sorry for ourselves.
"There's little wrong. I take it on the chin and go from there as you can over analyse things."
Coyle has admitted the loss of Holden for a further six months is a blow as he looks to turn around his side's terrible to the season.
He had hoped the return of Holden would help the Trotters regain some form and return to the free-flowing football which had won them so many plaudits last season.
However, now they must prepare to be without the United States international midfielder until the closing weeks of the campaign.
Coyle said: "It is a big, big blow for Stuart, because he has worked so hard after he sustained the injury.
"But obviously the most important aspect is to ensure Stuart's well being and that's what we are focused on.
"He went for the procedure and it was picked up that the cartilage was damaged and needed to be repaired, which has now happened, and we will now support Stuart as he begins his recovery."
Meanwhile, defender Zat Knight has told his team-mates they need to get their acts together or they could be facing a relegation battle this season.
Knight told the Bolton News: "The last few weeks have been very frustrating. We're at the bottom because we haven't done well enough in the last five games and something has to change.
"Everyone has to be a bit more competitive and take things a bit more seriously. We need to get back to being difficult to beat. When you don't win, you don't lose."
Strategy: Bolton will be looking to contain Chelsea's attacking prowess as they look to avoid a ninth straight defeat at home to Chelsea. Kevin Davies will be pushing for a return as David Ngog continues to search for his first goal since his summer move.
Injury Update: Holden (knee) is definitely out alongside other long-term absentees Sam Ricketts and Sean Davis. Ivan Klasnic serves the last game of his three-match suspension.
Frank Lampard Comes Out Fighting and Sets Example to Carlos Tevez
by Mike McGrathFiled under: Chelsea, Champions League, Premier League, Football
The reports of Frank Lampard's demise may have been an exaggeration. That is the natural reaction after the midfielder's display at the Mestalla.
It was not just the goal he scored, giving the Valencia goalkeeper "the eyes" and drilling into the bottom corner of Diego Alves' near post.
It was not just the other chances he set up during the 1-1 draw, sending Ramires and Fernando Torres through for clear-cut opportunities with his clean passing.
It was not just the fact that Chelsea succumbed to pressure only after he was substituted with seven minutes remaining, his replacement Salomon Kalou conceding the penalty led to the points being shared.
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There was more to his display than just end-product. He also set a fine example for any player unhappy at being dropped from the starting XI.
Carlos Tevez could take a leaf from Lampard's book. Lampard was dropped at the weekend but came out fighting, rather than creating a row like the Manchester City forward has.
"I don't like to miss matches but it comes with the territory," explained Lampard on Sky Sports News. "It happens and you have to be big and strong and come back. When you do play you have to show what you can do. That was my only motive.
"I want to play a consistent run of games because that is when I know I'm at my best.
"My resolve is always there and always will be. I want to play. I love the club, love playing and want to play - that drives me on."
Lampard was upset after being left on the bench against Swansea but responded in the best way possible - with an all-action display that reminded everyone of what he can do.
It was the type of performance that has delighted Chelsea fans, yet also frustrated England's as he has been accused of producing his best for his club rather than his country.
He has faced criticism at various points throughout his career, right from his early days at West Ham, and appears to have a determination to come out fighting again.
Losing his status as an automatic starter for England is something Lampard has needed to do recently. And missing some games for Chelsea may be on the horizon as well. But at least he has shown - in the right way - that he will not be going quietly.
Fitness is not a problem. And if he does slow down, there is always the possibility of a more disciplined role anchoring the midfield. Regardless of the position, Lampard will has a few years left in him yet.
"A goal always comes at a good time for Frank. He's been a goalscorer all his life," said Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas. "His abilities are never in doubt and we trust him 100% - like I told you."
Chelsea 4 Swansea 1: Fernando Torres Scores and Is Sent Off as Blues Cruise
by Ben HuntFiled under: Chelsea, Swansea, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Fernando Torres scored and was sent off in Chelsea's victory over Swansea.
The Spain international opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a neat finish.
However, he was sent off by referee Mike Dean in the 39th minute for a two-footed lunge on Mark Gower.
Ramires scored twice and substitute Didier Drogba added a fourth for the Blues.
Ashley Williams was on target for Swansea in the 86th minute.
THE GOALS:
29 mins: Torres took his goal well with some neat control and a shot on the turn past Michel Vorm.
36 mins: A cool finish from Ramires to cap a swift move involving Torres and Ashley Cole.
76 mins: Raul Ramires gets his second with another low finish past Vorm.
86 mins: Williams heads home from Mark Gower's cross.
90 mins: Drogba adds a fourth from Malouda's pass.
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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
12mins: Anelka has the first shot at goal from Raul Meireles' pass.
15 mins: Meireles then fires over the bar from 12 yards.
28 mins: Branislav Ivanovic shoots over from distance.
32 mins: Mikel headed wide from Meireles's free-kick.
39 mins: Torres is sent off for a two-footed tackle on Rangel.
49 mins: Nathan Dyer hits the bar for Swansea.
