Derby day victory just what we need

• We head across London to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and this more than any other game in recent weeks really will be the catalyst to kick-start the season if the reigning Premier League champions can get a result.
• It's easy for people to only look at the negatives, but we are unbeaten since before Christmas. We haven't been climbing the table quite as hoped, but the team hasn't lost a game for more than a month. If nothing else that demonstrates resilience and character.
• Pegging the league leaders back in their own backyard would be a huge statement and a massive confidence booster, more so than against any other opponent right now. If we can beat Arsenal away from home, we can beat anyone and that can only be a good mentality to have for the rest of the season.
• Should we head to the north of the capital and come away with three points it will show that the quality and the drive to win is still very much present in the Chelsea squad despite everything that has gone on.
• Arsenal might be top right now, but ahead of the game it's comforting to remember that our record against them in recent years has actually been very good. When it comes to big London derbies like this, current form goes out of the window and it's all about who turns up on the day.
• Cast your mind back just a few months and Chelsea claimed all three points in the meeting at Stamford Bridge. Things weren't good for us then, but the players put all that to one side and came out fighting to win that game. Arsenal lost their heads and we capitalised to win 2-0.
• Since 2011 the only time the Blues have lost against the Gunners was in the Community Shield at the start of this season. Looking further back, we've only been beatean by Arsenal five times in nearly 12 full years - that's in Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield games as well as Premier League.
• Specifically looking at games at the Emirates where the team will be playing this weekend there are a few memorable ones that stand out. Just last April a 0-0 draw there was a huge step towards securing the league title as we maintained our 10-point lead at the top of the table.
• In December 2013, we frustrated them in another 0-0 draw which stopped the Gunners going top for Christmas. Our mean defence didn't give up a major chance until the closing stages. Superb defending ensured Arsenal were kept out.
• As European champions, Chelsea won at the Emirates in September 2012, while we dumped them out of the League Cup on that pitch in October 2013. On the way to the 2009/10 Premier League title and FA Cup double we cruised to a 3-0 victory, courtesy of a brace from Didier Drogba.
• But given that Guus Hiddink is now back with the Blues the one that really stands out is the 4-1 Emirates demolition that the Dutchman masterminded during his first spell in charge in the spring of 2009. Goals from Alex, Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda and an own goal from Kolo Toure were the difference that day and were part of a five game-winning streak at the end of the season.
• They say in football that fond memories against certain opponents will serve players and managers well. Let's hope Chelsea take that into the game on Sunday and it will be another happy one for us to remember in north London. And one that will be the catalyst we've been waiting for.
• By Cody Taylor, Chelsea fan.
• For more Chelsea fan views or to join the conversation visit www.90min.com

