Chelsea FC's Top 15 Wins in the Roman Abramovich Era

Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea in 2003. With one First Division trophy, three FA Cups and two League Cups, Chelsea were not the a hugely successful club. In the eight years he has been at that club, they have won these trophies eight times. 

Since the Abramovich era started there has been some wonderful matches, amazing moments to be a Chelsea fan. In this slideshow I'm going to take a look at what victories during this era were the most impressive. 

15 Liverpool 1-4 Chelsea (02/10/2005)

Chelsea had started the 05/06 Premier League campaign with seven wins in a row. After a lacklustre draw against Liverpool in the Champions League the previous Wednesday people anticipated a tight match. It wasn't to be that way. At Anfield Chelsea were ruthless, especially on the counter with goals from Lampard, Cole, Geremi and Duff.

The scoreline did perhaps end up a bit flattering for Chelsea however the real story was Didier Drogba discovering the form that persuaded Chelsea to pay £24 million for him. Drogba was at his irrepressible best, playing a part in each of the four goals. The win, at Anfield, left Chelsea 17 points ahead of Liverpool after only eight games and the definite title favourites. 

Why this match is here: Brilliant performance at Anfield. 

14 Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea (03/04/2010)

Heading into this clash, many predicted the winner of this would go on to win the Premier League. Chelsea would win the game 2-1 giving themselves a two-point gap over United. Goals from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba were enough to overcome a United who struggled without Rooney. Florent Mlouda who was going through his best spell in a Chelsea shirt was the star man.

The main talking point of the match however was referee Mike Dean. A penalty denied for either side, Drogbas' goal being offside and Macheda handling the ball over the line all caused controversy. Chelsea would make the most of this crucial win going on to win the Premier League by goal difference. 

Why this match is here: Second phase of the double over United that season which won Chelsea the Premier League.

13 Chelsea 4-2 Bayern Munich (06/04/2005)

It was a good time to be a Chelsea fan. Only four defeats all season and 3-1 favourites to win the Champions League. Having overcome European Giants Barcelona, Chelsea were drawn against four-time winners Bayern Munich. As the fans had become accustomed to it was an exciting night in the Champions League at the bridge.

It would be an enthralling match, end to end despite only being 1-0 at half time. Bayern equalised which sent Chelsea into another gear. Frank Lampard would score two sensational goals before Drogba capped off the evening  with a fourth.  Future Chelsea player Michael Ballack would controversially score a penalty to keep the tie interesting.

Why this match is here: Incredible match. Win over European Giants. Reinforce belief the Champions League would be won.

12 Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool (After Extra Time) (27/02/2005)

The first trophy of the Roman Abramovich era was the Carling Cup in 2005. After beating United in the semis, Chelsea were the favourites. It wouldn't be as easy as first thought. John Arne Riise scored the quickest ever goal in league cup final. Not until the 79th minute would Chelsea pull level through an own goal from Steven Gerrard.

As expected for a Benitez vs. Mourinho game there was controversy. The free kick from which Gerrard headed into his own net was taken further up the pitch than where it was given. Then Jose Mourinho was sent to the crowd after taunting Liverpool fans. Extra time would see goals from Didier Drogba and a winner from Mateja Kezman winning the trophy for Chelsea.

Why this match is here: First trophy under Roman Abramovich. Great comeback.

11 Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool (After Extra Time) (30/04/2008)

Chelsea just couldn't seem to get past Liverpool in the Champions League. Twice they had lost out at the semi final stage. When they drew Liverpool in the 2008 Champions League there was a groan of disbelief. However, a last minute own goal from John Arse Riise at Anfield left Chelsea in an advantageous position. 

The second leg would be a match with sub plots. Didier Drogba, criticized by Rafael Benitez in the build up would score a double, including the winner. Frank Lampard started only 6 days after his mother passing and marked her death with a confident penalty and a celebration with left no dry eyes. Avram Grant also made his mark in the competition which his predecessor really made his name.

