Barclays Premier League: Chelsea vs Stoke City - Match Report
It was a disappointing result for the Blues as they won 2-0 against Stoke City at Stamford Bridge. In recent times Chelsea have gotten used to scoring big, scoring six goals each in their first two opening fixtures of the Premier League. However, thanks to goals from Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba, the Blues kept their 100% record intact and remain at the top of the Premier League with a +14 goal difference from only three games.
The winger, Malouda was the first to open scoring as he netted the ball with his right foot. His opportunity came in the first half of the match, when things were somewhat equally balanced. This fixture last season had ended quite differently, with Chelsea delivering a 7-0 thrashing to Stoke where Kalou scored a hat trick and youngster Sturridge also managed to get his name on the score sheet.
Drogba secured the win with an expertly taken penalty in the second half; Stoke City goal keeper, Thomas Sorensen had no chance of saving Drogba’s penalty as he had done with Lampard’s in the first 10 minutes of the game. Sorenson assumed the Ivoirian striker would hit the same way as the English midfielder, but he was wrong and Drogba scored without any trouble.
Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, had complained in the Mourinho era about Chelsea playing boring football. He was not happy with the Special One’s successor’s, sacking one after the other. However, with Ancelotti he has found both, entertaining football and match winning performances. Chelsea’s performance in the last few months has been nothing short of amazing. Winning with 6-0 score lines is a norm and now the fans are disappointed when they see anything less.
Ancelotti only made one change to the side that had won 6-0 last weekend, Paulo Ferreira was brought in for Branislav Ivanovic, who was out because of a back injury. Chelsea’s target, Stoke’s second choice goal keeper, Asmir Begovic was on the bench for this fixture. Begovic had refused to play for Stoke in the mid week Carling Cup fixture following interest from the Premier League giants.
Stoke had their chances early on in the game, but despite being a little shaky, the Chelsea defence line held on. Petr Cech was feeling the pressure too, but the Czech international remained confident and maintained yet another clean sheet. Kenwyne Jones, the striker who had been a doubtful start before the match was a constant threat to the Chelsea goal along with Jonathan Walters. The duo made several attempts, none of which were successful.
The match would have ended differently had Frank Lampard not missed the early penalty, possibly with a higher score line for the Blues. The midfielder, who has undoubtedly been Chelsea’s most consistent player was having an unlucky day, but that can be said for almost all the players on the pitch today. Lampard, who usually never misses managed a weak side footed shot to Sorensen, who correctly guessed where it was going to end up and blocked it.
Captain John Terry provided the pass that led to Malouda’s goal. His through ball was perfectly timed as it ended up in the Frenchman’s feet, who shot it past the Stoke keeper to earn his fourth goal of the season. Unlike Mourinho, Ancelotti did not switch to defensive strategies after scoring one goal. The Blues launched attack after attack, but Sorensen was the one man standing between them and their desired 6+ goals.
There were attempts from Cole, Drogba and Anelka but all ended up being saved. Stoke seemed like they had given up until Glenn Whelan was brought on towards the end of the second half. His 25 yard shot beat keeper Cech, but was unlucky as the ball hit the crossbar and was cleared to safety. The Blues had enough and when Anelka was brought down in the penalty box, Drogba did not miss from the spot.
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