Chelsea 2-0 West Bromwich Albion (Hasselbaink, Le Saux)

A mostly comfortable win except for 5 minutes in the second half when WBA struck the woodwork twice and forced a good save from Cudicini. Chelsea however had far more chances to score. Gronkjaer had another shocker of a game, a performance tactfully described as "mixed" by the news page.

Other results also went our way. Rottenham were beaten at Anfield with the help of a late penalty awarded to Pool (who else). Arse rounded off a disastrous week by crashing to Blackburn, albeit suffering a little bad luck and missing the imposing presence of Vieira. Manure were held to a draw by Villa. Boro and Leeds drew. All that meant we moved up to third in the table.

Manchester City 0-3 Chelsea (Zola[2], Hasselbaink)

Gronk not available due to "family illness". Zenden out with sprained ankle. Narrow-looking midfield of Petit, Lampard, De Lucas and Morris totally run over by Man City for one entire hour. Desailly getting away with a professional foul on Goater that could have led to a penalty and red card. Man City hitting the post in an abysmal first half performance by Chelsea.

It is now generally agreed that Zola is the greatest Chelsea player ever. Chelsea defended well in the second half, with Cudicini also making saves when called upon to. A header from the little man started Man City's tame collapse. Then he bagged a second, fooling Schmeichel by looking towards JFH as though he was going to pass to him, but netting the shot himself. JFH scored his first goal from open play in the Premiership with one of his trademark blasts from outside the box.

But this match was a mere sideshow to greater happenings elsewhere: Arsenal's record breaking unbeaten streak was ended in spectacular fashion by a 16-year-old "boy wonder" from Everton. This left the jammy Scousers top of the league by virtue of their jammy win at Leeds, aided by a horrendous miss by Kewell. Wayne Rooney beat Seaman with an unstoppable long-range shot. However Arsenal were quite poor and credit must be given to Everton for fighting hard and well.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (Owen)

Can't say the reality was an improvement. At the expense of thorough reporting, I shall spare myself the painful details. Save for 2 that are firmly stuck in my mind:

1. Gronk had an absolute 'mare.
2. I hate Liverpool.

I dreamt we lost 7-3 to 'Pool.

I'm expecting a gutsy performance on Sunday, but guts aren't enough.

We'll lose.

I shouldn't be expecting anything from Chelsea of all teams, but our record at Anfield says everything.

Viking 4-2 Chelsea (Berre, Kopteff, Lampard, Nevland[2], Terry)

Ah well. All too familiar really. The fans all saying we'll beat them comfortably, a potentially tricky away tie, short of cover in defence, all reminiscent of the last two seasons. I prefer to look ahead. To this Sunday's fixture at Anfield. Um. Not exactly the best thing to look forward to either, considering our piss poor record over there. The only good thing to have come out of the recent results is that everyone is suddenly realising how important Desailly is. Can't blame any ageing prima donnas anymore, t'was the youngsters who fucked up this time. Terry was rusty, as one might have expected. But there wasn't much choice what with Melchiot injured and all. You know we're really lacking defensive cover when I start lamenting Melchiot's absence.