Chelsea against Marseille

Chelsea slotting the ball around now and Marseille are putting as much pressure as they dare on them.

Valbuena has a go, a curling effort. It's low enough, but not hard enough to beat Cech.

Valbuena's turn to shoot over. I've started to wonder if this lot are playing with a balloon.

Sturridge miskicks when called into defensive duties and he's lucky that it lands at the feet of Alex, who clears.

Cisse gets the ball from the resulting free-kick as it is headed clear. His shot, like most of the others from the night, flies over the bar.

Really stupid booking. No need to get involved, as Chelsea are quite comfortable.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Mikel is penalised for what looked like a fine tackle. But he's booked for taking the ball away from the Marseille men.

Ivanovic sees the ball fly over his head, only for Remy to miss his kick and it comes off the side of his foot.

Cech claims once again. Poor defending from Chelsea this time, as the ball is swung in. Heinze is a stud's length away from poking it home. But it ends up in Cech's arms.

Ayew now takes his turn to shoot from distance, but Alex takes the sting out of it.

Essien charges on again, he looks like he wants to get on the scoresheet. Malouda picks up the loose ball and hits a shot over the bar.

Essien gets the ball in the middle as Chelsea work it across to him. He hits the post though. A nice sidefooted shot, but it's inches away from getting the third.

Cech forced to deal with a bouncing ball, but he shows good composure to get it away.

Sturridge immediately gets his chance to run down the right. Good tackle back by Ayew.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Zhrikov off. Sturridge on.

Brandao does well again and delivers an inside pass for Ayew. He has the goal gaping on the left side, but somehow chooses to cross. The ball was stuck under his foot a little and Ramires clears.

Brandao shows great strength in the box to tee up Ayew, but Mikel dives out head first to block it. What commitment.

Zhirkov does really well down the left after a long ball from Ramires. He heads it back to Anelka, who tries to find Malouda, but nothing comes of the chance.

36 yards out Alex was when he smashed that against the post. Marseille will try not to give away another free-kick in that area.

And it's hit the post! What a hit!!! The ball flies off, comes back in and Chelsea bundle the ball home, but it's ruled out for offside.

Ayew is penalised in the middle of the park. Guess who? It's Alex stepping up to hit it...

Ramires does well with Malouda, but ultimately the ball is lost again.

Anelka is up front on his own, he gets the ball, but he's not got any support.

Chelsea give the ball away again and Lucho slots it through to Brandao. Alex runs across and mops up, it was a decent tackle to save his side.

Lucho hammers the ball from a corner and it takes a deflection. Cole got the block in, it was instinctive and saved probably a certain goal. It could have gone anywhere though.

It's been a decent showing from the youngster. Zhirkov is moving into the wide position and Ramires will add some more steel to the midfield.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kakuta off. Ramires on.

Ancelotti readying his own subs.

Chelsea just sitting behind the ball and inviting pressure. Ayew tries a through ball, but it just beats Brandao.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Cheyrou and Gignac off. Valbuena and Ayew on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0928/nicolasanelkapenaltygoesinvmars20100928_275x155.jpg"><br>Anelka slots the ball home.

Kakuta with a nice flick, smashes the ball across to Malouda who returns the favour and Kakuta is just beaten to the ball from five yards out.

The feeling you get from Chelsea is that they are quite happy with the result as it stands.

Cheyrou, who has probably been the best player for Marseille thus far, is down. Holding his ankle. No more long shots now?

Kakuta was one-on-one with the last defender, tried a little flick through his legs and fell over. He probably should have just used his pace, but instead lost out on a good chance.

That said, Chelsea have yet to start this half. It's all Marseille.

The French side's crossing has been so poor. They just keep floating the ball to Cech, who is claiming them with ease. Perhaps they are hoping he drops it into his own net.

Lucho hits the ball across the box and it evades everyone. Marseille pushing on and Chelsea have to weather the storm for a bit.

Mikel latches onto a loose ball and dances around his man to unleash a shot. It swrves just wide, but was a good effort for a man who has not scored in a longggg time.

Good lord, another free-kick for Marseille. Same place as the first one. It's hit low and Terry and Alex combine to clear it.

Cheyrou overhits again. Cech, once more, just catches it with ease. Catching practice.

Zhirkov now penalised. Marseille have started brightly. They have a real moutain to climb though.

Lots of tugging and tumbling in the box, but Cech is there. He's hardly been tested tonight.

Brandao is taken down on the left. Marseille have a chance to swing one in.

