Saturday, February 27, 2010

Poor Defence Cost Chelsea the forst home defeat in this season

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                        Chelsea defense was only a shadow of their glorious days , as Manchester City players found then net four times at Stamford Bridge. The first goal scored by Tevez proved to be a real testimonial for  how sloppy Chelsea defense was. The main central back Captain John Terry who has been under lot of pressure after being alleged off an affair with Wein Bridge's ex girl friend , made alot of mistakes that were evident at the end of the match with his side on the losing side. The regular left back Ashley Cole's absence was another problem that Chelsea faced. Malouda who was handed the left back role , wasn't that good enough.
                                                                          The main problem that Chelsea now faces is the absence of key players due to injuries. The central defensive midfielder Essien's absence is quite obvious as his replacement Mikel Obi is no where near him. Also goal keeper Cech has been ruled out for one month concerns the Blues alot. The substitute shot stopper Hilario made some awful mistakes that saw ManCity score four times at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 2 - 4 Man City

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Manchester City inflicted Chelsea's first home Premier League defeat this season in a game which began with Wayne Bridge refusing John Terry's handshake.
Frank Lampard's low strike put Chelsea ahead but Carlos Tevez equalised after a long ball was not dealt with, before Craig Bellamy shot beyond Hilario.
Tevez scored a penalty after Juliano Belletti saw red for a trip on Gareth Barry before a Bellamy tap-in.
Michael Ballack also saw red and Lampard scored a consolation penalty.
City had failed to score in their previous seven visits to Stamford Bridge, while Chelsea had only conceded eight at home in the Premier League all season.
But those statistics were rendered meaningless on an afternoon of triumph for City coach and former Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini, who pitted his wits in the Premier League for the first time against ex-AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti.
City saw their hopes of silverware this season ended by their FA Cup defeat at Stoke in midweek but they boosted their prospects of a top-four finish by completing the double over Chelsea for the first time since 1957.
With Manchester United not in league action this weekend, victory would have taken Chelsea four points clear at the top of the Premier League.
But it was a disastrous afternoon for Ancelotti, whose side had only dropped points in one previous home game this season, a 3-3 draw with Everton.
What's more, his team lacked discipline after the break and were vulnerable in defence, with Hilario looking particularly suspect.
All eyes before kick-off were focused on Terry and Bridge, who came face-to-face for the first time since allegations about the former's relationship with the latter's ex-partner.
As it turned out, Bridge - who this week ruled out playing for England at the World Cup - shunned Terry's outstretched hand.
There was an anti-climatic feel to the start of the game, which was low on excitement but, on a heavy Stamford Bridge surface, high in mis-placed passes and stodgy midfield play.
Both sides set up with three across midfield operating behind three more attack-orientated players but Chelsea were the superior team and enjoyed the better of precious few early openings.
Florent Malouda drilled a thunderous long-range strike narrowly over the crossbar, Shay Given palmed clear from Joe Cole, Didier Drogba headed over and Vincent Kompany almost sliced an attempted clearance into his own net.
City seemed content to surrender territory and invite pressure - and Chelsea gradually forced some clear chances.
Drogba shot disappointingly over with a shot on the turn but Lampard made no mistake after running into space and collecting a precise pass from Cole before drilling the ball low across goal from 16 yards.
All City had mustered was a tame Adam Johnson free-kick but Tevez, on his return to the side after compassionate leave in Argentina, equalised with a smash and grab effort on the stroke of half-time that epitomised all the Argentine's tenacious qualities.
Chelsea were partial architects of their own downfall as Jon Obi Mikel headed a long Bridge clearance towards his own goal but Tevez then repeatedly managed to hold off both Terry and Ricardo Carvalho before shooting limply beyond the outstretched but ultimately futile dive of Hilario.
City might even have led at the break after a Bellamy free-kick deep in injury time was met by an unmarked Joleon Lescott but the defender headed wide.
Bellamy, anonymous in the opening half, stunned the home crowd with his goal minutes after the restart.
A Chelsea attack broke down and Mikel found himself isolated against Bellamy marauding down the left flank.
It was an unfair contest and Bellamy burst into the box before shooting into the bottom corner from a very tight angle for another goal that was, at least in part, goalkeeping error.
There was little sign of an equaliser for the home side and it took a last-gasp clearance from Branislav Ivanovic to prevent Bellamy extending City's lead.
Ancelotti's desperation was reflected in the fact that Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalou were all on the field for the final 20 minutes.
But Tevez made it 3-1 for City with a powerful penalty into the corner after Barry had got the wrong side of Belletti, who tripped his opponent.
Ballack was dismissed after picking up a second yellow for a lunge on Tevez before Bellamy tapped home unmarked at the far post after 87 minutes following a low pass across goal from Shaun Wright-Phillips.
There was still more drama as Given saved from Anelka, who was later brought down in the box by Barry. That allowed Lampard to end the game with a consolation penalty.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Chelsea goal Keeper Peter Cech out for one month

