Pre-Match Briefing: Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers Back from Manchester, the Blues now host another team from the North-West as we begin successive home games. TALKING POINTS Only Aston Villa and Liverpool have won this competition more times than Chelsea, who were the first team from London to lift the midweek trophy in 1965. Six seasons have passed since the Blues last reached the final of the competition, however, and seven since we won it. Bolton last went all the way to the final in 2003/04, where they were edged out 2-1 by Bolo Zenden and Middlesbrough. A year later Jose Mourinho masterminded his first trophy win with Chelsea by beating Liverpool 3-2 at the Millennium Stadium, Now that the Trotters are a level below and in difficulties, some Bolton fans’ forums suggest they will monitor this match much like an eight-year-old would Doctor Who – from behind the sofa with a mixture of dread and exhilaration. Chelsea have dispatched the last two Championship opponents in this competition, Wolves and Leeds, 6-0 and 5-1 respectively. Wanderers reached the last 32 of this season’s competition by edging out League One side Crewe at Gresty Road. Both teams are likely to mix up their player packs. Key Stat Burnley in 2008 were last team from outside the Premier League to knock Chelsea out of the League Cup. Bolton will hope to emulate Burnley, who in the fourth round of 2008/09 beat a Chelsea side skippered by Wayne Bridge 5-4 on penalties. Substitute Ade Akinbiyi earned the Clarets a 1-1 draw which they protected through extra time, despite being reduced to 10 men. The Trotters were fully paid-up members of the Premier League awkward squad until relegation in 2012. They have since finished seventh and 14th in the Championship, and now stand 21st of 24 clubs with five points from eight matches. On Saturday they were beaten 1-0 at Wolves. Chelsea ended the weekend in an enhanced position, the lead at the top extended by one point to three following the hard-fought draw at the Etihad. Emerging unscathed from possibly the toughest trip of the season has to be judged an early season success, especially as we remain five clear of the hosts. One frustration was the concerted effort of Manuel Pellegrini’s men to stifle Chelsea’s most creative players. Eden Hazard was fouled by three different players on four occasions, all of them when on a run towards the City area. Seven challenges on Willian led to free kicks committed mostly by Silva, Fernandinho and Toure; three resulted in players being booked. Most arose as he attempted to instigate swift counter-attacks of the sort that concerned the Citizens back in February. Overall the Mancunians committed a third more fouls than the Londoners. Even though he has left the club of his heart, history man Frank Lampard could not resist appearing on the scoresheet for Chelsea’s 2,000th away league game. His equalising goal means our record on the road is now played 2,000, won 598, drawn 526 and lost 876. If the scores are level tonight after 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time will be played. If there is still no winner the tie will be decided on penalties. In yesterday’s matches Arsenal, Everton and Sunderland joined second-round victims Aston Villa, Burnley, Leicester, Manchester United, QPR and West Ham as the top-flight sides already eliminated. The draw for the fourth round will be broadcast live on Sky Sports after tonight’s games.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 09:54:05 +0000
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