|
|
Matt Hughes at The Times |
Chelsea 2 Fulham 1
To borrow a phrase from the political lexicon, which may even apply to the Prime Minister at the moment, Chelsea are in government but not in power.
Carlo Ancelotti's side are five points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League, although it is difficult to see precisely why, and no one can say with any certainty how long their lead will last.
Their authority of old is missing.
This was another wretched performance by Chelsea's high standards, although by the end of the season their goals in the space of two second-half minutes may come to be regarded as the defining moments of the entire campaign.
A defeat would have enabled Manchester United to return to the top by beating Wigan Athletic tomorrow, an unpalatable scenario that their misfiring players were unwilling to countenance.
The fighting spirit first instilled by José Mourinho, who returned to Stamford Bridge yesterday for the first time since his sacking in September 2007, remains as strong as ever, as Ancelotti acknowledged.
"This reaction means the squad has a very good spirit," the Chelsea manager said.
"They wanted to win this game."
Chelsea's team spirit was epitomised by a post-match huddle in the centre circle led by Didier Drogba, whose loss during the African Cup of Nations in Angola, for which he departs today, will be incalculable.
As if to prove the point, the Ivory Coast striker brought Chelsea back into the game with his nineteenth goal of the season, although it was another African who provided the turning point.
Fulham had repelled Chelsea's growing pressure with assurance while John Paintsil was on the pitch, but after the Ghana defender hobbled off with a knee injury in the 67th minute, the visiting team folded.
The 28-year-old right back will have a scan this morning on a twisted knee that is likely to prevent him reporting for international duty in Africa.
Paintsil had combined well with Chris Smalling to subdue Drogba for much of the match, but Chris Baird, who was switched into Paintsil's position, was found wanting.
The Northern Ireland player was caught out of position by a right-wing cross by Branislav Ivanovic, a substitute, in the 73rd minute, leaving Drogba free to finish with a powerful header.
Two minutes later, Chelsea struck again down Fulham's right, with another substitute, Daniel Sturridge, eluding Baird to reach the byline.
Sturridge's cross was saved by Mark Schwarzer, but the ball struck Smalling on the knee two yards from goal and he could only look on as it crept across the goalline.
Roy Hodgson, the Fulham manager, could have gone farther than a mild claim that his side were hard done by, but he was more concerned with attempting to restore the confidence of Smalling, 20, who impressed on his Premier League debut in place of Brede Hangeland, who has a knee injury.
"For me there are own goals that are not own goals," Hodgson said.
"For me an own goal is where somebody commits some terrible error and puts it into his own net when he should have done something quite different with the ball.
That one was just one of those things.
"Chris's performance was excellent.
I don't think the fact that his name is down for an own goal tarnishes his performance today." For much of the afternoon, Smalling's physical presence had made it look as if Drogba would have preferred to be anywhere else, although he was not alone as the majority of Chelsea's players seemed to be suffering from a Christmas hangover.
The goal they conceded in the fourth minute had Mourinho jumping in outrage out of his seat - or rather Roman Abramovich's, as the former manager was accommodated in the Russian owner's private box.
Paul Konchesky's cross from the left eluded Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry, with Zoltan Gera given huge amounts of space to chip the bouncing ball up to himself and finish with a neat bicycle kick.
Chelsea's defending has been somewhat haphazard for much of the season, but the paucity of their attacking play in recent weeks is a graver concern, particularly as Drogba will be away for the next month.
Joe Cole was anonymous, Frank Lampard looked in need of a rest and Michael Ballack was one-paced and ponderous, with the Germany captain's corner-taking in the first half nothing less than an embarrassment as he twice failed to beat Fulham's first defender.
Despite dominating possession, Chelsea's threat was so sporadic that Schwarzer was not called upon to make a save until the 59th minute.
Ancelotti has stuck with his preferred diamond system all season, but may make a change in the coming weeks, particularly if the performances of key personnel do not improve.
Deco and Cole have both failed to deliver on a consistent basis at the tip of the diamond, leaving Chelsea woefully short of creativity in a formation that is inevitably bereft of width.
"In some matches we can change the system," Ancelotti said.
"We've played the diamond with every match, but we can use our wingers in some matches if there's no space in midfield.
[Florent] Malouda or Sturridge can play.
It depends on the match.
It wasn't a good December for us, but it's finished.
We have to look forward to January.
We can do better and maintain our position at the top of the table."
The curse of Christmas has done for several Chelsea managers in recent years, with Mourinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari fatally undermined by poor results over the festive period, but Ancelotti has survived without facing a challenge to his leadership.
Referee: A Marriner
Attendance: 41,805
Star man
Danny Murphy The former England man did not deserve to lose as he controlled the midfield for long spells.
Strong in the tackle and comfortable in possession, the 32-year-old is the league's in-form midfield player.
Window watch
Chelsea's need for new blood becomes more obvious with every match, although Carlo Ancelotti, right, is still a man in denial.
While Chelsea continue to concede sloppy goals, their lack of cutting edge up front is more worrying.
Fulham could do with greater strength if their excellent run is to be maintained, but Roy Hodgson will have to wheel and deal.
Next
Chelsea v Watford (FA Cup third round), Sunday
Fulham v Swindon Town (FA Cup third round), Saturday
Source .