Premier League previews: Chelsea v Fulham
What do you do when you fall off a horse? You get straight back on again.
Champions Chelsea were well beaten by Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday but remain the firm favourites to regain their crown. Defeats hurt though, and so what better way to get back into the saddle by winning the west London derby tonight? The captain has been rallying the troops.
“I don't think we ever take things for granted at this club,” said John Terry, “but maybe this (losing to Liverpool) is the kick up the backside we all needed. We haven't been playing too well recently but have been grinding out results.
“We have another gear to find and we're still at the top of the Premier League, so we have to be encouraged by that but we can't forget what has got us there in the first place.”
They’ll come up against a Fulham side that it’s easy to d**n with faint praise this season.
Mark Hughes’ men have lost just twice during the campaign after all, a statistic that looks good until you realise that they’ve only won twice as well. The league’s draw specialists unsurprisingly shared the spoils with Aston Villa at the weekend, but just like at Chelsea, their skipper is up for a challenge. I bet you can guess what result he’d be happy with though.
“Well if I’m honest, if you offer me a draw I’ll take it now," said Danny Murphy. “It’s a tough game, Chelsea, and just to rub salt on the wounds they’ve gone up to Liverpool and got beaten at the weekend so they’re going to be a bit wounded.”
Didier Drogba will start for the champions despite his malaria scare, as will Michael Essien after a toe problem, but Nicolas Anelka and Alex are doubts. Fulham’s Carlos Salcido is out with an ankle injury, meaning that Stephen Kelly will start.
As for the man who administered Chelsea’s wounding at Anfield, Fernando Torres and his Liverpool team-mates make the short trip to Wigan tonight in search of a fifth straight win.
Torres’ brace against the Blues ensures that the last week was the best one in Roy Hodgson’s fledgling reign, and even though the boss has remained strong in the face of fierce criticism this season – when asked about his ups and downs in the job on Sunday he replied “what ups are you talking about?” – there is no doubt that he’s delighted with the turnaround. He’ll be without Joe Cole, Daniel Agger and Sotirios Kyrgiakos again here, but Glen Johnson could return provided he dislodges youngster Martin Kelly – excellent against Chelsea – from the team. Dirk Kuyt is likely to start upfront with Torres as Hodgson continues with his new 4-4-2 formation.
As for Wigan – who currently occupy the relegation zone – Steve Gohouri is suspended and joins Emmerson Boyce, James McCarthy and Mike Pollitt on the sidelines. The Latics have won just once at home this season, but did win this fixture last season.
They lost at Blackburn on Saturday though, and Rovers will tonight become the latest team to try and stop a flying Newcastle United.
The fifth-placed Geordies return to St. James’ Park fresh from a terrific win at Arsenal last time out, and boss Chris Hughton is likely to name an unchanged side for this one – why would he change it? – meaning that man of the moment Andy Carroll will have another chance to press his claims for a place in the England squad. Blackburn will be without striker Benjani and have a doubt over El-Hadji Diouf.
Bouncing back from that Newcastle defeat will be on the minds of Arsenal’s players as they head to the Midlands to face Wolves at Molineux.
The hosts didn’t pick up any new injuries during Saturday’s late loss at Manchester United, and winger Matt Jarvis will make his 100th appearance for the club tonight. Arsenal will be without suspended defender Laurent Koscielny, while Arsène Wenger could be tempted to start Andrey Arshavin and Robin van Persie – who both appeared from the bench against Newcastle – as he looks to shake up a strikeforce that flopped at the weekend.
The only team below Wolves in the Premier League is West Ham, who host West Brom tonight fresh from letting a two-goal lead slip at Birmingham City’s St. Andrew’s.
Hammers boss Avram Grant continues to feel the strain of another relegation battle – he was rock bottom of the league with Portsmouth this time last year – and he’ll still be without creative midfielders Mark Noble, Jack Collison and Thomas Hitzlsperger for the visit of the Baggies, who lose Youssuf Mulumbu following his red card against Manchester City, while Gonzalo Jara serves the second of his three match ban for being sent off at Blackpool.
The Tangerines head for the Midlands tonight, and a meeting with an Aston Villa side one point and two places below them in the league table.
Gerard Houllier’s injury problems at Villa Park just get worse and worse, with Steve Sidwell the latest name added to a sick list that includes Stiliyan Petrov, Emile Heskey, Nigel Reo-Coker and the unhappy John Carew, but at least Gabriel Agbonlahor will return to the subs bench. Blackpool have fewer concerns, and could welcome back forward Brett Ormerod, who missed the draw against Everton with a groin strain.
Speaking of Everton, the Blues host Bolton looking for a third straight home win.
David Moyes is likely to name the same side that started at Bloomfield Road, but Jack Rodwell and Marouane Fellaini could be fit enough for seats on the bench. Bolton boss Owen Coyle may stick with the same eleven that played so well against Tottenham, but goalscoring substitute Martin Petrov could replace Matthew Taylor.
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