Shut the fucking door. El mercato has finally ceased, meaning we can finally get down to the proper business of actually focusing on the football. I, for one, am ecstatic.

That's not to say the summer wasn't enjoyable. A tad chaotic and frustrating at times, yes, but it certainly was an intriguing one for the club.

Is it "so long and thanks for the goal in Moscow" to Yuri Zhirkov?

Reports in Russia are claiming that Zhirkov arrived this morning and has signed with FC Anji for 15 million Euros. Nothing is on either club's website yet, though.

Zhirkov's Chelsea career hasn't exactly been sparkling, given he has often fallen into the Alex-esque injury mire where he disappears for periods of time with no one explaining exactly why.

Cue the golazos.

Day 4 of our end of season polling brings with it one of the more popular offerings of each summer, goal of the season. Perhaps there is not a headline favorite as in previous seasons Essien v. Barcelona in 2009, Drogba v. Bolton in 2010 but that's not to say there aren't several fine candidates.

Disturbingly inept on a night when Chelsea needed a renaissance. Now, only a performance for the ages will do.

I felt myself resigned to this result as soon as Jose Bosingwa misjudged the diagonal pass that freed Ryan Giggs, and led to another dagger from Wayne Rooney.

A lot of these type of faces at the Bridge tonight.

Dull, yes. Effective? Certainly.

Most significantly, beyond the profligacy and the lack of home atmosphere, is qualification for the Champions League quarterfinals. We're into the last eight, my friends. Celebrate that fact.