Chelsea striker charged for alleged stamp by FA

<div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" itemprop="description" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.462em; line-height: 1.11; margin-top: 20px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><img src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/80588000/jpg/_80588219_diego_costa_emre_can_epa.jpg" /></div><a name="more"></a><br /><div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" itemprop="description" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.462em; line-height: 1.11; margin-top: 20px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Diego Costa has been charged for violent conduct after an alleged stamp following the Capital One Cup semi-final with Liverpool on Tuesday.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The Chelsea striker, 26, faces a three-match ban for his challenge on defender Emre Can during the 1-0 victory.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The Spaniard could miss Saturday's league match with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge if he is found guilty.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">He has until 18:00 GMT on Thursday to respond to the Football Association's charge.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">He is being charged for the first of two alleged stamps that were not seen by referee Michael Oliver.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">He also appeared to stand on central defender Martin Skrtel in the Liverpool penalty box in the second half.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The first-half incident involving Can took place close to the technical area and prompted an angry response from the Liverpool player.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Reds manager Brendan Rodgers said at his post-match press conference:"He could easily hurdle over the young player and he directs his studs right on to his ankle, which could've been nasty."</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said after the game that he feels the Brazil-born Spain international is being targeted unfairly.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The Blues, who won 2-1 on aggregate, will face the winners of Wednesday's second semi-final involving Tottenham or Sheffield United, in the final at Wembley on Sunday, 1 March.</div>

Chelsea striker charged for alleged stamp by FA

Diego Costa has been charged for violent conduct after an alleged stamp following the Capital One Cup semi-final with Liverpool on Tuesday. ...

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Jose Mourinho fined

<div id="headline" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; outline-style: none;"><h1 class="story-header" itemprop="headline" style="font-size: 2.308em; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 1.2; margin: -2px 0px 18px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 6px;"><img src="http://www.thefa.com/~/media/images/thefaportal/2015/jan/jose-mourinho-charged.ashx" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="font-size: 2.308em; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 1.2;">Jose Mourinho fined £25,000 for referee 'campaign' comments<a name="more"></a></span></h1></div><div class="bintro" style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.875em; margin-bottom: 1.25em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Jose Mourinho has been fined £25,000 after he was found to have breached FA Rules in relation to media comments.</span></div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.875em; margin-bottom: 1.25em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Chelsea manager denied that comments he made after the game against Southampton on 28 December 2014 constituted improper conduct in that they alleged and/or implied bias on the part of a referee or referees, and/or brought the game into disrepute.</div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.875em; margin-bottom: 1.25em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Independent Regulatory Commission found the comments were a breach of FA Rule E3 in that they were improper and brought the game into disrepute. The Commission did not, however, find that the comments implied bias on the part of a referee or referees.</div><div style="border: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.875em; margin-bottom: 1.25em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mr Mourinho, who had requested a non-personal hearing, was also warned as to his future conduct.</div><div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" itemprop="description" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.462em; line-height: 1.11; margin-top: 20px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />Thefa.com</span></div><div id="eplayerHolder" style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; height: 349px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px; margin: 0px auto; width: 620px;"><br /></div>

Jose Mourinho fined

Jose Mourinho fined £25,000 for referee 'campaign' comments Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Jose Mourinho ha...

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Liverpool Kisses Wembley Goodbye

