18 December 2006, by Sean Gillen

Drogba stunner seals thrilling Chelsea comeback

Everton 2-3 Chelsea

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that his side are not currently enjoying their best period of form, but says he is delighted to be picking up so many points over the last few weeks.

The Portuguese saw his side stage a remarkable comeback at Goodison Park on Sunday, twice coming from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory and cut Manchester United’s lead at the top of the Premiership to two points.

The Blues trailed at the break to Mikel Arteta’s 38th-minute penalty. Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz, in for injured captain John Terry, dragged Everton forward Victor Anichebe to the ground, and the Spaniard converted the spot kick.

Michael Ballack’s superb 25-metre free-kick hit the post and went in off the back of Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard to draw Chelsea level four minutes into the second period, but they were behind again when Joseph Yobo rose to head home a corner with 25 minutes left.

It had been an average performance by the champions, but a fantastic late rally again brought them maximum rewards. Frank Lampard got their second equaliser of the game with a tremendous long-range shot into the top corner, and Didier Drogba then struck the post after turning inside the area.

Chelsea were not to be denied, however, and Drogba won the game in sensational fashion with three minutes left on the clock. The Ivorian forward picked up possession 30 metres from goal, controlling a long ball on his chest, before turning and firing a thunderous drive over Howard and into the back of the net.

After the final whistle, Mourinho was in an honest mood: “In great moments, teams play great football, score great goals, the first chance you get you score and when you go on the pitch, everything is shining and flowers and blue skies. Some other moments, things are not going well.”

“We are not in a great moment but we are not losing many points. We have injuries, we are not lucky, we hit the post a minimum of two times every game, decisions are not for us and some players are not in the best of their form.”

“But I can compare a little bit with this stage last season. Man United were having problems and for us it was perfect. What was the distance? 12, 13, 14 points.”

“So when Chelsea went to a bad moment, we were too far ahead. If in our difficult moment we can keep four, five or six behind, we will be there in the second half of the season.”

“If you can play great music, play great music. If you cannot, play at least some music, and that is what we are doing at the moment.”

Everton:
Howard, Neville, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott, Osman, Carsley (Beattie 90), Davies, Arteta, Johnson, Anichebe (McFadden 90)
Booked: Neville

Chelsea:
Hilario, Geremi (Kalou 46), Boulahrouz (Bridge 73), Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Essien, Makelele, Ballack, Lampard, Drogba, Robben (Shevchenko 73)
Booked: Carvalho

Goals:
[1-0] Arteta, 38 (pen)
[1-1] Howard, 49 (o.g.)
[2-1] Yobo, 64
[2-2] Lampard, 81
[2-3] Drogba, 87