MATCH REPORT: CRYSTAL PALACE 0 CHELSEA 1Chelsea's pre-season campaign began with a victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday thanks to a goal from the returning Michael Essien.
It was our first fixture of 2010/11, and Essien's first appearance in a Chelsea shirt since December, rounded off nicely with a smart second-half goal that put the gloss on an impressive performance from the Ghanaian.
The emphasis was always going to be on form and fitness rather than results, but manager Carlo Ancelotti will be delighted to have started with a win despite the inexperienced look of his side.
Without his World Cup players, the manager took the opportunity to examine some of Chelsea's emerging talent while welcoming back from injury Essien and John Mikel Obi, two players who missed the end of last season.
Petr Cech took the captain's armband in goal, with Alex accompanied by Patrick van Aanholt in central defence. Jeffrey Bruma was at right-back and Ryan Bertrand on the left.
http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2094876,00.htmlNext up is a trip to Ajax in six days' time.
Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Cech (c) (Turnbull 31 ((Hilario 60))); Bruma (Chalobah 76), Alex (Cork 60), Van Aanholt, Bertrand; Mikel; Essien (Clifford 60), Matic (Kaby 76); McEachran (Lalkovic 60); Di Santo (Sinclair 60), Sturridge (Tore 76).
In HIM for HIM and through HIM!!!
Posted: at 17-07-2010 08:29 PM (14 years ago) | Upcoming |
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