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://assets2.lfcimages.com/uploads/7847__6528__462362814_10_517X310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Reds edged out of cup after extra-time" border="0" src="http://assets2.lfcimages.com/uploads/7847__6528__462362814_10_517X310.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /></a><span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><h2>Liverpool's Capital One Cup ambitions were quashed on Tuesday night as a 1-0 victory for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge saw the Londoners prevail in the semi-final with a 2-1 aggregate result.<a name="more"></a></h2><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Another absorbing clash between the Barclays Premier League foes captured the attention for 90 minutes, but neither could muster a strike - meaning extra-time was required, with the away goals rule then in operation.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Branislav Ivanovic altered the course of the tie when he steered a header into the net four minutes into the additional period, moving onto a set-piece delivery by Willian and giving Simon Mignolet little chance.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">And despite the Reds' exertions in the time that remained, Chelsea held firm to deny the determined visitors a first return to Wembley since three trips to the national stadium in 2012.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Pre-<span class="z50998c627r" id="z50998c627r_2" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 13px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">match</span> team news arrived 75 minutes before proceedings got underway and confirmed that Brendan Rodgers had selected exactly the same starting XI that began the first leg against the Blues at Anfield seven days ago.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">The aggregate score was 1-1 when the second meeting kicked off and both sides were clearly keen to increase their tally, with Raheem <span class="z50998c627r" id="z50998c627r_3" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 13px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Sterling</span> and Diego Costa each seeking to utilise their acceleration to move free in behind.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">For all that the opening quarter-hour was brimming with the trademark facets of a rivalry that has developed in the past decade, though, neither team could produce the final incisive delivery or finish to conclude their approach.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Sterling rolled Kurt Zouma on the halfway line to collect a Jordan Henderson pass. Liverpool's central forward drove toward the box, with <span class="z50998c627r" id="z50998c627r_4" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 13px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Steven</span> Gerrard storming up in support, but before a decision was made, the Chelsea man recovered.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Meanwhile, Costa demanded a penalty for a challenge by Martin Skrtel but was denied, then Thibaut Courtois' rapidly outstretched palm pushed out a blistering hit from Alberto Moreno - teed up by a stunning cross-field Gerrard ball.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Nemanja Matic scuffed an effort well wide as the contest became steadily <span class="z50998c627r" id="z50998c627r_1" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 13px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">more</span> end-to-end, a scenario that allowed Philippe Coutinho to glide through the middle of the home backline - a la Sterling last week - only for Courtois to block with a leg.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">The Reds were counter-attacking with great intent, searching out a teammate over the top at the earliest opportunity, and the latest flowing move brought Henderson into a shooting position 20 yards out. But the vice-captain skewed off target.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">In response, Brazilian playmaker <span class="z50998c627r" id="z50998c627r_5" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 13px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">Oscar</span> clipped a set-piece - following a foul by compatriot Lucas Leiva - and then an attempt from open play too far to the left twice in quick succession to leave it goalless at the interval.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">The tension and mini-battles within the tie continued into the second period, which was 10 minutes old when injury forced centre-back Mamadou Sakho to leave the field. On came Glen Johnson to tackle his former employers.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Eden Hazard's nimble footwork had Red hearts in mouths when he set off on a dribble from the right flank to the centre, stepping in and out of defenders and rifling a shot that whistled wide to the right of Mignolet's goal.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">The Belgian then made a crucial save to thwart Costa, who blasted low from outside the area and benefited from a troublesome Skrtel deflection. At the other end, the Liverpool captain curled too close to Courtois.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">By now, the <span class="z50998c627r" id="z50998c627r_6" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 13px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">tempo</span> was frenetic. And Mignolet was the man to thank again as a Henderson interception bobbled into the path of Costa yards out - the Spain international was poised to convert until the No.22 rushed out and stole possession.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Into the 70th minute, it was time for Mario Balotelli, introduced with the score still deadlocked on the evening and therefore the potential for extra-time looming larger on the <span class="z50998c627r" id="z50998c627r_7" style="border-bottom-width: 1px !important; border-style: none none solid !important; color: rgb(76, 76, 255) !important; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none; height: 13px; list-style: none; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important;">horizon</span> to finally decide the first Capital One Cup finalists.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Gerrard volleyed over the crossbar after a combination between Balotelli and Coutinho got the ball to the No.8, while Mignolet calmly handled an ambitious hit from at least 40 yards unleashed by Hazard, often Chelsea's chief creator.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">The referee's full-time whistle heralded an extra half-hour, with Liverpool under obligation to find the target if they were to book a berth at Wembley. But it was actually the hosts who struck, four minutes in.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Lucas was penalised on the right side and Willian stood over the free-kick. His swinging cross into the box was an invitation for a colleague to connect, and Ivanovic accepted by rushing in and nodding beyond Mignolet.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Rodgers' charges simply had to score; Henderson, and the travelling Kop housed at the opposite end, thought perhaps he had with a glancing header set up by Sterling on the left. However, it drifted away to the right and Courtois was unconcerned.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Substitute Ramires thrashed wide as Jose Mourinho's team tried to establish a cushion that ultimately was not needed, with the Reds unable to find the leveller which would have called for penalties in London.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Chelsea</b> (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry (c), Filipe Luis (Azpilicueta 78); Fabregas (Ramires 50),Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa.<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Unused subs</b> Cech, Cahill, Ake, Remy, Drogba.<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Scorers</b><br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Booked </b>Terry 74, Ivanovic 89, Diego Costa 102, Oscar 108.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liverpool </b>(3-4-1-2): Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho (Johnson 57); Markovic (Balotelli 70), Henderson, Lucas, Moreno (Lambert 105); Gerrard, Coutinho; Sterling.<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Unused subs</b> Ward, Lovren, Lallana, Allen.<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Scorer </b><br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Booked </b>Henderson 41, Lucas 53, Gerrard 102, Emre Can 113, Skrtel 115.                </div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Referee </b>Michael Oliver<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Crowd </b>40,659<br /><i>Official Report from Liverpoolfc</i></div>