61 mins: Anlelka hits the bar.
WHAT IT MEANS:
There will be even more pressure on Torres once he returns from suspension. He was beginning to hit form here until his over-the-top challenge. Perhaps it was a case of trying too hard, but he must now pay the consequence. The result however, proves Chelsea can respond as a team under Andre Villas-Boas, as they recovered from their defeat at Old Trafford. For Swansea, they will use this experience as a positive, as they held their own at times and managed a consolation goal.
The Chelsea manager, Villas-Boas, had no complaints with Torres' red card:
"On the sending off, I have nothing to say. It looks to be a good decision from the referee.
"The challenge was just in the nature of the game and the referee has decided like that.
"It is a pity because the game was become a spectacle for us and for the fans, but in the end it is what the referee decided and we had to adjust to it.
"He has not said sorry, there was nothing to apologise for. It was the referee's decision."
On the performance:
"It was a good performance with 10 men, especially with the effort on Wednesday.
"The first goal was important because it opened more spaces in Swansea's defence, which was very tight. Eventually the first goal opened them a little bit.
"But with 10 men we continued to attack and it was a good score-line for us. It was also good for us after the defeat to Manchester United. It showed a good resilience."
On the change of formation:
"Going a man down meant that we had to go to two lines of four and one man up front and Nicolas Anelka did a fantastic job and eventually we found good possession with 10 men.
"It was a good team performance and we created enough scoring opportunities and it is good that even with 10 men you can create these changes.
"It shows that these players are committed to the objectives. We were five points behind the leaders and now we have shortened the distance."
On other players getting their chances as Torres is suspended:
"We have four wonderful strikers and all of them are playing well. All of them compete for a place in this 4-3-3 system.
"I'm not sure how many games Fernando is away for but it will open up opportunities for the other three to challenge for the position."
The Swansea manager, Brendan Rodgers admitted his side were second best:
"The best team won so I won't sit here and say we deserved to win. I'm proud of the players and we made a terrific start in the first ten minutes when we were full of confidence.
"The first goal rocked us and great touch finish by Torres, and I said before the game he looked back to where he was at before.
"The second-half came and we looked to get on ball more, but I was a bit disappointed with our final ball. But congratulations to Chelsea, they need to win these types of games to press on."
On the red card:
"Torres was the right decision, but more for intent than actual contact which was minimal. It was a difficult one for the ref.
On performance:
"I felt our organisation was very good. We understood where the penetration and threat would come from, but we lost our concentration, didn't close the space and Torres got the finish.
"You try to keep it tight for as long as you can and that goal gave them confidence. At half time I said 'continue with the belief'."
Chelsea v Swansea Preview: All Eyes on Fernando Torres…Again
by Jon WestFiled under: Chelsea, Swansea, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE, STAMFORD BRIDGE, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
All eyes will be on Fernando Torres for this one, as well he knows. Last week's incredible open goal miss at Manchester United has dented a reputation that had taken an almighty kicking following month after month of performances that were nothing like the ones he gave Liverpool in his £50 million prime.
Yet the Spain striker also scored a fine goal at Old Trafford on a day when jaw-dropping incidents just kept on coming (including a comedic Wayne Rooney penalty miss) so Chelsea know the story could have been a different one.
But it wasn't and it will be interesting to see if Torres starts, is on the bench or is jettisoned altogether for the visit of last season's Championship play-off winners, who, unde rthe guidance of former Chelsea reserve team coach Brendan Rodgers, have already kept three clean sheets, against Wigan, Sunderland and West Bromwich.
Twenty-one other men will be on the pitch too but it's Torres who will inevitably be the focus of attention.
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Key match-up: Torres v Garry Monk. Monk waited eight years to make his Premier League return, having been a fringe player as a youngster with Southampton up to 2004. The Swans skipper wasn't even fully fit because of a foot problem but still helped his team-mates to a clean sheet and a win bonus. Can he do the same against Torres? A year ago it would have been almost unthinkable...
Form guide: The Old Trafford reverse is the only one Andre Villas-Boas has suffered so far in his current position, although Chelsea came mighty close to disaster in the Carling Cup at home to Fulham on Tuesday when they managed to scrape a 0-0 draw with 10 men and go through via penbalty shoot-out. Swansea had already been knocked out of the competition so their most recent result was last week's 3-0 home win over West Brom, which got their Premier League campaign off to a scoring as well as winning start.
Odds: Chelsea 1/5, Swansea 14/1, draw 11/2
CHELSEA:
Teenager Romelu Lukaku is confident he can break into the side on a regular basis after making his first start since a £18 million move from Anderlecht.
He didn't find the net against Fulham but with Torres mis-firing and Didier Drogba nearing the end of his shelf life the Belgian believes he can get into the Champions League squad for the post-Christmas phase after being left out of the current 25-man pool.
"It is up to me to play well and then hopefully get in the next squad when it is named in January," he said.
"It is my main objective and it is realistic because in these four months I can show what I can do and improve.
