Sunday Times

Chelsea pass Wolves into submission
Chelsea 4 Wolves 0


Nick Townsend at Stamford Bridge


THE worrying thing for Chelsea’s rivals is not only did the
established luminaries embark on a record-breaking afternoon against
Wolves, but Carlo Ancelotti used the opportunity to usher in a
propitious future.

Just before the hour, Gael Kakuta, the French teenager signed from
Lens in 2007, whose manager has laden him with heady expectation,
claiming “the best I’ve seen at his age”, made his entrance. It had
been the accusation of inducement when he signed that led to the
club’s transfer ban, suspended until an appeal hearing. By the end of
this mis-match he had delivered two decent crosses and come close to
opening his Chelsea account. “In 30 minutes today he showed he has a
lot of talent,” said Ancelotti. “But we have to stay calm. He is young
and he has to improve.”

Kakuta, 18, was followed into the fray by lanky 21-year-old Serbian,
Nemanja Matic, followed by another 18-year-old, Fabio Borini, who
admittedly already had the luxury of featuring for one minute as a
Premier League substitute earlier in the season. Now all were
relishing the experience of the Blues in imperious form — and that,
despite the absence of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Deco and Michael
Ballack.

The match had been rendered a non-contest by midway through the first
half, by which time an early opener from Florent Malouda, and a brace
from Michael Essien, in inspirational form, had placed the game way
beyond the visitors. “One of the most important midfield players in
the world,” Ancelotti agreed, before enthusing about Essien’s strength
and quality. Joe Cole added a fourth; his first in this injury-riven
calendar year.

“We have had a lot of injuries before the match, but our play was the
same,” insisted Ancelotti. “It was important that we could put young
players into the team — in January we may not need to buy other
players.”

In the Roman Abramovich era, Chelsea haven’t been traditional new year
buyers. In only three of the past six years have they purchased
players, notably in 2008 when Avram Grant persuaded the Russian to pay
more than £27m for a trio including Nicolas Anelka. On that occasion,
Chelsea lost players to the African Cup of Nations, and the same
applies this January when Drogba, Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Obi
Mikel are scheduled to depart.

However, fear of the longer-term unknown — and the likelihood that
they may ultimately face a two-window transfer suspension — may
persuade Chelsea to replenish stocks in January, with possible targets
including Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero, Brazilian teenager Alex
Teixeira, Everton’s defensive midfielder Jack Rodwell and Bayern
Munich’s Franck Ribery.

It would be tempting to contend that, on this evidence, Chelsea
scarcely require reinforcements. However, they are unlikely to face
too many sides as impoverished in defensive prowess as yesterday’s
visitors, who obliged their hosts’ desire to record a 12th consecutive
victory at home in all competitions, overcoming the previous best,
recorded in 2006. What’s more, they haven’t conceded at Stamford
Bridge since Hull City scored in the first fixture of the season; 10
games ago. It was in 1927 that Chelsea last achieved such a feat. Yet,
no one can deem Ancelotti’s men defence-orientated this term. They are
the Premier League team with the most shots on and off target, and
yesterday only added further to that statistic, testing Wolves’ Wayne
Hennessey from all ranges and angles. Four was meagre reward for
Chelsea’s attempts.

A lugubrious Mick McCarthy was in concessionary mood beforehand — or
was it gamesmanship? — as he acknowledged that his team were up
against “the best team — maybe the best in Europe and best in the
world — with the best players and best manager, up against a load of
rookies . . . managed by someone who’s been in the PL for one season,
and had the sack”. By the end, after a damage-limitation policy had
ensured a thorough rout had been avoided, he conceded: “We weren’t
expecting anything. We came here, tried to do our best, and have been
slapped.”

His team could have scored first. Matthew Jarvis broke down the right,
and David Edwards slid in but failed to convert. Then Jody Craddock’s
wayward clearance allowed Malouda to stride forward and unleash a
venomous left-footed drive from outside the area that gave Hennessey
no chance. Then, from a Malouda corner, Essien nodded in at the near
post. Chelsea were soon away and clear. Salomon Kalou set up Essien
and he drove home, though Hennessey was culpable. His manager, who had
joined the clamour regarding Thierry Henry’s part in the week’s big
talking point, had jested his side might need a handball to win it.
Stronger hands from his goalkeeper would have helped.

Wolves continued to threaten on occasional sorties, particularly with
the excellent crossing of Jarvis. Richard Stearman just failed to head
home one of his precise centres. Before the interval, Petr Cech
performed with athleticism to turn aside a Sylvan Ebanks-Blake header.
Any thoughts Wolves had of creating an impact were negated after the
interval when Anelka’s cross found Kalou, who set up Joe Cole. Again
Hennessey’s handling was at fault, but at least he did superbly later
to frustrate Essien, turning his effort on to the bar. Essien twice
went close after that, and Kakuta wasn’t far off target.

The end couldn’t come too soon for McCarthy. Someone asked him why his
men had turned out in white, rather than gold. “Brilliant!” he boomed.
“The shirt’s s*** — and we got beat.” It just about summed up his day.

Star man: Michael Essien (Chelsea)

Yellow cards: Wolves: Craddock, Keogh

Referee: L Mason

Attendance: 41,786

CHELSEA: Cech 7, Belletti 6, Alex 7, Terry 7, A Cole 6, Mikel 6,
Essien 8, Malouda 7 (Matic 68min), J Cole 6, Anelka 6 (Kakuta 58min,
6), Kalou 7 (Borini 78min)

WOLVES: Hennessey 5, Stearman 6, Craddock 5, Berra 6, Halford 5,
Edwards 5, Castillo 5 (Kightly 52min, 5), Henry 5, Surman 6, Jarvis 7,
Ebanks-Blake 6 (Keogh 61min)




----------------------------------------------------



Telegraph:


Chelsea 4 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

By Gerry Cox at Stamford Bridge


For most teams, losing the spine of your side through injuries to four
international superstars might cause a problem or two.

But Chelsea overcame the loss of Didier Drogba, Deco, Frank Lampard
and Michael Ballack to rack up a comfortable win over Wolverhampton
Wanderers, increasing their lead at the top of the Premiership and
setting a new club record of 12 successive home victories.

They also equalled an 82-year-old record for the most successive clean
sheets - 10 - at Stamford Bridge.

The game was effectively over as a contest with barely a quarter of
the allotted time gone. Malouda opened the scoring in the fifth
minute, although the move that led to his goal originated in a
last-ditch clearance by the Chelsea defence.

Matt Jarvis, the Wolves forward, found plenty of space down the right
and measured a low cross into the centre of goal where David Edwards
was sliding in but unable to make contact.

Instead the ball was cleared upfield, Jody Craddock's poor clearance
fell to Malouda, and the Frenchman advanced unchecked as the Wolves
defenders stood off, allowing him to rifle in a shot with his left
foot from 30 yards that flew past Wayne Hennessey.

Michael Essien made it 2-0 after 12 minutes, rising unmarked at the
near post to head home Malouda's corner, and then scored again in the
21st minute.

The Ghanaian midfielder started a flowing move that involved Ashley
Cole and Malouda before Essien drove a shot from the edge of the
penalty area through a crowd of players.

Hennessey got a hand to the ball but could not do enough to stop it,
and it was a similar story when Joe Cole increased Chelsea's lead 10
minutes into the second half.

Nicolas Anelka, taking the main striker's role in the absence of
Drogba, sent in a low cross from the left, Salomon Kalou laid the ball
back and Cole hit a low shot from the edge of the penalty area, with
Hennessey again getting a hand to the ball but failing to prevent it
crossing the line.

Minutes later Carlo Ancelotti chose to introduce the first - and most
significant - of three young substitutes, Gael Kakuta, the French
teenager whose transfer from Lens led to Fifa banning Chelsea from
transfer activity, a punishment currently suspended.

Kakuta showed with his first few touches exactly why he was coveted by
Chelsea, as the Blues rained more efforts on Hennessey's goal.

Essien, striving for his hat-trick, had a dipping volley from 30 yards
tipped on to the bar by Hennessey and then hit the sidenetting from
long distance, Kakuta shot just wide and Kalou wasted a good chance
when he beat the offside trap but shot high over the bar.

In the end it was exhibition stuff from Chelsea, while Wolves were on
a damage limitation exercise, and when the news came through that
second-placed Arsenal were losing at Sunderland, there was a loud
cheer from the home fans.

Heady days indeed.



-----------------------------------------------------




Independent:



Essien provides drive for rampant Chelsea

Chelsea 4 Wolverhamption Wanderers 0:
Ghanaian midfielder scores twice to make light of absentees as Wolves
are consigned to role of relegation scrappers

By Conrad Leach at Stamford Bridge


There was a player named Henry on the pitch but Wolverhampton
Wanderers would have needed 11 of them and maybe even a few more if
they were ever going to extract anything from this game. Unfortunately
the visitors' Henry – Karl – was peripheral, which applied to Mick
McCarthy's men as a whole. Chelsea were rampant in what was their 12th
consecutive home win in all competitions.

Wolves rarely had the chance to do anything as devious as Thierry
Henry did for France in midweek, but if they had been inclined to
cheat anywhere on the pitch, then stopping Michael Essien should have
been top of their priorities. The Ghana midfielder scored twice in 10
minutes, after Florent Malouda had broken the deadlock and sent
Chelsea on the way to their 1,000th League win at Stamford Bridge.

Combined with a defence that has not conceded a League goal at home
since the first day of the season, they took another step towards a
third title in six years.

Asked to comment on Essien, coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "Essien is one
of the most important players in midfield in the world. He can play in
the right and the centre with the same result. This season he
maintains a good condition and is very strong with a lot of quality."

Chelsea were, in theory, a diminished force, after the international
matches had ruled out Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack,
Deco and Ricardo Carvalho. Yet Wolves never found any gaps.

Even if David Edwards had scored from Andrew Jarvis's cross after four
minutes, rather than failing to make contact in front of the open net,
that would have been nothing more than a minor irritation to
Ancelotti's side.

One of those to profit from Chelsea's list of absentees was Malouda,
present in Paris against Ireland when Thierry Henry intervened and
therefore another Frenchman with a World Cup to look forward to.

Edwards's miss jolted Chelsea out of any complacency. A Wolves header
fell to Malouda inside the centre circle and the winger moved forward
20 yards and, with no one inclined to close him down, he found the top
corner of Wayne Hennessey's net from a similar distance. It was a fine
strike but Wolves had time to challenge him.

Essien's first goal involved less effort than Malouda's strike but
showed Wolves's defence up once more. From a corner taken by Malouda,
Essien moved easily free of his marker to head home from eight yards.
McCarthy criticised his players for the first two goals and said: "At
2-0 it was a done deal. We're in a relegation battle now."

Chelsea's next goal saw the visitors again undone from distance.
Salomon Kalou slipped his pass to Essien and the Wolves centre-backs
were more like rabbits in the headlights, freezing as the former Lyon
player struck his shot from 20 yards under the goalkeeper. Hennessey
denied him a hat-trick in the second half.

Wolves did see Sylvan Ebanks-Blake force a good save from Petr Cech
before the interval but were against a Chelsea side who were as fluent
here as they had been dogged in beating Manchester United a fortnight
ago.

The last two games between these sides, five years ago, provided 10
goals for the London club and Chelsea are on the way to a possible
repeat this season. The fourth strike was their best team move, as
Nicolas Anelka glided down the left and passed to Kalou, who laid the
ball back for Joe Cole. The England international sidefooted his first
goal for 13 months, although Hennessey should have kept it out after
getting a hand on the shot.

Chelsea gained more encouragement as Gaël Kakuta, the player around
whom the club's recently-lifted transfer ban revolved, made a
sprightly debut in attack. Ancelotti praised his contribution and
claimed Chelsea would not dip into the transfer market in January.

They will lose four players to the African Nations Cup in the new
year. Their title rivals, fast disappearing in the rear-view mirror,
can only hope Ancelotti is true to his word. It is their only hope.

Attendance: 41,786

Referee: Lee Mason

Man of the match: Essien

Match rating: 6/10



----------------------------------------------------------



Observer:


Chelsea maintain their Premier League lead after giving Wolves a savaging

Chelsea 4 Malouda 5, Essien 12, Essien 22, Cole, J 56
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

Sachin Nakrani at Stamford Bridge


The only consolation for Wolves in the teeming west London rain was
that they did not emulate their predecessors. The last time the
Midlands club were in the Premier League they conceded five goals on
each of the two occasions they faced Chelsea. The final tally was one
fewer this time around, but that should in no way disguise the utter
domination of Carlo Ancelotti's side on a day they revelled as
champions-elect.

A 12th consecutive home victory, a club record, was achieved with
minimum fuss and remarkable class. The league leaders lacked key
performers in Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba through
injury, yet lost none of their commitment and, on numerous occasions,
displayed eye-stretching movement. It was almost impossible, for
example, to define Ashley Cole as a full-back, Michael Essien as a
midfielder or Nicolas Anelka as a striker, such were the varied and
numerous positions they took up on the pitch.

There was individual joy, too, for Joe Cole who scored his first goal
for the club in 13 months following recovery from a knee injury. His
was a roaming and penetrative display throughout the 90 minutes.
"Every game he is improving," said Ancelotti of the midfielder. "That
is good for us as he can do a good job for the team in the position he
plays."

Freed to play his more natural attacking game, thanks to the absence
of Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack, Michael Essien was an
all-action, pitch-encompassing presence against Wolverhampton -
capping his performance with two goals. Compare this Saturday's
display with his more limited role against Manchester United, when
Lampard played, at the start of the month. In truth, those words could
have been expressed about every man in blue.

Returning from an international break and seeing only
relegation-fodder in front of them, Chelsea could have allowed
complacency to mark their approach to this fixture. Instead, though,
they were ruthless from the start.

Florent Malouda opened the scoring after five minutes with a rasping
left-footed drive following Jody Craddock's weak header before Essien
secured two further goals in the space of 10 minutes, the first a free
header from Malouda's inswinging corner and the second a low drive
from the edge of the area following Salomon Kalou's sideways pass. "He
is one of the most important midfielders in the world," Ancelotti said
of Essien later. On the basis of this performance, it was hard to
disagree.

The hosts created further chances, most notably though Malouda and
Alex, before Cole sealed the rout. After that, the home supporters'
loudest cheer was reserved for news of Arsenal's defeat at Sunderland.
It had, for them, been a perfect afternoon.

Not so for the visitors who passed the ball well at times and could
have taken the lead had David Edwards connected with a fourth-minute
cross from the impressive Matthew Jarvis. But ultimately they remain
19th having conceded four times for the second successive game. Next
up is the potentially crucial visit of local rivals Birmingham.

"I was happy to get nil in the end," said the Wolves manager Mick
McCarthy, joking.

Indeed, such was the hosts' dominance that they could afford to bring
on a trio of youngsters, none more notable than Gael Kakuta, the
18-year-old whose arrival at Stamford Bridge led to Fifa imposing a
transfer ban on the club in September.

The French teenager impressed in the 30 minutes he was given by
Ancelotti and the manager later made him the third player he singled
out for praise.

"He has a lot of talent and he showed in this game what he can do,"
said the Italian. "For two or three weeks after the ban [was
announced] he had some difficulties because he is young. But he is
training and playing with the first-team now and we feel sure he will
do better in the future."




--------------------------------------------------



Mail:


Chelsea 4 Wolves 0: New wonder boy worth all the fuss as Blues canter to win
By Malcolm Folley

Gael Kakuta, a teenager entrapped in a controversy involving the
mandarins from Fifa, delivered a 31-minute cameo on a rainswept
afternoon that shone a bright light on the future havoc he can be
expected to wreak in a Chelsea shirt.
He was comfortable on the ball, fast, intelligent in his decision
making and could easily have marked his debut with a goal, as Chelsea
dealt with the absence of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Michael
Ballack with comfort at Stamford Bridge.
Perhaps it is as well that Kakuta looked more than a shade decent; it
would have been an awful embarrassment to report otherwise considering
the trouble his arrival caused.

Frenchman Kakuta, 18, was allowed to play yesterday as the four-month
ban imposed on him by Fifa in September - after Chelsea had been found
guilty of inducing him to break his contract with Lens two years ago -
has been lifted while the leaders of the Premier League present an
appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Critically, under the appeal, Chelsea will also be permitted to
undertake business in the transfer window in January, having been
originally banned from registering new players for 12 months.
Kakuta has been wisely managed and counselled, by Chelsea manager
Carlo Ancelotti through circumstances that must be overwhelming for a
young player in a foreign land.
‘For two or three weeks, Kakuta had some difficulties with the ban,’
said Ancelotti. ‘But we took him with the first team and he trained
with us. In 30 minutes today, he showed a very big talent.
'But we have to stay calm with him; he’s very young and we hope and
believe he will improve and be a big player.’
His introduction showed a young man intuitively aware on a football
field and he had been barely involved for three minutes when he
swerved past Richard Stearman inside the penalty area only to sweep a
left-footed shot into the side netting.
Nine minutes from time, Kakuta unleashed a drive from 25 yards that
flashed narrowly wide of an upright. He had shown us a glimpse of the
outstanding promise Ancelotti has identified.

Yet the driving force at the heart of another comprehensive Chelsea
victory was Michael Essien. He scored twice after Florent Malouda had
put them ahead, in between running the game with his strength, power
and inventive mind.
Ancelotti recognised the enormity of Essien’s contribution through the
season, not merely against a Wolves team staring at a long winter to
survive in the Premier League, when he said: ‘Michael is one of the
most important midfield players in the world.
‘He can play on the right or in the centre, with the same results. He
provides a lot of continuity for the team; he maintains a good
physical condition, he’s strong, but he also has a lot of quality.’
Ancelotti’s ability to allow two other young players, Nemanja Matic, a
21-year-old, 6ft 4in Serb and 18-year-old Italian Fabio Borini, to
have some valuable game time, as well as Kakuta, brought him
encouragement that Chelsea’s strident football need not be seriously
compromised when Essien, Drogba, Salomon Kalou and John Mikel depart
for the African Cup of Nations in January.
‘We had a lot injuries before this game today, but our play was the
same,’ he said. ‘In January, we may not even need to buy other
players.’

At least the return to fitness of Joe Cole is akin to having a new,
hugely skilled attacking player.
He scored Chelsea’s fourth goal, his first in 2009. With guile, hard
work and an ability to play the game at great pace, Chelsea have now
established a club record with 12 consecutive victories at Stamford
Bridge.
And for good measure, this was the 10th game they have played at
Stamford Bridge without conceding a goal, an effort comparable to the
Chelsea team of 1927.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said: ‘We are in a relegation fight, make
no bones about it. I’ve just said to the lads, you might as well
realise that now rather than a few weeks.
‘We came here full of hope, tried our best, but got slapped. But this
ain’t going to knock the spirit out of them; because it’s not right to
judge us against a side like Chelsea.’




----------------------------------------------------



NOTW:


RAMPANT ESSIEN FEEDS WOLVES TO THE DOGS
Chelsea 4 Wolves 0

By Rob Shepherd


MICHAEL ESSIEN was dubbed The Train by Jose Mourinho and called The
Bison by Guus Hiddink - but Carlo Ancelotti has yet to come up with a
nickname for the Ghanaian.

"For me his is just Michael," said a deadpan Ancelotti.

Given that Chelsea's Italian boss is apparently enjoying picking up
Cockney rhyming slang, he might think of dubbing Essien The Dogs.

As in the dogs b******s because that's what Essien was as he inspired
this emphatic victory, which emphasised the strength of Chelsea's
squad and their title credentials.

In the absence of the injured Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and
Didier Drogba, Essien took on the role of talisman in some style.

He scored twice - it might have been five - and was the constant
energiser as the Blues chalked up another home win to set a new
record.

This was 12 wins on the spin at the Bridge, beating the previous best in 2006.

And 10 consecutive clean sheets equals a record dating back to 1927 as
Essien caned Mick McCarthy's struggling side.

The game was gone in 60 seconds

In the fourth minute, Wolves should have taken the lead.

Striker Matthew Jarvis wheeled out on to the right wing, surged past
Ashley Cole and sent over the most inviting of low crosses, which cut
out Chelsea keeper Petr Cech.

Midfielder David Edwards had raced into the box but his lack of
anticipation meant he slid in a fraction too late when he should been
there to meet the ball and toe poke home.

And within a minute Chelsea, or rather Florent Malouda, swept up the
other end to opening the scoring - and effectively end the contest.

Jody Craddock made a complete hash of what should have been a routine
clearance when he dollied an Alex hoof straight to Malouda's feet
inside the centre circle.

Despite the error, there should have been plenty of time for Craddock
and the rest of the Wanderers defence to recover - but their frailty
was being brutally exposed.

Malouda did nothing other than make a bee line for goal, not believing
his luck that Craddock and Richard Stearman. kept on back pedalling.

The France winger kept on going and going until he was 20 yards out
when it suddenly dawned on the Wolves defender it might be an idea to
put a challenge in.

Too late. Malouda let fly with a ferocious strike which fizzed past
Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey inside the right hand post.

It was one-way traffic after that. It seemed strange that Wolves boss
McCarthy had opted for a 3-5-2 formation given a reshaped Blues had
gone with just Nikolas Anelka up front.

Maybe the idea was to try and flood the midfield but it just didn't
work. With their wing backs, Wolves were still effectively outnumbered
through the middle because of the way the Chelsea engine room was set
up.

Essien sat deep alongside Mikel but in the absence of Lampard and
Ballack, he had greater licence to roam forward.

Wolves just couldn't handle Essien and were baffled how to handle the
movement of Joe Cole, Malouda and also Salomon Kalou.

It meant it was all too easy for Chelsea.

Their second goal which confirmed the outcome came after just 12
minutes - and was as soft as they come.

No one picked up Essien as he raced to the front post and met
Malouda's right-wing corner with a bullet header.

And in the 22nd minute Essien made it 3-0 when he let fly from the
edge of the area for his second.

True, the shot took a little deflection but it was still poor
goalkeeping as Hennessey allowed the ball to squirm under his body.

There was an obvious gulf in class across the pitch and six minutes
before half-time Cech emphasised the chasm between himself and his
Welsh international opposite number. Czech stopper Cech got down to
his left to superbly turn a Sylvan Ebanks-Blake header around the
post. After that, the Stamford Bridge No 1 was not troubled but
Hennessey was. Constantly.

In the 56th minute he had another 'mare when he allowed Joe Cole's
effort from the edge of the area beat him far too easily.

Just back from long injury absence, it was Cole's first goal in a year.

Essien then went on a mission to score a hat-trick. Three
long-distance strikes flew just wide while Hennessey managed to tip
another on to the bar.

Chelsea were so in control that Ancelotti was then able to have a
glimpse into the future.

In the 59th minute, 18-year-old Gael Kakuta - whose controversial
signing from Lens first saw the player banned for four month and the
club suffer a transfer ban - come on and offer some a few flashes of
real class.

Young Serb forward Nemanja Matic, 21, and Italian striker Fabio
Borini, 18, arrived soon after and did enough to suggest this squad
has more quality in depth than most outsiders think.

And it also showed that the loss of four stars to the African Nations
Cup in January may not be as devastating as some observers are
predicting.

Certainly Chelsea will go into next Sunday's clash against Arsenal
believing they can really set down a marker and prove that their only
real title rivals this season are Manchester United.

Sensibly, McCarthy has already stressed to his players they are in for
the long haul at the bottom.

It might just help their cause if they actually look like a Wolves
side whenever possible.

There was no need to swap their famous old gold shirts for an insipid
white change strip yesterday.

McCarthy didn't seem to know why when asked and sighed: "What you
trying to say, s*** kit and we get beat?"

In a way. Wolves performed just how they looked: a right old Two and Eight.



-----------------------------------------


Mirror:

Chelsea 4-0 Wolves
By Anthony Clavane


Who needs Guus Hiddink?

That might be a heretical thought at Stamford Bridge, where the
ex-Blues boss is as popular with Chelsea fans as Jedward are with the
great British public.

And following Russia’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, Hiddink
is strongly rumoured to be returning as technical director.

But Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t seem to be doing too bad a job on his own.

The Blues are the runaway Premier League leaders and have already
qualified from the group stage of the Champions League.

Before this routine thrashing of Mick McCarthy’s strugglers, Ancelotti
praised his defence as the best back-line in the world.

Indeed, John Terry and co have now gone an incredible 16 hours and two
minutes without conceding a goal.

And the midfielders and strikers aren’t doing too badly either. They
have scored 30 unanswered goals at Stamford Bridge in all competitions
since the opening day of the season.

Despite being without the injured Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Deco
and Michael Ballack, the barnstorming Blues put Wolves to the sword to
make it seven league wins out of seven at the Bridge. Since drawing
with Barcelona in May they have won every home match.

It is an astonishing record – but there’s even more bad news for
Chelsea’s rivals. Joe Cole, who was out for eight months after being
injured in January, scored his first goal of 2009 – and looked like he
was back to match fitness.

And 18-year-old Gael Kakuta, whose name has been synonymous with
controversy, showed just what all the fuss has been about.

Remember Kakuta? Chelsea were handed a two-window transfer ban by FIFA
after being found guilty of inducing him to break his contract with
Lens.

The ultra-gifted youngster,  shrugged off the pressure with a fine
cameo display which more than hinted at his jaw-dropping potential.

With his first touch, he glided past Richard Stearman and hit the side-netting.

Then, for half an hour, he teased and tormented a Wolves defence, who
had been well softened up by his team-mates.

Ancelotti, who has described Kakuta as the best teenage footballer he
has ever seen, warned fans not to get too carried away.

“We need to stay calm with him,” said the Italian coach. “He is very young.”

Poor Wolves, who have now gone seven games without a win, were shown
no mercy in the west London rain. Jody Craddock gifted the home side
an early goal, passing straight to Florent Malouda – who smashed the
ball past Wayne Hennessey with his left foot.

Michael Essien then netted a brace – the first a header from Malouda’s
corner, the second a shot which slid under the hapless Hennessey’s
body – before Cole completed the rout following some great link-up
play between Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou.

Essien was desperate to take home the match ball and three times came
close to recording his first Chelsea hat-trick.

“He is one of the most important midfield players in the world,” said
Ancelotti. “He’s very strong and has a lot of quality.”

“We were happy to get nil,” admitted McCarthy. “We made mistakes. We
didn’t clear the ball for the first goal. Then at 2-0 down it was a
done deal.

“We weren’t expecting to get anything. They are as good a team as I’ve
seen. Arguably, they will be champions. We are in a relegation fight.
We should understand that now.”

With a bit more luck and accuracy, Ancelotti’s boys would have racked
up double figures.

In January, the Italian will be deprived of a raft of first-team stars
when the Africa Cup of Nations begins. At this rate, Chelsea will be
so far ahead by then it won’t matter.



---------------------------------------------------

News of the World


John Terry's dad sells cocaine in bar
You can't tell anyone I'm John Terry's dad.. I've just got a load of gear
By Daniel Sanderson, 08/11/2009

ENGLAND football captain John Terry's dad is today sensationally
caught on video selling deadly COCAINE.

In scenes that will shock the millionaire Chelsea ace, Ted Terry, 55,
fixed a deal to supply an undercover News of the World team with the
illegal Class A drug.

SCROLL BELOW TO SEE DRUG DEAL ON VIDEO

As he handed over three wraps of coke in the toilet of an Essex wine
bar, Ted trousered £40 profit and told us: "The stuff's all right. I
get off on it."

Ted heaped SHAME on the England captain by fixing a secret drug deal -
then asked an undercover News of the World investigator not to mention
his famous son.


After selling three grams of cocaine to our man, who pretended to be
buying for his wealthy boss, Ted insisted:


"This is just between me and you. DON'T tell him that I'm John Terry's
dad. I can't have this going back, I'm not saying that they'll say
anything, but you never know.


"You CAN'T tell them I'm John Terry's dad. I've just got them a load of gear."


The entire deal was captured on video at the Unit 4 wine bar in
Chafford Hundred, Essex, on Thursday.


And while Chelsea skipper John, 28 - who today faces his biggest
Premier League match of the season against Manchester United - is
worth £10 million and rakes in £160,000 a week, dad Ted, 55, was happy
to arrange the sale of illegal cocaine for a profit of just £40, the
price of a gram for himself.


The scandal comes just seven months after John's mum Sue embarrassed
him with an £800 shoplifting raid on Marks & Spencer and Tesco.


We launched our investigation two months ago following a tip-off that
Ted was laying on drug transactions. Our team watched him at the bar
where he spends most afternoons drinking lager just a few yards from
his home.


We saw first-hand how the father of the man leading the nation's bid
to win next summer's World Cup boasts of a close relationship with his
loyal and trusting son, who has no idea of his shady sideline.


Ted bragged how his boy had given him a £15,000 Rolex watch as an
early Christmas present.


Holding court with his drinking pals, jobless Ted revealed he doesn't
need to work because John had bought him a mortgage-free house and
tickets for luxury family holidays to Dubai and Florida.


On Thursday Ted, who is separated from John's mum, was dressed in
three-quarter length shorts, sweater, white socks and trainers - and
sporting a Remembrance Day poppy - as he propped up the bar at his
local.


Our reporter. who was posing as a chauffeur was also at the bar, with
his 'multi-millionaire clients' sat across the room.


The investigator explained to Ted and his pals how he would be taking
the boss and his guest to a lap dancing club later that night.


As our man asked advice where to take them, Ted's mate Leon chipped in
and asked if they took drugs and wanted to buy cocaine.


Ted's eyes lit up at the prospect of a money-making deal and he seemed
keen to muscle in and get Leon out of the way.


"I ain't being funny," he interrupted. "But with the sort of money
he's got he ain't gonna buy s*** like we get round here.


"I mean, he's a f***ing multi- millionaire. You don't pay 40 quid a
gram for s*** when you're a f***ing multi-millionaire!"


Ted then turned to another pal and said: "These geezers want a bit of
Charlie, a good bit though." Seizing the opportunity, Ted asked our
man: "How much does he want?"


Then he hustled to make a profit on the deal asking: "Is he treating
the boys? Tell him we'll get him it if he treats the boys to an ounce
each."


After being asked if the cocaine Leon could supply was good, Ted
pulled our man to one side and scoffed: "Don't talk b****cks! You
can't go around giving them f***ing s***.


"No, you can't f***ing do that. You'll get the sack!" Feigning
familiarity with the drugs scene, our man claimed that he usually
bought from a dealer in west London, to which Ted replied: "Yeah but
it's normally s*** though, innit?


"I could get you a bit. How much would you want?"


The reporter told him it would be three grams of cocaine and asked the
price. Ted said: "Three grams? £120. It's £40 each."


He promised that his supplier would visit the bar to drop off the
drugs within 15 minutes - provided the punters had ready cash.


"Have they got the money?" he demanded. "Because they're not gonna pay
on f***ing Barclaycard or nothing like that are they?



England captain John Terry's father is caught selling deadly cocaine

"Go and get the money. When YOU'VE got the dosh I'LL phone him. But I
ain't gonna say come over here if you ain't got the dosh on you.


"Me mate don't want to be hanging about. It ain't the sort of business
where you drive round with loads in your car, or else you'll get a tug
(caught by the police).


"D'you know what I'm saying? All he wants to do is come over here, go
bosh, bosh, cash, see you later, bye and that's it."


At that point we asked Ted if the stuff he could lay on was any good.


"Yeah, it's all right," he boasted. "I get off on it. It's not that bad.


"I mean, you could get f***ing better. I mean they're
multi-millionaires, I'd think they could get better anyway.


"My mate, he's the b****cks - he never runs out.


"He's always got it. He's not like a lot of these people you phone and
they go, 'Oh I ain't got none until next week, I've got to wait for me
money to come.' He's only a young kid and he works his b****cks off
and he's got loads of money."


Ted then disappeared outside to phone the dealer. He came back a few
moments later and said: "Sorted. You've got to sort out the money
though."


Our man handed him two £50 notes and two £10 notes.


As he counted it, Ted calmly said: "He ain't paying for mine then? He
should have treated me shouldn't he, for getting it for him?"


So our man went back to ask the boss for an extra £40 - the price of a
gram for Ted - for setting up the deal.


Ted's grin returned when he was handed another four tenners. He said:
"Honestly mate, it's good stuff."


And, pointing to pal Leon across the bar, he added: "Better than HIS anyway!"


After receiving a phone call Ted left the bar to meet his cocaine
supplier who was waiting outside in a car. He returned with a swagger
a few minutes later and beckoned our man into the toilets.


Ted then handed over three packs of white powder wrapped in paper
ripped from a comic, and whispered: "It's good stuff, try a bit."


Ted disappeared into a cubicle for five minutes. Afterwards he
approached our man asking him for his verdict on the cocaine, asking:
"Was that all right, yeah?"


To convince Ted he had taken some, our man told him it had numbed his
gums, a common side-effect of the drug.


Ted replied: "Numbs the gums? Well it will do, proper stuff weren't
it? I said it's all right didn't I?"


With an eye on setting up more deals between the pusher and his
wealthy new contacts, Ted said: "If they're happy with it, talk to me
and I'll talk to him and I'll most probably be able to get you
discount.


"I can most probably get it f***ing cheaper but he don't know you, so
he's charging you the right price, know what I mean?


"But if they want whatever, then I'll sort you out."


Ted then repeated his boast that the cocaine was good quality and not
cut with cheap additives to make the drug go further.


Talking of his supplier again, he said: "He don't, chop, chop, chop,
chop, chop. . . he earns what he earns and he's happy with it."


It was at that point Ted urged our man not to identify him as John Terry's dad.


But it didn't take long for him to change his mind. Soon he was
revelling in telling our party all about his superstar son.


Downing pint after pint, Ted held court with his views on football.


He even invited our men to watch his boy play at Stamford Bridge and
urged the fake multi-millionaires to BUY his own favourite team, West
Ham.


As we left the bar Ted told us: "My lifetime dream is to see my son
put a West Ham shirt on.


"I'd die a happy man to see him walk out that tunnel.


"I'm the proudest man around here, honest mate. My son. . . I've been
very fortunate with what he's achieved."


After today's revelations John might not be so proud of his dad.


A Home Office-approved lab confirmed the drugs were genuine, and illegal.


Our shocking dossier of video evidence is now available to the police
- and to YOU at our notw.co.uk website.


GOT a story for the News of the World? Email newsdesk@... or
ring 0207 782 1001.

Times

Header from John Terry takes Chelsea five points clear at Premier League summit
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0

As the ska sound of Madness reverberated around a joyous Stamford
Bridge yesterday, the beat was almost too much for John Terry to
resist. Having taken his team not only one step but five points beyond
Manchester United, the Chelsea captain looked ready to burst into
dance, but instead he settled for a broad grin, a swagger and a couple
of kisses blown to someone special in the crowd.

Forget the £151,000-a-week wage. It is moments like this that make it
all worthwhile for a man such as Terry. Having woken, not for the
first time, to unedifying headlines about his family on the front
pages, with allegations that his father had tried to sell class A
drugs to an undercover reporter in an Essex nightclub, Terry needed a
pick-me-up of his own and there could be none sweeter than a winning
goal against United to establish his team as clear favourites for the
Barclays Premier League.

Was it his goal? Put it this way: no one at Chelsea argues with Terry
these days, since his decision in the summer to commit the rest of his
playing days to the club.

Nicolas Anelka laid a strong claim to the goal at the time, reeling
off in celebration after they both rose to meet Frank Lampards free
kick with 14 minutes remaining, but the forwards post-match interview
seemed to indicate that nobody dared to stand between Terry and his
goal and that, by the look of it, might apply to the Premier League
title race, too, given the way that Chelsea are building up momentum
under Carlo Ancelotti.

Uniteds players knew that this was a significant setback, not to
mention a painful one. When Sir Alex Ferguson claimed that his team
had dominated the game, it was a mild exaggeration, but it was by no
means the stuff of fantasy. They had been the more assertive team
throughout, defending diligently and attacking with purpose when the
opportunity arose, and would surely have claimed something from the
game, quite possibly a victory, had not the two big refereeing
decisions gone in Chelseas favour.

Had the match ended goalless, Martin Atkinson, the referee, would have
ended up with a stern rebuke from Ferguson for refusing to award
United a penalty in the fourteenth minute, when Antonio Valencia
tumbled after appearing to be impeded by Terry. As it was, the United
manager was left in a fury, deeply unhappy both with Atkinsons award
of a free kick, for what looked like a fair tackle by Darren Fletcher
on Ashley Cole, and with the manner that Wes Brown was obstructed by
Didier Drogba when the ball was whipped in from the left-hand side by
Lampard.

Ferguson said that you lose faith in refereeing sometimes, which,
given that he has never been one to worship at the altar of match
officials, no doubt raised a few laughs among Atkinson and his
colleagues in the adjacent room.

The United manager was entitled to feel hard done by, though, given
that his team, without Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in central
defence, had coped admirably to that point with the threat of a
Chelsea side who have been in prolific form in recent weeks.

Looking at the two line-ups beforehand, it was hard to avoid the
feeling that this was a great opportunity for Chelsea to extend their
lead at the top of the table. Yet United made by far the more
purposeful start, Fletcher closing down Chelseas midfield players at
every opportunity, Valencia asking questions of Ashley Cole and Wayne
Rooney leading the line intelligently, while Jonny Evans and, in
particular, Brown excelled in the centre of defence.

When Ferguson claimed, though, that his side had great chances to win
the game, not too many rushed into the consciousness. Rooney struck
the side-netting from a tight angle early on and tested Petr Cech with
a clever, curling shot from 25 yards, but otherwise they had little to
show for the way they competed in defence and midfield.

While the performance was vastly improved on that in the 2-0 defeat
away to Liverpool a fortnight earlier, the failing that Ferguson
mentioned on that occasion, their lack of penetration, was again in
evidence.

This, though, was a game of few chances. Chelsea briefly threatened
through Branislav Ivanovic early on, while Drogba should have done
better with a header before half-time, but it seemed that neither side
were willing to gamble in pursuit of three points. Only when Ancelotti
sent on Joe Cole in place of Deco and, in a more subtle change,
swapped Michael Essien with Michael Ballack, allowing the former more
freedom to maraud forward, did Chelsea hint at an ambition to go for
the win.

The game was transformed, though, when Fletcher was penalised for his
challenge on Ashley Cole. As Lampard swung in the free kick, Terry and
Anelka attacked the ball with greater conviction than any of Uniteds
defenders, although Brown had an excuse, having been felled,
deliberately or otherwise, by Drogba.

United never truly threatened to find a way back into the game after
that. Ferguson sent on Gabriel Obertan, the French youngster, and
Michael Owen, but by now there was a fierceness about the resolve of
Terry and his colleagues in the Chelsea defence. Even as the fourth
official indicated that there would be five minutes of stoppage time,
it seemed inevitable, for once, that United would fail to get the goal
they required.

Rooney walked off the pitch mouthing the words twelve men into a
television camera a comment that, it is fair to assume, related to the
help Chelsea had received from the referee, rather than the Stamford
Bridge crowd. If there was a little bit of that, there was also the
decisive contribution of Chelseas first man.

It has been a difficult few years for Terry since he last got his
hands on the Premier League trophy in 2006, but he and his team-mates
are determined that they will be dancing to a different tune at the
end of this season. This was only one win, but, as Terrys expression
said, it was also the biggest three points of the campaign so far.


Chelsea (4-3-1-2): P Cech 6 B Ivanovic 6 R Carvalho 7 J Terry 8 A Cole
6 M Ballack 6 M Essien 6 F Lampard 6 Deco 5 N Anelka 7 D Drogba 5.
Substitutes: J Cole 5 (for Deco, 63min), S Kalou (for Drogba, 83),
Alex (for Anelka, 90). Not used: Hilrio, P Ferreira, J O Mikel, F
Malouda. Next: Wolves (h).

Manchester United (4-5-1): E van der Sar 6 J OShea 7 W Brown 8 J Evans
7 P Evra 7 L A Valencia 6 D Fletcher 6 M Carrick 6 Anderson 6 R Giggs
5 W Rooney 7. Substitutes: G Obertan (for Giggs, 85min), M Owen (for
Anderson, 85). Not used: T Kuszczak, N Vidic, Fbio Da Silva, D Gibson,
P Scholes. Next: Everton (h).

Referee: M Atkinson. Attendance: 41,836.




----------------------------------------------------




Telegraph:


Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0

By Jeremy Wilson at Stamford Bridge


Chelsea have taken a small but significant step towards reclaiming the
Premier League title after securing a 1-0 win over Manchester United
that extends their lead at the top of the table to five points.

With United depleted by injuries to both Rio Ferdinand and Dimitar
Berbatov, the defending league champions stifled Chelsea until the
76th minute but were ultimately unable to prevent England captain John
Terry from heading Frank Lampards free-kick beyond Edwin van der Sar,
though Nicolas Anelka may claim his toe had the final touch.

The result leaves Arsenal as Chelseas nearest challengers and means
United have already now lost three times in the league.

Chelsea were going for a club-record 11th consecutive home win and
started with marginally the greater purpose. Branislav Ivanovic forced
an early save from Edwin van der Sar but, with both teams crowding a
rather narrow midfield, Chelsea found it difficult to translate
possession into clear chances. Deco, who was playing at the tip of the
diamond, was largely anonymous as Uniteds central trio of Darren
Fletcher, Anderson and Michael Carrick closed space and largely
nullified Chelseas attacking threat.

Their best first-half opportunity fell to Anelka, but Van der Sar
moved well to his right to block the Frenchmans powerful shot.
Defensively, Chelsea are the Premier Leagues best team just now and,
during a cagey first-half, Manchester United could also generate only
a flurry of half-chances.

Wayne Rooney shot into the side-netting when he found limited space on
the left, while Ryan Giggs lifted the ball over the cross-bar after
latching onto Darren Fletchers clever through-ball.

With Berbatov unavailable due to a knee injury, Rooney was required to
play as the main central striker and he consistently carried the
greatest threat as United looked to punish Chelsea on the
counter-attack.

However, they were denied one such opportunity on the break when Giggs
sportingly stopped playing after Ashley Cole collided with John Terry.
Sir Alex Ferguson was unhappy that Chelsea had only stopped playing
and demanded Giggs put the ball out of play when their own attack had
broken down.

With Uniteds containing tactics clearly working and frustration
apparent from Chelsea supporters at the performance of Deco, it was
the name of Joe Cole that began echoing around Stamford Bridge. Their
wish was finally ranted in the 63rd minute.

Coles arrival did little to alter the pattern of the match and, when
United did burst forward, they were creating the better chances.
Within the space of a minute, Rooney drove one shot narrowly wide and
then forced a diving save from Peter Cech.

With United so effective in breaking up Chelseas passing, it was
perhaps inevitable that the decisive goal should come courtesy of a
set-piece.

Fletcher conceded a disputed foul for a challenge on Ashley Cole and,
from the resulting free-kick, Terry glanced a header that flew past
Anelka and beyond Van der Sar. There was then further controversy when
Jonny Evans was accused of tripping Carvalho after play had stopped,
although replays suggested that the Portugal defender had made plenty
of the incident.

There was a collective intake of breath when the fourth official
indicated five additional minutes of injury-time, but Chelsea held
firm to underline their status as favourites for the Premier League
title.





----------------------------------------------------




Independent:


Terry deals blow to United's defence of title

Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0

By Sam Wallace, Football Correspondent


After the pre-match Remembrance Sunday minute's silence, Sir Alex
Ferguson walked off the pitch with his arm linked in Carlo Ancelotti's
and stopped at the touchline to ask Ray Wilkins to translate a joke
into Italian for the Chelsea manager. What is it they say about
Ferguson and rival managers? That he is only chummy with those he does
not feel are a threat?

Ninety minutes later, Ferguson will have been obliged to reassess that
verdict on his Chelsea counterpart who had just overseen a victory
over United that gives everyone at Old Trafford something to think
about. Ferguson raged about the referee Martin Atkinson, about his
team being the best side on the day, but on the occasion of his side's
third league defeat this season that all sounded a little hollow.

Just like that restless left eyebrow of Ancelotti that rises and falls
seemingly of its own accord, this title race has become entirely
unpredictable. Chelsea are five points clear at the top but have lost
games to Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa. United will be only four
points ahead of Liverpool if the latter beat Birmingham tonight and
Liverpool are supposed to be in crisis. It says something that Arsenal
are currently a byword for consistency.

For now the moment belongs to Ancelotti whose team have not conceded
in 872 minutes of football and kept their heads as the game's
inevitable grudges and feuds bubbled to the surface. It was never as
intense as Moscow last year, or the "Battle of the Bridge" a month
earlier but games between these two clubs are sufficiently tight and
tense to be decided on the very smallest of details, and so it proved
this time.

Nicolas Anelka may or may not have got the final touch on the goal
but, if he did, it did little more than deflect off his back after
John Terry had flicked on Frank Lampard's free-kick from the left; yet
it was the French striker who was the outstanding player of the first
half. He, more than anyone, looked like the man most likely to decide
the match although Wayne Rooney ran him close in the second half.

This was not one of those epochal Chelsea-United games when you feel
one team has either been plunged into trouble or rescued themselves
from decline with an improbable victory as United did almost exactly
four years ago with Darren Fletcher's goal at Old Trafford. Yet it was
United's third defeat of the season and there is cause for concern
about a team who keep losing their way and a manager who keeps moaning
about referees.

Even with Rooney, United looked flat in attack. It is not often they
miss Dimitar Berbatov but they did yesterday. With Ryan Giggs isolated
on the left and Antonio Valencia equally out of touch on the other
flank, they just did not have the menace of last season. Cristiano
Ronaldo never had his best games against Chelsea Moscow aside, he
never scored against them but they do really miss him in the big
games.

Without an outstanding individual, the game was always likely to turn
on something controversial. That was the free-kick that led to the
goal that referee Atkinson gave for a fairly innocuous challenge by
Fletcher on Ashley Cole on Chelsea's left. As the ball came in, Didier
Drogba seemed to pull Wes Brown over. Terry met the cross and Edwin
Van der Sar was beaten.

As Terry left the pitch at the end of the game amid the handshakes and
the backslapping he stopped for a moment before the tunnel to look up
and wave at his two children in the stand. It was a nice moment to
share with the family, although there are other members of the Terry
clan that he would probably be less disposed to acknowledge in public
at the moment.

After his mother accepted a police caution for shoplifting earlier in
the year, Terry's father Ted yesterday fell victim to a News of the
World sting. Terry senior was caught on camera facilitating a cocaine
deal with an undercover reporter which was not the ideal reading for
his son on the morning of a big match. Terry did a good job of
stopping United's attackers getting to the line. Pity he could not do
the same for his father.

But even the Chelsea captain was fortuitous when Valencia got a yard
on him in the 14th minute and accelerated past. Terry knew he was
beaten for speed and barged into the winger, grabbing him and falling
at the same time. It was beautifully executed to convince the referee
that both players had simply collided and gone to ground together, but
make no mistake: Terry was beaten. It should have been a penalty.

On the balance of decisions, United could perhaps feel hard done by,
which was presumably why Rooney mouthed "12th man" at the camera as he
came off the pitch. But Drogba had his complaints too, when Jonny
Evans jumped into him and appeared to stud the striker. As he waited
to return to the pitch after treatment, Drogba was so upset that he
lifted his shirt to show the pitchside camera his battle-wounds.

In that moment, and also when Evans had kicked Ricardo Carvalho after
play had stopped, the match threatened to boil over but it never quite
did. Both midfields smothered each other and the creativity of Michael
Carrick, Deco and, later, Joe Cole was never allowed to flourish for a
moment. Fletcher had a decent game but his combative nature means he
is prone to give away free-kicks in crucial positions.

There were some excellent performances in both defences, especially
United where Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were both missing. At the
other end Carvalho and Terry were reliable but Branislav Ivanovic was
also exceptional, diving to head away a tricky cross deep into
injury-time.

This has been the marquee fixture of English football over the last
five years and nothing yesterday made you think that these two will
not be in contention come May. But for all the glum faces in red
shirts and the celebrations on the opposing side no-one was claiming
that this was definitive. Neither are indomitable, both are capable of
losing games.

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Essien;
Ballack, Deco (J Cole, 63), Lampard; Anelka (Alex, 90), Drogba (Kalou,
83). Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Mikel, Malouda, Ferreira.

Manchester United (4-3-3): Van der Sar; O'Shea, Brown, Evans, Evra;
Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson (Owen, 85); Valencia, Rooney, Giggs
(Obertan, 85). Substitutes not used: Kuszczak, Vidic, Scholes, F Da
Silva, Gibson.

Referee: M Atkinson (Leeds)

Booked: Chelsea Ivanovic, Drogba, Carvalho Manchester United: Evans,
Rooney, Valencia.

Attendance: 41,836

Man of the match: Anelka




------------------------------------------------------




Guardian:




A triumph of discipline and endurance as Chelsea grind down United
Chelsea 1 Terry 76
Manchester United 0

Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge




Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti linked arms as they meandered
towards the dug-out before kick-off. That bonhomie may be doomed if
Manchester United go on suffering at the hands of the Italian's
Chelsea side. It was the sort of grinding, unsatisfactory match that
often develops when leading teams meet, but the Italian prevailed.

There were overtones, too, of one of his predecessors. Chelsea had
less of a commitment to attack and were ready to bide their time and
that attitude would have earned applause from Jose Mourinho. United,
as in former years, left Stamford Bridge trailing grievances behind
them.

With justification, Ferguson bemoaned the 76th minute winner,
complaining about Martin Atkinson's award of the free-kick for a
supposed foul by the outstanding Darren Fletcher on Ashley Cole. The
manager had recriminations left over for a protest that Didier Drogba
had been off-side as John Terry headed in the Frank Lampard set-piece

His main reproaches will be made to his squad in private. He can
admire the enterprise of a United line-up far from full strength, but
that must make him all the more exasperated that they did not make
more of the dominant spells. The visitors join Arsenal in being five
points adrift of the leaders Chelsea.

Ancelotti's outlook, in truth, is not generally similar to that of
Mourinho, but there was a patience and endurance at Stamford Bridge.
Those traits were indispensible when some of the key characters in the
Chelsea camp kept a relatively low profile. Lampard, despite taking
the key free-kick, was no menace to United in open play. Drogba, the
often irresistible striker, was well-marshalled, despite the fact that
Rio Ferdinand missed the match through a calf strain and Nemanja Vidic
was only in good enough condition to be an unused substitute.

The supposed weaknesses in the back four deepened a desire to take the
play to Chelsea, but Dimitar Berbatov was absent through injury as
well. Ferguson did not have the trust to pitch Michael Owen on from
the start and, until the final moments, Rooney worked alone in attack.

Chelsea are expert at checking even the outstanding footballers and
when Rooney had broken clear, in the sixth minute, he was wrongly
given off-side. It would be churlish not to pardon United if they
headed north feeling sorry for themselves. There had been openings,
with Petr Cech turning behind a good effort from Rooney in the 69th
minute.


Chelsea's struggle to breakdown Manchester United owed much to Antonio
Valencia's diligent shepherding of Ashley Cole throughout. Cristiano
Ronaldo's replacement was far more diligent when it came to tracking
the Chelsea full-back than the Portuguese. Cole made almost as many
passes as he did in last year's fixture but far fewer of them were in
threatening, advanced positions. None the less, Chelsea had a plan and
it delivered the required victory. Ancelotti's side did not seek to
force the issue and never seemed to panic when pinned back. In view of
the make-up of that defence, it is logical that Ancelotti should feel
there need be no rush to score. The Chelsea formation, with its
midfield diamond and twin strikers, sound romantic and can deliver
excitement, but it also allows for the team to get back in numbers,
with even Nicolas Anelka happy to drift towards a midfielder's role at
times.

A fixture of this sort is exciting in prospect, the initial placidity
of the play, particularly from Chelsea, should not have baffled
anyone. The visitors had the more recognisable intent to attack, but
Ferguson might have engineered a throng in midfield even if every
attacker on his books had been in condition to take part.

By and large, the match was innocuous before the interval. United had
impetus, without looking as if they could reach a conclusion. Chelsea,
for their part, seemed in no hurry. Half-an-hour had gone before
Anelka produced an effort that called for a good save by Edwin van der
Sar.

United's showing was superior to the one given at Anfield, but there
is close resemblance to the outcomes. Ferguson's team also looked
unlikely to hit the net when beaten 2-0 by Liverpool. While the
manager did not have all his personnel available here, it does appear
that the departed Cristiano Ronaldo will be missed for quite a while
to come when there are fixtures of this sort to be faced.

Chelsea are in contrasting circumstances. At incredible expense, they
have retained just about everyone they really want on the books.
Barring a splurge in January or next summer, Ancelotti will continue
to rely on a group that then grows old together. Not even the famed
Milan sports science he has brought to London will entirely halt
physical decline.

A sunnier view will maintain that the old guard is capable of
continuing to succeed for such a prolonged period that they can
gradually and painlessly make way for successors. No one in United
ranks saw much evidence of imminent collapse. What is more, Chelsea
had a resourcefulness of sorts.

It was scarcely anticipated that Drogba, who has probably been the
most impressive character so far in the Premier League season, would
make little impression on an improvised United defence. Whatever else
keeps Ferguson awake at nights it will not be a horror that his men
lack the appetite for a fourth title in a row.

His opposite number, all the same, has lost nothing in translation
from Serie A. These encounters with United must continue to grip just
as they did in his Milan years. Leagues are not necessarily decided by
the clashes of the principal clubs, but there is an indication now
that Chelsea will be as mighty a force as they were in the Mourinho
era.






-----------------------------------------------------




Mail:



Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0:
Nicolas Anelka lands title blow as champions are floored by disputed
late winner
By Matt Lawton


Flops and robbers? Well that was pretty much how Sir Alex Ferguson saw
this encounter, the Manchester United manager suggesting the result
owed as much to the failings of his own side as the failings of the
referee.

Match official Martin Atkinson would not have been on Ferguson's
Christmas card list anyway after awarding Portsmouth a decisive,
rather dubious, penalty in the FA Cup two seasons ago.

Carlos Queiroz, Fergie's No 2 at the time, called Atkinson a 'robber',
Ferguson branded him something only marginally less insulting and both
of them ended up facing an FA charge, which the pair successfully
fought.


United did not see Atkinson for the rest of the season, but he was
back in charge at Stamford Bridge yesterday and what an impact he made
once again.

First came Atkinson's mistake in awarding Chelsea a free-kick for a
'foul' on Ashley Cole by Darren Fletcher; then the sight of Didier
Drogba springing from an offside position and doing enough to distract
Edwin van der Sar, forcing the Dutch goalkeeper to delay a dive that
might just have denied Nicolas Anelka the all-important winner.

Drogba also dragged Wes Brown to the ground before taking up his
position on the six-yard line, but Atkinson and his assistants missed
that, too. 'Ridiculous,' fumed Ferguson, and he had a point.


But the United manager was also honest enough to admit that his side
lacked their usual potency in attack. That, for all the credit they
deserved for the manner in which they defended and their determination
in midfield, they were not the side who so impressed at White Hart
Lane and Wigan. That, for all the industry of Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs
and Antonio Valencia, home keeper Petr Cech was never put under any
real pressure.

Whether Ferguson will admit this contest finally exposed how much
ground his side have lost in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo is hard
to say. But a five-point gap to the leaders will be a worry and so
will the fact that Chelsea did not even play that well and still came
out on top.

If truth be told, United were better than many expected. They have
looked lightweight in midfield at times this season, but in Fletcher,
Michael Carrick and Anderson they had three men who were a match for
Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Michael Essien.

Fletcher and Carrick provided an almost impenetrable barrier in front
of Brown and Jonny Evans, so much so that Ferguson can only wish that
Fletcher had been available for that Champions League final against
Barcelona.
If they do end up surrendering the title this season, United will go
down fighting. That much became apparent yesterday during a clash
memorable more for its intensity than the invention of two very good
sides.
But Chelsea are now the team to beat. A team who score more than all
but Arsenal and concede fewer than anyone. A team who, under Italian
manager Carlo Ancelotti, look perfectly prepared and perfectly
balanced.

Not since the opening day of the season, and the 2-1 injury-time
victory over Hull City, have they conceded a goal at home in the
Barclays Premier League and the fact both Liverpool and United have
now been here - and failed to score a goal between them - bodes well
for what remains of the campaign.

It might also influence what they end up calling Stamford Bridge once
they find a sponsor because this place really has become a fortress
and Ron Gourlay, the club's new chief executive, would do well to try
to reflect that.

Chelsea's desire was almost tangible yesterday. There were moments
when their efforts to win this game ventured into dangerous territory,
not least when defender Ricardo Carvalho dived in a bid to avoid a
booking for a foul on Rooney.

But more often than not success was achieved through honest endeavour.
They wanted it that little bit more than United, and it showed.
It showed most of all in the performance of their captain, who woke to
yet more shocking headlines about his parents yesterday and still
somehow remained focused on the job.

Terry demonstrated to his team-mates, once again, that nothing will
divert his attention from chasing silverware while he is in a Chelsea
shirt. It is quite an example he sets and a reason why managers of
Chelsea as well as England trust him to lead their teams.
Afterwards, it mattered not to him that the goal had been given to
Anelka, only that someone in blue had scored, and that spirit is as
evident now as it was during those two title-winning seasons under
Jose Mourinho.
Inspired by Terry, Chelsea were so devastatingly effective in the way
they competed with United.

Terry might have been a little lucky when a tussle in the 14th minute
with the fast-advancing Valencia could have resulted in a penalty, but
the sight of Rooney trying his luck from distance summed up the
difficulties United were having.


The England striker went closest with a curling effort in the 68th
minute, forcing the one decent save Cech had to make.
In fairness to United, Van der Sar did not have a great deal to do.
But when Lampard delivered that 76th-minute free-kick which was met
first by Terry and then Anelka, the keeper might have fancied his
chances of making a save had he not tried to anticipate the
intervention of Drogba.

Van der Sar was furious and so was Rooney. While the United No 1
complained to Atkinson about Drogba, Rooney bemoaned the fact that it
should not have been a free-kick in the first place - '12th man,'
Rooney appeared to mouth to the television cameras.

Atkinson did not exactly help United, but the better of the two teams,
and the team most likely to emerge as champions, still won.


--------------------------------------------------

Sun:

Chelsea 1 Man Utd 0

From SHAUN CUSTIS at Stamford Bridge

JOHN TERRY woke yesterday to unsavoury front page headlines about his
dad being an alleged drug dealer.

But the Chelsea skipper restored a modicum of family pride.

He put the Terry name in the headlines for the right reasons, as the
Blues went five points clear at the top.

Terry, showing immense character on a difficult day, quite literally
rose above it all when he and Nicolas Anelka got a head on Frank
Lampard's free-kick for a controversial winner.

It broke United hearts and had Alex Ferguson raging about ref Martin Atkinson.

Fergie claimed Darren Fletcher got the ball when adjudged to have
fouled Ashley Cole for the free-kick which led to the 76th-minute
goal.

United's boss looked right about that and also argued that Didier
Drogba pulled Wes Brown as the kick came in.

The trouble is Fergie complains so often it is very difficult to feel
any sympathy for what may have been legitimate gripes.

And it was Atkinson who awarded such a generous amount of injury-time
in the Manchester derby, which allowed Michael Owen to bag the
clincher. So it is not as if Atkinson has a vendetta against him.

Anelka may ultimately be credited with the final touch but Terry
certainly played his part and both men claimed the strike.

It was the victory that really mattered most, though, not who got it.

While the Blues have played better, the sheer determination they are
showing under new boss Carlo Ancelotti could bring them a first league
title in four years.

They were fortunate here but sometimes that is how it goes. And United
have had a few victories themselves already this season they did not
fully deserve.

It was hard not to feel sorry for Wayne Rooney, who was here, there
and everywhere. No man could have given more than the England striker.

Both Terry and Ancelotti had spoken in the match programme about how
important it was to win and establish a healthy lead over their
rivals. They argued these are the ones that really count, getting one
over on your closest challengers.

But for much of the game, they were chasing their opponents and giving
the ball away far too often.

Midfielder Deco got terrible stick, with the fans demanding he be
removed even before half-time.

Chelsea rode their luck on occasions, such as when Rooney was flagged
offside as he broke away and TV replays showed he was level with the
last defender.

It was a crucial decision on a day when the margins were so tight.

Terry also enjoyed good fortune when stumbling into Antonio Valencia
in the box and seeing the ref wave away the penalty claims.

Chelsea were so frantic that Ashley Cole and Terry collided with one
another attempting to clear.

And Fergie went mad when the ref stopped play with the visitors on the
attack and Ancelotti's side two men down.

With so little creativity in evidence, the home fans were singing
loudly for the introduction of Joe Cole, who was celebrating his 28th
birthday.

They duly got their wish when he replaced Deco.

Rooney continued on his one-man mission to wear Chelsea down, first
with a drive across goal which flew narrowly beyond the far post and
then a delightful curling effort with his right foot which Petr Cech
clawed away.

The temperature went up by a fair number of degrees when Drogba
challenged Jonny Evans and the United defender's boot went straight
into the striker's chest.

Drogba, another who cries wolf too often, was outraged to be booked
and certainly had a case. He lifted his shirt to the linesman to show
the imprint of Evans' studs.

Then came the Terry-Anelka goal and it all got a bit ugly after that.

Evans kicked out at Ricardo Carvalho, who had dribbled the ball away
when a free-kick was awarded against him for fouling Rooney.

Carvalho and Evans were booked and, as Carvalho fouled Rooney again,
an angry Fletcher was demanding the Portuguese defender be sent off.

The final whistle brought cheers of delight and relief round the Bridge.

The Blues knew they had nicked it but they all count.

For the first time, a significant gap has opened up at the top - and
Chelsea are showing they are the team to beat.




---------------------------------------------------




Mirror:


Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
By John Cross

Carlo Ancelotti wore the look of a manager destined to win the Premier
League after Chelsea struck a major blow in the battle for the title.

It was a look of relief after his team dug in and ground out yet
another victory at Stamford Bridge when they barely deserved it.

Chelsea boss Ancelotti will know that his team were lucky as
Manchester United certainly did not deserve to lose after a gritty,
niggly battle of wills at Stamford Bridge.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is at his most dangerous when his team
are written off and his patched-up line-up were hardly given a prayer
yesterday.

But when you have Wayne Rooney in your team, you are never going to be
lacking in passion, commitment and fight.

For 76 minutes yesterday, United looked the better team and Rooney ran
himself into the ground while Darren Fletcher bossed the midfield.

But you can never, ever write off Chelsea. Under Ancelotti, Chelsea
have also kept their never-say-die spirit and that is what in the end
saw them chalk up an 11th straight home win.

Forget the rather jovial argument between John Terry and Nicolas
Anelka as to who got the final touch on the winning header.

The most important thing was that someone did and generally Chelsea
have always got the decisive touch when it has mattered this season.

It also takes them five points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the
top of the Premier League and that, even in November and having played
a game more, is a pretty daunting advantage.

But what is even more daunting is Chelseas ability to win when they
are below their best and they certainly were that yesterday.

Ancelotti has won Serie A and Champions League titles with AC Milan
and has that magical winning mentality which he has clearly passed on
to this Chelsea team and results like yesterday will only strengthen
their belief.

United were without their first choice central defensive partnership,
Dimitar Berbatov and not given much hope of winning at Stamford
Bridge.

But United were much the better team in the first half as Fletcher,
Anderson and Michael Carrick ran the midfield while Deco looked lost
and Frank Lampard was uncharacteristically subdued.

Uniteds sticking point was their failure to create enough clear cut
chances. Their best before the break came when Fletchers terrific
through ball released Ryan Giggs but the United veteran showed no
composure and lobbed over the bar.

It is a rather depressing statement on Michael Owens future at Old
Trafford that he does not get a game even when United are so depleted.
And for all of Uniteds domination of possession, they created far too
little and missed a finisher.

The game was strangely dull and lacking incident before the 58th
minute when finally referee Martin Atkinson dished out a yellow card
to Branislav Ivanovic for a late foul on Giggs.

But Michael Ballack inflamed things as he angrily accused Giggs of
trying to get Ivanovic booked and, from then on, any hint of peace in
our time was gone as tempers began to get frayed.

Finally, Ancelotti bucked the trend when - after the Chelsea crowd
chanted his name over and over - he brought on Joe Cole for the
ineffective Deco in the 64th minute.

Rooney, with all of his non-stop running and industry, finally forced
Chelsea keeper Petr Cech into a brilliant 68th minute save with a
curling, dipping shot.

Then things turned really nasty. Jonny Evans lashed out with his foot
as he leapt with Didier Drogba and, for once, the Chelsea striker
looked hard done by. Drogba went down in agony and got booked for
play-acting.

Sadly, Drogba was the little boy who cried wolf and this time, in the
74th minute, he was clearly wronged.

But two minutes later, Chelsea got the all-important winner. Fletcher
fouled Ashley Cole and Lampard, coming back to life, swung in a
brilliant free kick and Terry and Anelka both rose as the Chelsea
captain nodded past Edwin van Der Sar.

United were incensed, claiming Drogba was in an offside position,
affecting van Der Sars view, and Rooney was booked for his protests.

Tempers then boiled over even more as Ricardo Carvalho and Evans got
booked for an ugly clash which nearly sparked a mass brawl. Then
Fletcher showed his ugly side as he tried to get Carvalho booked again
and sent off for a foul.

It was an ugly, nasty way to finish the game. But then it perhaps
showed Uniteds frustrations and summed up a game which Chelsea won on
a battle of wills rather than through quality.

Independent:



Drogba back with a bang to power Chelsea's progress

Atletico Madrid 2 Chelsea 2

By Mark Fleming at Estadio Vicente Calderon



Didier Drogba kept his head amid chaotic scenes here last night to
single-handedly book Chelsea's place in the knockout stages of the
Champions League.


His last sighting in Champions League action had been his foul-mouthed
rant live on TV after Chelsea were eliminated at the semi-final stage
by Barcelona in May. His ban served for his moment of madness, here
was the other side of the Ivorian, the striker who managed to keep his
cool in the most frenetic of atmospheres.

Two goals in the last eight minutes of this gripping contest were
enough for Chelsea to ensure safe passage into last 16, despite a
couple of cracking strikes from Sergio Agüero, the Atletico Madrid
striker whose performance will only enhance his prospects of moving to
the London club.


The performance of the two very different forwards had the Chelsea
manager Carlo Ancelotti dreaming of possibly pairing them together. "I
think Agüero can play with Drogba for sure," Ancelotti said. "Is
Drogba the best striker in the world? I don't know but I wouldn't want
to change him for any other striker."

Chelsea were outplayed for much of the match but thanks to Drogba's
irresistible form in front of goal, they stole the point they needed.
Drogba, whose goals took his season's tally to 12, admitted he has
never played better than his current form for Chelsea. He said: "I
think so. A few years ago I was playing with the same confidence. I
always score when I play injury-free. I hope it will be the same to
the end of the season."

When the draw was made for the group stage this fixture looked like
being Chelsea's toughest. And so it proved as the visitors spent most
of the contest on the back foot. The match had been smouldering for a
while when Agüero sparked it into life with a spectacular volley in he
66th minute.

Jose Antonio Reyes had gone close for Atletico, who were a totally
different proposition to the side that collapsed to a 4-0 thumping at
Stamford Bridge two weeks ago and Drogba had hit a post for Chelsea.
But it was Agüero, the player the Premier League club baulked at
signing for £43m in the summer, who provided the instinctive volley
that lifted the game to a totally different level.

