3 April 2006, by Mark Simpson

Jittery Chelsea let two more points slip

Birmingham City 0-0 Chelsea

This was no April Fools day joke, Chelsea picked up only one point to add to just three gained in previous three away games against lowly clubs in the Premiership.

This was never going to be an easy game, but it was a dreadful match for the supporters to watch, as an unimpressive Chelsea had to settle for a 0-0 draw against their fellow Blues, Birmingham City.

Ferreira and Carvalho started this game along with a welcome return from suspension for Dutchman Arjen Robben.

The early chances fell to Heskey for Birmingham, who contrived to miss three reasonable chances in the space of the first ten minutes. Chelsea just could not seem to get started, with Robben’s twisting and turning forays upfront producing nothing.

In the 12th minute a cut inside from the wing by Tebily opened up a bit of space. He let fly with his left foot and the bullet of a shot seemed destined for the top corner. However, fine acrobatics from Petr Cech managed to tip the ball up and over the bar.

Within a minute a free kick had been awarded to Chelsea on the edge of Birmingham’s penalty area. It was quickly taken by Drogba to put Robben in the clear, and a good effort was equally as well saved by Taylor. The huffing and puffing went on till half time with few chances created.

The second half started with no changes for Chelsea, and as is usual for the Champions, the second period started with pace and finesse.

Goal harshly ruled out

Five minutes after the break a free kick was swung into the box and Del Horno connected perfectly to send the ball flying into the back of the net. But Chelsea’s joy was cut short immediately as the referee blew up for an offside decision against Carvalho who surely was not interfering with play.

As chances came and went for Gudjohnsen, Lampard and Drogba, this did not seem likely to be Chelsea’s day. Cole and Crespo replaced Duff and Del Horno and Chelsea went to three at the back pushing men forward.

Essien also replaced Gudjohnsen, which allowed Lampard to push on a bit more and almost immediately he burst into the box but couldn’t quite latch onto a Drogba ball. With a minute left on the clock a sweeping move by Chelsea’s John Terry, Diddier Drogba and Joe Cole picked out Hernan Crespo, but his first time shot only managed to pick out the keeper.

Three minutes into injury time there was time for one more chance. A corner swung over picked out the solid Carvalho, but with the ball a little behind him he could not quite direct it on target.

Final score 0-0, and with Manchester United winning, the lead is now only seven points and United still have to visit Stamford Bridge before the end of the season.


Birmingham:
Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Taylor, Sadler, Pennant, Johnson, Butt (Kilkenny 87), Clemence, DJ Campbell (Forssell 57), Heskey

Chelsea:
Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Del Horno (Crespo 64), Gudjohnsen (Essien 68), Makelele, Lampard, Robben, Drogba, Duff (Cole 64)