<b>Kick-off.</b> Chelsea kick off the second half. No changes, so it's as you were for both teams.

<b>HALF-TIME.</b> Terry gave Chelsea the lead from a corner, and a penalty from Anelka doubled the score. Chelsea have been in control, and more will be expected from Marseille in the second half.

Alex loses possession and Gignac breaks, he's through, but the Brazilian gets his foot back and whips the ball away from him. Chance over.

Brandao rises high and wins the ball in the air. It drops, but no-one is there and Cech catches easily.

Mikel almost loses it on the edge of his area, but some great skill from Malouda makes sure the danger is averted. A great chip forward sends Anelka clear, but eventually Cole is caught offside.

Look who it is... Cheyrou. Left foot. Shot. Wide.

Marseille suddenly pushing up, hurrying Chelsea into passing early. One last burst before half-time?

Cole is again the furthest player up the field for Chelsea. A good run down the left, but the ball turns out to be quicker than he is.

Neither side wants to hold onto the ball at the moment. The pace has gone out of it a little, but there are still some dangerous moves on the counter attack for Chelsea.

Malouda finds himself free up front and one-on-one with the last defender. He overruns the ball though and the chance disappears.

Cole runs at Kabore, but is held up and is forced to try and flick the ball over the defender. Lucho is back to mop up.

Marseille appeal for handball. A cross in isn't cleared and Cheyrou hammers it into Alex's chest. It was his chest as well, no arm involved.

Chelsea sitting back once more, as Marseille knock the ball around.

Cheyrou seems to like shooting from distance. The ball pops up and he volleys it from 35 yards, it dips, but drops over the bar and Cech was not worried.

Cisse wastes possession for the French side. Terrible pass, and that's not the first time for them.

Essien uses Anelka's pace, but the Frenchman is alone up there and hammers a shot off M'Bia.

Lucho needs to have much more of an impact on this game if Marseille are to come back. One feels it might be beyond them though.

Kakuta runs at the Marseille defence, but manages to mishit his pass and it fails to find Zhirkov who was free on goal.

Essien to Malouda, who slips past his man. A neat bit of skill sees him beat Diawara, who knocks him to the floor in the box. No penalty. Not again.

Essien surges forward and is eventually caught offside. Marseille have been a little unlucky to find themselves two down... is there any way back?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> M'Bia goes in the book and, for protesting, Heinze does as well.

My word that was cool. 2-0 to Chelsea and Frank Lampard may have a struggle to get the penalty taking duties back again when he returns.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Anelka slots it coolly home. Off about two steps.

Anelka will take it. He steps up...

<B>PENALTY!</B> A deliberate handball as M'Bia handles from Essien's cross.

Cheyrou with a neat interchange on the edge of the box. Chelsea give him some space and he shoots, but is leaning back slightly and the ball flies over the bar.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0928/johnterryscoresvmars20100928_275x155.jpg"><br>Terry nets the opener.

Not convincing at all from the Blues. M'Bia misses his header and it drops for Brandao, who is stopped by Alex. Cech gathers, but that was a decent chance.

Cole gets caught out and Remy fires a cross across. Terry is there though, and blocks it out for a corner.

When Marseille have the ball, the Blues really are going very defensive. Every man is behind the ball, protecting the lead.

Chelsea are sitting with men behind the ball now. Remy goes down and fails to get the free-kick. He tussles with Malouda in the box and concedes one of his own.

Cheyrou smashes it over the bar from miles out. What a poor effort.

Brandao finds some space of his own up front. For the first time Chelsea are stretched and Ivanovic is forced to get back quickly. A great sliding tackle stops the danger.

Chelsea's left side is so strong with Malouda and Cole bombing forward. More space, but this time the cross from Malouda is headed away.

Gignac turns and crosses in the box, Terry clears the first, then Cech gathers a second attempt at the ball across.

As Marseille press to try and get a goal, Chelsea will have more space and the pace of Anelka is always a worry.

Kakuta now slips Anelka through. He's on the right side and comes in towards goal at a tough angle, but hammers the ball right at Mandanda.

He's been one of the form players of the Premier League thus far and is showing the same signs in the Champions League.

Kakuta is popping up all over the pitch and shows some quick feet, but again his pass is cut out. Malouda is the man at the moment. Shrugs off his defender, beats a man, and hammers a right foot shot just over the bar.

What a waste! That says it all for Marseille at the moment... a terrible chipped ball from Lucho that is no-where near his intended target.

