Ray Wilkins says Chelsea win was for manager
Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has revealed that the club’s players were inspired to win their match against English Premier League title rivals Arsenal for their boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian lost his father Giuseppe last week, but returned to London after the funeral to take charge of the side for the game on Sunday. That determination fed through to his players, who paid back that devotion with a 2-0 win.
Wilkins told reporters that, “You can see from the work ethic of the players how much they wanted to win it for him. We weren't at our best but you can see the effort, and all in all, I thought it was a fantastic performance. Arsenal are one of the teams
who scare me, because they have the ability to take the ball and keep it. I'm glad to get this out of the way and claim the three points.”
Drogba and Alex give Blues victory
The win came after a side-footed finish by Didier Drogba from an Ashley Cole cross — his 13th goal against the Gunners in 13 matches — and a 30-yard rocket of a free-kick by Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa (‘Alex’).
Drogba was later called into action as a makeshift central defender, when Alex was injured after Chelsea had already used up all of their substitutes.
Wilkins added that, “Didier is a fantastic player, a world-class striker. If you give him an opportunity he will score. And it's not just against Arsenal, he scores against everybody. Also he is the best forward I have ever seen for coming back and defending.
Alex has that (free-kick ability) in his locker. He practices that, he doesn't just go out there and hit it.”
The result gives Chelsea a four-point cushion at the top of the EPL ahead of Manchester City. They will next play against Aston Villa on October 16, after the international break.
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