FRANKLY, it was getting embarrassing. You pay £30m on perhaps the deadliest striker in Europe, yet he has looked more lame duck than lethal of late.

NEW Arsenal signing William Gallas has blasted Chelsea manager José Mourinho just three days after leaving Stamford Bridge in a swap deal that saw Ashley Cole move in the opposite direction.

CARLTON COLE is determined to prove he can be a top-class striker for West Ham after falling foul of the Roman Abramovich regime at Chelsea.

Serbia and Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic has put off any decision regarding his future until after his team’s final World Cup game against the Ivory Coast.

A virtuoso performance by Arjen Robben paved the way for victory in Holland’s opening encounter of the World Cup, against Serbia and Montenegro.

THERE were ominous signs for Britain’s Champions League contenders after a hectic weekend of football across the continent.

Antonio Cassano and Julio Baptista struck as Real Madrid – minus the dropped Ronaldo – beat city rivals Atletico 2-1 tonight.

The Chelsea striker has a lot to look forward to in 2006 - including a World Cup with war-torn Ivory Coast. David Shonfield reports.

Chelsea will appeal against the £30,000 (€43,752) fine imposed by the Football Association for failing to control their fans at a Carling Cup tie against West Ham last season.

Chelsea have been fined £30,000 (€43,759) by the Football Association after failing to control their supporters in a Carling Cup tie against West Ham last season.

Chelsea and West Ham could face punishment over the behaviour of their supporters following disturbances during the Carling Cup clash between the teams in October 2004.

ISRAEL’S 2-1 home win over the Faroe Islands kept their World Cup hopes alive in Group Four.

LA LIGA champions Barcelona crashed to a 2-1 defeat away to Atletico Madrid last night.

DESPITE being held to a 1-1 draw in Georgia on Saturday, Ukraine became the first European nation to qualify for the next year’s World Cup.

Jose Mourinho has firmly rejected accusations he is a dictator who rules by fear under Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

CHELSEA were dealt another striking snub yesterday when it was confirmed Samuel Eto’o had signed a new long-term contract with Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid confirmed early Wednesday afternoon that Serbo-Montenegrin international Mateja Kezman has signed for the club.

ATLETICO MADRID have agreed personal terms with Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman.

Mateja Kezman today arrived in Spain to hold talks with Atletico Madrid over a possible move to the Vicente Calderon.

Juventus have reportedly targeted Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira after rejecting Chelsea’s bid for their France striker David Trezeguet.

Mateja Kezman’s agent claims the Chelsea striker could become an Atletico Madrid player within the next seven days.

Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman has reacted cautiously to reports that he could sign for Spanish club Atletico Madrid this summer.

Mark Bradley

Martyn Ziegler

Mateja Kezman will deliver an ultimatum to Jose Mourinho at the end of the season and make it clear to the Chelsea manager that he wants to leave if he cannot be guaranteed a regular starting place.

“Cut him in half and he will bleed pure red,” gushed Sky’s commentator Ian Darke about Jamie Carragher, before Andy Gray pointed out to him that the same could be said for the rest of us.

Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0

JOSE MOURINHO will not be at Stamford Bridge tonight when Chelsea meet Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Jose Mourinho will not be at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night when Chelsea meet Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Chelsea have decided not to appeal against the two-game touchline ban imposed on manager Jose Mourinho because they feared his exile from the dugout would be increased.

CHELSEA have confirmed they will not be appealing against the two-match touchline ban imposed on manager Jose Mourinho by UEFA.

Chelsea are likely to delay a decision over an appeal against their fines and bans in Europe until Monday but have dismissed as a “joke” reports that manager Jose Mourinho was planning to resign at the end of the season.

Alex Ferguson has admitted Chelsea's march towards a first league title for Chelsea in 50 years looks "unassailable".

Chelsea maintained their 11-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership but were made to fight for a 4-1 win against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 4 Barcelona 2 - Agg 5-4

Jose Mourinho handed a starting role to in-form striker Mateja Kezman as Chelsea looked to overcome a one-goal deficit against Barcelona in their return Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho is taking nothing for granted even though his side rediscovered their mental toughness after being given a scare by lowly Norwich.

The confidence of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is tonight soaring and he is firmly of the belief his side are going to win the Barclays Premiership.

Jose Mourinho insists the pressure of Chelsea’s treble bid will not affect him - even as he faces his second Football Association charge of the season for losing his cool in his Carling Cup triumph over Liverpool.

Chelsea 3 Liverpool 2

Chelsea 3 Liverpool 2