Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool
The two sides known to churn out tactical low-scoring affairs whenever they meet, disappointed yet again, producing a rather uninspired draw at Stamford Bridge.

The result really helps neither side, as Chelsea blow away a chance to close in on second placed Manchester United, while Liverpool now find themselves further adrift of a Champions League place.

Rafa's Reds were the better team, and saw more of the ball than the hosts, but chances were hard to come by for either side - and they hardly flattered themselves by giving the ball away easily in what was largely a midfield scrap.

Peter Crouch had Liverpool's best chance of the game when he was picked out by a cross from the right in the first half, but headed straight at Petr Cech despite being under no pressure.

Michael Ballack almost snatched a 75th minute winner for Chelsea when a smart lob from John Obi Mikel - back from Ghana - found him in the box, but he opened his body a little too much and volleyed inches wide at the far post.

Lucas Leiva had an 81st minute chance, but Juliano Belletti just about did enough to force his header wide from just seven yards out. Dirk Kuyt and Claudio Pizarro also had late attempts, but the game was destined to end goalless.

In the end, both sides were forced to settle for a point, with the scoreline a very fair reflection of a game that failed to live up to its billing.

Chelsea are five adrift of Arsenal, but could be eight off the pace if Arsenal win tomorrow. Meanwhile, Liverpool are fifth, three points off local rivals Everton, but with a game in hand.

Premiership Between Top Three According To Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes that the Premiership title will be decided by the head-to-head played between the current top-three.

Arsenal earned themselves a narrow gap at the top of the table on the strength of last weekend's resilts, and now find themselves two points above Manchester United and six points ahead of Chelsea. Considering that the nearest challengers after that are a full 16 points back, it is no controversy that Wenger effectively ruled out the Liverpool sides by way of his analysis.

"The mental aspect of the game will be important but so will the direct confrontations," said Wenger through the club's official website. "They have a major part to play.

"I don't rule out Chelsea because they have to play at home against Man United and Arsenal.

"They have already put wins together when they have had players out. I don't think we can rule them out, it will be amongst these three."

All three teams still have to play each other again before the end of the season, with he next potential title-decider will take place on March 23, when Wenger's Arsenal travel to take on London rivals Chelsea

United retain top spot

Manchester United hung on to top spot in the Premier League with late goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo sealing a 2-0 victory at Reading on Saturday.

United failed to put any daylight between themselves and Arsenal, however, with Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor scoring twice as the Gunners returned to form with a 3-0 rout of Fulham at Craven Cottage.



Third-placed Chelsea rode their luck to beat Birmingham City 1-0 away thanks to Claudio Pizarro's late header. They stay four points behind the top two who have 54 points from 23 matches.

There is a yawning gap to fourth-placed Liverpool who are facing a stiff battle for fourth spot with Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City. All four clubs are on 39 points.

Liverpool, who have only played 21 matches, are at Villa on Monday, while Everton travel to Wigan Athletic on Sunday when Manchester City host West Ham United.

While the top three all won, the bottom three all lost. Fulham's defeat makes them increasingly likely to join Derby County through the relegation trapdoor.

Bottom club Derby took the lead at Portsmouth before a Benjani Mwaruwari hat-trick ended a nine-hour goal famine for Pompey at home to seal a 3-1 win.

Sunderland stayed in the bottom three after a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, for whom Robbie Keane scored his 100th goal. Middlesbrough drew 1-1 at Blackburn Rovers.

United were stifled by Reading on the opening day of the season when they drew 0-0 at Old Trafford and goals were at a premium again, although there was no lack of chances.

The country's top scorer Ronaldo wasted several chances for United while Reading also had opportunities, the best of which fell to Dave Kitson who lobbed wide when through on goal.

With 15 minutes remaining, Rooney broke the deadlock, producing a cool finish after an instinctive pass by Carlos Tevez. Ronaldo broke away in stoppage time to take his league tally to 17.

"We kept making chances but you start to worry if you are going to get the goal," United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports News. "We got the goal at the right time and hung on."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was a happy man after his side clicked into top gear against Fulham having dropped points against Birmingham in their last league game.



Two textbook headers from Adebayor and a Tomas Rosicky volley underlined their superiority and gave Wenger an afternoon free of worry.

"This was a very strong response to our last game and shows that this team is up for it," Wenger told the BBC. "There was still more in the locker if we needed it."

Nicolas Anelka was given his first start for Chelsea since arriving from Bolton Wanderers in a £15 million deal but it was Pizarro who earned the Londoners a gritty victory with his first league goal since the opening day, also against Birmingham.

Despite not playing well, Chelsea, without the likes of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Michael Essien, are still very much in the title race.

"At this stage of the season it was very important to win. We knew it would be a very difficult game because they drew against Arsenal last week," manager Avram Grant told the BBC.



Kevin Keegan began his second stint as Newcastle United's manager with a late kickoff at home to Bolton Wanderers.

Who Needs Jose Mourinho ????