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             Chelsea suffers a further shock as the main shot stopper Peter Cech has been declared to be out of team for one month due to a calf injury.
The 27-year-old fell in agony after taking a cross unchallenged during the Blues' 2-1 Champions League defeat at Inter Milan on Wednesday.A scan has revealed Cech tore a calf muscle, and a Chelsea spokesman said the Czech international is expected to be out "for three to four weeks".
Cech will definitely miss his side's Premier League games at home to Manchester City on Saturday and away to West Ham on 13 March, the FA Cup quarter-final visit of Stoke on 7 March and the second leg of their European tie against Inter at Stamford Bridge nine days later.
It seems likely, too, that manager Carlo Ancelotti will be without his first-choice keeper for the Premier League games at Blackburn (21 March) and Portsmouth (24 March).
And Cech must also be considered a doubt for the league matches at home to Aston Villa on 27 March and the trip to title rivals Manchester United on 3 April.
Following the defeat at the San Siro, Blues midfielder Frank Lampard was in little doubt that Cech's absence would be felt: "It's a huge blow. He's been in outstanding form and has always been up there with the best in the world."
Cech, who will also miss his country's friendly international in Scotland next Wednesday, was replaced by 34-year-old Hilario on 61 minutes after suffering the bizarre injury.
Chelsea were already trailing 2-1 at that stage, having gone 1-0 down after only three minutes when Diego Milito cut inside John Terry on the left and beat Cech with a low shot to the keeper's right.
Salomon Kalou equalised in the 51st minute before Esteban Cambiasso put Inter back in front four minutes later with a fierce, left-foot strike.Hilario was largely untroubled when he came on, although his kicking gave some cause for concern.The former Porto player is expected to continue in goal, however, the Blues could also call on former England Under-20 keeper Ross Turnbull.
The 25-year-old joined the club last summer on a free transfer from Middlesbrough.
Cech, a £7m capture from Rennes in 2004, is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.His career almost ended in October 2006 when he required surgery for a skull fracture after a collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt.Cech was out for three months and has since worn a protective headguard during games.

Chelsea lost to Mourinho's Inter Milan (Chelsea 1-2 Inter Milan)

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Chelsea suffered a first leg defeat to former boss Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in their Champions League last 16 tie.Inter got off to the perfect start when Diego Milito cut inside and fired in with only three minutes gone.
Chelsea rallied from the early blow and after Salomon Kalou was denied a strong first-half penalty claim he was on hand to fire Chelsea level after half-time.
Parity was short-lived, with Esteban Cambiasso drilling in to give Inter a narrow lead to take to Stamford Bridge.
Predictably, it was Mourinho who took centre stage as it was the first match against the club he led for two-and-a-half seasons, but this was an encounter laden with context.Current Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti led Inter's local rivals AC Milan with aplomb between 2001 and 2009 and this was the first time he has brought a side to the city since leaving for west London last summer.
In addition, there is the added spice that former Champions League winners Mourinho and Ancelotti - the Portuguese with Porto in 2004, the Italian with Milan in 2003 and 2007 - are managers charged with repeating their feat in Europe's premier club competition with their current clubs.