Kakuta with a great turn in the middle of the pitch, Diawara was there to cut out his ball forward though.

Gignac can't get hold of the ball and Marseille have just struggled in the final third. A massive ount down the pitch has L'OM defence in trouble again.

Chelsea will be glad of the early goal. It will allow them to settle and they have looked comfortable ever since.

A cracking run across his man from Terry and a wonderful corner from Malouda as well. He's been the danger man.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> The corner comes in and Terry is there to stab it home at the near post. 1-0.

Malouda again causing problems. His run sees him stumble, but palmed around the post.

Malouda hammers the ball across the box, but that's great defending from Diawara who was there.

Kabore is doing well to find some space down the right as well. Chelsea just struggling a little to get hold of the ball at the moment.

Marseille are looking to attack for sure. Heinze is making runs down that left side. It's a shame that none of the delivery's are coming off.

Deschamps looking snappy. A little Mourinho-esque in his coat.

Lucho gathers the bouncing ball on the edge of the box as Terry fails to clear properly. His shot hits Remy and it deflects just wide.

Long cross by Cheyrou goes to no-one. Looks like his brother who was so bad at Liverpool, but then that's only inside the first few minutes.

Chelsea slipping the ball around already. Ivanovic caught offside, but showing his attacking intent.

Kick-off. Marseille get us underway.

Big chance for Chelsea to regain the momentum ahead of Arsenal game this Sunday. They can also put down a marker for their UCL hopes as well.

Team are arriving on the pitch. Some decent weather, nice and clear in London tonight. The surface looks slick, as it has been raining.

Keep an eye out for Loic Remy and Andre Pierre Gignac up front for the French side, good finishers and the Blues' defence will have to be on form.

Of course Didier Deschamps is the man in focus, he played for Chelsea for a season and has already beaten them in the UCL when manager of Monaco.

Chelsea of course are coming off the back of a defeat to Man City, while Marseille have won just 3 of their 7 opening games in Ligue 1.

In Chelsea's group, Spartak <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/gamecast?id=307863&league=UEFA.CHAMPIONS&cc=5739" target="_blank">have gone top</a> with a 3-0 win over Zilina.

Marseille defender Gabriel Heinze (formerly of Man Utd) will certainly enjoy playing against Chelsea again and former Liverpool flop Bruno Cheyrou's brother Benoit might feel the same.

Daniel Sturridge and Ramires are both on a pretty young bench in case something extra is needed, but otherwise the Blues are at full strength.

Some interesting team news from Chelsea. No Drogba or Lampard of course, but Gael Kakuta (that lad that caused all the fuss a year or so ago) starts and so does Yuri Zhirkov.

Carlo Ancelotti says his Chelsea rookies <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=827755&sec=uefachampionsleague&cc=5739" target="_blank">are ready to go against Marseille.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0828/lampardconsoled20100828_275x155.jpg"><br>Lampard and Drogba are missing.

<b>Join us at 19.45 BST to see if Chelsea can get back on the horse against Marseille.</b>

Brandao does well again and delivers an inside pass for Ayew. He has the goal gaping on the left side, but somehow chooses to cross. The ball was stuck under his foot a little and Ramires clears.

Brandao shows great strength in the box to tee up Ayew, but Mikel dives out head first to block it. What commitment.

Zhirkov does really well down the left after a long ball from Ramires. He heads it back to Anelka, who tries to find Malouda, but nothing comes of the chance.

36 yards out Alex was when he smashed that against the post. Marseille will try not to give away another free-kick in that area.

And it's hit the post! What a hit!!! The ball flies off, comes back in and Chelsea bundle the ball home, but it's ruled out for offside.

Ayew is penalised in the middle of the park. Guess who? It's Alex stepping up to hit it...

Ramires does well with Malouda, but ultimately the ball is lost again.

Anelka is up front on his own, he gets the ball, but he's not got any support.

Chelsea give the ball away again and Lucho slots it through to Brandao. Alex runs across and mops up, it was a decent tackle to save his side.

Lucho hammers the ball from a corner and it takes a deflection. Cole got the block in, it was instinctive and saved probably a certain goal. It could have gone anywhere though.

It's been a decent showing from the youngster. Zhirkov is moving into the wide position and Ramires will add some more steel to the midfield.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kakuta off. Ramires on.

Ancelotti readying his own subs.

Chelsea just sitting behind the ball and inviting pressure. Ayew tries a through ball, but it just beats Brandao.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Cheyrou and Gignac off. Valbuena and Ayew on.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0928/nicolasanelkapenaltygoesinvmars20100928_275x155.jpg"><br>Anelka slots the ball home.

