Petr Cech is expected to return to the side for the second leg of Chelsea’s Champions League quarterfinal clash with Fenerbahce
The Chelsea goalkeeper has not played since he tore an ankle ligament during the Blues’ group stage match against Olympiakos in early March.
But he is now back in training and is expected to reclaim his spot from stand-in stopper Carlo Cudicini as the Londoners face the Turkish giants at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Chelsea are trailing 2-1 due to a first leg defeat in Istanbul, and the Blues will be desperate to have the Czech international in goal once more for this do-or-die encounter.
"I spoke with Petr on Friday afternoon," Cech's agent Pavel Zika told Pravo.
"He joined in with the full training, but after a month of not playing he needs to get as much training as possible.
"He is feeling well, but he will continue to train individually, he might be ready for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final game against Fenerbahce.
"This is of course only our opinion and it remains to be seen how he will feel on Tuesday. We will also seek the views of the Chelsea club doctor and, of course, coach Avram Grant.
"Everything is now in Chelsea's hands."
Mike Maguire
Cech Eyes CL Return
Eriksson Pleased Despite Defeat
Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was pleased with his side's performance despite their 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea this afternoon...
City fell behind early on when their skipper Richard Dunne was forced to turn the ball into his own net, and despite an admirable attempt at a fightback, Salomon Kalou ended their resistance shortly after the break with the second goal.
Chelsea dominated thereafter, but Eriksson was keen to take the positives from the performance: "I think we performed rather well. We played football and created chances, especially in the first half.
"Chelsea got the goal, which was important - although we scored it for them - but we then created two or three very good chances.
"You're never happy when you lose a football game, but I was really disappointed and unhappy a week ago when we lost without giving ourselves a chance to win the match.
"Today I think it was different because we tried all 90 minutes but after it's 2-0, it's very much uphill. It's not good to lose but if you have to lose, lose like we did today.
"If you can play football like that against a top team in the Premier League, even the world, then you know you can do things.
"There are still five games to go and the important thing now is not to give up, and try to take as many points as possible. Then we will see what's happening and see where we are in the table.
"As long as it (European qualification) is possible, we have to believe it and we have to fight for it. I hope we have the same spirit and character next week as we did today."
Injury
Defender Nedum Onuoha was stretchered off with a fairly serious looking shoulder injury and will join fellow young defender Micah Richards on the sidelines, possibly for the rest of the season.
Eriksson may look to take drastic action and recall a player currently out on loan to fill the defensive void.
"He's in hospital now and I don't have any answers but he'll probably be out for a while," conceded Sven.
"We're very short (in defence) so we'll have to see if we can take back a loan player."
Chet Winter
We Won And Played Well - Grant
Chelsea manager Avram Grant was satisfied with his side's performance and result against Manchester City this afternoon...
Chelsea took the lead when Richard Dunne was forced to put the ball into his own net, and Salomon Kalou (pictured) finished off the home side shortly after half-time with a well-taken goal.
The Blues are now just two points behind Manchester United, who play tomorrow and may extend the lead back to five.
"We knew it wasn't going to be an easy game against Manchester City, especially against a manager like Sven (Goran Eriksson), who is very clever," said Grant after the game.
"But we won the game and we played well, especially in the second half, so we're happy.
"I think we started the game very well. We scored the goal and we had some very good attacks with only the last pass missing.
"After 15-20 minutes, Manchester City responded well and got back into the game, but second half we were the better team and deserved more goals."
Indeed City could and perhaps should have equalised in the first half and were made to pay for it at the start of second, which Chelsea dominated as they did the opening stages of the game.
Grant praised the side's resolute defending after the game: "We know how to play football but sometimes we're not concentrating in defence.
"When you speak about attacking football, sometimes that is the price for it. I'm happy that it's not happened to us many times this season, and in this game also.
"We played very well in the second half, could easily have scored more goals, and a win is a win."
With his side still in the title race, Grant is not too fussed regarding the psychological edge of going first or second on a weekend such as this. Manchester United visit Middlesbrough tomorrow and Grant is happy he has done his part and the pressure is now on the Red Devils.
"If you win it's good, if you don't then it's not good," said Grant. "I've spent all my life fighting for titles and some psychologists will say it's good to play first, and some not. But it's always good to win and then the pressure is on the other team."
