Guus Hiddink says he would “love it” if Chelsea could prevent Manchester United from completing a clean sweep of all the trophies this season.

The Red Devils, with something short of a first-choice starting XI, beat Tottenham on penalties at Wembley on Sunday to lift the Carling Cup.

It was a second piece of silverware for the defending European and English champions, who also secured the FIFA Club World Cup title in Japan just before Christmas.

Chelsea moved back up into second place in the Premier League over the weekend but remain seven points adrift of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, who have a game in hand heading into the midweek fixtures, when Hiddink takes his side to relegation battlers Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

“I hope that we can stop him. I would love to stop him on this aim,” said the Dutchman, in charge of Chelsea until the end of the season.

“I have not had that many experiences with him directly, direct confrontations, although I remember once it was my birthday when PSV [Eindhoven] were eliminated by Manchester United.

“I have met him sometimes when I have been to Manchester United, for a couple of pre-season tournaments.

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Didier Drogba‘s first-half strike gave Chelsea a 1-0 first-leg win over Juventus in their Champions League last-16 clash at Stamford Bridge. The Ivorian of late has looked the shadow of the striker he once was, but put on a show that would surely give all Chelsea supporters some hope of seeing their destroyer back to old ways.

Following on from the crucial Premier League win at Aston Villa on Saturday, the Blues made it two wins out of two for new boss Guus Hiddink, while ex-Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has work to do ahead of the return leg in a fortnight if he is to guide his Serie A side into the last eight at the expense of his former employers.

Drogba’s early strike made the difference for the hosts, whose only regret may be not turning their territorial domination into a bigger advantage to take to the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

The Blues began on the front foot, and stayed there for the entire first period.

Salomon Kalou tested Gianluigi Buffon’s handling with an effort from outside the box in the third minute, shortly before Jose Bosingwa’s right-wing cross was headed over from close range by Drogba.

The Ivorian made amends however in the 12th minute with the opening goal. Kalou’s threaded pass from outside the box was pounced upon by his compatriot and the Blues striker made no mistake in firing past Buffon on the turn from just inside the box.

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New Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink believes Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba can play in the same team – if they show defensive as well as attacking qualities.

Anelka marked Hiddink’s first game in charge by scoring the winner against Aston Villa – his 21st goal of the season. Victory pushed the Blues ahead of Villa into third spot in the Barclays Premier League.

Previous Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari had been reluctant to play Drogba and Anelka in the same team. However, Hiddink said: “You can only play good attacking football when everyone knows their job defensively.

“We have quality players like Anelka and Drogba and, when they have the spirit to work defensively for the team, then you can also the play the way we like tolay.

“They are the first defensive line and must join in with the midfield in having defensive responsibilities.

“If they are willing to do that there is no problem with using their strong qualities offensively.”

Hiddink also insisted he had seen no divisions amongst the players in the build-up to the game.

He said: “We have worked very hard physically and also strategically. Everyone has been very professional. I have not seen any division in the group.”

As regards Chelsea’s 1-0 victory, Hiddink said: “I am satisfied with the performance and the result, especially against a team like Villa who have had a very good record recently. They have not been beaten in the league for a long time.

“In the first half we were very dominant and the only criticism is that we did not finish the game off.

“In the second half they came at us with their big strong guys in the air but we were also a bit too static when we had the ball in possession.

“We can improve a little bit but I am very pleased and satisfied to get that game in our pocket.”

Villa boss Martin O’Neill felt a third game in six days after cup ties with Everton and CSKA Moscow had taken its toll on his side.

He said: “It sounds like an excuse but I do believe the three games in quick succession took their toll. At the beginning, we looked leggy and Chelsea got into their stride very quickly.

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Guus Hiddink looks  to be named caretaker Chelsea manager after the Russian FA said combining two jobs would not be a problem.

The Dutchman is currently in Turkey where he is preparing his Russian side for a friendly on Wednesday.

Earlier Hiddink’s agent had played down any move to Stamford Bridge, but the 62-year-old has now expressed a desire to help the Blues and his close friend Roman Abramovich.

He told Reuters: “I must say that this is an exceptional situation.

“If it was any other club aside from Chelsea my answer would be a straight ‘no’.

“But Chelsea is different because I have good relations with the owner. So I would like to help them in this situation if I could.

“But this would only be for the next two or three months until the end of the season.

“Of course when Russia would play (World Cup qualifiers) I would go there to coach them during that (international window) as there won’t be any (league) games during that time.

“I have already done that (combining two jobs) a couple of years ago when I was coaching Australia and PSV (Eindhoven), so I’m familiar with the situation and what it takes.

“I will not leave my job with the Russian national team. It’s out of the question. When I took the Russia job it was a long-term project and I don’t like to leave it unfinished.”

This all in the light of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s position at Stamford bridge being vacated. As the Chelsea hierarchy clearly did not feel his contribution to the club was helping in the desired manner, and was accordingly axed. The Brazilian coach failed to make his effects felt on the club and its owners, after losing their incredible home run record and their failure to beat any of the top four sides this season.

Source: football365.com

Chelsea FC has issued a statement detailing that they have ended Luiz Felipe Scolari’s contract as manager. Scolari was only appointed in the summer and oversaw just 25 (32 total) league games in the Chelsea dugout.

“Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club with immediate effect,” read the statement.

“The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager.”

“The Chelsea squad are old. Felipe tried to rejuvenate it, but unsuccessfully. He asked (the board) to sign Deco and Robinho, but they only brought Deco.”

“I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked for Chelsea and in English football,” Scolari said.

“It was a very valuable experience. I am sorry that my time with everyone could not last longer. I wish Chelsea luck in the three competitions they are participating in.

“I want to take the opportunity to inform that I will keep living in London. I will respond to the media soon.”

Fernando Torres scored twice in the dying minutes of the game against Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday to keep Liverpool‘s Premier League hopes alive. The Reds beat Chelsea 2 – 0.

Rafa Benitez’s side looked to be heading for another frustrating draw as Chelsea held out after Frank Lampard’s second half dismissal for a lunge on Xabi Alonso.

But Torres struck in the 89th minute when he latched on to a cross by Fabio Aurelio before cementing the points deep into stoppage time after being teed-up by Yossi Benayoun.

They were the Spanish international’s first Premier League goals since October and put Liverpool two points behind leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand.

More importantly, the result almost certainly ended Chelsea’s title challenge for another season as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side self-destructed.

The Blues are five points behind United and have yet to beat any of their ‘big four’ rivals this season.

While Scolari opted to keep faith with the 11 who started the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in midweek, Benitez made three changes from the side which stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Wigan.

Robbie Keane’s omission only fuelled speculation that the out-of-favour Republic of Ireland striker could be on his way out of Anfield before Monday’s transfer deadline with his former club Tottenham touted as a possible destination for the frustrated 28-year-old.

With Manchester United having pulled five points clear at the summit the previous day, nothing but a win would do for either side.

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