Welcome to sportmasta's Blog.: HALF-TIME

Jose Mourinho will surely demand more from his side after the break after that stale first-half display.
13:41:

Why do our creative players burn out? Do we need a winter break? Age-old debates, still raging...
Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Tor Noppharat: Chelsea need magic from someone to get going while Everton create magic from teamwork. Good fight so far.

Chinanu Bethram: I think Oscar has been poor for Chelsea today. Looks a bit tired. Deserves a rest.

Kuntal Majumdar: Oscar looks like a spent force for the rest of the season. All he has done is given away the ball cheaply.
BBC Sport's Chris Bevan at The HawthornsWest Brom v Fulham (1500 GMT)

"It is a bright sunny day at The Hawthorns; quite pleasant in fact, which probably won't please new Fulham boss Felix Magath too much if the stories that he likes his players to suffer a bit are true.

"Relegation rivals West Brom are the opponents for Magath's managerial bow on these shores, with Germany becoming the 21st different nationality to provide a top-flight manager in the Premier League.

"Magath is obviously a lover of hype as much as he is of hard work because he has called this "the most important game in Fulham's history" - win or lose I think it is safe to say he will using that line again before the end of the season."
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 liveHALF-TIME - Chelsea 0-0 Everton

"I think Everton have been the better team and have looked good going forward, but crucially they have been defensively sound as well. Gareth Barry and James McCarthy have put up a wall in the centre of midfield. Roberto Martinez might be a little bit disappointed not to have scored but it will give them belief they can get something from this game. Chelsea need to make a big improvement in the second half."

Listen to commentary of Chelsea v Everton on BBC Radio 5 live now.
MOTD's Martin Fisher at Upton ParkWest Ham v Southampton (1500 GMT)

"Whisper it quietly but Sam Allardyce could be in line to pick up the Premier League Manager of the Month award. No other side has won three out of three in February.

"Opponents Southampton drew a blank at Sunderland last weekend in the FA Cup and their manager Mauricio Pochettino has come in for much criticism for his team selection. Safe in eighth position in the Premier League, the argument goes that Saints could and should have targeted the competition as a realistic opportunity to grab some rare silverware.

"Instead, Pochettino chose to leave out the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Jay Rodriguez and Jack Cork, believing others could get them through to the quarter-finals. For once, he was wrong and now he needs to get his critics back onside."
MOTD's Steve Bower at The HawthornsWest Brom v Fulham (1500 GMT)

"The Fulham script has been a remarkable one. To replace Martin Jol with his assistant and then allow Rene Meulensteen to bring in seven new faces last month and yet end his tenure after just 75 days shows the desperation but also perhaps a lack of courage at board level.

"Pepe Mel is still searching for his first victory in charge of West Brom. Whatever the outcome, this will be another huge result in the survival battle at the bottom and you cannot underestimate the impact of three points for either club."
MOTD's Jonathan Pearce at Etihad StadiumManchester City v Stoke (1500 GMT)

"For the first time Manuel Pellegrini is under pressure at Manchester City - and it's showing. The normally urbane manager's vitriolic attack on the referee after the Champions League defeat by Barcelona was totally inappropriate.

"Stoke have never won at the Etihad and though they were worthy of a point in a drab goalless draw at the Britannia earlier this season, I can't see the visitors denying Pellegrini victory."
MOTD's Alistair Mann at Cardiff City StadiumCardiff v Hull (1500 GMT)

"Hull City will probably never forget their meeting with Cardiff last May when, following a dramatic 2-2 draw, they could only sit and wait to hear how Watford had got on in their match with Leeds ; the Hornets' defeat then confirmed Hull's promotion and prompted scenes of delirium as they joined Cardiff in preparing for life among the game's elite.

"Nine months on, the two sides are now in genuine danger of returning from whence they came!