Chet Winter
Player Ratings: Manchester City 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea put their midweek Champions League disappointment behind them to record a morale boosting win away at City. Goal.com analyses the individual performances...
The home side had their fair share of scoring chances - especially in the first half - but class eventually told as the visitors bagged all three points thanks to a Dunne own goal early on and Kalou’s clinical finish in the second half.
MANCHESTER CITY
Hart – 6.5: The scoreline could have been much uglier for City had it not been for the few crucial saves that he made. Certainly wasn’t at fault for the first goal and could barely do much more to prevent the second.
Corluka – 5.5: Got forward a lot but hardly produced anything of note. Looked much more secure when he switched to centre-back after Onuoha’s substitution.
Onuoha – 7: Made a number of critical tackles inside the box. Very promising performance from the 21 year old. A shame he had to be substituted early in the second half after that painful injury.
Dunne – 6.5: Very unfortunate to score the own goal. Looked very solid otherwise and confidently brought the ball out of his own half on numerous occasions.
Ball – 5: Would have to be at fault for the first goal for not picking out Anelka’s run down his flank. Was simply run ragged by Chelsea’s attacking line all day long.
Ireland – 6: Made a few notable contributions in attack. Couldn’t have done much more to prevent his team sinking to yet another defeat.
Johnson – 6.5: Looked lively in attack with his surging runs past defenders. Linked up well with Petrov in midfield and even had a few look-ins at goal.
Fernandes – 5.5: Could not contain the likes of Lampard and Essien in midfield. Never looked in control of his role at any stage of the game.
Petrov – 7.5: Best of the City players. Played every pass, every cross perfectly and even had a few decent cracks at goal. Was ever-present whenever City attacked, either setting up a move or getting on to the end of one.
Elano – 5: Poor showing from the Brazilian playmaker. Barely made any contributions upfront.
Benjani – 7: Saw plenty of the ball and worked tirelessly to create chances for himself and his teammates. Was all over the pitch from the pitch from flank to flank trying to carve open the Chelsea defence.
Substitutes:
Sun Jihai – 5.5: Came into the match just as his side were fading away and Chelsea were trying to put the game to bed.
Vassell – 5: Couldn’t do anything to turn the game around in the limited amount of time that he had.
Caicedo - N/A
CHELSEA
Cudicini – 7: Never really looked too troubled despite City’s relentless onslaught in the first half. Pulled off a few stunning saves to keep his side afloat going into the break.
Belleti – 5: The right back had a torrid time trying to restrain a rampant Petrov. His play acting to waste time towards the end of the game certainly didn’t help his cause.
Alex – 7: Had to be called into action to make a number of pivotal tackles and blocks. Formed a very reliable partnership at the back alongside Terry to keep Elano quiet and Benjani far away from goal.
Terry – 6: Still struggling to rediscover his rock-solid form of old. Looked shaky at times but was able to make his presence felt at the back.
Ashley Cole – 6: Was given a tough reception by the crowd but he never let it affect his performance. Showed a lot of attacking intent down the wing and never really looked troubled in defence.
Wright-Phillips – 5.5: Started off the game with a lot of enthusiasm but faded away quickly and never really looked like hurting his former club.
Essien – 8: Certainly a contender for Man of the Match. Always looked dangerous when he foraged upfront and was heavily involved in almost every attack Chelsea launched. Also played a part in both goals.
Lampard – 7: His delivery from crosses and set-pieces was disappointing, but his passing and through balls were spot on most of the time. Starting to look like his menacing old self again after a few low-key games.
Obi – 6: A quietly sturdy performance playing just infront of the defence. Did his job with minimal fuss, constantly passing the ball on to his attacking teammates without dwelling on it.
Kalou – 7: Very quiet in the first half but eventually came to life in the second. Combined well with his fellow attackers to carve open the City backline and got his name onto the scoresheet for good measure.
Anelka – 6.5: Made a lot of threatening runs, had plenty of scoring opportunities but sadly unable to find the back of the net. Had a decent enough a game but ultimately, too wasteful.
Substitutes:
Joe Cole – 5: Barely had a meaningful touch of the ball in the 40 odd minutes he was on the pitch.
Ferreira – 6: Didn’t have much defending to do when he came on and took the chance to show his attacking side.
KS Leong
