Ancelotti - Blues back on form

04 October 2009 20:04
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Carlo Ancelotti believes Chelsea's victory over Liverpool proves they are back on track after a recent slip in standards.[LNB] The Blues were undone 3-1 by Wigan in their previous Premier League outing and then struggled to a 1-0 UEFA Champions League victory away to Apoel Nicosia in midweek.[LNB]But they moved back to the top of the table courtesy of goals from Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda to hand Liverpool their third defeat of the season.[LNB]And Ancelotti brushed aside suggestions that he had been feeling the pressure before the Stamford Bridge meeting with the Anfield outfit.[LNB]Resolved"In Italy we usually say, 'It's the same the world over'," said Ancelotti. "It was not pressure. We lost one game and played badly for a second match but we worked hard to find the problem and resolve it.[LNB]"After this match, we've shown we've resolved our problem. It was not a big problem.[LNB]"It was an important win. It's normal that it was difficult because we played a strong team. Above all, the match was difficult.[LNB]"We maintained good control during the match. First half, it was a match with a lot of balance. Both teams kept good control of their defensive positions.[LNB]"The second half was different. We scored the first goal and had an opportunity to counter-attack. They put a lot of pressure on our midfield and wanted to draw but I think we deserved to win because we did a very good job during the 90 minutes.[LNB]"I know we did what we prepared before the game and, for this, I'm happy. We wanted to avoid free passes for Steven Gerrard because he's a very dangerous player. Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard did that job fantastically.[LNB]"They used the right side to attack but, on the left, we did a good job."[LNB]Work togetherStriker Didier Drogba did not get on the scoresheet but he made both goals and Ancelotti was delighted with the Ivory Coast international's contribution.[LNB]"He did very good support for Nicolas Anelka and worked very hard," he added. "But all the players did.[LNB]"If you want to win against Liverpool or other big teams, you have to work together. Chelsea worked together today for each other.[LNB]"It was not possible to have space to play against Liverpool, to play football, because they had very good defensive organisation and don't leave space in their midfield.[LNB]"Sometimes you can use the strength of Didier, Essien or Ballack. That's a characteristic that we can use sometimes.[LNB]"To control Fernando Torres is not easy. Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry did a fantastic job. I think Torres had one opportunity in the first half, and Terry and Carvalho played very well."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports