Drogba belter settles blue and white battle
Everton 2 – 3 Chelsea – Sunday 17th December 2006
Didier Drogba continued his excellent scoring form with a goal of the season contender against Everton three minutes from the end. Coming back from behind twice the Blues kept in touch with Manchester United at the top of the table and played their part in a spectacular game.
Everton, who were the first side to dent Chelsea’s 100% record last season, came out of the blocks flying and put the away side under pressure from the start. Beginning with Andrew Johnson and Victor Anichebe as the forward partnership, the John Terry-less back line of Chelsea looked to be rocking with Ashley Cole and Khalid Boulahrouz struggling to cope with the pace of the sprightly centre forwards.
Chelsea were warned from the start that they were in a game when Johnson has a penalty claim turned down wrongly after receiving a sharp shove in the back from Dutch defender Boulahrouz. The Everton forward who nicked the ball from dozing Chelsea defender skipped through before being felled just inside the box but the referee decline to award the England striker a spot kick.
Everton’s reward came close to half time however through a penalty given by the linesman. Anichebe got onto the ball before Boulahrouz but was clipped from behind by a clumsy tackle of the defender who was struggling with the pace of the game.
Michael Arleta took responsibilities of penalties in the absence of James Beattie and sent Hillarie the wrong way to give his side the lead just seven minutes before the break.
Chelsea made a couple of changes before the second half with Essien moving to right back allowing Ballack and Lampard more freedom. It was the German midfielder who took the first chance gifted to him early in the second period. After a foul by Causley, Ballack curled a beautifully struck free kick round the wall and past Tim Howard into the net for his third of the season.
Shell shocked by the goal conceded so soon into the half, Everton looked to not have their hard work from the first half undone and came back at Chelsea looking to take the lead again. It was the away side who had the next chance however when Drogba neatly swiveled on the ball before side footing the ball towards goal, only to see his effort hit the post.
Sensing that the next goal was crucial, Chelsea formed wave after wave of attack but could not beat Howard in the Everton goal. A long kick from the American stopper gifted Everton and excellent chance from a corner and Arteta’s ball in was headed powerfully into the net by Nigerian defender Yobo to give his side a 2-1 lead.
Jose Mourinho reacted once more with changes and brought on Robben and Shevchenko in an attempt to influence things. Chelsea looked frustrated as they once more hit the post through Kalou but from a short corner ten minutes later; Frank Lampard struck a wickedly curling shot into the top corner, leaving Howard with no chance.
The stand in captain help his arms aloft in recognition of the achievement of passing Dennis Wise’s midfield scoring record and also helping Chelsea build momentum for one final flurry at the Everton goal.
Shevchenko, who so far had misfired for Chelsea this season looked to be getting back to his usual self as he twisted and turned inside the box before unleashing a powerful drive which stung the palms of Howard. Moments later his contribution was much more telling as he dropped deep into midfield before flicking the ball on for Drogba who took one look up and smashed the ball on the volley over the head of the surprised Tim Howard.
With just three minutes to go in the game, the goal was worthy of winning any game and the fact that it came from a source of so much excellence this season made it worth while waiting for. Chelsea played out the final minutes before cutting Manchester United’s lead at the top of the table to two points.
Chelsea were warned from the start that they were in a game when Johnson has a penalty claim turned down wrongly after receiving a sharp shove in the back from Dutch defender Boulahrouz. The Everton forward who nicked the ball from dozing Chelsea defender skipped through before being felled just inside the box but the referee decline to award the England striker a spot kick.
Everton’s reward came close to half time however through a penalty given by the linesman. Anichebe got onto the ball before Boulahrouz but was clipped from behind by a clumsy tackle of the defender who was struggling with the pace of the game.
Michael Arleta took responsibilities of penalties in the absence of James Beattie and sent Hillarie the wrong way to give his side the lead just seven minutes before the break.
Chelsea made a couple of changes before the second half with Essien moving to right back allowing Ballack and Lampard more freedom. It was the German midfielder who took the first chance gifted to him early in the second period. After a foul by Causley, Ballack curled a beautifully struck free kick round the wall and past Tim Howard into the net for his third of the season.
Shell shocked by the goal conceded so soon into the half, Everton looked to not have their hard work from the first half undone and came back at Chelsea looking to take the lead again. It was the away side who had the next chance however when Drogba neatly swiveled on the ball before side footing the ball towards goal, only to see his effort hit the post.
Sensing that the next goal was crucial, Chelsea formed wave after wave of attack but could not beat Howard in the Everton goal. A long kick from the American stopper gifted Everton and excellent chance from a corner and Arteta’s ball in was headed powerfully into the net by Nigerian defender Yobo to give his side a 2-1 lead.
Jose Mourinho reacted once more with changes and brought on Robben and Shevchenko in an attempt to influence things. Chelsea looked frustrated as they once more hit the post through Kalou but from a short corner ten minutes later; Frank Lampard struck a wickedly curling shot into the top corner, leaving Howard with no chance.
The stand in captain help his arms aloft in recognition of the achievement of passing Dennis Wise’s midfield scoring record and also helping Chelsea build momentum for one final flurry at the Everton goal.
Shevchenko, who so far had misfired for Chelsea this season looked to be getting back to his usual self as he twisted and turned inside the box before unleashing a powerful drive which stung the palms of Howard. Moments later his contribution was much more telling as he dropped deep into midfield before flicking the ball on for Drogba who took one look up and smashed the ball on the volley over the head of the surprised Tim Howard.
With just three minutes to go in the game, the goal was worthy of winning any game and the fact that it came from a source of so much excellence this season made it worth while waiting for. Chelsea played out the final minutes before cutting Manchester United’s lead at the top of the table to two points.