A quick glance at the Premiership table today shows Manchester United and Arsenal neck-and-neck at the top of the table. However, the idea that it's now a two-horse race has been thrown firmly in to doubt by Avram Grant’s rejuvenated Chelsea.



It is to Grant’s immense credit that he's managed to avoid the realisation of the predictions of impending doom and the ‘end of an era’ that came with the sudden exit of Jose Mourinho in September. As we enter the second half of the season, the Blues are well positioned in third place in the Premiership, only four points behind this season’s pace-setters. Chelsea have crept on to the coat tails of the leaders, and seem to be clawing their way back in to the title fight with more vigour each week.

One of the key reasons for this would seem to be the sheer, dogged determination that still characterises the Chelsea team. This will to win, most dramatically instilled in to the Chelsea squad under Jose Mourinho, seems to have been channelled just as effectively by Grant since he took over the job.

Indeed, after a lacklustre defeat to Manchester United in his opening match, Chelsea have not looked back. From week to week, the Blues have moved from fixture to fixture, exerting the maximum effort, and extracting as many points as possible. This approach have seen the team possess the best away record in the Premiership, with their most recent road game at Fulham showing the team coming back from an early goal to eventually win the game thanks to a Michael Ballack penalty.

Most importantly, the incredible undefeated home run at Stamford Bridge that began under Claudio Ranieri has been increased to over 70 games by Avram Grant. During this time, the Blues have recorded important home victories against the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle, West Ham, and most remarkably Manchester City, who were on the end of a 6-0 in October.

The machine-like regularity that is Chelsea’s approach to the game contrasts most vividly with the attacking verve and creativity that flows through Manchester United and Arsenal. However, this has its benefits. While the words ‘fragility’ and ‘Arsenal’ are still linked together by some, these are terms that cannot be applied to Chelsea. Indeed, the belief that exists within the Chelsea camp that Arsenal especially can be caught was shown this past week by captain John Terry when he stated, "Arsenal are still up there, but I can just see them slipping away a bit."

Indeed, the efficient Chelsea style, often derided by critics and opposing fans as being far too boring, may prove the more effective challenge to Manchester United come the season’s end. As such, it remains a question for the future as to when the attractive football promised by Grant upon his unveiling as Chelsea manager will emerge.

Another reason to expect a strong second half of the season from the Blues will be the fact that they have managed to remain in the title race during the kind of injury crisis that would sink most teams. During the last few months the treatment table at Stamford Bridge has resembled a ‘who’s who’ of world football, with players of the calibre of Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Wayne Bridge, Claude Makelele, Ricardo Carvalho and Joe Cole facing long spells on the sidelines, yet Chelsea have come through it.

What's more, the withdrawal of John Obi-Mikel, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou, and Didier Drogba to the African Cup of Nations will also place similar strains on the Chelsea squad. As these players come available for selection again, a significant boost will be given to Chelsea’s ever-present challenge for honours on all fronts.

Another important factor in Chelsea’s season is the fact that whilst Jose Mourinho may have left, Roman Abramovich and his billions of roubles did not. The effects of this have already seen a depleted squad being boosted by the £15million capture of the enigmatic Nicolas Anelka, and the £9million signing of Serbian utility defender, Branislav Ivanovic. The prospect of Anelka and Drogba forming an explosive strike partnership after the Ivorian returns from the African Cup of Nations is an exciting one for all CHelsea fans.

With title rivals Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool all still to come to Stamford Bridge in the coming months, the belief within the Chelsea ranks that the Premiership can be reclaimed is based firmly in reality. As such, an exciting, three-way battle for the title between Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea is one that can be expected to be fought out until the very end of the season.

Source Goal.com

Ballack helps Blues fight back

A first-half Danny Murphy penalty was cancelled out by Salomon Kalou's header and a Michael Ballack spot-kick after the break.

It was Roy Hodgson's first game in charge of Fulham, and he brought Moritz Volz back after a one-match suspension, while Diomansy Kamara came in for the suspended Hameur Bouazza.

After the players and crowd paid their respects to Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell with a minute's applause, Fulham started well, Kamara firing in a low shot at the near post which Hilario parried.

Then Chelsea's Joe Cole put a perfectly-weighted pass through to Salomon Kalou but his effort was comfortably saved by Fulham keeper Antti Niemi.

Shaun Wright-Phillips fizzed a cross-shot past Niemi's right-hand post, but at the other end Moritz Volz broke into the penalty area and was tripped by Joe Cole. Referee Mark Halsey pointed to the spot and Danny Murphy sent Hilario the wrong way to get Hodgson's reign up and running with the first Premier League goal of 2008.



Although Chelsea were enjoying plenty of possession, Fulham were working prodigiously to impress the new manager.

Kalou went sprawling after pushing the ball past Niemi but the striker was offside so there was no question of a penalty.

After Tal Ben Haim fouled Clint Dempsey 30 yards out, Murphy curled the resulting free-kick over the bar. Then Hilario saved from Simon Davies before the break.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant made a half-time change, sending on Jon Obi Mikel for Steve Sidwell, and Chelsea were soon claiming a penalty when a Wright-Phillips cross struck Dejan Stefanovic's arm.