"The manager explained to me why he left me out of the squad. I'm patient but when I have the chance to play, I will do my best to show myself to the boss.
"The experienced players were always helping me - John Terry, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard were speaking to me almost all the time.
"They kept encouraging me, telling me to keep on going, and telling me what to do when I had the ball.
"It makes it easier to play with guys that always talk to you. They give you some kind of look, then I know what I have to do.
"I think I played very well and was very helpful for the team. It was just a goal I needed, otherwise it was perfect."
Injury update: Goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to play despite having been taken to hospital following a clash of heads in the Fulham game.
Striker Daniel Sturridge is unlikey to feature having suffered a knee injury scoring a goal in that game that was disallowed for offside.
SWANSEA CITY:
Swansea manager Rodgers has put his Welsh side on red alert after admitting Torres will look to take his frustration out ahead of his return to Stamford Bridge.
Torres has stolen the headlines since the Spaniard's open-goal miss against Manchester United.
But Rodgers, who revealed he recommended Torres to Chelsea during his spell on the club's coaching staff six years ago, says he will be a wounded animal and will be desperate to erase his error.
He said: "He's still as world class as he was then.
"He's obviously had problems with injuries that maybe have affected his form, but you saw last week he's getting back to where he wants to be.
"Torres was aggressive last weekend and I enjoyed that because it's something he hasn't been of late. That's the mark of him because he has great ability.
"It would have been much easier for us if he had scored, because at his best he's one of the world's leading striker.
"He'll have to work his way through it because strikers rely on two things; goals and games."
Rodgers, who rubbished speculation linking him with a move for Sol Campbell, is seeking defensive reinforcements and could sign Hungarian trialist Zoltan Liptak.
Swansea can only sign free agents after seeing their deadline-day moves for Rafik Halliche and Darnel Situ blocked by Fifa.
He added: "We are taking the chance to look at players who could come and add to our squad.
"He wants to play, is an international player with a bit of experience and he has shown up well at training."
London Clubs in Manchester’s Shadow as Battle to Finish Top in the Capital Hots Up
by Mike McGrathFiled under: Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Premier League, Football
Mini-battles have started in the Premier League already, starting at the top where Manchester United and Manchester City have already shared 38 goals in their first five games.
Other teams will get sucked into a relegation battle, some have Champions League qualification ambitions. Everybody will have something to play for when the campaign heads into 2012.
With Manchester dominating the top, there is new contest to see who will finish top in the capital. It looks like Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham will running a close race to see who will be London's leader.
"If we keep doing well on the pitch, then we are a match for any team," said Spurs defender Younes Kaboul in the Evening Standard. "Can we finish as the top club in London? Yes, we can."
The odds are that United and City will remain in the top two places. They have the strongest squads in the league and it is theirs to lose.
Looking at the benches, even Chelsea are short of the Manchester clubs in terms of quality in depth. And has a team ever won a title with a player in such wretched form as Fernando Torres?
It would take the most dramatic surges of self-confidence for the Spaniard to inspire a championship charge and shake off his tag of being a £50 million misfit.
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"It's right that people are excited because of the amount of goals (United and City have scored)," said Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas. "Chelsea started 6-0, 6-0 last season and then it didn't happen. The impact on the rest of the season can be decisive or not."
Spurs did nothing in their first two games of the season, against United and City, to suggest they will be title challengers, even if their victory over Liverpool revived their hopes of finishing in the top four.
"We're certainly going to be challenging," said Spurs manager Harry Redknapp. "There's no doubt about that. I like the look of us. We've players coming back as well and we'll be strong. It will be tight. Stoke, Everton, Sunderland, whoever, they'll be pushing but I think there's probably six pushing for the top four and we'll certainly be one of those."
If Redknapp got the signings he wanted over the summer - including Giuseppe Rossi from Villarreal - then Spurs may have been challenging City and United. For now they are battling to get back in the Champions League, while Arsenal are fighting to stay there after their terrible start to the campaign.
"Arsenal have lost many players and it seems like they are having a bad time in the Premier League, although we never know with teams like that when they will wake up," Kaboul said.
Redknapp added: "Arsenal will improve, key players will come back like Jack Wilshere and Thomas Vermaelen, who make a big difference.
"Sometimes everything goes wrong and against Blackburn everything that could go wrong did go wrong - two own goals and missing a lot of chances."
They would settle for a top-four place at the moment. But the bottom line is that a title battle is remote. "I can understand that people are unhappy and criticise, but you know as well as I know people are very quick to go overboard," explained Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
It will be seven years without a trophy if they go empty handed again. But finishing top in London at least gives them something to work towards as they get back on track. The chances are it will be the only thing left to play for as United and City wrestle for the top.
Chelsea Hope a Few Ghosts From the Past Have Been Exorcised
by Jon WestFiled under: Burnley, Chelsea, Fulham, Manchester United, Carling Cup, Champions League, Premier League, Football
Given that the Carling Cup was the first trophy Jose Mourinho won as Chelsea manager (although he managed to get himself sent to the stands during the 2005 final and was therefore banned from the celebrations) you can understand why Andre Villas-Boas was so pleased on Tuesday night.
