After Liverpool's defeat at the hands of last seasons fourth best Italian side, tonights games also have the potential to be difficult for the English clubs in Champions League action.
Chelsea are looking to bounce back from defeat at Wigan on Saturday against Champions league novices Apoel Nicosia, in what on paper should be a stone waller for the Londoners.
However, so did their game at the weekend. Wigan had never beaten one of the 'big four' clubs in their entire time in the Premiership but managed to turn over a ragged looking Chelsea side.
Factor in the long flight to Cyprus, humid weather conditions and a passionate home support, the easy game on paper reads slightly differently.
The experience in their squad suggests they should be able to handle the game, but results in previous years against teams such as FC Cluj show Chelsea dont always handle such trips with ease.
Tonight is the first true test of Chelsea's credentials under Carlo Ancelotti who will be looking for a reaction from his side as they attempt to bounce back from their first defeat of the season. It will be interesting to see if they react to defeat in the manner which has typified Manchester United's dominance of the Premiership in recent years.
With one eye on the arrival of Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next and no Didier Drogba at their disposal, Ancelotti's men may come up short in Nicosia this evening.
And if they do, we will really see what the Italian and his side are made off against there great recent rivals on Sunday.
30 September 2009
5 September 2009
Charlton 2 Brentford 0
Lloyd Sam’s 3rd goal in two games and Deon Burton’s 3rd of the season gave Charlton victory over Brentford and ensured they maintained their place at the top of League One.
Both sides went into the game with unbeaten records but it was no surprise Charlton, having won every game and sitting top of the table, settled quicker and made an early breakthrough.
Their first goal came after 10 minutes when makeshift Brentford left back Sam Wood failed to deal with a long ball. The outstanding Lloyd Sam capitalised and pulled the ball back to veteran striker Deon Burton who calmly scored his third goal of the season.
Brentford started slowly but were aggrieved after 25 minutes when their first promising moment saw the ball strike Nicky Bailey’s hand in the area but their claims were waved away.
Their grievance was confounded minutes later when Charlton put together a great team move which was finished off by Sam.
A fifteen pass move ended with promising youngster Jonjo Shelvey feeding striker Burton, who flicked the ball to Sam who produced a moment of quality to glide past Sam Wood and slot the ball home.
Just before half time came Brentford’s best moment of the game when Carl Cort headed wide despite it looking easier to score.
That theme continued in the second half, when both sides missed good chances. Carl Cort missed two further headers for Brentford, one of which produced a fine save from Charlton keeper Rob Elliot after 72 minutes.
Ten minutes later David Hunt hit the bar with a thirty yard free kick, but Charlton were able to withstand the pressure put on them in a spirited second half performance from Brentford.
Both sides went into the game with unbeaten records but it was no surprise Charlton, having won every game and sitting top of the table, settled quicker and made an early breakthrough.
Their first goal came after 10 minutes when makeshift Brentford left back Sam Wood failed to deal with a long ball. The outstanding Lloyd Sam capitalised and pulled the ball back to veteran striker Deon Burton who calmly scored his third goal of the season.
Brentford started slowly but were aggrieved after 25 minutes when their first promising moment saw the ball strike Nicky Bailey’s hand in the area but their claims were waved away.
Their grievance was confounded minutes later when Charlton put together a great team move which was finished off by Sam.
A fifteen pass move ended with promising youngster Jonjo Shelvey feeding striker Burton, who flicked the ball to Sam who produced a moment of quality to glide past Sam Wood and slot the ball home.
Just before half time came Brentford’s best moment of the game when Carl Cort headed wide despite it looking easier to score.
That theme continued in the second half, when both sides missed good chances. Carl Cort missed two further headers for Brentford, one of which produced a fine save from Charlton keeper Rob Elliot after 72 minutes.
Ten minutes later David Hunt hit the bar with a thirty yard free kick, but Charlton were able to withstand the pressure put on them in a spirited second half performance from Brentford.
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