Showing posts with label Branislav Ivanovic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Branislav Ivanovic. Show all posts

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Maestro Fabregas orchestrates Chelsea win

Cesc Fabregas enjoyed a spectacular return to the Premier League on Monday night, setting up two goals as Chelsea brushed aside newly promoted Burnley to claim a convincing 3-1 win.

Despite going behind early on at Turf Moor, the Blues showed their class in an electrifying first-half display that was orchestrated by the club's summer signing from Barcelona.

Fabregas, sitting deep alongside Nemanja Matic, pulled the strings for the away side and showed his incredible class with a sublime first-time clipped pass to setup Andre Schurrle.

The Spain international helped to extend the west Londoners' lead even further, planting a pin-point corner on the boot of Branislav Ivanovic, with Chelsea romping to a routine win thanks to their new midfield dynamo.
Tuesday, 19 August 2014 12:30

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Lavezzi profits from Ibrahimovic distraction

All the talk in the build-up to Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain revolved around one man: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Could the striker upset one-time mentor Jose Mourinho? Could the Blues find a way to stop the talismanic frontman? Would he ever play in England?

Such was the Stamford Bridge outfit's preoccupation with the Sweden international, they appeared to forget that there were 10 other players on the field at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.

It took just three minutes for Ezequiel Lavezzi, completely unmarked inside the penalty box, to unleash a ferocious shot that flew into the back of the net to remind Chelsea that PSG are far from the one-man team they had been mistaken for.

Ibrahimovic's night was cut short by a hamstring injury that will rule him out of the return leg, though Lavezzi's screamer, coupled with a late goal from Javier Pastore that added gloss to the victory, prove that les Parisiens will be no pushovers even in the Swede's absence.
Thursday, 3 April 2014 10:39

Friday, May 17, 2013

Benitez bolsters CV as Chelsea celebrate Europa League glory

Chelsea secured their second European title in two seasons on Wednesday, seeing off Benfica in Amsterdam to win the Europa League final.

Fernando Torres opened the scoring for the Blues and although Oscar Cardozo equalised for Jorge Jesus’s men, Branislav Ivanovic’s late header won the title for Rafael Benitez’s men.

The win follows last season’s Champions League triumph and means Rafael Benitez has now become just the fourth manager to win the Europa League (or Uefa Cup in its previous incarnation) more than once.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Redknapp teaches dopey Benitez a lesson

Down, out and languishing at the foot of the Premier League table, Harry Redknapp's QPR seemed all but relegated going into Wednesday's clash with Chelsea.

Prior to kick-off, the former Tottenham boss had teased his counterpart Rafa Benitez, insisting he would have to be "a dope" not to succeed with the talent-laden squad available to him at Stamford Bridge.

Whether Redknapp's jibes were intended or not, they most certainly worked, with the Rs snatching a shock 1-0 win against their west London rivals, and Benitez well and truly taught a lesson by 'Arry...

Monday, December 24, 2012

Benitez's little helpers give Chelsea a Magic Eight

After three consecutive draws at Stamford Bridge, Rafa Benitez got his first Premier League win at home since taking charge at Chelsea as his side gave Aston Villa a pre-Christmas stuffing on Sunday.

Fernando Torres, David Luiz, Branislav Ivanovic, Frank Lampard, Ramires, Oscar and Eden Hazard all got on the scoresheet in the rout to give Chelsea fans a sprinkling of festive joy following their Club World Cup final defeat earlier this month.

Benitez's side are now 11 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United with a game in hand, and will be looking to close the gap over the busy Christmas schedule.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Drogba brings the bling as Chelsea embark on Europa outing

Chelsea's Champions League defence may have already ended, but for those who succeeded in the competition last season, there are still some benefits to be reaped from their victory over Bayern Munich.

Club legend Didier Drogba, who left Stamford Bridge last summer for Shanghai Shenhua, made sure his team-mates would never forget that night in Munich back in May by bestowing specially made rings upon all those involved in the triumph.

However, for Rafa Benitez, it is just a stark reminder of the club's failings in this year's tournament, and the Europa League campaign that awaits...