We Ain't Got No History - FA Cup, Third Round: Derby County vs. ChelseaChampions of Europe!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52884/21_SBN_002_We_Aint_Got_No_History_Favicon_32x32..png2014-01-05T18:16:41+00:00http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/rss/stream/50370252014-01-05T18:16:41+00:002014-01-05T18:16:41+00:00Good Times: Mikel scores, Chelsea advance 2-0
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<figcaption>Note the captain's armband. | Michael Regan</figcaption>
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<p>For the second match running, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho" class="sbn-auto-link">Jose Mourinho</a> made a crucial substitution just a few minutes into the second half, and for the second match running, that change paid the proper dividends. Second half goals from Mikel (!!) and Oscar eventually made simple work of the hosts who never quite looked to have an answer to one goal, let alone two. Chelsea have greeted the new year with five goals and two clean sheets in two matches, this victory in the FA Cup third round proper the proverbial bow on an excellent holiday season.</p>
<p>The job didn't always look easy, especially in a hectic, back-and-forth opening fifteen minutes. Derby County - one of the favorites for promotion from the Championship - fielded their strongest available lineup and they were motivated and capable of dealing adequately with <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea's</a> early pressing. Mourinho opted for a much-changed, somewhat odd construction from midweek, rotating over half the starting lineup. <span>Petr Cech</span>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry" class="sbn-auto-link">John Terry</a>, <span>Eden Hazard</span> all got deserved rests - a luxury we could easily afford with quality replacements at the ready in <span>Mark Schwarzer</span>, <span>David Luiz</span>, and Willian. In addition, Oscar, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110144/samuel-eto-o" class="sbn-auto-link">Samuel Eto'o</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110300/michael-essien" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Essien</a> were preferred instead of <span>Juan Mata</span>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres" class="sbn-auto-link">Fernando Torres</a>, and André Schürrle.</p>
<p>Essien's inclusion gave hope for the return of the 4-3-3 but Chelsea stuck with the default 4-2-3-1, Ramires moving to right wing, where he succeeded as capably as one would normally expect. While he came close twice with a miss just inches wide and a left-footer that pinged off the far post just before half time, he was hardly a danger otherwise. Alongside and along with Willian and Oscar, Ramires provided plenty of early energy, but the usefulness of their pressing and running waned as Derby sat back and parked the bus.</p>
<p>As that familiar, frustrating pattern emerged, Chelsea resorted to long shots, none of which forced Lee Grant into a save. The passing was not quite fast and creative enough and Derby stayed strong, compact, and organized. Our best chance came from a forced turnover, Mikel stepping in to dispossess and immediately release Samuel Eto'o 1-v-1 against the goalkeeper, which the Cameroonian then promptly wasted with some slow indecisiveness (or was that indecisive slowness?). Meanwhile, the hosts' only threat came from our own defensive lapses, not helped by David Luiz's early knock.</p>
<p>Just like on Wednesday, the match turned on a substitution. In came Eden Hazard, out went Michael Essien, and suddenly the lineup had a much more familiar, much more promising shape to it. Ramires returned to the pivot alongside Mikel and the in-form trio of Hazard-Oscar-Willian were reunited. The Blues looked buoyant and Derby retreated further and further. David Luiz went on a marauding run and even <span>Ashley Cole</span> popped up in the opposition's penalty area, something not seen since the Stone Age.</p>
<p>The Chelsea goal promptly arrived ten minutes later, just after the hour mark. Hazard won the free kick, which Willian - having brought along his set piece-taking A-game today - promptly delivered onto Mikel's head. All the ball needed was a little flick, such was the pace and accuracy of Willian's gift. And so it came to pass that on the occasion of his 300th Chelsea appearance, Mikel scored his 4th Chelsea goal. Written in the stars. Or perhaps it was all in the armband, which Essien saw fit to bequeath to the Nigerian even though it should've actually gone to Ashley Cole.</p>
