| Match Pictures | Matches: 2006 – 2007 | 2006-2007 Pictures | Away Friendlies |
Trivia
- Bit of trouble for fans going to to this game, lots of old school Chelsea nuts decided to turn up for this. Lots of police presence.
- Likely arranged as part of or from the Jarosik transfer.
- Mourinho (manager of Porto from 2003 UEFA Cup final) was manager of Chelsea.
- Gary Caldwell was Celtic’s unlikely goal hero as a hard-fought ‘Battle of Britain’ clash ended in stalemate.
- Chelsea skipper John Terry enjoys hero status at Stamford Bridge and also endeared himself to the Celtic fans by revealing that he has always been a Hoops fan in his programme notes.
Review
Celtic were clearly determined to make up for the disappointment of Tynecastle and created the first real opening. Pearson combined superbly with Miller but Nakamura couldn’t latch on to the former’s cutback.
Celtic controlled the early stages of the match and they were rewarded with Caldwell’s opener. Jarosik won a corner on the right and Nakamura’s pinpoint delivery was rammed home by the defender for his first goal in the Hoops.
While Wright-Phillips grabbed Chelsea’s goal in the first half, Drogba was on the end of almost every chance Mourinho’s side created. However, a combination of poor finishing and good defending left the striker frustrated.
Chelsea crept back into the game, with Lampard and Robben exerting more influence. Drogba threatened with a wild volley and then tested Artur Boruc from 12 yards after pouncing on a Caldwell slip.
At the other end, Pearson was causing Paulo Ferreira countless problems with his direct running and Kenny Miller almost profited from his endeavours. The midfielder gathered possession on the wing and Miller was inches away from diverting his cross into the top corner.
Pearson made a fantastic back-post run to meet Jarosik’s cross but Carlo Cudicini denied him with an instinctive block.
Ballack fizzed another drive over the bar before Pearson was handed another glorious opportunity. Zurawski’s slip allowed the midfielder a clear shot but substitute goalkeeper Henrique Hilario smothered his effort.
Teams
Chelsea (4-3-3):-
Cudicini (Hilario 66); Ferreira (Geremi 45), Terry, Carvalho, Bridge; Lampard, Diarra (Essien 45), Obi Mikel (Ballack 46); Wright-Philips (Shevchenko 46), Drogba, Robben (Kalou 66).
Subs not used:- Smith, Woods, Mancienne, Bertrand.
Goal:- Wright-Phillips 45.
Celtic (4-4-2):-
Boruc; Wilson, McManus, Caldwell, Wallace; Nakamura (McGeady 45), Sno, Lennon (Telfer 78), Pearson; Jarosik (Riordan 74), Miller (Zurawski 45).
Subs not used:- McGovern, Varga, Camara.
Goal:- Caldwell 10.
Att:- 20,807
Ref:- G Poll (England)
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Chelsea 1-1 Celtic
Shaun Wright-Phillips grabbed his first goal for Chelsea as the Premiership champions came from a goal down to draw with the champions of Scotland.
Gary Caldwell put Celtic ahead from close range from a corner kick.
But Wright-Phillips levelled before the break, cutting in from the left and unleashing a fierce low shot.
Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack came on for the Blues in the second half and Shevchenko was denied a winner by a fine save from keeper Artur Boruc.
Kenny Miller went close for the visitors before the break while former Chelsea midfielder Jiri Jarosik also saw a header go just over the bar.
Salomon Kalou, Mikel John Obi and goalkeeper Hilario all made their first appearances at Stamford Bridge since signing for the club in the summer.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, who had rested some of his first-choice players, said the draw was a boost following Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Hearts.
"We might have made ourselves tired by taking on a game in midweek, but we have re-energised our minds and are feeling good about ourselves again," he said.
"We're not the richest club in the world, so we have to play games like this to bring in revenue."
Bridge's early slip leaves Mourinho suffering a headache at the back
Chelsea 1 – 1 Celtic
Matt Scott at Stamford Bridge
The Guardian, Thursday 10 August 2006
Chelsea may have introduced Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack to their supporters here last night but all thoughts turned to the club's tortuous pursuit of Ashley Cole as Wayne Bridge, at the moment the club's only senior left-back, made the mistake that allowed Celtic to take the lead in this high-profile pre- season friendly.
Bridge, himself linked with a move away from Chelsea, with Newcastle United known admirers, was easily outmuscled by Gary Caldwell after a 10th- minute Celtic corner, the centre-half brushing past the England international to volley the visitors in front. Bridge was left helpless on the floor.
It provided clear evidence why the Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has pursued Cole, widely regarded as one of the best players in his position, so vigorously. This summer has seen the departure of Asier Del Horno to Valencia and the French international William Gallas is in dispute with the club.
Mourinho may have to play a game of patience in his efforts to land Cole, but he was able to take some positives from last night's performance and in particular the fitness of the team. Because of World Cup commitments the club's pre-season schedule has been restricted to three weeks and the Chelsea manager is delighted with the level his players have already reached, something he puts down to the work of the fitness coach Rui Faria.
Faria's contribution has clearly been valued by the players, who celebrated Shaun Wright-Phillips's equaliser on the stroke of half-time by holding a shirt bearing the name "RUI" and the number "1".
"He [Rui] has had a difficult job to prepare the team," said Mourinho. "For me tactically preparing the team is an easier job than for Rui. Rui is preparing the team in such a short period of time, so I think it was nice of the players. They love the kid. The kid is a fantastic person and a fantastic professional."
Mourinho was also particularly pleased with the performance of Ballack and his midfield understanding with Frank Lampard, one which some critics thought would not work when the German was signed before the World Cup. "
"With every touch you can see Ballack's class; his position on the pitch, his relation with Frank looks like they have played together for a long time," said Mourinho. "After that it is a question just of legs because the brain is there. I would love to have one more week of pre-season but it is not possible because next week they go to the national teams again."
After the shock of conceding the opeing goal Chelsea soon found their rhythm with another new purchase, John Obi Mikel, showing some neat touches and good vision. He forced the Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc into a fine reflex save when deflecting a swerving free-kick from Lampard towards goal, while at the other end Kenny Miller went close for Celtic as did the former Chelsea midfielder Jiri Jarosik. But it was the home side who posed more of a threat and their equaliser finally arrived when Wright-Phillips unleashed a low drive into the bottom corner after cutting in from the left.