Chelsea 2 - 0 Birmingham
Two-nil down, 20 minutes to go, and Steve Bruce sent Jose Mourinho a rueful smile down the touchline. 'Oh please,' his expression seemed to implore, 'don't bring Drogba on.' A team rooted in the relegation zone, short of players and confidence, didn't need the extra punishment. The Observer
Cole takes foot off gas as Blues cruise
Not a bad year then. 2005 has brought Chelsea a first championship for 50 years, one League defeat in 38 games and 101 points, a total they are on course to exceed in the current season while retaining their title. Yesterday's predictable stroll against a side rooted in the Premiership's bottom three was a 13th straight home win, which equals a 95-year-old club record. Since that slip away to Manchester United in November they have won nine games and drawn one. The Independent
Mourinho warning to showman Cole
All the fancy flicks of the inventive juggler Joe Cole threw Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho into such a rage that sent he sent young Joe into 2006 with his ears burning and his first-team place in jeopardy. The Telegraph