Chelsea 2-0 West Brom

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Chelsea F.C. 2 - 0 West Bromwich Albion

December 26 2008, English Premier League, Stamford Bridge, West London



Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard scored as Chelsea recorded their fourth home win of the season against West Brom.

The Blues put three past Scott Carson at the Hawthorns in November, with Nicolas Anelka grabbing a brace after full-back Jose Bosingwa had hammered a shot into the top corner from range, and Luiz Felipe Scolari was hoping before the match that a similar result could be just what his team needed to spur them on to another spectacular home run.

And from the moment Drogba put the home side ahead with a beautiful header from Joe Cole's cross with such admirable, effortless ease, the Chelsea boss had even more reason to smile about. Suffering an injury-blighted season, the Ivorian demonstrated his deadly brilliance as he started up front alongside Nicolas Anelka for the first time in their Chelsea careers.

Frank Lampard cutely chipped Carson in first-half stoppage time as the home side wrapped up the win without stepping out of first gear, and the England international was joined in midfield by the ever-imperious John Mikel Obi, the industrial working machine of Germany captain Michael Ballack, and the creative ingenuity of Joe Cole, who featured in an attacking role behind the forward pair.

There was talk that the Blues would be left vulnerable at the back with captain John Terry serving the first of his three-game suspension, and with Ricardo Carvalho also out through injury. However, Brazilian Alex and Serbia star Branislav Ivanovic were in dominating form, and joined by Ashley Cole, Jose Bosingwa and goalkeeper Petr Cech, the Chelsea crowd were treated to something that hadn't been seen at Stamford Bridge in a while - a performance.

Drogba's goal was an early indication that Chelsea meant business in this Boxing Day fixture, as the Ivorian quite brilliantly steered his header beyond Carson. Joe Cole's cross-field ball found the Ivorian who planted his header into the top corner to send Stamford Bridge into a cauldron of noise - despite the fact many spectators were still finding their seats!

Frank Lampard - with an excellent scoring record against the Midlands side - was next to test the former Liverpool and Aston Villa goalkeeper, but his dipping free kick from all of 30 yards lacked the accuracy to seriously test the man between the posts, as Carson collected the ball in his midriff. Lampard had done well to beat the wall, but the almost-flat trajectory of the ball's flight made it a simple stop for the Albion shot-stopper. Lampard later shot wide from Ashley Cole's pass as the Blues looked for a quick second against their opponents.

Jose Bosingwa - provider of more than one important goal this season - was next to test the solidity of the West Brom backline, but his clever burst of pace and deft touch beyond Paul Robinson left the away side's rearguard with much to be desired. His low cross into the penalty area was met by Lampard, but the England man had had to slow his run to make contact with the ball, and could only poke wide. Little more than a half chance, but the home side's attacking excellence was a Christmas feast for all to enjoy.

Carson then made a stunning save from Ashley Cole, after the full-back had been fed brilliantly by Lampard. Taking a touch, Cole unleashed a swerving shot that Carson did excellently to flick onto the post with his fingertips, before his weak rebound fell straight to the West Brom goalkeeper. It was an excellent parry onto the upright, and Chelsea were edging closer and closer to the second goal their performance warranted.

And they got that goal in first half stoppage time as Lampard converted from close range. Joe and Ashley Cole combined to tee up the Chelsea captain, who calmly stroked the ball over the rushing Carson, and into the net. It was a trademark, composed finish from the Blues number 8, and his eighth goal of the season couldn't have been better-timed.

Juliano Belletti replaced the rampaging figure of Bosingwa at the interval as Scolari looked to rest his key players, and Drogba and Joe Cole were later taken off to standing ovations, with Fulham at Carven Cottage next on the agenda; on Sunday afternoon.

And the Brazilian full-back could have been on the score sheet straight away. Breaking down the right, he cut inside his marker, but rather than unleashing a typical Belletti rocket into the top corner with the outside of his right boot, he instead attempted a rather audacious lob that was a couple of yards wide of Carson's goal. A glorious opportunity for 3-0 was wasted. Drogba then fired straight at Carson after majestically taking the ball down and beating two markers, but the finish lacked the necessary aim to force the England goalkeeper into making a more difficult save, as the Blues were restricted by a more-confident Albion side.

Lampard then dashed into the penalty area hoping to net his second, but his attempted chip was gathered by Carson who did well to stay big and deny the midfielder. The game was becoming more stretched as Albion looked for a goal that would get them back into the game, which suited Chelsea's counter-attacking tactic. It certainly was an entertaining encounter, but the enjoyment of the Chelsea fans would have been even greater had Drogba's follow-up shot not been blocked by a brilliant sliding challenge by Paul Robinson.

The Ivorian was soon hauled off, as Florent Malouda returned from injury. Ballack was later booked for a push on Brunt after the Northern Ireland star had pulled his hair - meaning Ballack will miss the FA Cup home tie against Southend in the third round. With minutes remaining, Deco came on for Cole as Chelsea looked to give their Portuguese star a run-out, and he had a hand in a flowing move that saw Anelka denied by a decent Carson save.

At the other end of the field, as the game entered stoppage time, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech began his stretching routine to keep warm. It really had been that sort of the day for the Czech, whose 11th clean sheet of the season was confirmed by the blow of Rob Styles' whistle for full-time. 3 points at home, with Fulham on Sunday at Craven Cottage. Another three points would be most welcome.
___________________________________________________________________

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (Belletti), Ivanovic, Alex, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Joe Cole (Deco), Drogba (Malouda), Anelka

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite (Barnett), Olsson, Robinson, Morrison, Koren, Greening, Kim (Bednar), Brunt, Beattie (Moore)

Attendance: 41,417

Star Man

Frank Lampard

[Para6iT 2]

Owh yea after a quite long nightmare, we won 2-0. Even without our defender Terry. Hope for more 3 pts soon.

[Elliott 7]

Joe Cole was the star man for me. Ballack was fucking woeful again. But a decent performance.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Agree with you on that, Ballack has been poor the last few games. Joe was top too, as you say, Lampard's goal just tipped it for me, but both were awesome.

[LAS 0]

Very good match! I think that "boxing day" will make to us one more surprise tomorrow!