Kakuta with a nice flick, smashes the ball across to Malouda who returns the favour and Kakuta is just beaten to the ball from five yards out.

The feeling you get from Chelsea is that they are quite happy with the result as it stands.

Cheyrou, who has probably been the best player for Marseille thus far, is down. Holding his ankle. No more long shots now?

Kakuta was one-on-one with the last defender, tried a little flick through his legs and fell over. He probably should have just used his pace, but instead lost out on a good chance.

That said, Chelsea have yet to start this half. It's all Marseille.

The French side's crossing has been so poor. They just keep floating the ball to Cech, who is claiming them with ease. Perhaps they are hoping he drops it into his own net.

Lucho hits the ball across the box and it evades everyone. Marseille pushing on and Chelsea have to weather the storm for a bit.

Mikel latches onto a loose ball and dances around his man to unleash a shot. It swrves just wide, but was a good effort for a man who has not scored in a longggg time.

Good lord, another free-kick for Marseille. Same place as the first one. It's hit low and Terry and Alex combine to clear it.

Cheyrou overhits again. Cech, once more, just catches it with ease. Catching practice.

Zhirkov now penalised. Marseille have started brightly. They have a real moutain to climb though.

Lots of tugging and tumbling in the box, but Cech is there. He's hardly been tested tonight.

Brandao is taken down on the left. Marseille have a chance to swing one in.

<b>Kick-off.</b> Chelsea kick off the second half. No changes, so it's as you were for both teams.

<b>HALF-TIME.</b> Terry gave Chelsea the lead from a corner, and a penalty from Anelka doubled the score. Chelsea have been in control, and more will be expected from Marseille in the second half.

Alex loses possession and Gignac breaks, he's through, but the Brazilian gets his foot back and whips the ball away from him. Chance over.

Brandao rises high and wins the ball in the air. It drops, but no-one is there and Cech catches easily.

Mikel almost loses it on the edge of his area, but some great skill from Malouda makes sure the danger is averted. A great chip forward sends Anelka clear, but eventually Cole is caught offside.

Look who it is... Cheyrou. Left foot. Shot. Wide.

Marseille suddenly pushing up, hurrying Chelsea into passing early. One last burst before half-time?

Cole is again the furthest player up the field for Chelsea. A good run down the left, but the ball turns out to be quicker than he is.

Neither side wants to hold onto the ball at the moment. The pace has gone out of it a little, but there are still some dangerous moves on the counter attack for Chelsea.

Malouda finds himself free up front and one-on-one with the last defender. He overruns the ball though and the chance disappears.

Cole runs at Kabore, but is held up and is forced to try and flick the ball over the defender. Lucho is back to mop up.

Marseille appeal for handball. A cross in isn't cleared and Cheyrou hammers it into Alex's chest. It was his chest as well, no arm involved.

Chelsea sitting back once more, as Marseille knock the ball around.

Cheyrou seems to like shooting from distance. The ball pops up and he volleys it from 35 yards, it dips, but drops over the bar and Cech was not worried.

Cisse wastes possession for the French side. Terrible pass, and that's not the first time for them.

Essien uses Anelka's pace, but the Frenchman is alone up there and hammers a shot off M'Bia.

Lucho needs to have much more of an impact on this game if Marseille are to come back. One feels it might be beyond them though.

Kakuta runs at the Marseille defence, but manages to mishit his pass and it fails to find Zhirkov who was free on goal.

Essien to Malouda, who slips past his man. A neat bit of skill sees him beat Diawara, who knocks him to the floor in the box. No penalty. Not again.

Essien surges forward and is eventually caught offside. Marseille have been a little unlucky to find themselves two down... is there any way back?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> M'Bia goes in the book and, for protesting, Heinze does as well.

My word that was cool. 2-0 to Chelsea and Frank Lampard may have a struggle to get the penalty taking duties back again when he returns.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Anelka slots it coolly home. Off about two steps.

Anelka will take it. He steps up...

<B>PENALTY!</B> A deliberate handball as M'Bia handles from Essien's cross.

Cheyrou with a neat interchange on the edge of the box. Chelsea give him some space and he shoots, but is leaning back slightly and the ball flies over the bar.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0928/johnterryscoresvmars20100928_275x155.jpg"><br>Terry nets the opener.

