Club historian Rick Glanvill and statistician Paul Dutton wave goodbye to the old year and ring in the new.

Rick begins his look forward to the Fulham game by glancing back.

2007. That Was The Year That Was? Well, what was it? Exhilarating? Disappointing? Or Surprisingly Successful?

Certainly there have been few twelve-month periods when, for all sorts of reasons, the spirit and resolve of a club - management, players, board and of course supporters - has endured such a prolonged testing but emerged productively.

Last New Year's Day, The Guardian reported that: 'Chelsea's dependence on a handful of players could scarcely be more plain if those concerned were fitted with festive lights.'

The much-depleted squad then was inspired by Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Ricardo Carvalho, and overcame a damaging festive period to retain second spot in the Premier League and, eventually, to win both domestic cups.

In games straddling the end of the year, Drogba, Lampard and Essien contributed 10 of Chelsea's 13 goals. (Lampard then bagged a hat-trick in the 6-1 thrashing of poor Macclesfield.)

It was the absences of others in 2007 that really cut deep. Our goalkeeper Petr Cech, badly hurt in that alarming challenge the previous autumn by Reading's Stephen Hunt, had been greeted with a huge cheer when he appeared on the pitch at the interval when we hosted Fulham on December 30, as was the news that JT was running and swimming after his operation.

JT, his replacement Khalid Boulahrouz, reliable keeper Carlo Cudicini, inspirational winger Arjen Robben and the invaluable Carvalho all missed many games in a 2006/7 title pursuit that faltered only at the last.

It was stirring against-the-odds stuff. José Mourinho's 'chin-up' gesture to travelling supporters after a thrilling second-half powerplay at the Emirates wrote another page of his legend.

The nature of the Champions League semi-final defeat at Anfield, where that famous spirit appeared spent, was hugely upsetting, but beating Arsenal at Cardiff and Manchester United in the first FA Cup final back Wembley were wonderful pick-me-ups.

Older fans who remember the dark days of relegation with a shudder will know that the disappointment of finishing second in May to a very good Manchester Utd side and only reaching a European semi, while winning both domestic cups, simply pales next to losing at Spurs in April 1975 or crashing to Boro in the 1987/8 play-offs.

That was the 'same old Chelsea' of yore. That was when managers maybe didn't know what they were doing.

Even as Mourinho's men had run out to meet Aston Villa this time last year, the sports pages were predicting that The Special One would be off in the summer, whether or not the league title was retained. The forecasts were wrong, but only by a couple of months.

The number of key players available for selection had already dwindled in the autumn, and in that context, as well as the loss of a much-loved figurehead, it is amazing that the club has recovered from the upheaval of regime change strongly enough to be in the semi-final of the League Cup, well placed to progress in the Champions League, and only six points off top spot in the Barclays Premier League.

Avram Grant's record of 15 wins and the same number of clean sheets in 22 games has been hugely impressive, but the big challenges aren't going away.

Like the Black Knight of 'Monty Python And The Holy Grail', collectively the team seems to stay positive no matter the severity of the absentee list.

Didier Drogba ruled out for six weeks: ''Tis but a scratch.' Terry sidelined for a month: 'I've had worse.' Lampard unavailable for a few weeks: 'Right. I'll do you for that.'

No doubt in January when the heart of the team is away in Ghana for the African Cup of Nations this remarkably defiant side will still be yelling: 'I'll bite you legs off!' This squad's resolve is so extraordinary it's sometimes easy to forget how stretched it really is.

Despite appearances, in several ways Chelsea's performance over the 2007 fixtures calendar was better than that for 2006, which included a title win: there were only five defeats, compared to ten previously; we scored 1.79 goals per game as opposed to 1.72; and conceded 0.65 per game compared to 0.79 in 2006. However, the percentage of wins dipped slightly from 63% to 62% year on year.

Inevitably the intensity of games at this time produces strange results. Leaving aside Newcastle finally scoring a goal at the Bridge, the 4-4 draw with Villa was hopefully just one of those seasonal anomalies.

Coincidentally, the last side to score four at Chelsea was Southampton - on 1 January 2002. Marian Pahars and James Beattie ran rings round Sam Dalla Bona, Mario Stanic, Slavisa Jokanovic et al to beat the Blues 4-2. 'Crazy football, crazy Chelsea,' shrugged a bemused Claudio Ranieri.

You have to go back to just before Christmas 1965 for the last time a visiting team hit four or more and came away without all the points. West Ham United's Moore, Peters and Hurst featured in a roller-coaster 5-5 game in which the Hammers twice led by two goals and Bobby Tambling scored a brace.

Fans back then, it was reported, were 'agog and aglow' at the entertainment on offer, not bemoaning defensive lapses.