Liverpool Kisses Wembley Goodbye

Liverpool's Capital One Cup ambitions were quashed on Tuesday night as a 1-0 victory for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge saw the Londoners pr...

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Cesc Fabregas Hails Arsene Wenger as the 'Best Coach in the World' for Youngsters

<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwj9s6b9D2CW92V_dcIYSEO-E8iCISkTxlvBCUA-bki2S9XQbmp-PIDPGlhFz4jviW7pLKu1mKcNKfuApNoHnDwxt705QkiMaThkHY69DX_iBwo6XEuYq-ULIyyF_CHlC_Ckrtmlm0CumD/s1600/resize.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwj9s6b9D2CW92V_dcIYSEO-E8iCISkTxlvBCUA-bki2S9XQbmp-PIDPGlhFz4jviW7pLKu1mKcNKfuApNoHnDwxt705QkiMaThkHY69DX_iBwo6XEuYq-ULIyyF_CHlC_Ckrtmlm0CumD/s1600/resize.png" /></a></div><h2>Chelsea<a name="more"></a> midfielder Cesc Fabregas admits he is indebted to former manager Arsene Wenger for the way he developed his talent at Arsenal.</h2></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px;">Fabregas hailed the Gunners' boss as the 'best coach in the world for young players' - leaving a little room for suggestion that he now ranks current boss Jose Mourinho over the Frenchman. </span><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">Regardless, the Spaniard openly admitted his appreciation of Wenger's help in his early years in the game, after joining Arsenal from Barcelona as a teenager.</span></div><div class="" data-label="Drop here..." style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;">Speaking to <span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">Spanish newspaper El Pais, he said of Wenger: </span><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">"I will always be grateful. For a young player he is the best coach in the world. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">"You make a mistake and he includes you (in the team), you make another mistake and he includes you, you get booed and he includes you. </span><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">He doesn't care. He believes in you. He always had confidence in me."</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">Fabregas went on to discuss how he couldn't have imagined lining up in a Jose Mourinho team during his days at Barcelona and Arsenal, and admitted that he used to hold a heated rivalry with both Mourinho and current club captain John Terry.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">He continued: </span><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">​</span><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">"Three years ago I wouldn't have imagined working under Mourinho. </span><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">But in the end, life has many turns, and more so in football. We had a big rivalry with Mourinho, we were against him but I never hated him.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;">"Chelsea was the team that I wanted to beat the most. I also had a lot of spats with (John) Terry but in the end, we are people. <span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">I'm not driven by hate."</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">While Arsenal didn't want to re-sign Fabregas last summer, he now admits he is happy to be back in London and feels appreciated in his new home.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">He said: </span><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">"I returned to London because I try to go to the places where I feel loved and happy. The change from Arsenal to Chelsea from a sporting point of view has not been that big.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;">"Had I made that change three years ago, I guessed it would have been a bigger adjustment but not now. Chelsea has changed, it's not the team that I expected. Now it's a team that wants to have a starring role. <span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">It wants to dominate games, have more possession. From a football standpoint is similar to Arsenal.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;">"I feel really valued and respected more than in Spain but it's normal. I spent eight years at Arsenal and now I have returned.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><br /></div><div class="" data-label="Drop here..." style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;">"I'm having a good season. Chelsea has given me security. I am rediscovering myself in football terms. I feel important, I wouldn't say as the guiding captain but almost. <span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">It's just that I play further back and that makes me feel more active in games and hence, I enjoy myself much more</span></div><div class="" data-label="Drop here..." style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div><div class="" data-label="Drop here..." style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px;">"I touch the ball 90 to 100 times per game and I missed that. I hope I can win everything with Chelsea but I don't want the Champions League to become an obsession."</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;">Fabregas admits that learning from Wenger, Mourinho and the likes of Pep Guardiola has got him holding desires to become a coach when his playing days end. He said: "<span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;">I'm learning from the best of the best and I feel very fortunate. I think I have the personality to become a coach but we shall see.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;"><span style="background-color: initial; font-size: 1.09rem;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17.4400005340576px; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 2px;">"I feel I will end up coaching one day."</div>

