Drogba

Lamps moved by fans' backing

Midfielder left with lump in his throat after Bolton clash

Frank Lampard: Was touched by fans' backing against Bolton

Frank Lampard admits he was touched after Chelsea fans got behind him on his return from being dropped by manager Andre Villas-Boas.

Lampard has admitted for the first time that his relationship with Villas-Boas has "not been ideal" amid feverish speculation of a falling out between the pair.
The star midfielder did not want to dwell on any problems they might have had but, should their relationship not improve, it appears there would be only one winner in the battle for hearts and minds.
Even before Lampard made three separate bits of history by scoring his 12th goal of the season in yesterday's desperately needed 3-0 Premier League win over Bolton, his was the name on the lips of the Stamford Bridge crowd.

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"Super Frankie Lampard", they sang about the man who repaid their adulation with the 150th league goal of his career and his 125th in the league for Chelsea - taking him ahead of the legendary Jimmy Greaves.
Perhaps more significantly, the 33-year-old became the first player to reach double figures in the Premier League for nine consecutive seasons.

Touched

It was also the fourth time this term Lampard had scored after being dropped by Villas-Boas and he said: "I just want to play and the way the fans were with me was amazing.
"It's lump-in-the-throat stuff when they sing your name like that.
"When I play and I can play, I know I can contribute but the main importance is Chelsea.
"The fans have stuck with us brilliantly.
"It's been a tough old season.
"These fans here, I think they've been through and seen a lot back in the old days.
"So they're always very keen to stay with their players and I can only thank them for that."

Mata targets Olympic role

Chelsea playmaker happy with life at Stamford Bridge

Juan Mata: Believes it would be the perfect summer for him to play at the Euros and Olympics

Juan Mata has set his sights on playing at both Euro 2012 and the Olympics this summer after settling in quicker than expected at Chelsea.

Mata made the move to Stamford Bridge from Valencia in August and, although the Blues have struggled for consistency, he has produced a series of impressive performances.
He was anticipating a challenge in terms of adapting to his new surroundings, but has enjoyed his first few months in England.
"For me, this move was an important change in my life as a person as much as a player," the 23-year-old explained in the Daily Mail.
"I thought it would be harder. It's not too cold, not snowing.
"It was an opportunity to know another city, another country, another culture and another language."

Perfect summer

While many players could be forgiven for starting to think about having a break in May at the end of a long season, Mata is looking forward to a busy period for Spain.
He is desperate to be involved in their European Championship campaign but also hopes to fulfil a lifelong ambition by taking part in the London Olympics.
"It would be a long season but I am young," he said.
"For me, it would be the perfect summer to play in the Euros and then the Olympics. My desire is to play in both.
"It is something most players can only do once in their lives. Now it is our time.
"It would be the dream summer to win the Olympics and the Euros."

Everton v Chelsea preview

Blues hoping to end three-game winless run

Andre Villas-Boas: Looking to end a three-game winless run with Chelsea

David Moyes: Hoping Everton can spring another surprise after City upset

Form guide:
Everton: LDDWD
Chelsea: WWDDD
Injuries:
Everton: TBA
Chelsea: Terry, Ramires
Referee: Mike Jones
Sky Bet odds: Everton 9/4, Draw 23/10, Chelsea 5/4
Opta stat: Everton haven't won back to back home Premier League games since May, when they beat Chelsea after defeating Manchester City.

Everton will be looking to cause another Premier League top-four upset when they host Chelsea at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Toffees sprang a surprise on leaders Manchester City two weeks ago when they inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Roberto Mancini's men on Merseyside and will be hoping to emulate that feat against the Blues.
Chelsea are desperate for a win as they bid for a UEFA Champions League place this season after throwing away a three-goal lead against Manchester United last Sunday as the Red Devils came back for a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge.
That result left the Blues without a win in three games, a run manager Andre Villas-Boas will be keen to address at Goodison.
The Londoners are clinging onto fourth place, with surprise high-fliers Newcastle just a point behind having won four of their last five encounters.
Everton sit 13 points behind their visitors in 11th, with last month's City upset marking their sole win in six Premier League games.
David Moyes' side fought back for a 1-1 draw at Wigan last weekend after Phil Neville put through his own net at the Hawthorns.

Beaten

Chelsea have already won twice against the Toffees this season, beating them 3-1 in the league at Stamford Bridge as well as dumping them out of the Carling Cup 2-1 at home.
Moyes' men have won just two of the last 22 league games against the Blues - but they were the last two meetings at Goodison Park.
Chelsea midfielders Frank Lampard (calf) and John Obi Mikel (hamstring) are in contention to return for the trip to Merseyside.
Full-back Ashley Cole served a suspension against Manchester United last weekend, but captain John Terry is still not fit from a knee problem, with new signing Gary Cahill expected to step in once more.
Brazilian midfielder Ramires (knee) also remains sidelined.

Possible starting XIs:

Everton: Howard, Neville, Heitenga, Distin, Baines, Donovan, Fellaini, Gibson, Pienaar, Anichebe, Stracqualursi.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Cahill, Luiz, Cole, Essien, Meireles, Lampard, Mata, Torres, Sturridge.

Chelsea FC - Team news: Everton

Andre Villas-Boas shares his team news with the press ahead of the game against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Chelsea FC - FA Youth Cup Live on Chelsea TV

The next round of the FA Youth Cup will be played at home at Staines Town Football Club against West Ham's youngsters. The game will be LIVE on Chelsea TV with exclusive pitch-side coverage starting from 6.30pm.

Ancelotti supports Capello

Italian thinks too much focus is placed on England captaincy

Fabio Capello: The Italian was on Wednesday in talks with FA officials

Carlo Ancelotti has backed compatriot Fabio Capello's decision to speak out against the Football Association's choice to strip John Terry of the England captaincy.

The Three Lions boss was on Wednesday at Wembley to take part in talks with FA officials after their disagreement over the Terry issue.
A saga has developed after Terry's trial for alleged racial abuse of Anton Ferdinand was scheduled for after Euro 2012 and so created a talking point over his suitability as captain.
Capello is of the opinion FA chairman David Bernstein was wrong to make a decision on the captaincy and instead thinks Terry should be innocent until proven guilty.

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It has been reported the England manager could lose his job after speaking out, while others have viewed the Italian's outburst as an attempt to manoeuvre his way out before Euro 2012.
Either way, former Chelsea and current Paris Saint Germain boss Ancelotti told Sky Sports News of the FA's decision to remove Terry: "I didn't understand. I think there is no reason.

Responsibility

"I am of the same thought as Capello. There is no decision that he is guilty, so they have to wait."
Ancelotti has seen it all before having been manager of Chelsea when Terry was first stripped of the England captaincy in 2010 after allegations about his personal life.
There has been mass speculation about who will now become the new captain, which is in significant contrast to Italy, who elect their skipper based upon the number of caps.
Italian Ancelotti is therefore surprised by the amount of coverage and rumours which are generated by the armband.
"I think so," he said when asked if there is too much importance put on the role of captain.
"In England, to be the captain, you have a lot of responsibility and all the people are following your behaviour.
"In other countries, it is not so important to be captain of the national team."