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Chelsea Analysis: Blues See Title Pretentions Torn By Tigers
Missed chance to extend league lead heaps pressure on Arsenal clash...
03-Feb-2010 4:19:00 AM
By Alex Dimond
Okay, so it wasn't as dull as the sorry excuse for a football match fans were treated to yesterday at the Stadium of Light, as Sunderland and Stoke City played out one of the more inevitable 0-0 draws in recent history.
But Chelsea's 1-1 draw against Hull at the KC Stadium was far from a classic, either. At the death it looked like Chelsea might steal all three points — just as they did when the two sides met at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season — but in the end a draw was the best the Blues could manage against a resilient Hull side cheered on by a vocal support.
The home side undoubtedly rode their luck at times after taking an early lead through Steven Mouyokolo, their defender rising highest to head home Stephen Hunt's corner, but Chelsea never quite threatened Boaz Myhill's goal as much as they might have hoped for.
A point is not the end of the world, but only the most optimistic of fans will suggest it is not a blow that the team did not come away with all three, especially against one of the league's poorest sides. Missing the opportunity to go four points clear in the title race is one they could come to rue.
Carlo Ancelotti's side now prepare for Sunday's clash with Arsenal, a game that now takes on extra significance. The Gunners can no longer effectively be knocked out of the title race with a defeat at Stamford Bridge, but the game could have a profound effect on Chelsea's Premier League ambitions.
The squad will go into the game knowing that a defeat will likely put them behind Manchester United in the table for the first time in a number of months. With Old Trafford the site for the two sides' only remaining league meeting, dropping behind the Red Devils at this point in the season — when Sir Alex Ferguson's men have a formidable record of kicking on — is a shift in the balance of power in this season's title race that might be hard to reverse.
That is the big concern to arise from the Hull game. The other, unfortunately, is seeing the Blues' set-piece issues once again rear their ugly head. Mouyokolo's header was remarkably easy, with the ease with which both Craig Fagan distracted Petr Cech and the defender found space on the edge of the six-yard box likely to have Ancelotti and assistant Ray Wilkins putting in a few extra shifts on the training ground.
The only real positive from the game — the silver lining, if you like — was Didier Drogba's return to starting action. The Ivorian's goal, a well-taken free-kick that Hull players complained (optimistically) was taken early, was welcome, but in general the Ivorian looked like a player needing a game to get back into the pace of the Premier League. Not only that, but Nicolas Anelka equally seemed to struggle to adjust to a return to life with a strike partner, having got used to holding his own up top.
With the cobwebs now blown away and the relationship re-established, both key players should be ready to take on Arsenal at the weekend.
That is the key challenge now. Win and Tuesday night's result can be put down as a blip, an understandable result against a determined side buoyed by fantastic support.
Lose, however, and suddenly Chelsea's title chances look a fair bit slimmer.
But Chelsea's 1-1 draw against Hull at the KC Stadium was far from a classic, either. At the death it looked like Chelsea might steal all three points — just as they did when the two sides met at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season — but in the end a draw was the best the Blues could manage against a resilient Hull side cheered on by a vocal support.
The home side undoubtedly rode their luck at times after taking an early lead through Steven Mouyokolo, their defender rising highest to head home Stephen Hunt's corner, but Chelsea never quite threatened Boaz Myhill's goal as much as they might have hoped for.
A point is not the end of the world, but only the most optimistic of fans will suggest it is not a blow that the team did not come away with all three, especially against one of the league's poorest sides. Missing the opportunity to go four points clear in the title race is one they could come to rue.
Carlo Ancelotti's side now prepare for Sunday's clash with Arsenal, a game that now takes on extra significance. The Gunners can no longer effectively be knocked out of the title race with a defeat at Stamford Bridge, but the game could have a profound effect on Chelsea's Premier League ambitions.
The squad will go into the game knowing that a defeat will likely put them behind Manchester United in the table for the first time in a number of months. With Old Trafford the site for the two sides' only remaining league meeting, dropping behind the Red Devils at this point in the season — when Sir Alex Ferguson's men have a formidable record of kicking on — is a shift in the balance of power in this season's title race that might be hard to reverse.
That is the big concern to arise from the Hull game. The other, unfortunately, is seeing the Blues' set-piece issues once again rear their ugly head. Mouyokolo's header was remarkably easy, with the ease with which both Craig Fagan distracted Petr Cech and the defender found space on the edge of the six-yard box likely to have Ancelotti and assistant Ray Wilkins putting in a few extra shifts on the training ground.
The only real positive from the game — the silver lining, if you like — was Didier Drogba's return to starting action. The Ivorian's goal, a well-taken free-kick that Hull players complained (optimistically) was taken early, was welcome, but in general the Ivorian looked like a player needing a game to get back into the pace of the Premier League. Not only that, but Nicolas Anelka equally seemed to struggle to adjust to a return to life with a strike partner, having got used to holding his own up top.
With the cobwebs now blown away and the relationship re-established, both key players should be ready to take on Arsenal at the weekend.
That is the key challenge now. Win and Tuesday night's result can be put down as a blip, an understandable result against a determined side buoyed by fantastic support.
Lose, however, and suddenly Chelsea's title chances look a fair bit slimmer.
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