MATCH 1742 - Thursday 19 April 2018

 SEASON  2017/18

ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP

Venue:  TURF MOOR

BURNLEY  1  CHELSEA  2

Scorers:  Barnes;  Own goal, Moses

Match rescheduled from 17/03/21

Relaxing mid afternoon drive to Burnley turns into a nightmare drive due to major traffic jam on M65 but thankfully we arrive on time for the start of the match.  In row 5 we have a pitch level view of the Premier League tussle. As renowned Burnley are a stern test for all visitors and Chelsea have to work hard and use all their experience to earn victory.

Burnley: Pope; Lowton, Long, Tarkowski, Ward; Lennon (Wells 87), Cork (c), Westwood, Gudmundsson; Barnes, Wood (Vokes 72).

Manager - Sean Dyche

Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill (c), Rudiger; Moses, Pedro, Kante, Bakayoko, Emerson(Zappacosta 84); Giroud, Morata (Hazard 71).

Manager - Antonio Conte

Referee Bobby Madley

Crowd 21,264

MATCH 1605 - Monday, 18 May 2015

SEASON:  2014/15
ENGLISH FA PREMIERSHIP
Venue:  The Hawthorns

WEST BROMWICH ALBION   3   CHELSEA   0

Scorers: Berahino (2); Brunt

Our first visit to The Hawthorns!  Travelled down on Virgin Trains to Birmingham New Street from Glasgow for a tenner thanks to offer on Megabus.  The stadium is only 10 minutes from Birmingham city centre by train or metro.  We got the connection to The Hawthorns station from Moor Street on London Midland trains, four an hour up to six o'clock but note this goes down to two later on.  The Hawthorns station is only five minutes from the ground.

A McDonalds is conveniently placed across from the north-east corner of the stadium - ideal for families.  It's very busy but service is swift.

Away side arrive at the West Stand side (Halfords Lane).

Halfords Lane

We were in the East Stand near to the away fans section.  

East Stand

The ground is pretty smart with navy seats in all four sides with three big imposing one tier stands and the West Stand which is much smaller in size to the rests of the ground.  The stadium is enclosed and all stands are tight to the pitch making for a terrific atmosphere particularly when the home side are on form.

West Stand

Smethwick End Stand

Birmingham Road End Stand

As for the football Chelsea arrived as champions but it was West Brom who took all the honours on the night.  Gaining an early lead and once Febregas was sent off during a heated first half they never looked back.

Line ups

Kick off

Early action

WBA corner

WBA on the offensive

Second half

Fans divide

Home fans celebrate No. 3

On pitch celebrations

The great divide

All in all West Brom's Hawthorns is a great matchday experience.

Personal note:  91st ground.  2nd WBA game.  7th Chelsea game.

MATCH 1584 - Saturday, 29 November 2014

Season:  2014/15
ENGLISH FA PREMIERSHIP
Venue:  STADIUM OF LIGHT

SUNDERLAND     0     CHELSEA     0

Despite the blank score line it was an exciting match enhanced from playing under the floodlights of the aptly named stadium.

Personal note:  6th Chelsea match all in the north of England spanning nearly 30 years.

MATCH 1547 - Saturday, 15 February 2014

Season 2013/14
ENGLISH FA CUP
Venue:   Etihad Stadium (City of Manchester Stadium)

                                 

MANCHESTER CITY    2    CHELSEA    0

Scorer:  Jovetic, Nasri

First visit to the very impressive Etihad Stadium.  City create a very friendly and fun atmosphere pre-match with the home players greeted by their young fans at the entrance of the stadium with a few light hearted competitions.  Around the other side of the ground is another stage with something for the adults.  Music and some fun in the form of "Blind Date" where a lucky new couple get treated to some hospitality - a nice touch.

The stadium is as good a modern stadium as I've been too and the home support must enjoy going their on a regular basis but if you've not managed to get this ground yet hopefully you get there soon.

We were in the second tier of the Family Stand (second row) great seats!  With 6,000 Chelsea fans in attendance it made for a good atmosphere.

This was the third time watching City this season and although a little understrengthed the real City turned up this time. 

All in all worth the long trip down from Scotland and special thanks to the Football Ground Guide for some good travel tips at:

http://www.footballgroundguide.com/manchester_city/

Match 1432 - Sunday, 2nd October 2011

English FA Premiership
Venue: REEBOK STADIUM

BOLTON WANDERERS  1  CHELSEA  5

3rd game in four days.  This time I take Paul to see Chelsea.  Great performance form Daniel Sturridge and Frank Lampard as bottom of the table Bolton can't cope with Chelsea's attacking power.