Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been handed a two-match European ban after being sent off in the Champions League defeat by Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge earlier this month, UEFA said in a statement on Tuesday. Drogba was shown a red card after clashing with midfielder Thiago Motta in the last-16 second-leg game on March 16, which Inter won 1-0 to go through 3-1 on aggregate.
Having spent much of his time at Chelsea operating in Eden Hazard's shadow, Willian has emerged as a leading light in the team ahead of their Champions League showdown with Barcelona.
Jose Mourinho enjoyed a triumphant return to Stamford Bridge with Inter Milan who secured a 1-0 win at his former side Chelsea on Tuesday that sent the Italians into the Champions League quarter-finals.
Didier Drogba scored twice to lift Chelsea to a 4-1 victory over West Ham United on Saturday and back to the top of the Premier League while Arsenal shadowed them with a last-gasp victory at Hull City.
Aston Villa beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 on Saturday for a club record seventh consecutive away league victory to stay firmly in the Premier League title race.
Italian goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini joined Tottenham Hotspur's relegation fight on Monday, leaving Chelsea on a free transfer after 10 years at Stamford Bridge. The 35-year-old, once voted the best goalkeeper in England but second choice to Petr Cech for the last five years, could make his debut for Tottenham on Tuesday at home to Stoke City.
Chelsea moved to the top of the English Premier League after beating Arsenal, two points ahead of Manchester United.
First-half goals from Didier Drogba earned Chelsea a 2-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, securing them a return to the top of the Premier League, two points ahead of Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho left Stamford Bridge because his relationship with Chelsea had broken down and the effects could be seen in their results, the Premier League club said.
Leeds United sent Manchester United crashing to their most embarrassing FA Cup defeat for 26 years when they scored a shock 1-0 third-round victory at Old Trafford on Sunday. Holders Chelsea made sure there was no slip-up at Stamford Bridge where they crushed Championship (second division) Watford 5-0 while Arsenal, the second most successful club in the cup's history with 10 wins, left it late to beat West Ham United 2-1.
Two Robin van Persie goals earned the Gunners a 2-1 victory as Chelsea slid to a second home league defeat of the season.
The Stamford Bridge clash (2130 IST) is one half of a heavyweight Sunday double bill as Manchester United also visit Manchester City (1900 IST).
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he wants to return to England to coach, hinting he could be back with a Premier League club for the start of next season.
Captain John Terry's headed goal after 76 minutes at Stamford Bridge was enough to give Chelsea a victory they just about deserved to put some daylight between them, Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the table.
Last season's beaten Champions League finalists, began their new campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over Girondins Bordeaux in their Group A match at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Chelsea and Liverpool, the only teams to start the English Premier League season with two wins, lost their 100 percent records on Sunday when they drew with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa respectively. Chelsea had scored five goals and conceded none in their opening wins, while Spurs lost both theirs but they drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge after Darren Bent cancelled out Juliano Belletti's opener for the home side.
Favourites Chelsea will play Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge next month.
Arsenal took the race to the final day last season and are strongly tipped to end Manchester City's dominance this time.
Title rivals Chelsea have been handed an unfair advantage over Manchester United by the scheduling of Saturday's potential Premier League decider, United manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday. The two clubs meet at Stamford Bridge in a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday with United knowing that victory will give them the title for the second year running.
Chelsea trimmed Manchester United's lead at the top of the Premier League to five points on Sunday with a patchy 1-0 defeat of Middlesbrough.
A summary of Wednesday night's matches in the Champions League.
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard will miss the next few weeks after tearing a muscle in his right thigh.
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has accused foreigners of play-acting following his sending off for a robust challenge on Chelsea's Jon Mikel Obi on Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho has invited the Football Association to approach him about the vacant England manager's job.
Holders Chelsea will meet Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in the quarter-finals of the League Cup next month.
Last season's beaten finalists Arsenal travel to Blackburn Rovers, while Manchester City play Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United host Everton in the other games.
Chelsea could step up the pursuit for Champions League title by signing two of the biggest names in world football
A draw for Jose Mourinho's side will finally extinguish Manchester United's hopes of a first championship since 2003
CFR Cluj will create the upset of the season if they avoid defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday and help stop last season's beaten finalists advancing to the last 16 of the Champions League. Chelsea have already failed to beat Cluj in the competition having drawn 0-0 in their first meeting in Group A in Romania in October.
Cesc Fabregas hopes the beginning of his tenure as Arsenal's club captain can signify a fresh start and a turning point in their season.
The top four failed to muster a goal on Saturday as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United drew 0-0 while Arsenal went down 3-0 at Manchester City. Premier League leaders Chelsea could find no way through Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool had the same problem at home to Fulham and third-placed Manchester United were held 0-0 in a lively game at Aston Villa.
The Dutch striker has spent four seasons at Stamford Bridge, making 177 appearances and scoring 87 goals.
The French defender smashed home a superb stoppage-time winner to give champions Chelsea a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after he threw a coin towards Burnley fans during the League Cup, fourth-round tie at Stamford Bridge Wednesday.
Chelsea set an unbeaten home record of 64 matches during their 3-2 win over Birmingham City.
Chelsea will be hoping to emulate London rivals Arsenal by beating Barcelona in their Champions League first knockout round tie.
Premier League champions Chelsea have decided to appeal against the red card shown to Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the 2-2 draw against Swansea City, according to several media reports on Monday.
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