Under Mourinho, Chelsea were often accused of an overly cautious approach that came at the expense of entertainment, but Ancelotti affords his charges greater licence to be expansive and, on the front foot, they are an attractive team to watch.
Unfortunately, they are occasionally susceptible at the back as a result and Inter capitalised on this fallibility with their very first attack.
With the ball won just inside the Chelsea half, firstly Thiago Motta and then Samuel Eto'o fed the ball through for Milito who, with space afforded by Wesley Sneijder's presence, stepped inside John Terry and beat Petr Cech at the near post.
Despite falling behind, Chelsea were not overawed and slowly began to assert themselves on the game, claiming the greater share of possession and attacking with intent.
However, they were limited to a series of long-range efforts by a hard-working home side.Didier Drogba came closest with a powerfully struck 25-yard free-kick which beat Julio Cesar but struck the underside of the crossbar before being cleared to safety.
Ivory Coast international Drogba is the only African player with more career Champions League goals than ordinarily lethal Cameroonian Eto'o.
However, the Inter number nine missed a glorious opportunity to add to his tally of 18 Champions League goals just after the half-hour mark.
Sneijder cut in from the left and drove a low cross over for the centrally positioned Eto'o in plenty of space and only eight yards out but he badly miscued his effort.
The half ended in controversy when a mistake in midfield gave Kalou a clear run on goal, but before he was able to shoot he was felled by a last-ditch tackle from Walter Samuel.
Referee Mejuto Gonzalez waved away calls for a penalty but replays showed that Kalou's heels had been clipped by the defender.
Within five minutes of the restart Kalou's anger had turned to jubilation as he brought his side level.Branislav Ivanovic carried the ball deep into Inter territory, evading a number of challenges, before feeding Kalou 20 yards out and his side-foot shot beat Cesar and found the corner of the net.
Once again the sides were level but only for three minutes.Sneijder's cross from the right was headed away by Ricardo Carvalho to Cambiasso, whose first shot was blocked by Ivanovic but his second, from 18 yards was drilled perfectly into the far corner.It was a decisive blow so soon after Chelsea had deservedly levelled and the Blues never fully recovered their composure.
There were intermittent glimpses of their capabilities; most notably when Drogba and Nicolas Anelka combined for the latter to provide a golden chance for Frank Lampard eight yards out, but Cesar was equal to it.A single-goal first leg deficit will not worry Ancelotti, but the sight of goalkeeper Cech being carried injured from the pitch was more concerning with the season entering a crucial phase.Fears that Cech had badly damaged a knee were dispelled when it was revealed that he had suffered a calf injury.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Chelsea 2-0 Wolverhampton

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Chelsea beat Wolverhampton 2-0 to go 4 points clear off their title rivals Manchester United. The Chelsea hitman Drogba was at his best and he fired twice to grab the game for his team and made his tally 25 goals in this season. The Ivory Coast frontman made the most of two rare chances in an unconvincing away display, sliding home his first from Yuri Zhirkov's pinpoint cross.
Drogba then latched on to Petr Cech's long kick for his second to wrap it up.
But Wolves will feel hard done by, with Cech twice denying Adlene Guedioura to render a brave home display fruitless.
And while the hosts should certainly take heart from a performance that once again proves they can live with the best sides at the Molineux on their day, another defeat means they remain perilously close to the drop zone.For Chelsea, though, victory will be just what boss Carlo Ancelotti will have wanted after another week of front-page allegations and controversy surrounding the Stamford Bridge outfit.
Not that many observers will look back on this match as a particularly convincing Chelsea victory by any stretch of the imagination.
Anyone who witnessed Wolves' displays in their draws with Liverpool and Aston Villa, or their win over Tottenham, at the Molineux this season will have been less than surprised by their approach.
Packed across midfield and deep in defence, Wolves hassled and harried, suffocating Chelsea's creative players and denying the front-runners space and time to manoeuvre in attack.
And for much of the first half, the hosts' game plan worked to perfection. With Chelsea looking increasingly bereft of ideas, it was Mick McCarthy's men looking the more threatening on the odd occasion they sprung a counter-attack.
Kevin Doyle, in particular, was a threat and he twice stung the palms of Blues keeper Cech, once with a low effort after a decent run across the box and then again with a snap-shot that the Czech Republic international did well to turn around his near post.
The impressive Zhirkov was the creator, exchanging a neat one-two with Michael Ballack on the edge of the box before crossing low for Drogba to complete the simplest of tap-ins at the far post in the 40th minute.
It was a rare moment of cohesion going forward for Chelsea, who have certainly lost an element of sparkle in recent weeks with only one win away from home in six league matches.
However, the opening goal failed to fire the visitors to greater heights at the start of the second half and only the commanding presence of Cech kept them ahead.
First a cross from Matt Jarvis floated to the onrushing and unmarked Guedioura at the back post, only for the midfielder's crashing volley to be beaten away by Cech.