"With the relegation battlefield encompassing the bottom 11 sides, it now means that every game involving two of those incumbents takes on even greater significance."
MOTD's Guy Mowbray at Emirates StadiumArsenal v Sunderland (1500 GMT)

"A statue of Dennis Bergkamp has been unveiled outside the Emirates before the game to join those of Tony Adams and Thierry Henry - and legendary manager Herbert Chapman - already in situ. It should serve as a timely reminder to Mesut Ozil as to how Arsenal treasures those who become greats for the club.

"There may be a first major cup final for 22 years round the corner - and a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals too - but on being reminded of Sunderland's own statue tribute to cup-winning manager Bob Stokoe last week, Poyet brushed off ideas of being cast in bronze, putting Premier League survival as his top target."
13:36:

No goals yet then, but there's plenty of football still to come. Bound to be a hatful in this lot...
13:35:

HALF-TIME - Chelsea 0-0 Everton

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at Stamford Bridge: "Everton leave the pitch to the sound of deafening appreciation from their nosy away support. They have been the more cohesive and impressive side and have posed the greater threat. Jose Mourinho's assertion that his side are a little horse needing more time looks about spot on after a display like this. Plenty of quality on display but little evidence of it. It's all a bit disjointed so far. That home record looks in danger."
13:34:

HALF-TIME - Chelsea 0-0 Everton
13:30:

CLOSE! - Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Everton midfielder James McCarthy starts a fluid counter-attack, cruising away from Nemanja Matic in the centre of the field before picking out Steven Naismith on the left wing. The ball is returned to McCarthy on the D but he is closed down smartly and John Terry makes another decent block. A familiar tale for Everton though - all lovely stuff until the final ball/shot.

Another smart move then ends with Kevin Mirallas hitting a shot against the heels of Naismith.
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 liveChelsea 0-0 Everton

"Chelsea have got lucky on a few occasions with balls Everton have put into their box from wide areas which, if they had dropped differently, would have left an Everton player with a tap-in. Roberto Martinez might be a little concerned they have not got something when they have got into those dangerous areas though."

Listen to commentary of Chelsea v Everton on BBC Radio 5 live now.
13:28:

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Frank Lampard's heavy touch allows Leighton Baines in to steal the ball, and the force of the left-back's tackle has Lampard in trouble.

He's slow to get to his feet but is able to continue in the end. Nemanja Matic then has Phil Jagielka on the floor with a clumsy challenge.
13:26:

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Willian now hits a shot which is deflected over the top. It's building...
13:24:

GREAT SAVE! - Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Chelsea finally see some space in the penalty area! Willian is involved with a neat pass just on the edge of the area, and Samuel Eto'o darts onto the ball, snapping off a first-time shot which Tim Howard saves well with his legs.

It was a tight angle for Eto'o but that was a smart strike...
13:20:

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Phil Jagielka skims a header wide from an Everton set-piece, which is about as close to a goal as we've come. Roberto Martinez will be happy enough so far though.
Pat Nevin, BBC Radio 5 liveChelsea 0-0 Everton

"Chelsea need to start playing like the home team!"

Listen to commentary of Chelsea v Everton on BBC Radio 5 live now.
13:17:

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at Stamford Bridge: "Everton undoubtedly looking the more composed and coherent side at the moment. They are snapping into the tackles in midfield, denying Chelsea space and looking bright and inventive in the attacking third. Jose Mourinho seems agitated, grimacing with his hands in his pockets on the touchline. His side cannot retain possession at the moment and a hopeless mis-kick by Samuel Eto'o has been typical of a frustrating afternoon this far."
13:15:

SAVE!- Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Tim Howard called into action, it's comfortable enough though as he pouches a 20-yarder from Cesar Azpilicueta. Steven Naismith then sees referee Lee Probert change his mind at the other end to deny him a corner, Naismith not a happy chap...
13:14:

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Everton had 74% of possession in the last five minutes, they are bossing the game but look a bit toothless up front. The game is becoming more and more about who can be clinical with the few chances they create.
13:11:

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

I've now been live text commentating for about eight hours this week without seeing a Premier League player score a goal...
Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Adam Haxell: Chelsea fans fairly quiet so far, quite telling that Matic has been the best Chelsea player in the opening 15 minutes.