Why this match is here: Incredible win. Gave Chelsea fans hope. So many enthralling sub plots.

10 Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United (After Extra Time) (19/05/2007)

It would be the last trophy Jose Mourinho ever won at Chelsea. Perhaps it is fitting that it was the era remembered for being boring really ended in a boring final. Both sides were looking to complete the second stage of a double. Manchester United were trying to complete a league-cup double while Chelsea were looking to add to their Carling Cup triumph against Arsenal.

Considering the two sides were the stand-outs at the time in England the game was rather dull and unadventurous. Chelsea would nick the win in extra time when Didier Drogba flicked the ball past Van Der Sar meaning Chelsea won both the last FA Cup at the Old Wembley and the first at the New Wembley.

Why this match is here: Big win at Wembley over main rivals. Mourinho's last trophy.

9 Chelsea 4-1 West Ham (09/04/2006)

Perhaps not a significant game on the face of it. However in a week where there was talk of unrest in the dressing room and Manchester United beginning to catch up in the title race going 1-0 down and having a man sent off was not the perfect start. The response was amazing and set the tone for the final weeks of the season.

It was Maniche sent off after just 18 minutes. West Ham were already 1-0 up. It would be another flawless Drogba performance which led Chelsea to a 4-1 win. He would get the equalizer before setting up Crespo to put Chelsea in the lead. John Terry and William Gallas would complete the rout in a game that would be key in the title race.

Why this match is here: Showed Chelsea spirit. Great comeback against adversity. 

8 Liverpool 1-3 Chelsea (08/04/2009)

Guus Hiddink could do no wrong when he temporarily took charge of Chelsea in 2009. The Champions League Quarter final first leg at Anfield would exemplify this. Drogba looked a new player under Hiddink, the risk taken on starting Malouda paid off as he produced one of his best performances. Also the tactic of having Michael Essien mark Steven Gerrard paid off.

The best decision he made was Branislav Ivanovic over Jose Bosingwa at right back. Ivanovic would score two headers, both from corners. The final goal would be scored by Didier Drogba, slipped in by Malouda. The scoreline was probably a bit unflattering to a dominant Chelsea prepared perfectly by Guus Hiddink.

Why this match is here: Great win over 'bogey' team. Hiddink had the team playing good football. 

7 Chelsea 8-0 Wigan (09/05/2010)

It was the final day of the 2009/2010 Premier League campaign, Chelsea were a point ahead of Manchester United, a win would give them the title. Manchester United were at home to Stoke while Chelsea were at home to Wigan who beat them 3-1 earlier in the campaign. Chelsea also had a chance to do what nobody had ever done before and score 100 goals in a single campaign.

The Premier League looked sewn up after only six minutes when Nicolas Anelka opened the scoring. It would take almost half an hour for the next goal which Lampard scored. In the second half the floodgates would open. Drogba would get a hat-trick nabbing him the top scorer award. Kalou, Anelka and Cole would complete the rout leaving Chelsea with a mammoth 103 goal tally. 

Why this match is here: Won the Premier League. Broke records.

6 Manchester United 1-3 Chelsea (10/05/2005)

Chelsea headed to Old Trafford having won the trophy 10 days before. Manchester United would give the champions a guard of honour. Chelsea would break two records while in United's backyard. They would get to 94 points and this would give Chelsea there 29th win of the season. 

Manchester United would take the lead early through Ruud Van Nistelrooy but Chelsea would show why they are Champions coming back to win. The equalizer was a cracker from Tiago, a player largely forgotten. Eidur Gudjohnsen and Joe Cole would finish off the goals capping a brilliant season for Chelsea.

Why this match is here: Broke records. Big rivals forming guard of honour. Champion spirit.

5 Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (14/04/2009)

The best game I have ever watched. Maybe it's my rose-tinted glasses. Maybe I still remember it because Chelsea won on aggregate. It was a magical European night. Chelsea held a 3-1 advantage coming into the match, a night before the 20th anniversary of the HIllsborough disaster. The match would start badly for Chelsea with Xabi Alonso and Fabio Aurelio scoring goals to have Liverpool 2-0 up at half time.

