strikr.net

Carlo Ancelotti’s side opened up a two-point gap over second placed Manchester United. But perhaps more importantly, the victory over another of the main title contenders restored the Blues to winning ways after their 3-1 defeat at Wigan last weekend.

After a tight first half, former Liverpool striker Anelka opened the scoring when he converted Didier Drogba’s cross. Drogba was the provider again in stoppage time as he over-powered Jamie Carragher and crossed for Malouda to slide home.

Defeat leaves Liverpool six points behind Chelsea and Rafa Benitez’s side have now lost three times in their first eight league games after losing just twice through the whole of last season.

Chelsea was without first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech, who served his suspension following his red card against Wigan, so Hilario was between the posts. But while Ancelotti’s side were without Cech, they were buoyed by the return of Drogba.

The Ivory Coast striker missed the 1-0 win in the Champions League over Apoel Nicosia in midweek owing to his European ban. Drogba’s value to Chelsea is best illustrated by his return of six goals in seven league games going into this fixture.

And he looked invigorated after his break when he chased down Deco’s through-ball in the third minute forcing Carragher into a last-ditch tackle. But the visitors started this match brighter with Steven Gerrard whipping in some dangerous crosses from the right.

Chelsea, though, had the first shot on target in the 25th minute when Jose Reina was forced to save from Drogba’s header. Reina then needed to be alert moments later when Anelka tried his luck with a neat header.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard also tried his luck, but his free-kick from distance was a long way off target. But just as Chelsea were beginning to find their feet in this match, Albert Riera’s free-kick in the 43rd minute nearly squeezed past Hilario at the far post.

After the restart it was Chelsea who looked most likely to make the breakthrough, and so it proved in the 60th minute. Anelka finished off a neat move after Lampard had disposed Javier Mascherano and fed Deco. The Portugal midfielder in turn played the ball for Drogba and his cross from the left was perfect for Anelka to poke home.

Drogba came close to adding a second with a long-range free-kick which skidded past Reina’s right post. But substitute Malouda did add a second in the 90th minute when he turned in Drogba’s cross at the far post.
Agence France-Presse

With Portsmouth apparently close to financial meltdown, the three points secured by Hassan Yebda’s first-half header represent a welcome tonic for the crisis-hit club.

But it was a close run thing with Wolves denied what appeared to be a blatant penalty after the interval and only a superb David James save denying the home side an equaliser in the dying seconds of the match.

Wolves had fit-again right-back Kevin Foley back in their line-up for only the second time this season in the only change from the side beaten 5-2 at Sunderland last weekend. Hart handed Steve Finnan his first start of the season and also drafted Yebda into his side.

Scotland international Christophe Berra might have given Wolves an early lead but his header from Greg Halford’s long throw-in was directed straight at James. But Portsmouth were soon knocking the ball around with a confidence that belied their lowly position and Wayne Hennessey was forced to make a good save from Kevin-Prince Boateng’s shot on the turn.

Matt Jarvis lifted the home fans with a powerful run from inside his own half that carried him into the Portsmouth box, but a tame shot failed to seriously test James. Ireland striker Kevin Doyle was off target with a volley from the edge of the area for Wolves.

But Portsmouth continued to look the better side and Aruna Dindane, with a 25-yard drive that whistled just over, and Jarvis, whose shot was cleared off the line by Jarvis, both went close before Yebda put the visitors ahead. Boateng delivered a fine cross from the right and Yebda, who was born in France but has opted to represent Algeria in international football, steered a confident header past Hennessey.

The Wolves goalkeeper then had to pull off a full-stretch stop to prevent Dindane, who had been released by Smith’s through pass, from doubling the lead. The loose ball fell to Smith, who cut inside to get an angle for a shot but failed to hit the target.

Wolves rallied after that scare and Doyle had a shot deflected wide before heading over a Jarvis corner. There was more frustration for the Ireland forward in first-half injury time when his close-range effort was blocked after James had produced a fine reflex save to deny Andy Keogh.

Portsmouth had a huge let-off soon after the restart, when the referee failed to spot that Wilson had handled Michael Kightly’s cross from the right. Generally, however, Hart’s men coped well with the limited threat posed by the home side although they had reason to be grateful for James right at the death.

The veteran, who will be hoping to be restored to England’s starting line-up in the Ukraine next week, did his cause no harm by turning Halford’s volleyed effort away.
Agence France-Presse

Brown’s side has been in freefall since the New Year and last weekend’s 6-1 thrashing at Liverpool brought a deluge of criticism raining down on the Hull boss.

But goals from former Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Brazilian midfielder Geovanni at the KC Stadium lifted the gloom temporarily as Hull climbed out of the relegation zone by scoring twice in a league game for the first time since January.

Scott Sinclair got one back for Wigan in the final minutes but it was too little too late. Hull were looking for only their third victory in 30 league outings and had a penalty appeal turned down in the second minute.

Stephen Hunt crossed from the left and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland scrambled back to claw it away from under the crossbar. The ball fell to Nick Barmby six yards out but his powerful shot rebounded off Maynor Figueroa and referee Mark Clattenburg dismissed claims for handball.

Wigan threatened for the first time when Charles N’Zogbia’s corner was pushed out to Hugo Rodallega by Boaz Myhill but the Colombian striker shot over. Myhill then pushed away a low shot from Mohamed Diame and dived at the feet of Rodallega before Jason Scotland fired narrowly wide.

Wigan had won the corresponding fixture 5-0 last season but there was never any chance of a repeat. Hull came closest before the break when Vennegoor of Hesselink met Geovanni’s cross with a glancing header that bounced just wide of the far post.

Vennegoor of Hesselink didn’t live to regret that miss as he opened the scoring on the hour. The Dutchman diverted Dean Marney’s cross past Kirkland with a firm header at the near post. Geovanni notched Hull’s second goal in the 68th minute after good work by Kamil Zayatte.

Emmerson Boyce gave the ball away on halfway and Zayatte powered into the area and clipped in a fine cross for the unmarked Geovanni to turn in from six yards. Sinclair gave Wigan hope when he pulled a goal back three minutes from time when he converted the rebound after Jordi Gomez’s shot was saved.

But Hull survived a nerve-shredding five minutes of stoppage time to give Brown something to smile about at last.
Agence France-Presse