I didn’t see the match. It wasn’t covered live here in England, and I couldn’t find an Internet stream for love nor money.
Instead I went to the pub and watched Newcastle versus Spurs. I also drank lager. The first half was awful, the second a bit better. I’m pretty sure there were more people in the pub than at St. James’ Park. The Magpies are in it, deep in it.
Anyway, here are the usual match reports. No goal videos yet, but if I find some I will add them later. If you were lucky enough to see the game, leave your thoughts in the comments.
Update: See comments two and three for Habs’ report in the usual format.
Update: Watch a three minute highlights video here.
Match reports
Daily Telegraph, Oliver Brown: "Ominous, very. On this evidence Luiz Felipe Scolari’s promise to lead Chelsea on a remorseless four-pronged pursuit of every piece of silverware open to them was no idle platitude but a chilling statement of intent."
The Times, Russell Kempson: "Chelsea may not have fond recollections of the Carling Cup, having been beaten in the final by Tottenham Hotspur last season, but it would appear that they have long banished that memory. They progressed to the fourth round, perhaps on course for a return to Wembley, with a polished and, at times, embarrassingly easy victory at Fratton Park last night. "
The Guardian, Sachin Nakrani: "The outcome was never in doubt after Chelsea’s starting line-up had been confirmed. Places were found for Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and, for the first time since the Champions League final, Didier Drogba, and while Portsmouth made life awkward, they never did enough to stop the visitors marching towards victory. Lampard scored either side of half-time while Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou got the others in a collective display of power and fluidity that suggests Scolari’s unbeaten streak at Chelsea will continue."
Official Chelsea FC Website: "Felipe Scolari was 12-years-old the last time Chelsea lost at Fratton Park and the current side were never in danger of spoiling that record as the opening day score over Portsmouth was repeated."
Other news
Brazilian midfielder Mineiro signed on a free transfer earlier this evening. The 33 year-old is a short-term replacement for Michael Essien, who is out for around six months after suffering an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.
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