And then Kevin Foley brought an even better stop from the Blues keeper when he latched on to an error from John Terry to fire goalwards, his shot smothered bravely by Cech, Guedioura seeing his follow-up cleared.
Chelsea skipper Terry, of course, has been at the heart of the stories splashed across the tabloids in recent weeks.
But while Ashley Cole was spared the ignominy of the Molineux taunts by injury, there was no such respite for Terry - and it was another less than convincing performance from the former England captain.
As with in the first half, though, Chelsea proved their most dangerous when on the back foot.
However, if the first goal was all about 'total' football, the second was far more direct - and how that, in itself, underlines the Blues' all-round threat this season.
Drogba was again the dagger in the Wolves defenders' hearts, latching on to Cech's booming goal kick, nodding round home keeper Marcus Hahnemann with his first touch and tapping in with his second.
The hosts continued to battle valiantly thereafter but, in truth, their spirit had been broken.
Doyle curled harmlessly wide and Terry cleared Greg Halford's long throw off the line - though, as it was direct from the throw, it would not have counted anyway - but the remaining 20 minutes were comfortable for Chelsea.
And so the Londoners made it four Premier League wins over Wolves in four matches to make the most of Manchester United's earlier slip-up and ensure they remain in pole position in the title race.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy:
"I've just had a right chew at the lads in the dressing-room because we've lost a game that we shouldn't have.
We've let Chelsea off the hook today and that's what has annoyed me. We had them in that second half, we had them. We created chances, didn't take them, and then conceded a sloppy second goal that has killed us.
"Chelsea are the champions-elect and we've matched them in all departments today except putting the ball in the back of the net."

Chelsea cruise into FA cup quarterfinals by thrashing Cardiff 4-1

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Didier Drogba inspired FA Cup holders Chelsea to a comfortable win over 2008 finalists Cardiff City. The Ivory Coast striker opened the scoring inside two minutes before setting up two more as favourites Chelsea cruised into the quarter-finals.
Michael Chopra gave Cardiff brief hope with a first-half leveller before Michael Ballack restored Chelsea's lead.Daniel Strurridge and Salomon Kalou sealed Championship Cardiff's fate.Chelsea remain the team to beat in this competition with Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool already eliminated.And few would bet against Carlo Ancelotti 's European and domestic title challengers completing a treble this season as Chelsea bid to become only the fifth post-war team to successfully defend the FA Cup.
Chelsea's line-up may have been minus high-profile absentees John Terry, Ashley Cole and Michael Essien - for differing reasons - but Ancelotti was still able to name £105m of talent in a star-studded team.Cardiff's injury crisis was eased slightly as Dave Jones risked striker Jay Bothroyd and holding midfielder Gavin Rae, who had been suffering ankle and hamstring injuries respectively, but Stephen McPhail, Joe Ledley and skipper Mark Hudson missed out.
Chelsea were already British football's top scorers at home before this rout while Cardiff are the most clinical on the road - and within two minutes the holders were in front in the easiest possible fashion.
Cardiff's defence was caught standing by a straight-forward John Obi Mikel long ball and Drogba left Gabor Gyepes standing to fire home his 23rd goal of the season.
It was the worst possible start for Cardiff and the inquest into the defensive debacle raged until Gyepes himself almost made amends at the other end within minutes.
Anthony Gerrard, Cardiff's other centre-back, was not immune from blame in Drogba's stroll to goal and he almost headed Cardiff level in the 10th minute from Peter Whittingham's left-wing cross.
The unmarked defender, younger cousin of England star Steven, thought he had scored until Chelsea's keeper Hilario tipped the ball around his right-hand-post.
Within a minute, Gerrard had wriggled free in the box again to head another Whittingham corner goalwards but Chopra, five yards from goal, could not divert the ball in.
Drogba tested David Marshall with an elaborate overhead kick before more nerve-jangling moments in the visiting box when a lack of communication between the Cardiff keeper and Gyepes resulted in a mid-air collision and the ball spilling free before Gerrard cleared the danger.
Chelsea, too, were looking susceptible to crosses and indeed that proved to be the hosts' undoing in the 33rd minute.
Influential targetman Borthroyd linked up with Chris Burke and Chopra headed in the Scottish winger's cross to shock the Premier League leaders.

