Chelsea climbed to second place in the Barclays Premier
League as they preserved their 100% start to the season
with an easy 2-0 win over Fulham in the south-west London
derby at Craven Cottage.
Goals in each half from Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka
settled the contest in Chelsea's favour.
The Blues have made a fabulous start to the season under
new coach Carlo Ancelotti and the scoreline could have
much higher had visitors taken their many chances.
Chelsea wasted a chance to punish Fulham as early as 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.
The Blues had dominated the opening half but had failed to
add a cutting edge to their possession.
John Obi Mikel had Mark Schwarzer flinging himself to his
right in the 21st minute when the Nigerian midfielder
despatched a 20-yard volley towards the top corner.
However, fortunately for the Fulham goalkeeper, Mikel's
effort flashed wide of the upright.
Fulham responded quickly but a cross from Murphy was
easily held by Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.
The home side had done little to suggest they had the
firepower to trouble Chelsea's rearguard.
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
Schwarzer was left untroubled by Terry's piledriver as it
soared over the bar.
But Chelsea finally broke the deadlock in the 38th 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.
| Match Stats |
Fulham |
Chelsea |
| Goals |
0 |
2 |
| Possession |
39% |
61% |
| Goal attempts |
6 |
16 |
| On Target |
1 |
4 |
| Corners |
4 |
7 |
| Off-sides |
2 |
5 |
| Saves |
2 |
1 |
| Fouls |
11 |
11 |
| Yellows |
0 |
0 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: Soccernet |
The Ivory Coast international made no mistake as he
slipped the ball beyond the advancing 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 on to a clever lob by Anelka.
This time, however, the Ivory Coast striker was denied at
the second attempt by Australian goalkeeper Schwarzer.
Ancelotti's side were in total control and Florent Malouda
should have done better when he shot wide on the hour -
his angled drive flashing wide the far post.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson replaced the ineffective Zoltan
Gera with Diomansy Kamara in the 62nd minute to loud
cheers of approval from the home fans.
The home side just could not keep possession and the
frustration of the home fans was all too evident.
Chelsea's neat approach play had everything, guile,
surprise, intelligent running off the ball and accurate
passing.
The only real surprise of the afternoon was that the
scoreline remained 1-0 to the Blues.
Fulham could not cope with Malouda's pace and trickery on
the left flank and but for some last-gasp defending from the
home side, Chelsea would have increased their advantage.
The Cottagers were dealt another blow in the 69th minute
when captain Murphy went off injured to be replaced by
Chris Baird.
Chelsea went two goals in front in the 76th minute when
Drogba turned supplier for Anelka.
The France international rounded Schwarzer and coolly
slotted the ball home to make sure of all three points for
Chelsea and preserve their 100% start to the new season.
Fulham Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland,
Konchesky,Gera (Kamara 62), Etuhu, Murphy (Baird 70),
Duff, Dempsey,Zamora (Nevland 75).
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Seol, Riise.
Chelsea Cech, Bosingwa (Hutchinson 86), Carvalho,
Terry,Ashley Cole, Mikel, Ballack, Malouda, Lampard (Deco
81),Drogba, Anelka.
Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Ivanovic, Essien, Kalou, Sturridge.
Goals: Drogba 39, Anelka 76.
Att: 25,404
Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).