Antonio Lopez crossed from the left, the ball flicked off John Terry's
head and Agüero dispatched a spectacular volley that flew past a
motionless Petr Cech.

Deco wasted a glorious chance to equalise in the 76th minute when the
Atletico goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo's punch fell at his feet, but the
Portuguese midfielder shot well wide. However Drogba delivered when it
was needed, getting his head to a left-wing cross from Florent Malouda
to give Chelsea an equaliser with eight minutes left.

Drogba was not finished and with two minutes remaining he managed to
conjure up a late strike out of nothing. Despite having worked
tirelessly up front, unsupported for most of the match, he chased down
a hopeful clearance that Luis Perea failed to defend and, allowed two
stabs at the cherry by Asenjo, he scored to put Chelsea ahead.

The sting in the tail came from Agüero, who on this type of form looks
like he might actually be worth the astronomical transfer value put on
his head by the Spanish club. In stoppage time Diego Maradona's
son-in-law stepped up to fire home a stunning free-kick past Cech to
ensure Atletico's efforts were not in vain. The goal, however,
remained largely immaterial to Chelsea as Porto's 1-0 defeat of Apoel
Nicosia ensured that Ancelotti's side gained a place in next year's
knockout stage.

After the breathless finish to the match, Ancelotti paid tribute to
Drogba's work ethic for the team. The Chelsea manager said: "He's
doing well and continuing to do well. We hope he can play other games
like he did tonight. He's a striker who scored two goals, and puts in
very important work. He is in a good moment. You can look always at
his work, and I'm very happy for his behaviour. I hope that he can
continue. At this moment, he has a good feeling with his behaviour."

Chelsea's disjointed performance could be put down to the six changes
Ancelotti made from the team that had won 4-0 at Bolton on Saturday.
Clearly with one eye on Sunday's vital meeting with Manchester United,
Ancelotti altered the make-up of the Chelsea side so much they lost
some of the rhythm that had brought them 17 goals in their previous
four games.

Drogba admitted the impeding visit of the Premier League champions,
and the possibility of extending their lead over them to five points,
had been on the players' minds in the build up to this match. He said:
"I think we were also thinking about Sunday's game. It is really
important for us to beat United at home. We have to improve and show
different qualities and be better than we were in Madrid. We played
well but it wasn't enough to win."

At least thanks to Drogba they did enough to ensure a draw.



Atletico Madrid (4-1-3-2): Asenjo; Perea, Pablo, Juanito, Antonio
Lopez; Assuncao; Reyes (Maxi Rodriguez, 73), Cleber, Simao (Jurado,
83); Sinama Pongolle (Agüero, 52), Forlan. Substitutes not used: De
Gea (gk), Raul Garcia, Ujfalusi, Alvaro


Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Cech; Belletti, Alex, Terry, A Cole, Essien
(Ballack, 59); Lampard, Malouda; J Cole (Deco, 70); Kalou (Anelka,
70), Drogba. Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Ivanovic, Carvalho,
Sturridge.


Referee: B Kuipers (Neth).


Group D

Results so far: Chelsea 1 Porto 0, Atletico 0 Apoel 0; Apoel 0 Chelsea
1, Porto 2 Atletico 0; Chelsea 4 Atletico 0, Porto 2 Apoel 1. Atletico
2 Chelsea 2; Apoel 0 Porto 1

Chelsea's remaining fixtures: 25 Nov Porto (a), 8 Dec Apoel (h).




-------------------------------------------------------




Times:



Didier Drogba illustrates importance to Carlo Ancelotti’s Champions
League hopes
Atletico Madrid 2 Chelsea 2



Matt Hughes, Deputy Football Correspondent, Madrid



For a brief period during the close season it looked as if Didier
Drogba and Sergio Agüero would begin the campaign in tandem at
Chelsea, a terrifying prospect that should be enough to send a shiver
down the spines of their rivals, even in retrospect.

These contrasting strikers — a raging bull and a nimble matador —
illuminated a breathless finale to a bizarre match that left Chelsea
assured of their place in the knockout stages, but needing to improve
if they are to return to this city for the final in May.

Carlo Ancelotti said afterwards that he would not swap Drogba for any
striker in the world, but smiled when asked if he would like to pair
him with Agüero. Chelsea are preparing to splash the cash in the
January transfer window if Fifa’s transfer ban relating to the signing
of Gaël Kakuta from Lens is suspended pending an appeal, although a
move for Agüero — despite Ancelotti’s mischief-making — is surely out
of the question because of his ineligibility for this competition. “I
like him,” Ancelotti said. “I think Agüero can play with Drogba, for
sure.”

Agüero’s outrageous wage demands scuppered Chelsea’s plans last
summer, although Drogba is close to priceless in his present form. The
Ivory Coast striker reclaimed centre stage on his return from
suspension by scoring a late double to take his haul for the season to
a barely credible 12 from 13 matches, but it is not so much his goals
that set him apart from his peers as his all-round contribution.

Drogba’s goals — a far-post header from Florent Malouda’s cross in the
82nd minute followed six minutes later by a superb individual effort
in which, after receiving Ashley Cole’s through-ball, he beat Pablo
Ibáñez and Juanito, the centre backs, before sending the ball past
Sergio Asenjo at the second attempt — appeared to have given Chelsea
their fourth straight victory in this competition. However, Agüero was
determined not to be overshadowed.

The Argentinian’s contribution after coming on as a 53rd-minute
substitute was even more dramatic and his goals slightly better: a
stunning volley past Petr Cech to give Atlético Madrid the lead and a
beautifully curling free kick to level the match in injury time,
although it could not prevent his side’s elimination. The Czech
Republic goalkeeper could do nothing about Agüero’s first, but his
positioning was poor as he lined up his wall for the free kick.

Agüero’s finishing is as good as anyone’s in the world, although
Drogba’s physicality — and superior fitness — arguably set him apart
from all his rivals, including Fernando Torres.

The 31-year-old’s workrate is unparalleled for a front man and he
offers as much in his own penalty area as at the other end of the
pitch, with only John Terry his equal in the crucial area of clearing
headers. It says a great deal about Chelsea’s sloppy defending that
Drogba’s biggest contributions in the first 60 minutes involved
clearing his own lines.

Ancelotti had predicted beforehand that Drogba would be the key to his
side’s Champions League hopes, but he will not entirely have enjoyed
being proved right so soon. Chelsea were surprisingly poor for much of
the match, and rallied only briefly for sporadic spells at the end of
each half.

Ancelotti, with half an eye on Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash with
Manchester United made six changes from the win away to Bolton
Wanderers on Saturday, and initially it showed. The visiting team’s
struggles could largely be attributed to being overrun in midfield and
the poor quality of their passing, which lacked its usual crispness
and clarity of thought.

Michael Essien was particularly culpable, giving away the ball with
abandon, to leave Drogba and Salomon Kalou chasing lost causes up
front. The Ghana midfield player has many qualities, but will never
possess the precision of his illustrious predecessor, Claude Makelele.

Michael Ballack’s strength and stamina were badly missed and he will
definitely be back in the starting line-up against United, because it
is no coincidence that the Germany captain was also missing during
Chelsea’s only defeats this season. The Portuguese pair of Ricardo
Carvalho and Deco are also likely to return in place of Alex and Joe
Cole, who still has much work to do to regain his best form after nine
months out with a knee injury, while Nicolas Anelka’s replacement of
Kalou is a certainty.

Ancelotti appeared unconcerned at a disjointed performance, which can
be excused given the heights Chelsea have hit in recent weeks, but as
well as needing to improve to beat United, such sloppiness will also
not be permitted in their next Champions League outing. A defeat in
Porto, who have also qualified and have a formidable home record,
could cost Chelsea the leadership of group D and condemn them to a
more difficult tie in the next round, thus jeopardising their longed
for return to Madrid.

Drogba’s return may prove to be timely in more ways than one.


Atlético Madrid (4-1-3-2): S Asenjo — L Perea, P Ibañez, Juanito, A
López — P Assunção — J A Reyes (sub: M Rodríguez, 73min), Cléber
Santana, Simão (sub: J Jurado, 84) — F Sinama Pongolle (sub: S Agüero,
53), D Forlán. Substitutes not used: D De Gea, R García, T Ujfalusi, A
Domínguez. Booked: Reyes, Assunção.


Chelsea (4-1-3-2): P Cech — J Belletti, Alex, J Terry, A Cole — M
Essien (sub: M Ballack, 60) — F Lampard, J Cole (sub: Deco, 70), F
Malouda — D Drogba, S Kalou (sub: N Anelka, 70). Substitutes not used:
Hilário, B Ivanovic, R Carvalho, D Sturridge. Booked: Essien, Terry.

Referee: B Kuipers (Holland)




------------------------------------------------------------------





Guardian:




Didier Drogba fires double on European return to send Chelsea through

Atlético Madrid 2 Aguero 66, Aguero 90
Chelsea 2 Drogba 82, Drogba 88

Dominic Fifield at the Vicente Calderón Stadium



Didier Drogba's scriptwriter should take a bow. The Ivory Coast
striker set about restoring his reputation in European competition
after the infamous histrionics against Barcelona after the semi-final
back in May, and his late goals thrust Chelsea into the knockout
phase. A perfect record in the section may have been surrendered, but
Carlo Ancelotti's team have been offered a reminder that they will
benefit hugely from Drogba's rehabilitation.

The forward's form this season has been supremely impressive, with his
timing last night just as impeccable. There have been 11 goals already
this term, defences shrinking in his presence all too readily as he
batters beyond centre-halves at will. Manchester United may be more
vulnerable at the heart of their defence than anywhere else, moreover,
and that suggests Chelsea will sense further reward when the teams
meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Certainly, the striker's post-match claim that he is currently
enjoying the best form of his career may send shivers of apprehension
through United's ranks. "A few years ago I was playing with the same
confidence, but I think this is my best," offered Drogba. "I always
score when I play injury-free. There wasn't anything special about
being back again in the Champions League, but I'm just enjoying
playing with my friends out on the pitch."

Chelsea had actually progressed smoothly enough to the top of Group D
without their talismanic forward, whose furious reaction to
elimination against Barça had prompted a three-game Uefa suspension,
but he will add a new dimension to them for the more testing stages of
this competition.

Indeed this game might have edged away from Chelsea only for Drogba's
class to tell in the final eight minutes. "For sure I wouldn't want to
swap him for any other striker in the world at the moment," said
Ancelotti. "He is playing in a 'good moment' right now, and I hope
that can continue."

His performances show no signs of dipping. Chelsea had actually been
in danger of losing their air of invincibility in the group, trailing
to their first concession in the competition, when Drogba thumped in a
header from Florent Malouda's left-wing cross eight minutes from time.
That deflated Atlético, their brittle confidence fractured once again,
with Juanito and Pablo Ibáñez duly wilting as the striker rampaged on
to Ashley Cole's pass. The African then muscled his way towards goal
as the centre-backs crumpled, smacking his first shot at the prone
Sergio Asenjo then calmly converting the rebound.

Chelsea were effectively through with that goal, even if one final
sting remained in the contest. Sergio Agüero, rested initially with
Sunday's derby against Real Madrid in mind, had emerged from the bench
to fire Atlético ahead with a stunningly executed volley at the far
post after John Terry's misguided clearance. That was the home side's
first goal of the group, illuminating what had been a dull encounter
and hinting at unlikely victory for a while, particularly given the
visitors had only managed to rouse themselves in fits and starts on an
awkward surface.

Yet Agüero would be required to provide a second glimpse of his class.
The game had lurched into stoppage time and the stands were emptying
as the home support drifted away dejected and apparently defeated when
the Argentinian thrashed a wonderful free-kick into the top corner
from some 25 yards. Scouts from the continent's top clubs have filed
regularly on Agüero in recent years.

"I like him," said Ancelotti. Asked whether he would delight in
pairing him with Drogba, perhaps if Chelsea's transfer ban is frozen
in January, he added: "I think Agüero can play with Drogba, for sure."

Chelsea departed mildly annoyed to have surrendered parity when
Drogba's efforts should have earned a fourth consecutive victory in
the group, though they will be heartened to extend their unbeaten,
year-long Champions League run.

"Perhaps we could have done better with the defensive wall, and maybe
avoided conceding the free-kick as well," said Drogba. "It's really
frustrating to concede a goal like that after the effort we produced.
But we can be pleased with what we have achieved.

"We were also thinking about Sunday's game [against United]. We did
everything we had to do tonight, and now it is important for us to
beat United at home. We have to improve and show different qualities,
and be better than we were in Madrid. But I think we still put in a
good game. It wasn't a poor performance. We played well, but it wasn't
enough to win."

In the grand scheme of things, that matters little. Drogba is back and
Chelsea are in the knockout stage, with aspirations that they may
return to Madrid and the Bernabéu in May very much intact.





---------------------------------------------------------




Mail:


Atletico Madrid 2 Chelsea 2: Aguero crashes Drogba's big night but
Blues still progress
By Matt Barlow in Madrid


The last time Didier Drogba appeared on a Champions League night he
ended it by screaming into the lens of a television camera.
He was banned for three matches as a result of the X-rated tirade
which followed last season’s dramatic semi-final exit against
Barcelona — but last night he returned to European football in
spectacular style.
In another frantic finish against Spanish opposition, Drogba scored
two goals in six minutes to clinch Chelsea’s place in the knock-out
stages of the competition.


Carlo Ancelotti’s team had been trailing to a stunning volley from
Sergio Aguero and struggling to contain a resurgent Atletico.
There was certainly no sign of the free-scoring form of the last
fortnight but that mattered little when Drogba levelled with eight
minutes to go.
It was the simplest of goals — a left-wing cross from Florent Malouda
that was nodded in from close range by the big centre forward as he
stood unmarked in front of goal.
Drogba looked to have gone one better and won the game for Chelsea
when he broke clear of the Atletico defence in the 88th minute.
His first effort was saved by goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo but the rebound
dropped kindly and Drogba rolled it into an empty net.
Once again he was screaming, this time in delight, after his 12th goal
of the season in all competitions.

‘I wouldn’t want to change him for any striker,’ said Ancelotti, who
admitted he would not object to pairing Drogba with Aguero, a summer
transfer target for Chelsea who was priced out of a move by his club.
‘It’s not great to concede a goal in the last minute but we are in the
next phase of the Champions League with two matches to go. That was a
difficult match because Atletico played very well. They put a lot of
pressure on us in first half but I think we did well — not the best
but it was good.’
Aguero hit back for Atletico in stoppage time with a delicious curling
free-kick millimetres inside Petr Cech’s left-hand post but the point
was enough for Chelsea to go through thanks to Porto’s win against
APOEL.


It was breathless and pulsating action in the passionate arena of the
Vicente Calderon Stadium and it was far more entertaining than any of
Chelsea’s four one-sided victories in the last fortnight, when
Ancelotti’s team scored 17 without conceding.
By contrast, Atletico’s season so far has been bleak. They languish in
La Liga’s relegation zone with only one win but started positively
last night, with new coach Quique Sanchez Flores committed to an
attacking system of twin strikers, two genuine wingers and an upbeat
tempo.
Centre half Juanito, unattended at a corner, missed the target with a
header and a fierce 25-yarder from Diego Forlan flashed a foot wide
inside the first five minutes.
Former Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes, though still infuriatingly
quick to hit the deck at the first sign of contact, was bright and
lively on Atletico’s right.
He drew Michael Essien into a foul which earned the midfielder a
first-half booking but then extended Cech with a wonderful curling
shot. It was destined for the top corner until the goalkeeper took off
to his left, unfurled his giant frame and clawed the ball around the
post.
The home crowd took their cue and turned up the volume, thumping on
drums and jumping in the stands, but the moment of brilliance from
Cech inspired his team-mates, at least momentarily.
Joe and Ashley Cole combined on the left, with Joe’s backheel
releasing the left back, who delivered an excellent deep cross.
Salomon Kalou arrived late to win the ball in the air but his header
drifted narrowly wide.
Kalou held his head and Atletico were soon back on the attack. Cleber,
who had looked unfortunate to be flagged for offside when he was
released earlier by Reyes, went close from distance.


A similar open pattern unfolded in the second half.
Atletico pressed Chelsea back and Cleber missed the target with skiddy
header from Simao’s corner before Drogba almost made the breakthrough
in the 51st minute.
After being fouled by Pablo Ibanez outside the penalty box on the
Chelsea left, the Ivorian striker picked himself up and took the
free-kick himself. His drive dipped and wobbled but Asenjo pushed it
on to the post.
Flores made his first change of the night, sending on Aguero for
Florent Sinama Pongolle, and the switch gave the game impetus. The
Argentine, rated at more than £50million by his club, was straight
into the action and the noisy home fans screamed for a penalty when he
was muscled off the ball by Alex.
None of the Atletico players shared their sentiment and referee Bjorn
Kuipers certainly did not. He waved play on.


Ancelotti responded by sending on Michael Ballack for Essien.
Drogba, back in his own goalmouth to help defend, was clattered by
Cech as the pair cleared another teasing free-kick from Simao but
Chelsea were soon behind.
John Terry could not cut out a left-wing cross from full back Antonio
Lopez and the ball dropped to Aguero, who flashed the ball past Cech
on the volley. The finish was worthy of a £50m player and sparked an
incredible finale.
Chelsea’s two goals may seem like a famine compared to the previous
four games but were enough to keep morale high ahead of the visit of
Manchester United on Sunday.
‘We were thinking about Sunday’s game,’ said Drogba. ‘It is really
important for us to beat United at home. We have to improve and show
different qualities and be better than we were in Madrid but it wasn’t
a poor performance.’





-------------------------------------------------------------




Telegraph:



Atlético Madrid 2 Chelsea 2Tuesday Nov 3 2009.

By Jason Burt at the Vicente Calderón Stadium




Two goals from Sergio Aguero and two from Didier Drogba left this
contest balanced as a draw with Chelsea progressing to the knock-out
stages of the Champions League.


Uefa to back down over Liverpool's match at Atletico MadridThey
considered signing Aguero in the summer but decided not to — a
decision that may be revisited after his stunning goals — while the
decision to retain Drogba has been vindicated.

He also as Michel Platini, the Uefa President, returned “better and
stronger” from his three-match European ban although clearly he will
not see it that way.

Instead there was a sweet revenge and a point as Chelsea maintained
their hopes of returning to the Spanish capital next May for the final
of this competition.

Such is the confidence and continuity — of results and performance —
that has been coursing through Chelsea of late that Carlo Ancelotti
felt secure enough to make six changes to the team that had blown away
Bolton Wanderers in the last round of Premier League matches.

Rests were earned by the likes of Michael Ballack, while Deco and
Ricardo Carvalho watched as the rivals for their starting places were
auditioned.

That fixture was won 4-0, as was the Carling Cup meeting with Bolton
last week — and it was the same scoreline when Atletico visited
Stamford Bridge before that, the last match in charge for coach Abel
Resino.

His successor, Quique Sanchez Flores, had faced up to Chelsea in a
quarter-final of this competition as coach of Valencia, and he has
been brought in to fire-fight a disastrous season for Los Colchoneros,
who had hoped to be challenging for the title not scrabbling around
trying to avoid relegation.

A European campaign remains important but it’s fighting for a place in
the Europa League, after Christmas, rather than in this competition
that is realistic although Sanchez Flores — a former international
defender — has certainly installed greater discipline and a little
ambition with Jose Antonio Reyes coming closest in the first-half,
forcing a fine one-handed save from Petr Cech with a dangerous curling
left-foot shot after he combined with Diego Forlan down the Chelsea
left flank.

Reyes, the former Arsenal winger, was a danger — partly through his
ability to draw fouls — but it is not for no reason that Atletico have
struggled for goals despite the apparent potency of their attacking
options although the most coveted of all, Sergio Aguero, started as a
substitute, restricted by a muscle strain to a second-half appearance.

Nevertheless Atletico built a head of steam. Forlan’s shot from
distance flashed wide, a header from Juanito was steered over the
crossbar and Drogba, so important at defending corners, twice made
vital clearances.

Forlan’s influence grew, quicksilver across the Chelsea defence and
the home supporters began to sense that their team was stirring.
Finally they began to beat their drums. Worryingly for Chelsea the
free-kick count mounted but their resistance remained firm.

Not that they didn’t threaten themselves. Their passing game wasn’t as
crisp as of late, but Michael Essien stole the ball away from a
hurried clearance and found Drogba, who slipped as he shot and his
effort spun across goal.

Then Joe Cole, playing at the tip of that midfield diamond, cleverly
dragged the ball with his heel to Ashley Cole, whose cross was headed
wastefully wide by Salomon Kalou.

The striker did better to break away, eventually finding Joe Cole who,
this time, struck a pass with the outside of his boot to Frank
Lampard. His shot flew wide but close enough for him to hold his head
in disappointment.

Drogba went even closer. Soon after the interval, his dipping
free-kick from the angle of the penalty area, after he had been
fouled, almost deceived Sergio Asenjo but the 20year-old goalkeeper
recovered to push the ball against a post.

There was confusion at the other end also with Drogba and Cech
colliding while the goalkeeper scooped up another free-kick from
Reyes. Then he was beaten.

And it was a sumptuous strike, a full-blooded volley from Aguero who
met Antonio Lopez’s cross — which just evaded John Terry.

It was the first goal Chelsea had conceded in the competition this
season. But it was not enough. With time running out, Florent Malouda
crossed and Drogba rose to head emphatically beyond Asjeno. A sweet
moment for him. There was another.

He broke clear and swept the ball into the net. It had appeared to be
the winner but then Aguero, even more sweetly, struck a fierce
free-kick to level matters





-----------------------------------------------------------





Sun:



Atletico Madrid 2 Chelsea 2
RETURNING HERO ... Didier Drogba fired a glorious double on his return to duty

MARK IRWIN in Madrid



HE'S done the crime and he's served his time.
Now Didier Drogba is out and terrorising Europe once again.

The man who was once UEFA's public enemy No 1 returned from his
three-match Champions League ban with a point to prove.


Two goals later and with a place in the knockout stages assured, it is
safe to assume the Ivory Coast hitman had made his mark.

Even a stunning last-gasp equaliser from Sergio Aguero could not take
the gloss off Drogba's sensational return to European duty.

From reviled to revered, the only surprise of a breathtaking night was
that it took Drogba 82 minutes to open his account.

Until that routine header from Florent Malouda's inviting cross,
Chelsea had been staring down the barrel of their first Champions
League defeat in a year.

Yet Drogba was not finished there and with only three minutes of this
tie remaining, he muscled Luis Perea off the ball to beat keeper
Sergio Asenjo at the second attempt.

Incredibly, though, the final word went to Argentine superstar Aguero,
who had earlier fired Atletico ahead with a magnificent 67th-minute
volley.

With the Chelsea fans already thinking a fifth straight win was in the
bag, Aguero thrashed a magnificent 20-yard free-kick around the wall
and beyond the reach of the startled Petr Cech.

It was a strike which is sure to revive Carlo Ancelotti's interest in
the player, who has been heavily linked with a big-money move to
Stamford Bridge.

More than that, though, it will serve as a timely reminder to the
Blues that they can take nothing for granted in this competition.

Yet with a striker as potent as Drogba, no one can ever write off this
Chelsea team.


Since losing 3-1 to Roma on November 4 last year, Chelsea have now
gone 11 Champions League games without tasting defeat, including those
two controversial draws with Barcelona in last season's semi-finals.

They came into this game on the back of a torrent of goals, including
a 4-0 demolition of struggling Atletico two weeks ago.

And just maybe that was why Ancelotti, with one eye on Sunday's
Premier League blockbuster against Manchester United, rested six of
the team which had won so easily at Bolton in their last game.

Ashley Cole returned from injury while both Joe Cole and Alex were
handed their first Champions League starts of the season.

And then of course there was Drogba, busting a gut to make a more
positive impact than on his last outing in this competition against
Barcelona in May.

Chelsea's majestic top scorer has now netted 12 times already this
season but almost opened his European account for the season in the
ninth minute when he hooked his shot on the turn just wide.

Every ball into the Atletico half was hunted down with ferocious
intensity by a striker enjoying the finest form of his career.

Atletico had sacked coach Abel Resino after their mauling at Stamford
Bridge two weeks ago.

And new boss Quique Flores almost appeared to have given up hope of
qualifying for the next round when he started with star striker Aguero
on the bench.

That left Atletico with a trio of Premier League cast-offs up front in
Diego Forlan, Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Jose Antonio Reyes, who had
a ding-dong battle with his former Gunners team-mate Ashley Cole.

It was Reyes who brought the crowd to life when he unleashed a curling
shot which has heading for the corner until Cech clawed the ball away.

Chelsea's best effort of the first half came on 32 minutes.

Salomon Kalou headed narrowly wide from Ashley Cole's cross, although
Frank Lampard also had a decent chance just before the interval.

Cleber fired over for Atletico soon after the break but Drogba was
just warming up and when his 57th-minute free-kick was fumbled against
a post, it was only a matter of time before he let rip.

The last time he exploded it was referee Tom Henning Ovrebo who was
torn to shreds.

But there will be no fall-out this time. Just the chance to make further amends.

http://www.uefa.com/printoutfiles/competitions/ucl/2010/e/e_2000427_pk.pdf

Sunday Times

Frank Lampard sets Chelsea on way to victory

Bolton 0 Chelsea 4

Duncan Castles at Reebok stadium


GATHER as many elite players in one dressing room as Roman Abramovich
has and a haughty resilience emerges: this Chelsea team never accepts
slights gladly. Serious questions were asked of them after successive
Premier League away losses to Wigan and Aston Villa, but the response
has been emphatic — four games, four wins, 17 goals scored, not one
conceded.

Concerns about set-piece defending have given way to clean sheets;
queries about the narrowness of Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield have ceded
to an admiration of its effectiveness when Chelsea open the scoring.
If an opposition comprised of an Atletico Madrid on the point of
sacking their manager, Blackburn and two variants of Bolton has not
been elite level, Chelsea’s reply has been.

“We accepted this criticism because the first thing we had was self
criticism,” said Ancelotti. “It is important to improve. This team has
improved very well.” No Premier League team hits more passes than
Chelsea; none hit fewer than Bolton. Overwhelmed by Chelsea’s League
Cup XI in midweek, Gary Megson made six changes and warned his players
not to let their opponents “dictate the tempo”. The strategy involved
man-marking Chelsea’s midfield and closing their options.

It was a marginal tactic, presenting Chelsea with several chances.
Deco, Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard traded positions. Without a
clean sheet in the league this term, Bolton’s defenders were
error-prone.

Didier Drogba headed adrift from premium position, then almost
converted a harder chance. Played in by Gary Cahill’s slip, he was
foiled by Jussi Jaskelainen. Often dropping to the wings to offer
width, Nicolas Anelka had a brace of shots saved. Lampard, Ballack and
Michael Essien all threatened with shots from the edge of the area;
Branislav Ivanovic found it but forfeited his goal to an offside
colleague.

Bolton almost prospered in the simple areas. Two early set-pieces
exposed weaknesses in Chelsea’s marking, with Johan Elmander offered
successive free headers. As the half wore on, Megson’s men almost
found route-one success. First, Elmander nodded on for Kevin Davies to
volley past. Then, Davies twice got the jump on John Terry to furnish
his fellow forward with near things. Then their defence imploded.

Deco captured the ball near the left touchline before finding Ballack
with a fine diagonal pass. As he sprinted towards the defence, he
selected the perfect angle to release Drogba behind them. With a goal
seeming likely, Jlloyd Samuel guaranteed it by cutting the African
down in the area and allowing Lampard to finish from 12 yards. “A soft
penalty,” said Megson, inaccurately. “It was engineered well — if
Drogba keeps it on his right-hand side Jlloyd would not get sent off
trying to get to it.”

With Bolton’s midfield cut to three, it was open house for Chelsea.
Drogba was thrice released on Jaaskelainen within minutes of the
restart and thrice thwarted. Anelka found the keeper as hard to beat,
yet further goals came.

A moment of studied composure saw Deco drag Anelka’s pass back to his
left foot before sweeping past the keeper. Ricardo Carvalho unseated a
marker before crossing with the outside of his right boot for Zat
Knight to score an own goal. As the clock ran down, Anelka stood the
ball up for Deco, who chested it down to Lampard. A no-look back heel
played in Drogba, whose first-time shot finally escaped Jasskelainen.

BOLTON: Jasskelainen 7, Ricketts 5, Cahill 5, Knight 5, Samuel 3,
Muamba 6 (M Davies 65min), Basham 5 (Robinson h-t, 5), Lee 5 (Gardner
h-t, 5), Cohen 6, Elmander 6, K Davies 6

CHELSEA: Cech 6, Ivanovic 7, Carvalho 7, Terry 5, Ferreira 6, Essien
6, Ballack 7, Lampard 7, Deco 7, Drogba 6, Anelka 7




------------------------------------------------



Telegraph:


Bolton Wanderers 0 Chelsea 4

By Graham Chase at the Reebok Stadium


Just about doing enough on a regular basis and still scoring four
goals is what wins titles and that is exactly what Chelsea did against
Bolton to maintain their advantage at the top of the Premier League.

There was none of the free-flowing football that allowed them to score
13 goals in their previous three matches but they withstood a
ferocious first-half onslaught from Bolton Wanderers and took their
chance when it came along.

As Jlloyd Samuel trudged off after clipping Didier Drogba in the area
to concede a penalty that was confidently converted by Frank Lampard
just before the interval, there was only a sense of frustration that
it had taken such an incident to open up the hosts.

To the lazy or untrained eye, the diamond formation used by Bolton to
combat Chelsea might have looked more like a lump of coal but it
certainly did the job as Gary Megson's side enjoyed an exciting and
open first half.

Chelsea stood up to the early set-piece tests but took their time to
find openings at the other end before Drogba fed Nicolas Anelka and
the Frenchman's drive was tipped wide by Jussi Jaaskelainen, who
diverted Drogba's header from the corner that followed over the bar.

With Fabrice Muamba roaming to good effect, Johan Elamander and Kevin
Davies were causing the visitors' defence plenty of trouble. Davies
should have at least hit the target after collecting an Elmander flick
but his drive flew wide of Petr Cech's post.

But just before half time a neat move sliced the hosts open and
Michael Ballack slipped through for Drogba to break into the area only
to be tripped by Samuel as he prepared to shoot, giving Lampard the
chance to open the scoring from the spot.

There was still some Bolton resistance after the restart but Chelsea
oozed ruthlessness and it was no surprise when Drogba broke clear and
squared for Deco to curl past Jaaskelainen to make it two.

A third came when Zat Knight headed Ricardo Caravalho's cross into his
own goal under heavy pressure from Branislav Ivanovic before Drogba
fired in from Lampard's flick to make it four.

It was a win that lacked glamour maybe but another three points all
the same to make it 14 wins from 16 for the campaign and 17 goals from
four games.





---------------------------------------------------



Mail:


Bolton 0 Chelsea 4: Four star Blues run riot at the Reebok as Carlo
Ancelotti's men hold on to top spot

Chelsea won at Bolton for the seventh league game in succession to
stamp their hold on top spot in the Barclays Premier League.
Beaten in their last two away games, there was no chance of the west
Londoners suffering a third against the hosts, who had Jlloyd Samuel
sent off.
Chelsea have now scored eight goals in four days against Gary Megson's
team, and were brutally destructive when confronted with a team a man
down.


Michael Essien flashed an angled effort just wide, before Drogba got
clear and was only halted by Jaaskelainen's outstretched boot.
Bolton persisted with their set-plays and aerial attacks aimed at
Davies and Johan Elmander, and the ploy concerned Chelsea's defence.


The visitors had a 30th-minute Branislav Ivanovic strike ruled out by
a linesman's flag - Michael Ballack was adjudged to be offside.
Chelsea players complained bitterly, but referee Peter Walton was
unmoved.
Bolton were soon back under pressure - and in the final seconds of
injury-time, Chelsea were ahead, after Drogba had been brought down.
Lampard lashed home the penalty.
Gary Megson made two half-time changes, sending on Ricardo Gardner and
Paul Robinson for Basham and Lee.


Cohen lashed a free-kick over after John Terry had bodychecked Gardner
in full flow, then Cohen was too slow to react to a fine Davies
knockdown and Essien produced a remarkable saving tackle a yard out.
Drogba was booed every time he touched the ball by Bolton's fans, but
he did not dive for the penalty having been clearly caught from
behind.
Jaaskelainen made fine saves twice at the feat of the Ivory Coast
star, and then from an Anelka effort before Lampard crossed an 18-yard
effort against the bar.
Robinson was booked for a foul on Ivanovic before Jaaskelainen beat
away a fierce Anelka drive after the former Bolton man had cruised
past three defenders.
Chelsea had been under pressure in the air from set-plays, but when
they broke from defence after 61 minutes they grabbed their second.


Anelka was the architect, streaming down the left before angling his
pass for Deco to sidestep Paul Robinson's lunging tackle to clip the
ball into the net.
Bolton sent on Mark Davies for Fabrice Muamba after 66 minutes, with
Chelsea firmly in control.
Paulo Ferreira was booked late on, but Chelsea were in full control
and it was 3-0 when Knight - under pressure from Ivanovic - got the
final touch to Ricardo Carvalho's cross.
Bolton, to their credit, kept coming forward and won a succession of
corners which Chelsea were at last beginning to defend properly.

But Chelsea got their fourth in injury-time when Anelka's cross was
flicked on by Lampard for Drogba to fire home.





---------------------------------------------------



Observer:



Chelsea ease to victory after Bolton's Jlloyd Samuel sent off

Bolton Wanderers 0  Chelsea 4 Lampard (pen) 45, Deco 61, Knight (og)
82, Drogba 90




Chelsea are striking everyone as ominously strong again. They appear
to have corrected their habit of conceding goals at set pieces and,
with it, their vulnerability away from home.

After two successive away league defeats, Chelsea can now boast two
clean sheets against Bolton, whose dead-ball repertoire has caused
problems for even the best defences. That should please Carlo
Ancelotti even more than the glut of goals, for the home side were
handicapped by having to play with 10 men for the whole of the second
half after Jlloyd Samuel's dismissal.

After leaking eight goals to Chelsea in the space of four days, Bolton
will be glad to get back to playing less stellar teams once a week. So
will Jussi Jaaskelainen, without whom the score might have reached
double figures.

"Bolton played a strong match in the first half and we had to keep up
our concentration," said Ancelotti. "I am very happy because this was
an important win. It was our aim to still be on top of the league when
Manchester United come to play us next week, although, before that, we
have to think about Atletico Madrid in the Champions League."

Bolton have no such worries and there were chances at both ends in a
surprisingly open first half, with Jaaskelainen denying Didier Drogba
on three separate occasions, and Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander going
close for the home side, though all the excitement came right at the
end. Just as a single minute of stoppage-time was being announced,
Bolton lost concentration and let Chelsea come storming through the
middle, swiftly turning defence into attack through Deco and Nicolas
Anelka, and getting Drogba in on the move, in space behind the home
central defenders. Bolton could only chase and as Drogba entered the
area and shaped to shoot, his heel was clipped by Samuel.

The Chelsea striker predictably collapsed in a heap, though he did not
deserve the chants of "cheat" aimed at him by the Reebok crowd.
Dramatist, yes, but a foul had been committed. "I would say it was a
soft penalty, but, fair play to Chelsea, they engineered it well,"
said Gary Megson. "Drogba moved the ball to his left and Jlloyd
couldn't get at it." Samuel saw straight red and trudged towards the
tunnel, while Frank Lampard scored from the penalty spot with a neat
shot, low into the left corner.

Chelsea just about deserved their interval lead, yet going behind in
such a manner was slightly cruel on Bolton. Although Gary Cahill made
a couple of rare and potentially expensive mistakes at the back, they
had denied Chelsea any clear-cut chances from open play. But while it
might have looked as though the visitors were running out of attacking
ideas, that was precisely the trap into which Bolton fell. This was
nothing like the one-sided rout at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup
in midweek, but Bolton learned, again, that you cannot take your eyes
off Chelsea for a second.

Bolton had to reorganise for the second half, bringing on Paul
Robinson and Ricardo Gardner, and abandoning their attempts to
replicate Chelsea's midfield diamond. They displayed more urgency as
they set off in search of an equaliser, yet, inevitably, left gaps at
the back for Chelsea to exploit. This they did and Jaaskelainen made
three more saves from Drogba – and saw Lampard crash a shot against
his crossbar – before Deco took Anelka's pass and nonchalantly stepped
around Robinson to make the points safe with half an hour remaining.

Mercifully for Bolton, those minutes passed fairly uneventfully, with
only a late Branislav Ivanovic goal from Ricardo Carvalho's exquisite
cross underlining the quality difference until Drogba finally beat
Jaaskelainen to give the scoreline a familiar look.

"We got beat 4-0 and I still thought we were terrific," said Megson.
"We matched them in the first half. Chris Basham on Michael Ballack,
Chung-Yong Lee on Michael Essien – and it was working. If we can play
like that against teams who haven't spent £200m on players, we'll get
some decent results."





----------------------------------------------------------




Independent:



Samuel's red card opens door for Chelsea rout

Bolton Wanderers 0 Chelsea 4

By Myles Hodgson at the Reebok stadium


Before a week in which Chelsea could secure qualification to the next
stage of the Champions' League and face a crucial encounter with
Manchester United, it is fair to say Carlo Ancelotti would have
preferred to avoid such a challenging fixture. The manner in which
Chelsea handled one of the toughest Premier League trips on the
calendar, however, should ensure more anxiety for their opponents than
their coach in the coming days.

Following the 4-0 Carling Cup victory over the same opponents in
midweek, Ancelotti's biggest problem was to prevent complacency
against a committed Bolton side used to upsetting the big four on home
territory. Then again, after offering his grandmother's remedy of red
wine and hot milk as a cure for a potential swine flu outbreak at the
club, he is unlikely to be unsettled by anything a football match
presents.

Indeed, Chelsea mirrored the demeanour of their coach from the moment
Jlloyd Samuel was sent off on the stroke of half-time for tripping
Didier Drogba, allowing Frank Lampard to put Chelsea ahead from the
penalty spot. Ancelotti was composed and relaxed in the technical
area, and his team were similarly in control on the pitch despite
Bolton's best efforts to break up their smooth rhythm.

They only failed to secure a more emphatic victory than they achieved
in midweek because of the acrobatics of Bolton's goalkeeper, Jussi
Jaaskelainen, who deserved better from his performance than to concede
second-half goals from Deco, an own goal from Zat Knight, and Drogba.

"Bolton did their best to make things difficult for us, but at the
moment we're playing very well," said Ance-lotti, who could afford to
leave Joe Cole and Florent Malouda unused on the bench to preserve
their energies for challenges ahead against Atletico Madrid and
Manchester United. "This was a good win for us because it was a
difficult and tough game."

Until Samuel's desperate challenge on Drogba as he ran through on to
Nicolas Anelka's precise through-ball, Bolton had more than matched
Chelsea's energy, and Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander had chances to
continue the League leaders' disappointing form away from Stamford
Bridge following defeats at Wigan and Aston Villa. But Chelsea's
first-half uncertainty made way for a confident performance after the
interval with Deco shifted out to the left, allowing Anelka to run as
a free spirit and deliver the type of performance which, according to
Bolton's manager, Gary Megson, made him look "cheap at £15 million,"
having sold him for that figure two seasons ago.

"I think they made nine changes and made the 11 even stronger," said
Megson. "There needs to be a realisation that if you're going to spend
£150m on your starting 11, never mind the squad, you're going to have
a bit of an advantage. The squad is really strong and the team looks
really motivated, with a determination to win everything in front of
them."

Forced into damage-limitation mode after the interval, Bolton tried to
restrict Chelsea's attacking diamond with 10 men but were ripe for
counter-attacks, with Anelka feeding Deco on the left, who cut inside
to add a second, while Knight scored an unfortunate own goal under
pressure from Branislav Ivanovic. Drogba completed the rout after a
one-touch move inside the box, which included an extravagant flick
from Lampard.

"I know we've been beaten 4-0, but I thought we were terrific," said
Megson. "The diamond that we struggled with on Wednesday, we didn't
struggle with today. If we play like that against all the teams that
haven't spent £200m then we'll get some decent results."

It is a theory which will be put to the test the next time Bolton play
at the Reebok, against Blackburn in three weeks' time.

Attendance: 22,680

Referee: P Walton

Man of the match: Jaaskelainen

Match rating: 7/10




-------------------------------------------------




NOTW:



MOODY BLUES ARE A JOY FOR ANCELOTTI
Bolton 0 Chelsea 4

By Steve Lillis


DIDIER DROGBA and Nicolas Anelka look so grumpy they probably get
their chuckle for the day out of way when they look in the mirror
every morning.

But they are putting a smile on the face of Carlo Ancelotti and their
team-mates by developing an understanding so scarily good, they have
become almost telepathic.


The duo made life hell for Bolton as they get ready for tougher tests
that lay head in the next week.


Chelsea fans might not have found a song for manager Ancelotti like
they did Jose Mourinho and Claudio Ranieri, but he knows how to make
the moody two tick.


Make players like Drogba and Anelka feel like they matter and, judging
by this masterclass, the end result is likely to be the Premier League
title.


Ancelotti might look like a maths teacher in a blazer and jumper, but
he has got his sums right on these strikers, praising them in public
and I dare say even more in private.


Chelsea go into the most important week of their season so far in
irresistible form after a performance that stuck two fingers up at the
critics who rubbished them after away defeats at Aston Villa and Wigan


Don't believe that? Just ask Bolton Wanderers, who more than played
their part but were no match.


Wanderers were even given a standing ovation by their fans at the end
despite being smashed for four by Chelsea for the second time in a
week.


Bolton's resistance even lasted until Frank Lampard's penalty in
first-half stoppage time, a flashpoint that saw Jlloyd Samuel
dismissed.


Ancelotti's bravehearts go to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday looking to
seal a place in the knockout phase of the Champions League, with
Drogba back after a three-match Euro ban.


Then next Sunday comes the battle for the undisputed Premier League
heavyweight championship when they entertain Manchester United.


If this is anything to go by, Rio Ferdinand had better regain his form
quickly or risk utter humiliation at the feet of Drogba and Anelka.


Poor Wanderers took such a battering in the first 20 minutes they
deserve an open top bus ride for weathering the onslaught.


Just when Gary Megson's men threatened to get back into the game, they
were dealt a cruel blow when Samuel tripped Drogba in the box.


The Ivory Coast hitman was about to pull the trigger and surely fire
past keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen when he was tripped and Lampard made no
mistake from the penalty spot.


Bolton felt the damage was done when ref Peter Walton brandished a red
card in the direction of the Bolton full-back for upending Drogba.


The decision made Drogba and Walton about as popular with Bolton fans
as Somalian pirates with world naval forces right now.


On this occasion the bloke in the black didn't deserve the abuse,
following the letter of the law because Samuel was the last man.


Moments like this are when officials should be allowed to use common
sense instead of a rule book that becomes more baffling than a MPs'
expenses form.


Had Walton done what he most probably wanted to and dish out a
booking, he may have been relegated to officiating at Accrington
Stanley's next game.


Chelsea - who have now won seven on the bounce at Bolton without
conceding a goal - were sensational in the second half.


Even if Samuel hadn't been dismissed, Bolton would never have coped
with their skill, commitment and work rate.


People say Anelka is selfish, but just after the hour mark he showed
his generous side by picking out Deco, who took his tally for the
season to three when he slotted from just inside the box.


Bolton were doing little wrong, though, and Jaaskelainen was keeping
the score down with a string of breathtaking saves.


The inevitable third goal followed in the 83rd minute when Zat Knight,
under pressure from the mightily impressive Branislav Ivanovic, headed
into his own goal.

But Ancelotti's amazing free scorers, who have banged 13 goals in a
week, saved the very best for the last minute of the game.


Deco chested the ball in the path of Lampard, whose sublime back-heel
was converted by Drogba.


That took the Ivory Coast markman's goals total for the campaign into
double figures.


It could have been even worse for the home side but for Jaaskelainen's
saves, the bar denying Lampard and Ivanovic having a strike ruled
offside.


Yet after surviving the early siege, Bolton could have been two up
before Lampard's fifth goal of the season.


Anelka has always rated his former team-mate Kevin Davies, who did the
donkey work for him during his goal- laden two-year spell at the
Reebok.


Davies, an honest bruiser, has perhaps been let down by his lack of
goals and that might have cost him an England cap or two.


And Chelsea's players must have wondered what 'Le Sulk' was on about
when Davies was put through by Johan Elmander but drove his left-foot
shot wide.


Swede Elmander, whose Bolton career has been hampered by a hamstring
injury, owes his club a goal or 10 and should have done better with
his own effort inside the box.


Only five teams leading the Premier League at the start of November
have gone on to win the title in 17 years. Don't bet against Chelsea
beating the hoodoo.

The Times


Chelsea show class in easing way past Bolton’s pussycats
Chelsea 4 Bolton 0

Patrick Barclay, Chief Football Commentator



Maybe Bolton Wanderers were trying to lull Carlo Ancelotti, relatively
new as he is to English football, into a false sense of security
before the Barclays Premier League fixture between these clubs at the
Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

If so, they went against the wishes of their manager, Gary Megson, who
called their performance “poor from minute one”, acknowledging that
they played at too slow a tempo and won too few challenges to disturb
such a superior side. With their leonine centre forward, Kevin Davies,
whom Megson rested last night, they will surely be less like
pussycats.

Ancelotti is certainly prepared for that. “We know it can be a
different kind of match,” the Chelsea manager said, “and must be ready
for it.” He, too, will be able to strengthen his team. John Terry,
Ashley Cole and Nicolas Anelka were among those missing during
Chelsea’s smooth progress to the Carling Cup quarterfinals, while
Michael Essien and Didier Drogba were used only as substitutes.

The Italian must have been heartened by most of the displays from the
replacements, aware as he is that injuries, suspensions and the
African Cup of Nations will take their toll on his squad this winter.

The only disappointment for the home support was the contribution of
Daniel Sturridge. The 20-year-old was utterly outshone in the first
half by Salomon Kalou and lasted 17 more minutes before being replaced
by Drogba. Kalou’s third goal in a week had put Chelsea in front and
Florent Malouda followed up before a near rout was completed by Deco
and Drogba.

Megson, alluding to Drogba’s appearance as his team belatedly strove
for respectability, remarked: “When you can put a £28 million
substitute on — that’s as much as we’ve spent in two years — you can’t
compete on equal terms. But I’m pleased to be playing Chelsea again.
This was a bit of a stroll. Our team will be a bit more wholehearted,
I hope, at the weekend.”

Last night featured a pre-match ovation for the late Matthew Harding,
who died with fellow Chelsea supporters 13 years ago when the
helicopter carrying them from a League Cup tie away to Bolton crashed
on the way back to London. In his wildest dreams as vice-chairman — or
even after a few glasses of red, for he was a convivial fellow —
Harding cannot have envisaged that the club would one day have the
likes of Essien, Drogba and Frank Lampard. Not on the bench anyway.

Sturridge, the striker signed from Manchester City this summer, was
given his first start against a defence featuring Gary Cahill and
found the England contender hard to outmuscle or outmanoeuvre.

Kalou, by contrast, kept finding space. Yet when Chelsea took the lead
it was all too easy from the Bolton point of view. Malouda found Paulo
Ferreira, who crossed right-footed from the left, bisecting the centre
backs for Kalou to nod wide of the exposed Ali al-Habsi. Soon, Kalou,
who scored twice against Atlético Madrid seven days earlier, showed
that he can make them, too.

Collecting Ferreira’s flip, the Ivory Coast forward turned deftly and
measured a short cross for Malouda. The France winger’s header was
going limply wide when the ball bounced off Zat Knight and obligingly
back to him; this time Malouda lashed the ball firmly past al-Habsi.

Bolton made a rare impression when Hilário, in the Chelsea goal, went
down to save from Matthew Taylor and rose with a concussion that
caused him to be replaced by Ross Turnbull.

The rest was almost a stroll for Chelsea — and how Deco and Michael
Ballack enjoyed that pace. For the second half, Essien came on for
Kalou, Deco moving to a position just off the front, while Bolton
brought on a second striker in Johan Elmander, but the pattern was
unchanged.

Only minutes after Sturridge, having miskicked wide, had left, Chelsea
contrived a superb goal, the ball being swept from one end to the
other. After Ballack had denied Bolton with a block, Essien took up
the running and fed Joe Cole, who squared for Drobga to flick on to
Deco and a crisp, low shot left al-Habsi flat-footed.

Nor were Cole and Drogba finished there. Cole went down the right and
crossed for the centre forward to round matters off with a downward
header. For the England midfield player to be ending the match so
strongly after all his months out of action only enhanced the pleasure
of Ancelotti. He also mentioned the “intelligent” contribution of
Ferreira. “It is a good moment for us,” he said.

Chelsea (4-3-2-1): Hilário (sub: R Turnbull, 23min) — J Belletti,
Alex, B Ivanovic, P Ferreira — M Ballack, Deco, F Malouda — S Kalou
(sub: M Essien, 46), J Cole — D Sturridge (sub: D Drogba, 62).
Substitutes not used: F Lampard, N Matic, J Bruma, F Borini.

Bolton Wanderers (4-1-4-1): A al-Habsi — S Ricketts, G Cahill, Z
Knight, J Samuel — F Muamba — G Steinsson (sub: J Elmander, 46), M
Davies, M Taylor (sub: C Basham, 64), R Gardner — I Klasnic.
Substitutes not used: J Jaaskelainen, P Robinson, T Cohen, Lee Chung
Yong, A O’Brien.

Referee: A Marriner.




--------------------------------------------------------




Telegraph:


Chelsea 4 Bolton Wanderers 0

By John Ley at Stamford Bridge



If Chelsea were to follow the in-vogue trend for seeking stadium
naming rights, they should simply change their stadium to Fortress
Stamford Bridge after claiming a 10th straight home win and ninth of
the season. They also extended their run without conceding a goal at
home to an impressive 13 hours and two minutes.

Chelsea left some big hitters out but still moved comfortably into the
quarter-finals of the Carling Cup thanks to goals from Salomon Kalou,
Florent Malouda, Deco and Didier Drogba to take their recent goal
tally to 13 in three games, in three different competitions. This was
a warning to the rest; whatever team Chelsea field in whatever
competition they are in, they mean business.

Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, remained faithful to his promise
to give striker Daniel Sturridge his first start since arriving from
Manchester City, while Alex was back in defence after recovering from
a groin strain in the summer.

Chelsea made a total of seven changes from the side that beat a
Blackburn team suffering from an outbreak of swine flu on Saturday and
Bolton Wanderers arrived with their manager Gary Megson admitting
there had been cases of the illness at his club.

That may have explained the omission of John Terry, the Chelsea
captain, who complained back in September that he had been spat at by
Ivan Klasnic, playing for Croatia against England at Wembley.

Given the warning from the authorities, to Premier League players, to
stop spitting to avoid the spread of the epidemic - and the fact that
Klasnic was making only his third start since arriving on loan from
Nantes, Terry was well out of the way.

Bolton made four changes from the side that won 3-2 against Everton,
with goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, an Omani international, given a rare
opportunity ahead of Jussi Jaaskelainen. It was, in fact, Al Habsi’s
first start for Bolton for 17 months, when he featured in the last
game of the 2007-08 season - at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea went into the game boasting a run of nine straight home wins,
two short of the club record set in 2006, and had not conceded a goal
at Stamford Bridge in 11 hours and 32 minutes prior to kick-off. Just
one goal had beaten the Chelsea rear-guard all season, and given that
Bolton had scored only seven away goals, the portents for an away win
were not good.

And that possibility increased after just 15 minutes when they took
the lead. With Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, who have scored 13
goals, rested, it fell to Salomon Kalou to claim his fourth goal of
the season .

It was a simple goal: Paulo Ferreira crossed from the left and Kalou
rose unchallenged to head into the top right hand corner. The Ivorian
scored the winner in the previous round, against Queens Park Rangers,
and his latest effort settled the nerves at Stamford Bridge.

Bolton tried to respond within a minute when Gretar Steinsson crossed
from the right and the ball fell to Matt Taylor, whose shot was
parried by Henrique Hilario but the goalkeeper struck his head on the
ground and he needed lengthy treatment before continuing.

But just a few minutes later Hilario went down again, clearly unable
to continue, so allowing former Middlesbrough goalkeeper Ross Turnbull
– the third choice at Stamford Bridge – to make his debut, after just
23 minutes.

And in the 26th minute Chelsea extended their advantage when Kalou fed
Malouda, whose first touch bounced off Bolton defender Zat Knight
before presenting the midfielder with the red boots with a simple
finish.

Before the interval Al Habsi saved well from Kalou, with Sturridge
completely missing the bounce from the rebound.

Both sides made interval changes with Bolton’s Steinsson making way
for Johan Elmander, and Chelsea replacing Kalou with Michael Essien.

And Chelsea wasted little time in threatening again, with Joe Cole’s
attempt not far off target. Juliano Belletti was allowed another
chance that was squandered and Chelsea were given a reality jolt when,
from Elmander’s determination, Mark Davies saw a good attempt well
blocked by Turnbull.

Then just before the hour mark, Sturridge had two chances to open his
Chelsea account but the striker stabbed both efforts wide.

A third goal arrived in the 67th minute when Joe Cole crossed,
substitute Drogba missed the ball, but Deco latched onto it before
finding the bottom left hand corner. And in the final minute Drogba
completed the rout.

Match details

Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Hilario; Belletti, Alex, Ivanovic, Ferreira;
Deco; Ballack, Malouda; J Cole; Kalou (Essien ht), Sturridge (Drogba
62).
Subs: Turnbull, Lampard, Matic, Bruma, Borini.

Bolton Wanderers (4-5-1): Al Habsi; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel;
Steinsson (Elmander ht), Muamba, M Davies, Taylor (Basham 65),
Gardner; Klasnic.

Subs: Jaaskelainen (g), Robinson, Cohen, Lee, A O’Brien.
Referee: A Marriner (W Midlands).




-----------------------------------------------------




Independent:


Kalou strike kick-starts Blues cruise

Chelsea 4 Bolton Wanderers 0

By Jonathan Wilson



The first of Jose Mourinho's five trophies at Stamford Bridge was the
Carling Cup, and Carlo Ancelotti has spoken of the potential benefits
to confidence of similarly getting a first trophy in the cabinet at
Wembley in February. Chelsea remain well on course for that after
another emphatic home performance. There was something almost
contemptuous about the way they dismissed Bolton last night,
stretching their run without conceding at home to 13 hours, and taking
their tally of goals in the past week to 13 in three games.

"The team are working very well," Ancelotti said. "The defence has
balance on the pitch during 90 minutes, maintaining good control
defensively and offensively. This is the most important thing for the
team, to have a balance. For us the first thing is to play well and to
win a game. It happens we've won with large results, but that's not so
important. Rather, we want to win the games. We played the last three
games very well."

Perhaps most encouraging for Chelsea were the performances of two
players who have, for different reasons, spent much of the last year
in the shadows. Joe Cole, in his third start since returning from a
serious knee injury, sparkled, having a hand in three of the goals. "I
was surprised because, after eight months, it's not easy to play like
Joe has played these two games," said Ancelotti. "This means that he
worked very hard to rest his injury and arrived to play in good
condition."

Salomon Kalou, meanwhile, still only 24, continues his development
from the goal-poacher he was when he arrived from Feyenoord in 2006 to
being a more complete forward. Given the glut of central strikers in
the Ivory Coast squad, that can only be of benefit to him at
international level as well.

It was Kalou, operating as a link between Cole and Daniel Sturridge,
who opened the scoring after 15 minutes, offering a reminder of the
sniffer he used to be with an accurate downward header from Paulo
Ferreira's cross. The second, 11 minutes later, ended up looking
scruffy as Florent Malouda fired in after his initial header
ricocheted off Zat Knight, but Cole's chip and Kalou's cross were of
the highest order.

That goal finished off a Bolton side who had just begun to stir. Ivan
Klasnic hit a post late on, but the only really anxious moment for
Chelsea came at 1-0, when Henrique Hilario saved at the feet of Matt
Taylor. He banged his head on the ground in making the save, a blow
that led to his departure a few minutes later. Ross Turnbull came on
to make his debut, but barely had to dirty his gloves. "We didn't play
as we needed to play," said the Bolton manager Gary Megson. "We didn't
play at a tempo that might have upset Chelsea.

"It became about the quality of one team against the other and we
haven't got the wherewithal for that. They've beaten us 4-0 and they
probably could have had another three or four."

As it was, they settled for just two more, the loss of Kalou to injury
at half-time barely affecting their flow. Cole laid on the third for
Deco with a low cross and then teed up Didier Drogba, on as a
second-half substitute, for a late fourth with a neat chip to the back
post. It was all very, very easy. "It was," Megson admitted, "a bit of
a stroll." The sides meet again in the Premier League on Saturday.
"The venue will be different," he promised. "The teams will be
different and our approach will be different."

Chelsea (4-1-2-1-1): Hilario (Turnbull, 23); Belletti, Ivanovic, Alex,
Ferreira; Deco; Ballack, Malouda; J Cole; Kalou (Essien, 46),
Sturridge (Drogba, 62). Substitutes not used: Lampard, Matic, Bruma,
Borini

Bolton (4-1-4-1): Al Habsi; Ricketts, Knight, Cahill, Samuel; Muamba;
Steinsson (Elmander, 46), M Davies, Taylor (Basham, 64), Gardner;
Klasnic. Substitutes not used: Jaaskelainen (gk), Robinson, Cohen,
Lee, O'Brien.

Referee: A Marriner (W Midlands)




--------------------------------------------------



Guardian:


Stylish Chelsea ease past Bolton into Carling Cup quarter-finals

Chelsea 4 Kalou 15, Malouda 26, Deco 67, Drogba 89
Bolton Wanderers 0

Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge




The competition may change, the advertising hoardings spinning to
proclaim Champions League or Premier League or Carling Cup, but
Chelsea's swashbuckling home form remains a constant. A tenth
consecutive win here, achieved gracefully and impressively last night,
has propelled Carlo Ancelotti's team into the quarter-finals. This
side feels untouchable in these environs.

This was a breeze, a much-changed line-up securing comfortable success
against opponents in Bolton who had rested only four players from
their league win at the weekend. If Chelsea's attacking caught the eye
– they have scored 13 goals in a week – then the fact that they remain
stingy at the other end should not be ignored. Ivan Klasnic struck a
post late on but it is now 13 hours and two minutes since they last
conceded here, back on the opening day against Hull. Opponents must
arrive south-west London with a shudder.

This had been an opportunity for Chelsea's fringe players to make
their mark and for first-teamers shorn of games in recent times to
sharpen their skills ahead of a critical stage in this club's season.
The Londoners collide with Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester
City over the next five weeks in the Premier League, fixtures that
will test the depth of their squad and shape their title challenge.
This selection's eagerness to impress was simply too much for Bolton.

The hosts had established a comfortable advantage by the interval,
with their only real concern the loss of their No2 goalkeeper,
Henrique Hilário, to a head injury. The Portuguese hit the turf in
saving Matthew Taylor's close-range attempt, and though there were six
minutes between injury and substitution – in which time Wanderers
failed to test his reaction – the goalkeeper departed with his head
still swimming.

Bolton had been rendered dizzy more by Chelsea's dazzling approach
play. Joe Cole had unfurled his usual range of tricks and flicks, his
team-mates a blur of blue movement all around. The initial wave of
attacks, sparked after 11 seconds with Cole's shot from distance, blew
itself out but Bolton yielded to the second flurry. Paulo Ferreira was
granted too much time to flight over his cross from the left and
Salomon Kalou nodded in his third goal in a week.

Hilario was injured in the subsequent riposte, but Bolton's threat was
sporadic where Chelsea purred with menace and duly gleaned further
reward. Florent Malouda's exchange of passes with Kalou culminated in
the winger flicking a header which rebounded back off a panicked Zat
Knight and, from point-blank range, the France international slammed
in a second. Wanderers were merely relieved not to incur further
damage by the break, Ali Al Habsi doing well to deny Kalou as Chelsea
set about emulating their five-goal mauling of Blackburn on Saturday.

That was the Ivorian's last contribution, Michael Essien adopting the
role at the base of midfield at half-time, but the pizazz was still
largely all Chelsea's. There is a real swagger to this team at
present, particularly at Stamford Bridge where they are unbeaten in
almost a year in all competitions. They were irresistible here only
for Daniel Sturridge, on full debut but rather anxious where his
team-mates were so calm and collected, to twice drag shots wide of the
far post when he should have scored.

The youngster needed a goal to make him feel as if he belonged in this
company. His departure for Didier Drogba just after the hour was a
reminder of how onerous a task it will prove to break into this team.
Once he had gone, Deco – gathering Cole's cross which had been flicked
on inadvertently by Drogba – fizzed a third into the far corner and
Bolton, half-chances to Taylor and Mark Davies aside, had been washed
away. Drogba's own reward, nodding in Cole's cross with a minute to
play, merely confirmed this as Chelsea's latest rout.




---------------------------------------------------




Mail:


Chelsea 4 Bolton: Blues ease into last eight of Carling Cup with
comfortable victory


  By Matt Barlow


Those who threaten Stamford Bridge can all expect to be greeted with
similar disdain at the moment as Carlo Ancelotti restores a sense of
invincibility to Chelsea's home.
Visitors from Madrid, Blackburn and Bolton have been crushed under a
weight of 13 goals in eight days and Sam Allardyce's threat of an
outbreak of swine flu seems to have been repelled for good measure.
'We are in good condition,' said Ancelotti. 'This is a good moment for us.'


Too right. His team have not conceded a goal at home in more than 13
hours of action. The last man to put the ball in their net at home was
Hull's Stephen Hunt on the opening day of the season.
Four were smashed past Atletico last week and five past Blackburn on
Saturday. Last night, with senior stars rested and fringe players
given a run, Chelsea never looked like missing out on a place in the
last eight of the Carling Cup.
Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda, Deco and Didier Drogba scored the
goals which sent Gary Megson back north to chew over the dilemma of
how to tackle Chelsea's first team on Saturday at the Reebok in the
Premier League.
'I'm pleased we've got them again,' said Megson. 'We need to put on a
performance because that was a bit of a stroll. Our team will be
different, not just in personnel but in approach, and I hope we're a
lot more wholehearted than we were tonight.'


Ancelotti, in contrast, could reflect on another good night's work.
Joe Cole continued his sparkling form and Alex, playing for the first
time this season, got through 90 minutes.
The fact that back-up goalkeeper Henrique Hilario went off with
concussion in the first half and 20-yearold striker Daniel Sturridge
failed to impress on his full debut will be of little consequence to
the Italian.
This was a 10th successive home win for his side. To equal a club
record of 11, they will have to beat their closest title rivals,
Manchester United, a week on Sunday, although it is hard to back
against them.
Suddenly the Bridge feels like the fortress it was under Jose Mourinho
and Avram Grant, when Chelsea did not lose a home league game for well
over four years.
United will surely test them more than Atletico, Blackburn or Bolton,
who were criticised by Megson for failing to show the strength or
speed required to give Chelsea a fright.
Without Kevin Davies, who was given a breather, the visitors lacked
their usual physical threat and went behind after 15 minutes. Sam
Ricketts gave Paulo Ferreira time to cut back on to his right foot and
cross, and Bolton's back four watched as Kalou drifted between Jlloyd
Samuel and Matthew Taylor to direct a simple header inside the far
post.


Megson's team could have pulled level within a minute but were denied
by Hilario's bravery. The Portuguese keeper hurled himself at the feet
of Taylor, left unattended in the box by Juliano Belletti, and parried
the shot but banged his head on the ground as he did. Play went on
with Hilario rolling around on the turf before Ricardo Gardner lashed
a shot over the open net from 20 yards.
Hilario staggered through another seven minutes but was clearly dazed
and was sent for a precautionary scan as soon as he was substituted
Ross Turnbull went on for his debut, charged with protecting the proud
clean-sheet record. Turnbull did his job, smothering Bolton's best
chance of the second half, a shot from Mark Davies, soon after the
interval.
He was beaten in the closing minutes when Ivan Klasnic prodded a low
shot past him but the ball hit the foot of a post and bounced safely
away.
Chelsea were safe by then anyway. Malouda fired them two up, ramming
in a shot from close range. He had squandered the initial chance,
glancing a header from Kalou's cross into the body of Zat Knight, but
the ball rebounded kindly for him and his second finish was more
forceful.

ONE TO WATCH  DANIEL STURRIDGE (Chelsea)

The 20-year-old striker has talent, no question. It is his attitude
which is under scrutiny and last night's display did not dispel the
doubts. Slow to get involved on his first start for Chelsea, limited
movement and a poor work ethic. Yet, still he threatens the goal.
Tested Ali Al Habsi and tried the patience of Carlo Ancelotti in the
first half.
Ali Al Habsi made a fine onehanded save from Kalou but Cole started to
dominate after the break as Bolton risked more in attack.
He set up two wonderful chances in quick succession for Sturridge but
the youngster missed the target with both.
First Cole rolled a short pass into his path but Sturridge snatched at
it and put it wide. Then Cole delivered a precision pass over 50
yards. This time Sturridge had time to pick his spot and he turned
towards goal but again drilled his effort wide.
Ancelotti took off the England Under 21 striker and replaced him with Drogba.
Sturridge looked crestfallen as he settled on to the bench in time to
see Deco's example of clinical finishing after 67 minutes. Cole picked
out Deco and he drove in the third.
'I'm disappointed for him,' said Ancelotti. 'I asked him to play for
the team, not just to score. He did what I asked of him. For me, it's
not important that he didn't score. The others scored. For him it
would have been better to score, but he has to stay quiet because I'm
happy with his work out on the pitch.'


A volley from Deco dipped just over before Drogba completed the
scoring with a simple header at the back post to convert a cross
delivered, somewhat inevitably, from the boot of Cole after 89 minutes
'The first thing is to play well and to win a game,' said Ancelotti.
'It so happens we've won with large results but that's not so
important.
'We played the last three games very well, and Saturday can be another
kind of match. We have to be ready to play a different match.'
CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): Hilario (Turnbull 23min); Belletti, Ivanovic, Alex,
Ferreira; Ballack, Deco, Malouda; J Cole, Kalou (Essien 46); Sturridge
(Drogba 61).
BOLTON WANDERERS (4-1-4-1): Al Habsi; Ricketts, Cahill, Knight,
Samuel; Muamba; Steinsson (Elmander 46), M Davies, Gardner, Taylor
(Basham 63); Klasnic.

Man of the match: Joe Cole.

Referee: Andre Marriner.



-----------------------------------------------------



Sun:


Chelsea 4 Bolton 0

By MARK IRWIN




THIRTEEN goals in a week, thirteen hours without conceding at home.

Chelsea remain in the rudest of health despite Sam Allardyce's
concerns for their well-being.


Blackburn boss Big Sam claimed at the weekend his men could have
infected Carlo Ancelotti's superstars with swine flu.


But the Londoners are clearly made of sterner stuff than those
northern softies as they rolled up their sleeves and got on with the
job of sweeping all before them.


Two points clear at the top of the Premier League, they are now firmly
on course for their fourth Carling Cup final in six years.


Ancelotti's rock-solid defence have not let in a goal at Stamford
Bridge for 782 MINUTES now.


Hull's Stephen Hunt was the last to break Chelsea's great wall on the
opening day of the season.


And galvanised by the manager's patent cold remedy of red wine and hot
milk, there was no danger of them catching a cold against Bolton.


While other clubs might treat the Carling Cup with barely disguised
disdain, it is clear Chelsea will never pass up any opportunity to win
silverware.


One week after annihilating Atletico Madrid and days after battering
Blackburn, it was poor Bolton's turn to be beaten and bewildered.


Manchester United are next up at the Bridge on Sunday week.


At least that one should be a bit more competitive than recent
processions here.


Gary Megson's team were never at the races as they were swept aside by
goals from Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda, Deco and Didier Drogba.


Only Daniel Sturridge, 20, disappointed as he blew his big chance to
make an impression.


The striker has had to wait all season for his first start in the
famous blue shirt since his controversial summer move from Manchester
City.


But, after finally being given his opportunity to shine, the
self-assured youngster left home fans wondering what all the fuss was
about.


Twice in the space of a minute Sturridge was teed up for his debut
Chelsea goal by Joe Cole but failed to hit the target on both
occasions.


And moments later he paid for his lack of a killer instinct when he
was hooked by Ancelotti in the 62nd minute. Yet even Sturridge's
struggles could not take the gloss off Chelsea's 10th straight win at
fortress Stamford Bridge.



The Blues did not have to wait long for their breakthrough goal, with
Kalou drifting behind the static Zat Knight to head in Paulo
Ferreira's 15th-minute centre.


Yet Bolton could have been level within a minute when Juliano Belletti
made a horrible mess of Gretar Steinsson's pass to leave Matt Taylor
with a clear sight of goal.


Hilario dashed out to save bravely but took a blow to the head as he
hit the deck and eventually had to be replaced suffering from
concussion.


Chelsea made it two in the 26th minute - Malouda failed to get a firm
head to Kalou's inviting cross but when the ball bounced straight back
to him off Knight he did not need a second invitation.


Deco dispatched Cole's 67th-minute cross for the third.


While Ivan Klasnic almost pulled one back when he struck a post late
on, the final word belonged to sub Drogba.


Hopefully Sturridge was watching and learning from his place back on the bench.


Bolton will have to learn their lessons quickly ahead of Chelsea's
visit on Saturday.


CHELSEA

Hilario 6

Branislav Ivanovic 7

Paulo Ferreira 6

Alex 6

Juliano Belletti 5

Joe Cole 8 - STAR MAN

Michael Ballack 6

Florent Malouda 7

Deco 7

Salomon Kalou 7

Daniel Sturridge 5


Subs: Turnbull (Hilario 23) 6, Essien (Kalou 45) 7, Drogba (Sturridge
62) 6. Not used: Lampard, Matic, Bruma, Borini.

Sunday Times

Frank Lampard brace puts Chelsea back on top
Chelsea 5 Blackburn Rovers 0


FOOTBALL has never been more important than family for Carlo Ancelotti
who, even as a star player for AC Milan and Italy, would spend
holidays back in his village near Parma, helping on the farm of his
father, Giuseppe.

Chelsea’s best performance and biggest victory of his tenure were a
diversion and he was subdued after the game. Giuseppe, 86, is
recovering from major surgery and Ancelotti is flying back to his own
country today to be with him. He was at Giuseppe’s bedside on Friday
and only returned to London for this match. “I think my father was
better today,” said Ancelotti. “This is life.”

Chelsea did all they could to soothe their manager, brutalising
Blackburn, and Paul Robinson in particular, with their fluent,
powerful and penetrative football. If all their games were at Stamford
Bridge, Ancelotti’s side would be certainties for the Premier League.
After Burnley’s loss to Wigan, they have the only perfect home record
in the competition and have now scored 21 times at their stadium this
season, conceding just once. Away, where they have lost recently to
Wigan and Aston Villa, it is different. Though this win took them back
to the top, they will be displaced should Manchester United win
today’s northwest derby. “I’ll watch it,” said Ancelotti. “For one day
I can be a fan of Liverpool.”

Despite his troubles, Ancelotti drew on his considerable reserves of
warmth to reward Joe Cole with a giant smile and hearty hug when he
substituted the attacker with minutes remaining. Starting a Premier
League game for the first time in 10 months because of a serious knee
injury, Cole emerged unscathed and, though he did not take part in the
goals festival, he displayed neat touches and linked expertly with
Frank Lampard, who netted twice.

“After so long out it’s not easy to play the way he did today. He is a
genius,” said Ancelotti.

Cole’s return is good for England too, and timely, with Fabio Capello
keen to reintroduce the player to his side in next month’s friendly
against Brazil. The attacker was almost back with an immediate bang.
After 29 seconds Lampard bore down the left, cut back onto his right
foot and clipped the ball into the area, where Cole was arriving
untracked. A large swathe of goal lay unprotected but he glanced his
header wide.

A lovely first-time flick with his heel that nearly sent Nicolas
Anelka clear, however, soon reaffirmed Cole’s quality.

Anelka owes much to Sam Allardyce for rehabilitating him in English
football but showed little gratitude. In Chelsea’s winger-less system,
much onus is on him to peel to the left to provide width. Anelka
befuddled Blackburn and stretched them to create the first goal. From
a switch of play, he made ground to the touchline and centred low.
Gael Givet, pressured by Didier Drogba, turned the ball into his own
net.

At half-time, though his side’s final ball was poor, Allardyce was
pleased with his defence. “We’d only lost out to an own goal and they
were restricted to shooting from distance,” he said. “But our tactics
went out of the window and I’m bitterly disappointed with the players’
lack of understanding of their instructions. In the second half we
were pathetic.”

Ancelotti’s take was: “Chelsea played very well and it’s not very easy
to play against Chelsea when we put such great quality on the pitch,
Blackburn did what they could”, and the truth was somewhere in
between. Michael Ballack in particular would have been difficult for
most midfields to live with. One 70-yard pass, from the right-back
position to Juliano Belletti on the right wing, was a delight.

Just before half-time, Robinson distinguished himself with three
saves, from a dipping long-range Drogba shot, a close-range header by
the same player and a powerful John Terry volley. But the second
period proved traumatic for the former England No 1. It was seconds
old when Michael Essien played Drogba to the touchline and the Ivorian
cut the ball back for Lampard to stroke it home. Robinson was
blameless then but not soon after when Essien exposed a dreadful piece
of positioning by scoring from 30 yards with a shot that seemed
straightforward. Lampard then beat Robinson again, this time with a
penalty when Alan Wiley punished Keith Andrews for fouling Drogba.

Drogba scored Chelsea’s fifth, Robinson rooted as the striker nodded
in a Ballack corner. Terry cleared off his line to ensure there would
be no consolation for Blackburn, who lost David Dunn and Chris Samba
to a virus. “Several players played with it, we prepared for the match
on paracetomol,” said Allardyce.

Before his humiliation, Blackburn fans honoured Robinson with chants
of “England’s No 1” but on this form that status belongs to Chelsea.

Star man: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Yellow card: Blackburn: Pedersen.

Referee: A Wiley. Attendance: 40,836.

CHELSEA: Cech, Ivanovic, Carvalho (Bruma 67min), Terry, Belletti
(Ferreira 61min), Essien, Ballack, Lampard, J Cole (Sturridge 77min),
Anelka, Drogba.

BLACKBURN: Robinson, Jacobsen (Salgado 60min), Olsson, Nelsen, Givet,
Andrews, Nzonzi, Pedersen (Hoilett 69min), Emerton, Diouf, Roberts
(Kalinic 53min).

Lampard finds his touch

If Chelsea are to win the Premier League this season then Frank
Lampard rediscovering his goalscoring form is crucial. The England
midfielder’s goal against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on
Wednesday was his first in 11 games, while his two against Blackburn
last night were the first for him in the league since scoring a
penalty against Sunderland in August. Before last night’s excellent
display Lampard, inset, had scored more times for England this season
— three in five internationals — than he had in 13 league and cup
games for Chelsea.

It had been Lampard’s most barren run in the league for Chelsea since
2004-05, when he did not hit his second league goal until the 11th
match. A good omen for Chelsea fans is that he went on to score 13
Premier League goals that season, still his second-best tally, and
Chelsea won their first title in 50 years. His best scoring season in
the league was the following year when he hit 16 as Jose Mourinho’s
side retained their crown.

Lampard has gone into double figures in the league for the past six
seasons, in contrast to his days at West Ham, where he never scored
more than seven in a season. Even his first two campaigns at Stamford
Bridge after his £11m move across London brought just five and six
goals respectively. Last night’s double, his third against Blackburn,
made it eight goals in 16 games against the Lancashire side.




----------------------------------------------------



Telegraph:


Chelsea 5 Blackburn Rovers 0

By Gerry Cox at Stamford Bridge


Joe Cole was back –and back to his best – as Chelsea moved back to the
top of the Premier League by destoying a weakened Blackburn Rovers
side.

Cole made his first league start since January and showed no adverse
effects from the knee injury that had kept him out of action for so
long.
The England midfielder was full of inventiveness, always looking to
play in team-mates with his trademark tricks and flicks, and fitted
smoothly into a well-oiled Chelsea machine that got back to winning
ways in the league after their defeat at Aston Villa last week.

Gaël Givet opened the scoring with an own goal in the 19th minute when
he beat Didier Drogba to Nicolas Anelka’s low cross from the left and
turned the ball past Paul Robinson.

The Blackburn keeper performed heroics, however to keep the score down
to 1-0 at half-time, saving at the feet of Anelka, tipping away a John
Terry volley and then pushing away a dipping shot from Drogba.

But Robinson could not perform like King Canute and hold back the
Blues tide forever, and had little chance with any of the goals that
put Chelsea 4-0 ahead within the hour.

Frank Lampard drove the ball home from 12 yards twice in the space of
11 minutes, first after Drogba’s low cross was only partially cleared
in the 47th minute, and then from the penalty spot after the Ivory
Coast striker was tripped by Ryan Nelson.

In between Lampard’s goals, Michael Essien thundered the ball past
Robinson from 35 yards with a sweriving shot to make it 3-0, and then
Drogba added a fifth in the 63rd minute when he headed in Michael
Ballack’s corner at the near post.

It was exhibition stuff from Chelsea as they cruised to their biggest
victory since they beat Sunderland 5-0 almost a year ago, and when
Cole departed in the 77th minute, he got a standing ovation from
Chelsea’s supporters and a hug from his manager Carlo Ancelotti.



--------------------------------------------------



Independent:

Cole 'the genius' helps leaders take five

Chelsea 5 Blackburn Rovers 0:
Winger's outstanding return after nine months has Ancelotti purring as
Chelsea stroll to the top of Premier League

By Steve Tongue at Stamford Bridge



Pilloried last weekend after losing a second successive away game at
Aston Villa, Chelsea soared back to the top of the Premier League with
another emphatic victory to follow the 4-0 demolition of Atletico
Madrid three days earlier.

Their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, happily restored to the dug-out after
visiting his seriously ill father in Italy, may have been concerned by
a failure to capitalise on first-half domination with more than a
single goal, but the second period was a rout. Despite slip-ups at
Wigan and Villa Park, his team remain as impregnable at the Bridge as
Horatius; with Manchester United due here a fortnight today, this was
an eighth successive home win of the season in all competitions, in
which only one goal has been conceded.

Losing Ashley Cole from the Atletico game proved far less important
against a feeble Blackburn than the return of Didier Drogba and Joe
Cole, both of whom were outstanding in a vibrant attacking display.
Nicolas Anelka in attack and Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and
Michael Essien, the other members of the oft criticised midfield
diamond, were not far behind. After a comparatively dull first
half-an-hour, in which the only score was an own goal, this was
Chelsea glittering and sparkling in the manner Roman Abramovich has
paid so much money and paid off so many managers to see.

Only the nature of the opposition could temper the praise. Blackburn
had Sam Allardyce on his feet and bellowing at them throughout the
first half, but later he seemed resigned to their collective fate.
There were far fewer consolations for him than in the previous away
game, a 6-2 defeat at Arsenal; and on Saturday they go to Old
Trafford. "The second half was pathetic," Allardyce said. "At the
moment they're not good enough, not mentally resilient." It was
certainly not the day for David Dunn and Christophe Samba, two of the
better competitors, to be missing with a virus.

As for Chelsea's performance, "it was a pleasure to see," Ancelotti
said. He described Cole as "a genius", although perhaps it was
excitement at being back after nine months that caused him to fluff
the chance of a goal within 30 seconds of his return. He drifted into
a perfect position six yards out and was picked out by Lampard's
cross, but glanced his header wide. It did not seem to matter when
Chelsea scored after 20 minutes. Justifiably accused of lacking width
at times, they made some through Anelka's run down the left, where
Ballack found him for a low cross that Gaël Givet diverted into his
own net.

Given Chelsea's recent weakness at set-pieces, the first couple of
Blackburn free-kicks from out on the left were awaited with some
trepidation by the home crowd. Petr Cech collected them easily enough,
then caused an intake of breath by missing a long throw from Morten
Gamst Pedersen. That was as good as it got for the visitors for a long
while, as Lampard, Anelka, Drogba (twice) and John Terry all
threatened to increase the lead.

Blackburn's only hope, that Chelsea would drift into complacency, was
shattered by four more goals in the first 20 minutes of the second
half. First, Essien sent Drogba thrusting into the penalty area and he
crossed low, Lars Jacobsen only diverting the ball out to Lampard for
a second goal in four days after 10 games without one. Then, as
Blackburn prepared to replace the hapless Jason Roberts, Essien
decided to have a pop from 35 yards and a combination of power and
swerve defeated Paul Robinson.

The goalkeeper had earlier saved brilliantly from John Terry but he
was to be let down by his leaky defence twice more.

Ryan Nelsen brought down Drogba to give Lampard a second goal, this
time from the penalty spot, and the referee Alan Wiley, looking fit
enough here, could easily have pointed to the spot again as Robinson
challenged Drogba without taking the ball. The Ivorian had his revenge
with a header from Ballack's corner for the fifth goal. As thoughts
turn to Anfield this afternoon, Ancelotti said: "For one day I can be
a fan of Liverpool."

Attendance: 40,836

Referee: Alan Wiley

Man of the match: Drogba

Match rating: 7/10



-----------------------------------------------------



Observer:


Chelsea return to summit with rout of Blackburn

Chelsea 5 Givet (og) 20, Lampard 48, Essien 52, Lampard (pen) 59, Drogba 64
Blackburn Rovers 0

Amy Lawrence at Stamford Bridge



Nine goals in four days seems like a more than reasonable way to get a
blip out of the system. During the second-half tornado, a blue force
ripped through Blackburn, inhabitants of the Shed End jumped with
enough vigour to test the stand's foundations, and there was a buzz in
the air that made you wonder if Carlo Ancelotti had found the X-factor
Roman Abramovich has long been after.

This was a thrill-a-minute Chelsea, a forward-thinking Chelsea, a team
brimming with goals and attacking intent. Frank Lampard gave a vintage
display. Didier Drogba was a menace all evening. Michael Essien scored
a picturebook goal. And Joe Cole enjoyed his first league start since
11 January at the head of the midf flashes even though he was
understandably a little rusty. Ancelotti was impressed enough to call
him "a genius".

Such was Cole's impact and all-round popularity, Lampard confessed
later to feeling bad that he had taken the penalty for Chelsea's
fourth goal, rather than giving it to his mate after an eight-month
absence.

In the past week, Chelsea have responded powerfully to setbacks at
Aston Villa and Wigan. It was as if they took surrendering top spot as
a personal insult. This was an emphatic way to retake the position,
even though Manchester United may overtake them again at Anfield
today. "For one day only, I will be a fan of Liverpool," smiled
Ancelotti.

What a bloody nose for a Blackburn team who are suffering notable
travel sickness. They are in the middle of a run on the road that has
served up Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. Here, as at Emirates
Stadium, they were out of their depth. Sam Allardyce intimated he may
need to field 13 players to get an improvement next time out.

"Pathetic," was how Blackburn's manager condemned what he saw. "I am
bitterly disappointed in the players' lack of understanding of the
situation. All the tactics went out the window. We haven't got the
resilience, mental strength, physical presence to go away from home
and win games." It did not help that a virus is sweeping through the
squad.

They were only a goal down at half-time. Michael Ballack's slide-rule
pass sent Nicolas Anelka scurrying up the left flank. The Frenchman
clipped a cross in the general direction of the onrushing Didier
Drogba. Frankly, that was near enough. Just having Drogba breathing
down his neck was sufficient to panic Gaël Givet into turning the ball
past Paul Robinson. The crestfallen defender covered his head with his
shirt in dismay. A tough task for Blackburn just got tougher. Robinson
kept them in contention for a while. But the breathing space Chelsea
craved arrived early in the second half, with two goals in four
minutes — the signal for a complete breakdown in the opposition ranks.
Lampard, fresh from rediscovering his scoring touch in midweek, scored
with a trademark finish when Drogba's cross was cleared into his path.

Then came the moment that really liberated Chelsea and clicked the
enjoyment button into overdrive. Essien was 35 yards out when he let
fly with a ferocious drive that glossed with a mighty swerve. With
that, Robinson's evening took a turn for the worse. It was potshot
time.

There was a tangible shift in Chelsea's body language. Everybody
wanted a piece of the action, with the Stamford Bridge brigade yelling
"shoooot" at will. Anelka seized the moment to fire one in at
Robinson. The goalkeeper seemed struck by nerves and butterfingers.

Just before the hour, Ryan Nelsen was penalised for a trip on Drogba
and Lampard stepped up for the penalty. He sent Robinson the wrong way
to dispatch his third goal of the week. He might have had another had
Alan Wiley awarded another penalty when Robinson tripped Drogba. Not
to be.

In the 63rd minute, Chelsea made the most of a set piece as Drogba
slammed a header past Robinson. This was perhaps the most satisfying
goal of all for Ancelotti. "After Aston Villa, we had a good solution
about set plays," he pointed out. "We scored two against Atlético
Madrid and one here. We have improved very quickly and very well."

All in all, it made for the best performance since he arrived at the
club. Ancelotti returned to Italy after the game to see his ailing
father, but expects to be back in London tomorrow morning with good
news about his recovery.


THE FANS' PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT

Trizia Fiorellino, Chelsea Supporters Group A good win, although
Blackburn were the makers of their own undoing with an absolutely
woeful performance. I don't want to sound arrogant, but I don't think
we ever had to get out of second gear and still managed to absolutely
hammer them. Joe Cole did well on his first start after injury, even
though he looked knackered after half an hour. We've missed his
creative passes. I felt sorry for the Blackburn supporters who had
come down – that was a performance to make you angry.

The fan's player ratings Cech 7; Ivanovic 7, Carvalho 7 (Bruma 66 7),
Terry 8, Belletti 7 (Ferreira 60 7); Essien 8, Ballack 8, Lampard 9; J
Cole 8 (Sturridge 76 7); Anelka 7, Drogba 8

Mike Delap, Blackburn.VitalFootball.co.uk At least against Arsenal a
couple of weeks ago we gave it a good go. Here, we looked more
concerned with damage limitation and avoiding a cricket score. It's
easy to make excuses and the absence of our biggest goal threats in
Samba and Dunn didn't help. But Nzonzi was the only one who looked
interested in getting on the ball and making something happen. It's
hard to watch Blackburn play like that when you know they're much
better than what you're witnessing.

The fan's player ratings Robinson 6; Jacobsen 5 (Salgado 59 5), Nelsen
5, Givet 4, Olsson 6; Diouf 5, Emerton 5, Nzonzi 6, Andrews 4,
Pedersen 4 (Hoilett 68 6); Roberts 5 (Kalinic 53 6)



--------------------------------------------------------



Mail:


Chelsea 5 Blackburn 0:
Five star Blues head back to the top of Premier League with thumping victory


Something like normal service has resumed at Chelsea, with nine goals
in a week and two resounding victories.

Frank Lampard is scoring freely again, Joe Cole has returned from
injury and all was well with the world at Stamford Bridge yesterday
evening.
Chelsea were impressive as they swept aside an abject Blackburn Rovers
to return to the top of the Premier League.


That said, any manager feeling an inkling of pressure from his
employers could not wish for more than to encounter Atletico Madrid, a
shadow of the team who qualified for the Champions League, and this
woeful Blackburn side, who declined to compete.
For now, Carlo Ancelotti will worry little about the quality of his
opponents while emphasising the positives of his Chelsea players.
They have responded positively to defeats by Wigan and Aston Villa in
what has been an emotional week for their manager, who spent much of
it in Italy tending to his seriously ill father, Giuseppe.


Regarding more mundane matters on the pitch, he will know that sterner
tests lie ahead, notably next month when Manchester United and Arsenal
visit, and that better teams will exploit Chelsea’s evident
weaknesses.
But any opponents who decline to display whole-hearted commitment
against them will be dispatched in emphatic fashion, as Blackburn
were.
Ancelotti considered yesterday’s performance Chelsea’s best in his
short reign, a pleasure not shared, obviously, by his Blackburn
counterpart.
‘The second half was pathetic,’ said Sam Allardyce. ‘At the moment,
these players are not good enough, bottom line.

The mental resilience is not there, the physical challenge is not
there; they just want to play football and that doesn’t get you
results.’
Blackburn were without key players, including David Dunn and
Christopher Samba, who were struck down with a virus, Franco di Santo,
who was ineligible, and Pascal Chimbonda, who had a calf injury.


Nevertheless, as Allardyce made clear, they lacked basic competitive
mettle. As for Chelsea, none could be happier with his performance
than Joe Cole, relishing his first Premier League start since
sustaining a knee injury last January.
His energy and sharpness cannot have failed to impress the watching
Franco Baldini, assistant to England manager Fabio Capello, and one
audacious piece of skill on 62 minutes, when he executed a chip by
dragging his left foot behind his right, sent Paul Robinson scrambling
to save.
Indeed, his only disappointment can have been his failure to score.
His chance, when it came, was perhaps a little too early into his
comeback.

Just 25 seconds had passed when Frank Lampard set him up for a free
header six yards out; Cole directed it wide but did little wrong
thereafter.
‘I was very impressed,’ said Ancelotti. ‘He is a genius. He has
fantastic quality in midfield. After nine months out it is not easy to
play like Joe played. I’m happy for him and for us, as he’s an
important player.’
Despite Chelsea missing a plethora of chances, with Didier Drogba,
Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and Lampard all going close after
Cole’s first-minute miss, it took a Blackburn defender to set them on
their way after 20 minutes.


Ballack, dominant in midfield, sent Anelka sprinting down the left,
past Lars Jacobsen, and he cut inside and delivered a cross which
perplexed the retreating Gael Givet. In his efforts to steer the ball
away, Givet turned it into his own net.
The game effectively ended as a contest three minutes after halftime
when Drogba tore past Martin Olsson to cross. Jacobsen failed to clear
and Lampard seized on the opportunity to steer the ball past a cluster
of bodies and into the net.
If Blackburn had any inclination to strike back, all remaining resolve
dissipated on 52 minutes when Michael Essien unleashed a 35-yard
strike that thundered past Robinson, Blackburn allowing Essien time
and space to line up his shot, with Steven N’zonzi making but a token
effort to close down his opponent.
So there could be little sympathy for them on 59 minutes when Ryan
Nelsen felt he was hard done by in conceding a penalty, with Drogba
tumbling to the ground with his customary histrionics.
Referee Alan Wiley was well up with the play and made the correct
call, as Nelsen had panicked after being dispossessed by the Ivorian
and failed to play the ball.

Lampard thumped the penalty home for his third goal of the week. Freed
of the responsibility at the apex of Chelsea midfield diamond, the
Lampard of old is beginning to re-emerge.
More was to come, with Blackburn by now a shambles and Chelsea
rampant. When Blackburn failed to defend a Ballack corner on 64
minutes, Drogba headed in from close range, despite Nelsen trying to
unsettle him, to finally claim the goal his performance merited.

Even John Terry went close with a sweetly executed volley from just
inside the box, which required a smart save from Robinson.

It was that kind of day for Chelsea.



-------------------------------------------------------



NOTW:


COLE ENJOYS ORGY OF SHOWBOATING
Chelsea 5 Blackburn 0


By Andy Dunn



JOE COLE is a big fan of rhyming slang. And after 75 minutes of this
shamefully one-sided romp, he was cream-crackered.

In fact, he looked like he'd been up and down the apples 'n pears a
thousand times.


But no one had a bigger smile on his boat race.


Not Frank Lampard, whose renaissance after the briefest of lulls
doubled his season's goal tally.


Not Didier Drogba, whose all-round performance - capped with a headed
formality - was a 90-minute testimony to all that is now right with
his game and his attitude.


Not Michael Essien, whose spectacular strike was merely one small act
in a Chelsea carnival.


Not Carlo Ancelotti, for whom this early- evening stroll provided some
comforting distraction from far more serious matters back home.


Cole was the one with a beam of floodlight wattage.


He had performed like a kid opening his Christmas presents. Not
knowing what to play with and when.


All those pent-up flicks, dinks, dummies, backheels - stored over
eight months of injury-enforced inactivity - were released in an orgy
of showboating.


Jose Mourinho would probably have booted him halfway down the King's Road.


Ancelotti indulged him.


And it was fantastic to see.


Some things came off, some didn't. He wasn't the best player on the
park - not by a distance.


Drogba and Lampard could scrap for that title.


But the high-fives all round when he puffed his way to the dugout with
a quarter of an hour left and the standing ovation that reverberated
around Stamford Bridge told you what this occasion was all about.


This was the moment - his first Premier League start since January -
that Chelsea and England fans have been waiting for.


And it was a return that lifted club and country spirits.

Effervescent

Anticipating his comeback a couple of weeks back, Cole said he was
licking his lips at the prospect of playing in the sausage roll.


(Well, he didn't actually say licking his lips but he did say sausage roll.)


The sausage roll is his own improvised, contemporary Cockney rhyming
slang. For the hole.


In the hole. Geddit.


Joe wasn't exactly in the hole but he provided more attacking threat
in his full return than Deco has in all his appearances this season.


It was clear that Lampard and Michael Ballack relished his
effervescent presence.


Ditto Nicolas Anelka and Drogba.


Cole could claim a distant assist for Chelsea's opener, bringing down
a Juliano Belletti clearance before shuttling possession to Ballack.


Anelka peeled left and dashed on to the pass before sending a cross
into the cluster of onrushing bodies.


And now, it seems, Drogba only has to stare to score. Gael Givet had
stolen a march on the Chelsea striker but seized by panic, slid in the
own goal. Defensive apologists may call it unlucky, even unavoidable.
It was nothing of the sort.


It was poor defending - just as it had been an inexcusably poor cross
from Morten Gamst Pedersen that had set the Chelsea counter-attack in
motion.


That typified Blackburn's delivery. Worse than the Royal Mail.


When you place so much store on set-pieces - as Rovers did yesterday -
then execution is vital.


Brett Emerton was one of the main culprits. It was impractical to log
the amount of kicks that flew in isolation towards Petr Cech.


He must have thought his practice routine had not finished. It
certainly gave him some misplaced confidence - his spillage from a
throw-in giving Chelsea their only anxious first-half moment.


Cech is having an awkward season. It is clear he is trying to rebuild
confidence threatened not only by some poor performances for Chelsea
but also by the Czech Republic's failure to qualify for the World Cup
finals.


He is trying to do it by being a touch more dominant. And with that
comes risks.


Against more dangerous opposition, he will always carry a threat to
his own team.



Blackburn might have been more dangerous had David Dunn not cried off.
Without his creativity, they looked bereft of genuine invention. But
Givet's aberration apart, they defended stoutly enough. Well, in the
first half at least.


None more stoutly than Paul Robinson - no pun intended, Paul. Honest.


He made himself big - no pun intended again - to deny Anelka after a
slick move inspired by Cole and he risked finger-dislocation to divert
a strike of eye-popping velocity from Drogba.


Having clicked them back into place, Robinson then produced one for
the season's highlights.


Ricardo Carvalho headed into the path of John Terry, who connected
sweetly with a kung-fu kick.


As agile a piece of work as you are likely to see somehow kept it out.


Fabio Capello had been at White Hart Lane earlier in the afternoon and
decided not to dice with tea-time London traffic. But his No 2 Franco
Baldini - as well as filling his notebook full of Cole - was surely
impressed with Robinson's performance.


He must be among England's top three form keepers right at this moment.


He didn't have to be on his best form to deal with Lampard's
first-half output - prolific as it was.


Buoyed by his first goal for a while in midweek, Lampard's every touch
was a shot.


He took the 'If you don't buy a ticket . . . ' adage to ridiculous extremes.


You wouldn't want to be behind Frank in a lottery queue.


But we all know it pays off.

Ease

And, sure enough, his third of the season arrived soon after
half-time. Drogba rolled Givet with ridiculous ease, his cut-back was
partially cleared and Lampard welcomed the invitation.


A goal that was an advert for Lampard's predatory instincts and
Drogba's new-found selflessness. What stuffing had been inside
Blackburn was gone.


And even Robinson appeared deflated, floundering for the first time
when Essien's long-range strike smuggled itself inside the near post.


In response, Sam Allardyce threw on a couple of subs - his team threw
in the towel.


Ryan Nelsen joined the queue of defenders to be humiliated by Drogba.
Only the supremely-fit Alan Wiley could keep up, striding alongside
when Nelsen tripped the Ivorian.


Lampard - who else? - converted from the spot.


And Drogba - who, and this is not a misprint, later tried to stay on
his feet after Robinson rushed out irresponsibly - received his due
reward when Ballack's corner and abysmal Rovers defending allowed him
to glance home the fifth.


The gap between the two teams was, quite frankly, an embarrassment -
even though Blackburn were shorn of numbers.


Not that it bothered Cole.


Blowing desperately for most of the second half, he was finally spared
exhaustion when Ancelotti put up his number.


The acclaim from the crowd was thunderous. And there was only one name
on their lips as they headed for the rub-a-dub-dub.


Cole, himself, had broken into that wonderful grin before he fell into
the arms of his manager.


Ancelotti probably welcomed the hug for different reasons - for Cole,
it was an embrace that confirmed he is back doing what he loves.


Playing football with a smile.

Uefa match press kit


http://www.uefa.com/printoutfiles/competitions/ucl/2010/e/e_2000403_pk.pdf

Times

Salomon Kalou double eases Chelsea to easy win over Atletico Madrid
Chelsea 4 Atletico Madrid 0

Matt Hughes, Deputy Football Correspondent



When Salomon Kalou signed a new three-year contract two weeks ago,
some Chelsea fans asked in jest whether he was able to put pen to
paper at the first attempt.

Applying such finishing touches in a neat and orderly fashion does not
come naturally to the Ivory Coast forward, but he cast off his untidy
nature to begin a rout that all but guarantees Chelsea a place in the
first knockout round.

Kalou’s goals either side of half-time — a tap-in and a close-range
header — were straightforward enough, but in keeping with their scorer
they did not come easily. Kalou had missed four decent chances — and
denied a goal to Frank Lampard by straying into an offside position —
before finally repaying a show of faith from Carlo Ancelotti that
initially had appeared undeserved.

Lampard added a third from the edge of the penalty area for good
measure before Luís Perea’s own goal completed the scoring.

Chelsea’s desire to tie Kalou to the club was partly a response to the
Fifa transfer ban that may leave them short of players in the future,
but their Champions League campaign has made a mockery of fears over
the depth of their squad, even if the extent of this victory flattered
them. Without the suspended Didier Drogba and José Bosingwa, the
latter of whom was eligible but injured last night, Chelsea have
cruised to victory in their opening three matches, leaving them
needing a single point from the return fixture in Madrid in a
fortnight to secure their passage from group D.

Chelsea are appealing against Fifa’s transfer ban in any case. The
Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed last night that the club have
asked for the suspension, covering the next two transfer windows, to
be frozen while justice takes its course, which may enable them to
sign players in January. Chelsea’s defence against the charge of
tapping up Gaël Kakuta is unclear, but with the Roman Catholic church
seemingly intent on poaching Anglican priests the club could do worse
than appeal to an even higher power.

After Nicolas Anelka answered the call to replace Drogba’s goals by
scoring in victories over Porto and Apoel, last night belonged to
Kalou, who has been forced to wait rather longer for his day in the
sun. The 24-year-old divides opinion like few others, with his
infuriating unpredictability offset by the occasional moments of
brilliance, and even his manager’s praise was lukewarm.

“Kalou is an important player for us because when we are without
Drogba, he can play and play well,” Ancelotti said. “He started the
game not good because he made a big mistake, but he maintained good
motivation and good focus to score twice after that. For him it was
very important to score.”

Kalou was slightly fortunate to start the match, replacing Florent
Malouda in one of four changes from the defeat away to Aston Villa,
including the surprise omission of Ricardo Carvalho. But Kalou
appeared determined to be noticed, if not necessarily for the right
reasons.

The Ivorian was involved from the outset, lazily heading Juliano
Belletti’s cross wide of the far post in the third minute, and going
on to spurn three further opportunities before being presented with a
chance in the 41st minute that even he could not miss. Simão’s cynical
foul on Deco was exploited by a quickly taken free kick from Lampard,
whose clever, angled ball found Ashley Cole in space, and Kalou
directed the full back’s left-wing cross into an empty net.

Kalou’s contribution to the second half was rather less erratic, and
he managed the unusual feat of scoring with the first chance that came
his way. Anelka had brought another good save from the precociously
gifted Sergio Asenjo with a dipping drive, but the 20-year-old
Spaniard could do nothing to prevent a second goal as Atlético
showcased the type of sloppy defending that has caused them to concede
17 goals in seven league matches this season. Lampard was again the
provider, with Kalou rising above Perea to head home his third goal of
the season from a 52nd-minute corner.

While Kalou’s goals are a nice bonus, it is Lampard’s that have the
potential to win trophies for Chelsea, so seeing the England midfield
player return to the scoresheet for the first time in 11 matches was
arguably the most pleasing aspect of their evening despite Ancelotti’s
claims to the contrary. Lampard had not scored for Chelsea since a
penalty in the second game of the season at Sunderland, but last
night’s goal was worth waiting for as he cut in from the left and
played a one-two with Michael Essien before beating Asenjo from 18
yards.

Perea’s stoppage-time aberration from Malouda’s free kick added gloss
to the scoreline, but Ancelotti will not have been entirely satisfied
as some of his side’s defending was again a cause for concern after
their recent high-profile howlers. Atlético had their moments during
an entertaining first half, with Chelsea equally vulnerable to the
ball played neatly on the floor and the long one lumped over the top.

Atlético’s tricky attacking trident of Diego Forlán, Sergio Agüero and
Simão caused the home side no end of problems and, without two smart
saves from Petr Cech, Chelsea could have easily fallen behind. The
goalkeeper may resemble a gibbering wreck under the high ball, but
remains one of the best when one on one with an opposing striker, as
he showed when making two smart saves from Forlán, who shares with
Kalou the uncanny knack of inspiring mockery and marvel in equal
measure.

As one of the sport’s genuine good guys Kalou should not be begrudged
his moment of triumph in the group stage, but Chelsea will need all of
their key players fit and firing if they are to enjoy an extended run
in this season’s competition — and they will need to take all of their
chances.

Chelsea (4-3-3): P Cech — J Belletti, B Ivanovic, J Terry, A Cole
(sub: F Malouda, 75min) — M Ballack, M Essien, F Lampard — S Kalou
(sub: Y Zhirkov, 73), N Anelka (sub: D Sturridge, 78), Deco.
Substitutes not used: Hilário, R Carvalho, J Cole, J Bruma. Booked:
Belletti.

Atlético Madrid (4-3-3): S Asenjo — T Ujfalusi, L Perea, Á Domínguez,
A López — Cléber Santana (sub: M Rodríguez, 65), R García, P Assunção
(sub: J Jurado, 54) — D Forlán, S Agüero, Simão (sub: J A Reyes, 77).
Substitutes not used: D De Gea, F Sinama-Pongolle, Juanito, P Ibáñez.
Booked: García, Dominguez.

Referee: F Meyer (Germany).



----------------------------------------------------



Telegraph:


Chelsea 4 Atlético Madrid 0

By Henry Winter


Another good night in Europe for Carlo Ancelotti, another stride taken
by Chelsea towards the knockout stages courtesy of Salomon Kalou’s
double, Frank Lampard’s fine low strike and Luis Perea’s own goal.

Early on, Kalou was more Clouseau in his approach to finding a lead
but he grew in confidence and Ancelotti could soon relax.

Rafael Benitez cool on Premier League title talk ahead of Chelsea
clashAncelotti becomes an intense, nervous figure on match-days, a
contrast to the equable, humorous soul the rest of the week. The
Italian had not felt under pressure following Chelsea’s stumbles, the
defeats at Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa, primarily because he is
aware of the quality of his squad and the support he enjoys in Roman
Abramovich’s inner circle.

Still, Ancelotti also knows that the Russian oligarch craves glory in
the Champions League so this untroubled victory, strengthening their
control of Group D, was welcome indeed. As well as the realisation
that Didier Drogba now returns from his ban, the sight of Kalou
shouldering some of the goalscoring burden was encouraging for
Ancelotti.

Similarly uplifting was the stirring image of Lampard back to his
creative best in midfield, patently enjoying a freer, deeper role,
allowing him space to run into. With Michael Essien anchoring well,
Lampard kept pushing on, even scoring a fine goal after 69 minutes, a
low shot that ended a 10-game drought.

For all the talk of transfer bans, and Chelsea stepped up their fight
against the Fifa embargo yesterday, last night showed they have
strength in depth. Ancelotti had demoted Ricardo Carvalho to the bench
for Chelsea’s defensive glitches at dealing with set-pieces in recent
weeks but Branislav Ivanovic did well enough alongside John Terry.

Yuri Zhirkov, an accomplished Russian international, came off the
bench. So did Danny Sturridge and Florent Malouda.

Joe Cole’s return from lengthy injury gives Ancelotti another option,
particularly at the forward point of the diamond. Last night’s
formation was 4-1-2-2-1, more Christmas tree, and certainly blessed
with rich pickings for Kalou.

Before Kalou discovered the way to goal, the game had been
disappointing, starting in slightly desultory, distracted fashion with
Chelsea fans initially focusing on booing those opponents with English
connections, Diego Forlan (Manchester United) and the subs Florent
Sinama Pongolle (Liverpool) and Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal).

Atletico’s fans, who had spent the afternoon busily shopping in
Harrods and Hamleys, responded lustily, targeting the former Real
Madrid striker, Nicolas Anelka, who was leading the Chelsea line as
Drogba completed the last game of his suspension.

Anelka was supported by Deco, loosely left-sided but roaming, and
Kalou, who endured a hapless opening until finally getting his
penalty-box SatNav working four minutes from the break. It was worth
the wait as, his confidence strengthened, Kalou added a second seven
minutes into the second period.

Chelsea had to resist some early pressure, during which Forlan and
Sergio Aguero went close, before Ancelotti’s men began to check on
Atletico’s well-known defensive vulnerabilities. They first had to
journey through a vale of frustration.

When Lampard lifted in a free-kick from near the halfway line, Sergio
Asenjo fisted the ball into his own net, much to the Bridge’s delight
and merriment. Chelsea’s pleasure was short-lived, Kalou rightly ruled
offside.

After a brief break for Ashley Cole to receive treatment, having been
struck by a Czech steam train called Tomas Ujfalusi, Chelsea pieced
together a magnificent attack, bringing supporters to their feet,
thrilled by the one-touch football, the speed and imagination. They
then flung their hands into the air in despair at Kalou’s finish.

What a waste. Deco’s flick was sublime, transferring the ball into the
path of Michael Ballack, who was gliding into the box. Germany’s
captain could have shot, really should have done in the light of
Kalou’s subsequent effort but he selflessly squared the ball. Kalou,
unmarked, missed horribly, the ball hurtling apologetically a yard
wide.

Consoled by Lampard, Kalou refused to wallow in self-pity and kept
running, kept knocking at Atletico’s shaky back door, which always
looked ready to fall off its hinges. At the other end, a Forlan volley
that stung Petr Cech’s gloves provided a momentary scare but soon
Chelsea were raiding forward again.

Kalou had a shot saved by Sergio Asenjo and then, at last, found the
mark. Lampard had been increasingly involved, clearly enjoying
building moves from a deeper station, slightly to the left of the
holding midfielder, Essien. Lampard, looking right to deceive
Atletico’s defence, delivered a reverse pass down the inside-left
channel.

Ballack cleverly let it run for the overlapping Ashley Cole, whose
frequent trips to the Bridge deck following Atletico fouls had not
dimmed his appetite for the forward gallop. Cole’s cross was low and
hard and Kalou simply could not miss, the Ivory Coast forward turning
the ball into the net from five yards out.

Like the buses trundling down the King’s Road, the Bridge did not have
long to wait for another Kalou goal. Seven minutes after the restart,
Lampard swept over a corner that the unmarked Kalou headed easily in.

Still Chelsea looked for more. After exchanging passes with Essien 25
yards out, the outstanding Lampard beat Sergio Asenjo with a strong
drive, ending the game as a meaningful contest. “Are you watching
Liverpool?’’ inquired the Matthew Harding Stand. Cruel. Chelsea march
on.

As Chelsea fans were flocking to the exits, disappearing merrily into
the west London night, Ancelotti’s side added a fourth, Perea
accidentally heading in Malouda’s free-kick.

“Adios,’’ chanted the remaining Blues fans.




-----------------------------------------------



Independent:


Lampard's strike caps Blues stroll

Chelsea 4 Atletico Madrid 0

By Sam Wallace, Football Correspondent



It might have taken 11 games and two months to arrive, but when Frank
Lampard slammed a shot past the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Sergio
Asenjo last night, Stamford Bridge could at last be assured that
normal service had been resumed.

Chelsea's favourite son finally broke his scoring hex, the trimming on
a performance of complete and utter domination from Carlo Ancelotti's
team. The Premier League may have thrown up two straight away defeats
for Chelsea but the Champions League has yielded no such problems and
certainly not yesterday against poor old Atletico with their third win
in three.

The Premier League 1, La Liga 0. Atletico were Spain's fourth-placed
team last season but this time around they have plummeted to 15th and
all their problems were laid bare by a remorseless Chelsea
performance. Any team that concedes two goals to the erratic
blunderbuss finishing of Salomon Kalou, as Atletico did last night, do
not need telling twice that they have serious problems.

By the end Atletico saved Chelsea the trouble and put the fourth goal
in their own net themselves. The most impressive statistic of all
after three games in the Champions League is that Chelsea are now the
only team in the competition who are yet to concede a goal. For
Ancelotti, whose side have lost recently to Wigan and Aston Villa, the
pressure eases.

This was the last game for which Didier Drogba was banned by Uefa for
his meltdown against Barcelona last season and Chelsea have not yet
dropped a point. Once again Nicolas Anelka was an excellent stand-in,
especially compared to Sergio Aguero, Atletico's Argentine striker.
Whoever suggested he was worth £50m last summer needs to take a long
lie-down in a darkened room after his hapless performance last night.

Chelsea were in such control by the end of the game that Ancelotti
felt sufficiently confident to give Daniel Sturridge his Champions
League debut 12 minutes from the end. There was a run-out for Yuri
Zhirkov too but no opportunity for Joe Cole, substitute again, who
remains, apart from one Carling Cup start and two substitute
performances, strangely ignored by Ancelotti.

Last night was Lampard's first goal since his penalty against
Sunderland on 18 August, and while Ancelotti later played down the
significance of his goalscoring there is little doubt that the man
himself sees it as a crucial part of his game. As a 20-goal-a-season
midfielder, Lampard will always attract attention when he does not
score goals. As for Chelsea, they have come to rely upon them.

By the end the Chelsea fans were feeling sufficiently sure of
themselves to break into a few verses of "Are you watching Liverpool?"
Unlike their old adversaries, Chelsea require only two points from
their remaining three games to be sure of qualification and you would
assume that, if Atletico's poor form continues, they will get them in
Madrid next month.

Chelsea's success over the last six years has been divided between
those players who are core to the club's success and others who have
been happy to ride shotgun for the glory. Into the latter category
falls Kalou, a perfectly adequate footballer who has never quite
reached the same heights as some of his compadres.

On some occasions, Kalou, who signed a new four-year deal this month,
can look the part and other times he can sink without trace in a squad
so brimful of talent. He took his goalscoring record to 33 on his
160th Chelsea appearance last night but it would be stretching it to
say he had a good first half.

First of all he strayed offside when Lampard hit a 30-yard free-kick
and ensured that the goal, fumbled into the net by Asenjo, was
disallowed. From Michael Ballack's cross on 16 minutes, Kalou arrived
right on cue to place his shot from 10 yards wide of the post. A John
Terry header on 37 minutes was pushed wide from Kalou, who had managed
to get himself offside anyway.

The beauty of playing in front of such a gifted midfield as Chelsea's
is that sooner or later they will make you a chance that you cannot
fail to miss – even Andrei Shevchenko used to score occasionally. And
so it came four minutes from the end of the first half. Lampard passed
down the left; Ballack dummied; Ashley Cole crossed and Kalou kept his
shot from seven yards under the crossbar.

Atletico have an enviable forward line in Aguero, Diego Forlan and
Simao Sabrosa but, apart from an early header from Forlan, they barely
threatened Petr Cech at all. On 52 minutes, Chelsea scored their
second. Lampard's corner found Kalou at the back post and he headed
the ball down and inside the post.

Lampard's goal came from the left. He was played in by Michael Essien
and hit his shot inside Asenjo's near post. A truly dreadful display
by Atletico was capped by Luis Perea heading Florent Malouda's
free-kick into his own goal in injury-time. You suspect that Blackburn
Rovers will provide a stiffer test for Chelsea on Saturday.

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Belletti, Ivanovic, Terry, A Cole (Malouda
75); Essien; Kalou (Zhirkov 73), Ballack, Lampard, Deco; Anelka
(Sturridge 78). Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Carvalho, J Cole,
Bruma.

Atletico Madrid (4-5-1): Asenjo; Ufjalusi, Perea, Dominguez, Lopez;
Forlan, Santana (Rodriguez, 65), Garcia, Assuncao (Jurado, 54), Simao
(Reyes 77); Aguero. Substitutes not used: De Gea (gk), Sinama
Pongolle, Juanito, Ibanez.

Referee: F Meyer (Germany).



-----------------------------------------------



Guardian:


Salomon Kalou double helps Chelsea keep perfect record

Chelsea 4 Kalou 41, Kalou 52, Lampard 69, Perea (og) 90
Atlético Madrid 0

Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge



The Champions League ought to be a stern test and, in due course, it
will bring severity to bear on Chelsea but this encounter was more of
a therapy session. Atlético Madrid, worn down in the end, posed a
challenge and the victors could tell themselves that the solidity
missing in the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa had been recovered.

There were nuances, too, that had the resonance to warn everyone that
Carlo Ancelotti is more ruthless than his benign manner would suggest.
The manager was determined to drop Ricardo Carvalho, who had
floundered at Villa Park, even though the natural alternative Alex was
not quite fit enough to displace him.

Ancelotti instead put Branislav Ivanovic at the core of the defence
with Juliano Belletti at full-back. Carvalho will do well to realise
that talk of his being rested is mere euphemism. The squad now
appreciate the steep price to be paid by those who let the manager
down. The win will be recalled for sunnier reasons as well.

Frank Lampard, for instance, got his first goal from open play for the
club in this campaign when he put a low shot into the corner of the
net after 69 minutes to stretch the lead to 3-0. Atlético, bright and
incisive at times, were ultimately despondent. In stoppage time, Luis
Perea diverted a free-kick from the substitute Florent Malouda into
his own net.

There had been encouragement for Chelsea, as well, in the sight of
Salomon Kalou shedding initial haplessness to claim the first two
goals. Atlético were ideal adversaries. They had more than enough
ability to merit respect but the inherent brittleness ensured that
they would succumb in the end.

That team is 15th in La Liga and has so far collected a single point
in the Champions League. Even the goalless draw should make them
cringe since they had been at home to Apoel Nicosia. The Atlético
players were either stirred initially by the sense of occasion at
Stamford Bridge or just angry with their lacklustre efforts.

They could have been ahead when Simão crossed for Diego Forlán, whose
header had to be saved smartly by Petr Cech. The goalkeeper also
needed to beat away a drive in the middle of the first-half from the
same attacker, who has long since demonstrated that he is far from the
misfit he appeared in his Manchester United period. Ancelotti must
have fretted that something must soon go right for such opponents.
Chelsea, after all, were faced by a line-up with a glaring potential
for goals in the attacking partnership of Forlán and Sergio Agüero.

In the wake of events at Villa Park, the manager must have hoped that
this competition would be a setting in which the team donned its
customary vigour. With Atlético committed to an attacking style in the
quest for revival, Chelsea could not afford simply to be patient.

They went in search of the visitors' defects. A fine move opened up
the Spaniards and Kalou can be relieved his bungled finish in the 12th
minute was irrelevant since he had wrongly been ruled off-side. The
officials seemed skittish and Agüero had wasted an opening when his
marginally off-side position was overlooked after 10 minutes. Kalou's
goal did not call for forensic examination. A dummy by Michael Ballack
let a Lampard ball run to Ashley Cole and the cut-back was forced home
by the Ivorian after 41 minutes.

There had been indications of Kalou locating composure when Sergio
Asenjo made a particularly good save from his deflected drive in the
36th minute. Atlético had come up with some of the spirit that,
presumably, had been dormant until now but it was no longer enough to
hinder Chelsea once they held the lead.

There was a hungry persistence to Ancelotti's line-up. Asenjo made an
excellent save from a Nicolas Anelka drive but was merely delaying the
second goal that Chelsea sought so urgently. After 52 minutes, an
unmarked Kalou struck again as he headed in a Lampard corner.

Atlético had been worn down and the brittleness that has typified them
in this campaign started to become apparent once more. They were also
hurt, too, by bad challenges here and there from Michael Essien. He
was not cautioned by the referee, Florian Meyer, even when a tackle on
Paulo Assunção ended the midfielder's involvement.

The visitors flickered into life on occasion and Agüero made space
before firing at Cech from an angle on the left. To their annoyance,
the Atlético players would have appreciated that they were doing no
more than giving Chelsea a work-out for which Ancelotti will have been
grateful.




-----------------------------------------------------


Mail:


Chelsea 4 Atletico Madrid 0

Frank Lampard back on goal trail after Kalou lands the KO

By Simon Cass



Frank Lampard is so often the man Chelsea rely on when they are in
need of a little inspiration - the same cannot be said for Salomon
Kalou.

But those roles were reversed on Wednesday night as Kalou provided the
breakthrough, Lampard added the gloss and Atletico Madrid defender
Luis Perea completed his team's misery.

Kalou's display was peppered with a little of the sublime and a fair
share of the ridiculous, but will have done wonders for his
confidence.

Confidence-wise, the same is true for Lampard, who ended a 10-game
spell without a goal for his club and moved to fifth place in
Chelsea's all-time scoring charts.

Didier Drogba should be very grateful to his team-mates for taking
Chelsea to within one point of the Champions League knockout stages
during his self-inflicted absence.

He will be available after a three-match suspension for his abuse of
referee Tom Henning Ovrebo when Chelsea aim to complete the job in the
Vicente Calderon Stadium in a fortnight.

And after laboured victories over Porto and APOEL Nicosia, courtesy of
solitary Nicolas Anelka goals, Drogba owes his team-mates a
performance in the Spanish capital having blotted his copy book so
spectacularly in last season's semi-final.

But if Drogba's presence was missed in Chelsea's first two Group D
games, the same cannot be said of last night's meeting with Atletico.

After some initial ebb and flow, normal Stamford Bridge service was
resumed as Chelsea extended their unbeaten home run in Europe to 20
games.

Chelsea's suspect defending of late - six of the eight goals they have
conceded in the league this season have come from opposition set-plays
- may have prompted Carlo Ancelotti to wield an axe which fell on
Ricardo Carvalho.

But any problems at the back are mild to those of Atletico. Arriving
at Stamford Bridge with an atrocious defensive record of 21 goals
conceded in 11 games - 17 away from home.

Neither have Atletico been helped by the loss of form by the strike
partnership of Sergio Aguero and double Golden Boot winner Diego
Forlan. The South American duo left Stamford Bridge without adding to
the combined total of four goals this season as their team shipped the
same amount.

That said, the early exchanges suggested this might turn out to be a
tighter affair than transpired.

Chelsea were first to show their teeth, Juliano Belletti testing
Sergio Asenjo inside a minute before Kalou planted a header wide.

But Atletico were soon giving cause for concern, Forlan's bullet
header from Simao's ball forcing a smart stop from Petr Cech before
Aguero blasted into the side netting. The pulsating pace did not
abate, both sides mounting attack after attack while the high
percentage of sloppy passes only added to the spectacle.

Chelsea thought they had drawn first blood when Lampard's looping
free-kick found the back of the net with a helping hand from Asenjo.
But the strike was ruled out with Kalou deemed to have been offside.

If that decision was harsh then there was no excuse for the miss which
followed. Deco worked the ball to Michael Ballack on the right who
crossed unselfishly only to see Kalou side-foot wide with the goal at
his mercy.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining Kalou came within a whisker of
atoning for his howler with a deflected shot, although the linesman's
flag saved his blushes when he appeared to clear John Terry's
goalbound header of the line.

Such calamities were soon forgotten four minutes before the break when
Lampard found Ashley Cole on the overlap and his cross was too
inviting for Kalou to miss from point-blank range. The alarm bells
started ringing again after the restart for Atletico when Anelka
picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and crashed a rising
drive which required a spectacular one-handed stop from Asenjo.

Their chaotic defending was in evidence once more when Belletti's long
throw was allowed to bounce in the box, nearly deceiving Asenjo who
was forced to claw it away for a corner. The respite was brief,
however. Lampard sent in the resulting centre and Kalou rose the
highest to power home his header from close range in the 52nd minute.

With a defence this porous, it was on the cards that Lampard would end
his barren spell. But still his 20-yard skimmer into bottom corner was
certainly one to savour as it moved him ahead of Jimmy Greaves in the
Chelsea record books.

Perea completed his team's misery, heading substitute Florent
Malouda's free-kick past his own keeper.

No doubt the pasting prompted angry recriminations among the Atletico
players like those among the Chelsea squad after the defeat at Aston
Villa.

Thanks to Kalou and Lampard, there were no such harsh words in the
Chelsea dressing room.



----------------------------------------------------


Sun:


Chelsea 4 Atletico Madrid 0

IAN McGARRY at Stamford Bridge



NO defensive cock-ups, no goals conceded, no doubt they'll qualify.

Chelsea answered all of the questions that have been asked of them in
the last few days with a thumping four-goal victory over Atletico
Madrid last night.


After all the stick they took for the way goals were shipped at Aston
Villa, the action in their own penalty area was as important as their
attacking thrust.


But Chelsea's indomitable spirit ensured a clean sheet which meant
that when the goals came, they were more than a consolation.


Salomon Kalou got a goal either side of half-time and Florent Malouda
forced an own goal from Luis Perea in the dying seconds.


But it was Chelsea's third strike which will resonate for years to
come as it set another landmark in the career of a club legend.


Frank Lampard went into last night's match without a goal in his last
10 club games.


It is the kind of statistic the England midfielder hates but never
lets it affect his game.


Against Atletico, he worked tirelessly for 90 minutes making chance
after chance for his team-mates.


By his standards, opportunities to grab a goal for himself were rare
but, when he sniffed a gap in the Spanish defence, his instinct kicked
in.


Lampard took one touch to create some space and drilled his shot low
into the net to make it 3-0.


It was goal No 133 in his Chelsea career as Lamps moved to No 5 in the
list of the club's all-time goalscorers.


It put him above the great Jimmy Greaves and sees him perched on the
shoulder of the legendary Peter Osgood.


Both men are considered perfect examples of the predatory striker
which makes Lamps' achievement even more remarkable.


Humble as ever, the most Lampard would say about the achievement was
"not bad for a midfielder".


Between Lampard, John Terry and Petr Cech, the Blues got the best out
of their big players in this contest and they made sure there were no
slip-ups.


Keeper Cech put his indecisiveness of last weekend behind him and made
great stops from Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero.


Terry was the most angry man in England after the way the team
defended in the defeat by Villa but last night the skipper turned
frustration into excellence.


There were some hairy moments in the opening 20 minutes but once
Chelsea found their stride there was never any doubt about the
outcome.


Even though Kalou - in for the suspended Didier Drogba - did his best
to infuriate his team-mates with a few off-key moments to start with.


On 16 minutes he was given the kind of chance every striker dreams of.
Michael Essien fired a brilliant quick pass to Michael Ballack to
spring the offside trap and Germany's captain drew the keeper before
squaring to Kalou.


It was genuinely harder to miss the target than hit it. Kalou managed
the difficult part.


Forlan, on the other hand, was making things look easy as he smashed a
brilliant half-volley on the angle which Cech parried well.


It was just as well for Kalou. With eight minutes to half-time he was
on the Atletico goal-line to clear Terry's header from under the bar
AND get caught offside.


In the circumstances, the Ivory Coast striker must have thought
nothing would go his way. But after 41 minutes he was advancing on
goal when Lamps' reversed a brilliant ball to Ashley Cole.


His cross fell at Kalou's feet two yards out and this time he managed
to hit the target.


A goal up, Chelsea returned after the interval with every intention of
building on the lead rather than sitting on it.


Maybe boss Carlo Ancelotti's nerves over the defending saw him insist
on more attacking - if so he got his wish.



Anelka blasted a brilliant right-foot drive which produced the save of
the night from Atletico stopper Asenjo.


The series of corners and throw-ins which followed, however, proved to
be decisive.


Asenjo parried a simple cross out for a corner which Lampard hit into
the six-yard box and there was that man Kalou to meet it.


This time his aim was true and he bulleted a header low into the
corner of the net.


It was the striker's second of the night and third of the season -
which partly explains his form in the first half.


Lampard added the third with his historic strike before Malouda's
excellent delivery led to the own goal which completed the rout.


Chelsea are now the only team in the Champions League who have not
conceded a goal this season - strange given the stick they've taken
over here for defending in the Premier League.


Now all they need to do is emulate their form in Europe against
Blackburn on Saturday and even the ever-dour Roman Abramovich will be
happy.


But then again...



--------------------------------------------------

Sunday Times

James Collins condemns Chelsea to second loss
Aston Villa 2 Chelsea 1


David Walsh, chief sports writer, at Villa Park


IF IT is the old-fashioned game you love, where passion counted for
more than pace and heart was as important as technique, then you would
have enjoyed Villa Park. The tackling was tough but honest, most of
Aston Villa’s players ran themselves to a standstill, and then goaded
themselves into another effort. All the while Chelsea tried to match
their fervour and came close, but Villa deserved their victory.

There is much to admire about Martin O’Neill’s work-in-progress. In a
game where it has become almost uncool to roll up your sleeves and
fight, his team does just that. Through the last 35 minutes, when
hanging on to a 2-1 lead, every Villa player saw himself as a defender
and queued up to play a part. Ten, perhaps 15 minutes from the end,
they had tackled Chelsea into submission.

You could pick from any one of a hundred challenges but one from James
Milner defined the team’s essence. With 72 minutes on the clock,
Nicolas Anelka had broken free on the right and, against Villa’s
stretched defence there was the chance of an equalising goal. Anelka’s
cross flew towards Florent Malouda but Milner, who had tracked back
from halfway, got himself in front of the French international to head
away. Villa immediately regrouped and attacked down the left, Gabriel
Agbonlahor swept in a fine cross beyond the far post and there was
Milner guiding a volleyed pass into John Carew’s path. Although the
Norwegian failed to finish, you just marvelled at Milner’s enthusiasm.
Of course he’s from Yorkshire, so the grit was probably licked from
the side of the road.

When the game was perfectly balanced in the first half, Stiliyan
Petrov played with that mixture of aggression and authority that
forces the away team into thinking a draw wouldn’t be a bad result. If
there was a Chelsea weakness, that was it: they would have taken a
draw from an early stage in the match. Villa’s desire to win was so
desperate that when James Collins headed them 2-1 up in the 52nd
minute, they just wanted to dig in and give Chelsea nothing to shoot
at. It was dangerous but they managed it.

O’Neill’s achievement isn’t just his ability to create a committed
team. He has bought astutely. Needing to reinforce his defence this
season, he brought in an Irish centre-back, a Welsh centre-back and an
English full-back. Richard Dunne, Collins and Stephen Warnock all
played terrifically and the centre-backs got the goals, both from
corners. Warnock is a steady defender, old-style in the pride he takes
in his performance and you can see why O’Neill wanted him.

Villa’s manager has never hidden his admiration for Chelsea and you
wondered in the first period if his players were too respectful. They
probed carefully but were mostly content to stay tight and tactically
disciplined. That suited Chelsea, who wanted to ease themselves into
the battle.

It was Petrov who threw down the gauntlet, making a fine run down the
right and delivering an intelligent pass to Agbonlahor, who was
readying himself to shoot when Jose Bosingwa’s clumsy challenge
brought him down. It looked a penalty but referee Kevin Friend, the
fourth official who was a late replacement for the ill Steve Bennett,
didn’t give it. As the home crowd voiced their disapproval and Villa’s
players nursed their sense of injustice, Chelsea went in front. Didier
Drogba got the goal, turning away from Collins about 30 yards from
goal and firing in a shot that Brad Friedel should have saved.

That came in the 15th minute and it was equalised in the 32nd when
Frank Lampard rose to clear Ashley Young’s corner but miscued and
Dunne reacted sharply to head his second goal for Villa.

The first half had been a fine contest, the second was even better.
Chelsea weren’t playing badly and Friedel did well to keep out efforts
from Deco, Malouda and Anelka. Coming seven minutes after the break,
Villa’s winning goal was delivered by a thunderous header from Collins
after Petr Cech misjudged the flight of Young’s corner.

Sometime before the end, Petrov, Milner and a few more Villa players
were out on their feet. They didn’t give in but it made you wonder how
many games they can play like this before a more long-term fatigue
afflicts them and it raises the question of squad rotation which, up
to now, O’Neill hasn’t done.

That is about to change. “This season we have more depth and I hope we
can rotate the squad,” said O’Neill. “I’ve said this to the players,
but for whatever reason, when Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal
do it, it is called rotating players, when we do it, it’s called
dropping players.” Sixth for the past two seasons, on yesterday’s
form, it’s not unrealistic for Villa to believe they can climb higher
this campaign.

Chelsea, meanwhile, must work on defending set-pieces, as both goals
came from corners. Their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, said: “Chelsea
played a good game and we don’t want to lose the game in that
situation, only if the other team play better than us. Aston Villa
were very able on the set plays. We want to do better for sure. We
need more concentration.”

Star man: Stiliyan Petrov (Aston Villa)

Yellow cards: Aston Villa: Agbonlahor, Milner Chelsea: A Cole

Referee: K Friend

Attendance: 39,047

VILLA: Friedel 7, Cuellar 7, Dunne 7, Collins 7, Warnock 7, Milner 8,
Sidwell 6, Petrov 9, Young 6, Agbonlahor 7, Carew 6 (Heskey 82min)

CHELSEA: Cech 5, Bosingwa 6 (Ivanovic 69min), Carvalho 6, Terry 7, A
Cole 6, Deco 6, Essien 6, Lampard 7, Anelka 6, Drogba 6, Malouda 5 (J
Cole 85min)


-------------------------------------------------------


Telegraph:


Aston Villa 2 Chelsea 1
By Jason Burt at Villa Park


Another mistake by Petr Cech led to Chelsea slipping to a second
Premier League defeat of the season – and the second in a row away
from Stamford Bridge – with Aston Villa coming from behind to claim
victory through two headed goals.

Both came from their central defenders – Richard Dunne with the first
and James Collins with the second – and both from set-pieces. While
Frank Lampard inadvertently flicked on Ashley Young’s corner,
directing it straight to Dunne who headed in from four yards, Cech
flapped at another corner in the second-half to allow Collins to also
head home. Cech had erred recently against Stoke City, again
mis-judging a cross.

On both occasions the Villa goal-scorers had evaded their markers with
Chelsea’s defence showing a worrying fraility – similar to the
frailties that had afflicted them last season under Luiz Felipe
Scolari.

It was at Villa Park that Guus Hiddink had re-focussed Chelsea last
season but although they played the more attractive football, they
deservedly slumped to a defeat that, although it leaves them still at
the top of the table, means they could be overtaken by Manchester
United later this afternoon. Villa, meanwhile, move up to fifth place.

For both sides the line-ups were unaltered from their last league
matches before the international break – except for the return of Jose
Bosingwa, fit again, to the Chelsea defence although he was later
replaced by Branislav Ivanovic, hobbling off injured. The whole
Chelsea team had featured in midweek internationals and did appear
affected by fatigue.

They could have fallen behind when Bosingwa appeared to catch Gabriel
Agbonlahor as he shaped to shoot but the appeals were waved away by
referee Kevin Friend, a late replacement for Steve Bennett after the
official had felt unwell prior to kick-off which meant the start of
the game was delayed by five minutes.

Soon after the penalty appeal, Chelsea scored with Didier Drogba
superbly turning Collins and striking a shot from 30 yards that kicked
up horribly in front of Brad Friedel and spun into the net. It was
Drogba’s seventh league goal of the season. Undoubtedly the goalkeeper
was culpable although he also went on to make fine saves from Deco and
Nicolas Anelka – denying both players in one-on-one opportunities –
and beating out a powerful drive by Florent Malouda. Friedel also
clawed out a wonderful chip by Deco, just as it had appeared to have
looped over him as Villa held on for a landmark win.


---------------------------------------------------------


Independent:


Chelsea Dunne and dusted by pure hard work

Aston Villa 2 Chelsea 1: Ancelotti's midfield diamond not allowed to
sparkle as Villa use their heads to exploit defensive lapses

By Steve Tongue at Villa Park



A fixture that Chelsea won in Guus Hiddink's first League game last
February with an early goal seemed to be going precisely the same way
when Brad Friedel allowed Didier Drogba to score from 30 yards. Eight
months on, however, Aston Villa have more about them than the side
that faded so badly after that defeat last season and by profiting
from some unusually poor defensive work they scored twice from corners
to achieve another victory over one of the acknowledged big four to
follow success at Liverpool in August.

Friedel and James Collins, who had been too easily turned for Drogba's
goal, recovered well, the goalkeeper bringing off a series of saves to
preserve the lead. James Milner, having demonstrated his versatility
for England by filling in at left-back on Wednesday, was excellent on
more familiar ground wide on the right, where he worked prodigiously
before moving back inside as Villa retreated into a 4-5-1 formation
for the final quarter of an hour.

Emile Heskey, another England candidate in need of playing time, was
given only 10 minutes as a substitute and cannot expect to displace
John Carew in the big Norwegian's current form; Ashley Young, dropped
by Fabio Capello, and Gabriel Agbonlahor, who replaced him in the
squad, were fitfully impressive, two inswinging corners by the right-
footed Young bringing the goals.

The visitors worked some neat triangles in midfield but were dependent
as ever on the full-backs to supply their width and even when Joe Cole
was introduced for his first League appearance of the season towards
the end, he went into Deco's role behind the two strikers. Carlo
Ancelotti might have been expected to send John Terry forward for the
final fling; instead his team continued to try threading short balls
through the needles of the Villa defence. It was a packed defence by
then, and with Richard Dunne another lionheart alongside Collins,
Drogba and Nicolas Anelka were continually crowded out.

Villa's manager Martin O'Neill said: "Maybe we've learnt some lessons
from last year. When we played Chelsea in February we were third in
the table, going strong but we surrendered fourth spot and finished
sixth. I think we've made progress, we've got some good players and a
decent squad and that's been really encouraging."

