Chelsea FC season review – January 23rd May 2011, In Articles, by Alex Hinsley December had finally seen the slump temporarily halted thanks to a battling victory over Bolton, but that result had done little more than paper over the cracks. However, January would show Roman Abramovich’s unfaltering financial backing of the club and of Carlo Ancelotti – but the need for£75 million worth of investment during the winter transfer window surely begs the question of how much faith the board truly had in Ancelotti at the time. As is typical with the turn of the new year, the games were coming thick and fast. Three games in the space of a week saw contrasting results and emotions amongst the Blues faithful, with Aston Villa the first team to face Chelsea in 2011. In an entertaining but ultimately-frustrating 3-3 draw, Chelsea found themselves 2-1 down before going 3-2 up thanks to John Terry’s 88th-minute volley. It seemed to be the goal that would arrest the Chelsea slide and build on the foundations set by the Bolton win, but the proverbial Big Bad Wolf came in the form of young Ciaran Clark, who headed home a stoppage time leveller to leave the elated Chelsea fans deflated instantly. And further woe at the hands of Midlands opposition came at the hands of lowly Wolverhampton Wanderers and a single Jose Bosingwa own goal reduced Chelsea to embarrassment. The Blues hit the post through Didier Drogba, whilst Salomon Kalou brought a number of excellent saves from young goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, but in truth, Wolves were worthy winners and Chelsea needed a response immediately. Nevertheless, it would be this sort of result and performance that would ultimately cost the Blues the title. Thankfully, seven-goal drubbings tend to have positive impacts on teams, and such a rout of second division Ipswich certainly helped the cause. Daniel Sturridge and Frank Lampard both netted braces, whilst Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou and a Carlos Edwards own goal gave Chelsea a trademark seven-goal thrashing to help increase confidence thanks to a much-needed win. Most importantly, perhaps, was seeing Lampard and Anelka back on the scoresheet – Lampard after months out with injury, and Anelka after a ten-game dry spell. Form and confidence were re-emerging, and two consecutive wins over north-west opposition would see that return sped up dramatically. Blackburn were the first to feel the edge of the Chelsea sword as Branislav Ivanovic and Nicolas Anelka inspired the Blues to victory at Stamford Bridge, before a magnificent away performance at Bolton saw the Blues comfortable 4-0 winners. Didier Drogba got the ball rolling with a simply stunning goal from distance, before Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Ramires added second half goals. The camaraderie shown for Ramires’ first Chelsea strike – with all ten outfield players mobbing the Brazilian midfielder – was testament to the turnaround both in player morale and in results. The performances were returning and the Chelsea tenacity was as evident as ever. That resolve was highlighted at Goodison Park when Salomon Kalou led a second-half revival to earn a 1-1 draw. Everton had bombarded the Chelsea goal and went ahead – inevitably – through Louis Saha, but a combination of the Ivorian’s precision finishing and the nigh-unbeatable form of Petr Cech ensured what neither team needed… a dreaded weekend replay. But with the Blues’ Premier League form returning – added to the excitement aroused by the signings of Luiz and Torres in the winter transfer window – ensured January was the turnaround in fortunes that would form the basis of Chelsea’s fabulous revival in the second half of the season.