But the Blues were soon level, when Alex headed a Wright-Phillips corner back across goal for Kalou to nod home the equaliser.

Almost inevitably, they took the lead - and it was through another penalty. Michael Ballack had his shirt pulled by Dempsey as a Juliano Belletti free-kick floated into the area. Halsey again pointed to the spot and Ballack converted the spot-kick himself.

The German then fired in a 30-yard free-kick that flew narrowly wide, before Hodgson sent on Seol Ki-Hyeon for Volz, and Alexei Smertin (against his old team) for Steven Davis.


Moments later, Joe Cole shot narrowly wide as Chelsea asserted themselves and pressed home the initiative.

In Hodgson's last change, David Healy came on for Kamara with 15 minutes to go, but it was looking comfortable for Chelsea.

Healy quickly unleashed a volley from the edge of the area which flew over.



Fulham: Niemi, Volz (Ki-Hyeon 68), Bocanegra, Stefanovic, Konchesky, Davis (Smertin 70), Davies, Murphy, Omozusi, Dempsey, Kamara (Healy 77). Subs Not Used: Warner, Kuqi.

Booked: Stefanovic. Goals: Murphy 10 pen.

Chelsea: Hilario, Belletti, Alex, Ben-Haim, Bridge, Wright-Phillips (Pizarro 88), Sidwell (Obi 46), Essien, Ballack, Joe Cole (Ferreira 90), Kalou. Subs Not Used: Taylor, Sinclair.

Goals: Kalou 54, Ballack 62 pen.

Attendance: 25,357

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).

Essien targets Nations Cup glory

Michael Essien, the indefatigable Chelsea midfielder, will be one of the many high profile African players missing from the Premier League in January when the African Nations Cup takes centre stage.

Essien, who plays his international football for Ghana, the country staging the 2008 edition of the tournament, speaks to ESPNsoccernet on a variety of matters from Chelsea's Champions League draw and life at Chelsea under Avram Grant as well as the host country's chances in January's Nations Cup.

ESPNsoccernet: Michael, we've had the Champions League draw and Chelsea have been drawn with Olympiacos. What do you think of that?

Essien: I think it's a good draw for us and I think Olympiacos are a very good side. I think it's going to be interesting. We are looking forward to beating them and moving onto the next stage.

ESPNsoccernet: Disappointed that you didn't get your former club Lyon, or are you saving them for later? Maybe a final?

Essien: Well for me, I don't mind playing anyone. So it's good that we got Olympiacos and we'll show them what we can do.

ESPNsoccernet: How has it working with Avram Grant as the new manager?

Essien: I think so far so good. He's doing really well. We are getting our points. We are winning games. So I think he is doing well at the moment. Hopefully things will get better at the end of the season.

ESPNsoccernet: Chelsea will be very sad to lose you for the African Cup of Nations. Of course, it's a proud moment for you particularly that it's in Ghana, where you're from. How do you feel about going back home?

Essien: I feel great. We are hosting the Nation's Cup. I think the nation is expecting more from us. I think that puts pressure on us, but I think we can do it. For leaving my club to go and play is a little bit sad, but I have no choice. I have to go and help my country as well.

ESPNsoccernet: And just having a look at your group, you've got Namibia, Guinea, and Morocco. Not too bad, is it?

Essien: Well, for me, I think it's really tough, you know. Football now, you can't underrate anybody. Everybody can do it, so we have to take it seriously and work really hard. Hopefully we can win the group and go to the next stage.

ESPNsoccernet: The opening game is on the 20th of January and that's against Guinea. What sort of atmosphere do you think that'll be for the opening game?

Essien: It's going to be massive. I think that the nation just can't wait for us to start the tournament. It's going to be a really good game and I think hopefully we can win it.

ESPNsoccernet: Ghana had a great World Cup. How much has the team improved since that time?

Essien: Yeah, I think we did really well during the World Cup. Ever since, I think we won all of our friendly games. We only lost to Brazil I think, one to nil. I think the team is doing really well at the moment and we are confident that we can do something

ESPNsoccernet: You've got one of the most enviable midfields in the world with Appiah, Sulley Muntari, and yourself. How do you rate that as a midfield?

Essien: I think our strongest is in the midfield. Me, Muntari, and Appiah in the midfield I think is one of the best midfields in the world. They expected more from us so we've got a big, tough task ahead of us.

ESPNsoccernet: And if Ghana go all the way, who do you think would be your opponent in the final?

Essien: I don't know. I can't predict, but I would just say anybody. Anybody can get to the final.

ESPNsoccernet: In your opinion, what are the strongest sides out there? Maybe give us three or four names.

Essien: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

ESPNsoccernet: It's a great shame of course that Chelsea will be losing you, but not only you. There's some phenomenal African players such as (see if you can cut this part out) Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, and John Obi Mikel. How do you think Chelsea will cope in your absence?

Essien: I think it's a massive blow for the club. They will lose four important players. I think we've got great players who can do the job while we are away. So for me I don't think it'll be a big problem, because they can do the job.