18 September 2006, by Mark Simpson

Drogba special gives Chelsea crucial win

Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool

A goal to grace any football match at any level in any competition was scored by Didier Drogba to win the points for Chelsea in a hard fought but thoroughly enjoyable match at Stamford Bridge.

With Chelsea battling for forty minutes with only 10 men due to German captain Michael Ballack being sent off for a stamp on Sissoko, it took some resolute defending especially from the immaculate centre back partnership of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho to ensure the three points.

Chelsea started the game with an unchanged line up from the midweek European fixture and it was hectic from the start between these two sides, who as well as playing each other in the league twice a season seem to meet in every cup competition available.

Goalmouth scramble

An amazing scramble under Reina’s crossbar saw a chance open up for Chelsea but unfortunately it was only John Terry who ended up in the back of the Liverpool net but after a couple of minutes of treatment he was fit to continue.

The ball broke almost straight away to the opposite end and a timely intervention from Carvalho led to a corner. The resulting corner kick was initially cleared but then found Dutchman Kuyt just inside the box. His shot left Petr Cech’s crossbar reverberating for some time after. Then a fine free kick from Lampard was gathered by Reina.

Sissoko was booked for a challenge on Makelele and seconds later a late tackle in the centre circle should have been a second booking and a sending off for the Liverpool player, but referee Mike Riley was not consistent enough. This would later prove a decision that would cost Chelsea and Michael Ballack in particular.

With the game looking like it would be stalemate going into half time a long ball was hit up to Drogba just outside the D of the box. He instantly controlled the ball on his chest and in a single movement swivelled and hammered it with his left foot into the corner of the net leaving Reina unmoved on his line; undoubtedly an early contender for goal of the season.

Chelsea held out to halftime and the majority of the crowd including golfer Tiger Woods enjoyed their halftime Bovril.

The first real incident of the second half was a straight red card for Michael Ballack after 50 minutes of the game. The ball had long gone and he continued with his challenge on Sissoko and the right decision was made although some may argue as to whether the Liverpool player should still have been on the pitch.

As expected Liverpool started to throw everything at Chelsea and Gerrard should have equalised when he was put clear in the box at an angle but he decided to smash rather than place the ball and Cech stood strong.

Ferreira comes on

Robben and Ferreira entered the fray to give Chelsea some different options and Robben created himself a chance almost straight away but three Liverpool defenders combined to thwart him.

With the giant Crouch being introduced late on for Liverpool a couple of good opportunities came their way. A nod down from Crouch found Kuyt but he blazed over and then Crouch himself had a chance in the centre of the goal fifteen feet out, but tamely headed straight at Cech.

The final whistle was met by a loud roar as many Chelsea fans feel this may already be the win that effectively puts Liverpool out the title race. The Merseysiders are already eight points behind the champions.

Chelsea:
Cech, Boulahrouz (Ferriera 71), Carvalho, Terry, Cole, Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Ballack, Drogba (Kalou 90), Shevchenko (Robben 64)

Liverpool:
Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Warnock (Aurelio 51), Pennant, Sissoko (Zenden 67), Alonso, Gerrard, Bellamy (Crouch 78), Kuyt

Goals:
[1-0] Drogba, 42