His side has played more than 70 minutes a man down against a fellow Premier League side and come through via a penalty shoot-out. "Super-human" was his description of his players' efforts against a Fulham side that must be wondering how on earth it failed to win at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 1979.
It was Chelsea who ended up rewriting the history books however as before Bryan Ruiz, Fulham's expensive new acquisition, blasted his spot kick against the underside of the bar the Blues record in shoot-outs had been poor to say the least.
They had lost seven of the previous eight, including the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow, when John Terry fluffed the kick that would have beaten Manchester United. Some of the others had been more embarrassing than heart-breaking however: home defeats to Charlton and Burnley spring to mind.
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And when Frank Lampard stepped up and saw the first kick of the shoot-out saved by Mark Schwarzer it looked like the pattern would repeat itself yet again. Until Terry scored his and Mousa Dembele saw his Fulham reply saved.
The Chelsea players ran to congratulate their goalkeeper after Ruiz's shot had bounced on to but not over the line four kicks later - and the man in question was Ross Turnbull, who was making his first appearance of the season and only his seventh for the club overall.
The reason was that Petr Cech had been hurt late in the first half in a collision with Orlando Sa that had left him with concussion.
The Czech republic international wasn't the first Chelsea man to be hospitalised by a bang on the head in that particular goalmouth this term as Didier Drogba had been knocked cold against Norwich the previous month. Indeed, the striker had only just returned for duty and has so far been able to clock up just 127 minutes of action so far this term, less than every other member of the first team pool.
Head injuries are a particular concern as far as Cech is concerned of course as he still wears the rugby-style headgear that protects a skull that was fractured in a collision with Stephen Hunt, then of Reading, in October 2006.
Thankfully this setback was nowhere near as serious and Cech is expected to resume his place between the sticks at home to Swansea on Saturday.
"Petr went for a scan in the hospital and he's okay," Villas-Boas said. "He felt a little bit dizzy from the early concussion at half-time. We decided, and he decided as well, it was better not to take risks."
So there was welcome news on two fronts for Villas-Boas, who revealed he had been informed of his side's dismal penalty record by his own players. Now he can get busy preparing for the next match - which might just be ideal for Fernando Torres to show his face again.
The man who gave the world the Miss of the Millennium at manchester United on Sunday wasn't even on the bench against Fulham. The seruous business of the Premier League-Champions League cycle begins again at the weekend - and there is nothing more seruious than trying to get a £50 million striker to find an open goal...
Video: Fernando Torres Needs to Recover Quickly From Nightmare Moment
by John PercyFiled under: Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Premier League, Football
Fernando Torres woke up on Sunday morning with headlines proclaiming that Chelsea were considering the possibility of sending him out on loan in January if he fails to emerge from his personal crisis.
But those headlines are probably more favourable, and certainly less embarrassing, than the ones he will read on Monday after a quite bizarre afternoon at Old Trafford.
It went from the sublime to the ridiculous for Torres in the capricious encounter with Manchester United, as the previous 83 minutes were washed away following a dreadful miss that will have had Ronny Rosenthal breathing a huge sigh of relief.
After appearing on a mission to salvage his career at Stamford Bridge with a performance of menace, movement and skill he is now back to square one and destined for inclusion on every football blooper DVD for this year's Christmas stocking fillers.
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Even after such an appalling miss, it was difficult not to feel sympathy for him as he trudged off the field disconsolate, with his already brittle confidence shot to pieces again.
Just as he had done on the opening day of the season at Stoke, he displayed glimpses of returning to the old Torres, the striker that became one of the most feared in Europe during his spell at Liverpool.
The pace and trickery was back and perhaps the memories of his excellent display for Liverpool in the 4-1 rout over United in March 2009 helped provide him with a lift.
His goal early in the second half was a sublime finish almost out of nothing while shortly after he almost added a second by dancing past a string of United challenges outside the area.
But after rounding David De Gea with the goal at his mercy seven minutes from the end of an absorbing encounter, his world came crashing down around him again and manager Andre Villas-Boas must now be wondering how he responds.
He said: "You have to be fair. We have seen two of the world's best strikers miss crazy opportunities, Fernando with his miss and Wayne Rooney with his penalty. This is nothing dramatic but sometimes it becomes something."
Villas-Boas is already growing tired of answering constant questions on Chelsea's British record signing but even he must realise the "obsession", as he calls it, after such a nightmare moment.
Chelsea will return to action on Wednesday with a Carling Cup tie against West London rivals Fulham. Will Villas-Boas keep Torres in the team in a bid to boost his confidence or take him out of the firing line?
Phil Jones is Already One of the Signings of the Season at Manchester United
by John PercyFiled under: Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Premier League, Football
While Sir Alex Ferguson continues to castigate the media for their apparent agenda against David De Gea, another of Manchester United's new signings cannot have made a more impressive start to life at Old Trafford.
