Absolutely the Game

Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 1 Chelsea: Spurs grab Champions League pole spot to dent Chelsea title hopes

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Published Date: 18 April 2010

By Mike McGrath

JERMAIN Defoe and Gareth Bale blew the Barclays Premier League title race open with goals against Chelsea – and also put Tottenham back in the Champions League places.

Defoe tucked away from the penalty spot for his 24th of the season after John Terry handled in the area, then Bale followed up his midweek goal against Arsenal with another before the break.

Terry's miserable evening, after being involved in a ve

 

rbal spat with a supporter at half-time, was capped off with a sending off for two bookings.

Frank Lampard pulled one back, but it was too late for Chelsea.

United's victory in the Manchester derby cut into Chelsea's lead and also favoured Spurs in their hunt for fourth place as they knew a victory would take them back above City – and within a quarter of an hour they were ahead.

Roman Pavlyuchenko fired over from the edge of the area and also had an effort blocked by Alex – but Harry Redknapp's men were not made to wait long for their opener.

They were denied penalties when Defoe appeared to get his shirt pulled by Terry and when Bale went over John Mikel Obi's challenge, then Phil Dowd pointed to the spot after the third appeal. Pavlyuchenko stepped over Bale's cross and Terry leant in with his arm, enough for Dowd to award a penalty.

Defoe stepped up and sent Petr Cech the wrong way.

It got worse for Chelsea as Mikel picked up an injury and was replaced by Michael Ballack in the 34th minute.

Bale doubled the lead just before the break when he cut inside Paulo Ferreira and beat Cech at the near post.

Lampard almost pulled one back immediately, but Heurelho Gomes pulled off a save at full stretch.

There was drama at half-time, starting with Terry's spat with a fan.

Ancelotti's response was to use his remaining substitutes at the break, with Nicolas Anelka and Branislav Ivanovic coming on for Joe Cole and Ferreira, but Didier Drogba then pulled up injured just before the restart. With all of Chelsea's substitutes used, Drogba had to hobble back on.

Defoe had a chance to extend the lead in the 50th minute when Pavlyuchenko played him through, but Cech was down to save the one-on-one opportunity.

The feisty atmosphere went up a notch when Lampard and Tom Huddlestone clashed, leading to the Spurs player getting booked and Deco being cautioned for his role in the aftermath.

Terry was also cautioned for bringing down Pavlyuchenko when the Russian was running at goal. He got his marching orders 23 minutes from time, with his second foul on Bale.

Bentley almost added another but his cheeky lob was tipped over by Cech and there was also time for Gomes to deny Drogba from close range and for Lampard to pull one back in stoppage time.

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Nemanja Vidic

Nemanja Vidic made a successful return on his first start in 2010 for United, turning in a commanding defensive display in the 3-0 win over West Ham.
The Serbian has been troubled by a nerve problem in his right leg, and hadn’t played since the win over Wigan at the end of December. But his towering performance on Tuesday was a welcome sight.

“It’s nice to be back,” he told MUTV. “I enjoyed playing again. It’s a long time since I last played, but I am happy first of all that we won the game, and also that I feel OK in terms of the injury. I feel well and that’s very important for me. I didn’t feel any reaction today. So I am very happy.

“When I finished last season, I thought this season would be even better, but I’ve had the injury and this year has been very frustrating. I missed pre-season and two months recently. I hope the injury is in the past and I’m looking forward to the next games.”

United were defensively sound with Vidic marshalling the back four, and the 28-year-old was pleased with the team’s clean sheet.

“It was 3-0 but we could maybe have scored more,” he added. “We played some good football. In the beginning it wasn’t an easy game.
two forwards and tried to score. They had some good chances, but we dealt with that and deserved the three points.”

The win puts United a point behind league leaders Chelsea, who play their game in hand against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. They could reclaim a four-point lead, but Vidic isn’t worried by the Blues’ advantage.

“We believe we can win the title,” he said. “Confidence is a big word, but we believe we can do it. They could be four points in front of us [with their game in hand] but they have to come to our ground [in April]. We can do it, especially with some big players back from injury. I think we will be good for the rest of the season.”
MU.com

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John Terry Make Chealsea Win

By Alex Dimond

30 Jan 2010 20:12:00

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EPL: John Terry, Burnley v Chelsea (Getty Images)

Teams

• Chelsea

Players

• John Terry

You couldn't script it, could you? John Terry will wake up on Sunday to see his name plastered across the front pages of the newspapers, with further revelations set to come out about the various 'transgressions' (as Tiger Woods might call them) in his private life. But at least the 29-year-old will be able to console himself by turning to the back pages, where his name will also adorn the headlines — this time for all the right reasons. It speaks volumes for his character — on the pitch, at least — that Terry was able to shut out the expected abuse he received at Turf Moor ("Same old Terry, always cheating" being the favourite) to put in the sort of disciplined defensive performance that his side have always relied on him for. His late goal — his first away from home for the club in two years – earned his side a crucial three points against a determined Burnley side, points that give his side a crucial four-point advantage over their two nearest rivals, Arsenal and Manchester United, as they prepare to face off against each other on Sunday.
The subdued reaction to his goal was about the only indication of how much current events are already beginning to weigh on Terry personally, although his team-mates showed their solidarity with their beleaguered captain as they all came over to offer their congratulations.

The 2-1 win was just about deserved for Chelsea, as Burnley once again proved what a tough team they are to visit. Nicolas Anelka's opening goal, after good work from Florent Malouda and Joe Cole, looked like sending Chelsea on their way but the team had to show good character to restore their advantage after Alex had contrived to hand Steven Fletcher an easy opportunity to equalise.

The final whistle signaled the completion of a perfect January for the Blues — five wins from five in a month where the absence of the side's African contigent (the club could have played Didier Drogba at Turf Moor, but opted not to) was supposed to derail their title bid.

Instead, they have re-asserted their credentials.

"It's a testament to the squad and the lads how we've done while they've been away," Frank Lampard said after the game.

"It's a very important stage in the season, and we're in good form. Today we had to show a little bit of grit, after they pulled level, and we did that."

While being careful not to endorse Terry's off-field activities, before and after the game both Carlo Ancelotti and his assistant Ray Wilkins were keen to re-affirm that the whole squad still have faith in their captain.

"He's a fantastic player, every game he plays very well and also tonight he played an important part for us," Ancelotti said.

"That is his private life, this is about work and we don't have to say anything. He is very professional, a fantastic captain. All of Chelsea support him and his family."

The coming days, even weeks, are not going to be pleasant for the Chelsea No. 26, but he will take some comfort from Saturday's result. At a ground where both Arsenal and Manchester United failed to win, this had the feel of a defining game in the title race.

The England captain (although that might not be for too much longer) is sure to face more tough times ahead.

But at least for now his team-mates, manager and the club's fans can be assured of something they probably already knew; that no matter how bad things get off the pitch, it won't affect Terry where it matters to them most — on it.

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