Drogba double sends Chelsea back to summit
Reuters - Sunday 07 February 2010, 19:29
LONDON - First-half goals from Didier
Drogba earned Chelsea a 2-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge
on Sunday and secured a return to the top of the Premier League
two points ahead of Manchester United.
Drogba, who has scored 12 goals in as many appearances
against Arsenal since joining Chelsea in 2004, was left unmarked
at the far post and simply poked home captain John Terry's
header from a Florent Malouda corner in the eighth minute.
His second came on the break after some sustained pressure
from Arsenal, when England midfielder Frank Lampard burst out of
his half in the 23rd minute, galloped 20 metres and laid the
ball off to the Ivorian on the right of the Arsenal area. The
big striker stepped inside Gael Clichy to ram the ball past a
stranded Manuel Almunia.
The result, following a 3-1 defeat at home by Manchester
United last weekend, leaves Arsenal nine points adrift of
Chelsea and seven behind the champions.
Before the goal Chelsea keeper Petr Cech had had to make two
saves in quick succession, diverting a ball at Samir Nasri's
feet behind for a corner and blocking a shot from Andrei
Arshavin with his feet as Arsenal used the speed of Nasri, Theo
Walcott and the tricky Russian to harass the Chelsea defence.
But Arsene Wenger's team, so energetic in the build up,
lacked the final flourish.
They failed to capitalise on a free-kick just outside the
area in the 69th minute after subsititute Nicklas Bendtner was
brought down by Ricardo Carvalho, Cech pulling off a fine double
save. Despite constant moves down the wings, they could not find
a way through a defence stubbornly marshalled by Terry.
The Chelsea captain showed no sign of strain despite being
stripped of the England captaincy on Friday following a week of
lurid press headlines about alleged extra-marital affairs,
including one with the former girlfriend of England team mate
Wayne Bridge.
"My captain has a fantastic attitude. He's done very well
every game for the team," Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti told
reporters.
"It's very important to have this leadership."
SUBDUED WENGER
Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger praised Terry's defensive
qualities.
"I give credit to Chelsea for their defending. They have
fantastic defenders. I believe John Terry wants to win every
time he plays football. Sometimes playing can be a diversion
from events off the pitch," he said.
Almost every touch of the ball by Terry was greeted with
boos from Arsenal fans and cheers from the Chelsea support. The
29-year-old flung his shirt into the Chelsea crowd after
applauding them following the final whistle.
Wenger watched mostly stony-faced as his side's title
chances ebbed. Arsenal have not won the league since 2004 and
last captured silverware with the FA Cup in 2005.
"Against Manchester United we did not turn up. Here, we were
completely dominant," he said.
"I always thought we would come
back but you have to give them credit, they defended very well.
There were lots of tricks from a very experienced team."
Arsenal were the last side to beat Chelsea at home, in
November 2008, under last-but-one Chelsea coach Luis Felipe
Scolari.
Since then Chelsea, under temporary coach Guus Hiddink and
then Ancelotti, have put together a 36-match undefeated home
run, including 23 in the league.
Another former Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho, whose Inter
side face Chelsea in the Champions League later this month,
watched the game from the stands.
In Sunday's earlier Premier League game Birmingham City came
from behind at home to beat West Midlands rivals Wolverhampton
Wanderers 2-1 with two goals from substitute Kevin Phillips.