The jury may still be out on De Gea but Phil Jones already appears to be one of Ferguson's shrewdest recruits in years and a player that will leave a lasting legacy when the United manager finally decides to pack it in.
Jones has epitomised the best start to a United season since 1985 with a string of colossal performances at the back, embracing the challenge of playing for a huge club with ease and clearly relishing the opportunity to perform on such a stage.
Many eyebrows were raised when Ferguson paid out £16 million to take him from Blackburn Rovers in the summer but he already looks a snip at that price.
Such astronomical transfer fees are the going rate for teenagers with talent these days and Jones has already proved with both United and England this season that he has a long career ahead of him.
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His performance against Chelsea was another test passed in his introduction to life at the Theatre of Dreams and Ferguson will know that the 19-year-old will only get better.
Fernando Torres may have had one of his more impressive afternoons in a Chelsea shirt on Sunday but Jones still kept him relatively quiet, reading the game superbly like a player who has been around far longer.
It hasn't been just his displays at the back either. The 19-year-old was used as a midfielder in his last few months at Blackburn and his surging runs towards the opposing penalty area have not been reined in by his defensive duties.
Against Chelsea he made a telling contribution for the third goal with a powerful driving run that has almost become a trademark already.
Ferguson will not be shy to play Jones in midfield this season either, so his versatility is further proof of his value for money.
Manchester United v Chelsea Preview: Ferguson Versus Villas-Boas, Round One
by Darren WitcoopFiled under: Chelsea, Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: OLD TRAFFORD, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1600 BST
The youngest Premier League manager pits his wits against the oldest - but don't expect there to be a similar mismatch on the pitch.
Because what Andre Villas-Boas, 33, may lack in age compared to Sir Alex Ferguson, his Chelsea side will make up in experience in matches that have frequently been too close to call in recent years.
While Ferguson has rebuilt by introducing younger players, Chelsea have largley kept faith with the tried and tested as they seek to rediscover the winning formula and wrestle the title back from Old Trafford.
There's no question Manchester United have had it all their own way so far this season, but they face their biggest test yet when Chelsea visit.
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While they dismantled a struggling Arsenal side by eight goals and saw off Bolton in a five-star display, they won't find it so easy against the Blues.
But how Villas-Boas now needs Fernando Torres to shine.
The Spaniard has a good goalscoring record against Manchester United but he doesn't look close to repeating those past exploits at the moment.
Bereft of confidence, and short of goals, his starting place would be under more threat if Didier Drogba were fit. This, though, could be the game that may just kick-start his career at Chelsea into life.
And if he can replicate the form that gave Ferguson's men such a torrid time in 2008, then it will serve as a reminder that London will have as much of a say in the title race as Manchester.
Key Match-Up: Wayne Rooney v John Terry: These two have enjoyed various battles down the years and it will be business as usual here. Rooney is the league's form player and has hit back-to-back hat-tricks in the Premier League. He won't have it so easy against Terry, but the defender will have to use all his experience and knowhow on Rooney to keep him quiet.
Form Guide: Manchester United are flying and have scored goals for fun. They have won four league games on the bounce, scoring 18 times in the process. Chelsea have also made a strong start and have collected three wins and a draw.
Odds: Manchester United 4/5, Chelsea 7/2, Draw 5/2
MANCHESTER UNITED:
Ferguson refuses to dismiss Chelsea's title threat and claims he won't let them slip under the radar.
The spotlight has been off Chelsea and firmly on rivals Manchester City following their eye-catching start to the new season.
But the Manchester United manager says you write off Chelsea, who have been his side's main rivals during the last seven years, at your peril.
He said: "They will be there at the end of the season, there is no doubt about that.
"At the moment the two Manchester teams are enjoying the publicity that comes from the predictions that they are going to be involved in the winning the league.
"But in the background lurks Chelsea. They will be enjoying being out of the profile at the moment.
"And they are a team with great experience and they will always be a challenge to us."
Ferguson, who expects this to be another tight game, reserved praise for opposite number Villas-Boas as he comes to terms with leading one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
He added: "He has started very well.
"For a young man who has come in at Chelsea, it's a great challenge.
"It's a hard challenge at his age but when you go to a new club, you hope you get an immediate response. He has got that."
Strategy: In every game this season, Manchester United have come surging out of the blocks and don't expect any different here. In the resulting fixture last season, they scored early on which set the tone. After resting several players in Europe, Ferguson will recall the likes of Javier Hernandez, Rio Ferdinand and Anderson.
Injury Update: Nemanja Vidic remains out. The captain is joined on the sidelines by Rafael (shoulder), Tom Cleverley (ankle) and Danny Welbeck (hamstring).
CHELSEA:
Chelsea manager Villas-Boas has attempted to play down the notion that this game could shape the title race.
Chelsea trail Manchester neighbours United and City by two points after four games, but Villas-Boas points to the fact that there are still 34 games to go.
He said: "It's early doors. In my small experience in this life, and observing the behaviour of the Premier League table, it won't be determinate for the Premier League table.
