Deco Won Barclays Player of the Month Award

Chelsea midfielder Deco has capped a dream start to life in England by winning the Barclays Player of the Month Award.

The summer signing from Barcelona has made a big impression in the Barclays Premier League, scoring twice and being credited with a further two assists in just three matches, as the Blues soared to the top of the table and retained their unbeaten record going into September.

Deco's creative talents were first showcased in the 4-0 win over Portsmouth in the season opener at Stamford Bridge, where his assist for Nicolas Anelka's goal was improved by a 25-yard strike to round off the scoring.

In the closely contested 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic that followed he shone once more, as another long-range strike, this time from a third-minute free-kick, proved the difference. His effectiveness from set pieces continued in the 1-1 home draw with Tottenham Hotspur, where his corner produced the opening goal from a Juliano Belletti flick.

Deco, Luiz Felipe Scolari's debut signing, is the first Chelsea player to scoop the award since Petr Cech back in March 2007, and the only Portuguese player other than Christiano Ronaldo to collect the prize.

The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.

"I Have My Doubt" - Deco Frowns On Robinho's City Move

Chelsea's Deco admits he was gobsmacked when Robinho made his shock move from Real Madrid to Manchester City in the final hours of transfer deadline day.

"To leave Madrid to go to Chelsea is okay, but I have my doubts with respect to City. I don't know, we will have to ask Robinho what happened. It's not normal either to change Real for City only for the money. Robinho has the standing to play in a team who aspire to titles."

"I've started off on the right foot, I've great team-mates at Chelsea. We've only drawn against Juande Ramos' Tottenham, who made life difficult for us," he said.

"How is it different from the Primera here? It basically differs that in the Premier League there are no small opponents, everyone fights to the death. When we play at home we still have a bit of space, but away you are under constant pressure from your opponent. In every area of play there is a battle. It's fun."

In closing Deco stated once again that he was enjoying his time in London and as such he didn't rue passing up the chance to join José Mourinho at Inter.

"Chelsea's offer was more interesting in all aspects than that of Internazionale, I liked more the plans of Felipe Scolari and I cannot complain, to play next to Lampard, Essien, Ballack, Joe Cole, Drogba, Terry and Co is a pleasure," he said.

"We are going to make life difficult for Inter and for everyone, we aspire to win the Champions League that the club were so close to last year, losing on penalties."

Chelsea Beat Wigan Athletic 1-0 , Goal by Deco

A goal of pure quality from Deco in the third minute sent Chelsea to the top of the Premier League, although Luiz Felipe Scolari's side made heavy weather of overcoming a determined Wigan side 1-0 at the JJB Stadium on Sunday. Chelsea secured all three points against Wigan Athletic. The win gives Chelsea two wins from two games, and lifts them above Liverpool, the only other side with two wins so far, on goal difference.

Deco continued his fine start to life in the Barclays Premier League. The Brazilian-born Portuguese international, a summer signing from Barcelona, made it two goals in two games for his new club. The Portugal midfielder lashed home a free-kick in the third minute to hand the Blues three points against a resilient Latics side.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side could not repeat the display that saw them comprehensively beat Portsmouth 4-0 last week, but with two wins from two the Brazilian coach has already stolen a march on title rivals Arsenal and Manchester United.

Scolari, on the other hand, will hope to see a bit more quality from his expensively-assembled squad in next week's London derby with Tottenham.

Chelsea Defeated Portsmouth 4 - 0

The era of Luiz Felipe Scolari exploded into life at Stamford Bridge today with the merciless dismantling of a Portsmouth side with European aspirations of their own. Scolari conveyed a message of attacking intent to the rest of the Barclays Premier League.



Scolari's first match in charge suggested he wants style as well as substance, and they continued to push forward after Cole opened the scoring in the 12th minute.

Nicolas Anelka, Scolari's only senior forward available, headed in his first goal at home for Chelsea - before Frank Lampard put the result beyond doubt approaching half-time, scoring a penalty just five days after sealing his new five-year contract at the club. Deco, making his debut, added a late fourth from long range.