Having been brought down to earth in embarrassing and painful fashion
on the touchline when Anelka crashed into him, O'Neill is now hoping
that he and his players will keep their feet on the ground. "It's a
setback for Chelsea and a great boost for us, but I wouldn't draw 15
conclusions from one game. I think Chelsea are a great side."

As in defeat at Wigan recently, they rarely looked like one yesterday.
Pushed back while Villa started as brightly as the autumn sunshine,
they must have surprised themselves in taking the lead after 15
minutes; all the more so since the vastly experienced Friedel was at
fault on his 198th consecutive League appearance.

Frank Lampard played an ordinary pass forward for Drogba, who turned
it into a threatening one with his sudden turn past Collins. The shot
from almost 30 yards was routine until it bounced in front of the
goalkeeper, who would have kept it out had he not gone to ground,
watching in anguish as the ball reared up over his arm.

Before half-time there were further opportunities for Deco and Drogba,
but Friedel redeemed himself with a superb save and Collins blocked
bravely. In between times, critically, Villa had won an equaliser.
Young whipped over a corner from the left, and Lampard merely nudged
his header dangerously across goal, where Dunne was unmarked to head
in for the second successive match.

Chelsea were rattled, Drogba running 20 yards to bawl out Ashley Cole,
who was immediately booked for an unnecessary foul. Worse, they
conceded another bad goal only six minutes into the second half. It
was almost what Match of the Day used to call an action replay:
Young's corner, dreadful marking with the goalkeeper Petr Cech nowhere
and a firm header by an unattended centre-half – this time Dunne's
partner Collins.

Ancelotti's initial reaction was that his team had played "a good
match". Further analysis of the videotape before he concentrates on
Atletico Madrid this week may offer conflicting evidence.

Ref watch

Steve Bennett having declared himself unfit – no jokes please, Sir
Alex – the fourth official Kevin Friend took over for his third
Premier League match of the season and handled it well.


Attendance: 39,047

Referee: Kevin Friend

Man of the match: Milner

Match rating: 8/10


------------------------------------------------------


Observer:


Aston Villa's James Collins leaves Chelsea heading to second defeat

Aston Villa 2 Dunne 32, Collins 52
Chelsea 1 Drogba 15

Paul Wilson at Villa Park


Should Steve Bruce need any tips on how to pick a man of the match, he
might like to contact the Aston Villa sponsors. They plumped for the
solid and unspectacular James Collins, no messing about, and rarely
can a call have been made more correctly.

For a start, Martin O'Neill's £5m deadline capture from West Ham
scored the winning goal, his first for Villa and the first he has
managed for four years. Collins also produced a magnificent block to
deny Didier Drogba just before the interval and, had Chelsea turned
around 2-1 in front, the second half might have been a very different
story. Most of all, though, Collins is a capable defender – and this
was a defenders' game.

All the Villa back line were superb: Richard Dunne scored the other
goal, Stephen Warnock was a revelation at left-back and Brad Friedel
proved, once again, that he has few peers as a shot-stopper, even if
his mistake let Chelsea take the lead.

Steven Warnock's good work in the final third for Villa contrasted
with the more passive role played by Chelsea's Ashley Cole

If Fabio Capello had been hoping to see more of Emile Heskey than a
token eight minutes, he will have been disappointed and this was not a
game in which Gabriel Agbonlahor or Ashley Young greatly enhanced
their reputations, either. At least Young finished quite strongly,
finding his passing range in the second half after being wasteful in
the first, and Capello could only have been encouraged by another
exemplary display from James Milner.

If Villa's defending was the reason for their win, Chelsea's defending
was squarely to blame for their second defeat – a second successive
away lapse. There were similarities with their unexpected collapse at
Wigan and Carlo Ancelotti was not slow to point them out. "We played a
good game on the pitch, but lost the match through set plays," he
said, reflecting on the fact Chelsea allowed both opposing
centre-halves to score with headers from corners. "Players in England
are good with their head and we have to show more concentration in the
box. We need more markers and to put more pressure on the ball. There
are things we have to improve."

He can say that again. Chelsea looked vulnerable to crosses all
afternoon and it was frustrating for the home crowd that Young, and
others, failed to provide sufficient quality and quantity early on.
Conceding twice from corners means that, of the eight league goals
Chelsea have let in this season, six have come from set pieces.
Alarming as that statistic must be for Ancelotti, Chelsea are far from
alone among the top four clubs in taking their eyes off the dead ball.
Five of Arsenal's 11 goals conceded have come from set pieces, while
Liverpool are the worst of the lot, with 10 out of 13

"It's just a setback for Chelsea, one bad day, I wouldn't go reading
too much into it," O'Neill said. "I have every admiration for John
Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, and Chelsea have won numerous things
through goals from set plays. There's nothing wrong with that, it's
part of the game, but we deserve a bit more credit for the rest of our
play. We may have won through set pieces, but you still have to take
into account the running of Milner, Young and Agbonlahor."

Fair comment, though Villa spent the first 15 minutes running up blind
alleys and picked themselves up and dusted themselves down only once
Drogba had put them behind with an opportunistic strike against the
run of play.

Kevin Friend, hurriedly promoted from fourth official after Steve
Bennett took ill just before kick-off, had a decision to make when
Agbonlahor went to ground under José Bosingwa's challenge in the 10th
minute. He decided it was not a penalty and was probably right, though
the crowd let him know they didn't like it, and O'Neill later claimed
it was an obvious offence.

"He probably didn't give it because he would have had to send the
player off," the Villa manager said. "He couldn't have been expecting
to be in charge, though, and, since we've won, I'll excuse him."
Agbonlahor went to ground rather too easily and, although Bosingwa may
have been holding his man, he did not appear to pull him over.

Villa were left to rue their attacking impotence when Chelsea went
upfield and scored with almost insolent ease. Drogba received the ball
in the centre circle, turned and advanced a few yards, then hit a
dipping shot that looked optimistic. Yet, surprisingly, it went
straight past Friedel. The ball came down quickly and bounced
awkwardly in front of the goalkeeper, but one still does not expect to
see him beaten from 30 yards out.

Villa turned the game around with two corners, though in each case
Chelsea defending played a part. Frank Lampard attempted a clearing
header, but succeeded only in flicking the ball to the far post, where
Dunne crashed in an equaliser after half an hour Then, at the start of
the second half – with Villa still in the game thanks to Collins
snuffing out what looked like a certain second goal for Drogba – Petr
Cech was impeded by his own players as he failed to prevent the ball
reaching the Welsh centre-half. Collins did not need asking twice to
open his Villa account in front of the Holte End.

Chelsea went close to levelling on several occasions. Ancelotti was
not exaggerating when he said their play deserved something, he just
reckoned without the reflexes of a 38-year-old goalkeeper. Friedel
more than redeemed himself for his earlier mistake with terrific saves
from Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka, though John Carew, with an
uncharacteristic miss in front of goal, passed up the easiest chance
of the day, after excellent approach work by Young and Milner.

"It was tough at times, but we saw it through," O'Neill said. "We beat
a good team today. I think anyone finishing in front of Chelsea this
season will win the title." That depends, of course, on how quickly
Chelsea tighten up at the back.



--------------------------------------------------


Mail:


Aston Villa 2 Chelsea 1:

Richard Dunne and James Collins strike to give Carlo Ancelotti the Blues
By Patrick Collins

Martin O'Neill frowned and grimaced and insisted that it was just one
victory and that he wasn't about to draw any dramatic conclusions. But
still he could not quite conceal the glow of satisfaction.
As for Carlo Ancelotti, he did not even try to hide his feelings.
Sucking a sombre cigarette before boarding the team bus last night,
his eloquent face answered all the important questions. O'Neill was
right, of course. These are early days, and when the Villa manager
declares that any team finishing in front of Chelsea will probably win
the title, he is simply stating the obvious.

Yet the suspicion remains something significant may have happened;
that in the course of a crowded lunchtime in the West Midlands, the
English season started to wear a different face. Ancelotti blamed the
defeat on his side's abject defending of set-plays. It was difficult
to argue, since both Villa goals came from central defenders
infiltrating the six-yard box to punish permissive marking.
Yet O'Neill was irked by the implication that his team had somehow won
on a technicality. He thought that did Villa a disservice. And again
he was right. They won because they worked harder, thought more
clearly and seized the chances when they arose. They fell undeservedly
behind to a goal so soft that goalkeeper Brad Friedel is still
blushing but they reorganised, spilled their sweat and kept faith in
their methods. Chelsea's inability to play with dangerous width or to
cajole performances of real authority from their most important
players was just as costly as their defence of set-pieces.
Indeed, it might have been even easier for Villa had the referee,
Kevin Friend, given them the penalty they deserved in the 11th minute,
when Jose Bosingwa sliced down Gabriel Agbonlahor and the official
decided the challenge was innocent. Friend had been recruited just 20
minutes before kick-off, when the original referee Steve Bennett fell
sick.

That decision apart, he did a competent job despite the petulant
barracking from O'Neill in the technical area. The manager was
unforgiving after the game. Indeed, the best he could come up with for
Mr Friend was: 'Since we've won, I'll excuse him.' It was a graceless
remark and, on consideration, he may regret it. O'Neill is better than
that, and so, on the day, was Friend.
Yet Villa were still cursing their misfortune four minutes later when
Didier Drogba - apparently on a whim - spun off James Collins some 30
yards out and attempted a wildly ambitious shot. The ball found more
lift than the English pacemen managed all summer, Friedel went down
clumsily, and Villa Park just boggled as the vastly experienced keeper
helped it into the net. The fact that it was wholly against the run of
play was of no concern to Chelsea.
Four minutes on, Nicolas Anelka was bundled off the pitch and sent
thudding into O'Neill. The manager fell, clutching his knee and seemed
in intense pain. But he recovered swiftly to resume his rant at the
ref. Meanwhile, his team were setting to work and solving their
problems. And in the 32nd minute they received a generous reward.
Ashley Young's left wing corner found Frank Lampard rising early and
misjudging his header. Richard Dunne reacted instinctively, battering
his own header into the net from a couple of yards as Villa celebrated
equality.
But Chelsea were coming on strongly, enjoying greater possession,
while failing to put it to effective use. Going into the second half,
they seemed ready to lift their game and kill off the challenge. In
fact, their designs fell apart in the 51st minute.

Again, it was sheer simplicity. Villa won a left-wing corner and
Stiliyan Petrov demanded a short pass from Young. The winger ignored
the plea and waited for Collins to complete his long excursion from
the back. The kick was swung long and high, and Collins - as
unobtrusive as a 6ft 3in centre-half can ever be - devoured the
header. John Terry screamed at the innocent ball, thudding it back
into the net. He might have reserved his anger for more deserving
candidates.
Villa were now required to survive for more than 40 minutes, and they
managed without too much discomfort. True, Friedel had to make fine,
agile saves from Florent Malouda and Anelka, while there was a
half-hearted, instantly rejected penalty appeal against Collins for
handball.

But had Villa extended their lead, then none could have complained.
Instead, they came through by the diligent excellence of players such
as Stephen Warnock, James Milner and their wondrously dependable
central defenders.
Villa Park looked a picture in the autumn sunshine but the day carried
a sharp edge, an ominous hint of things to come. As did the football.



---------------------------------------------------


NOTW:


ASTON VILLA 2, CHELSEA 1
Tormented Terry is armed and dangerous
By Andy Dunn

IT WASN'T quite ripped from his bicep. Angrily yanked, more like. But
one thing is for sure, this captain's armband will not be finding a
home in John Terry's sprawling collection of memorabilia.

In fact, as he stamped into the privacy of the tunnel - offending item
in hand, swearing and shouting to himself like a roaring drunk - I
doubt it made it to the dressing-room.


Terry wears his heart, as well as that armband, on his sleeve.


But rarely has his rage been this pure.


Raging, perhaps, against the profligacy of Florent Malouda, Deco and
Nicolas Anelka - or maybe their shyness in combat.


Furious, no doubt, with the lamentable and sudden vulnerability to set-pieces.


Angry, probably, that Frank Lampard has been transformed from the
epitome of a modern, goalscoring midfielder into a tidy, but mundane,
nudger and nurdler.


I wouldn't begin to second-guess Terry's opinion of progress under
manager Carlo Ancelotti.


But Terry's torment and Lampard's torpor are significant for Ancelotti.


Chelsea is not unique in this phenomenon but, as Big Phil Scolari
discovered en route to a P45, certain players have certain influence.


Comments from the coach afterwards - even allowing for his improving
but far-from-footsure English - that he was 'not interested' in
Lampard not scoring will need some training-ground explanation.


As will the startling issues surrounding dead-ball defending that
allowed Richard Dunne and James Collins to render Brad Friedel's early
gift to Didier Drogba irrelevant.


But there is a more general - but more crucial problem - surfacing
gradually under Ancelotti.


The stomach for the fight away from Stamford Bridge, this was a second
successive reverse, appears to be weakening.


Sure, the Chelsea manager was right to highlight the fact that two
poor instances of defending cost them a second successive away defeat.
But Martin O'Neill was also correct to point out that it would be
doing a major disservice to the application, determination and
doggedness of Aston Villa if this result was seen purely through that
sort of lens. Villa looked just a smidgeon more committed.


And that, you suspect, is why Terry left the pitch in a prolonged fit
of pique, shaking the hands only of people who got in his way. It's
certain he would have meant no disrespect to Villa.


Their work ethic was a wonder. James Milner's effort was typified by a
wonderfully-timed late block as Malouda cocked his left foot, while
Gabby Agbonlahor pulled, pushed, shoved and stretched the Premier
League's most experienced defensive unit.


He also pushed Anelka into O'Neill - with the result being that the
Villa chief was sent up in the air and needed brief treatment from the
team physio.


Stiliyan Petrov revelled in the unaccustomed situation of being
allowed to operate unchecked by a Chelsea midfield that looked so
unusually awkward, Steve Sidwell was as unfussy as he is unheralded.


Ashley Young was fitful in his contributions - Ashley Cole exposing
the reasons why the Aston Villa winger has faded to the back of Fabio
Capello's mind.


Yet he could still milk the applause for his significant role in both
Villa goals.


His first corner for the equaliser deceived Lampard, whose attempt at
a clearing header only produced a telling glance that diverted the
ball into the path of a rampaging Dunne.


Nothing gets in the path of a rampaging Dunne and survives. Ball, buried.


Lampard was harsh on himself - but correctly so.


A flicked header was worse than no header at all.


At least it absolved Petr Cech of blame - but only until Collins
nodded in the winner.


Wear a luminous jersey and your every move is luminous. Cech's mistake
was day-glo.


Granted, Young does spin a mean corner. And sure, if you fail to
notice a 6ft 4in ginger Welshman marauding with intent, then you might
be in a spot of bother.


But Cech was as culpable as those who laid down the carpet for
Collins. He should have been able to place himself in the path of the
kick's trajectory but he wandered like a first-day tourist. Chelsea's
defending from set-pieces was truly desperate.


And Villa - through a centre-half pairing who could have been named No
and Nonsense - threatened to extend their lead.


But contrary to O'Neill's claims, it was Chelsea who created the
clearer chances and played the slightly more incisive football.


Not that their lead-taking goal early in the proceedings had anything
remotely incisive about it.


A wonderful turn that rooted Collins gave Drogba the shooting chance
but even though his long-range effort reared off a length like an
Andrew Flintoff special, Friedel should have done better than to be
caught in a corridor of uncertainty.


But that turned to certainty and when facing the eye-whites of
Malouda, Deco and Anelka, he didn't blink. The Chelsea trio did.


Good saves, yes. But he shouldn't have been offered the chance of redemption.


And what was more significant is that Friedel was at his most
comfortable when fielding the efforts of Lampard - who has now gone 10
games without a goal, and that is a double-take statistic.


But you don't need Opta to recognise a dip in the form of such a
relentlessly effective performer.


Physically and mentally, he simply didn't bond with Deco yesterday.


His role appears too withdrawn for the comfort of familiarity.
Ancelotti needs to sort it out as matter of some urgency.


Of course, this is not a Chelsea crisis.


The loss at the DW Stadium was startling but this Villa team looks to
have top-five credentials.


Indeed, they might have handed Chelsea a more damaging setback had
rookie referee Keith Friend - a very late replacement for
sickness-stricken Steve Bennett - not decided pre-goals that Jose
Bosingwa's grappling of Gabby was as much Agbonlahor's fault as the
Chelsea defender's.


On that occasion, Ancelotti certainly had a Friend.


He'll need plenty more pretty quickly at Stamford Bridge. Just ask Big Phil.

THREE GAMES MOVED IN DECEMBER

Posted on: Wed 07 Oct 2009
Three Chelsea matches in December have been scheduled for live
television coverage.


Our Barclays Premier League game away at Manchester City will now take
place at 5.30pm on Saturday, 5 December, and will be live on ESPN.


The trip to West Ham United will now be on Sunday, 20 December, at 4pm
live on Sky Sports.


Finally, the Boxing Day clash against Birmingham City at St Andrews
will now be at 12.45pm, again live on ESPN.

Mirror:

Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool:
Didier Drogba puts the boot in on Liverpool
By Martin Lipton


Frustrating, ham actor, pain in the backside, someone who spends far
too much of the time wincing and rolling about.

But above all, when it really counts, Dider Drogba is a force of
nature, the player who transforms Chelsea from a decent side into a
trophy-winning outfit.

And as Drogba put the boot into Rafa Benitez and Liverpool once again
at Stamford Bridge, producing the two moments of magic that made the
difference, he showed why every fan in the country would want the
African leading the line for their team.

Without Drogba in Cyprus on Wednesday, Chelsea had been limp and
listless, forcing Carlo Ancelotti into a dressing room rollicking and
casting the first shadows above the Italian’s reign.

They have still not been blown away completely, yet when Drogba
shrugged aside Jamie Carragher to set up Florent Malouda’s clincher in
stoppage time, Ancelotti’s reaction showed how important this victory
was - and not just in inflicting Liverpool’s third defeat in just
eight games.

Going top, taking advantage of Manchester United’s slip-up against
Sunderland and also preventing Benitez’s side leapfrogging over both
of them, was the happy by-product of a win that Chelsea really needed
to cast aside the kernels of doubt.

What really mattered, though, was sending out a marker of renewed
intent, and as Fernando Torres chose the wrong afternoon to have an
off day, Drogba’s contribution carried Ancelotti’s men over the
finishing line.

Drogba still has to serve one match of his Champions League ban, and
with the African Nations Cup to come, it might well be that Chelsea’s
ambitions for the season are determined by what they do in the games
when he is missing, rather than those in which he is present.

Yesterday, for once,  it was Drogba - very much in Benitez’s personal
firing line for his perpetual antics - as creator rather than scorer,
but in key games, assists are truly worth their weight in gold.

And the game-breaker, an hour into a match that appeared set to become
only the second goalless draw of the season to date, was indeed
priceless.

Javier Mascherano was caught in possession by the back-tracking Frank
Lampard and the next time Liverpool touched the ball, it was Pepe
Reina picking it out of his own net.

Michael Essien fed Deco, who spotted Drogba racing up the left,
dragging Martin Skrtel out of position and then playing the killer
ball into the box early, catching Carragher off-guard.

The left-footed cross, low and perfect, begged for Nicolas Anelka to
apply the final touch, a task the in-form French striker was delighted
to accomplish, finally giving Chelsea the advantage they deserved.

Three times before that, Reina had been forced into saves, denying
Michael Ballack - whose energy was important but who should have done
better with a free header from Deco’s set-piece - Anelka and Michael
Essien.

Liverpool, far too cautious - for all Benitez’s claims to the contrary
- will look back on their own moments, two before the interval and a
couple more in the last throes.

Certainly, on his normal form, Torres would have buried his header
from Dirk Kuyt’s cross five minutes before the break, rather than
directing at stand-in keeper Hilario, who then reacted well to turn
aside Albert Riera’s free-kick.

But it was only after they went behind that Benitez belatedly threw
away his cloak of inertia, sending on schemer Yossi Benayoun as
Chelsea relied on John Terry’s formidable resolve and Ashley Cole’s
athleticism.

Nine minutes from time, as Liverpool began to load the box, the
opportunity came, and to the one player Benitez would have picked.

Benayoun’s cross found its way, via Kuyt and Steven Gerrard, to Torres
16 yards out, but his left-footer flew past the upright.

Stamford Bridge, sighing in relief, sensed the battle was won,
confirmed in added time as Drogba, simply too strong for Carragher,
bulldozed into the box to tee up substitute Malouda inside the
six-yard box.

Benayoun should have scored from 12 yards and Gerrard was thwarted by
Hilario in the final knockings, yet the die was now irrevocably cast.

For Chelsea and Ancelotti, the view from the top is clear and bright.
For Liverpool, the summit they are peering up towards is getting
further away even at this early stage.

They cannot afford any more such errors. Chelsea, by contrast, have
emerged stronger from their first wobble. In Drogba they trust.


Chelsea: Hilario 7; Ivanovic 6, Carvalho 6, Terry 8, A Cole 7; Essien
6; Ballack 7, Lampard 7; Deco 6 (Malouda 76, 6); Anelka 7, Drogba 8

Liverpool: Reina 7; Johnson 7, Skrtel 6, Carragher 5, Insua 6
(Aurelio, 83, 6); Mascherano 6, Lucas 6 (Babel, 76, 6); Kuyt 7,
Gerrard 7, Riera 5 (Benayoun, 67, 7); Torres



-----------------------------------------------



The Times

Nicolas Anelka takes Chelsea back to the top of the Barclays Premier League
Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Oliver Kay, Stamford Bridge


Small details, according to Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benítez, are
what decide football matches. It sounds like the ultimate truism, but,
after two of the Barclays Premier League’s heavyweight teams had spent
an hour trading punches at Stamford Bridge yesterday, one of them
briefly let their guard down and, from that moment on, Chelsea and
Liverpool seemed to be heading in opposite directions.

There was nothing between these teams until that point yesterday
afternoon. If anything, Liverpool were the more assured, but then
Javier Mascherano disappeared down a blind alley and was tackled by
Frank Lampard. Within ten seconds the ball had gone from Michael
Essien to Deco to Didier Drogba and finally to Nicolas Anelka, running
in to score at the far post. Suddenly the momentum, in the title race
as well as in this hitherto balanced encounter, was firmly with
Chelsea.

Little wonder that John Terry and his Chelsea team-mates celebrated as
joyously as they did at the end. It had been a tough slog, a serious
test of their mettle after a week in which they had been soundly
beaten by Wigan Athletic and unconvincing in victory over Apoel
Nicosia in the Champions League, but they had emerged stronger, two
points clear at the top of the table and six points clear of a
Liverpool team whose title challenge is already faltering.

Eight days earlier, Terry had stormed out of the DW Stadium with a
face like thunder, stopping only to share a withering appraisal of his
team’s wretched performance in defeat. Here, though, they dug in,
fought for every ball, retained their concentration throughout and,
with Terry and his defensive colleagues standing firm at one end,
Drogba was given all the invitation he needed at the other to set up
the decisive goals for Anelka and, in stoppage time, Florent Malouda.

There is a tendency in Britain to focus unduly on the mental and the
physical sides of the game, as opposed to the tactical or the
technical, but some matches defy any other interpretation. This was
Chelsea digging in, going back to the basics of the José Mourinho era
and getting the basics right. Mourinho is no admirer of Ancelotti,
going back to their rivalry as the respective coaches of Inter Milan
and AC Milan last season, but he would have admired this performance —
strong, resolute and, where Terry and Drogba were concerned, just too
powerful for Liverpool.

Ancelotti called it an “important victory” and he was entitled to milk
it far more than he did. The whisper in the build-up, given the abject
nature of the loss away to Wigan, was that defeat would send the
Italian’s regime into the same kind of tailspin that did for Luiz
Felipe Scolari, one of his many recent predecessors.

The arrival of Roman Abramovich at the training ground on Friday had
done little to dispel an air of apprehension around the club, but by
last night the mood at Stamford Bridge was one of giddy excitement,
further fuelled by Manchester United’s unexpected slip-up at home to
Sunderland the previous evening.

It was not a day for Chelsea to demonstrate that they can be
expansive, if indeed they can. Ancelotti may have sprung a surprise by
giving Deco a rare run-out in his favoured role at the tip of the
midfield diamond, but the little Brazilian-born Portgual player was as
conspicuous as anyone by his workrate. At one point, just before
half-time, he even won a 50-50 challenge with Steven Gerrard and, as
he did, the feeling increased that Chelsea would be the team to manage
a breakthrough.

Liverpool were not as bad as the scoreline suggests. For the most
part, they kept Chelsea at arm’s length, with Jamie Carragher and
Martin Skrtel more sure-footed in central defence than they had been
in defeat away to Fiorentina in the Champions League. Skrtel, indeed,
had a reasonable claim for a penalty rejected late in the first half,
when he was pushed by Drogba at a set-piece, but ultimately Liverpool
could not find a way through a resolute Chelsea defence, with Fernando
Torres fading after a promising start.

But the moment that Mascherano turned into trouble on the hour, the
complexion of the game changed. Having spent the opening weeks of the
season sulking about Benítez’s refusal to sell him to Barcelona,
Mascherano had been performing better yesterday, but his mistake in
conceding possession to Lampard, albeit just inside the opposition
half, was a bad one. Deco combined with Essien to send Drogba clear
down the left-hand side and, when the cross was delivered, Anelka
attacked the ball at the far post to give Chelsea the lead.

With Chelsea now happy to play on the counter-attack, Liverpool had
the lion’s share of the possession as the belated introduction of
Yossi Benayoun gave them a far more incisive look. Torres, though, was
kept firmly in check by Terry and Carvalho. With nine minutes
remaining, Gerrard saw a chink of light in a crowded penalty area, but
when he managed to get his shot away, Terry, his England team-mate,
threw himself in the way. Along with Mascherano’s mistake, it was the
game’s defining moment.

England duty this week threatens to be an unhappy experience for
Gerrard, the reminders constant in the form of Terry, Lampard and
Ashley Cole, who excelled again yesterday. One-nil might have been
bearable, but a second goal came in stoppage time when Drogba turned
away from Carragher and rolled in another cross from which Malouda
slid in to score.

Even then there was time for Benayoun to squander a clear opportunity
and for Gerrard to see a fierce shot beaten away by Hilário, Chelsea’s
previously untested reserve goalkeeper, before Stamford Bridge erupted
into celebration at the final whistle.

Terry and his team-mates had ensured that the small details had gone
their way and the bigger picture is that their sights are firmly on
the title, leaving Benítez and Liverpool to contemplate anxious times
ahead.

Chelsea (4-3-1-2): Hilário 7 B Ivanovic 5 R Carvalho 6 J Terry 8 A
Cole 8 M Ballack 6 M Essien 7 F Lampard 6 Deco 6 D Drogba 7 N Anelka 6
Substitute: F Malouda (for Deco, 76min). Not used: R Turnbull, J
Belletti, J Cole, Y Zhirkov, S Kalou, D Sturridge.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): J M Reina 6 G Johnson 6 M Skrtel 6 J Carragher 6
E Insúa 6 J Mascherano 5 Lucas Leiva 6 D Kuyt 6 S Gerrard 6 A Riera 5
F Torres 6 Substitutes: Y Benayoun 7 (for Riera, 67min), R Babel (for
Lucas, 76), F Aurélio (for Insúa, 83). Not used: D Cavalieri, D Agger,
S Kyrgiakos, D Ngog.

Referee: M Atkinson Attendance: 41,732



-----------------------------------------------



Telegraph:


Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0


Chelsea returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday as goals
from Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda clinched an impressive 2-0 win
over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Carlo Ancelotti's side opened up a two-point gap over second placed
Manchester United. But perhaps more importantly, the victory over
another of the main title contenders restored Chelsea to winning ways
after their 3-1 defeat at Wigan last weekend.

After a tight first half, former Liverpool striker Anelka opened the
scoring when he converted Didier Drogba's cross. Drogba was the
provider again in stoppage time as he over-powered Jamie Carragher and
crossed for Malouda to slide home.

Defeat leaves Liverpool six points behind Chelsea and Rafa Benitez's
side have now lost three times in their first eight league games after
losing just twice through the whole of last season.

Chelsea were without first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech, who served his
suspension following his red card against Wigan, so Hilario was
between the posts.

But while Ancelotti's side were without Cech, they were buoyed by the
return of Drogba.

The Ivory Coast striker missed the 1-0 win in the Champions League
over Apoel Nicosia in midweek owing to his European ban.

Drogba's value to Chelsea is best illustrated by his return of six
goals in seven league games going into this fixture.

And here he looked invigorated after his break when he chased down
Deco's through-ball in the third minute forcing Carragher into a
last-ditch tackle.

Although new to the English league, Ancelotti is no stranger to
Liverpool. The Italian was manager of AC Milan in 2007 when they beat
Liverpool 2-1 in the Champions League final in Athens - a victory that
avenged Milan's defeat to the Reds in the final of the same
competition in Istanbul two years earlier.

Benitez would love to repeat another victory in the Champions League
this season and in striker Fernando Torres has a world-class player
which would help him achieve it.

Torres, fresh from his hat-trick against Hull, has gone on record
saying he is determined to end the club's three-year wait for a
trophy.

And his team-mates looked to have taken that message on board as the
visitors started this match the brighter with Steven Gerrard whipping
in some dangerous crosses from the right.

But it was Chelsea who had the first shot on target in the 25th minute
when Jose Reina was forced to save from Drogba's header.

Reina then needed to be alert moments later when Anelka tried his luck
with a neat header. Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard also tried his
luck, but his free-kick from distance was a long way off target.

But just as Chelsea were beginning to find their feet in this match,
Albert Riera's free-kick in the 43rd minute nearly squeezed past
Hilario at the far post.

After the restart it was Chelsea who looked most likely to make the
breakthrough, and so it proved in the 60th minute.

Anelka finished off a neat move after Lampard had disposed Javier
Mascherano and fed Deco. The Portugal midfielder in turn played the
ball for Drogba and his cross from the left was perfect for Anelka to
poke home.

Drogba came close to adding a second with a long-range free-kick which
skidded past Reina's right post. But substitute Malouda did add a
second in the 90th minute when he turned in Drogba's cross at the far
post.



----------------------------------------------------------



Independent:


Drogba creates havoc in dodgy Liverpool defence

Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

By Sam Wallace, Football Correspondent


There comes a moment in the lifetime of every modern Chelsea manager
when he must go through that most crucial rite of passage: beating
Liverpool. Carlo Ancelotti did it at the first time of asking
yesterday and up in the stand, the emperor of Stamford Bridge will
have liked what he saw.

That was Roman Abramovich, wearing a grey cardigan that looked like a
throwback to the days of perestroika and watching a Chelsea team that
looked like a throwback to their 2006 vintage. These are early days
for Ancelotti – and it will be a while yet until they start singing
his name at Stamford Bridge – but this was a bold statement from a new
manager, the kind that makes even a bored oligarch sit up in his seat.

Chelsea had not beaten Liverpool in the Premier League for more than
three years before yesterday and the record was starting to get
embarrassing. All the usual taunts about five European Cups and
Liverpool's glorious past that are thrown at Chelsea when they play
this old enemy can weigh heavy on the bad days. But they were easily
dismissed yesterday.

There was a certain symbolism to this game for Ancelotti given that
his predecessor one removed, Luiz Felipe Scolari, lost this fixture in
October last year and never recovered. His regime in ruins, Scolari
was sacked four months later, another Chelsea manager who left the
club nursing a grievance about the remarkable defiance Rafael
Benitez's Liverpool have shown Chelsea during the Abramovich years.

But Scolari and his downfall is in the past. Ancelotti will have been
more troubled by last week's defeat to Wigan Athletic and what that
said about his players and their season. Yesterday his team was
impeccably organised and although they did not dominate every part of
this match they were more ruthless in front of goal, stronger in
defence and, with Deco at the point of their midfield diamond, more
creative in the midfield.

No question who won the battle of two of the league's most celebrated
centre-forwards. Didier Drogba did not score yesterday but he made
both of Chelsea's goals, bludgeoning his way past no less a defender
than Jamie Carragher to make the second goal for Florent Malouda. Yes,
there was a lot of the old nonsense from the Chelsea striker, a lot of
complaining, but he was unstoppable when it mattered.

It was not the same for Fernando Torres who had one of those
afternoons when he was forced to survive on half-chances and never
looked like scoring from any of them. Early in the game he raked his
studs down John Terry's leg long after the ball had gone, a rare lack
of composure from the Liverpool striker that suggested he was not
entirely happy and, from there on, he got no better.

Never write off Benitez. It has become an immutable law of English
football but this time the wily old boy has strapped one arm behind
his own back as he attempts to make a challenge for the title this
season. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Liverpool can
still win it with three defeats before the middle of October but it
will not be simple. Chelsea will be a match for any team this season,
and it is some consolation for Benitez that Manchester United and
Arsenal are yet to play them.

It is a consistent refrain from the Liverpool manager that games are
won and lost on the smallest of details. Never was he proved more
correct than when Javier Mascherano dallied on the ball on the hour
mark and lost it to Frank Lampard.

Lampard, industrious in a more defensive role, found Michael Essien,
who found Deco, who found Drogba. Within seconds of Liverpool's
Argentine midfielder losing the ball in the centre of midfield Drogba
had picked out Nicolas Anelka at the back post for Chelsea's first
goal. The balance of the game had changed in an instant and Liverpool
were forced to commit more resources to attack in pursuit of an
equaliser.

Until then, they had matched Chelsea for much of the game. But even
with Ancelotti's side sitting back and allowing their opponents to
attack them, Liverpool did not offer enough to open up a team as
powerful as Chelsea. It takes something special to do that and from
their players that can offer that spark – Torres, Steven Gerrard, even
Yossi Benayoun – there was very little of note.

There was a spectacular tackle by Ashley Cole on Gerrard when, in the
75th minute, the Liverpool captain crept in behind the Chelsea defence
and was about to shoot. From nowhere, or at least from the blindside
of Gerrard, Cole came to stretch out a leg and take the power away
from his shot. The left-back is in the form of his life and he was
arguably Chelsea's most impressive player.

On the opposite side, Branislav Ivanovic was effective against the
dire Albert Riera. Only once the game had reached the four minutes of
added time did Liverpool fashion their best two chances, a volley that
Henrique Hilario turned away with his first major save of the second
half. Before then Benayoun, on as a substitute, found himself in space
and missed with his shot inside the six-yard area.

By then Chelsea had scored their second in the 91st minute of the
game. Drogba took a long ball on his chest in the right side of the
area and, with Carragher behind him, managed to hold off the defender
and go the long way round by the goal line. Carragher will probably
cop most of the blame but when Drogba cut the ball back, Pepe Reina
completely missed the cross which Malouda scrambled into the goal.

Fabio Capello took his seat just before kick-off but he did not get
the chance to see Joe Cole who warmed up in vain. Ancelotti is
certainly doing things his way, picking Deco was not something his
immediate predecessor Guus Hiddink did a lot and few have made Anelka
and Drogba work so well together. What was Abramovich thinking? At the
very least that this manager should last in the job past February.

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Hilario; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Essien;
Ballack, Deco (Malouda, 76), Lampard; Anelka, Drogba. Substitutes not
used: Turnbull, J Cole, Zhirkov, Kalou, Sturridge, Belletti.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua
(Aurelio, 83); Mascherano, Lucas (Babel, 76); Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera
(Benayoun, 67); Torres. Substitutes not used: Cavalieri, Agger,
Kyrgiakos, Ngog.

Referee: M Atkinson (Leeds).

Booked: Chelsea Essien; Liverpool Gerrard.

Man of the match: Drogba.

Attendance: 41,732.



-------------------------------------------------



Guardian:

Nicolas Anelka sends Chelsea top with victory over Liverpool

Chelsea 2 Anelka 60, Malouda 90  Liverpool 0

Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge



Predictability was a delight for Chelsea. The side must reduce their
opponents to fatalism when they have this durability and efficiency
about them. Liverpool, eager as they were in the hunt for revival in
the Premier League, were well contained. Hilario, deputising for a
suspended Petr Cech, did not have an outstanding save to make until
dealing with a Steven Gerrard effort in the last few moments.

It must, of course, be a pleasure to the manager, Carlo Ancelotti,
that there is searing reliability to Didier Drogba these days. Once
again he could not be denied and in this case he set up both goals.
Liverpool's effort was great and they may therefore be all the more
despondent that they have been defeated for the third time in the
league, with October barely begun.

Rafael Benítez's side stand fifth in the table, but Manchester City
will overtake them and Arsenal if they are not beaten at Villa Park
this evening. The Liverpool manager has aimed to give his team a more
enterprising air, but he has sacrificed more durability than he
intended.

Chelsea have no cause to question their approach, since it has been
effective for a long time. This was precisely the type of victory they
have counted on ever since Jose Mourinho's time. Ancelotti cannot mind
following in such footsteps since this win puts the club two points
clear at the top of the Premier League.

There seems to have been too little money at his disposal for the
Italian to put his imprint on the team. Then again, even stagnation
could have been a delight so long as it meant Drogba was still on the
payroll. The histrionics when he goes down, as he did here, and looks
terribly wounded will annoy neutrals, but Chelsea fans can never have
the slightest problem in ignoring that trait.

There are far more rewarding matters to occupy their minds. Liverpool
were undone by the sheer fluency with which Chelsea broke for their
opener after an hour. Once Frank Lampard had won the ball there was
speed and intent on the break. Passes from Michael Essien and Deco
took play down the left and Drogba's perfect low cross was converted
by Nicolas Anelka at the far post.

The Ivorian was just as unsparing in stoppage time. His determination
and finesse allowed him to roll the ball in from the right for the
substitute Florent Malouda to snuff out any flickering hope in the
visitors. This campaign, which includes last week's defeat away to
Fiorentina in the Champions League, is turning into a trial for
Liverpool.

Followers of the team will go on mourning the loss of Xabi Alonso to
Real Madrid, but the irony is that this defeat offered some
encouragement. The centre-back Jamie Carragher, for instance, was much
better than he has been of late. Liverpool's midfield also had a
degree of enterprise.

Chelsea, indeed, might be most gratified of all by their steeliness.
Onlookers nearly forgot what a terror Fernando Torres has been
recently. The centre-forward had been irrepressible in piling up eight
league goals before he got to this ground. At Stamford Bridge, though,
he was to be subdued by a defence in which John Terry dominated.

The Spain attacker did get an opportunity after 40 minutes but he
headed a Dirk Kuyt cross well within the reach of Hilario. At that
stage, Chelsea were similarly lenient. Anelka permitted Pepe Reina a
much too simple save from his header after being picked out by Essien.

Ancelotti's side were seldom in jeopardy. In the last few moments of
the first half, Albert Riera sought to score with a free-kick from 40
yards. The element of surprise may have been the only advantage he
enjoyed, but Hilario was alert enough to tip that effort round the
post.

Neither team could be considered outstanding. Ancelotti did not have
to denounce his side as he had in the wake of defeat to Wigan and a
tight victory over Apoel Nicosia, but he will still be wondering how
he can sustain the slickness that was displayed only spasmodically by
his squad here.

Benítez, too, has had it in mind to develop Liverpool. Perhaps he
supposed he could take the final step that would give Anfield the
championship for the first time since 1990, but the project is
evidently at an early stage. The preference for attacking full-backs
is laudable, yet the immediate requirement is for more solidity.

Ancelotti, to a degree, has been luckier. A side in decline under Luiz
Felipe Scolari underwent remedial work during the caretaker management
of Guus Hiddink. There were no immediate crises for Ancelotti to face,
and his main regret must presumably be that he could add just one
proven player, Yuri Zhirkov, to the squad.

That is not such a handicap given the means he inherited. A year or
two from now, the need for rebuilding will be far more obvious, but
this Chelsea team seems to have the means to press on with a potent
bid for the title this season.




---------------------------------------------------



Mail:


Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0: Drogba the destroyer as one-man wrecking ball
clears way for knockout blow
By Matt Lawton at Stamford Bridge


After all the talk of a gladiatorial encounter between the world’s two
finest strikers here at Stamford Bridge, it turned out to be a case of
cometh the hour, cometh the other bloke.

Nicolas Anelka it was who struck after 60 minutes with a goal to which
Liverpool had no response. But it was still Didier Drogba who emerged
as Chelsea’s one-man wrecking ball, smashing Liverpool’s defence into
submission in a manner that seemed beyond Fernando Torres on this
occasion.

Where Torres disappointed for Liverpool, Drogba was simply devastating
for the new Barclays Premier League leaders, performing the role of
creator and provider with a magnificent combination of strength, speed
and skill.

It was a superb first-time cross that enabled Anelka to break the
deadlock of a fiercely contested game; and a marvellous individual
effort that then saw him escape the clutches of Jamie Carragher before
delivering the ball to the feet of Florent Malouda, who increased the
margin of victory in second-half stoppage time.

Drogba performed the dark arts of deception too, collapsing so
frequently and so easily to the ground even John Terry appeared to
suggest it might be prudent to try staying on his feet a bit more.

But Drogba was up for this. Up for the fight and and so pumped up
Liverpool just could not cope. When the visitors reflect on their
third  defeat in eight Premier League matches and their second in a
week after Tuesday’s 2-0 setback against Fiorentina in Florence, they
will struggle to think of reasons to be optimistic.

They will remember how efficiently Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and
Michael Ballack removed the threat of Steven Gerrard and how well
Terry and Ricardo Carvalho dealt with Torres.

They will also have to recognise how ineffective they were in other
areas, and the fact that Rafa Benitez came here with too many ordinary
players.

Albert Riera, Lucas and Emiliano Insua are not individuals one can
imagine securing the league title Liverpool so crave. Already it looks
like a prize that is beyond Benitez’s team.

They are not the same side as last season, not least because of the
absence of Xabi Alonso from their midfield. Results prove as much.

Last season they beat Manchester United and Chelsea home and away.
This season they have lost at Tottenham and Chelsea and at home to
Aston Villa, as well as in that chastening Champions League game
against Fiorentina.

The contrast with Chelsea is staggering. Here are a team with balance,
power and class, a team who have not been disrupted by the departure
of key players and are now under the expert guidance of Carlo
Ancelotti.

Defeat at Wigan the previous weekend did raise the obvious concerns.
Was this going to be a repeat of last year, when some decent
early-season form proved unsustainable under Luiz Felipe Scolari?

Were Chelsea once again wobbling under yet another new manager? The
answer was an emphatic ‘no’ yesterday. The manner in which they
crushed the ambition out of Liverpool and killed them off with a goal
that was beautiful in its execution suggested that there is unlikely
to be a crisis while Ancelotti is around.

Even in a relatively uneventful first half the pace of the game was
ferocious, but Liverpool had no answer to the speed with which Chelsea
executed their opening goal.

It was a terrific demonstration of one-touch football, a move that
started with Lampard winning the ball off Javier Mascherano and
finished, via Essien, Deco and Drogba, with Anelka converting his
colleague’s delivery at full-stretch.

Only an Olympic sprinter would have got there with time to spare, so
rapidly did Chelsea move the ball forward before Drogba crossed
first-time with his left foot.

Anelka did well not just to finish but to escape the attention of
Carragher, whose afternoon went from bad to worse when he then allowed
Drogba to muscle past him for Chelsea’s second.

Spotting Malouda’s run, Drogba delivered another ball to the feet of a
team-mate before turning away in celebration. Only once Chelsea were
home and clear did Liverpool even begin to threaten Henrique Hilario’s
clean sheet. Yossi Benayoun squandered one opportunity when he pulled
a shot wide and Gerrard forced a fine save from Chelsea’s reserve
goalkeeper with a sweetly struck half-volley.

It amounted to much too little, much too late for Liverpool. That is
something of a recurring theme this season and evidence, along with
the startling gulf in quality between the two benches, that says only
one of these two sides will still be challenging for the title come
next spring.




-----------------------------------------------



Star:


DROG WINS BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE
By Danny Fullbrook

DIDIER Drogba won the battle of the super strikers in style yesterday.

There was so much anticipation before this game about who would come
out on top between Drogba and Liverpool’s Fernando Torres.

And despite the Ivory Coast man’s amateur dramatics, Drogba won hands down.

This was a tight, defence-dominated game, but eventually it was the
power and pace of Drogba that unlocked the door and took Chelsea
soaring back to the top of the Premier League table.

Drogba is like marmite, you either love him or hate him.

One minute he is rolling around on the floor like he has been shot,
but when he eventually means business he is unstoppable.

And that was how it proved yesterday at Stamford Bridge as this
cat-and-mouse clash exploded on the hour.

Chelsea’s opening goal came about after Frank Lampard expertly
dispossessed Javier Mascherano in the centre of the pitch.

Michael Essien then found Drogba bursting down the left and with a
brilliant first- time cross Nicolas Anelka was given the opportunity
to rifle the ball into the top of the Liverpool net.

It was a fantastic goal which emphasised the threat and pace of the front two.

Drogba’s ball was exquisite, while Anelka’s finish unerring. It was
the Frenchman’s fifth of the season, and his second on the trot after
scoring against Apoel Nicosia in midweek.

Anelka has admitted in the past that he would have loved to have
stayed on at Liverpool when he was on loan, but Gerard Houllier let
him go.

But he now says he has found his rightful home, and he is true to his
word at the moment.

Chelsea’s second goal came in the dying embers of the game after they
withstood any pressure that Liverpool could throw at them, and again
Drogba was the catalyst.

Lampard played a free-kick into the corner as Chelsea looked to run
time down as they had reached the 90th minute.

But Drogba was having none of it. He managed to turn Fabio Aurelio and
Jamie Carragher inside out on the right wing as he bustled past the
pair, despite a tug on his shirt.

Having reached the byeline he then crossed for sub Florent Malouda to
bundle the ball home. Malouda was the scorer but it was all about
Drogba.

By contrast Torres hardly got a sniff. Despite scoring a hat-trick
against Hull last weekend, the whole team were disappointing against
Fiorentina in midweek in the Champions League.

And this time the super Spaniard came up against a colossal defensive
performance by John Terry.

There is a banner that decorates the Matthew Harding Stand at the
Bridge which says: JT Captain, Leader, Legend.

And he lived up to every part of that yesterday.

Everywhere Torres went, Terry was there. El Nino got half a chance in
the first half when he did get across the front post but his glancing
header was easily held by Henrique Hilario who was in for the
suspended Petr Cech.

Apart from that, Torres was starved of service.

There was one moment before Chelsea’s second when he perhaps could
have scored. Steven Gerrard had shifted the ball on to his left foot
inside the Chelsea area, and it was that man Terry who threw himself
into the challenge to block his England team-mate.

The ball bobbled to Torres but he blazed his effort wide. And that was
it from Liverpool’s main striker.

Liverpool had two other great chances to score, but only once Chelsea
had already gone two goals ahead.

First Yossi Benayoun dropped his shoulder and found some space in the
area, but somehow he rolled his effort past the far post.

Then right at the end, Gerrard hit a great strike which Hilario saved
brilliantly.

Chelsea had had the better of a drab first-half with Michael Ballack,
Anelka and Drogba all wasting half-chances, with perhaps the big
German’s the best of the opportunities.

As for Liverpool, they had offered a lot of hustle and effort, but the
only time they threatened Chelsea’s goal was when Albert Riera’s low
free-kick was seen very late by Hilario and he turned it around the
post.

Liverpool seemed by far the more dangerous outfit once Rafael Benitez
brought on Benayoun.

The little Israeli recently scored a hat-trick against Burnley but for
some reason was left out for Riera.

From Chelsea’s point of view, this was the perfect response for a
slightly unsettling week.

They hate losing to Liverpool, and it was Benitez’s side which broke
their record- breaking unbeaten league run last season.

At the final whistle the Chelsea players all hugged each other with
Cech running on to the pitch to join in, and Terry was seen pumping
his fist at the fans as he knew what it meant to pass their first real
major test of the season.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti had told everybody not to get carried
away with Chelsea losing to Wigan last weekend.

It looks like the Italian knows exactly what he is talking about.



--------------------------------------------------------------------



Sun:

Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0
SHAUN CUSTIS at Stamford Bridge


CARLO ANCELOTTI could enjoy a celebratory cigarette after this
impressive victory took Chelsea top of the table.

But the manager was not the only one smoking at Stamford Bridge -
Didier Drogba was on fire.

Chelsea's top-scorer may not have hit the net for a fourth straight
Premier League game, but he was instrumental in this success and
eclipsed his strike rival Fernando Torres, who failed to spark at all.

Drogba created goals for both Nicolas Anelka and sub Florent Malouda
as he tormented Liverpool warhorse Jamie Carragher, who had no answer
to the Ivory Coast hitman's pace and power.


He had his infuriating moments - rolling around complaining when he
should have got on with the game - but his brilliance when he stayed
on his feet overshadowed the theatrics.


There were other stars for Chelsea, too. John Terry was immense at the
back, getting above Torres time and again to head decisively away from
the danger area.


And behind the captain, Henrique Hilario, making his first league
start for eight months because of Petr Cech's suspension, was
outstanding in goal when Liverpool hoped he would be the weak link.


Not a bit of it. Hilario did everything asked of him, including two
outstanding saves - one from an Albert Riera free-kick and a blinder
at the death from Steven Gerrard.


You could see the relief on Ancelotti's face at the end of a difficult week.


Chelsea were soundly beaten 3-1 at Wigan before struggling to overcome
APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League.


The Italian admitted he was not happy with either of those
performances but this was much more to his liking and should keep
owner Roman Abramovich off his back for a fortnight.


Abramovich flew into training last Friday to 'take a look at things'
and immediately the rumours started that Ancelotti's position was
under threat.


After all, the last time Abramovich ran the rule over training he
sacked Big Phil Scolari within days.


Abramovich is expecting big things this season and he cannot ask for
much more than to see Chelsea sitting top of the table.

Liverpool's last visit to Stamford Bridge produced a sensational 4-4
Champions League draw - but this was more physical, while chances were
few and far between.


In the first half, particularly, it seemed both sides were scared to
open it up for fear of losing - and this result certainly raises an
awful lot of questions about Liverpool's title chances.


This was their third Premier League defeat in eight matches and came
on the back of a disappointing display in losing to Fiorentina in
midweek.


The out-of-sorts Torres had a golden opportunity on 40 minutes when
Dirk Kuyt picked him out but the Spaniard's attempted header seemed to
come off his nose and it bounced down apologetically into Hilario's
arms.


A minute before the break, Michael Essien - who was strong in the
holding role - got a little excitable and took out Lucas.


From the free-kick, Riera's 35-yard effort somehow found a way through
a raft of bodies and Hilario did well to react and turn it round the
post.


The resulting corner saw Drogba grab Martin Skrtel's shoulder and push
the centre-back to ground but referee Martin Atkinson waved away
penalty claims - much to the annoyance of Rafa Benitez.


The Reds boss was even more upset when Chelsea took the lead on the
hour after Essien robbed the dithering Javier Mascherano.


The ball broke to Deco, who fed Drogba down the left. The Ivorian's
cross was a belter - curling across the six-yard box away from Pepe
Reina and on to the outstretched right boot of Anelka, who gleefully
converted.


Liverpool battled for an equaliser and Gerrard worked an opening but
the moment he pulled back his left foot, Terry flung himself forward
and blocked the shot.


Chelsea made it two in injury time as Drogba beat Fabio Aurelio and
Carragher to muscle his way into the box. Carragher pulled Drogba back
by his shirt but the Blues striker was in full flow and his low cross
was buried by Malouda.


Liverpool could still have mounted an unlikely comeback as sub Yossi
Benayoun missed a sitter, rolling a shot wide of the post with the
goal gaping. Then Hilario pounced to his right to beat away Gerrard's
volley.


So, a job well done by Chelsea but it will be an uncomfortable
international break for Benitez as the inquest into Liverpool's
performances gathers momentum.

The Times


Nicolas Anelka leads Chelsea to victory
Apoel 0 Chelsea 1

Matt Hughes, Deputy Football Correspondent, Nicosia


Chelsea returned to winning ways in the least convincing manner last
night, requiring an early goal from Nicolas Anelka to sneak past the
champions of Cyprus.

On this evidence, Carlo Ancelotti’s team could do with the riches of
Roman Abramovich in the transfer market — Fifa permitting, that is —
if they are to end the long hunt for the trophy their owner craves.
After their dismal defeat away to Wigan Athletic in the Barclays
Premier League on Saturday, this was another poor performance. The
visiting team were very much second-best in an error-strewn second
half, during which they gave the ball away far too easily, leading
Ancelotti to admit that they were lucky to escape with all three
points.

Another win, at home to Atlético Madrid in three weeks, will
effectively secure their place in the first knockout round, which says
more about the strength of the Champions League than the might of
Chelsea.

Ancelotti, the manager, can consider himself fortunate to have
inherited a second-choice striker such as Anelka, who, after finishing
as the top goalscorer in the Premier League last season, has kicked
on.

The suspension of Didier Drogba was supposed to hinder the London
club’s Champions League campaign, but it has ended up working in their
favour, with Anelka stepping out of his team-mate’s shadow and the
Ivory Coast striker resting for greater challenges ahead. Unlike
Fifa’s dispute resolution chamber, Uefa’s disciplinary panel may yet
appear on Chelsea’s Christmas card list.

Any chance for Drogba to rest during a long season is a bonus, but
Anelka’s re-emergence as a threat at the very highest level is more
significant. The 30-year-old endured an unwanted break from the
Champions League after winning it with Real Madrid nine years ago and
struggled to readjust after signing for Chelsea 21 months ago, but he
has already made his mark on this season’s competition.

After scoring just twice in his first 17 European appearances for the
club — both against Bordeaux last season — he has managed two in as
many matches in this campaign to edge the club towards the knockout
stage at the earliest opportunity.

Anelka was the one accomplished Chelsea player in a scratchy
performance that became increasingly ragged as they sat back to
protect their lead in the second half. Ashley Cole was twice required
to be vigilant to clear dangerous crosses from Nectarios Alexandrou
and Constantinos Charalambides, while Petr Cech made an outstanding
save with his feet as Savvas Poursaitides ran through on goal.

It was just as well that the Cypriot authorities have so much contempt
for smoking bans, because Ancelotti needed several cigarettes to calm
his nerves, particularly when Charalambides headed narrowly wide at
the far post with four minutes remaining.

Chelsea held on for their first win in continental Europe since
December 2007, although they could easily have drawn. Against modest
opponents making their first home appearance at this level, they
looked far from assured.

As in the Premier League, it is difficult to assess their efforts at
the moment, beating teams they should without convincing and yet to be
tested against the best.

This performance provided more questions than answers, most notably
over whether Michael Essien has the discipline to anchor midfield,
which he was asked to do in the absence through injury of John Obi
Mikel, and for how much longer the lightweight Salomon Kalou can
continue to be indulged.

It looked like panning out differently in the first half, as Chelsea
dominated possession without killing off their opponents. Branislav
Ivanovic should have given them the lead in the twelfth minute, but
headed wide from a free kick by Frank Lampard.

Kalou shot wide soon after in a wonderful passing move instigated by
the outstanding Cole, but they did not have long to wait. The source
was something of a surprise, Juliano Belletti crossing from the right
for Anelka to score his fourth goal of the season with a powerful shot
across the goalkeeper.

Chelsea made hard work of it thereafter and will need to improve
against Liverpool on Sunday to avoid a repeat of last year’s autumnal
malaise.



Apoel (4-4-2): D Chiotis — S Poursaitides, C Kontis, B Grncarov, A
Haxhi — C Charalambides (sub: J Paulista, 85min), N Morais, C Michail
(sub: M Breska, 80), H Pinto — N Alexandrou (sub: K Kosowski, 58), N
Mirosavljevic. Substitutes not used: T Kissas, A Papathanasiou, M
Satsias, M Elia.


Chelsea (4-2-3-1): P Cech — B Ivanovic, R Carvalho, J Terry, A Cole —
M Essien, J Belletti (sub: Deco, 69) — S Kalou (sub: J Cole, 80), F
Lampard, F Malouda — N Anelka. Substitutes not used: Hilário, Y
Zhirkov, D Sturridge, S Hutchison, J Bruma. Booked: Kalou, Ivanovic.

Referee: B Layec (France).



--------------------------------------------------


Telegraph:


APOEL Nicosia 0 Chelsea 1

By Jason Burt at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia



Chelsea are dominating Group D without Didi. At least, according to
the table they are. Once again they coped, just about, with the loss
of Didier Drogba, to suspension, with Nicolas Anelka, so long in the
shadows of the powerful, talismanic striker stepping up to the plate
to score a decisive goal. Two matches, two goals for Anelka and six
points for Chelsea in the Champions League. That should have been the
story. Instead, it’s a different tale. Against Apoel, Chelsea were, at
times, rotten.

The signs are worrying. A lack of concentration, sloppiness, errors
and, above all, an edginess to Chelsea. It’s not exactly a slide, but
it’s looking a little slippery at the top and they almost fell flat on
their faces at the end and were dependent on a save by Petr Cech, with
his legs, and the Cypriots’ inability to take the gifts on offer to
them.

Ancelotti acknowledged his side’s fortune. “It was a good result but
not a good performance,” he said. Chelsea had started well, scored for
the first time inside the opening 30 minutes this season, but,
according to the manager, it was different in the second half. ''We
tried to control the game with possession, but we made a lot of
mistakes. Nicosia played very well and deserved to draw this game.
This is football. Sometimes that happens.

Ancelotti’s angst was written on his face. “I’m not satisfied. I
wanted Chelsea to play better and to take more control, to play with
courage,” he added. “We have to change, for sure.”

That change will have to come quickly. Liverpool, smarting from defeat
against Fiorentina, are next up and Ancelotti pledged an improvement.

This win and Anelka’s goal should have calmed nerves. But instead
there will now be more introspection, greater analysis, further
reasons to doubt. Maybe, by the end of this group, when Porto and
Atletico Madrid also visit Apoel, this victory will appear more
impressive, which is something captain John Terry claimed. “It’s a
difficult place to come,” he said. “Teams are getting better and
better in the Champions League.”

Chelsea will hope so. This was probably the biggest night Apoel have
had in European football and with the anticipation, the clamour for
tickets, the sea of orange, the relentless chanting of the club’s
'ultras’ and the chaos around the stadium – cars and mopeds strewn
everywhere – it was set up for the kind of frenzied evening that
Chelsea have survived so many times before.

Survive and thrive and when Juliano Belletti darted down the right,
beyond the Apoel defence, he smartly pulled the ball back. Anelka, the
lone striker, just inside the area, was unmarked and stroked a
first-time, right-footed shot across goalkeeper Dionisios Chiotis and
into the net.

That was good. But then there was a lot of bad. Chelsea deployed a
Christmas tree formation and with it they started to offer up far too
many presents to the Cypriot champions. Maybe it had all been too easy
for Chelsea. Chances were spurned by Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda
and Branislav Ivanovic and they were coasting. Chelsea struck on the
counter but didn’t find the killer blow.

Instead complacency set in and when Carvalho surrendered possession,
it needed Ashley Cole to scamper back and head clear. It got worse.
Malouda erred and Savvas Poursaitides had a gilt-edged chance. He
shot, but Cech parried with his feet and the ball was scuffed away.
From the corner Nenad Mirosavljevic headed across goal and wide.

Cole had to head another cross clear before Cech pounced on a low
centre. Once again Chelsea lost the ball and once again Apoel failed
to capitalise, with John Terry intercepting as Mirosavljevic waited to
meet the cross.

Ancelotti threw on Deco and Joe Cole and pleaded with his players to
retain possession. Malouda should have settled nerves but shot weakly
at Chiotis and Chelsea had to endure a difficult final few minutes
with Constantinos Charalambides heading over at the far post. He
should have scored. For Ancelotti there was relief. Anything short of
victory and the pressure would have started to ratchet up even more.


-----------------------------------------------


Independent:


Chelsea ride luck after Anelka's classy strike

Apoel Nicosia 0 Chelsea 1

By Glenn Moore at GSP Nicosia



Angry though he was at Chelsea's performance, Carlo Ancelotti
reflected, as he pondered his old club Milan's home defeat to FC
Zurich last night, that there are worse things than playing badly and
winning. "I'm sad, but it shows there are no easy games in the
Champions League," he said. However, this tepid performance, coming
after Saturday's surrender at Wigan, has worried him, especially with
Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Ahead, and seemingly cruising after Nicolas Anelka's 18th-minute goal,
Chelsea gradually lost control of this tie against eager but limited
opposition. But for a sharp save from Petr Cech and some poor
finishing by the Cypriot champions, they would have been held to a
draw, or worse. In the event, thanks to Porto's defeat of Atletico
Madrid, they lead Group D by three points with the struggling Spanish
team due in London next.

Qualification to the knock-out stages now seems virtually assured, not
least because Porto seem the only credible opposition, but further
progress will require much better displays. Having initially dominated
their opponents Chelsea conceded the initiative so alarmingly that
Ancelotti admitted Apoel deserved a draw. Absentees were a factor, but
a club of Chelsea's financial muscle should be able to compensate for
the loss, through suspension or injury, of Jose Bosingwa, Didier
Drogba, Michael Ballack and John Obi Mikel.

The less stellar Branislav Ivanovic, Salomon Kalou and Juliano
Belletti came in to the side with the Brazilian partnering Michael
Essien in midfield. This allowed Frank Lampard to operate between two
advanced wide players, Florent Malouda and Kalou, with Anelka leading
the line.

This the Frenchman did superbly for an hour, capping a performance of
impressive sharpness and movement with his goal, curled in from the
edge of the area after Belletti had broken to the byline and pulled
the ball back.

At that stage Chelsea were comfortable. Essien, Ivanovic, Lampard and
Kalou had all had chances. However, Dionisis Chiotis was tested by
none of them and with Ashley Cole and Anelka wasting further
opportunities Apoel went in to the break just a goal adrift.

This seemed to boost their confidence, and that of a raucous home
support. This was a big night for Cyprus. Not only was this Apoel's
home Champions League bow but it was also a chance to remind the world
of the Greek Cypriot plight. This is a partitioned city in a divided
island and from the towering main stand of this decade-old stadium
could be seen an extraordinary sight. Glittering on the hills north of
Nicosia was the outline of the crescent and star of the Turkish flag,
picked out in lights.

It was a reminder, a sinister one to locals despite the current
relative thaw in relations, that just a few miles from here is
occupied territory. The signs wishing "Good luck Chelsea" in the cafes
and bars of the Turkish quarter were not just a marketing device to
lure in those travelling fans who had crossed the Green Line UN buffer
zone, but also a heartfelt wish.

The Greek Cypriot response was a long banner facing the TV cameras
which told the world, "Cyprus is Greek." Were Muzzy Izzet still a
Chelsea player that might have made the atmosphere intimidating, in
the event it was merely lively.

Chelsea's first-half superiority failed to dim the decibel level even
if Apoel created few significant opportunities with Constantinos
Charalambidis wasting the main one, created after Essien had let his
man run off him. The volume increased as the second period wore on and
it became clear that Chelsea were content to sit back, protect their
lead, and look to counter.

This, though, invited pressure from Apoel whose growing confidence was
illustrated by a switch to 4-3-3. Chelsea struggled to cope with
substitute Kamil Kosowski, on the fight flank, and the Pole created a
superb opening for Savvas Poursaitidis after 64 minutes. The full-back
appeared to freeze with fear but eventually got off a shot which took
a deflection off John Terry before Cech saved with his feet.

In an attempt to keep hold of the ball, Ancelotti introduced Deco,
then Joe Cole, but his team continued to look disjointed. They should
have put the tie to bed with 10 minutes left but neither Malouda nor
Lampard could convert Ivanovic's cut-back. That could have proved
expensive as, with six minutes to go, Charalambidis met Kosowski's
deep cross. However, he put it into the side netting, leaving Apoel to
take the plaudits, and Chelsea to steal the points. Ancelotti must
settle for that, for now, but as he told the players in the dressing
room, they will need to play better, starting on Sunday.

Apoel Nicosia (4-4-2): Chiotis; Poursaitidis, Kontis, Grncarov, Haxhi;
Charalambidis (Jean Paulista, 85), Morais, Michael (Breska, 79),
Pinto; Alexandrou (Kosowski, 58), Mirosavljevic. Substitutes not used:
Kissas (gk), Papathanasiou, Satsias, Elia.

Chelsea (4-1-2-3): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Belletti
(Deco, 68); Essien, Lampard; Kalou (J Cole, 79), Anelka, Malouda.
Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Zhirkov, Sturridge, Hutchinson,
Bruma.

Referee: B Layec (France).

Group D

Chelsea previous result: 15 Sept Chelsea 1 FC Porto 0.

Chelsea remaining fixtures: 21 Oct Atletico Madrid (h), 3 Nov Atletico
Madrid (a), 25 Nov FC Porto (a), 8 Dec Apoel Nicosia (h).



--------------------------------------------------


Guardian;


Nicolas Anelka proves the difference to bring sweet relief for scrappy
ChelseaBuzz up!

Apoel Nicosia 0  Chelsea 1 Anelka 18

Dominic Fifield at GSP Nicosia

Chelsea look down from the top of their qualifying group having
reverted to victorious ways after the trauma of Wigan, though that is
not to suggest all is once again rosy with Chelsea. Carlo Ancelotti
prowled his technical area throughout this contest against a depleted
Apoel Nicosia, his frustration at his side's wastefulness transformed
into genuine anxiety before the end. There was relief rather than glee
at the final whistle.

The Premier League team did just enough to prevail here, securing
their first away win on foreign soil in this competition since Avram
Grant's side thumped Rosenborg in Trondheim almost two years ago, yet
their Italian manager will not rest entirely easy before Liverpool's
visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Victory will not disguise the
reality that too many passes went astray, the midfield lacked fizz and
a normally reliable defence appeared jittery; Rafael Benítez will have
taken note.

Ancelotti's livid post-match reaction in the dressing-room spoke
volumes. This was not a fortunate win in the same fashion as those
against Hull or Stoke in the Premier League this term, matches in
which the Londoners had dominated and been guilty principally of
profligacy before striking in stoppage time. Rather, Apoel deserved
more than defeat. The Cypriots are limited but committed and a better
side would have converted one of the half-chances eked out as Chelsea
froze late on. The likes of Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard, even
after their own travails in Florence, would surely not pass up similar
opportunities.

It was telling that the contest ended with Petr Cech clawing down a
looping header from underneath his crossbar. That rather summed up the
occasion, with Apoel vaguely threatening and Chelsea, becalmed and
almost complacent at times, apparently perplexed by their own
shortcomings. Constantinos Charalambides, ignored by Branislav
Ivanovic, might have converted a free header at the far post. Christos
Kontis could have flicked in Nektarios Alexandrou's corner: ifs and
maybes, perhaps, but Chelsea were left clinging to their lead when
they would have expected to have prevailed far more comfortably.

The Cypriots' best opportunity had actually been squeezed from their
only spell of genuine pressure. The hour-mark had come and gone with
Chelsea in cruise control when Apoel roused themselves to shrug their
panicked opponents from their comfort zone. Florent Malouda's horribly
misplaced header fed the substitute Kamil Kosowski, one of the hosts'
walking wounded but summoned from the bench in desperation to add bite
and invention, with his pass finding Savvas Poursaitides. The
full-back's shot deflected off John Terry and forced Cech into a fine
reaction save with his legs with the goalkeeper exposed, and Chelsea
breathed again.

The sloppiness was all the more troubling given that the home side
were severely shorn of key players. Apoel had drawn at Atlético Madrid
in their opening group match but were shorn here of striking talent in
Adrian Sikora. They missed the Pole last night, their industry taking
them only so far. Chelsea may have been lax in too many areas but the
best attacking player on the pitch duly made his presence felt.

