Lucky Chelsea hold out to beat Middlesbrough
By John Ley
Sport.Telegraph, 31st March 2008
If Chelsea win the Premier League title they should dismantle the goal
at the Shed End of Stamford Bridge and reconstruct it in their club
museum, alongside Jose Mourinho's raincoat and Peter Osgood's shirt,
as a standing memorial to the day it earned them three of their most
valuable points.
A week after having to battle back from behind to beat Arsenal, a
below-par Chelsea stuttered to another win, but only after Middlesbrough
succeeded in striking a post and the crossbar three times in a 10-minute
spell late in the second half.
Chelsea returned to second place thanks to an early goal from Ricardo
Carvalho and remain in the pursuit for the title, sitting five points
behind Manchester United with six games to play including, crucially,
the visit of United on April 26. But after the enthusiastic endeavour
and spirit that earned Chelsea their win over Arsenal, they failed to
find any rhythm and, after missing a catalogue of chances, were
fortunate not to concede late on.
Had Afonso Alves, who struck both the right-hand post and the bar
following his introduction as a substitute, or David Wheater, who
also hit the bar, been inches more accurate, Chelsea would now be
contemplating the end of their title challenge. Instead, they fly
to Turkey today ahead of their Champions League game against Fenerbahce,
knowing they are still in the race.
Avram Grant, the Chelsea manager, preferred, understandably, to
consider the points gained rather than the performance. "Is this
wood?" he asked afterwards, grinning and tapping a table, his side's
good fortune not lost on the Israeli. "I cannot say it was our best
game but it was important for us to win rather than the quality of
the football because we are so close to the end of the season. It
was a good win and they were unlucky.
"Man United and Arsenal won yesterday so it was important for us to
win, no matter how. I don't think all the three teams will take all
their points. Since I came here we have chased teams and we've passed
Liverpool and Arsenal. So we need to keep winning and hope that when
United come here, it will still be important."
Chelsea have now taken 37 points from a possible 45 since their last
defeat - at Arsenal in December - so perhaps they can be allowed a
less impressive performance in what was their 79th home game without
defeat in the league.
They began well enough; Didier Drogba had already troubled goalkeeper
Mark Schwarzer when, in the fifth minute, Wayne Bridge's free-kick
was converted by Carvalho's powerful header.
With Middlesbrough dropping deep - their performance in the early
stages described by manager Gareth Southgate as "soft and floppy" -
Chelsea dominated. Drogba went close twice more and then Chelsea
brought on Shaun Wright-Phillips, who made an immediate impact,
sending one effort just wide of the left-hand post before side-footing
over from 12 yards.
Middlesbrough sent on Alves, their £12 million Brazilian, and he
quickly troubled Chelsea's pedestrian defence. After directing a
free header just over, he chased a long ball, saw Carlo Cudicini
hesitate and rolled it against a post.
Chelsea were panicking and soon afterwards Alves struck the woodwork
while David Wheater followed up and did likewise. Chelsea were becoming
rattled and might have conceded a late penalty if referee Phil Dowd had
decreed that Juliano Belletti deliberately handled from a Stewart
Downing cross. "I've seen them given," added Southgate.
Chelsea certainly missed Frank Lampard, absent through illness, but
he should return in Turkey. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have the chance
to carry their good form in the second half into next weekend's
encounter with United and, in the process, could do Chelsea another
favour. Luck, indeed, may still be on Grant's side.
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