Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho hinted he may give Claude Makelele’s understudy Lassana Diarra the chance to prove he is ready to take over from the master by including him in his starting line-up for tonight’s Group G clash with rock-bottom Anderlecht in Brussels.

JOSE MOURINHO’S assumption that victory over Anderlecht will guarantee Chelsea qualification for the knockout phase could haunt him if Real Betis surprise Liverpool at Anfield.

Jose Mourinho’s assumption that victory over Anderlecht will guarantee Chelsea qualification for the knockout phase could haunt him if Real Betis surprise Liverpool at Anfield.

JOSE MOURINHO is adamant there is no chance of Chelsea suffering a post-Old Trafford hangover like Arsenal did last season.

Jose Mourinho is adamant there is no chance of Chelsea suffering a post-Old Trafford hangover like Arsenal did last season.

REAL BETIS striker Ricardo Oliveira will be out for four months after injuring his knee in their Champions League win over Chelsea on Tuesday.

England midfielder Joe Cole admits Chelsea have been hurt by their worst performance under manager Jose Mourinho.

Arsene Wenger must decide whether to accept Jose Mourinho’s offer of a truce or risk the prospect of the Football Association stepping in to end their feud once and for all.

Real Betis 1 Chelsea 0

Real Betis 1 Chelsea 0

Chelsea 4 Real Betis 0

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes striker Peter Crouch has done his chances of playing a vital role in England’s chase for World Cup qualification no harm after his performance in last night’s Champions League victory over Real Betis.

Real Betis 1 Liverpool 2

Liverpool produced attacking excellence and then sheer defensive defiance to claim what could be a priceless Champions League victory.

LIVERPOOL start their defence of the Champions League for real tonight with a clash in Seville which boss Rafael Benitez considers as tough as last season's semi-final showdown at Chelsea.

Villarreal and Real Betis secured their places in the Champions League qualifying rounds for next season, but there was despair for Levante who were relegated from the Primera Liga on an eventful final day in the Spanish top flight.

Aston Villa midfielder Joey Gudjonsson today insisted he will not be fazed by the prospect of his first second-city derby next Monday against Birmingham City.