So much has depended upon Nicolas Anelka in the continued absence of
Didier Drogba, suspended from European competition, yet the Frenchman
is thriving with added responsibility. Where his team-mates were
error-prone and sloppy in possession, he was slick and threatening
throughout. The forward eagerly tormented his markers to slalom into
space or burst to the byline, setting up Salomon Kalou who side-footed
disappointingly wide before securing his own reward, and ultimately
the victory, some 18 minutes into the match.

Chelsea's most coherent passing exchange sliced the hosts apart, Kalou
spreading possession wide for Juliano Belletti, who cut inside Hélio
Pinto and waited for Altin Haxhi to overcommit and go to ground. The
Brazilian relished the space created and calmly pulled his cross back
to the unmarked Anelka on the edge of the area and the striker guided
his shot beautifully across Dionisis Chiotis into the far corner.
Ancelotti punched the air on the touchline, hopeful that the hosts
could be picked off on the break thereafter, yet that was as
impressive as this got.

Malouda scuffed a shot into a grateful Chiotis late on and Frank
Lampard crashed a couple of efforts high and wide to suggest the
visitors might add a flattering second on the counter but this
increasingly felt like an upset in waiting rather than a dismissal of
unfancied opponents. Ancelotti flapped with nervous energy as the
clock ticked down, his midfield tinkering desperately searching for
composure in possession, before almost apologising to his opposite
number, Ivan Jovanovic, once the win had been confirmed. Top of Group
D they may be but Chelsea have still to convince.




------------------------------------------------


Mail:


Apoel Nicosia 0 Chelsea 1:
You beauty, Nicolas Anelka! Pity the game did not match up
By Matt Barlow


Cyprus may be the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess
of beauty, but this was far from pretty. Chelsea got straight back
into the winning groove after their shock defeat at Wigan and secured
their first win outside England for nearly two years.

Nicolas Anelka’s fourth goal of the season, a rare moment of clear
thinking in a frantic and scrappy game, has them perched neatly on the
top of Group D with maximum points from two games.
But manager Carlo Ancelotti was not satisfied as his team failed to
sparkle and ended up clinging on against Champions League newboys
APOEL.
He confessed they were lucky to escape with three points, for which
they can thank Anelka. Chelsea had arrived here determined to
recapture the winning habit after Saturday’s surprise defeat ruined a
run of eight victories.

You won’t like us when we’re angry — that was the message from inside
the camp, so perhaps it was only right Anelka stepped forward. He was
known as the Incredible Sulk in moodier days.

Last night, he was asked to lead the line again in the absence of
Didier Drogba, who was serving the second of his three-game ban for
his X-rated rant into a TV camera after last season’s Champions League
semi-final loss to Barcelona.

Anelka responded well to the responsibility, sometimes dropping deep
to link up play, chasing in the channels at other times and taking his
goal coolly.

Salomon Kalou released Juliano Belletti in space on the right and the
Brazilian jinked inside before dragging a smart pass back to Anelka,
lurking on the edge of the penalty area.

Without taking a touch to control the ball, he clipped it into the far
corner with his right foot, fading it beyond goalkeeper Dionisios
Chiotis. It was Anelka’s fourth of the season and his second in
Europe.

He scored the only goal of the game in Chelsea’s first European tie of
the season, at home to Porto.
Ancelotti said: ‘Anelka is scoring at a good time and that’s
important. He moved very well out there, not only in scoring but in
front of our attack. This is good.’

APOEL had started well against their illustrious visitors, cheered on
loudly by 22,000 packed inside the GSP Stadium for their first proper
Champions League game. The fans were packed in well before kick-off,
whipping up a wonderful atmosphere, as it was when they beat FC
Copenhagen here to qualify for the group stage.

Partizan Belgrade were another experienced team to lose in Nicosia in
the qualifying rounds and the Cypriot champions held Atletico Madrid
to a goalless draw in Spain in their Group D opener.

The warnings were there for Chelsea but they were slow to find their
rhythm, with APOEL pinging the ball around confidently in triangles
neat enough to have made Pythagoras swell with pride. Bald striker
Nenad Mirosavljevic was spinning wide to cause Branislav Ivanovic
problems.

Ivanovic rarely looks like a full back with everything under control
but he survived his early wobble and Ancelotti’s team slowly took
control. By the time Anelka struck in the 18th minute, they were in
command but the goal that ought to have been a nervesettler only
prompted them to lose their focus again.

APOEL squandered the opportunity to strike back immediately when the
ball dropped to Constantinos Charalambides in a crowded penalty box
but he slashed a shot high and wide.

Charalambides proved wasteful to the end, missing his team’s best
chance of an equaliser with a diving header at the back post, which he
lifted over the bar, when Chelsea’s back four had been dragged out of
position.
Early in the second half, APOEL manager Ivan Jovanovic sent on Kamil
Kosowski, not considered fit enough to start after injury problems,
and he injected new urgency into the Cypriot champions.

Chelsea panicked as the momentum swung against them. Ivanovic came
under pressure again and Florent Malouda made mistakes in dangerous
areas.
It was a careless Malouda header which presented Savvas Poursaitides
with a glimpse of goal in the 65th minute but Petr Cech, sent off at
Wigan, made a fine save with his left boot.


APOEL went close again from the corner which followed as Ashley Cole
had to be alert at the back post to clear a dangerous cross from
Charalambides and John Terry came to the rescue more than once.

At least Ancelotti, flapping his arms in exasperation on the
touchline, knew something had to be done to protect the lead.

He sent on Deco to nurture possession and it helped take the menace
out of the home team’s attacking. Malouda should have made it safe
when he arrived on the end of a low cross from Ivanovic but his effort
was feeble and easily saved by Chiotis.

At least AC Milan, Ancelotti’s former club who lost at home to FC
Zurich last night, proved it could have been far worse.

‘I’m very disappointed for this but it shows there are no easy games
in the Champions League,’ said Ancelotti.
‘We are happy. Joe Cole has started to play and Deco is in good condition.
‘We’ve rested Michael Ballack for Sunday against Liverpool and we have
Drogba and Jose Bosingwa.’

What would Liverpool have given for an ugly away win in beautiful
Florence on Tuesday?


MATCH FACTSAPOEL NICOSIA (4-2-3-1): Chiotis 5;Poursaitides 6, Kontis
6, Grncarov 6,Haxhi 5; Morais 5, Michail 6(Breska 80min); Alexandrou 5
(Kosowski 58, 6), Pinto 5, Charalambides 5 (Paulista 85);
Mirosavljevic 6.

CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): Cech 6; Ivanovic 5, Carvalho 6, Terry 6, A Cole 7;
Belletti 6 (Deco 68, 5), Essien 7,Lampard6; Kalou 6 (J Cole 80),
Malouda 5; Anelka 7.
Booked: Kalou, Ivanovic.

Man of the match: Nicolas Anelka.
Referee: Bertrand Layec (France).



---------------------------------------------------


Sun:

Apoel Nicosia 0 Chelsea 1

IAN McGARRY in Nicosia



CHELSEA had to sing for their supper before they made APOEL crumble in
Cyprus last night.

A goal from Nicolas Anelka was enough to claim the spoils in Nicosia -
but this was a performance starved of any substance.


There was no goal glut, no delicious skill and certainly no feast of football.


In fact, most of what was tasty about this tie came from the Cypriots.
They hassled and harried, pressured and pushed and generally made a
nuisance of themselves.


And when Chelsea did think they had got on top, APOEL just kept coming
back - like a kebab the morning after the night before.


For Carlo Ancelotti, it must have felt like Groundhog Day.


Last weekend his team were outfought at unfancied Wigan.


Last night they came to one of the furthest outposts of the Champions
League and failed to match the effort of the minnows from Cyprus.


Skipper John Terry made the point after their first defeat of the
season that every player had to stand up and be counted.


But for much of this contest, Chelsea looked more like they were still
lying by the pool of their hotel.


The Blues fans - some 1,400 of them - had all opted to stay by the sea
on this holiday island.


They were then bussed into Nicosia a couple of hours before kick-off
but they surely did not expect to see their team treading water when
they got there.


Chelsea's form in away matches in the group stage of this competition
has been poor - two draws and a defeat last season. Up until last
night they had not won a match in mainland Europe since beating
Rosenborg in December 2007.


Progress was again patchy last night, with the visitors' best chances
coming from scrappy set-pieces.


Frank Lampard supplied decent crosses but Branislav Ivanovic failed to
get his head on the end of them.


The first clear sight of goal came after 15 minutes when Michael
Essien and Anelka linked up and a speedy centre found Salomon Kalou in
space.


He made a decent fist of a first-time shot but it trundled harmlessly
past a post.


APOEL had a bad habit of giving the ball away cheaply and, when
Juliano Belletti went galloping down the right, they were made to pay
dearly. A simple cutback found Anelka, who pinged a gorgeous
right-footer high into the far corner.


The France striker also hit the only goal in Chelsea's win over Porto
on Matchday One and he is proving a brilliant stand-in for the
suspended Didier Drogba.


Remarkably, it was the first time Chelsea have scored before the
half-hour mark in any competition this season.


Yet, within a minute, APOEL were on the attack and the ball fell to
Constantinos Charalambides on the edge of the box. He had time to do
much better than scuff his volley well wide. APOEL refused to lie down
and let their more prestigious opponents walk all over them.


They kept Chelsea waiting to start the second half - and, when they
did, they came out fighting.


First, Terry gave the ball away 40 yards out and had to backpedal to
snuff out the danger.


Just as silly, Ricardo Carvalho gifted it to Nektarios Alexandrou -
and Ashley Cole had to sweep in and knock the ball out for a corner.
The hosts could smell fear and swarmed forward in waves - a tactic
they would not have dared risk in the first period.


Kamil Kosowski came on to add some height to the industry on the
flanks and, for 10 minutes or so, Chelsea were on the back foot.


And they should have been pegged back after 64 minutes.


Savvas Poursaitides found himself completely alone just 12 yards out.
But he hesitated and shot weakly at Petr Cech, who cleared with his
feet.


Inevitably, with APOEL pushing forward, there were gaps left at the
back and Lampard crossed with 12 minutes left.


Florent Malouda met the ball just 10 yards out but his finish was poor
and straight at the feet of keeper Dionisis Chiotis.


Joe Cole came on for a late cameo which could yet be a preview to
playing at the weekend.


Along with Drogba, midfielder Cole is Chelsea's top-scorer against
Liverpool and, on the evidence of the last few days, Ancelotti will
need all the firepower he can get if the Blues are to beat the Reds on
Sunday.

Sunday Times

Wigan break winning run of mighty Chelsea
Wigan 3 Chelsea 1

Duncan Castles


“SIN MIEDO” is the Spanish phrase with which Roberto Martinez likes to
sign off his programme notes. It means “without fear” and that is
precisely how Wigan ended Carlo Ancelotti’s point-perfect introduction
to English football, throwing themselves at a defence unaccustomed to
afternoons as torrid as this.

Drawn into a headstrong lunge at the expense of both penalty and red
card, Petr Cech watched the final 40 minutes impotently from the
stands. Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry were out-muscled and
out-manoeuvred by Jason Scotland and Hugo Rodallega, two forwards with
less than a year of top-tier football between them.

Comprehensive losses at the hands of Arsenal and Manchester United
having marred his first months as a Premier League manager, Martinez
revelled in the justification of his team’s expansive approach. “When
you are a team like Wigan Athletic and you play against the top four
you have two options,” he said. “You can beat them or you can get
hammered — and that’s what happened when we lost 4-0 and 5-0. The
reason we won is because we learned our lessons.

“We’ve been brave from the first second. Nobody can say we didn’t
deserve the win and to say that against a special team like Chelsea is
a big, big compliment to our football club.”

In 34 previous attempts to beat one of the Big Four, Wigan had managed
just four draws. Ancelotti had been halted one match short of
emulating the Premier League record of seven wins with which Jose
Mourinho started the 2005-6 season with Chelsea.

What had gone wrong? “This is the question,” said Ancelotti with a
pained laugh. “I don’t know why because I think we prepared very well
for this match. It can happen after a lot of victories. Today we
played badly and Wigan played better than us, it was the right result
for the game. We are disappointed for this because I didn’t expect
this performance.”

Part of the Ancelotti method has been the steady shuffling of playing
resources. With most of his key players close to, or past, their 30th
birthday, no reinforcements allowed in January and African Nations Cup
absences to follow, he has attempted to win while limiting
early-season mileage. Tellingly, he appeared to place this game above
Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Apoel Nicosia in fielding his
strongest side. Only birthday boy Michael Ballack was absent with a
“slight” calf complaint.

After being drubbed by Arsenal last weekend, Martinez gave Scotland’s
bulky burlesque a first Premier League run at centre-forward. Leading
scorer Rodallega was played on the left wing, Charles N’Zogbia the
right, and Paul Scharner asked to mess with Chelsea’s trio of holding
midfielders. The initial effect, however, was negligible as the
visitors streamed confidently forward, creating creditable chances for
Michael Essien, Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard.

Then Scotland slipped Terry to slam a tight-angled shot at goal and
with it Wigan found their gear. When Wigan quickly won a corner,
Rodallega waited for N’Zogbia to sprint across the area before he
played the ball short. With Chelsea’s marking in disarray the
Frenchman’s cross flew to an isolated Titus Bramble, who headed down
and into the net.

Now coursing with the belief Martinez had spent the week fostering,
Wigan took control. Rodallega’s pace and unpredictability panicked
Jose Bosingwa, while Scotland bumped, turned and nutmegged the
visiting centre-backs to lever more opportunities. Scharner should
have done better than lift over a free shot; the same short-corner
routine ended with Cech saving from Emmerson Boyce; only a last-ditch
Terry tackle stopped Scotland.

An anxious Ancelotti encamped himself in the technical area, preparing
John Obi Mikel’s half-time substitution and a teamtalk brief enough to
have Chelsea out again five minutes before their opponents. The reward
was an immediate — and soft — equaliser: Florent Malouda skimming into
the area to feed Didier Drogba, whose close-range shot cannoned in off
the inside of keeper Chris Kirkland’s right leg.

Advantage Chelsea? Not when Rodallega found himself one-on-one with
Cech, shimmied slightly away from goal and was tripped by the
goalkeeper’s outstretched left boot. That the Colombian was in a
position to score justified Cech’s sending-off but stopped neither
Chelsea’s complaints nor their attempts to unnerve the taker.
Rodallega calmly drove the spot kick high over replacement goalkeeper
Hilario. “Petr was unhappy,” said Ancelotti. “For a keeper this is a
normal situation, sometimes one-on-one can happen. He took a red card
but we hope he is not suspended for many games.”

Chasing the game, the Italian urged forward his full-backs and added
Salomon Kalou, his third substitution, as a third attacker. Wigan kept
four men up the park and continued to stretch the visitors, Rodallega
almost curling a free kick into the top corner. When Ashley Cole was
carried off with a knee injury, Wigan were two men to the good and too
good for Chelsea. Maynor Figueroa jinked towards the touchline,
sending in a cross that took out three defenders and let Scharner
slide in for the easiest finish of his career. Three memorable points,
and absolutely no fear.

Wigan: Kirkland 6, Melchiot 6, Bramble 6, Boyce 6, Figueora 7, Thomas
7, Diame 6, N’Zogbia 7, Scharner 6, Rodallega 8, Scotland 7 (King
89min).

Chelsea: Cech 5, Bosingwa 5 (Kalou 68min), Carvalho 5, Terry 5, Cole
6, Essien 6, Mikel 5 (Belletti 46min, 6), Lampard 6, Malouda 6
(Hilario 52min, 6), Anelka 5, Drogba .



-------------------------------------------------


Telegraph:


Wigan Athletic 3 Chelsea 1

By Graham Chase at the DW Stadium


It all comes to an end sooner or later and as Wigan finally managed a
victory against a big four team for the first time in 35 attempts,
Carlo Ancelotti’s perfect start to life in England was no longer.

Titus Bramble got Wigan on their way with an early header and after
Didier Drogba equalised five minutes after the restart, Petr Cech
felled Hugo Rodallega, earning himself a red card.

Rodallega made no mistake with the penalty that followed and 10-man
Chelsea worried Wigan only when the hosts began to sit deep in the
closing stages before Paul Scharner added a third in added time.

There was little to suggest what might be ahead as, even in the
absence of Michael Ballack, Chelsea began with authority and purpose
that saw Michael Essien and Nicolas Anelka threaten in the early
stages, while Frank Lampard was also narrowly off-target after fine
attacking work from Ashley Cole.

But at the back, they looked unconvincing, with the hard work of Jason
Scotland, who is in his first season in the top flight after joining
from Swansea in the summer, unsettling both John Terry and Ricardo
Carvalho.

The Trinidad forward was slipped through by Charles N’Zogbia and had a
shot deflected wide off Cech. N’Zogbia was once mistakenly called
‘Insomnia’ by former manger Joe Kinnear but he made Chelsea pay a
heavy price for going to sleep at the resulting corner.

No-one picked up the Frenchman’s long run to receive a short corner
and his clipped cross was headed in by an unmarked Bramble.

After that breakthrough, there was little response from Chelsea, who
were struggling to cope with Wigan’s aggressive pressing and
impressive use of the ball.

Paul Scharner was playing in an unusually advanced role just behind
Scotland and the Austrian scooped over from the forward’s strong
off-load and only a well-timed slide from Terry stopped Scotland
firing in after the ex-Swansea man seized on hesitation from Carvalho.

From the corner that followed, Wigan again played short and N’Zogbia’s
hanging cross was knocked back in for Emmerson Boyce to force a fine
block from Cech.

However, the chance of a shock result were severely dented just a
minute and a half after the restart when Malouda crossed from the left
for Drogba to scuff through Kirkland’s legs.

The game was turned on its head again five minutes later when N’Zogbia
sent Hugo Rodallega through and although the Columbian took the ball
wide, he was clipped by Cech, with referee Phil Dowd pointing to the
post and showing the Czech goalkeeper a straight red card.

Rodallega sent the spot-kick straight down the middle and past
substitute goalkeeper Henrique Hilario to restore Wigan’s lead.

Other than a Drogba lob over, there was little response from the
visitors and when substitute Saloman Kalou swung at thing air after a
rare threatening passing move before Scharner tapped in a late third.



--------------------------------------------------------


Independent:


Wigan leap into unknown after Cech clears way

Wigan Athletic 3 Chelsea 1: Martinez's men claim 'big four' scalp at
the 35th time of asking,
helped by goalkeeper's dismissal

By Steve Tongue at the DW Stadium


What inferiority complex? Wigan may have failed to win any of their 34
previous games against the acknowledged big four teams of English
football and lost in recent weeks to Manchester United 5-0, at home,
and Arsenal 4-0. At the 35th attempt, however, local history was made
in eventful fashion: a half-time lead soon cancelled out, then quickly
restored from a penalty that Petr Cech was sent off for conceding.
Chelsea, finishing with nine men after an injury to Ashley Cole, threw
everything and everyone forward, only to lose a third goal, their 100
per cent record and the League leadership.

A first defeat since losing at Tottenham under Guus Hiddink back in
March brought no complaints from the Dutchman's successor, Carlo
Ancelotti. "We played not a good game," he said. "It was the right
result. Wigan played better than us, played very good football with
good organisation. I was surprised."

His opposite number, the impressive Roberto Martinez, was less
surprised. Despite the drubbings from Arsenal and United, he insisted
that his team continue to play their football, asking only that they
respond better than on previous occasions if they conceded – which was
precisely what happened. "We learnt our lessons and carried on with
our standards," he said. "No one can say we didn't deserve to win."

Wigan successfully employed the fashionable 4-2-3-1 with outstanding
contributions from Hendry Thomas and the clever Mohamed Diame, both
sitting back. Charles N'Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega stayed out,
hindering the Chelsea full-backs. Jose Bosingwa's crossing was
shocking, while he and Cole were often in danger of being caught
upfield by swift counter- attacks. The opening goal was nevertheless
unexpected, as the visitors had worked four passable chances in the
opening 10 minutes.

In the 16th minute, everything changed. After Cech saved from Jason
Scotland, Wigan worked a short corner on the left, N'Zogbia coming to
collect it without hindrance from any defender and crossing for Titus
Bramble to head powerfully in. So slack were Chelsea that they soon
allowed N'Zogbia to bring off the same move, Paul Scharner heading
down this time for a shot by Emmerson Boyce that Cech had no right to
save.

Scotland, looking more Drogba-like than the real thing, laid off a
pass for Scharner to hit over the crossbar and was then halted only by
John Terry's saving tackle after losing Ricardo Carvalho. The crowd
roared their team off at half-time, while the resident DJ played
"Let's Hang On To What We've Got".

Wigan proved unable to do so for even 90 seconds of the second half,
but within a few minutes of conceding an equaliser they were back in
front. First Florent Malouda was wide enough to provide a low cross
that Didier Drogba side-footed at goal. He was probably as surprised
as anyone to see the ball dribble through Chris Kirkland's legs for a
sixth goal of the season. Back came the home side. Rodallega,
forsaking his unfamiliar position out on the left, ran on to
N'Zogbia's pass in the inside-right channel, knocked it ahead and
appeared to be tripped by Cech.

Once Phil Dowd decided on a penalty the red card was mandatory, and
after Henrique Hilario arrived to stand between the posts – Florent
Malouda was sacrificed – Rodallega smacked the spot-kick past him.

Ancelotti, who had sent his team out for the second half several
minutes before Wigan, took the positive approach in putting on Salomon
Kalou for Bosingwa; then the desperate approach of Terry in attack for
the last frantic period. The five added minutes brought not an Old
Trafford-style drama but a third home goal.

Chelsea, with Terry upfield and Cole off injured, were all over the
place and hopelessly outnumbered as Maynor Figueroa crossed from the
left for a Scharner tap-in. All this in front of a disappointingly
small crowd, possibly reflecting a sense of inevitability about the
result. Oh ye of little faith.

Attendance: 18,542

Referee: Phil Dowd

Man of the match: Thomas

Match rating: 7/10


-----------------------------------------------------


Guardian:


Petr Cech sees red as Chelsea crash to defeat at Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic 3 Bramble 16, Rodallega (pen) 53, Scharner 90  Chelsea
1 Drogba 47

Joe Lovejoy at the DW Stadium



Chelsea's 100% start to the season was always going to end somewhere,
but it was expected to happen in more salubrious surroundings than the
stadium that the shrinking violet Dave Whelan has named after himself.
The league leaders arrived on the back of nine successive wins in all
competitions, Wigan suffered a 4-0 drubbing at Arsenal last week, so
this was billed as a no-brainer.

So much for conventional wisdom. In reality, the unfashionable team
from rugby league country were superior from first to last, and it
would be grossly unfair to attribute this shock result to Petr Cech's
sending-off five minutes into the second half. True, it was 1-1 at
that stage, but Wigan had been better throughout the first 45 minutes,
playing against a full complement.

Carlo Ancelotti admitted as much, saying: "They played very well and
ours was a bad performance. They were well-organised. Yes, I was
surprised by how good they were."

Under Roberto Martínez, Wigan have been strangely inconsistent,
beating Aston Villa, West Ham and now Chelsea, but conceding nine
times in heavy defeats by Manchester United and Arsenal. It is very
much to their credit, however, that they occupy a comfortable
mid-table position after playing five of last season's top six.

The favourable impression Martínez created in bringing Swansea into
the Championship playing an attractive passing game was further
bolstered here, with Wigan eschewing kick-and-rush or roughhouse
tactics in favour of pleasing football against their more celebrated
opponents.

Ancelotti left out Joe Cole and Michael Ballack and saw his midfield
stymied by a clever, combative unit in which Hendry Thomas was Claude
Makelele reincarnate.

Jason Scotland, recalled to the starting line-up, had already required
Cech to improvise a save with his legs when, after 16 minutes, Wigan
took the lead. A corner taken short on the left led to Charles
N'Zogbia delivering a cross which Titus Bramble buried with a firm,
downward header from six yards. Chelsea's vaunted defence had gone to
sleep, not for the first or last time, and the margin would have been
doubled before half-time but for the excellent reflex save with which
Cech repelled Emmerson Boyce's shot after another corner.

Chelsea stirred themselves at the start of the second half, Didier
Drogba receiving from Florent Malouda and equalising with a crisp shot
close in. Wigan may have folded in the past in such circumstances, but
here they showed the sort of character which should serve them well in
the difficult months ahead and, when Hugo Rodallega was put through by
N'Zogbia, his incursion panicked Cech into bringing him down. Henrique
Hilário, sent on for Cech at Malouda's expense, was immediately beaten
by Rodallega's no-nonsense penalty, struck straight down the middle,
and the upset was on.

Ancellotti sent on an extra forward, Salomon Kalou, but Wigan never
looked like conceding again, and in the first minute of added time
Paul Scharner applied the coup de grâce at point-blank range from
Maynor Figueroa's cross.

With Chelsea due to resume Champions League combat in Nicosia on
Tuesday, their manager said: "I don't know why we didn't play well, in
football you can only look forward." Ashley Cole, whose knee injury
left Chelsea with nine men at the end, is unlikely to make the trip to
Cyprus, but should be fit for Liverpool's visit next Sunday.

Martínez, who was understandably "delighted", said: "A team like ours,
playing one of the top four, can either be brave and play football, or
defend and get hammered. All 11 of our players played up to our best
standards."




----------------------------------------------------


Mail:


Wigan 3 Chelsea 1: Carlo caned by rookie - Ancelotti is trumped by
Roberto Martinez as keeper Petr Cech sees red
By Joe Bernstein


Carlo Ancelotti had been hailed as some sort of managerial genius
after beginning his Chelsea career with eight straight victories. But
yesterday the Italian with the global reputation was thoroughly
out-manoeuvred by a rookie, Wigan's Roberto Martinez.
Martinez somehow convinced a Wigan side who had not won in 34 previous
attempts against a team from the Big Four that they could derail a
Chelsea side who had won every game this season.

Chelsea's goalkeeper Petr Cech might have ranted to referee Phil Dowd
about the decision to send him off after 51 minutes with the score at
1-1, allowing Wigan to go ahead from the resulting penalty smashed
home by Hugo Rodallega.  But even if the game had stayed 11-a-side for
90 minutes, Wigan would have deserved to win.

To his credit, Ancelotti conceded that. Perhaps warning his players
not to hide behind the excuse of playing nearly half the game with 10
men, he said: 'It was the right result. Wigan played better than us.
They were organised. We slept for the first goal.'

Despite Didier Drogba's 100th goal for his club, it was a dreadful day
for Chelsea as they also lost John Obi Mikel and Ashley Cole to injury
- and their place at the top of the Premier League to Manchester
United.
'This is football. You cannot say why a team win matches, then play
like this,' said Ancelotti after losing his 100 per cent record this
season. 'Their first goal made the game more complicated. Now we are
together with Manchester United at the top. Maybe it will stay that
way for the rest of the season.'

Martinez had lost four of his first six games in charge but still had
the belief to throw in Jason Scotland for the first Premier League
start of his career and trust the much-maligned Titus Bramble to keep
Didier Drogba quiet.

It worked a treat, with Scotland roughing up John Terry and Ricardo
Carvalho, while Bramble stole forward to score the opener in addition
to his defensive duties.

No wonder delighted Martinez said: 'It was the complete performance
from us. You have to keep Chelsea from having the ball to unsettle
them and that's what we did. Winning gives you confidence - and we
will take great confidence from this.'

Ancelotti refused to blame Dowd, hiding his true feelings behind the
non-committal: 'I don't like to talk about referees.' But a few more
performances like this and people might start saying he does not have
any more of a Plan B than predecessor Felipe Scolari.

Chelsea bossed the opening minutes like a team unbeaten since March
and who had won their last dozen competitive games. But after Michael
Essien and Frank Lampard missed chances they inexplicably took their
foot off the accelerator.

Scotland was putting himself about and when Charles N'Zogbia fired a
corner to the near post after 16 minutes, Bramble pushed forward and
powered a header past Cech.

Ancelotti and Chelsea looked shellshocked and Wigan should have sewn
up the game before half-time. Paul Scharner slipped in the area when
about to score, Cech made brilliant saves from close range to deny
Emmerson Boyce and Mario Melchiot, while Terry needed a perfect tackle
on Scotland to stop him.

Ancelotti did send his team out early for the second half as a sign of
his displeasure, with Juliano Belletti on for Mikel, who had hurt an
ankle. And the move seemed to have worked when Drogba equalised within
two minutes of the restart.
Florent Malouda did well down the left side and his cross found Drogba
close enough to goal for the Ivorian to squeeze the ball through Chris
Kirkland's legs even though he did not make powerful contact.

It was Drogba's sixth goal in seven games this season and should have
been the sign for Chelsea to go on to win another three points.
Instead, the game turned in the next Wigan attack.
N'Zogbia fed Rodallega and the Colombian cleverly took a touch to
round Cech. The goalkeeper could not pull out of the challenge quickly
enough and made contact with the Wigan striker, who collapsed as if
shot.
The penalty award was bad enough but Cech was infuriated when Dowd
also raised a red card. It seemed harsh as Rodallega had been going
away from goal.

After the delay caused by Cech's protests and the introduction of
substitute keeper Hilario, Rodallega kept his nerve to hammer home the
penalty for his third goal of the season.

Ancelotti's decision to sacrifice Malouda rather than Belletti for
Hilario could also be questioned. The last half-hour saw Chelsea pour
forward desperately but without the craft needed to break Wigan down.
Their one clear chance fell to Salomon Kalou and he lacked composure
as he blasted high and wide.

Wigan were increasingly finding gaps in Chelsea's rearguard and it was
no surprise when they grabbed a breakaway third in injury-time. Maynor
Figueroa burst down the left and when Hilario failed to cut out his
cross, Scharner had a tap-in.



--------------------------------------------------------


NOTW:

WIGAN 3, CHELSEA 1

Petr Cech sees red as Chelsea are stung by Latics
By ANDY DUNN, 26/09/2009

THE LONG lenses intruded on only one person's emotions as the clock
ticked towards a remarkable scoreline.

Television cameras swivelled as Carlo Ancelotti shrivelled. And
shrivelled - sinking further into the inadequate refuge of a dugout as
his team fell into a state of disrepair beyond his control.


In front of him, captain John Terry beating Lancashire turf in
frustration. Behind him, Ashley Cole being chaired to the treatment
table in agony.


Long gone, Petr Cech. And no sooner had he unclasped the hand of
Robert Martinez than Ancelotti was being asked to assess the long-term
significance of his first Chelsea defeat, being asked to ponder on
events not just here - but at the Britannia Stadium and at Anfield.


They were legitimate lines of inquisition. After all, any defeat for
one of the ruling quartet can have title-deciding ramifications.


But Ancelotti turned much of his attention to Wigan, raising his
eyebrows not only in surprise but in praise.


In defeat here, Ancelotti was as impressive as he has been in the six
opening Premier League wins - steadfastly crediting the result to
Wigan's endeavour and Chelsea's torpor in equal measure.


He attached no significance to Phil Dowd's harsh decision to punish
Cech's penalty-conceding trip with a red card soon after Didier Drogba
had cancelled out Titus Bramble's first-half strike.


Good on you, Carlo. Yes, there were controversial moments. Yes, we
could dwell on Chelsea's problems, on their obvious sense of
over-confidence.


But there is a time when the Big Four obsession has to be conquered.
Let's celebrate Wigan.


Raise a glass of something bubbly to an uplifting, exhilarating
display rather than a tumbler of something bitter and flat to a
lifeless Chelsea performance.


Wigan did not collect their first win against one of the elite in 35
attempts because Chelsea defended like amateurs for Bramble's goal.


Nor because a rush of blood to the skull cap saw Cech upend Hugo
Rodallega and tease the red card from Dowd's pocket.


And nor because Chelsea were down to nine men when Paul Scharner slid
in an injury-time third.


They ended so many streaks here because they were brave. In the
tackle, in the way they attacked down the flanks, in their steely
resistance to Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.


Most of all, in their attitude. All of their players had a zest for
the contest. In the language of the streets, they were quite simply
more up for it.


Rodallega was joyously adventurous, Charles N'Zogbia always inventive.


Scharner and Mohamed Diame relished the battle against the celebrated
Chelsea midfield.


Relished it - and won it. Frank Lampard can rarely have endured a more
frustrating afternoon.


And then, there were the disciplined bunch at the back. A bunch led by
Bramble. Even the allure of an aristocratic visit is not sufficient to
fully populate the DW Stadium.


But those inside know how to hold a tune. And their rendition of an
old Bramble ditty was pitch-perfect.


"He used to be sh**e, now he's alright . . . walking in a Bramble wonderland."


He has actually never been the former. Just a defender whose mind
wanders out of step with his feet. In later years, he will be a hoot
on Strictly Come Dancing.


But central defenders should blossom in their late twenties - and
Bramble, 28, is flowering. Schoolboy errors stick to his reputation
like points to a driving licence.


And the idea Fabio Capello - with fresh concerns over centre-halves
sprouting weekly - should at least run a cursory check on his form is
not as hilarious as it seems.


For yesterday's goal, though, he had a small debt of gratitude to
startling Chelsea ineptitude. Set-piece defending is rapidly becoming
a neglected art throughout the Premier League.


It appears to be one of those trends. Designer formations are in,
basic principles out. And even Chelsea, one of the more well-drilled,
appear to be following suit.


The first crime was to allow N'Zogbia to collect a short corner, to
pivot to face goal and to have a cigar-lighting allowance of time to
measure his cross.


Measure he did, dropping it between nailed-down defenders for the
bounding Bramble to bounce a header beyond Cech.


Terry looked on. Disbelieving. Bewildered at what appeared to be rank
bad complacency. That was the architect of Chelsea's downfall. A
complacency fertilised by 23 games unbeaten and by six Premier League
victories on the spin.


And by Wigan's abysmal record against the Big Four. Chelsea were
shaken out of their complacency at half-time but it was to return with
dire consequences. For a short while, it seemed that Chris Kirkland
would be the keeper who had thrown it all away.


There appears to be some sort of perverse race NOT to be England's
last line of defence.


Kirkland made a couple of early saves that suggested he might yet
emerge as a frontrunner in this butter-fingered battle for Capello's
affections.


But he soon succumbed to the virus of inconsistency that afflicts
English goalkeeping, helping a Drogba sidefoot through his own legs
after persistent work from Florent Malouda.


And that, one assumed, was that. Cech would now be little more than a
spectator.


And so it proved. He watched from the bench.


The debate over the incident will go on for some time. As Rodallega
approached after a slick build-up, it was clear that Cech's
outstretched leg would act as a mat for the Colombian to wipe his feet
on.


He did, took the obligatory tumble and Dowd hesitated barely a jot . .
. and even less so in terminating Cech's afternoon.


Cech took rather longer to depart and substitute keeper Hilario made
his first job to whisper into Rodallega's ear. Pathetic.


Dowd should have booked him.


Hilario should concentrate on acrobatics rather than verbals - he
jumped out of the way of Rodallega's straight one that made it 2-1
from the spot.


Chelsea went gung-ho to try and claw their way back.


In a pursuit of an equaliser that looked certain to bear fruit, sub
Salomon Kalou and Drogba both scorched timber.


But Wigan, marshalled by Bramble, did not wilt and an unusual air of
desperation began to seep through Chelsea ranks.


That desperation only deepened when Ashley Cole collided with N'Zogbia
and disappeared to give Capello and Ancelotti deep cause for concern.


And that desperation was complete when a backline missing Terry - by
now centre-forward No 4 - allowed Maynor Figueroa to cross and
Scharner to score from formality range.


It was too much for Terry, who was to drop to his knees and pound the
floor with his armband-hand.


Meanwhile, Ancelotti, who had been an animated figure for so much of
this game, retreated into the shadow of Ray Wilkins.


The game was up and he knew it.


And then he at least had the decency to laud a marvellous performance
from Wigan on perhaps one of their finest days in the Premier League.


This was the Latics' day. Not Cech's, not Dowd's. And Ancelotti knew it.


-----------------------------------------------------

The Times


Joe Cole steals limelight on Chelsea return
Chelsea 1 Queens Park Rangers 0

Russell Kempson


It may have represented little more than a duel for local bragging
rights but Chelsea, the Barclays Premier League leaders, were forced
to take it seriously by a resolute Queens Park Rangers at Stamford
Bridge last night. Only after the second-half introductions of Frank
Lampard, Ashley Cole and John Terry, the England stalwarts, did they
earn safe passage into the fourth round.

Until the arrival of Lampard, at half-time, Cole, midway through the
second period, and Terry, towards the end, Chelsea had spluttered
throughout the West London derby. However, once the big guns had been
rolled out and got to work, they were stronger all round and always
capable of nullifying a stirring late rally from QPR.

It was an eighth successive win in all competitions for Carlo
Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, and perhaps the most valuable in many
ways. Long-term absentees returned from injury and youngsters were
blooded.

Even if Ancelotti could be accused of not taking the competition
seriously by fielding a weakened line-up, at least it gave the home
fans a possible glimpse of the future. Joe Cole and Paulo Ferreira
returned from knee injuries and Yuri Zhirkov, an £18 million summer
buy from CSKA Moscow, made a belated debut after suffering from a
similar problem.

Ancelotti also offered a chance to youth, a gesture rarely made by his
recent predecessors. Sam Hutchinson, a 20-year-old former club academy
central defender, made his debut and Fabio Borini, the 18-year-old
Italian striker, his first start.

“QPR gave us a tough game,” Ray Wilkins, the Chelsea assistant
first-team coach, said. “It was a testimony to how well they played
that we had to use all three substitutes. Frank is not a bad player to
bring on at half-time and then Ashley and John to shore things up.

“Joe got 90 minutes, Yuri got a bit out of it and the two youngsters
as well. It’s good for the young men to push themselves forward. It’s
a competition we want to win. If we can blood a few youngsters along
the way, all well and good.”

How Flavio Briatore, the QPR co-owner, would have loved the occasion,
hobnobbing it with their illustrious capital cousins. In twelfth place
in the Coca-Cola Championship, QPR perhaps deserved an evening in the
spotlight, albeit against a tad tougher opposition than in previous
rounds, when they defeated Exeter City and Accrington Stanley.

In the wake of “Crashgate”, though, Briatore, the disgraced former
Formula One mogul, was lying low, believed to be abroad trying to
salvage what was left of his reputation. Pity. He would have witnessed
a stirring first-half display from QPR, in which they more than
matched Chelsea for spirit and endeavour.

“Any questions on Flavio Briatore will not be answered,” a QPR public
relations minion said afterwards.

“I’ve never met him,” Jim Magilton, the manager, joked. “I got the job
because of how I go about my business and, hopefully, that won’t
change. We’ve got to use this as a springboard to go on.”

As expected, Chelsea exhibited the class. Joe Cole, the captain for
the night, was everywhere, cutting in from the left flank and
orchestrating all their best moves. He has been away a long time and
it is nine months to the World Cup finals in South Africa, but his
absence does not appear to have dulled his ambition or sense of
adventure.

“This is just a stepping stone for me,” Cole said. “I have just got to
keep working hard in training and get back to the best of my ability.
I was delighted how it went. I didn’t feel off the pace, I was among
the action. I’m just happy to be playing again.”

Chelsea lacked penetration in the final third of the pitch but were
transformed after Lampard entered the fray and took the lead in the
52nd minute. Salomon Kalou cut in from the right, took sight of goal
and beat Tom Heaton with a low shot that cannoned in off the far post.

Back came QPR and how, launching themselves forward in wave after
wave. Jay Simpson shot across the face of Hilário’s goal with Wayne
Routledge only inches from making contact at the far post. Akos
Buzsaky then forced the Chelsea goalkeeper into a sprawling save.

Only when Ancelotti recognised the signs and brought on his other
England stars did the QPR threat recede.

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Hilário — P Ferreira, S Hutchinson (sub: J Terry,
77min), B Ivanovic, Y Zhirkov (sub: A Cole, 68) — J O Mikel — J
Belletti, F Malouda (sub: F Lampard, 46), J Cole — S Kalou, F Borini.
Substitutes not used: R Turnbull, M Essien, N Matic, J Bruma.

Queens Park Rangers (4-4-2): T Heaton — M Leigertwood, D Stewart, K
Gorkss, G Borrowdale — W Routledge, M Rowlands (sub: H Ephraim, 73), A
Faurlin, A Buzsaky — R Vine (sub: A Taarabt, 66), J Simpson (sub: A
Pellicori, 73). Substitutes not used: R Cerny, P Ramage, G Mahon, P
Agyemang.

Referee: M Jones.



------------------------------------------------



Telegraph:


Chelsea 1 Queens Park Rangers 0

By Jason Burt at Stamford Bridge


A Carling Cup tie in mid-September would hardly appear worthy of the
billing - not for a seasoned international, a Champions League veteran
and a Premier League winner - but Joe Cole described his return to the
Chelsea first-team as “one of the biggest games of my career”.

Given the 27-year-old has been absent, through a cruciate knee injury,
since January, and much has changed at Chelsea since then, including
two managers, then the sentiment was understandable.

“It’s beautiful to be back playing football again,” Cole, captain for
the evening and the architect of Chelsea’s winning goal, added.

“Chelsea are my club. It's the first time I’ve been captain. That was
a nice touch. To captain Chelsea is just unbelievable. I was a ballboy
here…It was an emotional night for me.”

And, hopefully for Chelsea, and England, in a season that culminates
with the World Cup Finals, a significant one also.

The home supporters sang about celery, Cole had talked about playing
in the “sausage roll” but Rangers were, ultimately, unable to provide
much food for thought for Carlo Ancelotti - a gourmet himself - or his
side.

It’s eight wins from eight for the Italian and 23 matches unbeaten -
equalling the club record set by Jose Mourinho in early 2007 - for
Chelsea.

The “sausage roll” is Cockney-rhyming slang, of course, for “in the
hole” (ie behind the strikers) or, alternatively, the tip of the
diamond.

Although Cole, who craves the position was far from polished Ancelotti
will have noted that it was from his clever through ball that Chelsea
struck although the midfielder was denied adding the second late on
after exchanging passes with Salomon Kalou only for Tom Heaton to beat
out his rising shot.

Kalou had scored early in the second-half, running on from the left
wing to meet Cole’s threaded ball through, after the latter’s nimble
turn in the centre circle, and curl his shot around the goalkeeper.

The sight - by the end - of John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard
all on the field would suggest that Chelsea made heavy weather of this
tie. Although hardly fluent, they didn’t.

The arrival of the substitutes came for various reasons with Lampard
upping the tempo as a half-time replacement, Cole replacing the tiring
£18 million debutant Yuri Zhirkov, also returning from injury, and
Terry, well, it looked like he fancied a run out.

“It was testimony to QPR that we had to use Frank, Ashley and John to
shore things up,” said Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins.

Understandably Rangers manager Jim Magilton readily agreed. “That was
as a mark of respect for us,” he suggested.

However that wasn’t quite true. Few other leading clubs would have put
on their main central defender in such circumstances but even though
this is a competition which is firmly last in the list of Chelsea’s
priorities, such is the strength of player opinion that it’s difficult
for any coach to stop the likes of Terry from appearing.

“When we set our season out we want to win everything we enter,”
Wilkins explained.

All in all, Ancelotti made 10 changes from Sunday’s victory over
Tottenham Hotspur but also made a mockery of suggestions that he
would, in the light of the Fifa transfer ban, surrender this
competition even if, finally, here was a Chelsea manager prepared to
field an apparently weakened team. But not one packed with youngsters.

There were full debuts for Fabio Borini - the technically-gifted
18-year-old Italian striker who has caught Ancelotti’s eye but who
looked a little lightweight at times - and Sam Hutchinson, 20, but
others, such as Jeffrey Brouma and Nemanja Matic remained on the bench
while Paulo Ferreira, another cruciate victim, also made his comeback.

“If you see the size of the squad that we have it’s vitally important
that they get some air-time as well,” Wilkins said in explaining why
more academy players were not given a chance.

Even so it left Chelsea a little disjointed and chances were,
predictably, at a premium. Rangers played two strikers but also
deployed a defensive shield. Two banks of four to be breached.

With 6,000 supporters also in attendance - although disgraced co-owner
Flavio Briatore stayed away - there was plenty of backing for the
Championship club, buoyed by recent results.

Borini flashed a header wide, from Zhirkov’s cross, but it was a rare
moment of threat while Rangers clung to hopes of hurting Chelsea on
the counter-attack.

The contest rumbled on until Joe Cole swept Ferriera’s cross past a
post and Juliano Belletti stung Heaton’s hands with a fierce free-kick
from distance. Then Lampard replaced Florent Malouda and suddenly
there was impetus and, finally, there was a goal.

Rangers responded by pouring forward. Corners and free-kicks were won
but they, now, were vulnerable to the counter and from one break
Lampard cleverly picked out Borini and he scampered into the penalty
area to draw a save from Heaton with the ball then falling behind the
unmarked Belletti.

Akos Buzsaky, with a shot that bounced just before the goalkeeper,
finally forced a meaningful save from Henrique Hilario and although
Rangers ended the match in Chelsea’s half they couldn’t really
threaten. Instead it was to be Cole’s night.

Match details:

Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Hilario; Ferreira, Hutchinson (Terry 77),
Ivanovic, Zhirkov (A Cole 69); Mikel; Belletti, Malouda (Lampard 46);
J Cole; Borini, Kalou.
Subs: Turnbull (gk), Essien, Matic, Bruma.
Goal: Kalou 52.

Queens Park Rangers (4-4-2): Heaton; Leigertwood, Stewart, Gorkss,
Borrowdale; Routledge, Rowlands (Ephraim 73), Faurlin, Buzsaky;
Simpson (Pellicori 73), Vine (Taarabt 66).
Subs: Cerny (gk), Ramage, Mahon, Agyemang.
Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).



-------------------------------------------------



Independent:


Cole shines in the hole for Chelsea

Chelsea 1 Queen's Park Rangers 0

By Sam Wallace


Eight months had passed since Joe Cole last played for Chelsea, but on
his comeback last night he learnt that some things never change. Even
in the Carling Cup, Carlo Ancelotti had to rely on the big guns to see
Chelsea through.

The Italian might have thought that he could pick any XI from his
mighty 29-man squad to dispose of their west London neighbours from
the Championship but he was wrong. The fringe players were not good
enough and by the end of the game Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and John
Terry were all on the pitch to steer Chelsea through to the fourth
round of the competition.

Joe Cole could at least reflect on a sweet through ball to Salomon
Kalou for the winning goal. It was a vintage Cole pass, of a quality
that Chelsea showed too rarely. But it was not until Lampard came on
at half-time that Chelsea found the fluency to win the match.

Cole, who ruptured cruciate ligaments against Southend in the FA Cup
in January, was captain for the night. "I'm just delighted to be back
here," he said. "Everyone at the club has been blinding. I want to be
part of a successful season. It was an emotional night for me. I can't
thank the fans enough.

"There was a little lump in my throat just warming up against Porto
the other night," Cole added. "You think people have forgotten you so
to come out there and hear them singing my name, it's just brilliant.
Chelsea are my club. It's the first time I've been captain. That was a
nice touch. To captain Chelsea is just unbelievable. I was a ballboy
here. I know it was the Carling Cup, but tonight was one of the
biggest games of my career.

"I know it's a stepping stone for me, it's not 'Joe's back' and I'm
going to be how I've been immediately. I don't want people to think
that. You have to get the knee used to all the movement and all the
twisting and turning which is a big part of my game. If I am back to
my best on Saturday, or next week or next month we will have to see."

Unlike Arsène Wenger at Arsenal, Ancelotti does not have a team of
brilliant academy players to play in the Carling Cup, although given
the money his sporting director Frank Arnesen has spent, he really
should. Instead, Chelsea have an enormous first-team squad who have to
play at some point. For the likes of Paulo Ferreira and Juliano
Belletti this is about as good as it gets.

"Look at the size of our squad," said Ancelotti's assistant, Ray
Wilkins, "we have a lot of guys who don't play week in, week out. They
need to play and beyond that it is up to the young men to push
themselves forward."

Of the estimated £62m that Arnesen has, in his wisdom, spent on
teenage players for Chelsea's academy, the only one on show last night
was Fabio Borini, a promising 19-year-old signed from Bologna. Sam
Hutchinson, 20, who started at centre-back, comes from Slough and does
not count as an Arnesen prodigy. For the youngsters in the Chelsea
academy it must feel like a long way to the first team.

Jim Magilton's side were magnificently defiant in the face of such an
expensively acquired second string, with £18m Yuri Zhirkov at
left-back. But the Rangers manager admitted that his side did not
create enough goalscoring chances. "We did not have the belief in the
final third to take a risk and win the game," he said.

Joe Cole picked out Kalou on the left wing who cut in on his right
foot to beat the goalkeeper Tom Heaton in the 52nd minute. Cole might
have scored himself on 85 minutes but Heaton did well to save. Chelsea
clearly want to win this trophy again, but it may have to be their
first team which does it.

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Hilario; Ferreira, Hutchinson (Terry, 77),
Ivanovic, Zhirkov (A Cole, 69); Mikel; Belletti, Kalou, J Cole,
Malouda (Lampard, h-t); Borini. Substitutes not used: Turnbull (gk),
Essien, Matic, Bruma.

Queen's Park Rangers (4-4-2): Heaton; Leigertwood, Stewart, Gorkss,
Borrowdale; Routledge, Rowlands (Ephraim, 73), Faurlin, Buzsaky;
Simpson (Pellicori, 73), Vine (Taarabt, 63). Substitutes not used:
Cerny (gk), Ramage, Mahon, Agyemang.

Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).



----------------------------------------------------



Guardian:


Salomon Kalou's strike put the gloss on Joe Cole's dream return for Chelsea

Carling Cup Third Round Chelsea 1 Kalou 52  QPR 0

David Hytner at Stamford Bridge



Joe Cole had dreamed of this moment for eight long months. From time
to time, during the arduous rehabilitation from his cruciate knee
ligament injury, the Chelsea midfielder closed his eyes and heard the
roar of the Stamford Bridge crowd and imagined the thrill of a return
to first-team football. When the long overdue feelings came back, he
could also celebrate his part in what proved to be the winning goal.

Cole's close control and pass early in the second half caught out the
Rangers back line and urged Salomon Kalou to gallop forward on goal.
There was still plenty of work to be done but the Ivorian's composure
and finish matched the slick build-up. For Cole, who was pressed
through the whole 90 minutes, and his team, this was an eighth
consecutive victory of the season. Carlo Ancelotti, the coach, knows
only the grinding satisfaction of result after result.

The Rangers co-owner Flavio Briatore, meanwhile, has already
supervised one car crash and he could be pleased that there was not
another here. The manager, Jim Magilton, declared himself "immensely
proud", but, despite their endeavour, Rangers lacked the finesse to
fashion anything of note in front of goal. The moment that most
dramatically quickened the pulses of their supporters was Akos
Buzsaky's 25-yard shot that reared up and forced Henrique Hilário to
paw behind for a corner. Otherwise, Chelsea were comfortable.

"It was an emotional night for me," said Cole, who was named as
captain. "There was a lump in my throat just warming up against Porto
last week. You think people have forgotten you, so to come out and
hear them singing my name was just brilliant.

"Chelsea are my club, I was a ballboy here and to captain Chelsea for
the first time was unbelievable. I know it was the Carling Cup, but
tonight was one of the biggest games of my career."

The major pre-match talking point concerned the identity of the
Chelsea starting line-up. Although Ancelotti retained just Florent
Malouda from that which beat Tottenham Hotspur here on Sunday, he
began with only two players from the club's academy – the central
defender Sam Hutchinson and the striker Fabio Borini. For both, it
represented their full debut. Jeffrey Bruma, another academy
centre-half, was an unused substitute.

Much has been made of the lack of first-team progress of the club's
youth players, who, until recently, were under the charge of the
sporting director, Frank Arnesen. Yet, in some respects, the sight of
two of them in the team was encouraging. Ancelotti may have discovered
that it is no easy task telling John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole
et al that they must start on the bench. Chelsea's leading stars
always insist on playing.

It was also understood that Gaël Kakuta, the academy winger at the
centre of Chelsea's 12-month transfer window ban, could have been
selected because the club had still not received Fifa's full written
explanation of its ruling by kick-off. Kakuta's four-month suspension
is only to begin when the paperwork arrives. Chelsea expect to receive
it by 5pm tomorrow.

Rangers, mid-table in the Championship, were up for the fight. So were
their supporters, who filled the Shed End. As a light rain fell, there
was a real cup-tie derby under the floodlights. Their discipline was
laudable but Magilton remarked that they "lacked belief in the final
third or someone to take a risk to win the game".

Chelsea, who gave a debut to the £18m summer signing Yuri Zhirkov,
went close through Borini, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti in the first
half. They needed a spark in the second half and Lampard's
introduction helped to provide it. Yet it was Cole who prised Rangers
apart. He released Kalou through the inside-left channel and, with the
Rangers back-pedalling, he cut inside Mikele Leigertwood to drill home
low and right-footed.

After Borini had shot unconvincingly at Tom Heaton, from Lampard's
through ball, and Hilario saved from Buzsaky, Cole almost set the seal
on his evening. Having swapped passes with Kalou, he tiptoed into the
area but shot straight at Heaton. "I should have scored," he said.
"But I'm back and it's just blinding."



-----------------------------------------------------


Mail:


Chelsea 1 QPR 0:

Cole returns but Lampard has the answers for Ancelotti

By Simon Cass



Carlo Ancelotti took just over 45 minutes to realise what five of his
predecessors would testify to: when in need, call for Frank Lampard.

A returning Joe Cole, captain for the evening, may have provided the
pass for Salomon Kalou to score, but it was the introduction of
Lampard that finally shook Ancelotti's re-jigged Carling Cup XI into
life.

By the final whistle, Ashley Cole and John Terry had also been
introduced as, for much of the game, QPR matched their neighbours.

Indeed, if Ancelotti needed any convincing that riding out the FIFA
transfer ban may not be as easy as anticipated, then the workout his
understudies were handed by Jim Magilton's side was evidence enough.

It was a night for understudies, as assistant-manager, Ray Wilkins,
fielded the questions on behalf of the Italian.

'QPR acquitted themselves very well and gave us a tough evening,' said
Wilkins. 'It's not a bad substitution putting Frank on. It was a
testament to how well QPR played that we had to use Frank, Ashley Cole
and John Terry to shore things up.'

Magilton added: 'That was a mark of respect to us. I was hoping they'd
remain on the bench. I was immensely proud of the team.'

Chelsea's supporters might not feel the same way, despite the win,
and, perhaps, they would have preferred to see more academy products
than just Sam Hutchinson and Fabio Borini.

Hardly the Arsenal approach. And Chelsea fans could be forgiven for
wondering just whether Frank Arnesen's worldwide scout for talent is
actually worth it, such were the familiar names on the bench.

But at least this Carling Cup fixture allowed Joe Cole and Yuri
Zhirkov to get up and running. Like Cole, Zhirkov has been dogged by a
knee problem but, playing at left back, the Russia international was
soon marauding forward.

Chelsea took just two minutes to register their first effort on QPR's
goal, but Florent Malouda's strike from Kalou's pass was well held by
Tom Heaton. Then Borini headed narrowly wide.

After some initial ring rustiness, Joe Cole, too, began to get into
his stride, playing behind the strikers.

As for a nigh-on full-strength QPR, the amount of possession they
enjoyed resulted in little action for Henrique Hilario in the Chelsea
goal. But neither was Heaton having the busiest of nights. Malouda
fired into the side netting and Cole lashed a Paulo Ferreira cross
wide, the full back also on his first outing of the season after knee
trouble.

QPR midfielder Alejandro Faurlin then failed to trouble Hilario from
distance while at the other end, Juliano Belletti sent an effort wide.
The former Barcelona star was much more accurate with 30-yard
free-kick on the stroke of half-time, stinging Heaton's palms.

Tired of QPR's dogged resistance, Ancelotti brought on Lampard to try
to unpick the opposition. But just three minutes after the restart it
was Chelsea who came close to being undone as Wayne Routledge find
himself one-on-one with Hilario only for the Portuguese keeper to boot
the ball clear well outside his area.

Kalou then finally calmed Chelsea nerves with 52 minutes played. Joe
Cole's ball out to the Ivory Coast striker was not the best, but neat
footwork saw him cut in from the left-wing, jink past Mikele
Leigertwood before sending a right-foot strike in off the bottom of
the post.

Moments later. Lampard's 40-yard through-ball sent Borini scampering
away but, having taken the ball too wide of Heaton's goal, he could
not beat the QPR keeper from a tight angle.

To their credit QPR rallied and Akos Buzasky had Chelsea hearts in
mouth as his angled drive bounced awkwardly in front of Hilario
leaving him to save at full stretch.

With Chelsea's advantage slender, soon Ashley Cole and Terry were
called upon to ensure progression to the fourth round.

Joe Cole, clearly out on his feet, came close to rubber-stamping
matters for with five minutes to go, his shot striking the shoulder of
Heaton after a one-two with Kalou.

Given Chelsea's transfer predicament, the return of the England
midfielder could not be more timely.

Cole was certainly delighted to be back. He said: 'It's been a long
wait. Tonight is just a stepping stone. It's beautiful to be back out
there playing football again. It's what I love doing but there's
plenty of hard work ahead.'

CHELSEA (4-1-2-1-2): Hilario; Ferreira, Hutchinson (Terry 77min),
Ivanovic, Zhirkov (A Cole 69); Obi; Malouda (Lampard 46), Belletti; J
Cole; Kalou, Borini.

QPR (4-4-2): Heaton; Stewart, Gorkss, Borrowdale, Leigertwood;
Routledge, Faurlin, Rowlands (Ephraim 73), Buzasky; Vine (Taarabt 66),
Simpson (Pellicori 73).

Man of the Match: Frank Lampard.

Referee: Mike Jones.



--------------------------------------------------------


Sun:


Chelsea 1 QPR 0

MARK IRWIN at Stamford Bridge


JOE COLE made an emotional return to lead edgy Chelsea into the fourth round.

The England ace proudly wore the captain's armband for his first match
back after eight months out with a cruciate ligament injury.


And Cole set up Salomon Kalou's 52nd-minute winner as he ran himself
into the ground on pure adrenalin.


Kalou's goal was just enough to maintain Chelsea's perfect start to
the season under new manager Carlo Ancelotti.


But this was far from easy for a team who have become accustomed to
winning at a stroll of late.


Ancelotti made 10 changes to the side who hammered Spurs 3-0 at the weekend.


But he still had eight internationals in the starting line-up. They
also had probably the highest-paid substitutes' bench in the history
of football, just in case things did not go to plan.


That plan was to allow Cole, Yuri Zhirkov and Paulo Ferreira to pick
up some much-needed match sharpness in their returns from injury.


And for youngsters Fabio Borini and Sam Hutchinson to accumulate
experience in their first starts for the club. But QPR clearly had not
read Ancelotti's script as they boldly took the game to their
billionaire neighbours.


If only they had shown the composure to match their courage, they
might just have taken advantage of Chelsea's defensive uncertainty.


Jay Simpson lashed a good opportunity over early on and keeper Hilario
twice had to race from his area to avert potential embarrassment.


Chelsea had twice lost at home to Championship sides in this
competition in recent years.


But Rangers' hopes of emulating the heroics of Charlton and Burnley
were finally dashed by Kalou.


Cole's reverse pass found the Ivory Coast striker, who cut inside
Mikele Leigertwood to shoot in off the far post.


Yet Ancelotti was still taking no chances and sent on superstar subs
Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and John Terry to see the game out.


Borini, 18, had the chance to put the tie to bed but his impressive
turn of speed was thwarted by Rangers keeper Tom Heaton.


And Joe Cole was denied a comeback goal in the 85th minute when his
powerful shot cannoned off Heaton's body.


But Cole can wait.


For now he will settle for 90 minutes under his belt.

The Times

Chelsea stay top after crushing Spurs in London derby
Matt Hughes at Stamford Bridge


Chelsea led from gun to tape on the two occasions they won the
Barclays Premier League under José Mourinho, so the sight of Carlo
Ancelotti’s side moving ahead by a length should worry the rest of the
field.

It is too early for talk of a two-horse title race, but Chelsea appear
the best-placed to give Manchester United a run for their money after
moving three points clear with a sixth successive victory.

Roman Abramovich, the owner, has seen three further managers depart
since Mourinho briefly threatened to bring about a power shift from
the North West to West London, making it somewhat ironic that Chelsea
have achieved their best start to a season since the reign of the
“Special One” by going back to basics.

The managers may change with the seasons at Stamford Bridge, but the
awe-inspiring power, professionalism and commitment of their players
remains the same.

In fairness to Ancelotti, his rapidly developing side are more than
just a Mourinho tribute act, because the Italian appears to have fused
the trademark discipline and dynamism of the Portuguese with the flair
that briefly flowered under Luiz Felipe Scolari last season. After
years spent failing Abramovich’s purist versus pragmatist test,
Chelsea’s class of 2009-10 are showing signs of offering the best of
both worlds.

Didier Drogba remains as menacing as ever, as he demonstrated by
creating goals for Ashley Cole and Michael Ballack before scoring the
third, and the midfield diamond contains an impressive blend of
adventure and security. But the attacking threat of the full backs is
the real revelation.

The best example was provided by Cole, who ghosted in behind Vedran
Corluka in the 33rd minute to meet Drogba’s cross with a diving header
to open the scoring and help to set a club record of 11 successive
Premier League wins.

“This is the best squad, best team and best spirit since I’ve been
here,” Cole said. “They won the title before I came here so we’re
maybe not as good as that, but we’re getting there. We’re all
together, we always fight for each other on and off the pitch.”

The scoreline suggests that Chelsea went on to win at a canter, but
the truth is rather more complex. After competing as equals during a
first half in which Jermain Defoe, Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas
missed good opportunities to give them the lead, Tottenham imploded in
the space of ten second-half minutes. Ledley King hobbled off with a
hamstring injury, Robbie Keane was denied a clear-cut penalty and
Ballack scored Chelsea’s second goal after Carlo Cudicini had saved a
volley from Drogba.

Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, was understandably annoyed at
Howard Webb’s failure to spot Ricardo Carvalho’s 55th-minute trip on
Keane as the Ireland striker reached the byline, but viewed the loss
of King eight minutes earlier as more crucial. The visiting team
suffered a further blow when Sébastien Bassong was knocked unconscious
and carried off with a suspected broken cheekbone minutes from the
end, leaving Redknapp without his four first-choice centre backs.

“In the first half-hour I was delighted and thought we could win it,”
Redknapp said. “If Robbie went down with the first contact, it’s a
penalty, but he was too honest. With all the talk there’s been about
diving, he tried to stay on his feet.

“It was a nailed-on penalty, but Ledley going off was the big turning
point. Once we lost Ledley there was no way we could deal with Drogba.
[Ledley is] the most fantastic player, but if you don’t train, you
can’t just go out and play without doing damage to hamstrings, groins
or calves. Bassong doesn’t look too good, either. He got a bang on the
head and his eye’s all swollen up.”

Drogba was also in need of a stretcher with five minutes remaining,
but Ancelotti’s worst fears soon receded as the Ivory Coast striker
was revealed to have cramp, meaning that he is likely to be available
for Saturday’s visit to Wigan Athletic.

Ancelotti was as deadpan as ever, refusing to heap praise on his
players or express an opinion on United’s thrilling victory in their
derby. “I’m interested that Chelsea play well and win,” he said.
“Other things are not important for us.”

The manager’s refusal to get carried away reflects his realisation
that Chelsea are exactly where they should be after six matches
against modest opposition. The real tests are to come, starting with
Liverpool’s visit a week on Sunday.

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): P Cech 6 J Bosingwa 7 R Carvalho 5 J Terry 6 A Cole
7 M Essien 5 M Ballack 6 F Lampard 6 F Malouda 6 N Anelka 6 D Drogba 7
Substitutes: J O Mikel 6 (for Ballack, 62min), S Kalou (for Drogba,
85), F Borini (for Anelka, 89). Not used: Hilário, B Ivanovic, J
Belletti, S Hutchison. Next: Wigan Athletic (a).

Tottenham Hotspur (4-3-3): C Cudicini 5 V Corluka 4 L King 6 S Bassong
6 B Assou-Ekotto 6 J Jenas 6 W Palacios 6 T Huddlestone 6 A Lennon 6 J
Defoe 5 R Keane 5. Substitutes: A Hutton 5 (for King, 47min), P Crouch
5 (for Defoe, 67), N Kranjcar (for Bassong, 82). Not used: H Gomes, D
Bentley, K Naughton, G Dos Santos. Next: Burnley (h).

Referee: H Webb. Attendance: 41,623.



-------------------------------------------------------



Telegraph:


Chelsea 3 Tottenham Hotspur 0

By John Ley


Chelsea returned to the top of the Premier League today by beating
Tottenham Hotspur and, in so doing, claimed a club record 11th
straight victory, at Stamford Bridge.

Earlier in the day Manchester United had moved into first spot with a
dramatic 4-3 win over rivals Manchester City. But after Ashley Cole
had given Chelsea an early advantage, second half goals from Michael
Ballack and Didier Drogba confirmed the victory.

Spurs were left to rue wasted first half opportunities, with Petr Cech
saving from Jermain Defoe and Tom Huddlestone while the recalled
Jermaine Jenas also went close.

Chelsea’s Jose Bosingwa struck the angle of right post and cross bar,
from 20 yards, Frank Lampard headed wide and Nicolas Anelka found the
side netting. And the home side were unfortunate not to win a penalty
when Spurs defender Vedran Corluka shoved Ballack.

But, seconds later, Drogba crossed from the right and Cole, slipping
inside Corluka, stooped to head the 32nd minute opener.

Before the interval Lampard struck a low free kick narrowly wide and,
soon after the restart the England midfielder was allowed to offer
another chance when Ledley King pulled up unchallenged.

The Spurs defender appeared to feel his knee and, with only three
minutes of the half played, was replaced by Alan Hutton.

In the 55th minute, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was furious when
referee Howard Webb refused to award a penalty when Robbie Keane fell
under the weight of a challenge from Ricardo Carvalho.

And Spurs’ woe increased three minutes later when sloppy defending
handed Chelsea a second goal. Nicolas Anelka crossed from the right,
Drogba’s volley was only parried by former Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo
Cudicini, and Lampard was allowed to pull the ball back from the
byline, allowing Ballack to bundle it over the line under pressure
from Sébastien Bassong.

Corluka was at fault for the third goal, in the 63rd minute. Cole’s
long ball sent Drogba chasing and the striker robbed the Croat before
stepping around Cudicini to finish in style for his 99th goal for
Chelsea.

And then Benoît Assou-Ekotto was lucky not to concede a penalty when
he clearly handled Lampard’s latest free kick.

Before the end, Spurs lost another central defender when Bassong fell
heavily on his shoulder in a challenge with Anelka and, during lengthy
treatment, required oxygen to ease the pain and a neck-brace to
support the injury before he was stretchered off.

And then Drogba damaged his right calf with an attempted shot and he,
too, had to be carried off, meaning that an extra eight minutes had to
be played before Spurs were put out of their misery.

Peter Crouch thought he had scored for Spurs, in the sixth minute of
added time – but it was ruled out for offside.



--------------------------------------------------------


Guardian:


Chelsea's Didier Drogba completes a miserable day for SpursBuzz up!

