On a freezing night in Manchester, Chelsea went someway to exorcising a ghost of last season. During our historic march towards the Premiership crown, Manchester City had been the only team to inflict a league defeat upon us when a solitary goal from Nicolas Anelka prevented us going the whole season unbeaten. Thankfully, our failure to even score against Manchester City last season was remedied when Joe Cole came up with the winner deep into the second half.
After just edging out Fulham in a five goal thriller on Boxing Day, Jose Mourinho had decided to make five changes to the team that started on that occassion. With Michael Essien, Damien Duff, Didier Drogba, Asier Del Horno and Geremi set to start, Mourinho was forced to make a sixth change shortly after the teamsheeet had been handed in.
Frank Lampard, who had made one hundred and sixty four consecutive Premiership appearances complained of feeling nauseous during the warm up and was subsequently replaced by Eidur Gudjohnsen. The six changes gave the side a fresh feel, a handy advantage when the fixture list contrives to make the best teams in the country play four games in eight days.
Unfortunately, the game wasn’t much of a spectacle to write home about. Chances were few and far between as the action was generally confined to the midfield areas. In a first half that was probably equal, Petr Cech was forced to defy a long range shot from Joey Barton with his legs whilst Chelsea had two penalty claims turned down.
The first of these would have been harsh as it looked a definite case of ball to hand rather than the other way around but that couldn’t be said about the second claim. Didier Drogba, making a nuisance of himself in the area, appeared to get a touch to the ball as David James advanced. The keeper clearly lunged towards Drogba catching his left leg. Drogba went down but Uriah Rennie merely waved play on. Matters probably were not helped by the antics of the stricken Ivory Coast striker who then proceeded to roll around as if poleaxed. At one stage a stretcher was wheeled out much to the amusement of the City faithful.
In a half that was devoid of clear cut chances Joe Cole could have set the stadium alight with an audacious volley, from a cleared corner, unfortunately, despite showing remarkable skill, the ball flew about five feet wide.
The second half was, with regard to action, on a par with the first half. Once again chances were few and far between with the action confined to midfield. With two combative opponents in action, namely Joey Barton and Michael Essien, the large crowd eagerly awaited a 50-50 clash between the two. When it came you could almost hear the hush as the outcome was awaited, thankfully, neither player complained about anything and after exchanging wry smiles the action continued.
With Chelsea keen to take all three points, Mourinho made a double substitution in order to shake things up. Damien Duff and Didier Drogba were withdrawn in order to introduce Hernan Crespo and Arjen Robben. The changes stirred matters up and the winning goal wasn’t long in coming.
When it came it was something of a strange affair. Arjen Robben received the ball and laid a perfect pass into the path of Eidur Gudjohnsen. The Icelandic striker saw his shot partially deflected but David James somehow got a palm to it. Sadly, for City, the palmed out ball hit Hernan Crespo before bouncing invitingly for Joe Cole to send his shot past the despairing lunges of the three City defenders on the line.
If City thought the goal was a little harsh they can’t say that the writing wasn’t on the wall. Minutes before the goal some superb work by Joe Cole had released Arjen Robben. The speedy winger raced away from his marker and only a fine save from David James prevented a goal.
City, now a goal down, tried desperately to force a equaliser. Thankfully the Chelsea defence remained firm and John Terry led by example. One block saw the captain receive a kick from Joey Barton but once again, with no malice intended, both players got on with the action.
At the final whistle, the Chelsea players hugged each other in scenes reminiscent of the splendid away victories at Liverpool and Blackburn last season. With Chelsea leading the chasing pack by eleven points, are we about to emulate last season? Let’s hope so!
Player Ratings
Petr Cech 7
Back to the dependable keeper we’ve all come to admire after his mistake against Fulham. One save with his feet, in the first half from Joey Barton, was sublime as Chelsea sought to repel any early City surge.
Geremi 7
Surprisingly brought into the team in place of Paulo Ferriera. With Geremi about to depart to play in the African Nations Cup, perhaps Mourinho wants to keep Ferreira fresh. Nevertheless, Geremi was solid and didn’t let anyone down.
Asier Del Horno 7
Came back into the starting eleven after missing the Fulham clash, Asier gave the side some much needed left sided balance. Competed well and didn’t offer Trevor Sinclair many opportunities to get to the by-line.
John Terry 8
Captain Fantastic once again led by example. Produced some match defining clearances as City pressed for an equaliser. Could have scored in the second half but his effort just went past the post.
William Gallas 7
Restored to his favoured central defensive role in the absence of Ricardo Carvalho. When Gallas and Terry play in the centre of defence Chelsea don’t concede a goal. Nuff said – point proven!
Claude Makelele 7
Does so much work with so much of it going unnoticed. Remains an unsung hero who Mourinho relies on to do exactly as his told and he does just that.
Michael Essien 7
Returned to the starting eleven after missing the Boxing Day fixture. Had two very combative 50-50 challenges with Joey Barton, both of which were perfectly within the rules of the game and thankfully, for once, never gave the assembled media hacks any opportunity to focus on anything other than his game.
Eidur Gudjohnsen 7
A late selection after Frank Lampard withdrew due to illness. Produced some telling moments most notably his shot that was parried by David James for Joe Cole to snatch the only goal of the game.
Joe Cole 9
Sheer class. The World Cup cannot come quick enough for this boy to be able to showcase his talents on the biggest stage in the world.
Didier Drogba 7
Incurred the wrath of the home crowd after being brought down by David James. His power caused City problems all night long. Eventually replaced by Hernan Crespo as Mourinho decided to change things.
Damien Duff 7
Returned to the starting eleven after missing the Fulham fixture. Always competitive but without producing that bit of class that’ll create that elusive chance in such a tight match.
Hernan Crespo 7
Brought on late. Kept busy and played a part in the winning goal.
Arjen Robben 7
Replaced Damien Duff and produced one telling run that left City in his wake. Getting back to the form that terrorised Premiership defences last season.
Manager Rating
Mourinho, pleased that his team had ground out a win, dedicated the win to Frank Lampard who had to withdraw late on thanks to a virus. Once again Jose shuffled his pack and got the result he wanted.
Opponent Rating
Stuart Pearce called for a performance from his team and they responded by banishing the comical defending that had seen them ship four goals at Wigan. Honest in defeat suggesting that a game with so few chances was always likely to be decided by a strange goal.
Eleven Points Rio!
The erstwhile Rio Ferdinand had proudly boasted that Manchester United would win three domestic trophies for his clubs new owners? Carling Cup, Lancashire Cup and Greater Manchester Cup methinks Rio!
52 Points
Could this be another record breaking season? At the half way stage we’re already on 52 points. What chance the magic 100?