Cesc Fabregas Hails Arsene Wenger as the 'Best Coach in the World' for Youngsters

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas admits he is indebted to former manager Arsene Wenger for the way he developed his talent at Arsenal. Fabr...

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Neymar wants Ronaldo Punished

<h2 style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 32px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 560px;"><img src="http://soccerblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/download-5-620x400.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" />Neymar believes <a name="more"></a>Cristiano Ronaldo “needs to be punished” for the action that led to his red card last weekend, though the Barcelona star did commiserate with his La Liga rival about the incident.</h2><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ronaldo kicked out in frustration at Cordoba’s Edimar on Saturday to earn himself a straight red card and apologised after the game. The Ballon d’Or winner faces a ban of up to four games from La Liga’s Competition Committee, according to AS.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Neymar said Ronaldo’s action was wrong, but also stressed that players can often be provoked into wild retaliations, such as Zinedine Zidane’s famous head-butt in the 2006 World Cup final, or his Brazil teammates’ reactions after he suffered a tournament-ending injury last summer.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“It’s easy to talk for those who aren’t there. All players are exposed to that and sometimes we deal with it. It’s bad, it’s a negative thing. We can’t do things like that, so I think he needs to be punished,” Neymar told reporters on Monday. “It’s hard too, because sometimes there might be a provocation, like happened to Zidane or to me. You need to work on that with your mind.”</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ronaldo will learn the length of his ban after the committee meets on Wednesday, but Neymar would not speculate on how long Real Madrid should be without their talisman.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I don’t work in the Competition Committee. I don’t know. It’s a decision for the Committee,” Neymar said. “I only think about my own team. In our play and how we train. I don’t like talking about other teams, if they don’t talk about us. If I worked at the Committee I’d tell you how many games he should be banned for.”</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Neymar said the referees are right to limit violent play, but he said protection shouldn’t just be limited to top players.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Not just for me, but for everyone playing,” he said. “I think the referees should clamp down on tough play. It’s the referee who can look after the players.”</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The 22-year-old also rejected Johan Cruyff’s recent comments that Barcelona playing dual global superstars — Neymar and Lionel Messi — could lead to complications within the club.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I don’t know. I respect Cruyff’s opinion. I think he was one of the best players in the world but yes, he’s wrong there,” Neymar said. “We’re getting better all the time and this is the start. We can do so much.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #282a2f; font-family: BentonSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-top: 16px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’ve no problem. I’ve shared a dressing room with lots of players. I never had problems with Ronaldinho. I respect Messi and I’ll always respect him. Of everyone I’ve seen play Messi is the best and I’ll always have so much respect for him.”</div>

Neymar wants Ronaldo Punished

Neymar believes Cristiano Ronaldo “needs to be punished” for the action that led to his red card last weekend, though the Barcelona star did...

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FA Cup 5th Round Draw

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://soccerblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/facup--620x400.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px;">The FA Cup fifth round draw for the 2014/2015 season. Chelsea, Manchester City, Swansea, Southampton are out.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Defending champions Arsenal and Manchester United are now favourites to win the trophy</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The draw was held on monday night by Gary Linekar and<b style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Alex jones.</b></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bradford v Sunderland or Fulham.<br />Derby County v Reading.<br />Arsenal vs Middlesbrough<br />West Brom vs. West Ham<br />Blackburn Rovers v Rochdale or Stoke<br />Preston North End/Sheffield United v Cambridge United/Manchester United.<br />Aston Villa v Leicester City<br />Crystal Palace v Liverpool/Bolton Wanderers</strong></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />Ties will be played on the weekend of 14/15 February.</strong></div>

FA Cup 5th Round Draw

The FA Cup fifth round draw for the 2014/2015 season. Chelsea, Manchester City, Swansea, Southampton are out. Defending champions Arsenal an...