At this point I'd taking to peeling my nails off during football games due to nerves and after only 45 minutes mine were all gone. The tension and nerves were vital ingredients in making this a great game. It would be Chelsea to score next with Drogba and Alex getting the scores back to level. Lampard would put Chelsea ahead for the first time. It wouldn't be over though with Liverpool drawing level through Lucas before going into the lead a minute later. Another goal and they'd be though. However Lampard would equalize providing an amazing end to one of the best ever games.

Why this match is here: Possibly the best match I've ever seen. Great comeback. Got through to Semi Finals. 

4 Chelsea 3-0 Manchester United (29/04/2006)

It was a day when Chelsea only needed a point to retain the trophy they had won so convincingly the season before. Against the only team that could finish above them a realistic idea was to defend for a 0-0 thus winning the title. However thankfully this is not what Mourinho decided to do.

Chelsea, led by inspirational captain John Terry  took the lead in the fifth minute through William Galls to cap off his amazing season. Chelsea would continue to dominate, with Claude Makelele proving what a valuable asset he was in midfield. It would be a moment of magic from Joe Cole, tantalizingly teasing through three United defenders before emphatically scoring. Ricardo Carvalho would round the game off making it a day to remember for Chelsea fans.

Why this match is here: Won the league. Dominated main rivals. Joe Cole's goal.

3 Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona (08/03/2005)

Top of the world. As a 10-year-old this was almost the peak. Beating the all star Barcelona team including the best player in the world, Ronaldinho along with Xavi, Iniesta, E'too and Deco. After the controversial first leg Chelsea were 2-1 down and looked to be heading out. It took only 20 minutes for people to completely disregard this view.

Gudjohnsen and Duff would score on the counter attack while in between them Frank Lampard would turn in Cole's parried shot. Looking so dominant it was almost inconceivable that Chelsea wouldn't qualify, yet just 20 minutes later Barcelona were through. Ronaldinho scored both goals, the second being one of outstanding quality a little wiggle off the foot before a poke sending the ball into the bottom right corner. John Terry would score a header winning the game for Chelsea. 

Why this match is here: Incredible match. Beat giants of Europe. Thought anything was possible.

2 Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea (06/04/2004)

The only game here which Claudio Ranieri was manager of Chelsea for, doesn't look huge without the context. Chelsea had only defeated Arsenal twice in over 20 years, the last win coming in a League Cup tie. Arsenal were the majority of the way through their unbeaten Premier League campaign and were well fancied  to win the Champions League.

The first leg, at Stanford Bridge, ended 1-1 meaning Chelsea needed to either win or keep Arsenal to a 0-0 draw. The second was no longer feasible after Reyes put Arsenal into the lead on the stroke of half time. Lampard would equalize in the second half leaving the possibility of extra time and penalties looking likely.

However, that would not be needed. Wayne Bridge would pop up with one of his three goals during his Chelsea career after a surging run and great finish. It would provide incredible excitement among Chelsea fans who considered themselves favourites to win the Champions League with only Deportivo, Monaco and Porto left in the competition.

Why this match is here: Amazing win considering circumstances. Unparalleled excitement. 

1 Bolton 0-2 Chelsea (30/04/2005)

When something happens for the first time in 50 years it's bound to be special. When your manager predicts it would happen exactly that way six months earlier it is even more special. What more would you expect from the special one himself? Chelsea had realistically sewn up the premiership already but away at Bolton was there first chance to actually win it. 

It would be the man who inspired Chelsea all season along with John Terry. Frank Lampard would score both goals, the first after he rounded defenders striking the ball into the bottom corner. He would make sure the title headed back to the Bridge when he rounded the keeper on the counter attack. The win over Bolton brought the end to years of pain and hurt.

Why this match is here: First league win in 50 years.