"Whatever happens in the game is not decisive because of the 'pattern'. If you focus on statistics and you can see how many points United were behind Newcastle 10 or 15 years ago, or Chelsea were last season.
"It's the fifth game of the season, and it's still early.
"Any manager who is judged after five games of a season, there's not something wrong with the manager but something wrong with the people who run clubs."
Villas-Boas added he is pleased with Chelsea's start, and said: "We have made a good, strong start in the Premier League.
"This game comes at a good time for us. Both teams feel very motivated and strong, so hopefully this will be enough for the spectacle to be excellent, which all of us should hope for.
"Anything that comes out of this game won't mean anything in the long-term.
"It might play to the motivation to the team who wins, or both if we draw, but let's wait and see."
Strategy: Villas-Boas has a couple of dilemmas - namely whether to recall defender David Luiz to the starting line-up and which of his strikers to employ. He claims to have faith in the hopelessly out-of-form Torres, but concedes that Daniel Sturridge and Nicolas Anelka have also impressed.
Injury update: Didier Drogba will miss out once again as he recovers from the blow to the head he took last week. Goalkeeper Ross Turnbull is struggling with a knock, as is fellow stopper Hilario, although Villas-Boas said one would make the Chelsea bench.
Fernando Torres Finds a New Way of Failing to Impress at Chelsea
by Jon WestFiled under: Chelsea, Liverpool, Champions League, Premier League, Football
Fernando Torres certainly hasn't won many friends at Chelsea with his performances on the pitch and now it seems he has been making a few enemies with his words off it as well.
The £50 million forward's face was left as red as the Liverpool shirt he used to wear when comments apparently made in a video interview for the website for La Liga were translated into English for his personal website.
And these appeared to blame "older players, who play very slow" for his lack of goals - and that the arrival of his Spain team-mate Juan Mata from Valencia would solve that particular problem. The comments were later removed and Chelsea confirmed an investigation into their accuracy had been launched.
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"We are going in-depth to regain the tape of that interview," explained manager Andre Villas-Boas in his elegant brand of almost English. "We'll see if things play exactly as they are in that interview. We want to go in-depth a bit more.
"Anyhow, it's one player's perspective. I don't think it's a perspective that the manager shares. I don't have to share my players' ideas sometimes.
"He says he didn't say that. People, when they share opinions, they have different views on different things. It's nothing abnormal in that situation.
"We just have to speak about that situation and he has to see our view as well. My way, and my view, I've shared with you: it's competence levels we're speaking about, and I think we're pretty competent."
Torres may have a point. Frank Lampard isn't exactly Usain Bolt and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville, in his new role as Sky Sports analyst, has pin-pointed Jon Obi Mikel as a player who often spoils a promising move with one touch too many.
Nevertheless the damage has been done as such thoughts should never be voiced outside the dressing room and even if Torres escapes a fine - the interview is understood to have been authorised by the club - it will hardly help him to add to his paltry total of just one goal since January.
And even that was against West Ham...
Sunderland 1 Chelsea 2: Daniel Sturridge Stars as Fernando Torres is Axed
by Jason MellorFiled under: Chelsea, Sunderland, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Fernando Torres was given an unwanted chance to put his feet up as Chelsea cruised to victory to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
The Blues' £50 million record signing was confined to a 15-minute cameo from the bench in favour of Daniel Sturridge as Andre Villas-Boas flexed his managerial muscles.
Sturridge repaid his manager's faith, doubling Chelsea's lead shortly after the interval with an impish finish, opening his account on his return from suspension.
With Raul Meireles making an impressive debut in midfield, Chelsea rarely looked back after taking an early lead through skipper John Terry's first goal of the season.
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It was another day to forget for winless Sunderland, who subsided to their latest defeat to add insult to injury after the shock departure of record signing Asamoah Gyan. Ji Dong-won's injury-time effort was scant consolation for the hosts.
THE GOALS:
18 mins: Terry is allowed two bites at the cherry to find the net from a narrow angle via defender Phil Bardsley after Juan Mata's free-kick came back off the post. (0-1)
51 mins: Sturridge beats Wes Brown to a ball from Meireles to finish with a cheeky backheel as Simon Mignolet came to block. (0-2)
90 mins: Ji Dong-won opens his Sunderland account, sweeping home a cross from Larsson after Bendtner's flick. (1-2)
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
12 mins: Nicklas Bendtner wastes a golden chance to break the deadlock, the unmarked debutant heading wide from Seb Larsson's free-kick.
20 mins: Jack Colback is lucky to escape with a yellow card for a terrible challenge on Ramires.
25 mins: Anelka out-paces Titus Bramble to fire in a shot that grazes the crossbar.
45 mins: Petr Cech marks his return to the side with a fine save low to his left to deny Stephane Sessegnon.
45 mins: Larsson heads badly wide when meeting a Kieran Richardson cross.
63 mins: Florent Malouda almost scores with his first touch, forcing a fine save from Mignolet.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Chelsea remain unbeaten and go into their Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen in great form. Without a victory in their five games this season, the pressure mounts on Sunderland manager Steve Bruce.