<p>Five minutes later - but not quite soon enough, as Ramires found time to get booked, quite rightly, for a dive - Oscar put the match beyond doubt, blasting home from 13 yards. See what happens when we don't just throw the ball to the opposition, Cesar? It was Dave (the Rat)'s throw-in that <strike>Torres</strike> Hazard flicked on to Oscar. Torres - having just come on for the ineffective Eto'o - could have (and should have) gotten on the scoresheet at least once and maybe twice in the ensuing minutes and Ramires managed to hit the woodwork once more, but all that would've been just a bit too perfect.</p>
<p>In the end, it was a comfortable, expected victory for the boys in Blue. Even Lewis Baker, the outstanding 18-year-old Chelsea academy midfielder, got to make his debut. It was a good day, despite the slow, indifferent start. We now come home to face and take revenge on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city" class="sbn-auto-link">Stoke City</a> in the fourth round in three weeks' time.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/5/5276520/derby-county-chelsea-final-score-0-2-reportDavid Pasztor2014-01-05T16:09:22+00:002014-01-05T16:09:22+00:00Derby County 0 - Chelsea 2: Initial Reaction
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<figcaption>Shaun Botterill</figcaption>
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<p>Chelsea didn't score as early as most would have liked, but managed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Derby that will see them through to the 4th round of the FA Cup</p> <p>Boring, boring <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> is back. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> decided to rest all of <span>Eden Hazard</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry">John Terry</a>, and <span>Petr Cech</span> today, setting up a bit more conservatively than he generally does at Stamford Bridge to start the FA Cup tie. Goals appeared to be tough to come by today, as the chances Chelsea were creating were all skillfully wasted by our attackers.</p>
<p>Luckily for the Blues though, <span>John Obi Mikel</span> was there to save the day for Chelsea with his 4th goal in 300 appearances. Oscar doubled the lead just minutes after the opener, and the outcome was never in doubt from that point forward. The only question at that point was whether or not we'd see a Lewis Baker debut, which we eventually did in the 87th minute. With Derby out of the way, Chelsea will now host <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city">Stoke City</a> in the fourth round, set to be played later in January.</p>
<p>Here are a few thoughts now that this one has been played:</p>
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<li><span>Oscar had a great chance to go to ground in search of a penalty just minutes into this one, and didn't appear to even consider it. That was good to see after an embarrassing dive midweek.</span></li>
<li><span>I'm sure many fans will start screaming about Mourinho's approach in the first half, but I think his decisions made an awful lot of sense. Derby are a decent side that like to overload the wings in attack and are very open to teams hitting them on the break, putting on players that offer cover in those areas and excel in transition seems pretty logical.</span></li>
<li><span>While I like the basic idea Mourinho seemed to be going for today, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110300/michael-essien">Michael Essien</a> is just a shell of the player he used to be. Five years ago, he'd have been perfect for a game like this. Unfortunately he doesn't really offer anything but experience anymore.</span></li>
<li><span>How many times over the past two years have our strikers been free on goal and not even managed to get a shot off? </span></li>
<li><span>West Ham stink.</span></li>
<li><span>I love that those pushing the 'oldest club competition in the world' label have decided to use a pink ball in all FA Cup fixtures this season. Nothing like pushing the tradition and history of the competition with a gimmick.</span></li>
<li><span>The most congested stretch of the fixture list has now been completed. With no midweek games until Wednesday, January 29 should mean the squad is well rested in short order, something that will surely make Jose Mourinho smile.</span></li>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/5/5276092/derby-county-chelsea-initial-reaction-final-score-community-rating-formStephen Schmidt2014-01-05T15:08:27+00:002014-01-05T15:08:27+00:00Derby County vs. Chelsea: Second Half Thread
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<figcaption>Michael Regan</figcaption>
