23 October 2006, by Mark Simpson

Chelsea edge out Portsmouth in Portuguese affair

Chelsea 2-1 Portsmouth

A fantastic game of football lit up by goals from new boys Michael Ballack and the irrepressible Andrei Shevchenko made sure Chelsea returned to the top of the table, but without a superb performance from Portsmouth goalkeeper, David James, Chelsea could have been out of sight by half time.

The last time Portsmouth beat Chelsea was in the League Cup in 1957. Indeed Portsmouth have never picked up a point or even scored a goal against Chelsea in the Premiership, but this is a different Portsmouth side, brilliantly managed by Harry Redknapp and a team full of exciting attacking footballers.

With a recall for Ferreira at right back, Hillario in goal again and Carvalho in the team, and Pedro Mendes partnering Manuel Fernandes in midfield for Portsmouth, there was a remarkable total of five Portuguese starters for this top Premiership match – something unthinkable a few short years ago.

An early long diagonal ball from O’Neil picked out Kanu in the box but his header looped over. The next chance came up the other end when a defence-splitting pass from Lampard put Robben in the clear, but James spread himself well to make the first of a series of good saves in the game.

From the resulting corner Shevchenko leapt and headed goalwards but an instinctive arm from James deflected the ball away. From the next corner the Chelsea captain headed the ball into the back of the net but the goal did not stand due to a foul on the keeper by Drogba.

Shevchenko shines

A brilliant bit of skill by Shevchenko on the edge of the box lost two defenders and his bending shot was heading for the top corner and looked to have ended the Ukrainian’s mini drought, but out of nowhere the ex-England goalkeeper James clawed the ball away.

Another incisive throughball put Robben in the clear and this time he shot to the near post and James kept it out with his boot, as it seemed surely only a matter of time before Chelsea scored.

A Carvalho low cross was scuffed wide by Ballack and then Robben for the third time in the first half was one-on-one with the keeper and after having shot right once and left once he decided to blast it but James stood tall to keep it out.

The second half started with a marvellous flowing move. Ballack surged forward and slid a diagonal pass out right to Drogba who angled the ball first time into the area and a diving header from Shevchenko just cleared the bar. A Cole cross then gave Lampard a free header on the penalty spot but once again the ball went wide.

Then the moment the Chelsea fans have been dying to see. Robben outpaced a defender on the wing and squared the ball back to the onrushing Shevchenko who guided the ball into the back of the net for his first Chelsea goal at Stamford bridge. He celebrated with the fans behind the goal, picking up a yellow card for his troubles.

Two minutes later a deep cross into the Portsmouth goalmouth was cushion headed back by Drogba for Ballack to head the ball powerfully into the back of the net for a two-goal lead. He decided to celebrate in the same way as Shevchenko and was duly booked as well.

Hilario save

Drogba was to score a goal from a rebounded Lampard shot but the effort was disallowed for offside. Up the other end Hilario saved well at his near post but moments later an almighty scramble in front of him saw the ball break to Mwaruwari who bundled the ball home to drag Portsmouth back into the game.

Another chance fell to Ballack, but he saw his shot saved by man-of-the-match James. Chelsea were to win the game 2-1, but not before Andy Cole came on for Portsmouth to join Ashley and Joe, already on the pitch, to make it three Coles playing at the same time.

There was also time for Jose to show the crowd his ball skills racing to trap the ball and flick it to Essien for a throw, but unfortunately the ball had not left the pitch much to the amusement of the referee and the crowd.

Chelsea:
Hilario, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Essien, Lampard, Ballack (Bouharouz 90), Drogba, Shevchenko (Makelele 76), Robben (Cole 66)

Portsmouth:
James, Pamarot, Primus, Campbell, Taylor, O’Neil, Pedro Mendes (Thompson 83), Fernandes (Cole 58), Mwaruwari, Kanu (Davies 46), Kranjcar

Goals:
[1-0] Shevchenko, 55
[2-0] Drogba, 57
[2-1] Mwaruwari, 69