Joe Wedgwood: An impressive start from Everton - Osman and Naismith looking particularly lively. Definitely goals in this match.

Ali Cook: Oscar is massively doing an Ozil and burning out. He's been very disappointing lately.
13:06:

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Chelsea starting to get frustrated as Everton press them well, Phil Jagielka takes a chance on the halfway line as he sells himself but he wins the ball cleanly from Eden Hazard. Roberto Martinez's men having the better of it now.
Pat Nevin, BBC Radio 5 liveChelsea 0-0 Everton

"That was a clever passing move from Everton in and around the box. They are causing Chelsea problems in those areas."

Listen to commentary of Chelsea v Everton on BBC Radio 5 live now.
13:04:

HALF-TIME- Middlesbrough 0-0 Leeds

It's goalless and turgid at the Riverside. Leeds should have had a penalty when Noel Hunt was fouled by Kenneth Omeruo as he looked to get on the end of Cameron Stewart's cross. At the other end debutant Jack Butland did well to tip Jacob Butterfield's dipping shot from 20 yards over the bar.
13:02:

CLOSE!- Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Everton are growing into the game more and more, with Gareth Barry seeing plenty of the ball. Kevin Mirallas then swaps passes with Steven Naismith on the corner of the box, Mirallas gets an early shot away but John Terry makes a big block.
13:01:

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at Stamford Bridge: "The unmistakeable figure of Lacina Traore has gingerly taken his place in the Everton dug-out and adopted the sulky teenager look with hoodie covering his head and half his face. His last-minute replacement Steven Naismith was in danger of joining him after a heavy challenge from Oscar. Naismith's inclusion will force Everton to play differently but he has scored in his last two games against Chelsea so maybe it's not a bad thing?"
12:58:

GREAT SAVE!- Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Leon Osman had a frustrating afternoon in front of goal against Tottenham the other week and he could have another one here - rifling in a sweetly-struck strike from 25 yards which forces Petr Cech to make a flying one-handed save! Great effort from Osman.
Pat Nevin, BBC Radio 5 liveChelsea 0-0 Everton

"Chelsea have mostly attacked down the left flank so far. Jose Mourinho knows that Eden Hazard is in such good form that he wants him to see as much of the ball as possible."

Listen to commentary of Chelsea v Everton on BBC Radio 5 live now.
12:55:

YELLOW CARD- Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Early booking for Oscar, who was late on Steven Naismith as he kept the ball in play out on the flank. Seamus Coleman pumps the free-kick forward but Naismith hasn't a prayer of winning a header. Change of approach needed from the Toffees without the injured Lacina Traore.
12:53:

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Eden Hazard and Willian link up yet again down that left wing, they have been dynamite so far. Everton have barely seen the ball - but they do have a sniff of a chance with their first foray forward, Leighton Baines whipping in a great cross from the left but John Terry stretches to make a timely interception.
12:50:

CLOSE!- Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Another neat touch from Eden Hazard as he links up with Willian down the left, the Brazilian gets beyond Seamus Coleman easily but drags a half-hearted effort wide from 20 yards. Chelsea starting in a hurry.
12:48:

Football FocusChelsea 0-0 Everton

Robbie Savage on who he expects to win the Premier League: "At the start of the season I said Manchester City but with the way Chelsea dismantled City the other week, it has swayed me to change my mind.

"They have a lot of games against teams in the lower part of the table but they need to score. They didn't score against West Ham recently and they are playing Everton today and need to start scoring goals."
12:47:

Chelsea 0-0 Everton

Eden Hazard has been red-hot in recent weeks and he is straight on it again, mugging Phil Jagielka on the left wing and winning a corner which Nemanja Matic is close to reaching. Good start for the hosts.
Pat Nevin, BBC Radio 5 liveChelsea 0-0 Everton

"It's a blow for Everton to lose Lacina Traore from a defensive point of view as well. He would have been a useful in the air defending from set-pieces and free-kicks. But it's a great chance for Steven Naismith and he obviously scored the winner against Chelsea earlier in the season."
12:46:

KICK-OFF- Chelsea 0-0 Everton

After a minute's applause in memory of the late Sir Tom Finney, we are under way...
12:43:

Chelsea v Everton (1245 GMT)

We hear that Lacina Traore has injured his hamstring in the warm-up. Not a good start for Everton - let's hope Steven Naismith isn't marking Traore's man at corners...
:

Chelsea v Everton (1245 GMT)

Sportmasta's Olusesan : "Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, a man so reticent in his news conference on Friday, could not resist a swipe at the Premier League scheduling in his pre-match programme notes.

