RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Chelsea Analysis: Didier Drogba Makes The Decisive Impression Against Toothless Arsenal Once Again
Ivorian hitman made sure result was rarely in doubt...
| Bet: | Returns: | Napoli £25.50 | Draw £31.50 | Chelsea £25.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Napoli £25.00 | Draw £32.00 | Chelsea £26.20 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Napoli £25.00 | Draw £32.50 | Chelsea £27.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Napoli £25.00 | Draw £32.00 | Chelsea £28.80 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Napoli £24.50 | Draw £32.00 | Chelsea £26.50 |
|
Feb 7, 2010 6:51:00 PM
By Alex Dimond
It's not what you have, it's what you do with it that counts.
Possession might be nine tenths of the law, but football demands much more than that. Games — especially the big ones — are more often than not decided by specific moments of individual intervention, a blistering solo goal or an inexplicable defensive lap, rather than who completes the greater number of passes.
At Stamford Bridge, Arsenal had the majority of the possession, but it was Chelsea — or, more accurately, Didier Drogba — with the vital moments of individual quality. And consequently it was the Blues that claimed all three points.
Drogba clearly loves playing against Arsenal. His two goals on Sunday take his record to 12 in 12 games against the Gunners, and he could have had another if his second-half free kick hadn't cannoned away off the bar.
His first was remarkably straightforward, tapping in John Terry's flick after evading Alex Song's attention. His second was more impressive, as he took a clever pass from Frank Lampard, cut into the box and lashed the ball beyond the helpess Manuel Almunia.
After the game, the 31-year-old acknowledged that his side had not been dominant in every area, but that they were always confident of victory.
"I think we suffered so much in the second half, Arsenal played well but we are happy with the two goals," Drogba said.
"We try to stay together and focus on the games. It is a matter of time and we stick together and go forward. The most important thing for us is to be top of the league."
You don't need to outplay Arsenal to beat them, indeed if anything it actually helps to do the exact opposite. Last week Manchester United showed once again how vulnerable Arsenal are to the counter-attack. Chelsea noted that weakness and made sure to exploit it.
Equally importantly, they took advantage early — finding themselves 2-0 up within 25 minutes. If they hadn't scored so early, perhaps there could have been a different outcome.
"We felt we were the better team on the pitch for a big part of the match," Gunners boss Arsene Wenger bemoaned after the game.
"First corner, first goal, we were not quickly enough focused and concentrated. Then we were caught on the counter-attack. It is difficult because I am very proud of our performance.
"Chelsea defended very well. When you are 2-0 down it is difficult to chase the game."
If Andrei Arshavin’s neat first-half volley had been wider of Petr Cech, perhaps the tale of the tape would have been different. But the shot was relatively straight and Cech got a foot to it, diverting it away from goal.
The Czech shot-stopper made a similar save with his hands in the second half, tipping away Cesc Fabregas's goal-bound free kick. Those two saves at crucial times kept Arsenal at bay and kept the Blues on course for victory.
Chelsea's performance, especially from a statistical viewpoint, was far from vintage, but Carlo Ancelotti will give that little concern. He will look at the individual components of the performance — Terry’s defensive solidity, Drogba’s incisive threat, Cech's safe hands — and find no reason to be anything less than thoroughly pleased.
"The difference was the start of the game. We scored two goals and then had a good defence," the Italian observed.
Enough was done to win the game — and return the Blues to the top of table. Their two-point lead over Manchester United gives them the slight edge as we enter what now looks to be a two-horse race.
The battle-lines are drawn. Unless both embark on a capitulation of extreme proportions, either United or Chelsea will be crowned league champions in May. The way both contenders have beaten Arsenal — with varying degrees of humiliation — home and away this season suggests there is little to choose between them.
United have the momentum and, with the past three title trophies in their cabinet, the experience.
Chelsea have the hunger and, as things stand, the advantage in the table.
Game on.
Possession might be nine tenths of the law, but football demands much more than that. Games — especially the big ones — are more often than not decided by specific moments of individual intervention, a blistering solo goal or an inexplicable defensive lap, rather than who completes the greater number of passes.
At Stamford Bridge, Arsenal had the majority of the possession, but it was Chelsea — or, more accurately, Didier Drogba — with the vital moments of individual quality. And consequently it was the Blues that claimed all three points.