Chelsea defender Alex stood and watched his man stoop to convert his 17th goal of the season and give Jones' Championship side hope.
Michael Ballack, a colossus alongside Frank Lampard in Chelsea's midfield, extinguished any glimpses of an upset within six minutes of the restart as the German midfielder capitalised on yet more lacklustre Cardiff defending.
Drogba dropped deep and chipped the ball over the Bluebirds backline as Ballack flicked the ball over Marshall for his fifth of the season.
And if it wasn't for Mark Kennedy's last-ditch block, Alex would have extended Chelsea's lead just after the hour but the Irishman made a timely clearance.
But Drogba was in sizzling form and the Ivorian played a key role Chelsea's crucial third with 20 minutes remaining.
Daniel Sturridge's give-and-go sucked in three Cardiff defenders which allowed the England under-21 star to slide the ball through the legs of the helpless Marshall for his fourth goal in three Cup games this season.
Chelsea's seven-year unbeaten FA Cup run at Stamford Bridge never looked in danger.
And their vice-like grip on this tie was complete when Salomon Kalou found yet more space in the Cardiff box to head Paulo Ferreira's inviting cross past Marshall with four minutes remaining as the Blues strengthen their push for a third FA Cup triumph in four years.
Cardiff's FA Cup adventure has ended in London by a Premier League team for the fifth successive season, but for a club with financial difficulties, the £1m injection from their run is a welcome boost.
Chelsea assistant boss Ray Wilkins:
"It was tougher than we thought. We anticipated having a hard game. Cardiff played exceptionally well and gave us a lot of problems in the first half.
"But thankfully we managed to up the tempo in the second half and it became a tad easier for us. But we have got to give Cardiff credit as well. For an hour they gave us a tough old game.
"Our team was changed but we took quality out and quality came back in. It is the professionalism of our players that shines through.
"Some people might have thought this was going to be a bit of an easy game for us but those guys took it by the throat and pulled us through when we were not playing particularly well."

Cardiff boss David Jones:
"I cannot fault my players in anything they have done, they were magnificent. It looks like a drubbing but it was far from that.
"For over an hour we gave a good account of ourselves and showed great character after going a goal down after a couple of minutes.
"I decided to come here and have a go. Every player today deserved a lot of plaudits because they worked their socks off.
"We regrouped after conceding an early goal and stuck to our game plan when they were in possession.
"We grew in confidence and their keeper pulled off some fantastic saves. But as the game went on they imposed their quality.
"It gives us some credit that Ancelotti brought on his big guns."

Everton ends Chelsea's victory Streak ( Chelsea 1-2 Everton )

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A spirited performance by the Everton side saw Ancelotti's men losing 2-1 away from home. Everton came from behind with the two goals scored by former Manchester United man Luis Saha. Chelsea side looked very sloppy , especially the defense. Skipper Terry has been under lot of speculations over the sex scandal and received booes from Everton fans.
It was Chelsea who went ahead first with a Malouda strike finding the net. But Saha leveled to 1-1 , when he cleverly run past Terry who was only a shadow of his normal form. Peter Cech saved Everton's chance to go in front as he saved a penalty given as result of Carvalho fouling Donovan. But once again it was Saha who escaped from Terry's marking and put the ball past Cech. Chelsea had a late chance but couldn't capitalize it as Drogba headed onto the wood works.

Everton manager David Moyes on his first win over Chelsea:

"It has been a long time coming.After the weekend defeat to Liverpool I thought that we showed great character. And we did it without two of our important players.
"I thought that we deserved our victory, which was against one of the top teams in the country."

Chelsea assistant boss Ray Wilkins:
"If you look at the game as a whole you could say that Everton just about deserved to win it.
"It is disappointing but all good things must come to an end. We have got to be disappointed with the goals that we gave away.
"We have been on a good run but now we have to go on another one."

