| Chelsea expect Champions League group win says Carlo Ancelotti • 'There is a good possibility that we'll finish in first place'• Didier Deschamps: Chelsea are favourites to be championsCarlo Ancelotti claims Chelsea are already closing in on the second round of the Champions League after swatting aside Marseille with a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from John Terry and Nicolas Anelka.The group is just two games old but Chelsea are already in control alongside Spartak Moscow with two comprehensive wins. "This victory was a good step," said Ancelotti. "We have four more matches to play and the next two against Spartak Moscow will be important. There is a good possibility that we'll finish in first place."Ancelotti refused to condemn Anelka for the nonchalant way he took his 28th-minute penalty, with the Frenchman tapping a weak spot-kick past outwitted keeper Steve Mandanda. "I don't tell Anelka how to shoot a penalty. If he scores I'm happy," he said. "I've never seen Anelka scared or nervous. He's always quiet and calm. He's a good character."Other than a purple patch in the second half when Marseille took command, Chelsea were rarely in trouble and hit the woodwork twice in the last 20 minutes through Alex and Michael Essien.Ancelotti, however, insisted it was anything but an easy night's work. "It wasn't comfortable because the second half was more difficult as Marseille wanted to get back into the game," he said. "They put pressure on our midfield and we didn't play as well as the first half but we did create a lot of chances. We had less chance to play from the back.Marseille's coach, Didier Deschamps, admitted there was a significant gap between the Group F rivals. "We were dominated both physically and technically, there was a huge gulf in class between the two sides," he said. "Chelsea had a very effective first half and we lacked a bit of aggression. Although we did better in the second half, you have to say they could easily have scored a third."I am a realist. We came here full of ambition, and full of hope, and despite the fact they had some of their main players missing they were still full of internationals. We were vastly inferior in the first half at least and Chelsea remain one of the favourites to be champions of Europe. They were so solid and efficient."He was also impressed by the performance of fellow Frenchman Florent Malouda: "Florent is in a great vein of form and he finds space out wide between the two defenders very well. Technically his skill was superb and he works well in tandem with Ashley Cole. They automatically know where the other one is."ChelseaMarseilleChampions LeagueCarlo Ancelottiguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Bayern, Chelsea, Madrid stay perfect in Champions League Nine-time winner Real Madrid took control of its Champions League group with a 1-0 victory over Auxerre on Tuesday as AC Milan was held to a ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
US Pulls Bid to Host 2018 WCup to Focus on 2022 FIFA says the United States has pulled out of the bidding race for the 2018 World Cup to focus on winning the hosting rights for 2022. feeds.nytimes.com |
Squad sheets: Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion Whatever the true state of Wayne Rooney's ankle, Albion are likely to be without their own first-choice centre-forward as Peter Odemwingie is struggling to shake off a knee injury while Jerome Thomas is also doubtful. Theoretically, this should be straightforward for Manchester United, who have not dropped a league point at Old Trafford this season. Nevertheless, Roberto Di Matteo's first four away games have taken him to the old Big Four. They were first thrashed at Chelsea, pushed Liverpool hard and then shocked Arsenal. Tim RichVenue Old Trafford, Saturday 3pmTickets ÂŁ27-49 (0161 868 8000)Last season n/aReferee M JonesThis season's matches 5 Y14, R1, 3.00 cards per gameOdds Manchester Utd 2-7 West Bromwich 12-1 Draw 5-1Manchester UtdSubs from Kuszczak, Brown, Gibson, Park, J Evans, Rafael, Obertan, Neville, Hernández, Smalling, Fábio, Owen, Anderson, Macheda, BebĂ©, CarrickDoubtful Giggs (hamstring), Park (knee),Injured Hargreaves (calf, 24 Oct), Valencia (broken leg, Mar)Suspended NoneForm guide DDWDWDDisciplinary record Y14 R0Leading scorer Berbatov 6West BromwichSubs from Myhill, Thomas, Bednar, Tchoyi, Pablo, Barnes, Zuiverloon, Cox, MĂ©ĂŻtĂ©, Reid, Miller, OdemwingieDoubtful Odemwingie (knee), Thomas (calf)Injured Cech (foot, 23 Oct), Mattock (thigh, 23 Oct)Suspended NoneForm guide DWWDLWDisciplinary record Y12 R1Leading scorer Odemwingie 3Match pointers• United have won 11 of their last 12 league meetings with Albion, scoring 34 goals and conceding only five times• Albion's last win at Old Trafford in any competition came over 30 years ago in December 1978, when they triumphed 5-3• United have scored three or more goals in 12 of their last 14 home top-flight matches• Nani has provided the most assists (six) and had the most shots off-target (14) so far in the 2010-11 season• If Albion lose it will be their 50th defeat away from home in the Premier LeaguePremier LeagueManchester UnitedWest Bromguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Liverpool sold to Red Sox owners The $476 million takeover by New England Sports Ventures was completed Friday after a bitter court fight with the club's previous American owners. cbc.ca |