Chelsea Beat Arsenal
Blues defeat Gunners as Manager Avram Grant Surprises Unbelievers
March 23, 2008 Chelsea-2 1-Arsenal Avram Grant silenced doubters in win that keeps Chelsea in sight of Premiership Crown. The side are now 5 points behind Man. U.
Everything to Play For
The bookies were all giving close odds for a game that may have decided the team still in with a League title chance. They all favoured the home side, Chelsea, but all opinion was on the game being a closely fought battle.
Both teams had a win to play for after Manchester United had destroyed Liverpool's hopes in a conclusive 3-0 win earlier in the day, taking their Premiership lead to 6 points.
An Equal First Half
Chelsea started the showdown with cagey discipline, keeping a tight defense while allowing Arsenal to play with expansive passing. Towards the 20 minute mark the players opened the game up, setting up for a fast match that covered the pitch with an equal possession.
Didier Drogba, the juggernaut striker knocked a golden opportunity in the 24th as a through ball from John Terry left him with only Arsenal's 'keeper, Almunia, standing in way of goal. It looked a certain hit but a lack of control from his piston-like knees sent the ball smoothly into the Spaniard's waiting hands.
A zealous late tackle from Joe Cole got him booked in the 31st minute and Michael Ballack also received a yellow card only two minutes later. The players were clearly playing with passion and a do-or-die perspective.
But, with strong chances from both teams, the first half ended with no goals on the board.
Chelsea-0 0-Arsenal
Drogba Fearsome FormThe second half began with immediate class as Arsenal's Flamini stung a volley at the target, only to be stopped by Cudicini's accurate hands.
It was the 59th minute that saw the first goal. Cesc Fabregas' corner targetted Sagna and the French defender's head directed the ball along a tight angle and into the waiting net.
The Blues nearly equalised in the 68th as Michael Ballack powered a half-volley at close range, only to be thwarted by Almunia.
In the 69th Avram Grant upsets the already nonplussed Chelsea fans by making the same substitutes as he did in the 4-4 draw with 'Spurs four days ago. Makelele comes off for Balletti and Ballack exchanges with Anelka to the jeers of, "You don't know what you're doing" and, "Jose Mourinho's game...".
But Grant's patience payed off as Chelsea equalise and then take the lead within 10 minutes. Drogba claimed both goals, the first from 12 yards after a Lampard pass. The second was stabbed between the posts after a header from controversial sub. Anelka.
Perhaps this was enough for the Chelsea fans to take note and gain hope in their unpopular manager.
The final 10 minutes of time and 5 minutes of stoppage time weren't enough for Arsenal to find a trick that could equalise and a fast match ended with a home win for the West London side.
Chelsea-2 1-ArsenalThe result has swopped the second place in the Premiership to Chelsea, who now have 68 points. Man. U. hold 73 while Arsenal still have 67 and Liverpool, 59.
PlayersArsenal:
Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas (c), Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Adebayor, Van Persie
subs: Lehmann, Diaby, Senderos, Bendtner, Walcott
Chelsea:
Cudicini, Essien, Carvalho, Terry (c), A. Cole, Ballack, Makelele, Lampard, J. Cole, Drogba, Kalou
subs: Hilario, Mikel, Alex, Belletti, Anelka
GoalsArsenal: Sagna 59
Chelsea: Drogba 73, 82