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Chelsea 1-1 Hull City Highlights

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Chelsea 1-1 Hull City

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The Blues waisted a great opertunity to extend their lead at the top of the table when a spirited Hull side held them to a 1-1 draw. The title hopefuls could have gone 4 points clear of rivals Manchester United if they have claimed all the three points at the KC stadium.
It was the hosts who went ahead against the tempo of the match when Steven Mouyokolo found the net with a brilliant header from Hunt's corner. The Blues came back strongly and Anelka had a good opertunity but Myhil claimed the ball. It was then Drogba who came into the side after African Nations , got his side an equalizer from a superb freekick from the left of the penalty area.Even after the break the Chelsea kept on pushing hard for the equalizer but couldn't just grab one. Mean While the home side also had their chances mostly from set pieces where Blues defence seemed very shaky.
The Chelsea were the favourites in papers but a energetic performance from Phil Brown's side saw Chelsea leaving the KC stadium with just one point. Chelsea captain john Terry who was alleged of sex scandal received constant boos from Hull City fans.Now that Chelsea missed a golden opertunity with the match against The Gunners up ahead on Sunday , Ancelotti and his men are under some pressure.
The main area of concern is at set pieces where Chelsea men has gone wrong many times this season. Most of the conceded goals came from either corners or free kicks. Ancelotti have to give special consideration on that aspect.
Now with just 2 points ahead of Manchester United , Chelsea will have to play with their heart and win all the upcoming games. And the one against Arsenal on Sunday is a very important game.

First Tiger Woods.. Now Terry??

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The latest allegations on John Terry's relationship with his ex Chelsea mate Wane Bridge is pointing to the devastating effect of Media involvement in the personal affairs of big stars. Now that all are talking about the "story" ; Terry is under immense pressure that can even cost his future as Chelsea and English Team captaincy.
Few weeks earlier there was a similar media hike about the illegal relations of golf champion Tiger Woods , that ended up in his professional withdrawal from the game. Ones personal life should be his own concern whether he is a star or an ordinary man. The media interferance can have a really deleterious effect and has to be controlled.

As the Terry scam has got a lot of attention around the glob, voices have started rising for his head as England's captain. Though Chelsea has given him full protection by releasing a statement that the club will always stay with the player, England manager Fabio Capello is yet to react in the issue.
There is a silent push from the Manchester City side in the issue as they have once again turned their focus on Chelsea captain. Earlier the season , they tried with enormous bids to sign Terry from Chelsea but all went in wain. Now that Wane Bridge has come up with allegations and all Man City players supporting him ; something is very fishy anout the whole thing.
What ever be his personal life is, John Terry is a great player and has shown his credibilities both on and off the field. The words by Barcelona Manager pep Guardiola after last years Champions League semi finals reveals the sportsmanship in Terry. All the Chelsea fans are behind Terry and he should not lose his composure and just hold his head up.
Like wise what Ancelotti said " "I'm honoured and proud to manage him,"

We are honoured to have a captain like you. We love you Terry.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Chelsea 2-1 Burnley

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Terry came up with a brilliant header that helped Chelsea bag three points in a thrilling away match against Burnley. It was Chelsea who took the lead as Anelka netted a superb counter attack initiated by Cech finding Joe Cole in the wing. He then tossed the ball above the Burnley center back to find Malouda who fed Anelka with a brilliant pass. Anelka tipped the ball ever so smoothly into the net. The blues continued to pressure up by setting up a brilliant piece of attacking football.
The second half saw slightly different Burley side. They came up with some good passes and in the 50th minute , Fletcher moved past Alex and fired home the equalizer. After conceding the equalizer , the Blues came back as wounded tigers and pushed really hard for the second one but couldn't quite made it.
The Search for the winning goal was on and it was "Mr. Chelsea" captain John Terry who found the net with a superb header on 82nd minute.Even though he was under lot of pressure from the media and public , he proved the point why he wears the captains arm band. Ancelotti was more than happy that his side bagged all the three vital points as they went 4 points ahead of title rivals Manchester United.

Post Match Interview
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Burnley boss Brian Laws:

"I can take a lot of heart from this game. We were only minutes away from getting a point.
"We showed Chelsea too much respect in the first half but when we scored it lifted the team and lifted the crowd.
"It was a great goal by Steve Fletcher and gave us great belief. The only disappointment is we couldn't see out the game."

Chelsea mananger Carlo Ancelotti:

"It was a difficult game, especially in the second half.
"We were not able to play the way we liked and they equalised.
"We then put more pressure on Burnley and deserved the win. We are four points ahead of Manchester United and that is good."