An awful night for Chelsea as Heskey’s injury time volley dents their ailing title hopes and a pretty awful one for fantasy managers, as Frank calls in sick before kick-off. Here’s my notes on last night’s action.
Chelsea’s starting lineup was disrupted by the withdrawal of Lampard through illness, although there are reports this morning that his absence was down to “personal reasons”. Before this, Grant had Essien at right-back but pushed him forward to replace Frank in midfield with Belletti coming into the defence. The other significant change was the return of Cech, a couple of games ahead of schedule after suffering that nasty facial injury in training. Hilario was kept on the bench then.
Elsewhere it went pretty much as anticipated with Grant saving some legs for the tough trip to Goodison on Thursday. Alex replaced the rested Carvalho, Anelka was preferred to Drogba and Joe Cole dropped to the bench with Malouda getting another start.
Wigan were unchanged from the side that saw off Birmingham last time out. That meant only places on the bench for Brown and Koumas on their return from suspension. Koumas may well have played himself back into the thoughts of Steve Bruce with his sub appearance and exquisite cross for Heskey’s goal. Where he’ll fit in, with Taylor now seemingly entrenched in the side, is another matter.
The result makes Thursday’s clash with Everton all the more crucial for Chelsea. In terms of Chelsea’s team selection, Grant will have to bring out the big guns for this one. He’ll push Lampard to be available, while Joe Cole, Drogba and Carvalho look certain starters. Clearly Essien is now the preferred right-back – ruling Belletti and Ferreira out of the fantasy reckoning once and for all. I’d wager we’ll see Ashley Cole return at left-back for Bridge, but there hasn’t been security in this position for fantasy managers all season and it’s no different with four games to go.
It’s a massive game for both clubs and the result is likely to have knock-on effects for fantasy managers. Certainly if Chelsea get the three points they need to keep the title race on the boil, then you can expect Rafa to tinker to a greater degree with his Liverpool team selection at Fulham, safe in the knowledge that Everton have dropped further behind.
As for United – I can see Ferguson opting for a strong side at Blackburn regardless of what happens on Thursday. He’ll have too much respect for Hughes’ side to take them lightly and a win at Rovers could all but seal the title if Chelsea fail to get the win at Everton.