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<p>After a hectic opening fifteen minutes, the match has settled into that ol' favorite of one team parking the bus (Derby) and the other trying to break it down (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>).</p>
<p>Unfortunately, our passing has often been too slow and too predictable, and our best chances have come from long shots that have missed by inches from Ramires and Oscar. Somewhere in there, Eto'o managed to dally on that ball when put through 1-v-1 by Mikel and didn't even get a shot off. And just before the half, Ramires managed to hit the post.</p>
<p>Derby, because they're the underdogs, will be praised for their defensive solidity and shape.</p>
<p>So, 45 minutes to decide it, lest we add another game to the schedule with a replay at Stamford Bridge. Let's not do that. But let's not lose either.</p>
<p>UP THE CHELS!</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/5/5276240/derby-county-vs-chelsea-fa-cup-second-half-threadDavid Pasztor2014-01-05T13:35:15+00:002014-01-05T13:35:15+00:00Derby County vs. Chelsea: Lineups & Game Thread
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<figcaption>Baaaaaaaa | Tom Dulat</figcaption>
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<p><i>Screaming feed me here<br>Fill me up again<br>Temporarily pacifying</i></p>
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<p><i><b>Derby County starting lineup (4-3-3):</b></i><br>Lee Grant | Craig Forsyth, <span>Michael Keane</span>, Jake Buxton, <span>Andre Wisdom</span> | Jeff Hendrick, John Eustace, Will Hughes | <span>Simon Dawkins</span>, Chris Martin, Jamie Ward</p>
<p><i>Substitutes from: </i> Adam Legzdins, Kieron Freeman, Conor Sammon, Mason Bennett, Zak Whitbread, James Bailey, <span>Kalifa Cisse</span></p>
<p><i><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> starting lineup (4-2-3-1):</b></i><br><span>Mark Schwarzer</span> | <span>Ashley Cole</span>, <span>David Luiz</span>, <span>Gary Cahill</span>, <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span> | Mikel, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110300/michael-essien">Michael Essien</a> | Willian, Oscar, Ramires | <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110144/samuel-eto-o">Samuel Eto'o</a></p>
<p><i>Substitutes from: </i> <span>Petr Cech</span>, <span>Tomas Kalas</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110210/john-terry">John Terry</a>, Lewis Baker, <span>Eden Hazard</span>, <span>Juan Mata</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110873/fernando-torres">Fernando Torres</a></p>
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<p>Congratulations to Mikel for his 300th appearance for the club!</p>
<p>Mourinho said he's taking this seriously, but it's the hosts who field just about their first-choice strongest; Chelsea go for a much-changed look that could very well be a 4-3-3, depending on just where Ramires ends up playing.</p>
<p>Lewis Baker makes the bench for the second time; hopefully the match situation becomes such that he's able to make his debut.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/5/5275874/derby-county-vs-chelsea-fa-cup-lineups-game-threadDavid Pasztor2014-01-04T14:48:33+00:002014-01-04T14:48:33+00:00Derby County vs. Chelsea: Preview
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<figcaption>Justin Setterfield</figcaption>
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<p>Not sure what to expect for Derby County or how to watch the game? WAGNH has you covered.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> will open their 2014 FA Cup campaign on Sunday against Derby County, an opponent with whom we don't have a lot of recent history. While the two clubs have met 104 time in the past, they've only met twice in the past decade, with the Blues winning both Premier League contests during the 2007/08 season.</p>
<p>Derby County actually have a very good record against Chelsea throughout their history, having won 38, drawn 29, and lost just 37 of the previous meetings. They've been even better than that at their home ground, with a 27-12-14 record against the Blues.</p>
<p>Derby have been having an excellent season thus far, currently sitting fourth in the Sky Bet Championship table. They've had the most prolific attack in the division, having scored 49 goals in their 24 fixtures. They've been shaky at the back though, sitting on the bottom half of the division in terms of goals allowed.</p>