Not convincing at all from the Blues. M'Bia misses his header and it drops for Brandao, who is stopped by Alex. Cech gathers, but that was a decent chance.

Cole gets caught out and Remy fires a cross across. Terry is there though, and blocks it out for a corner.

When Marseille have the ball, the Blues really are going very defensive. Every man is behind the ball, protecting the lead.

Chelsea are sitting with men behind the ball now. Remy goes down and fails to get the free-kick. He tussles with Malouda in the box and concedes one of his own.

Cheyrou smashes it over the bar from miles out. What a poor effort.

Brandao finds some space of his own up front. For the first time Chelsea are stretched and Ivanovic is forced to get back quickly. A great sliding tackle stops the danger.

Chelsea's left side is so strong with Malouda and Cole bombing forward. More space, but this time the cross from Malouda is headed away.

Gignac turns and crosses in the box, Terry clears the first, then Cech gathers a second attempt at the ball across.

As Marseille press to try and get a goal, Chelsea will have more space and the pace of Anelka is always a worry.

Kakuta now slips Anelka through. He's on the right side and comes in towards goal at a tough angle, but hammers the ball right at Mandanda.

He's been one of the form players of the Premier League thus far and is showing the same signs in the Champions League.

Kakuta is popping up all over the pitch and shows some quick feet, but again his pass is cut out. Malouda is the man at the moment. Shrugs off his defender, beats a man, and hammers a right foot shot just over the bar.

What a waste! That says it all for Marseille at the moment... a terrible chipped ball from Lucho that is no-where near his intended target.

Kakuta with a great turn in the middle of the pitch, Diawara was there to cut out his ball forward though.

Gignac can't get hold of the ball and Marseille have just struggled in the final third. A massive ount down the pitch has L'OM defence in trouble again.

Chelsea will be glad of the early goal. It will allow them to settle and they have looked comfortable ever since.

A cracking run across his man from Terry and a wonderful corner from Malouda as well. He's been the danger man.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> The corner comes in and Terry is there to stab it home at the near post. 1-0.

Malouda again causing problems. His run sees him stumble, but palmed around the post.

Malouda hammers the ball across the box, but that's great defending from Diawara who was there.

Kabore is doing well to find some space down the right as well. Chelsea just struggling a little to get hold of the ball at the moment.

Marseille are looking to attack for sure. Heinze is making runs down that left side. It's a shame that none of the delivery's are coming off.

Deschamps looking snappy. A little Mourinho-esque in his coat.

Lucho gathers the bouncing ball on the edge of the box as Terry fails to clear properly. His shot hits Remy and it deflects just wide.

Long cross by Cheyrou goes to no-one. Looks like his brother who was so bad at Liverpool, but then that's only inside the first few minutes.

Chelsea slipping the ball around already. Ivanovic caught offside, but showing his attacking intent.

Kick-off. Marseille get us underway.

Big chance for Chelsea to regain the momentum ahead of Arsenal game this Sunday. They can also put down a marker for their UCL hopes as well.

Team are arriving on the pitch. Some decent weather, nice and clear in London tonight. The surface looks slick, as it has been raining.

Keep an eye out for Loic Remy and Andre Pierre Gignac up front for the French side, good finishers and the Blues' defence will have to be on form.

Of course Didier Deschamps is the man in focus, he played for Chelsea for a season and has already beaten them in the UCL when manager of Monaco.

Chelsea of course are coming off the back of a defeat to Man City, while Marseille have won just 3 of their 7 opening games in Ligue 1.

In Chelsea's group, Spartak <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/gamecast?id=307863&league=UEFA.CHAMPIONS&cc=5739" target="_blank">have gone top</a> with a 3-0 win over Zilina.

Marseille defender Gabriel Heinze (formerly of Man Utd) will certainly enjoy playing against Chelsea again and former Liverpool flop Bruno Cheyrou's brother Benoit might feel the same.

Daniel Sturridge and Ramires are both on a pretty young bench in case something extra is needed, but otherwise the Blues are at full strength.

Some interesting team news from Chelsea. No Drogba or Lampard of course, but Gael Kakuta (that lad that caused all the fuss a year or so ago) starts and so does Yuri Zhirkov.

Carlo Ancelotti says his Chelsea rookies <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=827755&sec=uefachampionsleague&cc=5739" target="_blank">are ready to go against Marseille.</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0828/lampardconsoled20100828_275x155.jpg"><br>Lampard and Drogba are missing.

<b>Join us at 19.45 BST to see if Chelsea can get back on the horse against Marseille.</b>