Chelsea 3 Cole, A 32, Ballack 58, Drogba 63
Tottenham Hotspur 0

Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge


The fire and brimstone may have been reserved for a venue 200 miles
further north, but the Premier League leadership remains in west
London. Chelsea's serene progress under Carlo Ancelotti was maintained
with a sixth consecutive victory that restored their three-point
advantage at the top while most were still digesting events at Old
Trafford. The Italian's perfect start almost feels as if it has
slipped in under the radar.

The run of wins needs to be put into context. This was actually a club
record 11th win in succession – another José Mourinho record has been
eclipsed – yet it was Chelsea's sternest test this season. A
combination of Tottenham Hotspur's profligacy and an oversight by the
referee, Howard Webb, contributed to the hosts extending their
sequence. Spurs left crying injustice, after Robbie Keane's penalty
appeals were rejected when the visitors were only one goal behind.

In truth, the tide had turned by then. It was the ping of Ledley
King's hamstring three minutes into the second half that truly
signalled that this game would be beyond Tottenham. By the end they
had been buried as Didier Drogba, liberated from his marker's
shackles, bulldozed them into submission. The Ivorian still tumbles to
the ground too easily, but he is simply devastating when he builds up
a head of steam and stays on his feet. Spurs, wounded at the heart of
their defence, parted for him as the game slipped away. The cramp that
curtailed the striker's afternoon was a blessing, though Tottenham had
long since been bloodied and bruised.

Ancelotti said in the aftermath that his team could win key contests
without their talismanic forward, pointing to the narrow success over
Porto in midweek as evidence, though his anxiety as he awaits news on
the forward's calftomorrow will betray the reality. The goal Drogba
scored just after the hour, latching on to Ashley Cole's punt to
out-pace and out-muscle Vedran Corluka and poke the ball around Carlo
Cudicini before slamming it into the empty net, was his fifth of the
league season. Yet his game cannot be measured purely in weight of
goals.

Too many opponents shrink in his mere presence. King was not one of
them – the strength the centre-half showed in holding off the forward
towards the end of the first half brought a smile of admiration from
Drogba – but Spurs' best defender could not suppress him on his own.
The forward merely ventured wider on the field, to find the space and
time to whip in the cross that Cole, sprinting, unnoticed, beyond the
hapless Corluka at the far post, converted.

Once King had retreated, Tottenham only wilted. The substitute Alan
Hutton seemed frozen in blind panic as Drogba cushioned Nicolas
Anelka's cross on his chest and drew a save from Cudicini. Frank
Lampard reacted from the rebound, dragging the ball back for Michael
Ballack to bundle it into the unguarded net.



--------------------------------------------------


Independent:


Drogba unleashed to halt Spurs' progress

Chelsea 3 Tottenham Hotspur 0

By Glenn Moore



This derby may have lacked the drama of Manchester's but it was
notably more conclusive. "Tottenham are back" rang around Stamford
Bridge at the end but the chant was gloatingly ironic. This has been a
sobering nine days for Spurs, their opening burst of four victories
followed by successive defeats to "Big Four" clubs with three goals
conceded in each. And, with Ledley King and Sébastien Bassong
departing with injuries yesterday, making a quartet of lame
centre-halves at the club, their defensive insecurities will continue.

For Chelsea, however, it was confirmation that Carlo Ancelotti's
low-key arrival could have high-profile results. The Premier League
leaders took a while to come to terms with Spurs' formation, and were
fortunate to survive a strong penalty appeal at 1-0, but their class
and strength won through.

Didier Drogba epitomized both elements and none of the Spurs defenders
came to terms with him. His Champions League ban has had the
unintended benefit for Chelsea of rendering Drogba fresh for the
domestic programme and he set about Spurs' defence with gusto, making
the first two goals and scoring the third. However, he then limped off
after a mis-hit shot. Ancelotti said it was a calf problem which he
hoped was "just cramp". Fortunately Chelsea's next major test is not
until Liverpool visit on 4 October.

"We are very happy because we won a difficult, important game," added
Ancelotti, who has surpervised the last six of this club record
11-match winning run.

For Redknapp the game swung on two incidents early in the second half,
King's exit and Robbie Keane's denied spot-kick. "Ledley's going was a
big turning point for us," the Spurs manager said. "Once we lost him
there was no way we could deal with Drogba. He's too strong, too
powerful." As for the penalty Redknapp, whose ire was aggravated by
the memory of Howard Webb wrongly giving a match-changing penalty
against Spurs at Old Trafford last spring, said: "If Robbie goes down
at first contact it's nailed on, but he tried to keep his feet. He's
too honest really. If [the referee] felt he dived, why not give him a
yellow card?"

Redknapp's disappointment at the result was compounded by the hope
engendered by his side's bright start. He went with a tight midfield
three, to counter Chelsea's diamond midfield, with an equally narrow
attack which featured Aaron Lennon and Keane buzzing around behind
Jermain Defoe. "We caused them problems with our movement and were
much the better team for the first half-hour," said Redknapp. However,
packing central midfield left a lot of space on the flanks which Jose
Bosingwa, who crashed a shot against the bar in the seventh minute,
and Ashley Cole utilised.

Chelsea's front men also went wide at every opportunity and the tactic
brought reward in the 32nd minute. The home side worked an overload on
the right and Drogba delivered an excellent, deep cross which Cole,
sneaking in on Vedran Corluka's blind side, headed in at the far post.

It was a grievous blow to a Tottenham side which should have been
ahead. Wilson Palacios split the Chelsea defence after 11 minutes to
send Defoe clear but the in-form striker's shot hit the outstretched
leg of Petr Cech. The keeper then scrambled away a deflected Palacios
drive before watching Jermaine Jenas whistle a shot wide. At this
point Michael Essien looked lost but he, and Chelsea, adjusted to
Spurs' shape and Cole's goal was not a surprise.

Nevertheless, the match seemed in the balance at the break. Then King,
soon after the resumption, turned with Drogba to chase a through ball
but crumpled to the ground. As he limped off Redknapp, he revealed
later, turned to his assistant Kevin Bond and said, "We're in trouble
now." He was right, but not before Spurs had one last glimmer of hope.
Keane wriggled in to the area before appearing to be tripped by
Ricardo Carvalho. Webb, who was close but poorly sighted, waved play
on. Keane, furious, demanded to be booked for diving. It was an
example of where one of Michel Platini's additional assistant referees
might have seen the offence, but only if he was on that side of the
goal, and even then it was not clear-cut.

Soon after Nicolas Anelka ran off Palacios to collect a ball down the
line and crossed. Drogba held off Hutton and though Carlo Cudicini
parried, Frank Lampard, reacting quicker than Corluka or Bassong,
squared for Michael Ballack to score. Then Drogba muscled Corluka
aside for the third and it could have become a rout.

Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Cech; Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Essien;
Ballack (Mikel, 61), Malouda; Lampard; Anelka (Borini, 88), Drogba
(Kalou, 83). Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Ivanovic, Belletti,
Hutchinson.

Tottenham (4-3-2-1): Cudicini; Corluka, King (Hutton, 48), Bassong
(Kranjcar, 79), Assou-Ekotto; Jenas, Huddlestone, Palacios; Lennon,
Defoe (Crouch, 67); Keane.

Substitutes not used: Gomes (gk), Bentley, Naughton, Giovani.

Referee H Webb (S Yorkshire).

Booked: Tottenham Bassong, Jenas.

Man of the match: Drogba

Attendance: 41,623



-------------------------------------------------



Mail:


Chelsea 3 Tottenham Hotspur 0:
Blues make class tell as suffering Spurs left behind at Stamford Bridge

By Ivan Speck


Nine days ago, Chelsea and Tottenham stood proudly arm-in-arm in
perfection atop the Barclays Premier League.

By late afternoon yesterday, as the sun set on Stamford Bridge and
John Terry cavorted playfully on the pitch with his young twins
Georgie and Summer - in Chelsea kits both with their names proudly
emblazoned on the back, a world of ambition separated the clubs.

Chelsea, fortified by Terry's steel, energised by Frank Lampard's
persistence and electrified by the effervescent Didier Drogba, know
that summit meetings with Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal
during the two coming months will define the significance of their
unbeaten start.

Tottenham, on the other hand, must now fight to convince their
supporters that the dazzling form of August was not another cruel
mirage.

What is more, they must almost certainly do so without any of the four
recognised central defenders on their books after losing both Ledley
King and Sebastien Bassong to injury during a second half that became
a slide into oblivion as a tiny gap between the sides became a yawning
chasm.
Clearly, the secrets they have learned at White Hart Lane of how to
beat Chelsea in recent seasons do not apply at Stamford Bridge, and on
this evidence their miserable record of not having won there since
1990 will continue for some time.

The paradox that this match presented was that for half an hour Spurs
offered the more potent threat.

Harry Redknapp sprang a surprise by releasing Aaron Lennon into a
roving role behind Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe, and Chelsea's
defenders didn't quite know whether to follow the England winger from
flank to flank or to try to manage more the gaps he was creating.
A case in point arrived after 15 minutes. Lennon drifted over to the
left, picking up the ball in space. As he threatened an angled run,
Ricardo Carvalho stood off him, so Lennon simply stroked the ball
easily into the path of Jermaine Jenas, whose scorching drive flew
inches wide.

The trouble was that, while Tottenham's peaks were spiky, they were
also isolated. Too often the front trio were despatched upfield with
little support.

Chelsea, by contrast, moved as a unit, one whose powerful insistence
could eventually no longer be contained.

If the opening 32 minutes brought only a rasping 20-yard Jose Bosingwa
shot which struck the junction of post and bar and rebounded to
safety, their next attack was clinical.

Drogba curled a diagonal low cross in at pace from the right. Vedran
Corluka, who endured a torrid afternoon, lost his bearings at the far
post and Ashley Cole suddenly darted in front of the Croat, stooped
and conquered with a diving header little more than eight inches above
the turf.

True, it required the majestic Michael Essien to perform a surgically
precise tackle at high speed to prise the ball out from under Lennon's
feet as the free spirit attacked the Chelsea rearguard at full speed
six minutes before halftime.

And, the home support also held its collective breath nine minutes
after the interval when Keane stumbled under a Carvalho challenge in
the area, but Chelsea, you felt, had been released.
It was unclear how much contact was made by Carvalho on Keane - there
was some - but within three minutes the game was over.

Nicolas Anelka's deep cross was cushioned with impish precision on the
chest of Drogba, whose shot on the swivel caused Carlo Cudicini to
push away for a corner.

Except that, sensing the opportunity, Lampard wrapped his foot around
the ball before it went out and squared it back across an empty
goalmouth for the incoming Michael Ballack to steer home.

Defeat turned to embarrassment in the 63rd minute. A ball over the top
found the galloping Drogba outpacing the wooden Corluka once more.

Drogba cut across his man and as the two converged and were met by the
onrushing Cudicini, the ball popped out to the side, allowing Drogba
to scoot around the keeper and side-foot the ball gleefully over the
line.

The only question that remained was the margin of Chelsea's win. A Jon
Mikel Obi volley squirmed under Cudicini, who somehow managed to
shovel it out for a corner.

By the time Mikel's fellow substitute, Salomon Kalou, burst into the
box in the 88th minute and struck a Tottenham post, the ball cannoning
back against the hapless keeper, Cudicini would have been forgiven for
questioning the wisdom of emerging from the sanctuary of Chelsea's
reserves to try his luck at a starting role elsewhere.

Tottenham's misery, which had been compounded by King limping off
three minutes into the second half and then the sorry sight of Bassong
being stretchered off in clear distress, a brace around his neck,
following an awkward tussle with Anelka, was completed six minutes
into injury time.

Substitute Peter Crouch rounded Peter Cech and rolled home only for an
offside flag to halt even the meekest of Tottenham celebrations. The
division between the sides, it appears, remains unbridged.




----------------------------------------------


Sun:



Chelsea 3 Spurs 0

IAN McGARRY at Stamford Bridge



AFTER the mayhem came the master-class.

Old Trafford may have been the place for thrills yesterday but
Stamford Bridge remains a fortress.


Chelsea's demolition of Spurs did not have the drama of the Manchester
derby but it starred the country's best team.


Six wins out of six. Eleven consecutive Premier League victories
stretching back to last season which beats the club record set by Jose
Mourinho's title-winning side in 2005.


A perfect start by a team that is beginning to make flawless look easy.


Tottenham's second league defeat in a week - the other to United - has
put them back in their place as title also-rans.


The fact Spurs have failed to beat any of the Big Four in 64 attempts
on the road says it all.


Chelsea, on the other hand, continue to enhance their image as the
team to wrest the crown from Alex Ferguson's side.


They were simply devastating. Having soaked up 20 minutes of pressure
the response was a killer.


Didier Drogba turned from poacher to provider and whipped in a cross
that saw Ashley Cole dive at the back post to head the opener.


And despite Harry Redknapp's side having tested Chelsea in all areas
until then, the contest was over.


Redknapp complained bitterly that Robbie Keane should have had a
penalty nine minutes into the second half but the claim was more
doubtful than the outcome.


Four minutes after that, Michael Ballack tapped in to make absolutely
sure of the three points.


Spurs boss Redknapp admitted the loss of centre-half Ledley King with
a hamstring injury left them at the mercy of the Drog.


And he was not wrong. King was already on the physio's table when
Ivory Coast skipper Drogba took Nicolas Anelka's cross on his chest.


His control allowed him to volley at ex-Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini,
who could only parry the ball into the path of Frank Lampard.


A simple centre to Ballack put Chelsea 2-0 up but the players ran to
Drogba and Lamps to celebrate.


Then Cole dinked a hopeful ball into the inside-left channel on 63
minutes which Drogba chased like his life depended on catching it.


Vedran Corluka - woefully standing in at centre-half - tried to tackle
him but only succeeded in knocking the ball round Cudicini.


Drogba followed the same path and swept the ball into an empty net to
complete the rout.


The scoreline, though, was a bit harsh on the visitors. After
confronting United with a three-pronged attack, Redknapp matched
Chelsea with a diamond midfield yesterday.



Aaron Lennon was given licence to float on either flank and hover
behind Jermain Defoe to make a nuisance of himself.


The ploy worked well enough to set up chances for Tom Huddlestone and
Jermaine Jenas in the opening exchanges which had Petr Cech
scrambling.


It was Michael Essien who made the real difference when he gave a
lesson in the lost art of the tackle.


Paul Scholes is rightly considered the finest passer in English
football over the past decade but his careless lunging at White Hart
Lane last weekend saw him sent off.


United boss Ferguson could do worse than sit Scholes down in front of
a DVD of Essien's 40th-minute challenge on Lennon.


He tracked the Spurs winger for 30 yards before stretching perfectly
with his right boot to spoon the ball away and collect possession.


Lennon's momentum saw him tumble and his team-mates appealed for a
penalty. Not a bit of it. It was the perfect challenge.


The same cannot be said of Ricardo Carvalho's on Keane but the
reaction of the Spurs skipper led to justice, regardless of the
claims.


Carvalho did make contact but Keane initially stayed on his feet
before tumbling like a stuntman.


Ref Howard Webb waved away the appeals and even refused to book Keane
for diving - despite his insistence he should get one if there was no
foul.


All of this, however, was an example of wasted energy from Spurs.


Even Peter Crouch's introduction had little effect outside of him
straying offside in injury-time to score a goal that never was.


Chelsea are top of the league, a 100 per cent record and playing well
- who could ask for more?

The Times

Nicolas Anelka’s strike gives Chelsea laboured victory
Chelsea 1 Porto 0

Oliver Kay, Football Correspondent


Roman Abramovich has another holy grail to obsess him after a week in
which he was forced to abandon a planned ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Back at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s latest crusade in the Champions
League began with the first faltering steps on the long road to the
final in Madrid next May.

Faltering? Only in the sense that their performance dipped in the
final half-hour, after Nicolas Anelka had put them ahead. But Carlo
Ancelotti, understandably, was content with a sixth victory in as many
games in charge of Chelsea, a result that heightened the perception
that his team, even when playing below their best, will be a force to
be reckoned with once more this season.

Given that Chelsea routinely sail through group stages, victory in
their opening game is no basis on which to judge Ancelotti, but the
former AC Milan coach is entitled to a share of the credit for the way
in which his team overcame a talented Porto side. Their progress was
never entirely convincing, but the breakthrough, three minutes into
the second half, came when Anelka was sent clear of the Porto defence
by the persistence of Salomon Kalou, who had been pushed farther
forward by his Italian coach as part of a tactical reshuffle at the
interval.

As such, it would seem trite to pick holes in Chelsea’s performance.
Yes, they missed Didier Drogba, starting a three-game suspension for
his outburst at the referee after his team missed out on last season’s
final in agonising circumstances against Barcelona in May, and yes,
they could have been punished for the way they retreated in the
closing stages, whether out of caution or fatigue, but Porto are a
strong team who impressed in drawing 2-2 at Old Trafford in the
quarter-final, first leg last season. Not until Fernando was sent off
in the third minute of stoppage time, for a second bookable offence,
did they accept that this would not be their night.

In that sense, this was probably the toughest match Chelsea have faced
under Ancelotti. Porto are the antithesis of Stoke City, who were
defeated on Saturday by a stoppage-time goal from Florent Malouda, but
they are not a team to be taken lightly.

Nor are they a soft touch, as John Terry will testify, having been
knocked out cold at one point in the first half by an elbow from Bruno
Alves and been given an extensive examination in defence by Hulk, the
23-year-old Brazilian forward whose dubious moniker should become
better known in the coming years.

One hundred and thirty-two days had passed since Andrés Iniesta
plunged a dagger into Chelsea hearts with the stoppage-time goal that
sent Barcelona to the final and sparked the furious reaction, led by
Drogba, at Tom Henning Ovrebo, the Norwegian referee.

The pain from that elimination cannot be said to have healed and, as a
series of half-chances went begging in the first half last night and a
succession of menacing crosses from Branislav Ivanovic went
unrewarded, the hangover seemed destined to drag on.

Relief came three minutes into the second half when Kalou, taking up a
more central position, forced the ball through to Anelka. The France
forward’s first attempt was saved by Helton, the Porto goalkeeper, but
he was quickest to the loose ball, which he dispatched into the top
corner, prompting Ancelotti to smile for the first time all evening.

Kalou had two headed chances to extend Chelsea’s lead, the first sent
wide from Ashley Cole’s cross and the second saved by Helton after
Ivanovic attacked down the opposite flank. But from that moment on,
Porto took the initiative and Joe Cole, back on the Chelsea bench for
the first time since suffering cruciate knee ligament damage in
January, when Luiz Felipe Scolari was in the dugout, must have sensed
that he would have to wait a little longer for his comeback.

With nine minutes remaining, Álvaro Pereira got behind Ivanovic and
crossed to the edge of the penalty area, where Silvestre Varela, with
a downward volley, forced Petr Cech into an awkward, scrambling save.
In stoppage time, Pereira crossed again and this time Falcao, diving
to reach the ball six yards out, narrowly missed making a connection.

That was as good as it got for Porto. Within 30 seconds, Fernando, the
central defender, had been sent off and Chelsea, finally, could relax.
Their latest ascent is off to a successful start, but, as Abramovich
will know, it is a long way to the summit.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): P Cech — B Ivanovic, R Carvalho, J Terry, A Cole —
M Ballack, M Essien — S Kalou (sub: J Belletti, 77min), F Lampard, F
Malouda — N Anelka. Substitutes not used: R Turnbull, S Hutchinson, J
Bruma, J Cole, D Sturridge, F Borini. Booked: Essien, Malouda.

Porto (4-3-3): Helton — Fucile, Rolando, Bruno Alves, Álvaro Pereira —
F Guarín, Fernando, Raul Meireles — M González (sub: Falcao, 54),
Hulk, C Rodríguez (sub: S Varela, 64). Substitutes not used: Nuno,
Maicon, C Sapunaru, F Belluschi, T Costa. Sent off: Fernando. Booked:
Fernando, Rolando.

Referee: K Plautz (Austria).



----------------------------------------------------



Telegraph:


Chelsea 1 Porto 0:

By Henry Winter at Stamford Bridge


Totally in keeping with the monsoon conditions, Chelsea made heavy
weather of defeating Porto on Tuesday night. Nicolas Anelka steadied
local nerves, scoring a wonderful winner just after the break, but
this was hardly the regal first stride down the road to Madrid
expected under Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian has been brought in by Chelsea’s owner, Roman Abramovich,
to get the bridesmaids of the Champions League to the altar and they
need to move more confidently up the aisle than this. Occasionally
wasteful in possession, occasionally far too narrow, Chelsea were
unimpressive, under siege for periods and ultimately reliant on the
defensive excellence of Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole in particular
to see them to safety.

The midfield balance was not right. Michael Essien is a dynamic
presence, driving forward from the deep but he lacks the Claude
Makélélé traits of sitting and holding, breaking up opposition moves
and calmly transferring the ball to the likes of Frank Lampard. Essien
also charged upfield, running into space that is usually such fertile
ground for Lampard.

But never mind the quality, feel the quantity of points collected and
Chelsea can also take heart from the welcome sight of Joe Cole on the
bench, following his long absence with a knee injury. In mitigation,
Chelsea can also point to the absence of the suspended Didier Drogba,
whose battering-ram strength would have brought more pressure on a
Porto defence ably organised by Bruno Alves, one of Europe’s most
accomplished centre-halves.

Yet Anelka made his mark, settling the game three minutes into the
second half. Salomon Kalou appeared to have miscontrolled the ball yet
managed to squeeze it through the middle into the path of Anelka, who
had timed his run well, staying just onside. Porto’s keeper, Helton,
saved well but was caught out by Anelka’s brilliant follow-up, the
ball swept between the Brazilian and his left-hand upright.

Chelsea hardly deserved the lead. During the first half, Ancelotti’s
side endured awkward times, their composure not helped by a tactical
system that meant the wide players, Kalou and Florent Malouda tucked
inside. Chelsea sought width from Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic
and both full-backs produced a few crosses. Lampard did meet one
Ivanovic delivery with a powerful header punched away by Helton.

Chelsea suffered a nervy moment on their next visit to Helton’s area.
Rising for the ball, John Terry took a forearm in the face from Bruno
Alves and fell to the sodden earth, lying immobile for a worrying
minute. Natural gladiator that he is, Terry soon recovered, waving
away the stretcher, hobbling to the touchline before resuming his
battle with Hulk.

Porto’s deft centre-forward kept running strongly at Chelsea’s
defence, imperiously holding off Terry at one point and then demanding
a save from Petr Cech. Hulk’s threat became so substantial that Essien
foolishly dived in on Porto’s No 12, earning a caution.

Some of Porto’s slick, counter-attacking football left Chelsea groggy.
Brazil’s Hulk buzzed around, Colombia’s Fredy Guarin kept raiding
through the middle, even heading just over, while Uruguay’s Fucile
charged forward from right-back, keeping Ashley Cole on his toes. At
times, it seemed like half of Latin America was rolling towards Cech’s
box.

Fucile also showed Porto’s defensive resilience, sliding in to
dispossess Kalou with only Helton exposed just before the break. No
matter, Anelka soon struck. The lead seized, Chelsea should really
have doubled their advantage 10 minutes later. When Ivanovic cut the
ball back, the unmarked Kalou directed his header too close to Helton
who saved.

Porto’s coach, Jesualdo Ferreira, introduced a famous name, Falcao,
through the middle, pushing Hulk out to the left where he began to
send beads of sweat mixing with the rain on Ivanovic’s forehead.
Bustling into Chelsea’s area, Hulk was denied only by a skilled piece
of defending by Carvalho, the former Porto player reading the danger
well, timing his interception to perfection.

Down the other end, Silvestre Varela slid in athletically to take the
ball off Ashley Cole’s toes. The game was opening up, both defences
becoming stretched. If Kalou had showed an element of calm, he could
have settled this game midway through the second half, ending the
growing anxiety. With 15 minutes remaining, Ancelotti acted, removing
Kalou, sending on Juliano Belletti to stiffen midfield. The move
resembled a declaration by Chelsea’s coach, the Italian clearly
wanting to close the game down.

But Porto really went for it, pouring in orange waves towards Cech.
Hulk cut in again from the left and sent the ball into the
side-netting. Carvalho slid in to nick the ball away from the flying
feet of Varela. Guarin shot goalwards but Cech saved. But Carvalho and
Ashley Cole stood firm. In clearing one attack, Cole was clattered by
Fernando, whose second yellow of the night brought expulsion.

Next up for Chelsea is Apoel away, followed by tricky home-and-away
tests against Atletico Madrid, then a trip to Porto before finishing
with Apoel at the Bridge. Chelsea will surely qualify but they need
Drogba back, the striker returning in Madrid, and must avoid
surrendering the ball so easily.




-----------------------------------------------


Independent:


Anelka fires but Chelsea miss Drogba

Chelsea 1 Porto 0

By Sam Wallace at Stamford Bridge



Didier Drogba shook the hands of a few supporters at the final whistle
and took his leave down the tunnel – which was a good deal more
dignified than his last Champions League exit on this ground. The
first big game without Drogba had been negotiated by Chelsea but no
one needed telling twice that this team is not the same without him.

The winning goal was scored by Nicolas Anelka, a delicate chipped
finish after his initial, fiercely-hit shot had been saved. For that
moment alone the finesse in front of goal that comes as standard with
Drogba was replicated but there were too many times when the decisive
touch of the big man from the Ivory Coast was badly missed.

That was why there was a frantic defensive action from Chelsea as
Porto tried their luck in the last 10 minutes when really Carlo
Ancelotti's team should have been comfortably home and dry. Dry was
not really the word on a night when west London was deluged with a
downpour so relentless that at times Chelsea's stars passed the ball
as if they were wearing the wrong boots on a devilishly slick surface.

A couple of miles north at Loftus Road, Queen's Park Rangers' game
against Crystal Palace was called off because of a waterlogged pitch
and the rain made no distinction between the Championship and the
Champions League. The conditions did not make it any easier for
Chelsea, they were not at their most fluent in their first group game
but they got the job done. Drogba will miss the next two Champions
League fixtures against APOEL and Atletico Madrid through suspension
for his outburst against Barcelona in May, but it will be his absence
for the African Cup of Nations in the new year that will hurt as well.
Anelka is not a bad replacement but on nights such as these Chelsea
really miss a centre-forward capable of putting the finishing touches
to periods of dominance.

It is the first small step on the long Champions League journey that
Chelsea have embarked upon in the previous six years in pursuit of the
one trophy that Roman Abramovich's money has not been able to buy.
They look no less equipped to win it than usual. You just have to
wonder where the goals would come from if the team was to lose Anelka
as well as Drogba.

As Porto pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages of the match,
their midfielder Fernando was sent off for a dismal tackle on Ashley
Cole that earned him a second booking. His was not the worst challenge
of the night – that dishonour belonged to the Porto right-back Fucile
whose two-footed lunge on Florent Malouda was so full-blooded that you
shudder to think of the damage had he made contact.

This Porto team bears no resemblance to the side that won the 2004
Champions League with Jose Mourinho. In fact, as Ricardo Carvalho, who
played in that team, pointed out before the game, there are more
veterans of that 2004 side at Chelsea than there are at Porto. Like
most summers, the Portuguese club have had to sell this year but they
are wily campaigners at this level and they kept Chelsea out in the
first half.

There was one iffy moment for Petr Cech in the first half when a shot
from Porto's Brazilian striker Hulk – Givanildo Vieira de Souza if you
want to be polite – looked so unpredictable that the goalkeeper saved
with his knees. Chelsea created plenty of chances. A header from Frank
Lampard stood out. When they were on their game, Chelsea weaved some
beautiful moves down the left wing, most notably an interchange
between Malouda and Lampard that presented Anelka with a chance that
he hit straight at Helton. Salomon Kalou might have done better –
Drogba surely would – when Lampard chested a ball in to his stride.

As Chelsea do when the game appears to be slipping away from them,
they scored. Three minutes after half-time, Kalou flicked the ball on
to Anelka whose first shot was saved by Helton. When the rebound came
back, the striker chipped his shot beautifully inside the near post.

It was hard on Helton, who had done more than any other in the Porto
team to keep his team in the game but Chelsea should have scored many
more. Their was an invitation to score a second 10 minutes later when
Branislav Ivanovic's cross found Kalou unmarked and his header forced
another great save from Helton.

There was no run-out for Joe Cole, on the substitutes' bench for the
first time since he ruptured his cruciate ligaments in January, but he
did get an exceptionally warm welcome from the Chelsea fans. He looked
over longingly at Ancelotti as the clock ran down. This has to be the
toughest midfield in the Premier League to break into, especially with
Malouda on such good form.

Porto's best chance was a volley that Silvestre Varela struck into the
ground and forced a good save out of Cech before Fernando was sent
off. It was strangely tense at the end but it often is when you fail
to take your chances.

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Essien;
Kalou (Belletti, 77), Ballack, Lampard, Malouda; Anelka. Substitutes
not used: Turnbull (gk), J Cole, Sturridge, Hutchinson, Bruma, Borini.

Porto (4-3-3): Helton; Fucile, Rolando, B Alves, Pereira; Guarin,
Fernando, Meireles; Gonzalez (Falcao, 54), Hulk, Rodriguez (Varela,
64). Substitutes not used: Nuno (gk), Belluschi, Maicon, Costa,
Sapunaru.

Referee: K Plautz (Austria).



---------------------------------------------------


Guardian:


Nicolas Anelka gives Chelsea winning start against Porto

Chelsea 1 Anelka 48  FC Porto 0

Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge



Carlo Ancelotti, to his regret, cannot shake off his image as the
impresario of the Champions League. This awkward match at least
supplied him with more evidence that the tournament is full of strain
and doubt, no matter who happens to be in the dug-out.

As he so often did in the past with Milan, Ancelotti simply achieved
the desired result. He was not much of an orchestrator and the match
approached its end with Petr Cech pulling off a good save from the
substitute Silvestre Varela. Porto did not look wholly discouraged
until the midfielder Fernando was sent off, for a second yellow card,
in stoppage time.

Credit is due the visitors, but they were seldom forced to panic.
Didier Drogba, suspended for his outburst after last season's
Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, was badly missed. It is
no surprise that Chelsea should pine for a man who spreads terror so
liberally.

Victory was achieved, in any case, with a good goal from another
striker, Nicolas Anelka. This opening to Group D felt as if it
belonged to a far more advanced date in the Champions League calendar.
Domestic matches in this stadium seldom keep Cech so occupied.

John Terry also had to make decisive challenges. That was a reflection
of the shaky display that Chelsea gave. Passes went awry and the
fragmented showing left many gaps for Porto to explore. Joe Cole, who
has not played since January, is over his knee surgery and returned to
the bench here, but any notion that he could have an outing had to be
shelved.

This fixture was no place for a convalescent. The adjustment Ancelotti
did make was to remove the attacker Salomon Kalou and introduce the
more conservative Juliano Belletti. By then, Kalou had made his mark
by putting Anelka through in the 48th minute. Helton saved the first
effort but could not prevent the Frenchman from finding the net from
an angle with the rebound.

The goal had come in a spell where Chelsea raised the tempo while also
distributing the ball with some care. Their difficulties may have had
their origins in the enterprise of Porto. When Jesualdo Ferreira's
side came to London a year ago, they were routed 4-0 by Arsenal, but
considerable improvement followed.

Last night the team reminded you that they had run Manchester United
very close in last season's quarter-final, when it took a goal from
Cristiano Ronaldo at Estadio do Dragao to win the match. It would be
pleasing to think that a side from Portugal could once more hold its
own against clubs from wealthier nations. Atlético Madrid's goalless
draw at home to Apoel Nicosia will have heartened them.

Porto, after four successive domestic titles, ought to have faith in
themselves, but they were still prudent. Four of their new signings
were named purely as substitutes, despite the fact that the Colombian
striker Falcao had found his goal-scoring rhythm in the Portuguese
League.

Ferreira's team did have a settled air and there was enterprise as
well. They were ready to search for goal and Cech had to save well
from Hulk early in the match. The striker has an unpredictability
about him as well a sense of purpose. Terry had trouble containing
him, but the centre-half may also have been affected by a first-half
collision that left him dazed.

Ancelotti was right in his prediction that Porto would seek to attack
whenever possible. There was a balance to the game. Although Chelsea
did have a desire to assert themselves, they could not lay siege for
long because Porto continually took their opportunities to break.

When the moments of crisis did come in the first half, the visitors
reacted well. Helton coped with efforts by Frank Lampard and there was
a decisive tackle from Fucile on Kalou when it looked as if he would
burst through on goal.

Chelsea found the match taxing enough for Michael Essien and Florent
Malouda both to be booked early on. Essien had not seemed particularly
suited to the holding role in midfield, even though his sheer physical
presence ought to be a deterrent. Porto were full of hope and
confidence.

Considering the absence of several experienced Chelsea players, it was
no surprise to see an unchanged line-up emerge after the interval, but
there was a new focus and a spurt of energy. Porto, in any case, were
not allowed to regroup before Anelka had landed the critical blow.

Chelsea, with the advantage of the goal, could make this a more
conservative display. Ferreira's introduction of two substitutes,
including the predator Falcao, by the 64th minute confirmed that he
was obliged to reshape his approach. A lapse in the Chelsea back four
did give Falcao scope on the edge of the area but his attempt ran
straight to Cech.

If there had been neutrals present, some members of the crowd would
have been enjoying themselves. As it was, this match must have had an
uncomfortable grip on Chelsea fans.



-------------------------------------------------------


Mail:



Chelsea 1 Porto 0: Nicolas Anelka's the top dog in the absence of Didier Drogba

By Matt Lawton


Before Chelsea set their sights on the Champions League final Carlo
Ancelotti has identified as the minimum requirement for this season,
they need to remember how long and potentially perilous a road it is
to Madrid.

They made hard work of the first of their first-round encounters,
underestimating a Porto team that made it an anxious opening European
night for Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge.

In the end they got there, and it is a measure of their sheer quality,
solidity,  professionalism and, in the case of John Terry, heroism
after withstanding an elbow in the face that they did.

After what must have been something of a dressing-down from Ancelotti
during the interval, Nicolas Anelka took little more than three
minutes to score what amounted to an excellent winning goal.

But for the opening 45 minutes and the concluding 20, Porto
demonstrated how they gave Manchester United a run for their money
last season and reminded Chelsea just how much they can struggle
without the suspended Didier Drogba.

Anelka might find such an assessment rather unfair when his finish was
as good as it was, but Drogba is to Chelsea what Wayne Rooney and
Fernando Torres are to their respective clubs and success is unlikely
to come for Ancelotti in the absence of the Ivory Coast striker.
Especially when the Italian might not be able to sign a replacement
until January 2011.

It is with some relief that Ancelotti will, no doubt, reflect on this
game, not least because of the price his more recent predecessors have
had to pay for early-season mediocrity in the Champions League.

A draw with Rosenborg and a crushing defeat in Rome certainly proved
costly for Jose Mourinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari.

A master of European football, Ancelotti made sure there would be no
such repeat on  this occasion and for a decent spell after the break
Chelsea were much more like the side that have made a perfect start to
their Barclays Premier League campaign with five straight wins.

This amounted to the continuation of another impressive run. The 19th
consecutive European tie at Stamford Bridge without defeat. But they
should have won it more comfortably than they did, given the amount of
possession they enjoyed.

It is only when you see Chelsea like this, though, that one realises
exactly the role Drogba performs.
Not just the prolific scorer of often spectacular goals but a forward
around whom the other attacking players dovetail to such good effect.

Drogba is the oil in the machine as well as Chelsea’s most devastating
weapon, and
someone they would have badly missed had they allowed him to leave
during the last two summers. Given the threat of this FIFA transfer
ban, it is enough to give Ancelotti nightmares.

Porto almost gave him one or two as well on Tuesday night, most
memorably in the form of the opportunities Hulk and Freddy Guarin
would have converted had it not been for an excellent performance from
Petr Cech.


Too often Chelsea conceded possession cheaply and it was only because
of their goalkeeper that they kept their noses in front. Porto
unleashed 17 shots. Far too
many for a former coach of AC Milan whose Champions League success was built as
much on defensive discipline as flair and invention going forward.

The conditions might have contributed to Chelsea’s problems but Porto
seemed to cope well enough in the rain with some fluent passing
football.

Incredible is not a word one could normally associate with this
particular Hulk but he was certainly impressive here, as much with his
dribbling and passing as a blistering shot that forced Cech to make a
desperate save with his knees.

Frank Lampard also looked sharp, a shot from distance and a header
from close range demanding that Helton make two terrific saves. But it
was Porto who probably went closest to breaking the first-half
deadlock, Guarin powering in a header that skimmed the roof of the
net.

That Anelka scored so soon after the break was tough on Porto. That
the Frenchman did it the hard way must have made it all the more
painful.

Helton had done so well to parry Anelka’s first effort but the Chelsea
striker somehow struck a second with a shot that had to clear a
sliding defender before squeezing between Porto’s goalkeeper and his
left-hand post.

For Porto, however, time enough remained to hit back and how close they went to
punishing Chelsea for squandering what chances they created for the
remainder of a
tense contest. Salomon Kalou was chief among the offenders.

Had it not been for Cech, Guarin and Silvestre Varela would have been
celebrating a
much-deserved equaliser. But Cech did his job and when Fernando was
then sent off for a second yellow card — for a nasty challenge on the
excellent Ashley Cole — Porto’s challenge died.

For Ancelotti, it meant a sixth consecutive victory as the new manager
of Chelsea. As good a start as it gets.

But if he is glad to have Joe Cole back in his squad, he will be even
more relieved when Drogba has finally served his suspension.


--------------------------------------------------------


Sun:


Chelsea 1 Porto 0

By IAN McGARRY


NICOLAS ANELKA'S winner meant Carlo Ancelotti was left with something
to smile about last night.

But Ancelotti knows only too well there is a fine line between success
and failure in the Champions League.


Witness the 2005 final when his AC Milan side were three up against
Liverpool at half-time before losing on penalties.


So if he thought managing Chelsea in the competition was going to be
any different, then last night burst that bubble.


Chelsea, of all teams, have a habit of making it hard for themselves
in the competition coveted more than any other by Roman Abramovich.


They have made four semi-finals and one final in the last five years
and have still to be crowned champions.


A lot of the shortcomings which have dogged the Blues in Europe in
recent years were evident here against Porto.


Gone was the cock-sure confidence which has seen them bulldoze their
way to five wins in five in the Premier League.


In its place was a much more stuttering performance where mistakes
almost cost them. But their indomitable spirit was enough to see them
through.


Well, that and an exquisite finish from Anelka who chose to first miss
the easy chance and then score with a chip from an angle.


It was a fitting response to the absence of the suspended Didier
Drogba and one which drew a sigh of relief from Ancelotti on the
bench.


The Italian was bullish enough in the build-up to this match -
proclaiming he had a squad good enough to qualify without the services
of the banned Drogba and Jose Bosingwa.


For long periods of this contest, that statement looked more than
optimistic as Chelsea laboured in the pouring rain.


You would think the September showers would have suited the home side
much better but in the opening exchanges it was the Blues who were
slipping up.


Porto forward Hulk tried his best to fire a shot in anger.


A long-range effort had Petr Cech squirming in the conditions but he
did enough to block Hulk's blow.


In response, Chelsea were weak as milk. Salomon Kalou and Anelka
barely showed any teeth never mind bite up front.


Their best chance came when Branislav Ivanovic's cross was met by
Frank Lampard but his header was well saved by Helton.


During the patchy periods of play, the most consistent factor was the downpour.


Cech was caught in the floodlights as a cross came in and Fredy Guarin
rose above Hulk to head powerfully towards goal. The Blues keeper, who
conceded an awful goal at Stoke on Saturday, watched in gratitude as
the ball floated over.


Ancelotti is a coach renowned for his patience so there was no
surprise the same players returned for the second half.


And he was rewarded with a goal in the 48th minute.


Kalou, who improved as the game went on, first collected and then
seemed to lose control of a long pass through the middle.


It did not matter as he was given the chance to stab a short pass into
Anelka who had already run off his marker.


The French ace should have buried it first time. But, after Helton
saved, he clipped it into the net at the second offering. Ancelotti
celebrated like a man who had been freed from prison - perhaps a hint
of the pressure he is under to deliver in his first season at the
Bridge.


Lifted by the lead, Chelsea started to play with more freedom.


Ivanovic's cross was met brilliantly by Kalou but Helton stuck out a
strong hand to deny the striker.


Signs of a Chelsea charge were there - but they did not shut the door on Porto.


And the Blues almost paid for it as they needed Cech to save from
Silvestre Varela.


The Portuguese visitors finished the night with 10 men as Fernando saw
red for a second bookable offence.


So Chelsea won the battle - but the march to Madrid and the Champions
League final looks to be as hard as ever.

Sunday Times

Last-gasp Florent Malouda goal keeps Chelsea top

Stoke 1 Chelsea 2

Duncan Castles at Britannia stadium


WELL might Carlo Ancelotti have indulged in a relieved smile as he
exited the Potteries with a still-perfect tally of Premier League
points. Punched on the chin by Fifa the week before, the Italian felt
Stoke City’s studied industrialism stick a fist into his admittedly
well-padded kidneys, yet once more victory was his.

Sepp Blatter’s double-glazed transfer ban apart, Ancelotti’s fortune
is holding strong at Chelsea. Here he appeared to underestimate Stoke
City, resting three key players for one of England’s toughest away
fixtures, fell a goal behind as his weakened defence struggled, but
found goals in each of two periods of stoppage time that added 13
minutes to the match.

Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda’s powered strikes allowed Chelsea to
equal their 2006 record of 10 consecutive League wins. “We got what we
deserved because we had to attack the whole game,” said Ancelotti. “It
was more difficult for Stoke’s goal, but we had a very good reaction.
We maintained good control, good pressure. We did very well.”

The Britannia is certainly not a stadium to indulge in charity. Stoke
had lost just two of their preceding 18 League fixtures here, holding
opponents scoreless in six of the past eight, and the home fans
relentlessly whistled and booed Chelsea, adding a chant of “you’re not
signing anymore” to their already renowned repertoire.

Chelsea’s early confidence drifted away, replaced by a nervousness. A
long ball down the middle saw Branislav Ivanovic chest the ball into
James Beattie’s path. Only a shot so misjudged that the Stoke striker
ended up twisting his own ankle kept the scores level. Salomon Kalou’s
attempt to head away a Rory Delap long throw at the touchline
emphasised the thoughtlessness in Chelsea’s play. The Ivorian entered
the book for not retreating two metres.

When a Glenn Whelan free kick was half-cleared back to the midfielder,
Chelsea’s resistance broke. Whelan spiralled the ball across the area.
With Ivanovic missing in action, John Terry could not get close to
Abdoulaye Faye and the African headed home.

If Ancelotti’s decision to rest Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien and
Nicolas Anelka ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Porto
appeared increasingly remiss, he was to be aided by a second Stoke
injury. A reassuring presence in the home goal, Thomas Sorensen hurt
his back making a clearance and was replaced. During eight minutes of
stoppage time, Frank Lampard capitalised with an exquisite reverse
pass to Drogba. A shimmy of the striker’s hips saw him past Faye, a
devastating left-foot strike ripped past Steve Simonsen.

More hesitancy from Faye almost allowed Drogba another as Chelsea
began the second half as they ended the first. Ancelotti pushed on
Anelka and Essien and his team took control. Essien, Drogba and
Lampard rained shots down upon the Stoke defence, splashing off
defender or goalkeeper. Then Essien latched on to the spillage from a
Juliano Belletti long throw, sneaked smartly into the area and passed
to Anelka. His layoff came back to Malouda, who shot low through the
keeper’s grasp.

“When you play against the best they wear you out,” bemoaned Stoke’s
manager, Tony Pulis. Chelsea refuse to let the world run them down.


Star man: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

Yellow cards: Stoke: Shawcross, Delap Chelsea: Kalou, Terry, A Cole

Referee: M Dean

Attendance: 27,440


STOKE: Sorensen 7 (Simonsen 41min, 6), Wilkinson 7, Huth 6, Abdoulaye
Faye 6, Shawcross 6, Collins 5, Delap 6, Whitehead 6, Whelan 6,
Beattie (Fuller 12min, 5), Kitson 5 (Tuncay 66min)


CHELSEA: Cech 6, Bosingwa 6, Ivanovic 5, Terry 5, A Cole 6, Mikel 5
(Belletti 83min), Ballack 6 (Essien 66min), Malouda 6, Lampard 7,
Kalou 5 (Anelka 64min), Drogba 7.


--------------------------------------------------------


Independent:


Malouda maintains Chelsea's perfection

Stoke City 1 Chelsea 2:

Stoke left feeling blue after being worn down by League leaders

By Myles Hodgson at the Britannia Stadium


If evidence were needed of Chelsea's capacity to overcome the impact
of Fifa's transfer embargo and mount a sustainable title challenge,
Florent Malouda's injury-time winner provided it by continuing their
100 per cent winning start to the season. Demonstrating considerable
resolve against a whole-hearted Stoke City, it was a victory which set
down a marker to their Premier League rivals.

Stunned by the sanctions imposed by Fifa this week, which have banned
Chelsea from signing any new players until January 2011, it is a fair
bet manager Carlo Ancelotti would have chosen any fixture other than a
trip to the Britannia Stadium to finish off a difficult week.

Yet after falling behind to a Stoke side strengthened by £18.5m worth
of signings in the recent transfer window, Chelsea delivered a
performance sure to provoke unease among their rivals after equalling
a club-record 10th successive victory in the top division. "We got
what we deserved," Ancelotti observed.

Once the Premier League's most enthusiastic transfer window shoppers,
Chelsea's victory underlined the strength of the squad available to
Ancelotti even if their appeal to Fifa fails to reduce their ban. They
have already been told by the game's governing body they will not be
allowed to recall players on season-long loans to boost a squad which
will be depleted by the African Cup of Nations in January.

Mindful of Tuesday's Champions' League opening match against Porto,
particularly after two international matches in the last week for the
majority of his squad, Ancelotti shuffled his pack to rest Michael
Essien, Ricardo Carvalho and Nicolas Anelka and still emerged with the
three points.

As if facing a Chelsea side with a point to prove was not a big enough
challenge, Stoke lost both goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen and forward
James Beattie before the interval through injury, yet they still came
within minutes of taking the first points of the season off the
Premier League leaders.

Beattie passed a late fitness test on a troublesome knee but lasted
only eight minutes. Chasing a long ball, he panicked Branislav
Ivanovic into a mistake but pulled his half-volley wide and the
subsequent collision ended his contest.

Stoke overcame that setback impressively, testing Chelsea's defence
with a series of set-pieces which led to the breakthrough. A cleared
corner was whipped back into the penalty area by midfielder Glenn
Whelan and captain Abdoulaye Faye's uncontested header put them in
front.

Their ability to defend that lead was tested further by the loss of
Sorensen as the interval approached after he clutched his right hip
after a clearance. Given eight minutes of extra time because of the
two injuries, Chelsea took advantage with Didier Drogba running on to
Frank Lampard's intelligent reverse pass to fire past substitute
goalkeeper Steve Simonsen from the left-hand side of the penalty area.

Set-pieces remained Stoke's best chance of restoring their lead and
twice they went close with Robert Huth heading over against his former
club from another Whelan corner, while Petr Cech made a good, low save
from Dave Kitson in similar circumstances.

The introduction of Essien and Anelka midway through the second period
provided them with a renewed impetus as they strived for a late
winner. Faye, the outstanding leader of a defiant five-man Stoke
defence, made blocks to deny both Lampard and Drogba as both sides
becoming frantic in the final stages.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis introduced new signing Tuncay to try to
ensure a greater share of possession without great success for the
final stages as Chelsea continued to press for a winner which finally
presented itself to Malouda on the edge of the box in injury time.

"It's desperately disappointing because they scored a late winner
against us at Stamford Bridge last season," said Pulis. "When you play
against the best teams they wear you down. It is very hard to keep p
ossession so you get tired chasing around and that's why the top-four
teams get a lot of late goals."

Attendance: 27,440

Referee: Mike Dean

Man of the match: Faye

Match rating: 7/10



----------------------------------------------------


Mail:


Stoke 1 Chelsea 2: Drogba wonder strike helps put the Blues behind Ancelotti

By DAN KING

Triumph in adversity: it is the mark of champions.

A stoppage-time winner from Florent Malouda was a deserved on-pitch
reward for a team whose fortunes are being buffeted off the field.

How much the Chelsea players will have registered confirmation from
FIFA that they will not be able to mitigate their transfer ban by
recalling season-long loan players like Michael Mancienne is
debatable.

But sides of lesser character and quality would have folded when
Abdoulaye Faye took advantage of defensive uncertainty to head Stoke
in front after 31 minutes of a first half in which nothing went
Chelsea’s way.


Instead, Didier Drogba’s fabulous goal in added time in the first half
drew them level, and sheer willpower ensured they maintained a
second-half siege right into the 100th minute of playing time, when
Malouda struck.
Until Drogba’s equaliser, Chelsea could have been forgiven for
thinking that the whole world was against them.

It took the typically vociferous home crowd less than five minutes to
come up with the chant of the season — ‘You’re not signing any more’ —
and little went right for the visitors thereafter.

Stoke suffered an early blow when James Beattie was carried off after
fluffing a ninth-minute chance laid on for him by Branislav Ivanovic,
but the home team’s physical approach was already getting under
Chelsea skins.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti had clearly devised a plan for dealing
with Rory Delap’s long throws, but it failed at the first attempt,
comically so. Salomon Kalou stood close to the touchline and timed his
leap to perfection, heading the ball away firmly, but was booked for
encroachment.
Stoke played to type, putting bodies on the line and Chelsea off their
stride, their 3-5-2 formation making the visitors’ formation look
woefully narrow.
Worse was to come in the shape of the opening goal, a defensive
calamity for Chelsea. Petr Cech gave more ammunition to those who feel
he is far from the goalkeeper he was by starting to come for a Glenn
Whelan cross but then
retreating. Skipper Faye, who had stayed up after a corner, was
unmarked as he headed home.


To add insult to injury, Jose Bosingwa was penalised for a foul throw
as tetchy Chelsea were reduced to long-range shots and bickering with
the officials.

But the Beattie injury and the long delay while Stoke keeper Thomas
Sorensen was treated before also going off meant there were eight
minutes of first-half stoppage-time. In the third of them, Chelsea
produced the first moment of quality. Frank Lampard’s first-time
reverse pass was impressive enough, but Drogba’s finish was absolutely
brilliant, the Ivory Coast striker lashing the ball home across Steve
Simonsen.

The second half was embarrassingly one-sided, with Chelsea encamped in
the Stoke half and the home side threatening only when former Chelsea
man Robert Huth headed over the bar.

A winning goal for the visitors seemed inevitable and though they
forced Simonsen into one good save, from a Drogba free-kick, all the
other Chelsea shots went high, wide or were blocked by a defiant
defence, with Faye, in particular, proving an unyielding obstacle.

In the end, however, it was the immovable object which yielded.
Juliano Belletti’s throw was cleared only as far as Michael Essien.
His pass was touched back
by Nicolas Anelka into the path of Malouda, whose shot was too
powerful for Simonsen.
The question now is whether Chelsea’s squad will prove strong enough
to ride out the off-field storm.

STOKE (3-5-2): Sorensen (Simonsen 41min); Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye,
Huth; Wilkinson, Whitehead, Whelan, Delap, Collins; Beattie (Fuller
12), Kitson (Tuncay
66). Subs (not used): Higginbotham, Lawrence, Pugh, Etherington.
Booked: Shawcross, Delap, Wilkinson.

CHELSEA (4-1-2-1-2): Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, A Cole; Mikel
(Belletti 83); Ballack (Essien 66), Malouda; Lampard; Kalou (Anelka
64), Drogba. Subs (not used): Hilario, Carvalho, Sturridge,
Hutchinson. Booked: Kalou, Terry, A Cole.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).



--------------------------------------------------------



Telegraph:


Stoke City 1 Chelsea 2:

By Oliver Brown at the Britannia Stadium



Florent Malouda was once Chelsea's forgotten man but yesterday he
symbolised a reawakening as his last-minute winner propelled Chelsea
to the type of start to a season of which Jose Mourinho would have
been proud.

The France winger left it uncomfortably late to help Carlo Ancelotti
record a fifth straight league win but it was his team-mates'
relentlessness, their refusal to settle for a draw with Stoke City in
one of the most hostile Premier League settings, that proved their
mettle as potential champions.

Chelsea needed this victory every bit as sorely as Malouda's
extravangant celebrations hinted. Not only was it the perfect fillip
before Tuesday night's Champions League opener against Porto, it was
also a tonic for the uncertainty they have endured over the Gael
Kakuta saga, which took a fresh turn yesterday after Fifa prevented
them from recalling any players on loan.

Carlo Ancelotti was calm in triumph, arguing: "We got what we deserved
because we tried to attack all the time. We had a very good direction
throughout the match, and we applied good pressure." But it was Stoke
who consistently put them strain. Chelsea's achievement was magnified
when set against the background that Stoke had lost only once here all
year.

Every lost cause chased, every 50-50 contested; this is the Stoke
philosophy. Tony Pulis has bred among his players an intimidating
resolve, which strengthens every time that they are able to feed off
the raucous din inside the Britannia Stadium. John Terry, you could
tell, did not like it one bit, as reflected in his running scrap with
Stoke's strikers. At one stage he had to be restrained by the
assistant referee after an agricultural challenge from Ricardo Fuller.

Stoke are a stolid, rough-hewn bunch, whose play has more than a few
parallels with the old Bolton of Sam Allardyce. Chelsea's moneyed
stars enjoy coming here about as much as they would relish being
forced to shop at the local Morrison's.

So it was ominous for Ancelotti when a familiar pattern established
itself, with heavy tackles all across the pitch and Chelsea pressed
into adopting a more defensive set-up than they would have liked. Even
the diamond formation, a feature so far this season, lost its rigidity
as Frank Lampard combined holding duties alongside John Obi Mikel with
frequent and usually futile surges at Stoke's resolute back line.

But it would be misleading to portray Stoke as negative when James
Beattie had the first scent of a breakthrough, the forward clear on
goal before he managed to skew his shot wide. Sadly for him, he had to
be taken off on a stretcher after suffering a recurrence of the knee
trouble that has plagued his year. Chelsea were shaken, though, when a
grossly mistimed lunge by Ryan Shawcross created a tetchier mood.

Faye was performing a faultless shift at centre-back and could not
resist trying his luck in attack. The lofted cross from Glenn Whelan
that came his way in the 32nd minute was like a sweet being prised
from a baby - just too easy. The power of Faye's physical presence was
such that Petr Cech, in two minds about whether to catch or punch the
ball, could only watch the resulting header sail beyond him.

A chant of "Abdoulaye, my Lord, Abdoulaye" resonated around the
stadium, a reminder of Faye's unlikely place in the hearts of Stoke's
supporters. Surely, some time soon, Stoke will be twinned with Dakar,
so closely do their side resemble the Senegalese national team. Amdy
Faye and Salif Diao are two others from the west African nation to
have joined Faye at each other's houses just like their mothers make.

The payback for Chelsea was somewhat perverse, as referee Mike Dean
awarded an excessive eight minutes of first-half added time for the
injury to Beattie. Drogba made every moment count with a virtuoso turn
out of nowhere, seizing on Lampard's cross before Faye could blink and
rifling a spectacular finish. Substitute goalkeeper Steve Simonsen
would have done well just to see it.

Chelsea were remorseless in the second half, besieging Sorensen's goal
with ornately-constructed counter-attacks, and Stoke's fatigue showed.
Pulis suggested as much when he said: "Chelsea wear you out. Players
switch off. That's why the top four or five teams score so often late
in games." Malouda underlined Pulis' point, latching on to Nicolas
Anelka's lay-off to dispatch a goal of potentially untold worth.


----------------------------------------------------


Observer:


Last-gasp Florent Malouda goal keeps Chelsea's perfect start intact

Stoke City 1 Diagne-Faye 32
Chelsea 2 Drogba 45, Malouda 90

Joe Lovejoy at the Britannia Stadium

AFTER their mid-table finish last season and promising start this
time, nobody should underestimate Stoke, but Carlo Ancelotti made that
mistake yesterday, and needed a stoppage-time winner from Florent
Malouda to maintain Chelsea's 100% record at the top of the table.

Having had 20 players away on international duty in midweek, Ancelotti
opted to rotate his squad, and was desperately close to dropping two
points as a consequence of resting Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien
and Nicolas Anelka before Tuesday's Champions League tie at home to
Porto. It was only when Essien and Anelka were introduced in the
second half that Chelsea were able to assert themselves.

Stoke had taken the lead with a headed goal from Abdoulaye Faye and
made light of the loss of James Beattie, who was carried off after
only 12 minutes, and Thomas Sorensen, who lasted 40. Intensely
committed and fiercely competitive, they matched Chelsea's power game
and hustled them out of out of their stride, with Robert Huth and
Danny Collins making impressive first starts in a back five that
effectively prevented José Bosingwa and Ashley Cole from causing
damage on the overlap.

For a long time, what had been a disconcerting week for the league
leaders looked like getting a lot worse. Much has been made of their
transfer ban, which was extended by Fifa yesterday to preclude players
currently out on loan returning to the mother club. It produced the
chant of the season so far from the Stoke choristers, who chortled:
"You're not signing any more."

If Ancelotti was concerned about not being able to recall the likes of
Scott Sinclair and Michael Mancienne it did not show. Chelsea were
more worried about their inability to break down Stoke's spirited
resistance, and the celebrations which greeted Malouda's decisive
intervention spoke volumes of their relief.

The decision to leave out Carvalho might have backfired after eight
minutes when his deputy, Branislav Ivanovic, chested the ball straight
to Beattie, who was charging through the middle like a runaway rhino.
Unfortunately for Stoke, he finished like one, shooting wide before
collapsing in a heap and getting carted off to the treatment room.

Briefed by Ray Wilkins on Stoke's modus operandi, Chelsea must have
spent hours on the training ground practising their defence against
Rory Delap's renowned long throw-ins. Or so one would have thought. So
what happened the first time Delap let fly? Salomon Kalou stood barely
a good stride away, headed it, and was promptly booked for failing to
retire the required distance. Priceless.

Another schoolboy error was at the root of Stoke's goal. Petr Cech
allowed himself to be lured from his line by Glenn Whelan's cross but
failed to get there, leaving Faye's powerful header from near the
penalty spot to fly into the unguarded net. Had Cech stayed put, it
would have been a routine save.

For Chelsea, inspiration came out of the blue in added time at the end
of the first half. Frank Lampard was the provider, with a deft through
pass which offered Didier Drogba the hint of a chance. A hint is all
the big man needs at the moment, and he turned Faye on the edge of
penalty area before scoring with a bristling left-foot finish.

Much improved in the second half, Chelsea cranked up the pressure in
search of the winner, but Stoke's resolute defence kept them at bay
until the stopwatch was in its 93rd minute. Then one of the
reinforcements, Juliano Belletti, hoisted Stoke with their own petard.
The Brazilian's Delap-like throw was only half-cleared to the edge of
the penalty area, where Essien claimed possession and dribbled into
the box before finding Anelka. He, in turn, laid it off to Malouda,
who fired home the winner.



----------------------------------------------------


NOTW:


STOKE CITY 1, CHELSEA 2

Florent Malouda Pott-shot is Premier class

By ROB SHEPHERD

FOR a second or two, Florent Malouda stood stock still, seemingly
stunned by what he'd done.

Then he was off, racing towards the Chelsea bench, chased by all his
teammates, a celebration you'd expect to see in the middle of May
rather than a couple of weeks into September.


Perhaps the enormity had sunk in that, even at such an early stage of
the season, this was the kind of victory that wins titles.


Clawed out, scraped together and five minutes into stoppage time in
what was an incredible 103-minute game.


Until Malouda struck, you see, Stoke were still standing. And it was
always going to take something special to break their spirit. And the
goal WAS special, a shot lashed so ferociously substitute keeper Steve
Simonsen appeared a brave man even to try to get his fingers to the
ball.


The goal led to the kind of cuddle huddle that is normally a precursor
to a silver pot being delivered by some Barclays' suit. Even the
usually suave Carlo Ancelotti was animated.


An early season win at Stoke for a favoured contender ought not to
provoke such delighted emotion - but within the context of recent
events off the pitch, these points were a massive relief for the
Blues.


Five games five straight wins. Any doubts that boss Ancelotti would
struggle to adapt to the differing demands of the Premier League as
Phil Scolari did last season would now appear unfounded.


Indeed, in an ironic twist belligerent, Stoke were eventually hoisted
by their own petard, Malouda's winner evolving from a Chelsea long
throw.


Eat you heart out Rory Delap.


Ancelotti admitted that assistant Ray Wilkins had made him well aware
of high-octane style from the Potters - so presumably in the build-up
Chelsea had done plenty of work defending set-pieces


Maybe as part of that they discovered in Juliano Belletti, a late
substitute, they had in their midst a latter-day Ian Hutchinson, who
first turned the long throw into a tactical weapon in the Seventies.


As the clock ticked down and Stoke lashed another clearance into
touch, Belletti seized his chance hurling the ball into the mixer.


The missile was only half cleared and fell to Michael Essien on the
edge. He rolled the ball into Nicolas Anelka - both had come on to add
extra urgency having been rested along with Ricardo Carvalho - who
teed up Malouda to dispatch that emphatic finish.


Even if it was deserved, it was still hard on Stoke.


They had defended stoically, having suffered the loss of keeper Thomas
Sorensen in the first half as well as James Beattie, which effected
Tony Pulis' plans of changing things late on to cope with an expected
Chelsea onslaught if the game was still close. And it had been nip and
tuck in the first half. Indeed, Stoke should have taken the lead in
the 10th minute when Carvalho's calmness was painfully missed as
Branislav Ivanovic got tied in knots from a lumped clearance.


The Serb should have dealt with it first time but tried to bring the
ball down on his chest, succeeding only in dropping the ball into the
path of Beattie.


The striker should have taken at least a touch to set himself, but
instead he lashed a shot from 22 yards tamely wide.


But in letting fly, Beattie landed badly on his ankle and was carried off.


Chelsea struggled to come to terms with Stoke's physical, no frills approach.


They were further hindered when ref Mike Dean made sure Delap had
extra help for his long throws when Kalou was booked for obstruction
in the 18th minute for jumping even though he was two yards inside the
touchline.


But it was a more conventional hanging centre that undid Chelsea in
the 32nd minute - and Petr Cech had to take the bulk of the blame.


Glenn Whelan's corner was only partially cleared and the ball was
returned to the wing-back. He cut inside and floated over a
tantalising cross just beyond the penalty spot.


Cech started to come but then stopped in no-mans-land. John Terry,
Michael Ballack and Jose Boswinga were caught off balance - but not
Stoke centre-half Abdoulaye Faye, who cushioned a lopping header way
over the keeper's reach.


Chelsea responded with the calm steely determination that all the best
sides have passing the ball around with great authority and purpose.


Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba were the outstanding figures and in
the fourth added minute of a staggering eight in the first half they
combined to equalise.


Lampard played a clever pass down the side. Drogba superbly shielded
the ball then rolled around Faye before unleashing a left-foot corker
into the far corner.


It was one-way traffic in the second half but a combination of some
wayward finishing, good work by Simonsen and heroic blocks kept the
Blues at bay - until that final flurry finished off by Malouda.


Chelsea look awesome but unless an appeal overturns that FIFA transfer
ban the one potential weakens is a lack of cover for totem Drogba, who
starts his four-match Champions League ban this week, especially as he
will also be absent for nearly a month at the African Nations Cup.


Ancelotti admitted: "We have to aim to be in a strong position by January."


On this gritty evidence they will be.

ITV matches now on a wednesday.


September :

Tue 15th:

Chelsea SSX
Man Utd SS2

Wed 16th:

Liverpool ITV
Arsenal SS2
Rangers SSX

Tue 29th:

Liverpool SS2
Arsenal SSX
Rangers SSX-3

Wed 30th:

Chelsea SS2
Man Utd ITV

Sunday Times

Burnley undone by Chelsea’s fluency

Brian Glanville at Stamford Bridge


PERHAPS the cruel alliteration could be, Burnley’s Bubble Bursts.
After that remarkable win over Manchester United, anti-climax was
inevitable.

Throughout this one-sided game, in which their Danish goalkeeper Brian
Jensen rescued them time and again, Burnley made only a single chance
and, alas, they missed it.

How should one describe the Chelsea formation? It was fluid but no
mathematical formula could really do it justice. This time, there was
no accredited winger. Instead, players popped up in attack in a
bewildering kaleidoscope of movement. You had Ashley Cole overlapping
on the left and scoring an exceptional goal soon after half-time,
Deco, showing up on the right, moving into the middle and Nicolas
Anelka often partnering Didier Drogba, then popping up on the right
flank. Was it a diamond or a Christmas tree formation?

Frank Lampard, in such impressive form, would often burst dangerously
into attack from the midfield and John Terry looked more like an
old-fashioned attacking centre-half.

Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea’s new manager, his English somewhat broken,
was explicably “happy, because we show good play on the pitch, we
played very well in the first half”. In training, he told us: “I
propose an idea, and the players develop this idea and they do this
very well now.”

He dismissed rumours that the club were prepared to pay €65m for
Bayern Munich’s French winger, Franck Ribery. “I don’t want to take
other players.” By contrast the Burnley manager, Owen Coyle, would
surely, if only he had the money, enlist more. Yesterday, it was only
the brave, resilient goalkeeping of Jensen that kept the score down to
three.

“Brian is a very good goalkeeper,” he said. “Our strength is not in
individual players, it is the group and Brian is part of that.”

An utterly essential part. Although they surprised United, Burnley
yesterday were pedestrian. In the second half, they moved Steven
Fletcher, a rare expensive purchase, from the right wing into the
centre, where he did his committed best, but support was not in
evidence. “There’s positives to take,” insisted Coyle, though Jensen
apart, it was hard to see where they came from. He was generous enough
to admit: “Chelsea’s play was fantastic.”

Jensen began his catalogue of saves as early as the third minute,
pouncing on Anelka’s drive from the right. But even he may have been a
little surprised he was able to thwart Anelka three minutes later when
the striker was clean through.

Three minutes more and Burnley had missed clumsily their one true
chance. Tyrone Mears, the right-back, advanced and neatly found Martin
Paterson on his left in abundant space. Paterson ineptly pulled his
shot wide.

Then it was Jensen: at the feet of Anelka, in defiance of the dynamic
Michael Ballack, stopping a header by Terry, then blocking Lampard’s
close-range drive. He followed this with a save from Deco, then
another from Lampard.

It was a bitter pill to swallow when Drogba, in irresistible form,
crossed from the right and the ball deflected off Clarke Carlisle,
then off Anelka and a post for a goal.

Immediately after half time, Chelsea put Burnley out of their misery.
Ballack closed in from the right to exploit Lampard’s cross. Four
minutes later, Cole’s electric run and narrow angled shot made it 3-0.

Needless to say, Jensen kept on saving. A header from Drogba, a wallop
from Michael Essien, a header by Ballack. It was one-way traffic
indeed.