<p>The Rams tend to control possession in most of their games, and often attack from width. They're dangerous on set pieces, both attacking balls launched into the box and going for goal directly. We hinted at their struggles earlier, but the defense tends to be a bit of a mess. They're slow to react after turnovers, sloppy in defending set pieces, and tend to be sucked out of position in defense by unspectacular ball movement.</p>
<p>While Chelsea will be heavy favorites tomorrow, Derby are certainly an opponent that could spring an upset if the Blues struggle to finish the chances that they'll inevitably have. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the contest:</p>
<p><b>Opponent:</b> Derby County FC</p>
<p><b>Date/Time:</b> Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 14:15 GMT (9:15 am EST, 6:15 am PST, 19:45 IST)</p>
<p><b>Venue/Location:</b> iPro Stadium, Derby, England (33,597)</p>
<p><b>Forecast:</b> Relatively mild temperatures with a 70% chance of rain are in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.weather.com/weather/tomorrow/Derby+UKXX0040:1:UK">the Derby forecast for tomorrow</a>.</p>
<p><b>Chelsea FC Squad News: </b>Chelsea will continue to be without Marco van Ginkel, who is likely several months away from a return to fitness. They'll also be missing both <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard">Frank Lampard</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic">Branislav Ivanovic</a>, who are each expected to be out of action for several more weeks.</p>
<p><span>Ryan Bertrand</span> has returned from a knee injury that has been keeping him out of action, and <span>Cesar Azpilicueta</span> appears to be healthy even though he required treatment several times in the last match. <span>David Luiz</span> has returned from his one-match suspension, while <span>Kenneth Omeruo</span> is expected to be heading to Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season.</p>
<p><b>Derby County Squad News: </b>Derby will be without forward Johnny Russell, who suffered a fractured cheekbone earlier in the week. Midfielder Craig Bryson is also a doubt, though it's possible he could be healthy enough to feature. Newly signed forward Patrick Bamford has not yet joined up with Derby, though he wouldn't have been eligible to play against his parent club anyway.</p>
<p><b>Television/Streaming:</b> BT Sport 1 will televise the game in the UK, with FS1 and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.foxsoccer2go.com/">FoxSoccer2Go</a> showing the game live in the United States. In India, the game will air on Star Sports 4. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/chelsea-tv">Chelsea TV</a> will have pre and post-match coverage, as well as live audio during the contest. For listings anywhere else on the planet, please check <a target="_blank" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1019301/derby-county-vs-chelsea/">here</a>.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/4/5272988/derby-county-chelsea-fc-preview-squad-news-injury-weather-television-streaming-fa-cupStephen Schmidt2014-01-04T13:54:36+00:002014-01-04T13:54:36+00:00Derby County vs. Chelsea: You choose the squad
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<figcaption>Ben Hoskins</figcaption>
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<p>Channel your inner Mourinho ahead of Sunday's FA Cup clash</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> will play their first FA Cup match of 2014, heading north to take on Derby County on Sunday. Derby have been in excellent form this season, they've been scoring for fun in the Championship even if they're leaking goals at a somewhat alarming rate.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/jose-mourinho">Jose Mourinho</a> has indicated that he'll play a strong side against Derby, though one could argue that he'd have a hard time doing anything but given the talent available at his disposal. He'll be without Marco van Ginkel, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110218/frank-lampard">Frank Lampard</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110687/branislav-ivanovic">Branislav Ivanovic</a> for the match, but should have the remainder of his regular option available.</p>
<p>We don't care what Mourinho will do at the moment though, we're asking you to tell us who you would select if placed in charge. Fill out the form below, letting us know who you'd choose in Jose's (expensive) shoes. After you've completed the form, you can check in with the rest of the responses <a target="_blank" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15XWOXas0X7fNLH2LRTEgX2_Qdl4NgM99lqQbBMI3SU8/viewanalytics">here</a>.</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/1/4/5272958/derby-county-vs-chelsea-you-choose-the-squadStephen Schmidt