Just gotta say that I do support Rafa in this dispute with Neil Warnock.

Warnock is being a total childish arse. Does he think anybody else owes him a damn thing ? Rafa was entitled to field whatever side he liked. It's just tough on Warnock that it was a weakened side.

0-3 to the Blues tonight. Easy.

Not sure at all about tonight but if i was a betting man I could see us losing.

Got something nagging at me he will play Turnbull in goal and a few other of the fringe players and can see that costing us

The squad is still knackered so it could easily be a tough night - things won't start to improve until we start bringing in players to give people a rest.

Warnock is playing mind games, he has also said he was resting players tonight, I doubt he will.

You said it. Poor show.

Indeed. Warnock is being a bit of an idiot (no surprise there). Wasn't it the game before the champions league final? Like all managers dont rest and rotate. Warnock had 37 other games to get the points needed. He's just full of himself is Warnock.

So from what I can glean

Not available

JT
Romeu
Ramires
Mikel
Cahill

CM of Oscar and Lampard?

At least Piazon should get some minutes. I'd assume, what with the complete lack of available players........

Looks like tonights team almost picks itself.
We could rest Cole and play Bertrand. We have no options in the defensive midfield positions, it has to be Lampard and Oscar as far as I can see. Marin could be given a chance, if Benitez wants to rest Mata. Hazard or Moses. He also might want to give Piazon some time, after the falling-out over the weekend.
Whatever side we put out, it should be good enough to beat Leeds. But it could be another case of who wants it most. On their own ground with massive support..I wouldn't be betting too much on a Chelsea win. Having said that, my forecast is 1-3 to Chelsea.

Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Bertrand; Lampard, Oscar; Moses, Mata, Marin; Torres

Turnbull Ake Cole Hazard Saville Piazon Ferreira

Lamps trying to get sent off?

were i betting man id put a few quid on leeds winning tonight and winning the league cup

The Leeds fans are not so loud and cocky now eh

And... breathe,,,

Where would we be without Mata this season? Already equalled his goal tally from last year.

He's been superb, a class above many.

Was just going to say we need more from Hazard.

Edited to add Torres

Well done Chelsea the difference in class is evident.

You know yourselves what Ken 'c-nt' Bates brings to the table.

Leeds can't move forward while he has a grip on the club.

Id wisn you good luck but I'm Welsh and hope Swansea can lift their first major trophy.

Good result. The first half was all a bit hectic, lots of mistakes and nobody seemed able to judge the pace of the ball. Weather ? Pitch ?..I don't know what it was.

Luiz got the blame for their goal, but shouldn't someone have dropped back to cover ? He's going to surge foward now and again, it's part of his game..Carvalho used to do the same.

Much better in the 2nd half, we again looked great going foward. I thought Moses had an excellent game, always looking for a chance to shoot, and he's a lot stronger and more physical than I thought. Mata was superb, what a fantastic little player he is.

Oscar played a sensible game, looked good alongside Lampard.. but they were still a long way from being the answer to our problems in those positions. I thought Marin was disappointing, but to be fair he'll probably need time to settle in.

I'm still unimpressed with Torres, a tap-in goal and part assist wasn't a lot to show against opposition of that quality. On paper, his goal record this season is fairly good, but he just doesn't look capable of striking fear into opponents any more. Drogba never lost that, even in decline.

That first half took me back a bit, felt like a good old fashioned cup tie. Wonder what had Lamps so fired up, thought he could have got sent off at one point in the first half if he had carried on in that vein!!

Was a bit concerned at half time, but the lads did what I wanted them to do. Dig in and show some passion.

What would we do without Juan Mata, what a superb player he is. I know Nando scored but he was generally poor.

Really pleased with Victor's progress as well, getting quite excited about him!

Tough semi against Swansea and 2nd leg away, but after the CWC, just relieved to be in the semi!!

Villa at home next, no excuses, 3 points needed.

Chelsea fans use to feel the same but as time goes on like at Chelsea i think yoiu will see how much he has actually done, Yes he a c*nt I think he would agree with that himself but the guy knows how to wade though the bullsh*t in football and make it a good investment for someone with real money to spend. Would rather have him as a friend (one you really did not like) then a enemy. He does know the ways around the football world and how to play the game better then anyone

Any thoughts on Cole's eventual replacement? Supposedly Van aanholt and bertrand will fight it out

Edit: Swansea final wouldve been preferable, gonna be a good game to watch though

poor performance from toress but 13 goals to his name,could be worse

i can relate to him kind off,i play as striker for a ametuer league and whe nnot scoring you just think the worlds against you

"why did you take so long to pass me the ball,im marked now"
"why dont defenders ever leave my side,i just want one free run on goal"

stuff like that goes through a frustrated strikers mind

haha i just compared myself to fernando torres! sorry

After all the mirth at our expense for going out of the CL, its good to know the rest of the UK teams are all out next round.

Its going to be excellent viewing

Crystal ball eh?