Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal – Drogba powers Chelsea into 2nd place
Drogba scored twice to help Chelsea come from a goal down to preserve their home record, keep United’s lead down to 5 points and perhaps most poignantly, deal a severe blow to Arsenal’s title chances.
Avram Grant has come under severe criticism this season, and perhaps (perhaps) it is no coincidence that the lack of goals from Drogba (forced by the ACN or injury or anything else) was a significant contributor to it. Today though, no questions could be asked of Chelsea, for thanks to Carvalho, Terry, Lampard, Joe Cole and Drogba, they did enough to see off a talented but limited Arsenal side and take their spot as the primary challengers to Manchester United in the 07/08 Premier League title race.
Grant could even point to his substitutions – moving Essien to central midfield and Anelka up front alongside Drogba – that helped Chelsea take a more aggressive shape and score their two goals.
After United had beaten Liverpool earlier today, any result would have suited Manchester United – an Arsenal win would have put Chelsea 8 points behind, a draw 7 points behind and a Chelsea win, as it so happened, pushed Arsenal 6 points behind United.
With 7 games to go and with Arsenal to host Liverpool at the Emirates (along with 2 grueling Champions League quarter final matches against Rafa’s men) and to travel to Old Trafford, and accounting for injuries and the poor run of form, Arsenal’s chances of winning the title, or indeed, taking 2nd place, are less than Chelsea’s, who will host United at Stamford Bridge and will be hoping that the remaining 6 fixtures go their way.
Arsenal will point to the mini-injury crisis before the first Chelsea goal as a major unsettling factor but the reality is that it was Drogba who changed the game around, and while some fans may forget the importance of his contributions in the past couple of seasons, they will surely recognise their importance today.
Chelsea v Manchester United is shaping up to be a very interesting fixture – assuming that both teams avoid a catastrophic dip in form similar to what Arsenal have experienced in the last 5 games or so.
Chelsea will win no doubt.Arsenal are tired and one dimensional.
James is right, Chelsea all the way, Arsenal arent the same ever since the loss against man u 4-0, Chelsea will definitely win, Cech, no mistake plz
Close for sure – but strategy may depend on the result in the earlier game at old trafford. If United beat ‘Pool, both teams will have to go all out for a win – a draw in the case would do neither of them much good, with Arse 5 points behind and travelling to OT; Chelsea 7 points, meaning the game v United at Stamford Bridge could be all but meaningless (again). If United draw or (god forbid) lose, a draw for either will make up useful ground given the games to come.
I believe the Chelsea Football Club Committee and Board need to stand up and take responsibility. Under Jose Morinho we would definately be in contention for at least one trophy of some sort. Remember, Jose came in and in his first and second year won us the Premiership. Because we did not win it one season and because of issues between Abromovich and Morinho over Schev, Jose decided to call it a day. Last time I looked it was the Manager’s job to choose the squad for each game not the owner. Anyway, Avram Grant has been given the task. This is his first year here and we are going to win . . . . . nothing. We lost to a second rate team in the FA Cup. We have now lost the opportunity to win the Premiership because we lost to a second rate team in the last match. Why? Because we played a second rate game and the second rate team played a first class game. Twice. It would take a miracle to win the CL. So basically, we walk away with nothing this year. I guess Grant will stay on even though our trophy cabinet wont be renewd this year. Strange really, do a great job, get kicked out, do a naff job and get to stay on. I wonder if the CFC Committee would like to comment on this. I am sure there are loads of true blues out there like me that deserve an answer since it is our support and our hard earned wages that is lining the pockets of the Committee and the Owner.
Chelsea RULES!! I think Chelsea will win!
What’s all the fuss about guys? Just play to a draw and we all go home happy.Well not all just me… Glory Glory Man Utd!!!!!!!!!
This over-confidence that you guys exhume is a wind that will blow you no good. Remember sucker Punch (oh I mean soccer punch)… “When a guy is too much confident of himself, he’s often widely open for a sucker punch” And don’t be surprised if you get hit by this massive punch from Arsenal FC. Let’s hear the final whistle, and we’ll talk!
United will beat Liverpool. Arsenal and Chelsea will draw. Advantage United. Arsenal and Chelsea’s title chances virtually over. Ferguson’s teams do not collapse in the final straight.
Arsenal lost the title at Birmingham, the ploughed fields of Wigan and against Middlesborough (home and away).
Chelsea lost the title because of the team’s scrap performances under Mourinho at the start of the season.
Chelsea fans, it’s time to wake up and stop having wet dreams about Mourinho. Stop ‘Moaning/Mourning about Mourinho’. Mourinho’s gone; dead and buried. Now, look at your performances in the league again, this time take off the rose-tinted spectacles.
After 29 games this season, Chelsea were only 2 points worse off than they were under the fabled Mourinho last season after as many games. Now after 30 games they are only 5 points behind United under Grant, as opposed to the 6 points that they trailed behind United last season after 30 games under Mourinho.
Judge Avram Grant at the end of the season. He may yet get you to a Champions League final; something Senhor Mourinho of blessed memory failed to do, time and time and time again. Unfortunately, for Chelsea lovers, the winning team is likely to come from the other side of the Champions’ League draw, and will probably be playing in red!
Hope neither of da team would loose with a goalless draw.
This looks like a potential bloodbath. Chelsea let in too many goals and Arsenal have seem brittle. A high scoring draw seems like the obvious result, but in reality it will probably end up as a tetchy 0-0.
Ah well. We had a good run guys. We pretty much lost the title last weekend with the Middlesborough draw. Guess its Champions League or bust now…
I think Man U r going to win this year…….Chelsea has a chance but the way Grant shuffles and substitutes is going to cost them a lot.
Man u vs Chelsea is goin to be a good match to watch…. with Drogba hitting form again
Any predictions on this match?
I will go for a 1-1 with Drogba and Ronaldo scoring
I think Andy Gray summed it up as the teams came out of the tunnel, this season could of come just a bit early. Of course its very disappointing to see the run that we’re on at the moment but every Arsenal fan should be proud of the way we have played this season and I think we’ve proved a lot of people wrong who said we would struggle this season. At the end of the day United seem to be the most consistent team in The Premiership and the way they strolled through the Liverpool match yesterday they are playing like champions. Rooney may not be scoring very often but he’s playing really well and looks a constant threat. The league looks like it’s beyond our reach now but you never know with the Champions league. A few performances like the one at The San Siro and We could still end up the champions of europe. Stranger things have happened!
arsenal are the best free flowing football team in the country . without a doubt chelsea will have to fight for a draw. they have no chane if the gunners are on top form. fabregas is the anchor and they will shit themselves if he even starts get going.