Hiddink: Character references

• Guus Hiddink has been discussing three members of his current squad, along with one player he managed previously and who will be in direct opposition when we face Arsenal away tomorrow.
• The Blues take on the leaders in north London looking to extend our unbeaten league run against the Gunners to nine matches.
• There was good news yesterday when, in his pre-match press conference, Hiddink said both Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are available for selection.
• The Belgian has not featured since limping out of our win over Crystal Palace earlier this month, and Hiddink is pleased to have him back.
• ‘If Eden Hazard is game-fit, because he must grow into game fitness, he can make a good difference to the team,’ said the Chelsea manager.
• ‘He hasn’t been involved in training much recently but from what I’ve seen he can be the difference on the condition he is game-fit.’
• Diego Costa has been in impressive form of late on the pitch, scoring five goals in his last five appearances, including the first of our three against Everton last weekend.
• Hiddink explained what type of character the striker is away from the field of play.
• ‘When he comes in he’s a lot of joy and shows a lot of courtesy to everyone,’ said the Blues boss. ‘In the canteen for instance, dealing with people who prepare the pitch, all the staff, he’s not snobby or arrogant.
• ‘When he goes on the pitch there is a desperate will, almost at any cost, to win. There is a slight change in character and behaviour. But I prefer to have players who sometimes you need to control rather than those who need a little push, that’s more difficult.’
• Another player the manager spoke about was Nemanja Matic, who started the game against Everton before being replaced by Oscar shortly after we had fallen behind.
• Hiddink, however, is happy with the Serbian and believes there is more to his game than simply offering a defensive shield to the back four.
• ‘When you have an array of games I don’t think of just 10 outfield players and one goalie,’ he said.
• ‘It depends on the game; sometimes you like to play with two screening players, although Maticcan play more advanced than just in the controlling midfield position.
• ‘I’m happy with his commitment and the way he can build the game and even attack. I don’t see him as just a defensive midfielder.’
• If the Blues are to emerge from the Emirates with a win on Sunday we will need to get the better of a player who enjoyed huge success during his time at Stamford Bridge prior to making the switch across the capital.
• Chelsea supporters are fully aware of the incredibly high standards Petr Cech can reach, and he has been in fine form of late. Hiddink worked with Cech during his first spell at the club in 2009 and spoke about his quality.
• ‘Petr was and still is so determined, ambitious and detailed in his work,’ said Hiddink. ‘I remember being with him and he was looking at the computer, thinking about how a player was standing when he took a shot.
• ‘He’d look at distances for free-kicks and work out if a player put his foot to the inside or outside whether the ball would curl to the left or right. With goalkeepers like that, as long as they maintain their fitness they can go on for many years. He’s a very good example of high professionalism. He has proven in recent years he is among the top in the world.
• ‘In a season, even when you are at the top you are not always good in 38 games. You have a certain period, usually when the leaves start falling, where the team might start dropping a bit. At that moment the good goalkeepers save points for the team and he’s doing that.’

US snowstorm: East coast wakes up to mammoth snowfall

Parts of the eastern United States have woken up to 46cm (18 inches) of snow after a huge blizzard swept across the region.

• Heavy snow began falling on Friday across more than 20 states, affecting some 85 million people.
• In Kentucky, where the heaviest snowfall was recorded, thousands of drivers were left stranded in a 35-mile (56km) traffic jam.
• At least nine people have died and emergencies declared in 10 states.

• Tens of thousands of homes are without power.

Borders 'to shut in migrant crisis': As EU panics, PM is urged to ramp up demands for Brussels reform

Europe's border-free travel zone could be suspended for two years amid a warning from the French prime minister that mass immigration could kill the entire EU project. 

Officials will meet on Monday to discuss suspending the Schengen Agreement – ripping up one of the EU’s most 

sacred rules.

The tumult triggered demands from Tory MPs for David Cameron to seize the moment and increase his own demands in Britain’s EU referendum negotiations with Brussels.

Eurosceptics said that, with borders being re-imposed across the continent, now was the time to demand Britain should be able to impose its own limits on free movement.

On a day of drama in capitals across Europe:

• Mr Cameron admitted he could drop his demand for a four-year ban on migrant benefits if Europe offers an alternative;

• The Czech PM said Britain could be offered a so-called emergency brake instead, allowing temporary limits on EU workers;

• A poll showed the UK’s referendum race remains neck and neck – with ‘stay’ on 52 per cent and ‘leave’ on 48 per cent;

• EU figures showed a staggering 1.25million migrants arrived in Europe last year;

• Turkey promised German chancellor Angela Merkel it would do ‘everything it could’ to stem the tide of migrants;

• The Slovenian PM warned there would be ‘conflicts’ between EU member states unless the crisis was brought under control within weeks.

Some 26 countries removed border controls between each other under Schengen, but this unravelled as the migrant crisis took hold. 

Don't they know he'll never be able to help them? Remarkable scenes as Jeremy Corbyn is mobbed by migrants wanting SELFIES as he strolls around Dunkirk refugee camp

Jeremy Corbyn today visited a temporary camp in Dunkirk to speak to thousands of migrants attem