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Drogba honoured by Football Writers

<img src="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2015/01/drogba-honoured-by-football-writers.img.png" /><br /><span class="summary-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;">Didier Drogba</a> was </span><br /><a name="more"></a>honoured by the Football Writers’ Association at a gala dinner in London last night.<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The annual event, which takes place at the Savoy Hotel, saw</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> presented with the FWA’s Tribute Award, given to somebody who has made an outstanding contribution to the national game.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">A string of well-known figures from within the world of football were in attendance, including England manager Roy Hodgson, while </span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/petr-cech.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Petr Cech</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">, a man who has played alongside the Ivorian for 10 years, and Thierry Henry, paid tribute to</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The Chelsea striker took to the stage after being introduced by FWA chairman Andy Dunn, who described</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> as a ‘trailblazer’, not just for his abilities as a player but also the charity work he does with his Foundation in Africa, before a video capturing some of his finest moments was played to the audience.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">On receiving his award,</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> spoke about his relationship with the British press.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">‘This award is very special for me because in the first few months when I came to England I never thought that one I’d be standing here talking to you and receiving this award,’ he said.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">‘When players come to England they are scared of the press, but after many interviews I learnt how to talk to you, understand you and we’ve enjoyed a good relationship. That, for sure, is one of the reasons why my football changed. I felt more comfortable on the pitch because we understood each other.’</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Drogba was supported at the event by directors and staff from the club, and his teammate</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/petr-cech.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Cech</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">spoke about what he brings to the dressing room.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">‘If you know Didier well you’ll know he’s a very emotional man, but emotional in a good way,’ said the goalkeeper. ‘He loves the game, he has a great passion for the game and he uses it in every match.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">‘Didier is one of those players you would love to have in your team because you can always rely on him, and that’s more important than anything. If, one day, I have to go to war, Didier is exactly the type of player, or soldier, you would like to have on your side.’</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Given the respective roles played by</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> and</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/petr-cech.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Cech</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> in our 2012 Champions League final triumph, it was no surprise the subject remained a constant theme.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Having thanked</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/petr-cech.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Cech</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> for his tribute,</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> returned the compliment, and praised the goalkeeper for his performance in Munich.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">‘There are so many times when people talk about me scoring the winning penalty in Munich, but I always tell them there would have been no winning penalty if you weren’t there,’ said</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">‘In the final I scored the equaliser, but you made some great saves that night and I don’t think you get enough credit for what you did. Strikers are the ones people talk about but, for me, you are the one who won us the final. That’s why I had to run to you when I scored the penalty, I didn’t run to you by mistake.’</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">In the programme for the event, </span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/management-team/jose-mourinho.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Jose Mourinho</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> paid his own personal tribute.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">‘I was very strong to persuade my club to pay such an amount for him and I think we can already say he is the best-value signing for Chelsea in relation to what he has done for the club over so many years, and he is not finished yet,’ said the Portuguese.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">‘I know what he means as a player and a person. That is why this combination of the player and the person is so amazing.’</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Henry and</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> were in direct competition as Chelsea and Arsenal fought for Premier League supremacy shortly after the Ivorian moved to Stamford Bridge in 2004, but the Frenchman, a recipient of the award in 2011, was full of kind words, even alluding to</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">’s impressive goalscoring record over the Gunners in his speech.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">‘You were one hell of a player and still are, you scored some goals I could only dream of scoring,’ said the Frenchman. ‘You’ve won everything with Chelsea so, from the bottom of my heart, maximum respect.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">‘On top of everything, because of what you are doing in Africa you are also a role model and an ambassador. Not only do you do it on the field but also outside the field. This is your night, enjoy it and make sure you retire soon for Philippe Senderos.’</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">It was the second consecutive year in which the Blues were recognised at the ceremony, with</span><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/management-team/jose-mourinho.html" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">Mourinho</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> honoured last January. Our former midfielder Frank Lampard took the prize in 2010.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">From chelseafc.com</span>

Drogba honoured by Football Writers

Didier Drogba  was honoured by the Football Writers’ Association at a gala dinner in London last night. The annual event, which takes place ...

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