Didier Drogba Sidelined But Fernando Torres Still Under Pressure to Deliver
by Mike McGrathFiled under: Chelsea, Premier League, Football
For the time being at least, the conundrum facing Andre Villas-Boas over how to accommodate Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba is over.
Drogba's concussion, suffered in the victory over Norwich when he was accidentally punched by John Ruddy and knocked unconscious, means he will miss the next two Chelsea games.
Chelsea manager Villas-Boas could also be missing the Ivory Coast striker against Manchester United on Sunday week, with the Portuguese coach confirming: "Let's push it to the limit to try for him to be available for Man United.
"He has to be authorised medically to make his full return to training. We just have to make sure that he's fully recovered before he comes back to training because that's the requirement you have to do neurologically."
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Problem solved then. Torres to lead the attack against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light without a club legend watching on from the bench and waiting for his chance, as Drogba has done for the first three games of the season.
But it is not that simple when it comes to Chelsea and how they handle their expensive strikers.
Villas-Boas has Daniel Sturridge returning from suspension and judging by his form on loan at Bolton last season and then for the England Under-21s in their European Championships, he is the in-form striker at Chelsea right now.
As for Torres, he did not make the substitutes' bench for Spain's victory over Liechtenstein, a new low that followed a run of one goal in 21 games since his £50 million move from Anfield in January.
"I don't phone other managers to tell them what they are doing," was Villas-Boas' assessment. "All players push to be selected and to be the best and the best are selected."
Torres appears to approaching a crossroads in his career at Chelsea. He could be the next Andriy Shevchenko, who flopped. Or he could be the next Drogba, who overcame a tricky start to his career at the club.
Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou can give the impression of being happy to be part of the squad. But that is not the case with Sturridge.
"Sturridge has trained very well since we started pre-season," Villas-Boas said. "He is very competitive in training. You saw the part he could play in pre-season and at Bolton. It's a plus that he is on for selection and can add to the team as well."
It could bring the best out of Torres, or he could replace him in the starting line-up if the goals continue to dry up.
North London Succumbs to the Irresistable Power of Manchester
by Brian GlanvilleFiled under: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Premier League, Football
Well might poor, assailed Arsene Wenger say with Richard III, "Now all occasions do conspire against me". Alex Ferguson - generously sympathetic after his belated return to BBC television's Match of the Day after seven obstinate years - was in something of a minority. By and large, the Gunners' manager was pilloried for this teams abysmal collapse and 8-2 thrashing at Old Trafford. Yet what could have been expected when his team was in tatters?
Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri (no, of course he didn't move for the money) have been sold and lost. Alex Song, Gervinho, splendid at Udinese, and Emmanuel Frimpong, talented but rash, were all suspended. Jack Wilshere, the motor of the midfield, (England need him) was injured, as were the full backs Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs. To add insult to injuries, you might say, who was forced to drop out, unfit, on the verge of the match, but the true bulwark of the central defence, Thomas Vermeulen, leaving the suspect Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny flimsily there. Francis Coquelin, and obscure young reserve, was pressed into premature service in midfield. Though it is all too embarrassingly true to say that such experienced internationals as Tomas Rosicky and Andrei Arshavin shamefully contributed little or nothing. How long will Wenger's patience with them last? Given the departures of key players, there was never any real hope that the Gunners could win the Championship, after six years without a trophy, but now, all hope of that is surely gone. Yet the group they find themselves in now that they've breathlessly qualified for the coming stages of the European Cup is hardly beyond their taking second place to the formidable Borussia Dortmund.
It may seem strange to believe that Tottenham's 5-1 demolition at White Hart Lane by Manchester City was a worse blow to Spurs then Arsenal, their North London rivals, suffered at Old Trafford. Yet where the Gunner put out a team of threads and patches, Tottenham were at full strength and were still annihilated by Manchester City. A team whose access to untold millions from Abu Dhabi has enabled it to build up a glittering squad which will inevitably excel in the Premier League.
A team which can snatch Nasri from Arsenal, Sergio "Kun" Aguero from Atletico Madrid, can now find the powerful Edin Dzeko firing goals rather than blanks, can afford to leave the prolific Carlos Tevez on the bench, can hardly do anything but dominate. As for Spurs, Harry Redknapp, their manager, spoke with ill-concealed bitterness of the way his key creator Luka Modric has been undermined by Chelsea's declared, persisting interest, so that he didn't even wish to play against City.
Chelsea are the other plutocratic club which has utterly unbalanced what I still call the Greed Is Good League. It's something of a consolation that with all their vast expenditure, they at least have looked oddly mediocre so far under their voluble new 33 year old coach, Andre Villas-Boas. Who may well succumb as his predecessor; Carlo Ancelotti did, to what might be called the curse of Fernando Torres. Rashly brought for £30 million clearly at the behest of the Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich, but still, alas firing blanks. Villas-Boas is hardly short of self-confidence, but so far, his words have been more impressive than his team's performance.