Star man: Brian Jensen (Burnley)

Yellow cards: Burnley: Mears

Referee: M Clattenburg Attendance: 40,906


CHELSEA: Cech 6, A Cole 6, Carvalho 6, Bosingwa 6 (Belletti 66min),
Terry 8, Essien 8, Lampard 8, Ballack 7 (Mikel 82min), Deco 7, Drogba
8 (Kalou 75min), Anelka 7


BURNLEY: Jensen 8, Alexander 5 (McDonald 73min), Carlisle 6, Mears 6,
Bikey 6, Jordan 5, Elliott 6, McCann 5, Fletcher 6, Paterson 5
(Gudjonsson 58min, 5), Blake 5 (Guerrero 78min)


Kiev re-sign Shevchenko

Andriy Shevchenko, Chelsea’s 32-year-old Ukraine striker, inset, has
rejoined Dynamo Kiev on a two-year contract. Shevchenko failed to
settle in London, scoring just four goals in 30 league games,
following a record £30m transfer from AC Milan in May 2006. He spent
last season on loan with Milan


DIVE WATCH

Michael Ballack won a free kick for Chelsea on the edge of Burnley’s
penalty area early in the game with an elaborate tumble despite not
being touched. The kick came to nothing and once Chelsea were in front
there were no further theatricals




-------------------------------------------

Telegraph:

Chelsea 3 Burnley 0

By Oliver Brown at Stamford Bridge



Chelsea staged a rhapsody in blue as the expansive game that Roman
Abramovich has coveted for five years finally arrived at the expense
of poor, bewildered Burnley.

Carlo Ancelotti's much-vaunted diamond formation proved a precious
thing indeed as Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole
weighed in with the goals that extended the Italian's flawless league
record to four games.

A return of 12 points in Ancelotti's first month in charge but it is
the way in which they have been earned that is more significant.
Chelsea outpaced and outwitted Burnley in a peerless seven-minute
either side of half-time that would have had even Manchester United
and Arsenal's style councils all of a flutter.

Although Chelsea rapidly found their stride, Burnley were more than
ready to counter-attack. After Anelka had spurned a clear sight of
goal, his touch letting him down with only goalkeeper Brian Jensen to
beat, Martin Paterson had one of the gift of the first half courtesy
of a rare lapse from John Terry.

Tyrone Mears had the beating of Frank Lampard and raced into the
penalty area but, rather than shooting, elected to square the ball to
Paterson, who put his shot wide when it looked to far easier to put
Burnley ahead. Even the Chelsea fans seemed incredulous but Owen
Coyle, the Burnley manager, continued to offer more of his loud
encouragement.

It was ultimately to no avail, as Coyle's side found themselves pinned
back by waves of blue. The breakthrough was surprisingly long in
coming but Anelka, seconds before half-time, achieved it, surging into
the penalty area to convert Drogba's inch-perfect cross with a lunging
finish.

Chelsea were ruthless in pressing home their advantage, Ballack
pouncing for the second in the 47th minute as Anelka espied the
overlapping Lampard, whose ball was perfectly judged for the German to
angle a diving header beyond Jensen.

If that was a smooth move, it paled into ordinariness compared to
Chelsea's third. The build-up was effortless in its simplicity as Cole
ran on to a return ball from Lampard, executing a superb volley past
Jensen from a tight angle.

Michael Essien was the engine for all Chelsea's surges and almost
secured a goal for himself when his shot in the 66th minute forced
Jensen to leap low to his left and tip the ball around the post.



--------------------------------------------------------



Mail:


Chelsea 3 Burnley 0:
Swaggering Blues go top after romp at Stamford Bridge

By Ian Ridley


The modern Premier League has changed much in the English game - a lot
of it for the better - with its all-seater stadia and phalanx of
overseas players.
With Burnley back at Stamford Bridge, it was, though, a day to evoke
the past - and, thankfully, not the sort of scenes from a more earthy
era involving another side in claret and blue elsewhere in London in
midweek. Chelsea even had a brass band playing nostalgically before
kick-off.

It is 25 years since Burnley last played in the top flight at The
Bridge; on a midweek afternoon during a miner's strike when floodlit
games were prohibited, and with just over 8,000 watching. The result
then? Three-nil to the home side.
This one was certainly a strange 3-0. For 45 minutes, a resilient
Burnley, the season's early surprise packets, kept Chelsea at bay and
showed up the flaws of the hosts' diamond formation.

They stopped their full-backs rampaging and forced a frustrated
Chelsea to try to pick a way through a packed central area. If Burnley
could thwart them, what punishment might Manchester United or Arsenal
inflict?
But Nicolas Anelka's goal in first half added time was swiftly
followed early in the second by silky goals from Michael Ballack and
Ashley Cole - to embellish his man-of-the-match performance - and,
ultimately, Burnley deserved nowt, not even for the performance of
Brian 'The Beast' Jensen in their goal, who prevented a monstering,
nor for those shirts and hooped socks that evoke their title-winning
season of 50 years ago.

It was Chelsea's fourth straight win this season under Carlo Ancelotti
and their ninth in all, taking in the end of last season. It is not
just that midfield diamond formation that is echoing the Jose Mourinho
era.
'I am happy because we showed good play,' said Ancelotti. 'Now we have
to maintain this.'
The Italian is happy to contemplate the title, too.
'We have a possibility,' he said. 'We have started well. The season is
long and it will be difficult but we have the possibility to step up
when the chance comes.'


Survival, by contrast, will be the Burnley aim.
'It was a lesson at times for us in the way Chelsea passed the ball,'
said their manager, Owen Coyle.
'But I've thanked the lads for the start they have given us.'

It is beginning to look already as if it is home form that will save
them after two defeats away and six points at home, against Manchester
United and Everton. It might have been different had they taken a
marvellous chance with the game just 10 minutes old.
Frank Lampard was dispossessed, leaving his defence horribly exposed,
and Tyrone Mears broke forward before crossing low to an unmarked
Martin Paterson.
As he tucked the ball past the advancing Petr Cech, you waited for the
net to ripple. Instead, the shot drifted wide of a post.

'At 1-0 in front the pressure would have been on Chelsea,' said Coyle.
'At this level you have to take those.'
For the rest of the first half, they absorbed Chelsea's pressure
valiantly, their enthusiasm and togetherness serving them well. When
Chelsea did find a way through, Jensen was towering, saving at
Anelka's feet and beating away point-blank shots from John Terry and
Lampard.
For all their potential potency, cracks appeared in the Chelsea ranks.
Robbie Blake and Steven Fletcher tracked the runs of the full-backs,
Jose Bosingwa and Cole, leaving Chelsea looking narrow in their
approach play.

'We are,' said a Chelsea fan pining for a hero, 'missing Gianfranco Zola.'
Life may have long since moved on at The Bridge but you knew what he meant.

Finally, the goal that was harsh on Burnley arrived in the second
minute of added time at the end of the first-half.

With the visiting defence advancing for a change, Michael Essien
threaded a ball forward to Didier Drogba, who reached the righthand
byline before crossing low to the far post, where Anelka arrived to
guide the ball in off an upright after a stretching Clarke Carlisle,
having a brave and excellent game, had only been able to touch the
ball into his path.

'At 0-0 at half-time there would have been everything to play for,' said Coyle.

As it was, Burnley quickly found themselves out of the game at the
start of the second half with Chelsea's second goal. Anelka switched
the ball out to Lampard on the left and Ballack met his chipped cross
to the far post with a downward header past Jensen.
It looked to be a result of Ancelotti asking them at the interval for
more width in their game and their third goal, arriving within another
five minutes, also demonstrated it.
Essien found Lampard, again the creator, as his ball inside Alexander
found Cole, who guided home a splendid shot into the far corner as
Carlisle sought to block.

The defender said: 'It's my aim this year to score as many goals as possible.'

After that, there could have been more - and would have been but for
Jensen. Anelka clipped the bar after being put through by Ballack and
the goalkeeper twice had to make diving saves from Essien.

Mears also cleared the substitute Salomon Kalou's shot off the line.
Thus did Burnley escape with dignity just about intact in the face of
a Chelsea onslaught. So, too, did football in London on a day of
claret and blue-remembered skills.


-------------------------------------------------------


Independent:


Anelka adds finishing touch to Chelsea's finely-tuned machine

Chelsea 3 Burnley 0

By Mark Fleming at Stamford Bridge


The only way Carlo Ancelotti is going to banish the ghost of Jose
Mourinho is by matching the Special One's achievements, one by one. So
far so good, then, as Chelsea recorded their fourth straight Premier
League victory since Ancelotti took charge, matching the golden start
made by Mourinho in the summer of 2004.

Chelsea went on that season to win the title with something to spare,
and so far this campaign are fully justifying their pre-season billing
as favourites for the title. Few teams pass the ball as sweetly as
Chelsea. The ball zipped between the feet of Frank Lampard, Deco,
Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba as the home side worked the angles
to probe the Burnley defence.

Their football was crisp and incisive, and but for the hulking form of
Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen, they could have scored double
figures.

Ancelotti's Chelsea are still very much a work in progress, but they
are improving from one game to the next, and the signs are ominous.
Drogba's understanding with strike partner Nicolas Anelka is becoming
more instinctive; the midfield formation is bedding in well; players
like Ballack, Deco and Ricardo Carvalho have a fresh spring in their
step.

Ancelotti remained cautiously optimistic. "We have the possibility of
the title," he said. "We have started very well but we know that the
season is very long. It will be difficult for sure but we have the
possibility to step up when we need to. I propose an idea to the
players and they develop it. But we can still improve."

Last November Burnley's Carling Cup victory at Chelsea on penalties
gave the club the belief that they could live with the very best teams
in the country. Yesterday's return here however conveyed a very
different message, that despite their shock victory over Manchester
United, Burnley still have an uphill struggle to stay in the Premier
League.

They held their own against Chelsea for the first half-hour, but when
the opportunity came their way to pinch the first goal, they could not
capitalise. Frank Lampard, of all people, gave away possession to
Tyrone Mears who centred for Martin Paterson unmarked on the edge of
the penalty area. Sadly for Owen Coyle's battling side, he pulled his
shot wide.

Jensen tried to keep his team in the game single-handedly with
countless brilliant saves to deny Chelsea's superstars. His parry to
repel Michael Essien's long-range shot, followed by a reaction stop to
keep out a header from Ballack, were the pick of the bunch. Jensen is
34 but has yet to win international recognition with Denmark, which
can only mean they have some very good goalkeepers indeed.

Chelsea however continued to put their opponents under pressure. The
excellent Essien engineered the breakthrough, releasing Drogba down
the channel who centred for Anelka to score in first-half stoppage
time. There was a hint of offside about the goal, but Chelsea deserved
to be ahead.

Two minutes after the break, Ballack scored with a stooping header
from Lampard's cross, and Ashley Cole managed his first goal at
Stamford Bridge with a flashing half-volley, after a one-two with
Lampard.

Anelka hit the bar from close range, and Mears cleared off the line to
deny Kalou as Chelsea, who will not be able to call on Andrei
Shevchenko this season after his move to Dynamo Kiev yesterday on a
two-year deal, sought to boost their goal difference.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle recognised that his team had been brought
back down to earth after their surprising victories over Manchester
United and Arsenal.

Coyle said: "We are disappointed to lose 3-0 and that shows how far we
have come in a very short space of time. They taught us a lesson at
times, the way Chelsea passed and moved. But we will take our medicine
and pick ourselves up again."

Attendance: 40,906

Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Man of the match: Jensen

Match rating: 7/10



-----------------------------------------------



Observer:


Nicolas Anelka leads Chelsea past Burnley's defiant Brian Jensen

Chelsea 3 Anelka 45, Ballack 47, Cole, A 52
Burnley 0

Paul Doyle at Stamford Bridge


Chelsea helped themselves to their fourth win in four games with this
ruthless suppression of Burnley. Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and
Ashley Cole all struck telling blows and the margin of victory would
have been even more emphatic but for valiant goalkeeping by Brian
Jensen and wasteful finishing by the rampant home side.

Chelsea began briskly and Anelka loosened up with a long-range shot in
the third minute that brought an elementary save from Jensen. Thirty
seconds later the striker was summoned to set a tougher test for the
keeper, but narrowly failed to connect with a fizzing Ballack cross.
If that was forgivable, Anelka's miss in the sixth minute was the sort
managers are loth to excuse. After intercepting a careless pass by
André Bikey, Anelka had the whole Burnley half to himself but freedom
of choice appeared to befuddle the Frenchman and, as he sped towards
goal debating whether to shoot or round the keeper, Jensen surged off
his line to snaffle the ball.

Two minutes later it was Burnley's turn to pardon a defensive error.
Tyrone Mears dispossessed a dozing Frank Lampard on the edge of the
Chelsea area and showed impressive awareness to pick out Martin
Paterson in splendid isolation on the far side of the box. The striker
placed a low shot past Petr Cech but, unhappily for the visitors, also
fractionally past the post.

That was but a blip by Chelsea. With Deco probing at the tip of the
diamond and Lampard, Ballack and Anelka flitting hither and thither,
they soon regained control. Jensen hurtled off his line to deny
Ballack in the 21st minute, then watched gratefully as Drogba curled
the ball wide after a bustling run and shot. Then the Dane blocked a
John Terry drive after a Deco corner had broken to the England
captain. Soon he was beating away a Lampard volley.

After he clasped a long-range Deco stinger some in the crowd seemed to
ponder the possibility of Burnley keeping a third successive clean
sheet in the Premier League – but there was still an hour to go, and
with Chelsea continuing to attack in waves the gallant Burnley defence
was beginning to drop so deep they could have done with Scuba gear.

Just before the break, they were finally sunk. Drogba, who moments
earlier had teed up Lampard for an opportunity that the England
midfielder botched, scampered down the right before serving Anelka
with an invitation to score that the Frenchman duly accepted, poking
the ball into the net from two yards.

Any hope of a Burnley recovery was scuppered in the 48th minute when
Lampard raced on to a clever pass down the left and floated the ball
to the back post, where Ballack sent a diving header past Jensen. Four
minutes later Lampard and Ashley Cole rent the visitors' still-reeling
defence asunder with a snappy one-two and the left-back fired into the
top corner.

In between those goals Anelka had spurned another chance, and
immediately after the third he struck a shot against the bar after
rounding the now forlorn Jensen.

Three mighty Essien shots threatened to compound matters for Burnley
but the first, in the 68th minute, flew just wide from 20 yards, the
second a minute later was straight at Jensen, while the third, in the
77th minute, elicited Jensen's best save of the game, a flying
one-hander that enabled him to tip the ball around the post. Just
before full-time the substitute Salomon Kalou had a shot cleared off
the line.

When they could actually get the ball Burnley showed their inclination
to use it tidily but the closest they came to bothering Cech after
Paterson's early miss was in the 74th minute, when a neat move
culminated with Chris McCann slashing wide from 20 yards.

Yet to concede at home, Burnley are yet to score away. Neither of
those stats will last, but their destiny this season will depend on
which pattern is sustained more steadily over the entire campaign.


---------------------------------------------



NOTW:


Chelsea 3 Burnley 0


CHELSEA brought Burnley back to earth with a bang with a comfortable
victory to maintain Carlo Ancelotti's unbeaten start.

The Clarets are favourites for relegation but have been buoyed after
beating Everton and Manchester United already this season.

But they were no match for the Blues, who bombarded them from the
outset, and goalkeeper Brian Jensen had to be in inspired form to keep
the scoreline respectable.

Goals from Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole ensured
Chelsea retained their 100% record.

It was a performance that captured the Londoners at their best under
Carlo Ancelotti's attacking system.

Burnley clearly could not cope with it and at times Chelsea's play was
fluid, fast, and exciting.

It was, at last, the brand of football that owner Roman Abramovich had
been yearning for since he took charge.

Chelsea announced their intentions within three minutes when Anelka
tested Jensen with a 20-yard shot in the third minute.

Moments later, a mazy run by Ballack saw him fire a shot across the
face of the goal as Burnley struggled to contain the home side.

In the sixth minute, Chelsea wasted a great chance to take the lead
when Anelka robbed Andre Bikey on the half-way line and sprinted
towards goal.

But the France international's touch let him down and Jensen grabbed
the ball at his feet as the Chelsea striker looked to go around him.

However, Chelsea escaped in the ninth minute when Tyrone Mears robbed
Frank Lampard and sped into the penalty area.

The Burnley defender squared the ball to the unmarked Martin Paterson,
but he shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

It was a real let-off for Chelsea but they responded immediately with
Lampard putting Anelka clean through on goal. However, Jensen was
alert to the danger and claimed the ball at the Frenchman's feet.

In the 20th minute Ballack was foiled by a fine save from Jensen after
Deco's pass had given the German a clear opportunity to put his team
ahead.

Jensen then saved from captain John Terry and Drogba, with three goals
to his name already this season, curled a 20-yard effort around the
post as the Blues increased the pressure.

Jensen pulled off another reflex save on the half-hour when Jose
Bosingwa's cross was headed back to Lampard by Terry but the England
midfielder's volley was punched clear by the Burnley shot stopper.

Then, a superb run by Drogba down the left ended with Lampard just
failing to control the ball enough to fire past Jensen, who collected
the ball comfortably at his near post.

But Chelsea finally broke the deadlock when Drogba broke down the
right and crossed for Anelka to score from point-blank range.

Chelsea made it two in the 48th minute with a well-worked goal. Anelka
supplied the overlapping Lampard, whose cross found Ballack who
finished with a diving header.

Chelsea's third goal of the game arrived in the 52nd minute courtesy
of defender Ashley Cole.

In a move of elegant simplicity, Chelsea ripped open Burnley's defence
when Lampard and Cole exchanged passes.

The accuracy of Lampard's return ball allowed Cole the chance to send
an angled volley beyond Jensen.

In the 54th minute Anelka could have made it four but although he
rounded Jensen, his shot crashed off the top of the crossbar from just
two yards out.

Chelsea continued to flow forward effortlessly and the impressive
Michael Essien almost scored in the 66th minute but Jensen dived low
to his left to tip the ball around the post.

Jensen denied Essien again in the 76th minute when he punched away a
rising drive from the Chelsea midfielder.

Three minutes from time substitute Salomon Kalou was denied a goal
when Mears cleared his goalbound effort off the goal-line.

But it had been an electric performance from the Blues who enjoyed a
rapturous ovation at the final whistle.


Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (Belletti 66), Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole,
Essien, Ballack (Mikel 83), Deco, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba (Kalou 75).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Ivanovic, Malouda, Sturridge.

Goals: Anelka 45, Ballack 47, Ashley Cole 52.

Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Carlisle, Bikey, Jordan, Alexander (McDonald
74), Blake (Guerrero 78), Elliott, McCann, Paterson (Gudjonsson 58),
Steven Fletcher. Subs Not Used: Penny, Kalvenes, Thompson, Eagles.
Booked: Mears.

Att: 40,906

Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)


---------------------------------------------------

The Times

Chelsea maintain 100 per cent start to Premier League season

Fulham 0 Chelsea 2

Oliver Kay, Football Correspondent



In terms of euphoria and intensity, the celebrations could not begin
to match those down the Embankment and over the river at the Brit
Oval, but, as a glorious afternoon turned to a balmy evening in
London, there was a growing feeling in the pubs around Craven Cottage,
too, that this might be 2005 all over again.

As news filtered through in the final moments of this one-sided West
London derby that England’s cricketers had regained the Ashes, there
were quaint, if muted, chants of “Eng-er-lund” and even God Save the
Queen, but, by the time the referee blew his whistle and John Terry
and his victorious team-mates marched towards the Putney End in
celebration, the focus of the Chelsea supporters was firmly on the
Barclays Premier League title.

With the league campaign barely a week old, this is no time to be
jumping to conclusions about any team’s prospects, good or bad, but
there is something about Chelsea’s manner that will inspire confidence
among their supporters and at least trepidation among their rivals.

Yes, the same was said in the early stages of last season, when Luiz
Felipe Scolari briefly had them playing the kind of football that
Roman Abramovich envisaged when he first dreamt of Chelsea as
“Barcelona in blue shirts”. However, under Carlo Ancelotti, they look
like they mean business, building on the kind of firm foundations that
his predecessor, now in charge of Bunyodkor, in Uzbekistan, did not
begin to establish.

With every game that goes by, the dire final weeks of the Scolari
regime look more like a trick of the imagination. Scolari refused to
play Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in tandem, but Ancelotti, in
almost no time, has got them dovetailing beautifully.

Both scored a goal here to earn a deserved victory over an organised
but uninspired Fulham, and Ancelotti was left drooling over how they
set each other up for two extremely well-worked goals: Anelka doing
the spadework for Drogba in the 39th minute before the compliment was
returned with 14 minutes remaining.

“I was sure that they [Drogba and Anelka] could play together,”
Ancelotti said. “They are fantastic strikers. They have different
qualities, but I am happy because with the first goal Anelka made a
fantastic pass to Drogba and then for the second goal Drogba made a
fantastic pass to Anelka. It depends on the system a coach wants to
use on the pitch, but Nicolas is a very complete striker.”

Anelka a complete striker? His former colleagues at Manchester City
and Bolton Wanderers might disagree, but, at the age of 30, he has
developed an appreciation of his team-mates and of his role. Here it
was slightly different, dropping into a deeper position behind Drogba
when Chelsea did not have the ball, but he adapted to it superbly —
the result, Ancelotti said, adding another feather to his cap, of five
days’ intensive work on the training ground.

This was not quite Chelsea at their marauding best, but they had some
of the steamroller-like qualities that characterised their best
moments when cruising to their first league title under José Mourinho
in 2004-05. This team have a different shape — playing almost
exclusively through the middle, whereas Mourinho’s team, in that first
season at least, relied heavily on the wing play of Damien Duff and
Arjen Robben — but, if anything, the modern version have a stronger
spine, with Drogba a far more dominant centre forward.

Previous visits to Craven Cottage have brought all kinds of results in
recent seasons, but here Chelsea barely gave Roy Hodgson’s team a
glimmer of hope. Clinton Dempsey, turning sharply away from Ricardo
Carvalho, had a glorious chance to open the scoring in the second
minute, but, with more time than perhaps he realised, he shot high and
wide. With Terry and — it should be noted — Ashley Cole in dominant
form, Fulham did not get a real look-in after that.

The goals were similar in their conception, both coming from Fulham
mistakes, after which Chelsea passed methodically but purposefully
through the middle of the pitch before the final Anelka-Drogba
combination. For the first, the ball was passed between Carvalho and
Michael Ballack to Frank Lampard, who slipped away from Dickson Etuhu
and played the ball through to Anelka, who in turn sent Drogba clear.
Mark Schwarzer came out of his goal, but Drogba finished calmly inside
the near post.

For the second, Drogba controlled a high ball into the path of Ballack
and sped towards goal in anticipation of the return. Drogba then
clipped the ball between Fulham’s central defenders, allowing Anelka
to prove that he retains something of the pace that made him such a
fearsome proposition in his teens. The France forward skipped around
Schwarzer’s challenge and nonchalantly rolled the ball into the net.
Job done.

Hodgson was honest enough to concede that Fulham had not come close to
threatening Chelsea after falling behind, with Duff fading after
making an encouraging start on his debut against his former club, but
much of that was because of the way Chelsea defended. This was
Chelsea’s first clean sheet under Ancelotti and, while Carvalho had
the odd uncomfortable moment against Dempsey, it was ultimately
achieved with ease. As an Italian, Ancelotti will of course be happier
at that than anything else.

Fulham (4-4-2): M Schwarzer 6 J Paintsil 7 A Hughes 6 B Hangeland 6 P
Konchesky 5 Z Gera 5 D Etuhu 6 D Murphy 6 D Duff 5 C Dempsey 6 R
Zamora 4 Substitutes: D Kamara 4 (for Gera, 64min), C Baird 4 (for
Murphy, 70), E Nevland (for Zamora, 75).Not used: P Zuberbühler, S
Kelly, B H Riise, Seol Ki Hyeon. Next: Aston Villa (a).

Chelsea (4-3-1-2): P Cech 6 J Bosingwa 7 R Carvalho 6 J Terry 8 A Cole
8 M Ballack 7 J O Mikel 7 F Malouda 7 F Lampard 7 N Anelka 8 D Drogba
8 Substitutes: Deco (for Lampard, 81min), S Hutchinson (for Bosingwa,
86). Not used: R Turnbull, M Essien, B Ivanovic, S Kalou, D Sturridge.
Next: Burnley (h).

Referee: A Marriner Attendance: 25,404



-------------------------------------------



Telegraph:


Fulham 0 Chelsea 2:

Goals from Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka have moved Chelsea into
second place in the Premier League as they enjoyed a comfortable win
over neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Drogba put Chelsea in front when he latched onto an Anelka pass to
score in the 38th minute.

The Ivory Coast striker then turned provider in the 76th minute as he
put Anelka through for Chelsea's second to preserve their 100 per cent
start to the season.

Fulham immediately took the game to their neighbours and Clint Dempsey
should have done better when he wriggled free of the Chelsea defence
in the opening minute.

However, the American striker, playing in a more forward role in the
absence of injured Andrew Johnson, shot high over the bar.

Chelsea wasted a chance to punish Fulham in the 12th minute when
Drogba was brought down on the edge of the penalty area by Fulham
captain Danny Murphy.

Michael Ballack elected to try his luck with the free-kick from
25-yards out in a central position but put his effort a yard over the
bar.

Chelsea continued to press for an opening goal but their final ball
was a disappointment on numerous occasions.

Captain John Terry was an example of their growing frustration when he
tried his luck from 25 yards - but it soared over the bar.

Chelsea, though, finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when a
fine three-man move left Fulham floored.

Frank Lampard slipped the ball through to Anelka, who in turn put
Drogba in the clear with a clever pass.

The Ivory Coast international made no mistake as he slipped the ball
beyond the advancing Mark Schwarzer for his third goal of the season.

It was just reward for Chelsea's first-half domination and a perfect
example of how to pass the ball through an opposing defence.

Drogba managed to get clear of the Fulham defence again moments later
but he was ruled marginally offside.

Fulham almost fluked an equaliser in the 50th minute when Murphy's
deep cross into the penalty area was headed over his own goal by
Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho.

But Chelsea's domination was soon restored and Drogba almost grabbed a
second in the 54th minute when he latched onto a clever lob by Anelka.

This time, however, the Ivory Coast striker was denied at the second
attempt by Australian keeper Schwarzer.

Chelsea went two in front in the 76th minute when Drogba turned
supplier for Anelka.

The France international rounded Schwarzer and coolly slotted the ball
home to give Chelsea all three points.




----------------------------------------------


Mail:


Fulham 0 Chelsea 2:

Carlo's cruise - another easy ride for Blues' new boss


Not every Chelsea team are having such an easy ride this season, if
the events at their Cobham training ground are anything to go by.
While the reserves found themselves caught up in a karate kicking
scrap in midweek, the first team have so far encountered no meaningful
resistance, brushing aside their nearest neighbours here in a Barclays
Premier League contest that produced not a single booking.
For Carlo Ancelotti, it has been a relatively gentle introduction to
English football. He started with Hull, followed that with a trip to
Sunderland and has now continued what amounts to a perfect start here
at Craven Cottage.
By the time Burnley have been to Stamford Bridge and he has sampled
the delights of Stoke, the Italian might be wondering what all the
fuss is about. The toughest league in the world? Not on the evidence
that has been presented to the Italian.
But here's the thing: the success Ancelotti has tasted to date is not
just down to the obvious flaws in the opposition. It owes as much to
the quality of a Chelsea side looking every bit as formidable as they
were under Jose Mourinho.


Chelsea have, of course, been here before. Luiz Felipe Scolari started
with 20 points from a possible 24 last season before the team began to
stutter and Roman Abramovich hit the panic button.
But Ancelotti appears to have continued where Scolari's interim
successor Guus Hiddink left off and turned Chelsea into a side who
look capable of just about anything this season.
They are a team boasting that deadly combination of fluency and
athleticism which, in the words of Sir Alex Ferguson, made them so
impressively consistent when they won consecutive titles under the
self-anointed Special One.
While we will get a more accurate measure of their ability when they
meet Tottenham at Stamford Bridge next month, the echoes of their time
under Mourinho were inescapable yesterday.

They were so superior to their hosts. Strong, powerful and fast, they
cut through Fulham's defence with terrific one-touch football and
scored excellent goals from Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.
Can they play together? Definitely. Asked what Chelsea's secret is
this season, John Terry noted the importance of keeping the core of
the team together in a transfer window that has seen their main rivals
haemorrhaging top players.
'Didier has been our best signing of the summer,' said the captain,
and convincing Drogba to stay, when it seemed he was intent on
leaving, and sign a new contract has been hugely important.
As he again demonstrated yesterday, Drogba is still among the finest
strikers in the world - an immense athlete and, as Terry knows only
too well after encountering him a million times on the training pitch,
'unplayable' when he performs like this.
His speed and his finishing ability enabled him to open the scoring
six minutes before the interval, timing his run to perfection and
beating Fulham's offside trap before guiding his shot past Mark
Schwarzer.
Anelka had provided the perfectly-weighted pass that allowed Drogba to
score and he returned the favour in the 77th minute when Anelka put
the points beyond Fulham's reach.

It was a move that was breathtaking in its execution, started at one
end of the field by Petr Cech and finished as quickly, seemingly, as
it would have taken Usain Bolt to cover the distance.
The balled moved from Cech to Ricardo Carvalho, Drogba, Michael
Ballack, Drogba and then Anelka, who accelerated past Schwarzer before
scoring into an empty net. Again the final ball was terrific, Anelka
and Drogba showing Ancelotti just how effective a partnership they
could become. Fulham offered little in response.

The absence of Andy Johnson weakened their attack, while an injury to
Danny Murphy midway through the second half made it that much more
difficult for Roy Hodgson's side to cope with Chelsea's
physically-imposing midfield, so dominant even without the rested
Michael Essien.
If Ancelotti left Craven Cottage with any concerns, they might have
centred on his deployment of Frank Lampard. The England midfielder
says he is comfortable playing in a more advanced role and he still
had a decent game yesterday. But is he as influential as he has been
in the deeper position he has occupied in previous seasons? So far it
would seem not.
The answer might be to play with less rigidity. Ancelotti will not
want to make too many changes when his team has started so well. Even
Florent Malouda is performing with consistency and emphasising the
real strength in depth Chelsea now possess.
Yesterday, as well as Essien, they had Deco, Salomon Kalou and Daniel
Sturridge on the bench and they still have Yuri Zhirkov and Joe Cole
to return from injury. No wonder Ancelotti remains calm about the
club's failure to secure so many of their transfer targets.



----------------------------------------------


Independent:


Drogba puts Chelsea in total control

Fulham 0 Chelsea 2

By Sam Wallace


Sometimes it is the power of Didier Drogba that wins Chelsea games,
sometimes it is his pace. Yesterday, Fulham just seemed to capitulate
on the basis of his reputation alone. This was the old warhorse at his
very best, sweeping aside a defence, winning a game, all on his own.

Drogba scored the first, Nicolas Anelka the second and the pair of
them were just too much to handle for a woeful Fulham. The biggest
cheer of the day from the home fans was for England's victory in the
Ashes, hastily announced at the end of the game. This was a good day
to bury bad news and for Fulham there was lots of it.

For Carlo Ancelotti, with three victories in his first three games,
this is turning into a dream start, although previous Chelsea managers
have seen such dreams become cold-sweat nightmares by January. In the
sunshine, with their travelling fans buoyant, Chelsea swept the other
club in Fulham away just as aggressively as they did in the glory
years under Jose Mourinho.

John Terry said afterwards that Chelsea have the advantage over the
rest of the big four. "I'm delighted we kept our squad together unlike
the other two," said the Chelsea captain, which was a bit rich coming
from the man who did so little to discourage the intense interest from
Manchester City this summer. By the "two" he could easily mean any
pair from Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool but you get his
point.

Ancelotti finds himself in the unusual position of being second place
in the Premier League only to Tottenham Hotspur, which is not
something any Chelsea manager in recent history has experienced. "It
is a great start," he said. "We wanted to do this. It's a good moment
for the team. We have trust in our potential. It's a very good moment.
The most important thing is that the players have good motivation."

Last season it took Drogba until 26 December to score his first goal
in the Premier League. This time round he has three already and has
been unplayable at times. Yesterday the striker said that there was
"never any doubt" that he and Anelka could play together. "We are
intelligent people and we know how to play together. We just need some
time."

For now, Ancelotti is happy to look like the genius who has managed to
get two of the moodiest strikers around to work together. He said
yesterday: "I was sure the two of them could play together. They are
fantastic strikers. They have different qualities: Anelka made a
fantastic pass to Drogba for the first goal and Drogba made the second
for Anelka."

Before anyone gets too carried away, Chelsea under Ancelotti are
fundamentally no different in formation to Chelsea under Guus Hiddink,
Scolari or Avram Grant: they have all lined up the team in the 4-1-4-1
formation created by Jose Mourinho. There has been the occasional
attempt to adapt the system, some with more success than others, but
Ancelotti is showing little chance of deviating too radically.

Anelka had started nominally on the right side of midfield yesterday
which Ancelotti said he changed at half-time by encouraging Anelka to
push on and support Drogba in a variation on 4-1-4-1. It looked good
when they went forward but with this system there is the nagging sense
that with Anelka pushed forward, Chelsea's right side looks a bit
under-clubbed.

Anelka's pass was the one that sent Drogba free of the Fulham
back-line in the 39th minute, timing his run beautifully to get away
from a home defence that looked ponderous. The Chelsea striker does
that so well, and he finished even better, rolling the ball past Mark
Schwarzer.

Ancelotti's team were completely dominant save for one period before
their first goal when Fulham actually looked confident enough to
emerge from their own half and apply some pressure. Otherwise they
looked star-struck in the presence of their illustrious neighbours.

The dissatisfaction amid the Fulham support at their team's general
lethargy found its focus with Zoltan Gera who was having a dreadful
time of it on the right side of midfield. One too many bad touches and
the groans turned to outright hostility. The placid folk from down by
the Thames have got it in for Gera and there were cheers when he was
substituted.

Drogba made the second goal exquisitely, taking the ball on his chest
before slipping it through to Anelka. He walked the ball around
Schwarzer for the perfect finish and the game was over with time to
spare.

Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, bemoaned Jonathan Greening's agent
Mel Stein taking so long on Friday to negotiate his fee that the
midfielder on loan from West Bromwich Albion was not registered in
time to play yesterday. Greening cannot come soon enough with Danny
Murphy injured yesterday. The boos for Fulham from their fans at
full-time showed the ludicrously-inflated expectation that last year's
seventh place has encouraged

Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky; Gera
(Kamara, 62), Etuhu, Murphy (Baird, 70), Duff; Zamora (Nevland, 75),
Dempsey. Substitutes not used: Zuberbuhler (gk), Kelly, Seol, Riise.

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Cech; Bosingwa (Hutchinson, 82), Carvalho, Terry, A
Cole; Mikel; Ballack, Lampard (Deco, 81), Malouda; Drogba, Anelka.
Substitutes not used: Turnbull (gk), Ivanovic, Essien, Kalou,
Sturridge.

Referee: A Marriner (West Midlands)

Man of the match: Drogba

Attendance: 25,404


----------------------------------------------------


Guardian:


Drogba makes the difference as Chelsea play it by numbers

Fulham 0
Chelsea 2 Drogba 39, Anelka 76

Kevin McCarra at Craven Cottage

Chelsea's opener will be disputed, but there is no questioning the
outcome. If Didier Drogba was offside when he finished off a fine move
six minutes from the interval, the margin was too fine for any Fulham
player to launch into furious dissent. Not long afterwards, another
tight call went against the Ivorian.

The first goal had been smooth. Frank Lampard fed Nicolas Anelka on
the right and his pass set up Drogba to shoot low into the far corner
of the net. Although Anelka eventually added a second, this was a
somewhat dull contest as Chelsea took great care in their work. With a
first clean sheet on his record, Carlo Ancelotti will approve.

In the first half there might as well have been some sort of agreement
about the respective responsibilities. Fulham were ready to defend at
length and the visitors were mostly preoccupied with probing attacks.
The contrast was unavoidable. Fulham's means are limited and now they
are obliged to do without their striker Andrew Johnson, who will be
out for two months with a shoulder injury.

It was no surprise to find the Craven Cottage manager Roy Hodgson, in
his programme notes, again decrying the challenge, during Thursday's
Europa League qualifier with Amkar Perm, that did the damage. Given
Fulham's unhappy record, which now extends to one win in the last 26
meetings with Chelsea, the loss of Johnson may really be more telling
against lesser opponents.

Hodgson's side lacked the means to keep the match in the balance. In
the 76th minute, Drogba delivered a sharp pass and Anelka rounded the
goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer before easing the ball into the net.




----------------------------------------------------



Sun:


Fulham 0 Chelsea 2


CARLO ANCELOTTI insists he will keep on tinkering with his Chelsea
squad after watching them despatch west London neighbours Fulham 2-0
with consummate ease.
Chelsea made four changes from the side that defeated Sunderland last
Tuesday but it made little difference to the cohesion as goals from
Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka fired them to a 2-0 victory at Craven
Cottage.

Ancelotti left midfielders Deco and Michael Essien on the bench along
with centre-half Branislav Ivanovic and striker Salomon Kalou and
promised that his rotation policy will continue.

"Deco was out and Essien was out for this game," said Ancelotti. "But
it was a good line-up. Essien has played all the games so far, so I
wanted to give him a rest.

"He will play the next game. We have to follow this line."

Ancelotti was also left drooling at the Drogba-Anelka combination in attack.

The pair were untouchable against the Cottagers even though Anelka was
playing in behind lone striker Drogba instead of alongside him.

They both created goals for each other and Fulham had no answer to
their power, pace and trickery.

"I am sure they can play together because they are fantastic strikers
and have different qualities," said Ancelotti.

"For the first goal, Nicolas put a fantastic pass through for Didier
and for the second goal, Didier put a fantastic pass through for
Nicolas. They did a very good job together.

"Nicolas is a very complete striker. He can play in the centre and on
the right and left, he can play behind the striker.

"Our idea today for Nicolas was that he would stay a little bit behind Didier.

In the first-half he played a little bit on the right and our play was
not so good but it improved in the second half because he took a
position more in the centre."

Chelsea are now second in the Barclays Premier League with a 100%
record from three games and Ancelotti admitted it had been the perfect
start to his reign at Stamford Bridge.

"It is a great start," said Ancelotti. "We wanted to do this. It is a
good moment for the team. We have to maintain this now.

"The players have a good motivation and no problems. It is very good.

"It is the first time we have not conceded and that is good. The
defensive line played very well. They had very good concentration and
movement. They played a fantastic match."

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson accepted that Chelsea had been the better side
and revealed how Jonathan Greening's agent prevented him from signing
in time to play any part in the game.

Greening has joined the club on a season-long loan from West Bromwich
Albion but Hodgson said the deal was held-up for six hours while the
player's agent waited for his own fee to be agreed.

Hodgson also hinted that his side looked tired after their midweek
Europa League victory over Russian side Amkar Perm.

"We certainly played like we were tired," said Hodgson. "I thought our
energy levels were low. We kept Chelsea at bay for long periods by
keeping a decent shape but we never got close enough to disturb them
as much as we would have liked to have done.

"In the end we lost and deservedly so. Looking at this game over 90
minutes I thought Chelsea deserved to win it. Both their goals came
from clearances that bounced back to them.

"We didn't look like conceding a hatful of goals but on the other hand
I didn't think we had anything near enough like the possession we
would have needed to cause them more problems.

"They have the technique and pace to cause problems for the opposition
and they caused problems for us today and we lost the game.

"They didn't pepper our goal with shots but they had control of the
game after half-time and we didn't have enough in our locker."

As for Greening's situation, Hodgson added: "His agent took six hours
to agree the agency fees so between 12.30 and 6.30pm, the agent was
refusing to let him sign because his fee had not been agreed.

"When he eventually signed at 6.30pm it was an hour-and-a-half too late."



-------------------------------------------

Sunday Times

Didier Drogba double gives Carlo Ancelotti dream start

Chelsea 2 Hull City 1

David Walsh at Stamford Bridge


CHELSEA were earnest rather than brilliant, methodical but not fluid,
and even if they deserved to win, all you felt at the end was sympathy
for Hull, who played with terrific spirit. They deserved the draw that
seemed theirs after 90 minutes but when the fourth official, Phil
Dowd, held aloft a board that signalled six minutes of stoppage time,
he might as well have driven a stake through the underdogs’ heart.

Seeing their team had enough time to rescue the day, the Chelsea
faithful broke the early-afternoon quiet and when, three minutes
later, Didier Drogba clipped the ball across goal and found the far
corner of the net, the home fans descended into the ridiculous.
“You’re going down, you’re going down,” they chanted at their unlucky
rivals. On this evidence Hull will be fine.

Chelsea won because of Drogba, who was the game’s towering presence
and the only one who looked likely to beat Hull’s excellent defence.
It might seem a cliche to say the centre-forward is worth his weight
in gold but in this team, in this league, that might not be far from
the truth. His first goal was a brilliant free kick and though he had
the good grace to say the winner was lucky, it was still a
delightfully skilful cross that might have made a goal for Salomon
Kalou had it not sneaked in.

In sympathy with a humid summer afternoon, the game had more heat than
sunshine. Through the ebb and flow of four managers in two seasons,
Chelsea’s players have preserved their spirit and loyalty to the club.
They matched Hull’s verve and physicality. One expected more from
Chelsea but too often they tried to weave intricate patterns through
the forest of tall pines that protected the centre of Hull’s defence.

On the touchline the latest Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, spread
his arms outwards, as if by turning himself into an angel he could
give his team wings. It didn’t work. Drogba missed an early chance and
from very little, Hull scored the opener in the 28th minute. The ball
was half-cleared to George Boateng, who likes to loiter just outside
the penalty area even if, these days, there isn’t much intent.
Boateng’s shot wasn’t well struck and Ashley Cole whipped out a leg to
block it, only for the ball to ricochet into Michael Essien and then
fall kindly for Stephen Hunt. After his controversial collision with
Petr Cech three seasons ago, Hunt might as well sprout horns when he
goes to Stamford Bridge. Satan would have received a less hostile
reception, but Hunt found relief in the act of sidefooting a pinball
chance into the Chelsea net.

One-nil to Hull, the stadium then witnessed its first Ancelotti chant
as the away fans predicted his immediate sacking. Luiz Felipe Scolari
didn’t survive his team’s failure to beat Hull at the Bridge last
season and it was a quaint little connection.

The lead lasted just nine minutes, an unnecessary free kick conceded
on the edge of the penalty area leading to an unstoppable Drogba
strike.

Chelsea upped the tempo in the second period but Hull dug in
ferociously. Drogba played a neat pass through for Nicolas Anelka but
Andy Dawson, on the blind side of referee Alan Wiley, tugged the
striker’s jersey to slow him down and then made a fine saving tackle.
Boaz Myhill then made a good save from Drogba and on 90 minutes, the
striker latched onto Ricardo Carvalho’s mis-hit shot but Michael
Turner blocked.

Without Drogba, Chelsea might have taken days to break down Hull’s
defence but the six minutes of stoppage time were three more than the
Ivorian needed. It was his run through the middle that created the
first trouble and after passing to Deco he kept going, received the
return pass and then, from the acutest angle, lifted the ball adroitly
over Myhill’s head, a cross so good it turned itself into a goal.

The goal sucked the life from Hull and drained all the frustration
from Ancelotti’s afternoon. Sitting beside the new man on the bench,
Ray Wilkins traded his look of stern inscrutability for something
altogether more pleasant.

CHELSEA: Cech 6, Bosingwa 6, Carvalho 7, Terry 6, Cole 5, Essien 6,
Mikel 5 (Ballack 46min, 6), Lampard 6, Malouda 6 (Deco 69min), Anelka
6 (Kalou 79min), Drogba 8
HULL: Myhill 7, Mouyokolo 6, Turner 7, Gardner 7, Dawson 7, Mendy 6
(Geovanni 78min), Marney 5 (Barmby 44min, 6), Boateng 6, Olofinjana 7,
Hunt 6 (Ghilas 69min), Folan 6.

Star man: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Yellow cards: Chelsea: Drogba. Hull: Barmby, Mendy.
Referee: A Wiley.
Attendance: 41,597


-----------------------------------------------------


Telegraph:


Chelsea 2 Hull City 1:

By Oliver Brown at Stamford Bridge

Remodelled and rejuvenated, Didier Drogba delivered a stirring
exhibition in what he does best. No, not in the practice of deceiving
a referee at 10 paces with an anguished dive, or of mouthing
obscenities within range of television microphones, but in the more
beguiling art of winning a match through the trickery in his boots.

It seems that signing a two-year contract extension can do this to a
man. Drogba dispelled all doubts about his suspect loyalties with a
mesmeric display against Hull City, full of uncomplicated commitment
as he first equalised for Chelsea through a bending free-kick, before
scoring the winner in injury time from an improbable angle. Both
strikes crystallised his qualities of touch, grace and poise, while
his demeanour during the match suggested a refreshing and hitherto
unseen lack of artifice.

Not once did Drogba fulminate in the direction of a referee or fall to
the ground as if struck by an articulated lorry. Carlo Ancelotti, who
grasped his first Premier League win by the most slender margin,
maintained that he had not directly told the striker to stay on his
feet but said: "Drogba is the same player as he was last season. He
has worked very well, he is an important player for us. He has a lot
of motivation now."

Drogba's flourishes were all the more gratifying for Ancelotti in the
context of a unconvincing first showcase for his diamond formation.
Chelsea relied far too heavily on long balls and fussy build-up play
and, indeed, at times betrayed a worrying symmetry with the
over-ornate style cultivated by the Italian head coach's ill-fated
predecessor, Luiz Felipe Scolari. With his side behind after Stephen
Hunt's goal for 11 minutes that must have felt like hours, Ancelotti
was only too mindful of the fact that Scolari's final game had been a
goalless draw with the very same Hull.

"I spoke very clearly to my players before the match," said Ancelotti,
while refusing to be drawn on the content of his address. It is safe
to surmise, with Roman Abramovich watching from his Stamford Bridge
box all glowing and expectant, that it was along the lines of,
"Please, boys, don't fail me now." Whatever words he uttered, they
returned to haunt him as the Hull fans crowed, for a mercifully short
time: "You're getting sacked in the morning."

Scant chance of that, since all the signs are that Ancelotti will be
allowed the one luxury that all before him have been denied - namely,
the patience of Abramovich. But Chelsea's listlessness raised more
questions than it answered, and the club's owner is certain to demand
a more emphatic resolution to victories than the one Drogba provided
here. "For sure we have to improve, because we did not always play
well," Ancelotti acknowledged. "We made some mistakes but this is
normal. We went behind, which made the match more difficult. We didn't
lose the idea to play and in the end we deserved to win."

There remained, however, the nagging uncertainity of those 11 minutes,
when the scoreline read Chelsea 0 Hull 1. Ancelotti reflected that he
was "very calm" but the Chelsea supporters appeared not to share his
composure, their chagrin at Hull's goal made worse since it was their
bete noire, Stephen Hunt, who scored it. Hunt has not been forgiven in
SW6 for a challenge in Oct 2006, when still in Reading colours, which
left goalkeeper Petr Cech with a fractured skill.

Although Hunt was barracked incessantly, the midfielder was Hull's
most tenacious player and his combative style merited a goal when
Chelsea failed to deal with a free-kick. The award was controversial
enough - Chelsea disputing Alan Riley's opinion that Jose Bosingwa had
tugged the shirt of Hunt - and when Andy Dawson's strike sailed into
the penalty area it was only half-cleared as far as George Boateng,
whose shot cannoned off Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel to allow Hunt
to steer the ball into an unguarded net.

But Chelsea gathered themselves, erasing the perceived injustice with
a fine set piece of their own. Seyi Olofinjana was penalised for
holding on to Mikel and Drogba, having lined up a 25-yard free-kick,
unleashed a drive that dipped comfortably beyond Boaz Myhill and into
the far right corner. There were chances, too many of them, for
Chelsea to move out of sight in the second half, and until the death
they were too toothless to convert. Drogba twiced forced fine saves
from Myhill, as Bosingwa also threatened.

As the Ivorian finally found the space, with seconds left, to clip a
finish beyond the Hull goalkeeper - a goal remarkable for the
acuteness of the angle - Ancelotti could be thankful that Chelsea have
held on to Drogba. Here was a performance to counter all the comment
that the club needed this summer to bring in more "marquee names."
Save those for weddings.


----------------------------------------------------


Mail:


Chelsea 2 Hull 1:

Didier Drogba gets Carlo Ancelotti era off to the perfect start

By Rob Draper at Stamford Bridge


Didier Drogba was in commendably candid mood after chipping home a
spectacular injury-time winner at Stamford Bridge.

'It was a cross, to be honest,' said the Ivorian striker. In truth,
you could tell from the celebrations. Drogba, a man not known to
under-celebrate his goals, seemed initially embarrassed as he waved
his shirt to the crowd.

Carlo Ancelotti, however, felt no such inhibitions. The club's new
Italian manager celebrated freely, as well he might, for that
injury-time goal was a timely intervention. After a near-perfect
pre-season, Ancelotti's Chelsea were in danger of recording a
thoroughly unsatisfactory start once the real competition got going.

Hull, a team who had been transformed from everyone's favourite second
team to a laughing stock last season, played more like the former than
the latter for 90 minutes of this match, earning their unexpected lead
and manfully defending their point once Chelsea had equalised.

'For sure, I was worried,' said Ancelotti. 'We have to improve. The
match was very difficult after we went 1-0 down. But we didn't lose
the idea to keep playing football. We played well but made some
mistakes. That is normal, though, and hopefully, within a month, we
will have improved.'

Nevertheless, it might have been considerably worse and threatened to
be so when Stephen Hunt, on his debut for Hull yet booed here because
of his 2006 clash with Petr Cech, gleefully opened the scoring after
26 minutes.

Chelsea had failed to clear Andy Dawson's looping free-kick and George
Boateng's shot ricocheted off Michael Essien via Ashley Cole to fall
at Hunt's feet. To the consternation of Stamford Bridge, he directed
the ball home before sprinting to the small corner of celebrating Hull
fans.

'You're getting sacked in the morning,' the visitors sang raucously at
Ancelotti - and Hull have some form in this area, their scoreless draw
here last season prompting the dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Ancelotti may not have understood the precise wording of the jeers but
the sentiment was clear. 'I know that Scolari's last game was against
Hull City,' he said with a smile. 'But I spoke with the players
beforehand and made it very clear that this was not a possibility this
time!'

Nevertheless Hull were formidable. Dean Marney and Boateng had gone
close prior to the goal and thereafter heroes abounded, notably in
goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, Anthony Gardner and Turner as their hands,
feet and bodies were employed to block Chelsea's route to goal.

But Drogba proved their undoing and though he is not the easiest
player to laud, nothing could diminish the brilliance of the first
strike, a beautiful curling free-kick from 25 yards on 37 minutes
which evaded Hull's defensive wall and the despairing dive of Myhill.

Hull manager Phil Brown was aggrieved at the award of the free-kick
but, in truth, both Boateng and Seyi Olofinjana had a tug at John Obi
Mikel's shirt and a kick at his heels. Critics might add that Drogba
should have scored a further three, with his sliced shot after just 73
seconds and his close-range strike on 57 minutes which was parried by
Myhill, being the worst examples, while Nicolas Anelka recorded even
more glaring misses on 46 and 56 minutes.

Yet, Drogba remains talismanic for Chelsea when in this mood and it
was his strength in driving on in the final minutes to release Deco
which provided the buildup for his late winner.

'I'm bitterly disappointed, of course,' said Brown, who hopes to add
Real Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo to his squad tomorrow in a record
?12million signing. 'But I'm pleased with the way the players
competed. They did what we asked them to do.

'The biggest plus is that we had a game to frustrate Chelsea and we
did so. We had three of four new players on show and they learned
today about playing for Phil Brown, for Hull City. We know we have to
prove people wrong all over again.

'We might have surprised one or two people with our performance today
and we know we have to produce when we're playing the teams in and
around us.'

Indeed, for despite the roars of relief which greeted Drogba's winner,
there was enough on display here to question Chelsea's status as title
favourites. Frank Lampard's prowess was muted in his role at the apex
of the diamond midfield and Deco took over after 70 minutes.

Ancelotti claimed the amount of defensive players in Lampard's
position limited his performance but that is unlikely to change with
future opponents. Without Florent Malouda, Chelsea's midfield lacked
any width at all, with Lampard, Michael Ballack and Michael Essien
competing for space in the centre.

Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa attempted to provide it, with both
pushing up at once in those final 15 minutes, as Chelsea searched for
their goal. Exciting though it was, it is a vulnerability which will
surely be punished by more ambitious sides than Hull.



----------------------------------------------------------



Independent:


Drogba's outrageous fortune is cruel blow for brave Tigers

Chelsea 2 Hull City 1

By Steve Tongue at Stamford Bridge

Sometime during the course of his English lessons, Chelsea's new
manager Carlo Ancelotti has doubtless come across the cliché that
there are no easy games in the Premier League.

It is not true, but here was the evidence that some are far harder
than they ought to be. Ancelotti's new charges, tipped to top the
table, only defeated Hull City, who are the choice of many to finish
bottom of it, because a mis-hit cross by Didier Drogba in added time
drifted into the net.

The Tigers may have lost their teeth last autumn and been left hanging
on by their claw-nails in May, but they showed sufficient bite here to
take the lead through new signing Stephen Hunt (pictured), whose
challenge three years ago as a Reading player led to Petr Cech
sustaining a fractured skull. Drogba equalised with a stunning
free-kick but all Chelsea's second-half dominance was counting for
nothing until his fortuitous intervention just before the end.

New boy that he is, Ancelotti could have copied the old Bill Shankly
line, "same team as last season". By the end of the game, however, he
had been forced to give a run to substitutes Michael Ballack, Deco and
Salomon Kalou, the first of them as early as the 46th minute. There is
a tactical difference too in that he wants to use a diamond-shaped
midfield and push Nicolas Anelka, last season's Golden Boot winner,
right up alongside Drogba. Having Frank Lampard just behind them ought
to provide a potent attacking triangle, though the worry is that the
influential Lampard will not find space to do his best work. That was
the case yesterday.

Opposing managers will be quick to copy Hull's Phil Brown in deploying
wide players to stop Chelsea's full-backs from breaking forward. "We
had a game plan and I'm bitterly disappointed but also pleased with
putting down a marker in London yet again."

His team enjoyed their visits to the capital last season, and a gritty
goalless draw at Stamford Bridge back in February led to Luiz Felipe
Scolari's sacking three days later. "You're getting sacked in the
morning," the visiting support chorused at Ancelotti soon after the
startling first goal. "I was worried," he admitted later – about the
result, not the sack – "but in the end we deserved to win."

It was an outcome that looked in doubt from the 28th minute onwards.
Hunt lofted a dangerous cross that Dean Marney headed over the bar and
then took advantage of two useful deflections to open the scoring.
Following a Hull free-kick, the industrious George Boateng's shot
bounced off first Ashley Cole and then John Obi Mikel, falling
perfectly for Hunt to tap into an empty net.

Eight minutes later Mikel was trapped in a tiger sandwich and from 25
yards Drogba hit a magnificent free-kick with what might be called the
Ronaldo technique, keeping his body low over the ball, which flew just
inside Boaz Myhill's left-hand post. There had been other chances but
Ancelotti was not satisfied and replaced Mikel at the interval with
Ballack for "more quality and more aggression".

There was an extra ration of both from thereon in. Anelka should have
scored 25 seconds into the half, Myhill excelled with a save from the
rampant Drogba and Kalou's first touch after replacing Florent Malouda
was a header over the bar.

Hull were outraged to see six added minutes being signalled, although
only one of them had elapsed when Drogba stormed down the middle, took
a return pass from Deco out to the left and scored with what he could
have pretended was a perfect chip over the stranded goalkeeper.

Relief for Chelsea and hope for Hull, who still hope to sign the Real
Madrid striker Alvaro Negredo and possibly Celtic's right-back Andreas
Hinkel.


--------------------------------------------------


Observer:


Didier Drogba chips in at the last for Chelsea to deny Hull City

Chelsea 2 Drogba 37, Drogba 90
Hull City 1 Hunt 28

Amy Lawrence at Stamford Bridge


Carlo Ancelotti gave a genteel royal wave when he was introduced at
Stamford Bridge before kick-off and a wheeze of relief 91½ minutes
later. Didier Drogba's lofted chip came anxiously late, preventing the
ignominy of points dropped on the opening day of the season at home to
the team who escaped relegation by their heavily bitten fingernails
last term.

Not long before Drogba's intervention – so heaven-sent the Ivorian
striker was honest enough to admit it was, actually, a cross – Roman
Abramovich sat in his box and wore his 1,000-yard stare. Reading
between the lines, this was not the stellar impact he was expecting
from his prized Italian coach.

"I was worried, for sure," Ancelotti said. "But I am quiet. I am calm.
We scored in the last minute. In the last match, Manchester United
scored in the last minute. This is the nice part of football. It is
good for the team to believe we can score at any time." Indeed.

He is experienced enough to appreciate late goals are not always
summoned with a click of the fingers and he acknowledged that the
Chelsea system is still a work in progress. As to how long it will
take before his players demonstrate his ideas naturally, Ancelotti
pondered that it might even take until the very last game of the
season.

Having written in his programme notes that it was these games –
against teams he knew absolutely zip about – that most excited him
about the English challenge, it took seconds to get an inkling of what
this element of the Premier League was all about. Inside the first
minute, Stephen Hunt launched himself thigh-high at Frank Lampard. It
was not the only agricultural tackle of the afternoon. As the Beastie
Boys put it, you've got to fight for the right to party.

The former Reading man was inevitably given the treatment by the
majority at Stamford Bridge, given the part he played in Petr Cech's
fractured skull three years ago, and only served to underline his role
as pantomime villain when he opened the scoring in the 28th minute.

George Boateng, enjoying a fine captain's performance, picked up a
loose ball on the edge of the area and jinked cleverly into a shooting
position. His drive ricocheted off Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel, and
landed invitingly in front of Hunt, who clipped Hull into the lead on
his debut. "He's the type who can light up a room," said Phil Brown.
"He's tenacious. Some people don't like that, but he's my kind of
player."

Following the goal, Brown, as he would, ran on to the field of play
for a celebratory jig. Then, from the visiting supporters, came
another demonstration of cheek: "You're getting sacked in the
morning", they crooned to Ancelotti.

Drogba enabled the coach to shake his fists defiantly eight minutes
later. What a classy riposte. From a generously awarded free-kick, 20
yards out, the striker delivered a pearl that dipped viciously.
Unsaveable.

That was a pity for Boaz Myhill, whose performance in Hull's goal was,
otherwise, exemplary. He weathered a fair few storms during the game
and produced a string of saves to repel Drogba, Michael Essien,
Nicolas Anelka and José Bosingwa – and that is not to mention the
efforts Chelsea whacked off target, too.

Hull were not without breakaway chances of their own and gave Chelsea
some anxious moments. They lacked the finesse to carve out clean
scoring chances, however. They were, perhaps, closest of all in the
last minute, when Caleb Folan's deflected cross was tipped over the
crossbar by Cech. Hull's manager mentioned that he was still in the
market for a "top-class No9" and hoped to secure one in time for their
next match against Tottenham.

Brown managed to be bitterly disappointed, yet smugly pleased, with a
gameplan designed to frustrate Chelsea. It worked up to a point, but
was ripped up by Drogba and his theatrically timed finale. The Ivorian
did not enjoy his happiest season last time around, but looks to be
remotivated and revived.

This time, Ancelotti could not resist bounding on to the pitch with
fists clenched. He is learning fast about the peculiar passion of the
Premier League.


-------------------------------------------------------


NOTW:


CHELSEA 2, HULL 1


Didier Drogba strips away the strops

By ANDY DUNN, 16/08/2009

YOU have got to like Chelsea's new striker. Big fella, great touch,
strong as an ox.

Gets on with the game, no diving, no backchat, no collapsing when
caught by a gentle breeze.

Respects opponents, respects officials.

Unselfish. A dinked pass to a better-positioned team-mate here, a
50-yard track-back there.

Honest. Honest enough even to admit that a cross morphed into a
match-winning goal.

And a dead ringer for that Didier Drogba bloke.

That's right, the one who used to stomp around Stamford Bridge in a
blaze of play-acting and petulance.

You have got to like Chelsea's new striker. Didier Drogba - the reincarnation.

It's only one game, sure. And there will doubtless be devilish
diversions along the winding road ahead.

But the player who put pen to paper during the summer might just be a
new one. For his £120,000-a-week contract, the penny might have
dropped.

He might - just might - have realised that if he strips away the
strops, he can stand as the Premier League's finest all-round striker.

Hell, he might even be liked.

Carlo Ancelotti certainly liked him yesterday.

As the clock ticked past regulation time, Roman Abramovich sat up in
his box, looking as glum as a billionaire with a beautiful woman on
his arm could possibly look.

Looking every inch the Roman emperor with a twitchy thumb.

Moments later, he was high-fiving everyone bar the bodyguard. You
could spot his patented cheesy grin from a pitch-length.

Phil Scolari smiled through a 4-0 victory in his first league game.

Ancelotti knew that people would already be whispering behind cupped
hands had Drogba's cross not drifted into three-point territory.

Even Chelsea don't sack managers after one game but deadlock against a
team expected to be deadwood doesn't go down well. Indeed, Big Phil
bit the dust after drawing against this very opposition.

And deadlock was probably what Hull deserved. If only for their heroic
workrate and the epic, old-fashioned central defensive performance of
Michael Turner.

Post-match, there was a worrying reference to himself in the third
person - it's really not to the liking of Andy Dunn - but Phil Brown
was correct in identifying this as an encouraging performance.

They were as organised as they were unfamiliar.

Certainly more organised than a very familiar Chelsea defence when
George Boateng's miscued shot pinballed around before giving Stephen
Hunt a goal on debut.

"He's my type of player," Brown said. Which puts him in something of a
minority. To say the least.

Hunt actually secured a notable double. First foul of the Premier
League season, first goal of the Premier League season.

I suspect the tally of the former will greatly outweigh the latter as
the campaign evolves.

'We are top of the league', came the refrain from Hull supporters.

And they might have held that position for longer had referee Alan
Wiley not harshly penalised Hull when Boateng and Seyi Olofinjana put
a pincer movement on John Mikel Obi.

It is a wonder the new-model Drogba (left) didn't wander up to Wiley
and say . . . 'Excuse me sir, but I think that's a trifle harsh.'

Instead, he took dead aim from 25 yards and released a strike that
dipped like a Federer forehand winner to beat Boaz Myhill. The Hull
keeper might reproach himself for not getting to the effort but he was
an integral part of a determined Hull defence.

His distribution might be as rank as the Royal Mail's but he produced
several red-letter saves to deny Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

And frustration began to seep through Chelsea ranks. None looked more
edgy than Frank Lampard.

He won't be the first or the last person to come back from Amsterdam
with his head in the clouds but he had a strangely ineffective game.

Clearly, it will take him some time to become accustomed to
Ancelotti's diamond. A rough diamond, on yesterday's evidence.

And the introduction of Michael Ballack and Deco did not significantly
increase the goal threat.

Indeed, the reliance on Drogba was almost total.

So it was fitting - if fortunate - that he should spread that smile
across Roman's face.

He looks at a physical peak and his stamina took him to a cause that
might easily have been lost.

Herded towards safety, he stood up a clever left-foot cross which
faded away from defensive and offensive heads and tucked itself in
victory-side of the post.

As if to confirm his ripped condition, off came the shirt.

Wiley didn't like it - out came the yellow card - but the TV cameras
loved it, following Drogba's every move.

Just as they did when that other bloke went berserk after a beating
from Barcelona not that long ago.

When his foul-mouthed rant into the living rooms of the world appeared
to signal a certain exit from Stamford Bridge. Maybe, just maybe, he
did leave after all.

It could be tempting the most predictable of fates, but maybe it was a
different guy - one who respects the game, supporters, team-mates and
opponents - who replaced him when signing that summer deal.

Chelsea and football must hope so.


---------------------------------------------------

Times:

Michael Ballack and Patrice Evra clash as Chelsea win Community Shield

It has been the longest, laziest of summers for the sport that never
sleeps, but, if the sight of Wayne Rooney charging after John Terry
was not quite enough to convince you that the football season is now
upon us, then the finger-jabbing recriminations that followed the
Community Shield match at Wembley yesterday set the tone for another
ding-dong between Chelsea and Manchester United over the next 9½
months.

So much of modern football revolves around propaganda that at times it
can be difficult to discern where the phoney war ends and the real
business begins. But this was an arresting spectacle to launch the new
campaign, a match that was high on action, incident and intrigue, with
Chelsea recovering from an uncertain start to prevail on a penalty
shoot-out, picking up their first trophy under Carlo Ancelotti,
however trivial it may prove to be, and perhaps gaining a little extra
momentum as they prepare to kick off the Barclays Premier League
season at home to Hull City at lunchtime on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s appraisal that victory “won’t do Chelsea any harm”
will be strengthened by their knowledge that they were stronger for
all but the opening 20 minutes of the game. The Manchester United
manager felt that United “should have put the game to bed” by then,
but, by the time John Terry and Frank Lampard hoisted the oversized
trophy aloft after a penalty shoot-out in which Petr Cech saved from
Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra, Chelsea’s claim to victory was a
compelling one.

For being made to wait, Chelsea can blame Rooney, who showed great
composure to race clear and beat Cech with his left foot in the second
minute of stoppage time. The ferocity of United’s celebrations at that
point — on the pitch, certainly, but also on the terraces — owed much
to the enmity that built up in the game, from the incident between
Michael Ballack and Evra that led to Frank Lampard’s goal in the 71st
minute. But it also illustrated how much winning means to both sets of
players, particularly when it comes to a rivalry that dates back to
the José Mourinho era at Stamford Bridge and, for all Ferguson’s
characterisation of Chelsea as an old team, has plenty of life in it.

Drawing long-term conclusions from this fixture has become a fairly
hazardous pursuit down the years, but Chelsea are entitled to draw
encouragement from the manner in which they exerted their authority
after falling behind to Nani’s goal. For those first 20 minutes, in
which Dimitar Berbatov should have doubled United’s lead, it seemed
all too easy to pick holes in the diamond formation on which Ancelotti
has settled as the way to get the most out of the players at his
disposal, but Chelsea were the stronger thereafter. And, while he did
not score, perhaps the greatest beneficiary from the new line-up was
Nicolas Anelka, who immediately caught the eye and clearly relished
the opportunity to play alongside Didier Drogba in a two-man strike
force, having spent much of his Chelsea career operating in wide
positions.

It was United, though, who drew first blood, with the impressive
Darren Fletcher spraying a 30-yard pass wide to Nani, who showed
pleasing technique to bring the ball under control and, with a bit of
trickery, elude the questionable attentions of Branislav Ivanovic.
What came next, as Nani cut inside and struck a right-foot shot beyond
Cech at the far post, will inevitably spark talk of him stepping into
the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo, but this manoeuvre has been his
trademark in two largely erratic seasons at Old Trafford. The issue is
whether Nani can perform consistently and, having dislocated his
shoulder in a tackle with Terry in the second half yesterday, it may
be some time before he has the opportunity to prove he can.

United were knocking the ball around well, as if keen to show that
they can still flourish without Ronaldo, but Ferguson may be a little
concerned by the way in which they lost control of the game
thereafter. Ivanovic had a shot headed on to the crossbar by Evra,
from Lampard’s corner, Florent Malouda sliced a volley wide when
well-placed and Anelka peppered a series of shots at Ben Foster’s
goal, the first fizzing narrowly wide, the second blocked and the
third forcing the United goalkeeper into an awkward save.