"Mourinho, whose side face a tiring trip to Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday before an away London derby against Fulham next Saturday, said: "In the week ahead, we have the return of the Champions League, as we travel to Turkey for the first leg of the knockout tie against Galatasaray. Then we return to London, arriving home around 5am or 6am, to prepare for the derby at Fulham.

"We play on Saturday at 3pm, which is not ideal after a Wednesday match in Istanbul. On another occasion, we would have been allocated a Sunday slot for TV, which would have given us a further 24 hours to prepare."

"He tried hard to bite his lip, but couldn't quite manage it."
12:39:

Chelsea v Everton (1245 GMT)

Phil Jagielka leads his Everton side down into the Stamford Bridge holding pen, accompanied by a mascot with a shocker of a haircut. Zero on the sides and the back, mohican on top? That will spoil the photos in years to come.

John Terry is all smiles alongside Jags. One of them will be playing in Manaus...
12:37:

BREAKING NEWS- Chelsea v Everton (1245 GMT)

Some very late breaking team news, Everton have replaced Lacina Traore in the starting line-up with Steven Naismith. Traore has presumably picked up an injury in the warm-up. Not exactly like for like that one...
12:36:

Chelsea v Everton (1245 GMT)

Late February, half of Britain still under feet of floodwater and in London we have sprinklers on the pitch. Glorious afternoon at Stamford Bridge, let's hope the match lives up to billing.
12:35:

Alan Shearer Q+A

Alan Shearer is one of the pundits on Match of the Day tonight, before that he will be answering your questions around 13:30 GMT on the Match of the Day Facebook page.
12:33:

Maverick Magath?- West Brom v Fulham (1500 GMT)

As John Hartson neatly says there, today is an eagerly-anticipated Premier League debut for Fulham manager Felix Magath.

The first German boss in the Premier League comes with the tag of being 'a character' notorious for his punishing training routines. He has some CV though, winning the Bundesliga three times in the last decade!

Our own Ben Dirs did some research this week and found out that if you "hack your way through the sensationalist stories - about outlandish fines, about players collapsing on beaches and halfway up mountains and having their water bottles emptied while on gruelling training runs through Alpine forests - you will find plenty of former Magath charges who respect and revere him."

He promises to be an intriguing addition to our game. Just look at him...
12:33:

Football Focus

John Hartson on new Fulham boss Felix Magath and his approach to management that has been described as hard nosed: "Paolo Di Canio did the same at Sunderland. He went in with a view of whipping up the players and getting them into shape and get them fit and it only worked for a short time.

"You feel the players at Fulham need an arm around them if they are going to get out of trouble."
12:30:

North of the border

The day's play is also about to start in Scotland, with Celtic taking on Hearts in the early kick-of at 12:45 GMT.

Neil Lennon's boys are already planning their open-top bus parade, as they are 21 points clear of second-placed Aberdeen. Incredible.

Anyway, you can follow all the action from Scotland in a separate live text commentary.
12:26:

Football Focus

Robbie Savage is talking about Cardiff's hopes of staying up: "It's a tough task. They have only won five games this season and they have to win five of their last 12 games.

"I think you have to score goals to stay in the Premier League and I don't think Cardiff score enough."
Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Freddie Yoshi: Just looking at the Chelsea's starting line-up it's quite absurd there is no place for Fernando Torres. Why does Jose Mourinho always have to start Samuel Eto'o?

Sachin Ananth: David Moyes would have been defensive in this game. Roberto Martinez will attack. It will be interesting to see if it works.

