This Day in Chelsea history.16th day september...Friday night Action

This Day in Chelsea history.16th day september...Friday night Action
Friday night football returns to Stamford Bridge with the visit of Liverpool, but can it live up to these other pre-weekend thrillers? We’ve picked out five of our favourite Chelsea matches which were played on the eve of the weekend..

CHELSEA 2 REAL MADRID 1

1971 EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP FINAL REPLAY

After missing out on lifting the Cup Winners' Cup by conceding a goal in the final seconds of the contest in Athens, few gave Chelsea much hope of bettering Real Madrid in the replay two days later.

Nobody could account for the goal of a lifetime from centre-back John Dempsey, who thundered the sweetest of volleys into the back of the net to set Dave Sexton’s boys on their way. Spurred on by the most unlikely of goals, the Blues quickly extended our lead. It was scored by, you guessed it, that man Peter Osgood. And while this strike wasn't quite of the same quality of Dempsey's, it was still a goal worthy of winning any cup final, despite Real pulling one back late on.

manchester CITY 0 CHELSEA 2

1983/84 DIVISION TWO

Chelsea fans had to wait until May 1984 to see play their team play in a live televised league game, but it was certainly worth holding out for as the Blues netted a couple of stunning goals at City's old Maine Road ground. The first, scored by Pat Nevin, was a sublime finish from a tight angle, while Kerry Dixon doubled the lead after Paul Canoville's trickery teed up David Speedie to cross for his strike partner.

At the time of the game, Chelsea seemingly had little chance of overhauling Second Division leaders Sheffield Wednesday, but a remarkable turnaround saw John Neal's side crowned champions.

MIDDLESBROUGH 0 CHELSEA 0

1992/93 PREMIER LEAGUE

Okay, we know what you’re thinking – how can a goalless draw make it onto our list? This, however, was an historic Friday night match as it was the first of the Premier League era. Taking place at Ayresome Park, the Blues were indebted to a fine display by goalkeeper Kevin Hitchcock for earning us a point which took us into second place in the table, although little did we know it was the first of a 12-match winless run which would cost manager Ian Porterfield his job.

CHELSEA 1 REAL MADRID 0

1998 EUROPEAN SUPER CUP

The first one-off Super Cup to be held at Monaco's Stade Louis II was contested by the newly crowned seven-time European Cup winners and Gianluca Vialli's Cup Winners' Cup-winning Blues.

Chelsea overcame the Spanish side thanks to a low drive from Gus Poyet with less than 10 minutes remaining to spark jubilant scenes of celebration. It was a third trophy in the space of a little over six months since Vialli had taken the managerial reins from Ruud Gullit; though there was to be no addition to the cabinet come May, the Blues enjoyed our best season in 29 years by finishing the Premier League campaign in third place.

CHELSEA 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 2

2002/03 PREMIER LEAGUE

Although our last Premier League game on a Friday night finished all square, it was a game to live long in the memory. After William Gallas’ early goal got us off to the perfect start, United drew level through a deflected effort by David Beckham.

However, there was little doubt about the goal of the game, which came on the stroke of half-time from the boot of Bolo Zenden. The Dutch winger didn’t enjoy the best of luck during his time with the Blues, but this thunderbolt was certainly his finest moment. Had it not been for Ryan Giggs scoring the 100th goal of his United career in the second half, Claudio Ranieri’s men would have claimed victory from a barnstorming encounter.