Drogba clearly loves playing against Arsenal. His two goals on Sunday take his record to 12 in 12 games against the Gunners, and he could have had another if his second-half free kick hadn't cannoned away off the bar.
His first was remarkably straightforward, tapping in John Terry's flick after evading Alex Song's attention. His second was more impressive, as he took a clever pass from Frank Lampard, cut into the box and lashed the ball beyond the helpess Manuel Almunia.
After the game, the 31-year-old acknowledged that his side had not been dominant in every area, but that they were always confident of victory.
"I think we suffered so much in the second half, Arsenal played well but we are happy with the two goals," Drogba said.
"We try to stay together and focus on the games. It is a matter of time and we stick together and go forward. The most important thing for us is to be top of the league."
You don't need to outplay Arsenal to beat them, indeed if anything it actually helps to do the exact opposite. Last week Manchester United showed once again how vulnerable Arsenal are to the counter-attack. Chelsea noted that weakness and made sure to exploit it.
Equally importantly, they took advantage early — finding themselves 2-0 up within 25 minutes. If they hadn't scored so early, perhaps there could have been a different outcome.
"We felt we were the better team on the pitch for a big part of the match," Gunners boss Arsene Wenger bemoaned after the game.
"First corner, first goal, we were not quickly enough focused and concentrated. Then we were caught on the counter-attack. It is difficult because I am very proud of our performance.
"Chelsea defended very well. When you are 2-0 down it is difficult to chase the game."
If Andrei Arshavin’s neat first-half volley had been wider of Petr Cech, perhaps the tale of the tape would have been different. But the shot was relatively straight and Cech got a foot to it, diverting it away from goal.
The Czech shot-stopper made a similar save with his hands in the second half, tipping away Cesc Fabregas's goal-bound free kick. Those two saves at crucial times kept Arsenal at bay and kept the Blues on course for victory.
Chelsea's performance, especially from a statistical viewpoint, was far from vintage, but Carlo Ancelotti will give that little concern. He will look at the individual components of the performance — Terry’s defensive solidity, Drogba’s incisive threat, Cech's safe hands — and find no reason to be anything less than thoroughly pleased.
"The difference was the start of the game. We scored two goals and then had a good defence," the Italian observed.
Enough was done to win the game — and return the Blues to the top of table. Their two-point lead over Manchester United gives them the slight edge as we enter what now looks to be a two-horse race.
The battle-lines are drawn. Unless both embark on a capitulation of extreme proportions, either United or Chelsea will be crowned league champions in May. The way both contenders have beaten Arsenal — with varying degrees of humiliation — home and away this season suggests there is little to choose between them.
United have the momentum and, with the past three title trophies in their cabinet, the experience.
Chelsea have the hunger and, as things stand, the advantage in the table.
Game on.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
46 Comments
Advertisement
Live!
Champions League LIVE!
Join Goal.com for all the Champions League action as we bring you the latest team news, press conferences and analysis. Contact us on Twitter @goal_intl with any questions...
Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
Hosted by Stephen Crawford & Adam Scime
2/15/12
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
2/15/12
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
2/15/12
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
2/15/12
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
2/15/12
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
Inside Goal.Com
-
Champions League Player Ratings: AC Milan 4-0 Arsenal
Goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng, Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic handed the Italian side a victory that all but seals their progression to the next round of the competition
-
Champions League Player Ratings: Zenit 3-2 Benfica
Goal.com casts a studious eye over the performers at the Petrovsky Stadium as a late goal settles a thriller in the Russian's favour and sets up enthralling second leg
-
Serie A Player Ratings: Parma 0-0 Juventus
The Bianconeri missed a great chance to go back to the top of Serie A, but they caused the home side plenty of problems thanks mainly to Andrea Pirlo
-
Messi breaks Champions League knockout record
The Argentine, still only 24, is level with current record holders Raul and Andriy Shevchenko, but can surpass the two European greats with a solitary strike at Leverkusen tonight
-
Should 'Vanishing Spray' be introduced globally?
The spray, which has been designed to stop defensive walls from encroaching closer than 10 yards to the ball at free-kicks, is set to be discussed at next month's IFAB meeting
Advertisement
Advertisement