Alexzis: Frank Lampard and John Terry starting in this one is a good thing. Experienced heads are needed.
:

Chelsea v Everton (1245 GMT)

Jose Mourinho's unbeaten league record at Stamford Bridge stands at 73 (seventy-three) games. Quite simply incredible. Can Everton finally end that run today?
12:21:

Football FocusGet in Focus

Football Focus is now live on BBC One and online. Join John Hartson and Robbie Savage as they talk through the weekend's big events.
12:20:

Middlesbrough 0-0 Leeds

The day's action is up and running at a Spring-like Riverside Stadium, and we are now just 25 minutes away from kick-off in the top flight. All set?
12:15:

Chelsea v Everton (1245 GMT)

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "(At this stage of the season the aim is) to try to win the next match. Think just about this game, which is against Everton who are a difficult opponent.

"It is at Stamford Bridge where normally we are strong. If we win this match we don't need to worry about other results because we keep the same position. We have to just focus on us."
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 liveChelsea v Everton (1245 GMT)

"Chelsea's performances recently have been a little bit average. I think Everton will have a go, and I don't mean just on the break, I think they will attack. Remember how they played at Manchester City? I think it will be an open game with plenty of goals."
Join the debate at #bbcfootball

Opta: 572 - Frank Lampard will play his 572nd Premier League game today, equalling David James in 2nd place on the all-time list (Giggs 630). Icon
12:06:

LINE-UPS- Middlesbrough v Leeds (12:15 GMT)

Jack Butland makes his debut in goal for Leeds in the early Championship game.

Middlesbrough: Given, Varga, Woodgate, Omeruo, Friend, Chalobah, Leadbitter, Butterfield, Kamara, Main, Graham. Subs: Morris, Tomlin, Ledesma, Konstantopoulos, Whitehead, Adomah, Atkinson.

Leeds: Butland, Peltier, Wootton, Pearce, Warnock, Kebe, Murphy, Austin, Stewart, Hunt, McCormack. Subs: Brown, Tonge, Smith, Zaliukas, Poleon, Cairns, Mowatt.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)
12:03:

Football FocusFootball Focus

Make sure you kick off your footballing afternoon in the best possible way by tuning into Football Focus at 1215 GMT on BBC One and this very website. There's plenty to enjoy, including Luka Modric's first major interview since he left the Premier League.
12:02:

Team News- Chelsea v Everton (1245 GMT)

BBC Sport's Owen Phillips at Stamford Bridge: "John Terry's expected return at centre-half after injury is a welcome and crucial boost to a Chelseaside deprived of the injured David Luiz. The Blues captain lines up alongside Gary Cahill, who is deemed fit enough to play despite a thigh problem. Terry's fellow Chelsea stalwart Frank Lampard replaces Ramires in the holding midfield role, the only other change from the 1-1 draw against West Brom in their last league match.

"Everton include the towering figure of Lacina Traore up front, their only new face from the team that lost 1-0 to Tottenham in their last Premier League match. The Ivorian striker replaces Steven Naismith, the matchwinner when the sides met at Goodison Park in September. Naismith was passed fit to play despite suffering a blow to the head in the FA Cup win over Swansea on Sunday but is only named among the substitutes."
12:02:

Chelsea v Everton (1245 GMT)

Chelsea's clash with Everton is the club's first Game for Equality and Jose Mourinho, captain John Terry and David Luiz all spoke of the importance of the day in the programme. "This is important, not just for the club, but for the whole football world," said Luiz. "Everyone is the same - it's not about the colour of your skin, what clothes you wear or the way you style your hair. It's about what's in your heart. Everyone deserves respect and football can be a big example to people."

Terry said the club "stands against all forms of discrimination", adding that "football is open to everyone - that's one of the things that makes it great." And Mourinho said: "We are all equal here, we all share the same goals and we all work together as a team - in this way, football is an example to everyone."

Welcome to sportmasta's Blog.

Saturday, 22 February 2014

HALF-TIME - Chelsea 0-0 Everton

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