Manager almost pulled Chelsea out of the fire with a bold nine-man system that had QPR struggling to cope

No one could have envisaged the ensuing drama as Chelsea began this derby fixture with calm assurance. Daniel Sturridge had looked a danger on the right of their attack but after David Luiz carelessly nudged Heidar Helguson for an early penalty, the game swung Queens Park Rangers’ way.

Buoyed by their early lead, QPR showed confidence and Shaun Wright-Phillips’s runs off the line on the inside of José Bosingwa led to the full-back receiving a red card for impeding the winger. Wright-Phillips lacks subtlety but his movement from wide into the inside left-channel when both teams had a full complement of players was a threat Chelsea struggled to counter. When Didier Drogba was also sent off by the referee, Chris Foy, one wondered how the visitors would cope.

But Chelsea almost pulled off a remarkable second-half comeback. They countered their numerical disadvantage by condensing space with constant effort and endeavour and, amazingly, put QPR on the back foot. Chelsea gambled at every opportunity and Neil Warnock’s men did not help themselves by making poor passing selections and getting caught in possession instead of working the ball calmly and making Chelsea chase from flank to flank.Petr Cech made only one crucial second-half safe.

David Luiz and John Terry took it in turns to surge forward and support Nicolas Anelka, who missed a great chance from Branislav Ivanovic’s cross. It was hectic stuff but amid the mayhem the nine-man system deployed by André Villas-Boas shone. He left one up field in Anelka and as well as asking his two centre-backs to support him, also deployed Frank Lampard and Raul Meireles in semi-forward, narrow positions, reducing the distance between Chelsea’s defence and attack. With Mikel John Obi shielding, Ivanovic and Ashley Cole were also allowed to play as semi-wingers, giving the visitors a refreshing attacking shape despite being down to nine players.

For 45 second-half minutes, this game felt like the last five minutes of a typical league match in which a team have to throw the kitchen sink at the opposition in order to get a goal. It was incredible that Chelsea came so close to snatching an equaliser, and in defeat their manager displayed shades of José Mourinho during his time at the club; that of a brave tactical transformer.

Premier League 2011-12QPRChelseaPremier LeagueDavid Pleatguardian.co.uk

Today’s fluff didn’t start the fire

Slowly, they come creeping back. The low flames flickering in the reflections of their bright eyes. Above the susurrating winds and the hushed chitter from the shadows, snatched phrases and tentative negotiating ploys are faintly audible: “Player-plus-cash deal” … “£120,000 a week” … “Six-month loan with a view to a permanent transfer pertaining to a pre-agreed contractual release clause.” The banked fires will be stoked again, fuel brought by willing arms. Out of the darkness they will flit, once more to dance in the circle of light …

[Fade to black]

Yep, the Mill is feeling in fine fettle this morning, as only three days after the transfer window SLAMMED SHUT the gears of spin, cant and innuendo are rapidly grinding back into life. The main target today is the England manager and national pin cushion, Fabio Capello, who is sensationally going to use players we have heard of in a formation that is practically hardwired into the English mentality for tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria. Capello’s decision to retain the majority of the squad that fared so badly in South Africa and send his team out in a staid, missionary 4-4-2 met with the usual LOLZ, Roflcopters!!, ZOMG!, lollerblading in my LMAOplane!!!!! response from the tabs. Oh, and the Mirror have decided to Photoshop the Italian up like Frankenstein’s monster too.

From one soon-to-be ex-manager (well, he will be one day) to an ex soon-to-be-new manager, the Daily Mail have announced that Gérard Houllier has got the Aston Villa job. This, of course, would be the same Gérard Houllier who was part of the Fifa technical study group that yesterday doled out praise for England’s 4-4-2 loving World Cup flops. It’s only if you read down far enough that the Mail admit they don’t actually know what job it is Houllier has been given (if given one he has been). “It is as yet unknown in what capacity the Frenchman will return,” the report murmurs. Head of catering, perhaps?

Sticking with the Mail, where the Spartak Moscow manager, Valeri Karpin, is totally into Chelsea’s Yuri Zhirkov. “I was interested, I am now and I will be in the winter,” Karpin cooed in a Facebook message to the Russian left-back. We’ll see how steadfast his affection is come January.

The Mirror delight in the scatological headline possibilities allowed for by Celtic’s decision to sniff, ahem, around Danny Shittu. The former Bolton defender is a free agent, so can sign for who he likes yah-boo-sucks to you, transfer deadline. Leicester also fancy a [big Nigerian centre-half].

After welcoming old new-signing Sandro to England five months after he agreed to join, Spurs have turned their attention to Supersport United’s Bongani Khumalo. Harry Redknapp has typed a number into his calculator (possibly 5318008 and turned it upside down) but the South African side are holding out for an unspecified higher amount. Michael Kightly, meanwhile, overlooked for Wolves’ 25-man Premier League squad, could be sent on loan to Reading and Chris Riggott is to go on trial at Cardiff.

In transfers-that-didn’t-happen news, West Ham’s Valon Behrami is still pining for Roma. “I am disappointed the deal failed to go through – that is for certain,” he told the Sun. “Avram Grant gave me his permission to speak with Roma. But he also said he needs me, with West Ham bottom of the table. I’m sure I’ll still get to play for them.” And they say the Swiss don’t get passionate about things.

Jamie Carragher is going to sign on at Liverpool. No, not for his £64.30 Jobseekers Allowance, but for two more years being given the runaround by the Anfield oppo. Thankfully on this one, Fabio Capello has seen the light. Across La Manche, France’s players have signed up to a good behaviour charter, so says Bacary Sagna. If they’re naughty again like they were at the World Cup, there’ll be no frites for tea, or something.

Benjani has said Manchester City lack “class”. Meh. And Zlatan Ibrahimovic reckons “City are still a side for the future. I chose Milan because they are a team that can win prizes now. City can wait for the future but I can’t.” But can they, Zlatan? Can they?

Finally, exclusive to all newspapers is the news that Cheryl and Ashley Cole are to divorce today. Although the Mill might keep its Cheryl Cole RSS feed – purely in the event that she hooks up with another brother from the fraternity – if that’s all right by you.

Aston VillaChelseaTottenham HotspurCelticAlan Gardnerguardian.co.uk