Chelsea continued their march towards retaining the Premiership crown with an emphatic win over struggling Birmingham City. Whilst the 2-0 scoreline might not suggest the margin between the two teams was very wide events on the pitch did.
The home side controlled the game more-or-less from start to finish and on another day may well have scored five of six goals more. Indeed, Steve Bruce, celebrating his birthday, was probably thankful that his keeper, Maik Taylor, was in such outstanding form.
Jose Mourinho chose to make several changes to the starting line with a fit again Ricardo Carvalho resuming his place at the heart of the Chelsea defence. With William Gallas switching to left back it meant no place for Asier Del Horno. In midfield, Mourinho took the opportunity to rest Claude Makelele and played Michael Essien in the holding role. This allowed Frank Lamaprd to be played in a central pairing with Eidur Gudjohnsen. Up front Hernan Crespo was selected ahead of Didier Drogba as Jose chose to continue his rotation policy with his central strikers. On the flanks Damien Duff missed out as Arjen Robben was, on this occasion, preferred. With Joe Cole soon to serve a one match ban for picking up five yellow cards Mourinho had no qualms about not resting a player who has lit up the Premiership over the past couple of months.
The action started with Chelsea playing controlled possession football forcing Birmingham deep back into their own half. Paulo Ferreira, marauding down the right flank, got a couple of crosses in that teased the visiting defence. However, it was Birmingham that created the first half decent chance and only a goal line clearance from William Gallas prevented the champions from going a goal down.
Indeed, when Emile Heskey looped a header just over the bar, you began to think that perhaps the visitors could cause a shock. Thankfully, Chelsea soon got on top and took an early lead courtesy of Hernan Crespo. The visitors lost possession and when Maik Taylor could only palm away a Joe Cole shot, Hernan Crespo was on hand to prod the ball over the line.
The goal signalled a period whereby the Argentine striker could have netted further efforts. One was cleared with the goal begging whilst Maik Taylor did superbly well to defy the striker when he was faced with a one on one situation. However, a second goal was always on the cards and it came as no surprise when it did come.
The goal came when a flowing move saw Arjen Robben released. The Dutch winger took his time before picking his spot and coooly slipping the ball past Maik Taylor. At 2-0 you just knew that Birmingham, unless they could spark a heroic comeback, were out of the game. Indeed, after losing Matthew Upson early on, you suspect birthday boy, Steve Bruce, just wanted the game to end.
The second half saw much of the same with Chelsea dominating proceedings. Hernan Crespo thought he had come close only to be deprived by an offside flag before John Terry just failed to get on the scoresheet with a powerful header.
Birmingham, despite being apparently out of it, did come close on one occasion, thankfully Eidur Gudjohnsen was on hand to hack the ball off of the line. When Steve Bruce withdrew Heskey and introduced young Birley you sensed that he’d thrown in the towel long ago.
Knowing that the three points were safe, Mourinho took full advantage of the three substitutions available to him. Hernan Crespo trudged off to a great ovation to be replaced by Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben made way for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Michael Essien made way for Claude Makelele.
The replacement of Essien was probably the most significant. The Ghanaian international had picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and perhaps Mourinho didn’t want to take the risk of one mistimed tackle resulting in a dismissal. Incidentally, Essien will now miss the FA Cup tie against Huddersfield Town next Saturday.
With both Liverpool and Manchester United carving out wins, the gap at the top remains at eleven points. Arsenal drew at Aston Villa and are now a distant twenty-two points adrift of the top team in the country. Now who are the Invincibles?
Player Ratings
Petr Cech 6
Many suspected Birmingham would be the perfect fixture to give Carlo Cudicini the chance to make a rare appearance, Mourinho thought otherwise. In a game when he had very little to do, Petr was grateful that both William Gallas and Eidur Gudjohnsen were on hand to hack chances off of the line.
Paulo Ferreira 7
Made some great runs forward and never really looked to be troubled by a lightweight Birmingham side that, at 2-0, seemed content to settle for that result.
William Gallas 7
Once again forced to play in his less favoured position but coped admirably (just like he always does). Cleared a rare Birmingham chance off of the line.
John Terry 8
Making his 250th Chelsea appearance, Captain Fantastic was just that, fantastic. Unlucky with a second half header and must surely be thinking that 2006 is going to be a year to remember.
Ricardo Carvalho 7
Made a surprise return after being out with a heel injury but looked as if he’d never been away. A cultured defender who has now fully settled into the English game.
Michael Essien 7
Picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and will miss the visit of Huddersfield, next Saturday. Asked to play the holding role in place of Makelele and never looked out of place. Made way late on for the aforementioned Makelele.
Frank Lampard 9
Settled back into the side in magnificent fashion after the shock of missing the game against Manchester City. (see Star Player)
Eidur Gudjohnsen 7
Looked at home in a midfield that Chelsea bossed. Cleared one effort off the line but can be happy with his performance.
Joe Cole 8
Just pipped by Frank Lampard for man-of-the-match. His skills and trickery lit up the afternoon even if one audacious piece of skill, in the second half, saw Mourinho issue a friendly admonishment to the player who is fast becoming an essential in the Chelsea line up.
Hernan Crespo 8
On another day would have left Stamford Bridge with the match ball after claiming his first Chelsea hat trick. Opened the scoring and troubled the Birmingham defence on numerous occasions. Made way late on for Didier Drogba.
Arjen Robben 7
Scored the second and is now getting back to the pulsating form that stunned the Premiership upon his arrival last season. Made way late on for Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Shaun Wright-Phillips 6
Came on for Arjen Robben but never given enough time or possession to make a major impact.
Didier Drogba 6
Came on for Didier Drogba but never given enough time or possession to make a major impact.
Arsenal
Came on for Michael Essien as the Ghanaian international ran the risk of a second yellow card.
Manager Rating
Mourinho will be pleased that this festive period is turning out to be as influential, on the season, as that of last year. Once again rung the changes and once again got the result.
Opponent Rating
Steve Bruce would have hoped to have been able to celebrate his birthday with at least a draw, However on reflection he’ll arrive back in England’s second city thankful that his team only lost 2-0.
2005 – What a Year?
Only one Premiership defeat makes 2005 a wonderful year. With 101 points ammassed, during the calendar year, it remains to be seen if such a figure can be achieved this season.
Maniche is Coming!
With Essien and Geremi participating in the African Nations Cup,the arrival of the Portuguese international will bolster a midfield that already scares the opposition half to death.
Arsenal
The invincibles seem to have lost their invincibility!