Chelsea’s newly formed diamond formation ripped into their West London rivals this afternoon, as Ancelotti’s two jewels, Drogba and Anelka, both scored to beat Fulham at Craven Cottage in a one sided Premier League affair.
Fulham were careless in possession, lacked sharpness and ideas as a fluent Chelsea side jumped over this derby hurdle with triumphant ease. Carlo Ancelotti made two midfield changes to the side that beat Sunderland, placing Michael Ballack and Malouda in midfield, and their royalty of options proved decisive over a Cottager’s side who were clearly exhausted after their midweek European adventures.
It Took Two Minutes For The Contest To Spark Into Life
It took two minutes for the contest to spark into life. John Pantsil delivered an accurate ball which journeyed precisely into the feet of Clint Dempsey. The American, a stand-in for the injured Andrew Johnson, struck over from five yards.
Passion patrolled through around Craven Cottage here and Pantsil was at the centre of the verbal and physical heat in the opening stages. Chelsea kept their cool throughout, and inside twelve minutes, the Chelsea forward show began. Ballack started off the parade, blazing stand wards from a promising free kick position.
Possession Was Glued To Chelsea's Feet
In fact, possession was glued to Chelsea’s feet as they glided the ball from one side of the field to the other. Telepathy must have been injected into Ancelotti’s players arms over night.
Fulham just couldn’t obtain the ball for long enough periods in this first half, Zamora was giving the ball away like an early Christmas present and subtle lapses in concentration gifted Chelsea goal scoring chances. John Obi Mikel taking advantage of one; firing a twenty yard bullet just wide of Shwarzer’s goal.
Chelsea’s diamond formation hissed, seducing Fulham with its enterprising elegance. From Cole to Malouda, Lampard to Drogba and Ballack to Anelka, the side moulded from Italian hands, slithered from all areas of the field with utmost authority. Freedom was the foundation of Chelsea’s toils.
Lampard Tore Into Fulham
Thoughts prior to the game centred on Lampard’s role within his midfield quartet. For a twenty-goal a season protagonist to be suffocated in a holding block of attacking minded players would be unthinkable. Yet Ancelotti, with is AC experience of coaxing a timely Italian season out of Kaka, is the master of midfield management. As on the field of play, Lampard tore into Fulham.
Supporters could have been forgiven for thinking there was an eclipse over the West London ground, considering the bright sea of white that was shining around Fulham’s penalty area, in attempt to drown out the flurry of Chelsea attacks.
Wayward Passes Defined Fulham
Wayward passes defined Fulham, not what Hodgson ordered, considering his Inter Milan education rooting his football philosophy.
Fulham had prescribed to the wrong medicine this afternoon, and in the thirtieth minute their precarious health got worse. Lampard, Craven Cottage’s nemesis, passed to Anelka. The Frenchman squeezed the ball through to the centrally situated Drogba, who cut through the white line of defence; his low drive putting Chelsea in front. Echoes of off side reverberated around the banks of the Thames.
But Ancelotti’s outfit were carefree. Their front line was flourishing, setting Fulham’s defensive duo alight.
Chelsea Started The Second Half As They Finished The First
Chelsea started the second half as they finished the first, in dominating fashion. Anelka hoisted a delightful ball that arched over Fulham’s midfield to Drogba. The Ivorian fed a one touch pass back to Anelka, only for the former Bolton man to lose possession. Goal fever was burning in Chelsea’s eyes here.
Someone had to step up and give the hosts initaitive, and it was the captain that roused his eighth placed team into consciousness. Murphy, in the fiftieth minute, floated a ball forward for Terry to turn uneasily behind. A subsequent corner by the cottager’s captain caressed Chelsea, yet their tender advantage remained in tact. This set piece galvanised Fulham though, with Duff testing Cech with an effort just moments later. Tackling, chasing down and hurrying back into position, a sense of urgency was injected into Fulham’s game now.
Roy Hodgson’s side, though, carried carelessness with their haste, misplacing passes like a security guard failing to find his keys. Such prosaic tactics had to be amended.
Fulham responded by injecting pace to compensate for their lack of passing finesse, replacing Gera with Kamara. The Senegalese forward was promoted to front line duty and Dempsey was sat back into his more familiar midfield region.
Danny Murphy, on the other hand, had his calf stamped on by Calvalho in the sixty-ninth minute, and was subsequently substituted for Chris Baird; Hodgson opting for a defensive change when goals were needed.
Chelsea Were In Complete Control
Chelsea were in complete control, toying with their neighbours, and Anelka continued to play with Fulham’s defence, slotting Anelka through to round Shwarzer will ease. Chelsea were now waltzing to a west London victory.
Drogba continued to trouble Fulham but the damage had been done. The Cottager’s start their home season with a defeat while Chelsea’s diamond daemons march on.