Foster, eager to take advantage of Edwin van der Sar’s injury, had a
miserable afternoon, twice seeing clearances charged down by Drogba in
the first half before his performance took a turn for the worse in the
52nd minute. With Drogba steaming towards him, he may have had little
choice but to punch Malouda’s cross, but, having elected to do so, he
should have got more distance on his clearance. As it was, Ricardo
Carvalho was left with the simple task of heading Chelsea’s equaliser.

Chelsea’s second goal, in the 71st minute, should not have stood. The
problem was not with their decision to play on, with Evra lying prone
after an ugly challenge from Michael Ballack, but in the failure of
Chris Foy, the referee, to spot the challenge itself. Ferguson
suggested the German could have been sent off, which was not totally
unreasonable, but, in the event, Michael Carrick lost the ball and
Chelsea counter-attacked decisively, with Drogba setting up Lampard
for a well-struck shot that Foster, getting a firm hand to it, could
only push onto the post and in. Again the goalkeeper will feel he
should have done better.

What followed was fairly spiteful, with tensions rising between
Ballack and Evra, but United, showing that familiar capacity to keep
going until the end, forced a penalty shoot-out when Giggs set up
Rooney to score. Unlike in Moscow in the 2008 Champions League final,
it was Chelsea who held their nerve. This time Terry did not take one,
but he did collect the trophy, along with Lampard, and, after a summer
of uncertainty at Stamford Bridge, both he and Chelsea’s supporters
were entitled to enjoy the moment.


Chelsea (4-1-3-2): P Cech - 5 B Ivanovic 4 R Carvalho 7 J Terry 6 A
Cole 7 - J O Mikel - 6 M Essien 6 F Lampard 6 F Malouda 7 - N Anelka 8
D Drogba 6. Substitutes: J Bosingwa 5 (for Ivanovic, 46min), M Ballack
4 (for Mikel, 65), Deco (for Malouda, 77). Not used: Hilário, Alex, J
Belletti, S Kalou.

Manchester United (4-4-2): B Foster 4 - J O’Shea 6 R Ferdinand 7 J
Evans 7 P Evra 7 - Park Ji Sung 6 D Fletcher 7 M Carrick 6 Nani 7 - D
Berbatov 5 W Rooney 7. Substitutes: M Owen (for Berbatov, 75min), P
Scholes (for Fletcher, 75), R Giggs (for Park, 75), F Da Silva (for
O’Shea, 76). Not used: T Kuszczak, D Gibson.


--------------------------------------------------------


Telegraph:


Chelsea 2 Manchester United 2;
Chelsea win 4-1 on penalties:

By Henry Winter at Wembley

No love lost. For those craving fireworks this season, Chelsea and
Manchester United lit the fuse here. For those who enjoy their
football spiked with bitter rivalry, tune in. For those who prefer
love-ins, tune out. This Community Shield was all about good football
and bad blood, stirring the pot vigorously as the Premier League
hurtles back next weekend. Curtain-raising? Hair-raising more like.

Their hackles raised, United clearly view Chelsea as the main threat
to their title, more than Liverpool, overly reliant on Steven Gerrard
and Fernando Torres, and certainly more than Arsenal, still vulnerable
at centre-half. This defeat wounded the champions, who could sense
Chelsea leaving Wembley a far more confident force then when they
arrived.

Wembley captains urged to play nice United themselves stalked out of
town smarting at an injustice, a sentiment that will smoulder within
Patrice Evra, Wayne Rooney and company, an emotion that will ensure
the champions’ fire is fully stoked for the conflict ahead.

The gloves were torn off in the 70th minute. The teams were
level-pegging, Ricardo Carvalho having equalised Nani’s first-half
strike. Suddenly United had the ball, Evra knocking it to Rooney and
bursting forward in anticipation of the return. Instead, he was
body-checked by Michael Ballack, in the chest, not the face as Sir
Alex Ferguson claimed afterwards, but still a cynical offence, still
cautionable.

Evra lay there, writhing on the floor, as footballers do, looking like
he had run into the Reichstag. Dimitar Berbatov, meanwhile, was off
the field, receiving treatment for a thigh problem, leaving United
with nine men standing. Compassion was not in Chelsea thoughts. The
goal was. Ricardo Carvalho hoisted the loose ball forward, Didier
Drogba stormed to the edge of the box and Frank Lampard did the rest,
shooting home, although Ben Foster should arguably have saved.

United were incensed, arguing that Ballack should have been booked by
Chris Foy, that play should have been stopped. Chelsea were hardly
impressed that Evra jumped up quickly, clearly uninjured. And so the
temperature rose, setting the tone for the season. United’s feisty
Frenchman retaliated with a tackle on Ballack that took man, ball and
most of Germany.

Some sympathy must exist for United. Foy had halted play for similar
situations before, but Ferguson must realise that this is a referee
who shares the nation’s scepticism about players’ feigning injury,
whose idea that physios be allowed to run on while the game proceeds
around them gained even more credibility.

Such was United’s anger that they poured all their energy into finding
an equaliser. Typical United. They never give up. Deep into stoppage
time, Ryan Giggs flicked the ball through and Rooney, outpacing Jose
Bosingwa, fired in left-footed. Rooney, his bearing containing all the
diplomacy of a prize-fighter on enemy soil, stood in front of 40,000
Chelsea fans and celebrated wildly.

Chelsea had the last laugh, winning a penalty shoot-out, their first
in seven attenpts, beginning with an emphatic kick from Lampard, who
held the ball up towards the United fans. Wembley was hardly Woodstock
on Sunday. Giggs, surprisingly, placed his penalty too close to Petr
Cech. Advantage Chelsea.

Ballack, being German, drilled in his kick before Michael Carrick gave
United a semblance of hope. Drogba, derided by United fans, scored.
Evra, castigated by Chelsea supporters, then struck a penalty that was
even worse than Giggs’s, the ball rolled down the middle allowing Cech
to save. Salomon Kalou applied the coup de grace.

The look of thunder spreading across Rooney’s face said it all. United
know they are in for a tough season. Chelsea were stronger than them,
the Londoners inspired by the lung-breaking, box-to-box brilliance of
Cole. Carvalho was voted man of the match but Cole, defending and
creating relentlessly, held an equal claim. When Antonio Valencia came
on, Cole simply smothered him.

What will also delight Chelsea’s typically ebullient fans is how the
players eventually responded to Carlo Ancelotti’s diamond system.
Initially, uncertainty reigned. Lampard, positioned at the tip, found
his space and style cramped. Drogba and Nicolas Anelka looked less
than the sum of their considerable parts in attack.

At right-back, Branislav Ivanovic was so exposed that Nani had the
freedom of Wembley to work the ball wide of the Serb and shoot in
after only 10 minutes. Ancelotti wore the aggrieved look of a gourmand
in a Milanese restaurant learning that the last slice of Tiramisu had
gone.

Chelsea reacted. Michael Essien dropped back to protect Ivanovic, who
was hooked by Ancelotti at the break. Lampard began making runs from
deeper. Drogba moved up a gear, closing down Foster so quickly that
the United keeper, usually such a reliable kicker, fluffed a couple of
clearances.

Back came United, Darren Fletcher denied by Cech and then Rooney
thwarted by Cole’s superb block. Back came Chelsea again, Carvalho
heading in and then Lampard seizing that controversial lead. Rooney
ensured penalties but Chelsea took the Shield off United. Taking the
Premier League off United will be far more difficult.



---------------------------------------------------------



Mail:


Chelsea 2 Manchester United 2:

Blues hold their nerve to clinch Community Shield on penalties By Matt Lawton


Until Patrice Evra passed his penalty meekly into the arms of Petr
Cech, charity had been in rather short supply during this Community
Shield encounter.

There was actually a surprising amount of needle and genuine joy among
Chelsea’s ranks when Salomon Kalou converted the decisive spot-kick.
Not least on the face of Carlo Ancelotti, who must have known that
‘His Specialty’, Jose Mourinho, had also kicked off his Chelsea career
with a victory over Manchester United.
In both sides there was an almost tangible desire to land the first
psychological blow of what promises to be another fascinating title
race. Never mind that the game will be fast dismissed as an
irrelevance. They wanted to gain some kind of edge before the more
serious business of the Barclays Premier League begins next weekend.

It manifested itself in the way Chelsea scored their second, somewhat
controversial goal, in the way United communicated their displeasure
to the referee and the way Wayne Rooney then struck a quite brilliant
equaliser — 91 minutes and 43 seconds into a contest that most players
would have given up as no big deal.

It also manifested itself in the way Sir Alex Ferguson then ranted at
Chris Foy between the final whistle and the penalty shoot-out, and the
way Evra simply refused to accept what looked like an apology from
Michael Ballack.

Evra obviously has a bit of history with Chelsea, and their
groundstaff in particular. But his response to Frank Lampard’s
70th-minute goal was understandable when the England midfielder had
capitalised on the fact that Evra had been flattened by a Ballack
elbow seconds earlier.

Chelsea simply ignored the sight of Evra writhing on the ground, and
instead attacked a United side now down to nine men with Dimitar
Berbatov already receiving treatment on the side of the pitch.
Didier Drogba set off on a surging run before feeding the ball into
the path of Lampard in the exact area of the pitch normally patrolled
by a certain combustible French left-back. Lampard shot, Ben Foster
parried the ball against his righthand post but it bounced across the
line before the young English goalkeeper — a little nervous all
afternoon in front of Fabio Capello — cleared in vain.

Incensed, United reacted in a manner that probably amounts to a breach
of new Football Association disciplinary regulation. If three or more
players approach the referee in a ‘confrontational manner’, they face
an FA charge and Rooney, Evra and Antonio Valencia, as well as one or
two others, surrounded Foy to vent their anger.

Less than 10 minutes later and Evra collected a booking for a
challenge on Ballack, even if he did take the ball before the man. But
Rooney then delivered the best response, accelerating on to a super
ball from Ryan Giggs before lifting a delightful left-footed shot over
an advancing Cech.

On as a late replacement for Berbatov, Michael Owen would have given
his right arm to score that goal. It was straight from his repertoire
after all. But for United it was probably more important that Rooney
delivered, given the extra responsibility on his shoulders now that
Cristiano Ronaldo has gone.

Life after Ronaldo could yet prove difficult for the English
champions, and a goal from Nani after 10 minutes would have done
little to ease the sense of loss. Too often a dilettante with an
inflated opinion of himself, Nani has a long way to go before he can
be considered anything other than a poor man's Ronaldo.

His goal actually owed much to the poor judgment of Cech, who would
have cursed himself for failing to parry the Portuguese winger's
long-range shot to safety.
Chelsea’s goalkeeper did then make amends with two quite brilliant
saves to first deny Ji-Sung Park and then Berbatov, but the Czech
international is a perfectionist and he will wince when he sees the
replays. He might also demand that he gets that bright orange kit
back. Last season the orange must have dazzled strikers and made him
look even bigger than he actually is. The new strip isn’t anything
like as blinding.

Even if his side fought back, first with a headed 55th-minute
equaliser from Ricardo Carvalho after Foster had palmed a chipped
cross from Florent Malouda into his path, Ancelotti probably left
Wembley with more pressing concerns. His team lacked width against
United, which was a reason why Nani impressed against Branislav
Ivanovic. Until, that is, Ivanovic was hooked and Nani retired with
what appeared to be a nasty shoulder injury.
That said, a point that Ancelotti made last week remains true. Unlike
the rest of the top four, Chelsea have kept all their players and the
return of summer addition Yuri Zhirkov from injury will only
strengthen the Italian's hand, as well as provide the width they
lacked on this occasion.

Only time will tell how much United miss Ronaldo. Valencia and Owen
were signed to soften the blow of his departure and neither even made
the starting line-up here.

On Sunday, United just missed penalties, allowing Chelsea to emerge
victorious from such a spot-kick lottery for the first time in seven
attempts. Not that it will do anything to make up for that crushing
defeat in Moscow — a defeat, as this match demonstrated, that still
hurts them deeply.


Chelsea (4-3-1-2): Cech 6; Ivanovic 4 (Bosingwa 46 mins 6), Carvalho
7, Terry 7, A Cole 6; Essien 6, Mikel 6 (Ballack 65 6), Malouda 6
(Deco 78 6); Lampard 7; Anelka 6 (Kalou 84 6), Drogba 7.

Booked: Ivanovic.

Manchester United (4-4-2): Foster 5; O'Shea 6 (F Da Silva 75 6),
Ferdinand 7, Evans 7, Evra 6; Park 6 (Giggs 75 7), Fletcher 6 (Scholes
75 6), Carrick 6, Nani 7 (Valencia 63 6); Berbatov 6 (Owen 75 6),
Rooney 7.

Booked: Berbatov, Evra, Owen.

Referee: Chris Foy.

Attendance: 85,896.

Man of the match: Wayne Rooney.



-----------------------------------------------------------


Independent:


One game, one trophy for Ancelotti's Chelsea regime

Chelsea 2 Manchester Utd 2 (Chelsea win 4-1 on penalties)

By Sam Wallace at Wembley


It was not quite Billy Bremner's fight with Kevin Keegan, and no-one
got sent off or left the pitch bare-chested, but when Michael Ballack
floored Patrice Evra with a forearm to the chest you did get the
feeling that this was the start of another gloriously truculent, spiky
English football season.

The old bad blood was suddenly revisited: Wayne Rooney berated the
referee Chris Foy and Sir Alex Ferguson, in a Homer Simpson-style
short-sleeved shirt, did the same when the game finished for
penalties. Chelsea counter-attacked for their second goal while Evra
lay prostrate on the turf and the Manchester United left-back was
still complaining about his treatment when the United players were
waiting to take their penalties.

Granted, it was not the same feverish pitch as Bremner's and Keegan's
punch-up in the 1974 Charity Shield but 25 years on, there was not
much charity and very little community spirit. Nevertheless,
Ferguson's analysis of the game's turning point – that Chelsea goal
which was scored while Evra was on the ground – cut to the heart of a
matter which has the potential to be one of the big issues of the
season.

Ferguson was correct when he said that a referee must be consistent
when a player goes to ground: he must stop the play on every occasion
or not at all. Ferguson identified two occasions when Foy had called
play to a halt for players on the ground and contrasted that to the
moment in the 70th minute when Ballack floored Evra and Chelsea surged
forward to score. It is a grey area that does the game no favours.

Yet this was a match that had plenty of life even before Chelsea's
contentious second goal. It had a brilliant opening goal from Luis
Nani who, in that brief moment looked a replacement for Cristiano
Ronaldo, but did little else and later left the pitch with a
dislocated shoulder. Then Chelsea came surging back, that old powerful
machine looking just as daunting despite being shoehorned into Carlo
Ancelotti's new formation.

Ancelotti: one game, one trophy. Even though after Rooney's
92nd-minute equaliser it did not look like this was to be Chelsea's
day. Chelsea had muscled their way back into the match with an
equaliser from Ricardo Carvalho and a goal from Frank Lampard but with
time slipping away Rooney exchanged passes with Park Ji-sung and
bulldozed past the challenge of Jose Bosingwa to score.

Welcome, Carlo, to a lifetime of trying to beat Manchester United.
However, like Jose Mourinho in his first game in charge of Chelsea
five years ago, the Italian coach won in the end courtesy of two very
dodgy penalties from Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra.

The latter, evidently still nursing a sense of injustice from his
tangle with Ballack, tapped a penalty so tame at Petr Cech that the
Chelsea goalkeeper might have gathered it without diving.

Having dragged themselves back into the game in the dying moments,
United tossed it away with two dreadful penalties – only Michael
Carrick scored from their three. Over the course of a hot afternoon
this game had actually started to mean something to the combatants, so
when Salomon Kalou struck the winning penalty, the Chelsea players
even began to sprint towards him until they remembered the nature of
the prize at stake.

In his seat in the Wembley stand it looked like Fabio Capello was
sporting another new pair of designer spectacles although it was
tempting to think that not even rose-tinted lenses will have rescued
Ben Foster's performance. The United goalkeeper came perilously close
to gifting Didier Drogba possession in the first half and then, when
Florent Malouda crossed for Drogba on 52 minutes, he flapped at the
ball.

It was headed home by Carvalho and Chelsea were back in the game. They
had gone behind to Nani's 10th-minute strike, one of his trademark
runs from the left, he cut in on his right foot and buried the ball in
the far corner of Cech's goal. There was a moment of misunderstanding
between the Chelsea goalkeeper and his captain John Terry who both
seemed to leave it to one another.

Terry had tested the water with the Chelsea fans by gingerly
applauding them as he and his team-mates warmed up and the reception
was so positive he must now believe that he has got away scot-free
with his summer flirtation with Manchester City. The worry for Chelsea
was Branislav Ivanovic at right-back who had a disastrous start to the
game against Nani, was booked for a foul on Evra and replaced at
half-time with Bosingwa.

It was telling that neither starting line-up included a single player
acquired during the summer – both these clubs have, to a great extent,
been forced to settle for what they have got in football's new
financial world order. And for United and Chelsea, the reliance was on
the same old characters: Rooney, Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Drogba all
looked like they will be dominant figures again this season.

Yet for United, the fear about the goalscoring threat which
disappeared when Ronaldo left in June hung heavy. Dimitar Berbatov
started strongly, denied a goal by Cech's save in the 17th minute but
once again the United striker faded. Rooney only really got free of
the Chelsea defence when Ryan Giggs opened up the Blues with seconds
left. Michael Owen, a late substitute, got booked for a handball and
did little else.

The real drama was in Evra's feud with Ballack, who entered the game
on 65 minutes. The German offered the hand of peace in the aftermath
of the game, but you get the impression this one will run and run. It
seemed to have its roots in a feud that pre-dated yesterday's game and
the two players were at it almost from the moment that Ballack came on
to the pitch.

On 70 minutes, Ballack smashed Evra with his arm and from Carvalho's
clearance, Drogba crossed for Lampard to score. A few minutes later,
Evra caught Ballack lingering on the ball and dispossessed him
brutally but fairly. "Ballack did not complain [about the tackle],"
Ferguson said, "and that's unusual." Evra was booked. Fingers were
pointed. If the season starts as red-blooded as this, Saturday can't
come quickly enough.

Chelsea (4-1-3-2): Cech; Ivanovic (Bosingwa, h-t), Carvalho, Terry, A
Cole; Mikel (Ballack, 65); Essien, Lampard, Malouda (Deco, 76);
Drogba, Anelka (Kalou, 83). Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk),
Bosingwa, Alex, Belletti.

Manchester United (4-4-2): Foster; O'Shea (F Da Silva, 75), Ferdinand,
Evans, Evra; Park (Giggs, 75), Fletcher (Scholes, 75), Carrick, Nani
(Valencia, 63); Berbatov (Owen, 75), Rooney. Substitutes not used:
Gibson, Kuszczak (gk).

Booked: Chelsea Ivanovic; Manchester United Berbatov, Evra, Owen.

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).

Man of the match: Cech.

Attendance: 85,896.

From the spot

Frank Lampard confidently steps up to score the first penalty for Chelsea.
Manchester United's first penalty taker, Ryan Giggs sees his penalty
saved by Petr Cech handing the Blues the early advantage.

*Michael Ballack scores for Chelsea,

* Michael Carrick replies for the Reds to make it 2-1.

*Didier Drogba scores the third penalty while Patrice Evra's tame kick
is saved with ease by Cech, Chelsea lead the shoot-out 3-1.

*Salomon Kalou scores the deciding spot-kick to give Chelsea a
resounding 4-1 victory in the shoot-out.



----------------------------------------------------


Guardian:


Chelsea strike first blow against Manchester United in Community Shield

Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United; Chelsea win 4-1 on penalties

Kevin McCarra at Wembley

This Community Shield occasion cannot be dismissed as a bogus match.
It had the hallmark of authenticity in the rancour that so often comes
to the fore when rivals meet. Manchester United's reaction to the
second Chelsea goal was certainly not a rueful shrug. There was rage
over the substitute Michael Ballack's unpunished bodycheck on Patrice
Evra moments before Frank Lampard put his side 2-1 ahead.

The United left-back, 10 minutes later, conducted a reprisal on the
German that brought him a yellow card. Still, an afternoon that closed
with Chelsea's victory in a shoot-out had more to do with laudable
enterprise than feuds. United, who had been 1-0 ahead, were galvanised
by the manner in which they had fallen behind, and Wayne Rooney
equalised in the second minute of stoppage time after being sent clear
by the substitute Ryan Giggs.

The indignation in United's ranks was warranted. After Evra was
floored, his side was still in possession and that must have persuaded
the referee Chris Foy to play the advantage, but it was of no benefit
when their left-back lay on the ground. Chelsea recovered possession
and the sporadically effective Didier Drogba cut inside John O'Shea
before picking out Lampard. Ben Foster got his hands to the ensuing
drive but merely helped the ball on its way over the line via the
post.

The goalkeeper's shaky performance may have been the most significant
factor. Foster hopes to establish himself with his country. With the
incumbent, David James, left out of the England squad because of a
knee problem, there was a prospect of Foster featuring against Holland
in Wednesday's friendly. Fabio Capello, at the least, will have
reservations.

Sir Alex Ferguson had pronounced that Foster would be between the
posts at the 2010 World Cup and declared the 26-year-old to be
"streets ahead" of any other English goalkeeper. That may well be true
but there was a reminder that reputations can only be established in
competitive matches. Foster will have to do much better if Edwin van
der Sar is not to be reinstated next month when he makes his comeback
after a hand operation.

Foster was blameless in the shoot-out as the victors converted all
four of the penalties they needed, with Salomon Kalou slotting the
last. Michael Carrick was the sole United player to succeed from his
side's three efforts. This outcome, of course, is no salve for
Chelsea's loss to United on penalties in the 2008 Champions League
final but Petr Cech, normally outstanding at everything other than
stopping spot-kicks, fared well here.

Foster was still the goalkeeper who had the greater impact on the
result. He was tentative when Chelsea scored in the 52nd minute.
Lampard linked with Florent Malouda, who flighted a cross with which
Foster, under pressure from Drogba, barely connected. Ricardo Carvalho
headed home the loose ball. The defender deserved to be the
beneficiary as the most impressive performer.

The Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, may feel he is carrying good
fortune if Carvalho, the Portugal centre-back, is to be his true self
once more. He was bedevilled by injuries and dwindled as an influence
last season but he illustrated at Wembley that he can be a key factor
in the season ahead. With the new signing Yuri Zhirkov absent because
of a knee injury there was a sense Ancelotti was simply developing a
deeper knowledge of his inheritance.

He will have found this game more instructive than any of the
friendlies to date. United initially nullified the diamond midfield
system that the Italian wishes to employ. With Darren Fletcher
particularly effective in front of the defence, Lampard, before his
goal, had limited scope. If the result here does not count for very
much, then Ferguson can generally be happy.

Nani had often been lamentable in the last campaign but he was full of
conviction here, at least until he was withdrawn after dislocating his
shoulder when toppled by John Terry. He is not a replica of Cristiano
Ronaldo but he accomplished enough here to make United rueful about
his injury. In the 10th minute, he veered in from the left, cut across
the hapless Branislav Ivanovic and fired low into the far corner, with
Cech conceivably unsighted.

Cech recovered to make saves from Park Ji-sung and Dimitar Berbatov.
Yet Chelsea posed a threat throughout; as early as the sixth minute,
Evra had knocked the ball against his own bar to deny Ivanovic. It was
an afternoon of small margins. That could be the case throughout the
season as these clubs are in the thick of the battle for the Premier
League title.



---------------------------------------------------------------


Sun:


Chelsea 2 Man Utd 2

From IAN McGARRY at Wembley

CARLO ANCELOTTI grabbed his first piece of English silverware
yesterday - and now the nation is hoping the season will end with
another Italian leading the country to glory.

The season kicked off with Ancelotti's Chelsea proving they can win a
penalty shootout - even against Manchester United.

And on Wednesday Fabio Capello begins serious preparations for
England's assault on the World Cup with a friendly against Holland.

What odds an Italian double with both former AC Milan managers writing
their names large in the history of the English game?

Ancelotti could not have got a better start to his reign as Blues boss
at Wembley with a spot-kick victory over the Premier League kings.

Wayne Rooney's injury-time equaliser forced the Community Shield to
penalties but Chelsea held their nerve having failed to win a shootout
for 11 years.

In fact, four Chelsea managers have lost the club's last six spot-kick
crunchers - including the 2008 Champions League Final against United
in Moscow - so Ancelotti did not have history on his side.

When you are Italian, however, penalties are as much a part of the
culture as pizza and Pavarotti. United boss Alex Ferguson will
remember Ancelotti's Milan side winning a shootout at Old Trafford to
beat Juventus in the 2003 Champions League final.

Ancelotti has had his players practising from 12 yards in training
over the past two weeks and it clearly paid off.

Ben Foster, the hero for United in their Carling Cup shootout victory
against Spurs last season, looked supremely confident as he stood to
face Frank Lampard.

With Capello watching from the Royal Box, Foster clearly fancied a
repeat of that afternoon but was soon made to look the court jester.

First Lamps, then Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba all beat him
easily to the keeper's right. Petr Cech fared much better, saving with
his feet from Ryan Giggs before Patrice Evra completed his clown-like
performance with a comedy kick which rolled into the keeper's arms.

Salomon Kalou struck the winning kick and Ancelotti raised his arms to
salute his first silverware in his new job.

Not that winning the shield, which marks the opening of the season,
will be enough to see him succeed where two of his last three
predecessors failed.

Ancelotti is no fool and knows only lifting the Premier League title
and/or the Champions League this season will see him stay for a
second.

This win though, was more significant for Chelsea than just breaking
their penalty hoodoo.

For five weeks the new boss has been preaching on his preferred
diamond formation but for 30 minutes against United, it looked less
than polished. Fergie played four across the middle with Evra and John
O'Shea overlapping from full-back.

And in a torrid period for Chelsea, they were almost swept away as
tide after tide of red shirts broke their defensive barrier.

Wayne Rooney, Darren Fletcher and even the limp Dimitar Berbatov
peppered Cech's goal.

But it was Portuguese winger Nani who broke the deadlock after just 10
minutes. He scooped up a perfect crossfield pass from Fletcher before
selling Branislav Ivanovic a clever dummy.

Michael Essien was slow to close the space and Nani bent a shot which
flew between Cech and John Terry.

Ancelotti clenched his fists in frustration. Fergie just sat back in
his seat and smiled.

And if United's possession had been converted into goals in the first
45 minutes then this contest would have been over at half time.

Chelsea, though, have yet to lose under their new Italian coach and
have shown a stubborn tenacity on the pitch matched by Ancelotti's
shrewd tactical brain.

He removed the hapless Ivanovic and asked Lampard to drop deeper and
take responsibility on the ball.The England star set up Ricardo
Carvalho's equaliser after 52 minutes which Foster placed on his head
with an unconvincing clearance.

Lamps then fired the Blues ahead with 19 minutes left after a great
set-up from Drogba.

Showing classic Italian caution, Ancelotti pulled Drogba and Lampard
back to help defend the flanks in the closing minutes.

With nine men behind the ball and only Kalou up front, Chelsea had the
perfect system to foil Fergie's men.

But it was a case of almost but not quite as Giggs nudged a perfect
ball past Jose Bosingwa for Rooney to run on and beat Cech with just a
minute of added time left.

In recent years, Chelsea hearts have burst and heads dropped at the
prospect of winning a shootout.

That does not appear the case under Ancelotti. He selected his list of
penalty takers and gave them specific instructions on what to do.

Ferguson was already stewing over Ballack's body check on Evra in the
build-up to Chelsea's second goal. So the comedy of errors in the
shootout must have left him fuming at the start of a season where
United are chasing an record fourth consecutive League title.

The omens for Ancelotti are much better. Jose Mourinho was the last
Chelsea boss to win the Community Shield which he followed with a
second Premier League win.

If Ancelotti's side can sustain this level of performance, it could
yet be a vintage year for England's Italians.



----------------------------------------------------



Star:


FIRST BLOOD TO BLUES AS FEUD RAGES ON

Chelsea 2 Man Utd 2 (Chelsea win 4-1 on penalties)

THIS used to be called the Charity Shield. Well, Chelsea certainly did
not show any charity yesterday as they scored the most controversial
of goals.

Frank Lampard’s 70th-minute strike, which looked set to win this
showdown until Wayne Rooney equalised at the death, was claimed while
Patrice Evra lay flat out near the other end of the pitch.

If it had been anyone else, the Blues might have kicked the ball out.

But not Evra, the Frenchman who was banned for four matches last
season after a fracas with Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell at Stamford
Bridge.

United were so furious, they lined up to protest to ref Chris Foy,
delaying the restart for a
couple of minutes – and boss Sir Alex Ferguson had his say to the
Merseyside official before the penalty shootout, won by the Blues 4-1.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Premier League title rivalry, Carlo Ancelotti!

Nani deservedly gave United the lead in the 10th minute before Ricardo
Carvalho responded in the 52nd. Then came that Lampard goal and
Rooney’s dramatic late equaliser.

So what will Ancelotti and Fergie have learned from this Community
Shield clash?

Italian Ancelotti must have been pleased at how his 4-1-2-1-2 system,
which looked hopeless in the first half, improved markedly after the
break, following the withdrawal of right-back Branislav Ivanovic – and
no doubt a few harsh words.

Lampard also needs time to get used to his advanced role, with
Chelsea’s best player marginalised before the break, and Didier Drogba
and Nicolas Anelka’s strike partnership is a long way off being a
natural pairing.

For Fergie there was the promise of Nani, who was superb in the first
half and unlucky to suffer what looked like a collarbone injury around
the hour. He may not be Cristiano Ronaldo II, but he is definitely
exciting.

Dimitar Berbatov promises to continue to frustrate and impress in equal measures

And Rooney, back in a striking role, showed with that late goal what a
threat he will be, even when not at his riveting best. Michael Owen
was not on long enough to judge.

This certainly was not a dull encounter, with plenty of intensity from
the start as the two teams who have dominated the Premier League for
four seasons attempting to bag an early psychological advantage.

In the sixth minute, Ivanovic was unlucky to see Evra graze his
close-range sidefoot from a Lampard corner on to the bar. Ivanovic’s
fortune was even worse for Nani’s opener. The Portuguese winger
collected an excellent Darren Fletcher crossfield pass on the left and
used the decoy run of fullback Evra to shape as if to pass to his
team-mate.

Ivanovic and Michael Essien were fooled as, instead, Nani cut in and
burst towards goal before firing a right-foot shot which arched to the
left of Petr Cech, with the keeper getting a weak hand on the ball.

Just before the break, Cech showed his class. Fletcher collected a
quick Nani corner and shook off Anelka before forcing Cech to tip over
his fine shot.

Chelsea equalised through that most unlikely of sources, Carvalho.

Lampard and Florent Malouda worked an opening out on the left and the
Frenchman  lofted a cross which Drogba, Evra and keeper Ben Foster all
went for.

Foster’s push clear was poor, going straight to the centre-back,  who
sent his diving header from eight yards into the net.

Then came that Lampard goal, which followed a blatant bodycheck on
Evra by Michael Ballack.

Carvalho thumped a clearance to Drogba, who surged forward past Jonny
Evans, before squaring to Lampard on the edge of box. He fired home
off Foster’s body and the inside of a post.

Nine minutes after the goal Evra exacted some revenge on Ballack,
flying in and taking a massive swipe which luckily saw him connect
with the ball.

Foy, though, saw the intent and booked the Frenchman.

In stoppage time Rooney, who had been fairly restricted on his return
to a central attacking role, proved he is always dangerous.

Michael Carrick chipped a ball to Ryan Giggs, who sent Rooney
scurrying through on goal. He held off Jose Bosingwa to clip past Cech
with his left foot.

Ballack and Evra spent a fair bit of time mulling over their two
incidents as the two sides prepared for spot-kicks and Fergie let Foy
know what he thought about Chelsea’s second goal.

Carrick netted his penalty but either side of his, Ryan Giggs and poor
Evra missed. But the Blues were four from four through Lampard,
Ballack, Drogba and Salomon Kalou.

First blood to Ancelotti and if this passionate display yesterday is
anything to go by there could be plenty of the red stuff spilled as
these two battle it out at the top.


----------------------------------------------------------

Guardian:


Deco adds the gloss as Chelsea come from behind at Sunderland

Sunderland 1 Bent 18
Chelsea 3 Ballack 52, Lampard (pen) 61, Deco 70

Louise Taylor at the Stadium of Light


For the second time in four days Chelsea lulled opponents into a false
sense of security, cruelly imbuing them with brief optimism before
delighting at their eventual undoing. As against Hull City at Stamford
Bridge last Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti's side fell behind fairly early
on Wearside, huffed and puffed for a bit and then, bewitchingly,
reminded everyone why they are so widely tipped to win the Premier
League.

Steve Bruce, in charge of his first competitive game at the Stadium of
Light, had cautioned that Sunderland faced an "ultimate test" and with
Deco renascent in a quasi attacking role he was not wrong.

Bruce, though, should take considerable heart from a resolute
first-half display which suggested his side will not be quite the soft
touches they have so often proved in the recent past.

"There's no disgrace, no shame in being beaten by a very, very good
team," he reflected. "We gave our utmost. In the end we just couldn't
cope with the way Chelsea move the ball. We started well and the goal
gave us hope but we were always going to run out of juice. They are a
really top side and their new system is very difficult to play
against."

Ancelotti did not disagree. "I'm very happy, we played very well," he
enthused. "Sunderland were good in the first half, very strong
defensively but then they got tired and found it more difficult to
control our game."

At least the Wearsiders enjoyed a few minutes in the sun as, perhaps
aware Fabio Capello was watching from the directors' box, Darren Bent
sent Harry Redknapp the sort of message Twitter cannot replicate by
scoring his second goal in two games.

Even better, Bent also had a hand in its creation, whipping in a cross
which Lorik Cana flicked in Kenwyne Jones's direction. Although boxed
in by Branislav Ivanovic and John Terry, the Trinidadian managed to
turn and take a swipe at the ball, this effort deflecting off Terry's
heel. Alert to the ricochet, Bent surged in front of his marker before
directing his shot beneath Petr Cech.

All smiles at kick-off, Ancelotti was, by now, taut-faced. At this
stage he was enduring the disturbing sight of seeing his slightly
modified midfield diamond sustain a few nasty scratches, invariably
inflicted by Bruce's feisty new central midfield combination of Cana
and Lee Cattermole.

Soon, though, the tide turned. Chelsea began controlling the tempo and
Cattermole performed wonders to clear Michael Ballack's goalbound shot
off the line.

Suddenly Sunderland no longer looked so impressive on the
counterattack and were now unable to assiduously close down the
components of a newly dazzling diamond with Deco now glistening at its
apex. Even so, Chelsea were still not fully extending Marton Fulop and
Ancelotti presumably coaxed his gradually expanding English vocabulary
into ticking-off mode during the interval. It was certainly a newly
galvanised Chelsea which emerged for the second period.

Perhaps inspired by chants for Nicolas Anelka – controversially left
on the bench all evening – the hitherto subdued Didier Drogba finally
started putting himself about and went mighty close with a header
shortly after Ivanovic's effort had nearly eluded Fulop from Lampard's
cross.

Fully under the cosh, Sunderland had young Jordan Henderson – who
initially at least gave Ashley Cole quite a game down Chelsea's left –
to thank for bravely nicking the ball away from Cole just as the
England full-back looked poised to level. But an equaliser was in the
air and it duly arrived when Ivanovic flicked on a Lampard corner and
Ballack, swivelling adroitly as the ball dropped, finally beat Fulop
with a low shot which passed between the legs of Cattermole, guarding
the line.

Sunderland were now struggling to get out of their own half and
looking increasingly dizzy and disorientated. George McCartney, a weak
link for Bruce at left-back, seemed particularly badly affected and
conceded a blatant penalty after fouling Drogba. Lampard made no
mistake from 12 yards, the strike putting him level with Jimmy Greaves
in fifth place on Chelsea's all-time scorers' list with 132.

Now fully enjoying himself, Drogba headed over from close range before
Deco – how did we doubt Ancelotti's selection? – shrugged off the
substitute Grant Leadbitter and sent a shot curving in off a post
after José Bosingwa's run and pass had cleverly confounded Bruce's
back-line. Things were becoming so embarrassingly straightforward that
even Andriy Shevchenko was granted a late cameo.

As the Ukrainian trotted on, the departing Deco was given a standing
ovation by Sunderland fans. "It was a wonderful performance from
Deco," Bruce acknowledged. "We just didn't know how to pick him up. It
was as good a Chelsea display as I've seen for a long time. We just
couldn't live with them."



------------------------------------------------------------------



Independent:


Ancelotti's bandwagon cranks up

Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3

By Tim Rich


Carlo Ancelotti is perhaps best remembered on these shores as the
manager who allowed a three-goal lead to disappear in a European Cup
final. In contrast, his first three games at the helm of Chelsea have
seen him engineer victory from losing positions.

This was, however, not quite the last-gasp effort that saw them snatch
three points against Hull. Having gone behind to Darren Bent's second
goal in as many matches for Sunderland, it was always likely, given
their overwhelming level of possession, that Chelsea would recover.

Nevertheless, it required some cool finishing from Michael Ballack and
Deco, who excelled in a way he rarely did for Guus Hiddink, plus a
Frank Lampard penalty to restore the contest to pre-match
expectations.

"You can lose the lead, it happens in football," said Ancelotti. "But
it is important not to be afraid. We were behind but we had good
control of the match and good possession – not a lot of shots but
total control. Sunderland were very professional in defence in the
first half. In the second half, they ran a lot."

After an opening-day victory at Bolton, this was a slice of reality
for Steve Bruce's new regime. In his programme notes, the Sunderland
manager was at pains to play down the importance of his Tyneside
upbringing which might seem unnecessary until you realise that last
night Ashley Cole was booed not because of the feckless way he has led
his private life but the fact that he is married to a Geordie, the
saintly Cheryl.

"It is no disgrace to say that sometimes you are beaten by a very good
side," Bruce said. "I was never comfortable out there, not even when
we were in front. A lot has been talked about the diamond formation
that Chelsea play. All I can say is that it is very, very difficult to
play against. There were times when it looked like we were down to 10
men. Ancelotti has won that way in Serie A and he has won that way in
the Champions League and he is not going to change now. They are the
real deal."

This match was turned by men whom Stamford Bridge have been slow to
appreciate, Michael Ballack and Deco, the one lingering memento of
what will come to be known as the Phil Scolari months. Both scored and
while Ballack provided the discipline and reluctance to surrender the
ball that saw Chelsea safe, the Portuguese sparkled in an elongated
diamond.

Deco is good at beginnings; he excelled in his opening matches for
Scolari but by the end of his first season in London he was named by
Four Four Two magazine as the player most fans would have liked to
have driven to the airport, presumably so he could rejoin Jose
Mourinho at Internazionale. Last night, Ancelotti said he was opposed
to any sale.

Against Hull, Ancelotti had confessed to feeling the need for a
cigarette and the cravings would have returned the moment Bent pounced
as Kenwyne Jones's attempt at a shot struck John Terry's boot and
rebounded into his path. The striker will never forget the comment
made by his former manager at Tottenham that his wife could have
finished some of Bent's chances. Sandra Redknapp would have done well
to put away that opportunity with such aplomb.

Had Lee Cattermole not blocked a thunderous volley from Ballack on the
line, Chelsea would have levelled before the interval. The inevitable
was coming, however, and although he had expected an equaliser, Bruce
was frustrated that Ballack did so from a corner. Deco's coup-de-grace
that rifled in off the post was as unsaveable as they come.

In between, George McCartney had accelerated the collapse by bringing
down Didier Drogba, which gave Lampard a chance to draw level with
Jimmy Greaves as Chelsea's fifth-highest goalscorer. A decade ago,
Chelsea had come to Sunderland and been demolished 4-1 in the finest
display the Stadium of Light has seen. In that afterglow of triumph,
their then manager, Peter Reid, confessed to feeling like John Wayne.

Last night resembled one of Wayne's films. It was the Alamo out there.

Sunderland (4-4-2): Fulop; Bardsley, Ferdinand, Collins, McCartney;
Henderson, Cana, Cattermole (Leadbitter, 59), Richardson (Reid, 84);
Bent, Jones (Campbell, 59). Substitutes not used: Gordon (gk),
Nosworthy, Edwards, Healy.

Chelsea (4-1-3-1-1): Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien;
Ballack, Deco (Shevchenko, 86), Lampard; Kalou (Malouda, 76); Drogba
(Sturridge, 84). Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Carvalho, Obi
Mikel, Anelka.

Booked: Sunderland Richardson, Cana; Chelsea Ivanovic.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).

Man of the match: Ballack.

Attendance: 41,179.

He's on fire

The disciplined Michael Ballack sparkled in the diamond and could have
scored three.



--------------------------------------------------



Mail:



Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3: Carlo Ancelotti's men roar back in style

By COLIN YOUNG

Tinkering with a Chelsea line-up is a dangerous occupation and could
cost a man his job. Just ask Claudio Ranieri.

But Carlo Ancelotti is far safer at Stamford Bridge than Ranieri could
ever be and the former AC Milan coach changed his system and his
players at Sunderland to record a second win of the week.

It did not start well for the Chelsea manager, who ditched the diamond
and fell behind to Darren Bent’s second goal of the season after just
18 minutes. But a formidable
second-half fightback from the title hopefuls secured three valuable
points against resurgent Sunderland.

Michael Ballack, who returned to the Chelsea starting line-up,
cancelled out Bent’s opener seven minutes into the second half before
Frank Lampard stepped up to open his account for the season from the
penalty spot on 61 minutes after George McCartney had tripped Didier
Drogba.

Portugal maestro Deco, who had orchestrated the inventive Chelsea play
behind lone striker Drogba, scored the third 20 minutes from time with
a wonderful diagonal shot off the inside of keeper Marton Fulop’s
post.

It was a cruel defeat on hardworking Sunderland, who appear on early
evidence to have made great improvements under Steve Bruce, but the
new Sunderland boss will have few complaints.

Ancelotti could only watch in frustration as his side wasted early
chances and things got worse when Sunderland took the lead.

The build-up had an element of good fortune to it, with John Terry
inadvertently providing the assist when the ball clipped off his heel
as he challenged Kenwyne Jones at the edge of the area.

The ricochet fell neatly into the path of former Spurs striker Bent
who took one touch to compose himself and a second to sidefoot the
ball under Petr Cech’s body.

Chelsea proceeded to miss a host of chances before half-time but
Ancelotti remained loyal and patient and was duly rewarded.

He said: ‘I am very happy. We played well throughout. Even when we
fell behind, we were in total control. Sunderland were very strong in
the first half but they tired and it was more difficultfor them to
control our play.
‘I changed the team because I trust my players and I wanted to rest
some. I know we have quality in the other players and I want to use
them and keep them all fresh.’

Salomon Kalou, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Deco and Michael Ballack
wasted chances before the Germany captain, one of four who returned to
the starting line-up,
cancelled out Bent’s opener after 52 minutes.

George McCartney’s trip on Drogba on the hour allowed Lampard to score
the 132nd goal of his Chelsea career, making him the club’s fifth
highest goalscorer.

Portugal maestro Deco scored the third 20 minutes from time with a
wonderful diagonal shot off the inside of Marton Fulop’s post. He was
so good he was applauded by the Sunderland fans when he was
substituted near the end.

Bruce said: ‘Sometimes you have to admit you have been beaten by a
very, very good team, and there is no shame in that.’

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Fulop 6; Bardsley 6, Ferdinand 6 Collins 7,
McCartney 7; Henderson 6, Cana 6, Cattermole 7 (Leadbitter 62min, 5),
Richardson 6 (Reid 84); Bent 7, Jones 7 (Campbell 62, 5). Booked:
Richardson.

CHELSEA (4-1-2-2-1): Cech 6; Bosingwa 6, Ivanovic 6, Terry 7, A Cole
5; Essien 6; Ballack 6, Lampard 7; Kalou 6 (Malouda 76), Deco 8;
Drogba 6 (Sturridge 84).

Booked: Ivanovic, Drogba, Kalou.

Man of the match: Deco.

Referee: Steve Bennett.


----------------------------------------------------


Telegraph:


Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3:

By Jason Burt at the Stadium of Light

A personal landmark and a rescue mission for Frank Lampard. The
midfielder drove Chelsea back into this encounter and also struck for
the 132nd time – a goals tally that drew him level with Jimmy Greaves,
the fifth highest scorer of all-time for Chelsea – as Carlo
Ancelotti’s side produced a dazzling reversal and, eventually, a
dazzling performance.

“In the history of the club he’s a very important player and we hope
to help make him even more important,” Ancelotti said afterwards of
Lampard. Certainly it was the kind of victory that may trigger
something deeper for Chelsea who have, at times, appeared a little
disjointed under their new manager, struggling with a new formation
that was altered last night. Such are the standards that have
previously been set. Out with the diamond; in with the Christmas tree.

There were presents also. Darren Bent’s goal in the first-half – his
second in two games since his £10million arrival from Tottenham
Hotspur – had resulted from slip-shod, if unfortunate, defending. It
was also the third time this season – in three games – that Chelsea
had fallen behind and had to rally to claw themselves to a vibrant
victory.

“It was arguably as good a Chelsea performance as I have seen for a
long time and you have to hold your hands up,” claimed Sunderland
manager Steve Bruce who had admitted to trepidation about this
fixture, his first home game in charge. “In the past we have played a
Chelsea team in a 4-3-3 and they were predictable. He (Ancelotti) has
won in Serie A and in the Champions League. Anyone who beats them will
win the league.”

It showed the depths of belief they have, the talent and also, in
fairness to Ancelotti, how good football can eventually wear down the
most dogged of opponents, that Chelsea won so convincingly in the end.
Maybe, also, after their impressive opening day win away to Bolton
Wanderers it was a reality check for Sunderland.

If Lampard was Chelsea’s best player then Deco was the one who enjoyed
the most dramatic turnaround. He was one of four changes made by
Ancelotti following the disappointing performance against Hull City
that was rescued by Didier Drogba’s late goal – although, as Bruce
pointed out Chelsea did have 27 shots on target that afternoon – that
also led to a tinkering of formation. Ancelotti said that the quartet
who were left out, headed by Nicolas Anelka, were rested to avoid
injury during a long season. But it wasn’t just rotation.

By the end Deco had also scored, the pick of the goals with a low,
dipping cross-shot from 20 yards, and when he was substituted he was
afforded an ovation from the home supporters. Bruce was equally
complimentary. “Sometimes you just have to admit that you have been
beaten by a very, very good team. There is no disgrace in that. We
gave our utmost and in the end we could not cope with the way that
Chelsea moved the ball,” he said. “Sometimes you take a beating.”

It didn’t look like that at the start. Lee Cattermole was snapping
into tackles, Lorik Cana was running hard and Bent struck. He had set
up the opportunity – ferrying the ball to Kenwyne Jones whose shot on
the turn, on the edge of the area, cannoned off John Terry’s heel. It
was fortunate that the ball ran straight to Bent but he had stayed
on-side and unerringly tucked his side-footed shot beyond Petr Cech.

Chelsea were stung. They began to move the ball more crisply and a
series of corners were gained. From one Salomon Kalou headed into the
air, it dropped to Ballack who struck a full-blooded volley that was
scrambled off the goal-line by Cattermole. Sunderland were throwing
their bodies at everything - but were also retreating.

Chelsea stepped it up further with Lampard driving them on and Deco
finally dictating matters. From one corner Drogba, the lone striker,
headed powerfully over after Ballack’s flick-on while Lampard cleverly
teed up Ashley Cole whose header was deflected. From that Lampard
corner Branislav Ivanovic headed on and, at the far post, Ballack
swept the ball low into the net.

Sunderland soon cracked again. Drogba slalomed into the area from the
right wing, beyond Cana and then George McCartney who stuck out a leg
and foolishly brought the powerful striker down. The penalty was
awarded and, as ever, Lampard drove it unerringly to gain Chelsea the
lead. Sunderland looked spent and Deco capped the evening by easily
ghosting away from Grant Leadbitter to score. “I feel we have a lot of
quality,” said Ancelotti. To his relief, it eventually came to the
fore.




---------------------------------------------------


The Times

Chelsea hit back to take Premier League summit

Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3

George Caulkin, Stadium of Light


Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea are proving to be masters of deflation. For
the third match in succession, the title favourites held the door open
for their opponents before slamming it brusquely in their faces.
First, Manchester United in the Community Shield, then Hull City and
now Sunderland have seized the advantage and been brushed away for
their impudence.

Ancelotti would doubtless prefer a little more comfort and, while it
is too early to draw definitive conclusions about Chelsea’s ability,
they have clearly lost none of their old resilience.

In recovering from Darren Bent’s early goal, Chelsea exhibited
patience, cunning and, most impressively, sheer force of will. Michael
Ballack, Frank Lampard and Deco inflicted the damage. It is the stuff
of champions, although in terms of beauty, there is surely more to
come. Ancelotti demonstrated some “Tinkerman” tendencies by switching
four of his starting XI, but while the opening skirmishes were
hesitant, Chelsea grew in confidence.

“It doesn’t concern me, because going behind can happen,” Ancelotti
said, with a shrug. “In football, it’s important to get a reaction, to
not be afraid, to maintain control of the game. We have done this in
three matches now and we have been behind, but we always had good
control.”

For the opening 20 minutes, when Lee Cattermole flew into tackles and
Bent finished a move he had started with Kenwyne Jones by fending off
John Terry and clipping a loose ball beyond Petr Cech, the Italian’s
assessment would have been questionable.

Chelsea appeared startled by the raw nature of the challenge
confronting them until they began churning relentlessly through the
gears. Then Cattermole cleared off the line from Ballack, while Deco,
full of probing and prompting, was at the fulcrum of everything
positive.

By now permanent residents in their own territory, Sunderland’s
desperate defiance could not endure. In the 52nd minute, Chelsea
forced parity, with Branislav Ivanovic heading on a corner by Lampard
for Ballack to knock the ball past Fulop.

Having broken Sunderland’s resilience, Chelsea proceeded to stamp upon
it. Didier Drogba bullied his way into the 18-yard box with the ball
clinging to his boots, where George McCartney’s hanging left leg
brought an inevitable response: penalty, Lampard, 2-1. Lampard is now
the fifth-highest goalscorer in Chelsea’s history, alongside Jimmy
Greaves.

Drogba should have added gloss, heading Ashley Cole’s bouncing cross
down and over, but it was fitting that Deco provided the coup de
grâce. In the 70th minute, he squirmed around Grant Leadbitter, the
substitute, and scored with a shot off the left post.

“He is very motivated to stay here,” Ancelotti said of Deco, who has
been courted by Inter Milan. “He doesn’t want to go; we don’t want him
to go.”

For Sunderland and Steve Bruce, the denouement was disappointing,
although their transformation remains a work in progress. They, too,
have much to consider if the top half of the table is to be a
realistic ambition.

“Sometimes you just have to admit that you’ve been beaten by a very,
very good team,” said Bruce, who confirmed that the signing of John
Mensah on loan from Lyons was almost complete. “There’s no disgrace in
that. We tried our utmost and gave everything, but we couldn’t cope
with Chelsea and the way they moved the ball.

“You can see from that performance why Chelsea will be there or
thereabouts. At times it seemed as if we’d had a man sent off. That’s
how good they were.”


Sunderland (4-4-2): M Fulop — P Bardsley, A Ferdinand, D Collins, G
McCartney — J Henderson, L Cana, L Cattermole (sub: G Leadbitter,
62min), K Richardson (sub: A Reid, 84) — D Bent, K Jones (sub: F
Campbell, 62). Substitutes not used: C Gordon, N Nosworthy, C Edwards,
D Healy. Booked: Richardson, Cana.


Chelsea (4-3-3): P Cech — J Bosingwa, B Ivanovic, J Terry, A Cole — M
Ballack, M Essien, F Lampard — Deco (sub: A Shevchenko, 87), D Drogba
(sub: D Sturridge, 84), S Kalou (sub: F Malouda, 76). Substitutes not
used: Hilário, R Carvalho, J O Mikel, N Anelka. Booked: Ivanovic,
Drogba.


Referee: S Bennett.


--------------------------------------------------------



Sun:


Sunderland 1 Chelsea 3

By MARTIN BLACKBURN at the Stadium of Light


FRANK LAMPARD wrote his name into the Chelsea record books - but for
once the Blues hero was upstaged.

The England ace joined Jimmy Greaves as the club's joint-fifth leading
scorer as he chalked up his 132nd goal for the club.

But it was the performance of his fellow midfielder Deco that had the
visiting fans - and indeed the home ones - talking on the journey
home.

The Portugal ace looked likely to quit West London this summer with
Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan the probable destination.

However, boss Carlo Ancelotti has persuaded him to stay at Chelsea
and, on this evidence, he could be set for a big season.

He bossed the middle of the park all night before firing a super
20-yard shot in off the post to put the seal on the Blues' night.

Nobody will be getting carried away - despite a standing ovation from
all four corners - because the former Barcelona man began last term in
similarly explosive form, then faded badly.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce - whose Wigan team were beaten by Deco's
wonder free-kick this time last year - could only smile ruefully at
his "wonderful performance".

If Deco and Co carry on playing like this then Ancelotti's men will
take some stopping this season. The Italian said: "Deco is working
very hard - he is very motivated to stay here and play well here.

"This is an important season for him with the World Cup coming up in
the summer. He is playing well for himself and for the team.

"He is staying here. He doesn't want to change clubs and we don't want
him to go either."

It had all begun so brightly for Sunderland as they took an
18th-minute lead through Darren Bent's second in two games for his new
club.

Kenwyne Jones saw his shot blocked on the edge of the box and it broke
perfectly for Bent, who slotted in below Petr Cech.

Perhaps the £10million signing from Tottenham is better than Mrs
Redknapp after all!

If there is one worry for Ancelotti in these promising early days, it
would be that his team have gone behind in all three matches so far.

It happened against Manchester United in the Community Shield, against
Hull on Saturday and again here - but on each occasion it has not
mattered.

The early goal was to be as good as it got for the Black Cats.

Chelsea took control and could well have been level by the interval
but Lee Cattermole blocked Michael Ballack's volley on the line.

Yet the Blues stepped up through the gears after the restart.
Branislav Ivanovic and Didier Drogba both went close before the
equaliser eventually came on 52 minutes.

Ivanovic got up to flick on a corner and Ballack was at the back post
to squeeze it into the corner from eight yards.

Chelsea were now completely in the ascendancy and they were ahead on
61 minutes after George McCartney sent Drogba tumbling.

There was no doubt it was a penalty and Lampard blasted the spot-kick
low past Marton Fulop.

Drogba was left scratching his head as he nodded Ashley Cole's cross
into the turf and watched it bounce over the bar soon after.

However, the third goal which gave the Blues breathing space was not
long in coming. On 70 minutes, Jose Bosingwa slipped the ball inside
to Deco. The schemer still had plenty to do but he jinked past a
couple of defenders before blasting an angled 20-yard drive in off
Fulop's post.

It capped a super show from the former Barcelona man.

Even the home fans applauded him when he was replaced by Andriy
Shevchenko just before the end.

If Ancelotti can get Deco to play like this every week then he has a
real player on his hands.

Bruce was glad to see the back of him though. He said: "I don't know
what I've done to upset him.

"It was a wonderful performance by him - he just floated around. At
least I only have to play them twice a season. Sometimes you have to
hold your hands up and accept you were beaten by a better team. I
thought Chelsea were terrific.

"When I looked at the fixtures, the last thing I wanted was Chelsea at
home. Whoever beats them will win the league."




---------------------------------------------------



Star:


CARLOS A LOTTI TO SMILE AT
By John Wardle

CARLO ANCELOTTI was able to raise a smile at the final whistle – but
this was far from Chelsea domination.


Two games and two wins means it’s all gone to plan so far for the Chelsea boss.

But the fact that the Premier League favourites had to come back from
a goal down again will have been of some concern to the Italian.

This was not as dramatic as ­Chelsea’s season-opener, when Didier
Drogba struck in injury time to give the Blues victory over Hull.

But if John Terry and Co remain sleepy at the back for the opening 20
minutes of games the title is unlikely to find it’s way back to
Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

With just 18 minutes played ­Darren Bent made it two in two games to
back Steve Bruce’s faith in him.

Bruce splashed £10m in the ­summer and the former Spurs striker has
­already starting paying that back.

But it took until the 52nd minute for Michael Ballack to register
­Chelsea’s equaliser.

Their first-half display raised ­questions over the wisdom of several
changes by boss Ancelotti.

The changes indicated he was ­unhappy with the level of ­performance
in that last-gasp win over Hull on Saturday.

And he must have been equally ­disturbed by what he saw for the
opening 45 minutes.

There had been suggestions he would keep the same side, but ­Nicolas
Anelka, Florent Malouda, Ricardo Carvalho and John Obi Mikel were all
dumped on to the bench last night.

Much of more this and Ancelotti will start to look like his Tinkerman
predecessor Claudio Ranieri.

There were hints of Chelsea ­domination in the early stages when it
seemed they may be simply too quick and inventive for Sunderland,
whose midfield featured Jordan Henderson, a 19-year-old whose promise
has been recognised by Bruce.

With Steed Malbranque failing a test on an ankle injury, the kid was
called up ahead of Grant Leadbitter and Andy Reid.

And he was far from overawed as Sunderland, lacking Chelsea’s
­finesse, summoned enough energy and drive to subdue them after those
awkward early minutes.

Bent sliced an early chance wide ­after his pace created space on the
edge of the area but didn’t have to wait long for his first Stadium of
Light goal for his new club.

Kenwyne Jones’ shot on the turn cannoned off a Chelsea defender and
straight to Bent, who steered a crisp, low shot past Petr Cech.

Chelsea were clearly rattled by that. Their frustration mounted
­further as Deco fired wide in the 21st minute and Michael Ballack
wasted the best of their limited opportunities with a shot high over
the bar.

Chelsea, so adept at disposing of teams like Sunderland last season,
were finding it just as difficult to ­handle their aggressive approach
as they did Hull’s iron-willed attitude in their opening match.

Finally, though, towards the end of first half they managed some
sustained pressure and only a goalline clearance by Lee Cattermole
prevented Kalou drilling Chelsea level.

It was only one of many crucial contributions to the game by
­Cattermole, whose midfield energy and committed tackling set the
­tempo for Sunderland.

Ancelotti’s gestures illustrated his ­unhappiness at his players’
failure to locate their usual rhythm.

And nobody could doubt what his interval message to them would be – he
had made changes before the game and wouldn’t wait long before ­making
a few more.

Lampard, anonymous in the first half, soon powered in a long-range
shot that was only narrowly wide of Marton Fulop’s post.

Henderson did well to clear ­Lampard’s dangerous cross at the­
­expense of a corner.

Sunderland allowed Lampard’s ­corner it to reach ­Ballack and the
­German international hooked the ball inside the post from six yards.
Now it was a different game. Chelsea were suddenly the team setting
the pace and, with Sunderland struggling, even Bent found himself
defending back on the edge of his own area.

The pressure told again when Drogba’s footwork tempted George
McCartney into a rash tackle.

There were no complaints from ­Sunderland about the penalty awarded
and ­Lampard’s finish from the spot was precise and clinical.

Deco’s effort, which appeared to take a deflection off Drogba, sealed
the win on 70 minutes.



---------------------------------------------------------

Football Stars to Exchange

A great item for any fan or collector of Football Related Items

Thirty Six world footballing greats.

This is a Short Set of Playing Cards with 36 Cards for games played with the 6,
7, 8, 9, 10, Jack or Knave B in Russian, Queen D in Russian, King K in Russian
and Ace T in Russian, of each house of cards.

The Cards are a little over half the size of regular Poker cards.

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Happy to Exchange for Two Chelsea Matchday Football Programs in Good Condition.

Some of you may remember me from when Chelseamatchdaychat actually had a a chat room to chat in on matchdays. Yahoo closed down all the Yahoo groups chat rooms ages ago now.

Chelseamatchday chat was partly start because many of us used Jax's Chit Chat on the official Chelsea FC website and it was truly awful. It would take ages to show a post and often crashed when the server was overloaded. These days there are plenty of chat servers to replace Yahoo but no one could agree where to go. User rooms are easy to make using Paltalk, Yahoo messanger, Facebook and many other social networking sites have chat applications.

As for me, I went back to Chelsea Chit Chat where I started on the Chelsea FC site in The Shed section. It has got a little bit better. It can still take upto 6 to 8 seconds to post a message, but sometimes you get lucky and it shows up straight away.

Anyway that's me done. Just letting you know what I've been about.

Sunday Times
August 2, 2009

Salomon Kalou’s late goal saves Chelsea from defeat
Reading 2 Chelsea 2Nick Townsend at the Madejski stadium

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti conceded that his side lacked
sharpness after they needed a late rally to salvage a draw against
Reading yesterday.

The coach attributed a far-from-convincing performance to the fact
that the previous day the players had undergone after a strength
session in training, although he claimed, ahead of next Sunday’s
Community Shield fixture against Manchester United: “Now the team is
in good condition.”

A powerful late recovery preserved the Premier League team’s unbeaten
sequence in pre-season friendlies, following four victories on their
US tour.

Chelsea should have capitalised on their early domination, but
Reading’s Jimmy Kebe and Scott Davies scored before half-time. Salomon
Kalou’s last-minute goal and an own goal afforded Chelsea belated
reward as they finished with a flourish.

Ancelotti went on to praise the hosts, who defended well and denied
his team space. “A draw was a good result,” said the Italian, who
deployed Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba as a strike partnership. It
looked effective enough, and Ancelotti insisted: “I am sure they can
play well together.”

Ancelotti is likely to persist in his attempt to bring Andrea Pirlo to
Stamford Bridge, despite Silvio Berlusconi’s denial yesterday that the
Milan captain would be following his former coach to England.
Although, at 30, Pirlo would hardly lower the average of an aging
Blues squad, Chelsea are determined to supplement their numbers.

They have reportedly had an offer of £14m plus Claudio Pizarro for the
playmaker rejected, but appear certain to return with an increased
bid. The Chelsea manager declined to comment other than saying that
his compatriot was a Milan player and he had to concentrate on
preparing his own squad. However, his demeanour suggested that he is
anxious to add a player to his squad.

Reading: Federici, Rosenior, Pearce, Cisse, Bertrand, Gunnarsson (sub
Bikey h-t), Tabb (sub Harper 55min), Davies (sub Mooney 63min,
Robson-Kanu (sub N Hunt h-t), Long (sub Church 55min), Kebe (sub Henry
78min)

Chelsea: Cech (sub Turnbull 76min), Ivanovic (sub Bosingwa h-t),
Carvalho (sub Alex h-t), Terry, A Cole, Mikel, Essien (sub Belletti
63min), Deco (sub Malouda h-t), Lampard, Anelka (sub Sturridge 63min),
Drogba (sub Kalou 63min)


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Mail:



Reading 2 Chelsea 2:
Carlo on course as Ancelotti's blushes saved by Salomon Kalou and last
gasp own goal

By Andrew Warshaw


Welcome to English football, Signor Ancelotti. What was supposed to
have been a stroll in the park almost turned into an embarrassment as
Chelsea completed their pre-season schedule by salvaging a last-gasp
draw against Championship opponents.

Call it fatigue after their four-match tour of the United States or
lack of intensity. The way Carlo Ancelotti saw it, the sharpness he
has come to expect in his brief tenure at Stamford Bridge was not
there.

But that, he said with a shrug, will be easily put right. Ancelotti is
still learning English so did not give too much insight into what he
had learned, if anything, about his team, whose blushes against a
pumped-up Reading were spared with a goal in the last minute of normal
time and another well into the three minutes added on.

This may only have been a friendly but the way Chelsea responded after
a poor first half showed a pride and determination that augurs well
for the new season.

'English matches are different to those in other countries where there
are pauses. Here you have to run for 90 minutes but my players know
this,' Ancelotti said.

'This match took place a day after heavy training and there was a lack
of sharpness. We played too slowly at first and we have to improve.
But we are in good shape.'

John Terry, who rejected a reported £250,000-a-week offer from
Manchester City, received the biggest welcome from a healthy away
support at what was the club's only domestic friendly following their
100 per cent record in the States.

Ancelotti retained the formation he believes will serve Chelsea best
during his first season in charge, with Frank Lampard at the head of a
diamond midfield, John Mikel Obi at the base and Nicolas Anelka up
front alongside Didier Drogba, who lasted 70 minutes before being
substituted, as were most of those who started.

Reading took the lead seven minutes before the break when Jimmy Kebe
pounced on a somewhat fortuitous rebound to round Petr Cech and shoot
home.

Then, with virtually the last kick of the first half, Chelsea were two
behind. Terry, beaten for pace, brought down Shane Long on the edge of
the box and Scott Davies drove home the free-kick.

Salomon Kalou's last-minute goal seemed no more than a consolation,
only for Chelsea to snatch the equaliser, courtesy of an own goal by
Reading's Alex Pearce.




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Independent:


No substitute for class as Kalou and Alex rescue Chelsea

By Mark Burton


Pre-season friendly matches may be about building fitness, bedding in
new players and trying out some new systems, but it never looks good
to fans for any team to lose to supposedly inferior opposition.

So it must have come as a relief to Chelsea that they finally made
their superior class tell with two late goals to force a 2-2 draw at
Championship side Reading yesterday.

Defeat would not have impressed Chelsea fans on a day when Milan
rejected as too low the west London club's offer of £6.5 million plus
striker Claudio Pizarro for midfielder Andrea Pirlo. The manager Carlo
Ancelotti had to make do with a starting midfield of Deco, Lampard,
Mikel and Essien at the Madejski Stadium.

Despite their quality Chelsea found themselves 2-0 down courtesy of
sloppy work in defence. Jimmy Kébé scored Reading's first after Hal
Robson-Kanu's shot had been deflected to him and Scott Davies netted a
low free-kick after Shane Long's run was cut short on the edge of the
area.

But much of the match was played out in front of the home goalkeeper
Adam Federici, who denied Chelsea until added time loomed. Then the
substitute Salomon Kalou broke through to beat him one-on-one and
Alex, also a substitute, headed home John Obi Mikel's free-kick.



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NOTW:


READING 2, CHELSEA 2
Carlo Ancelotti suffers right Royal wake-up call


CHELSEA'S new master-coach Carlo Ancelotti was nearly embarrassed by
Jose Mourinho's former young apprentice at Reading.
Brendan Rodgers came within seconds of beating his old club Chelsea in
his first test as Royals' boss.

It was former Blues' chief Mourinho who plucked Rodgers away from
Reading in 2004 and later promoted him to reserve team boss at
Stamford Bridge.

The Championship side stormed 2-0 ahead by half-time through goals
from Jimmy Kebe and Scott Davies.

Italian Ancelotti was facing his first defeat as Blues' manager after
enduring four wins on the trot in the club's US tour.

Rodgers had won the tactical battle which was a considerable feat
considering he had only cut his managerial teeth at Watford in
January.

But substitute Salomon Kalou pulled a goal back for the Premiership
giants one minute from time with what looked like a consolation
effort.

But deep into injury time, Reading's Alex Pearce deflected the ball
past his own goalkeeper to spare the Londoners' blushes.

Ancelotti, no doubt, will not have enjoyed his first game in charge in
England and this was definitely a wake-up call.

The Italian will no doubt demand a far more professional performance
when he squares up to Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time on Sunday
when Chelsea meet Manchester United in the Community Shield.



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