So we enter the 67th SW6 derby against Fulham, who achieved a notable if bizarre 2-2 draw at the Bridge this time a year ago that was a drain on belief. It will be the first game in charge for new boss Roy Hodgson, who has a decent, albeit brief record against Chelsea, having won two, drawn one and lost one in his time at Blackburn Rovers, 1997-8.

The defeat was the famous 4-3 of September 1998, when Sebastian Perez of Rovers and old boy Graeme Le Saux were both dismissed. Two goals for late, inspired sub Tore Andre Flo turned round a 2-3 deficit in five wonderful minutes.

Our neighbours' 1-0 win in September 2006 is their only success in this derby in 29 years. They have not won a match against anyone since early November, and Lawrie Sanchez paid for it with his job.

The fact is that David Healy has failed to replicate his international scoring record under Sanchez with Northern Ireland, and other summer buys have yet to spark - top scorer Clint Dempsey was hired in January. Fulham haven't played attractive football and concede too easily. Spurs put five past them at White Hart Lane without really having to break sweat.

Hodgson says he turned down the job of assistant to Massimo Morratti, Inter's president, to take on the Craven Cottage role. He has managed the Finland national team for two years, and is well acquainted with Cottager's keeper Antti Niemi, who will have a crucial role to play in staving off relegation.

Caretaker manager and former Chelsea midfielder Ray Lewington fielded a 4-4-1-1 side in the 1-1 draw at Birmingham on Boxing Day. The Londoners came flying out from the start at St Andrews and dominated midfield.

They are bound to do the same in this fixture - one that gets their fans' tails up more than any other all season. If Chelsea start as slowly as we have in recent games it could be tricky, but Fulham have conceded nearly all their goals in the second half.

The turning of the year is a time for reflection on the past and looking forward with hope. There have been severe disappointments, but in the context of Chelsea's history these are the greatest days to be a Blues fan. They would, of course, be even greater for a handsome win over our next-door neighbours.

Happy New Year to all.

 

FULHAM V CHELSEA - Paul Dutton with the New Year's Day facts and figures:

Chelsea have completed 2007 with a record of played 63, won 39, drawn 19, lost 5, scored 113, conceded 41 and kept 34 clean sheets. Our scorers in those 63 games were: Drogba 22, Lampard 21 (4 pens), Shevchenko 15 (1 pen), Kalou 13, J Cole 6, Essien 6, Wright-Phillips 6, Ballack 4, Alex 3, Malouda 3, Carvalho 2, Mikel 2, Robben 2, Belletti 1, Bridge 1, Pizarro 1, Sidwell 1, Sinclair 1, own goals 3 (Kirkland - Wigan, Xavier - Middlesbrough, Jaaskelainen - Bolton).

The results show an improvement to our 2006 record that was: played 57, won 36, drawn 11, lost 10, scored 98, conceded 45.

The Fulham game is the first of two games in four days against our nearest local rivals.

The Cottagers are looking for their first win in two months. The draw at Birmingham on Saturday was only their third point out of a possible 24 in a run that has seen them score five goals.

Fulham's last victory against us in March 2006 was Chelsea's first top-flight defeat at Craven Cottage for 47 years. Fulham's other four home league wins against us have come in our first ever meeting in 1910/11, 1975/76 and 1976/77 in the old Second Division and 1960/61 in the old First Division.

Since last season's corresponding game in September, John Terry has missed 34 games due to injury.

In six away Premier League meetings Chelsea have won three, Fulham won one and there has been two draws.

Although Fulham is the Premier League's oldest London team this is only the 18th season that Chelsea and Fulham have been in the top flight together. They have also played together in eleven seasons in the old Second Division.

The Cottagers have won three of their last 16 Premier League games at Craven Cottage.

Fulham's home league record this season is won two (Bolton 2-1, Reading 3-1), drawn five (Tottenham 3-3, Man City 3-3, Derby 0-0, Blackburn 2-2, Wigan 1-1) and lost three (Middlesbrough 1-2, Portsmouth 0-2, Newcastle 0-1).

Chelsea on the road have won at Reading, Bolton, Middlesbrough, Wigan, Derby and Blackburn, drawn at Liverpool and lost at Arsenal, Aston Villa and Man Utd.

Our away Premier League record against Fulham is as follows:
2001/02 Drew 1-1
2002/03 Drew 0-0
2003/04 Chelsea won 1-0
2004/05 Chelsea won 4-1
2005/06 Fulham won 1-0
2006/07 Chelsea won 2-0

Chelsea have been beaten twice in 22 games in all competitions under Avram Grant in a run that has seen 15 wins and 15 clean sheets.

Chelsea are unbeaten in the last 43 games in all competitions when scoring the opening goal - 40 wins, three draws. The last occasion was at Tottenham in November 2006.

Fulham have failed to win in eight of the nine Premier League games after scoring the opening goal and gained only nine points from the eight matches in which they were leading at half time. They have conceded an amazing 28 of their 35 goals in the second half.

