Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka got his first FA Cup goal of the season while Daniel Sturridge got his third as Chelsea cruised to an FA Cup 4th Round victory over Preston on Saturday. In the league Chelsea are now 3rd behind Manchester United and Arsenal, although the separation between the Blues and the Gunners is based on games played; Chelsea still have a game in hand.
On Wednesday, however, Chelsea face Birmingham City, a club growing in confidence through a fine undefeated run of fifteen games.
Chelsea can score from anywhere it seems
Manager Carlo Ancelotti’s side is still without Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Jon Obi Mikel and Michael Essien, all of whom went off to Angola to play in the African Cup of Nations. As if it weren’t bad enough that these four key men are away, word out of Angola is that Essien has suffered a knee injury in training and will be sidelined a further six weeks.
Despite the absence of Drogba and the others, Chelsea are still scoring goals. They positively thumped Sunderland 7-2 at Stamford Bridge last week. Goals in that match from Anelka, Malouda, Ashley Cole, Lampard and Ballack prove that Chelsea are not wholly reliant on the big Ivorian’s marksmanship. But there can be no doubt that Mr. Ancelotti would love to have him back.
Birmingham gathering momentum?
Birmingham managed a 0-0 draw against Chelsea at St. Andrews back in December, and they are a club who seem to be gathering momentum.
They enjoyed a great 1st half in their FA Cup 4th Round match against Everton at Goodison Park on
Saturday. Barry Ferguson and Lee Bowyer in particular worked hard to control the midfield and Ferguson even scored Birmingham's 2nd goal. Their second half was less stellar, yielding control to Everton for vast stretches. But Birmingham’s defense is nothing if not cohesive and it is due primarily to their defensive back line of Dann, Ridgewell and Johnson that they have gone so long without a loss.
Up front young Jake Jervis made his first team debut as a sub against Everton, and although he didn’t score, his play was characterized by a physical presence that showed promise for the robust atmosphere of the Premier League.
McLeish seeking to buy
With money to spend Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has been taking advantage of the January transfer window, although his club has been playing so well that one might be forgiven for asking why.
Nevertheless, midfielder Michel, lately of Sporting Gijon in the Spanish La Liga, has arrived in Birmingham for 3 million pounds, and midfielder Craig Gardner has just come in from rivals Aston Villa, also for a fee of 3 million.
It seems McLeish will have an abundance of midfield talent available for the 2nd half of the season. The two new arrivals will join Scots Barry Ferguson and James McFadden, along with Lee Bowyer and Sebastian Larsson, all of whom have played their part in the club’s success this season.
A disappointment for McLeish, however, must be his failure to land Liverpool’s Ryan Babel.
Its Offence vs. Defense
Alex McLeish's men will undoubtedly face a tough test against Chelsea. The Scot will be looking for his men in the back line to remain steadfast as his midfielders attempt to wrest control from Lampard, Ballack and company. A win could bring Birmingham even with rivals Aston Villa.
Chelsea will be looking for Anelka and Sturridge to break down the Birmingham defense. Sturridge hasn’t yet scored in the Premier League for Chelsea so perhaps his moment will come against Birmingham. A win could see Chelsea take over the top spot once again. And generally speaking, the top spot is a place this team seems to belong in this year.
