3 Apr 2011 11:30:00
Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea
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Chelsea have the honour of being Goal.com UK‘s Team of the Month for March.
The Goal.com UK team were asked to nominate which team should be put on a pedestal for their performances last month, and a majority felt that it is Carlo Ancelotti’s charges who deserve the honour.
The Blues began the month on a very positive note by beating league leaders Manchester United and following that up with a victory over Blackpool.
On March 16, a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge proved to be enough as they saw off Copenhagen to claim victory over two legs with a 2-0 aggregate. This sees the west London club competing in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
But on the domestic circuit, there were lingering concerns at Chelsea about finishing in the top four, as Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur were chasing hard to grab Champions League spots.
But the Blues managed to beat the Eastlands outfit and climb back to third place in the Premier League, which is where they currently find themselves.
2-1 v Manchester United (home) – Luiz 54, Lampard pen 80
3-1 v Blackpool (away) – Terry 20, Lampard pen 62, 66
0-0 (2-0 aggregate) v Copenhagen (home)
2-0 v Manchester City – Luiz 78, Ramires 90.
A key figure in Chelsea’s resurgence has been David Luiz. After arriving for £21.3 million from Benfica in the January transfer window, the young Brazilian with the distinctive hairstyle and infectious enthusiasm has made the Premier League a more exciting place.
He made an immediate impact, scoring twice during the course of the month. That the goals came against the two Manchester teams, United and City, only added to his credentials, and he has scored more goals than his £50m fellow-signing Fernando Torres.
Premier import | Luiz has shone since January switch from Benfica
Honourable mentions
Brighton can expect to compete in the Championship next season after winning every game they played during the course of the month. They are now at the top of League One, with an 11-point lead and a game in game in hand over second-placed Huddersfield.
Dundee were also unbeaten through March, prolonging the positive form they showed in recent months. The lengthy undefeated run comes as a welcome break for the fans, who have had to put up with administration, managerial change, a player exodus, and a 25-point deduction. And when they were docked points in November, the club were at -11 and sitting rock bottom of the First Division – 20 points behind their nearest rival in the league. But now they have climbed to an admirable seventh place after a record 23-game unbeaten run, which finally ended on Saturday. Had the SFL not imposed that 25-point deduction, Dundee would now be top of the Scottish second-tier.
After a very positive February, Portsmouth managed to lose just one game in March as they maintained a decent mid-table position. It makes things a little calmer on the south coast after the administration saga that saw them relegated to the second-tier after their last campaign.
Everton were subject to a sorry defeat by Reading in the FA Cup, and their league form had sometimes suggested that a relegation battle could even be on the cards. But strong performances and an unbeaten run in the league in March saw David Moyes’ men climb to seventh place.
Stoke City lost to West Ham United in the league, but managed to trump the same opponents in the FA Cup eight days later. And having taken revenge, the Potters proceeded to give Newcastle United a lesson in football by putting four past their opponents on the day. And with 38 points on the board with seven games to go, survival would not appear to be a concern any more.
After a quiet start to the month, Stevenage managed to go on a five match winning streak – that extended to six this month – and are now just three points away from grabbing an automatic promotion spot in League Two. It marks a successful season for a team playing their first season in the league.
A strong six-match winning streak in the SPL sees Dundee United firmly in fourth place. And after beating Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday, they have a small chance of overtaking Hearts to occupy third spot, but a chance nonetheless if Jim Jefferies’ men falter.
Kuyt also gets a special mention for his hat-trick against the Red Devils, which proved to be a confidence boost for the club. The Dutchman also hit the back of the net against the Black Cats, while on the international stage he scored for the Netherlands in both their victories over Hungary.
Danny Graham has been in strong form for Watford throughout the season, and scored in every game he played in March. And having taken his tally to 23 goals, he has continued to contribute to the cause by helping his side to a relatively comfortable mid-table position in the Championship.
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Chelsea named Goal.com Team of the Month while star signing David Luiz takes player accolade