Chelsea v Norwich Preview: Paul Lambert Keeps Andre Villas-Boas Guessing
by Jon WestFiled under: Chelsea, Norwich, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: STAMFORD BRIDGE, SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1500 BST
Chelsea's pre-match preparations included signing Juan Mata for £23 million or so while Norwich were given a 4-0 runaround on their own ground by a League One club: no wonder, then, that the home side are such hot favourites to win this one.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas tasted competitive victory for his new employers for the first time last Saturday when Chelsea beat West Bromwich 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
But they had to come back from behind to do so and overall it was a sluggish performance, hence the need for Mata's creative input. Indeed, Villas-Boas also felt the need to appeal for the supporters to be more patient in future after they had let the players know they hadn't been impressed.
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Newly-promoted Norwich will nevertheless arrive at Stamford Bridge unbeaten in the Premier League, having made 11 changes from the side that drew with Stoke for the Carling Cup tie with MK Dons that went so horribly wrong.
Key Match-up: Fernando Torres v Ritchie de Laet. It seems clear that Villas-Boas will keep faith with Torres in the hope that the Spain star will finally start scoring and last season's barren run can finally fade into the background. De Laet will be handed the task of marking him, with the on-loan Manchester United defender, who scored against Stoke, possession an extra reason for wanting to damage Chelsea's title hopes.
Form Guide: Chelsea have drawn at Stoke and beaten West Bromwich so far. Norwich have shared 1-1 draws with Wigan and Stoke in the Premier League but the MK Dons loss will be the freshest in their memories.
Odds: Chelsea 1/5, Norwich 14/1, draw 11/2
CHELSEA:
Manager Andre Villas-Boas admits he is heading into the unknown to a certain extent ahead of his meeting with newly-promoted Norwich.
The Chelsea manager was renowned for doing extensive research on opposition teams in his previous job at Porto and in his first spell at Stamford Bridge as a scout under Jose Mourinho.
But as Norwich have played just two Premier League games under Lambert - and of course the midweek drubbing at the hands of MK Dons in the Carling Cup, Villas-Boas admits he is short of material to work with as he plots a plan to beat them.
He said: "I cannot go in depth on Norwich last season, but I know they had a fantastic season. They scored an incredible amount of goals, coming up twice, and Paul Lambert likes to organise his teams and play good attacking football, which is why they finished as the highest scorers last season.
"I can only assess them from the first three games this season. There were some changes that Paul made in those matches, so that leaves us guessing a bit trying to find out what he's going to do. To get the starting XI right would be difficult for us.
"I don't have enough in depth knowledge to be thorough in my analysis from last season, but he's made two promotions, and this is of a high value given how tight the Championship and League One are."
Strategy: Villas-Boas admits he is still searching for a full 90-minute performance from his men, but is unlikely to waver from his 4-3-3 formation he has used in the opening two games.
Injury Update: David Luiz has returned to full training but Norwich will come too soon. New signing Juan Mata will not be involved after Villas-Boas said he needs more time to form a relationship with his new team mates.
Chelsea v West Brom Preview: Romelu Lukaku Hoping to Make Blues Debut
by Jon WestFiled under: Chelsea, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: STAMFORD BRIDGE, SATURDAY AUGUST 20, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1730 BST
The Andre Villas-Boas era started in a low key manner as Fernando Torres drew another blank and so did all of his team-mates on the opening weekend at Stoke.
Not that life at Stamford Bridge has been dull though, with John Obi Mikel revealing he had played despite learning his father had been kidnapped, goalkeeper Petr Cech being ruled out for a month with a knee injury and teenager striker Romelu Lukaku finally joining from Anderlecht.
Lukaku is expected to go straight into the Chelsea squad, a further sign that a new chapter in Chelsea's history is slowly taking shape.
Whether it will be a successful one remains to be seen, especially as Carlo Ancelotti was fired just 12 months after delivering a Premier League and FA Cup double, the first in the club's history.
West Bromwich will be keen to get the fixture out of the way having been handed the toughest of tasks by the fixtures computer. But they gave champions Manchester United a run for their money on the opening day, losing only via a late own goal, and will be confident of doing better than they did at Stamford Bridge on the opening day last season when they were thrashed 6-0.
Then Roberto di Matteo was the Baggies manager but he was soon to be fired and replaced by Roy Hodgson before joining Chelsea as Villas-Boas' number two in the close season.
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Key match-up: John Terry v Shane Long. With Cech sidelined it will be either Ross Turnbull or Hilario between the posts and Chelsea fans don't really fancy either. The onus will be on captain John Terry to make sure whoever gets the nod gets as much protection as possible, especially as Republic of Ireland forward Long, a summer capture from Reading, will be looking to capitalise. He marked his Baggies debut with a goal that embarrassed David de Gea on his Manchester United debut and is certain to be lively.
Form guide: Both sides will be looking to record their firdt victories of the new campaign.
Odds: Chelsea 3/10, West Brom 9/1, draw 9/2.