Fulham's last six games
Dec 3 Man Utd (a) L 0-2
Dec 8 Everton (a) L 0-3
Dec 15 Newcastle (h) L 0-1
Dec 22 Wigan (h) D 1-1
Dec 26 Tottenham (a) L 1-5
Dec 29 Birmingham (a) D 1-1

Fulham have played 22 games in all competitions winning three, losing 10 and drawing nine. They have scored 23 goals, conceded 37, have kept three clean sheets and failed to score seven times.

Fulham will be hoping to keep their first clean sheet in 11 games.

Carlos Bocanegra opened the scoring with a header from a corner after eight minutes at St Andrews on Saturday. Birmingham, including Mikael Forssell, equalised through Larsson just before the hour to deny the visitors first away win in almost 16 months. Team: (4-4-2) Niemi; Omozusi, Bocanegra, Stefanovic (c), Konchesky; Davies, Murphy (Smertin 70), Davis, Bouazza; Dempsey, Healy (Kuqi 74). Bouazza was sent off for a second yellow card on 79 minutes.

Premier League scorers:
Fulham (21): Dempsey 6, Davies 3, Healy 3, Kamara 2, Murphy 2 (1 pen), Bocanegra 1, Bouazza 1, McBride 1, own goals 2 (Cid - Bolton 1, Rocha - Tottenham 1).
Chelsea (31): Drogba 5, Lampard 5 (2 pens), Kalou 4, Shevchenko 4 (1 pen), J Cole 3, Essien 3, Alex 2, Ballack 1, Belletti 1, Malouda 1, Pizarro 1, Wright-Phillips 1.

Chelsea have played 30 games in all competitions. We have won 18, drawn nine and lost three. We have scored 51 goals, conceded 21 and have kept 17 clean sheets. We have failed to score against Blackburn, Fulham and Valencia at home and away to Arsenal, Aston Villa, Man Utd and Schalke.

Simon Davies and Clint Dempsey have played in all 20 league games. No Chelsea player has appeared in every match. Salomon Kalou has made most appearances with 19, six as substitute.

The teams battled out a goalless draw in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge in September in Avram Grant's first home game in charge. It was our fourth game in succession without scoring. Didier Drogba was sent off in his comeback game after four weeks out injured.

After 20 games, Arsenal return to the top the Premier League with 47 points followed by Man Utd 45, Chelsea 41, Liverpool 37, Man City 36 and Everton and Aston Villa 33. Liverpool have a game in hand. Fulham are 19th on 15 points.

New Year's Day's other games featuring the top clubs are: Arsenal v West Ham (3pm), Man Utd v Birmingham (3pm), Middlesbrough v Everton (3pm), Aston Villa v Tottenham (5.20pm). On Wednesday it's Newcastle v Man City (7.45pm) and Liverpool v Wigan (8pm).

Ricardo Carvalho is suspended for the second of his three-match ban. Ashley Cole is available again after missing the Newcastle match for his sending off against Aston Villa on Boxing Day. Michael Essien received his fifth yellow against Villa and will now miss the QPR FA Cup match.

When fit or free from suspension, Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard and John Terry are all one yellow card away from a one match ban for reaching five bookings.

For Fulham, Hameur Bouazza is suspended.

Michael Ballack, if selected, will make his 50th appearance in a blue shirt.

We say hello to three Chelsea old boys, Alexey Smertin, Ian Pearce and first team coach Ray Lewington.

Eleven years ago at the end of the 1995/96 season Fulham were 17th in the Third Division (fourth tier) and in the next five seasons won three promotions including being champions of the Second and First divisions. The Cottagers have never won a major trophy.

The referee is Mark Halsey, who refereed our Community Shield defeat by Manchester Utd and the 2-0 win at Middlesbrough.

Chelsea's overall record against Fulham in all competitions is: played 66, won 37, drawn 20, lost 9.

Head-to-head in the league at Craven Cottage and Loftus Road: played 28, won 17, drawn 6, lost 5.

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Fulham 0 Chelsea 2
Premiership, Saturday September 23rd 2006 at Craven Cottage.
Fulham (4-1-4-1): Niemi; Rosenior, Knight (c), Pearce, Queudrue; Bocanegra (McBride 76); Routledge, Diop, Brown, Volz; John (Helguson 76)
Manager Chris Coleman.
Booked Queudrue, Volz
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Gérémi, Ferreira, Carvalho, A Cole; Essien, Makelele, Lampard (c) (Bridge 90); Drogba, Shevchenko (Mikel 76), Robben (Kalou 56).
Booked Carvalho
Scorers Lampard (72 pen, 79).
Manager José Mourinho.
Referee Mark Halsey.
Crowd 24,290.
A (then) rare game without the captain when a back problem ruled Terry out. With Boulahrouz unwell, Ferreira was asked to fill-in the gap in the centre of defence. Ballack was suspended. Essien played his 50th game for the club.