Chelsea 3 Ipswich 1: Ballack looks like the real deal at last

25 January 2009 23:40
Blue heaven: Frank Lampard leads the rush to congratulate Michael Ballack on his second goal at Stamford Bridge Ballack was almost at his best, reviving memories of his illustrious career with Bayer Leverkusen, when he reached the Champions League Final in 2002, and his dominance of German football with Bayern Munich. His standing in the game persuaded Chelsea to throw money at the three-time Germany player of the year, yet there are many at Stamford Bridge who believe they have been shortchanged. So, should he stay or should he go? The 'ayes' will point to his performance on Saturday. The 'noes' will point to the injuries.   More... Chelsea 3 Ipswich 1: How the action unfolded FA Cup fifth round draw: Chelsea set for Watford away test CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB 'I want to finish my career at Chelsea, that's what I want,' declared Ballack. 'There are two parties, Chelsea and me, and I will see how it comes together, but I'm relaxed. 'I want to play good football and I will see what is happening in the near future. I am happy here and I want to stay, but we will see. Sweet strike: Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard watches his rasping drive sail beyond Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright 'We have spoken, but there is no pressure from me or the club. We will speak in the next few weeks and then I think we will come to a conclusion.' Based on Saturday's performance it is a no-brainer, with the directors and manager in agreement that, even at 32, Ballack still has the desire to match his undoubted talent. This was Ipswich, though, a side who were always second best. They chased shadows as Chelsea zipped the ball across the park at bewildering speed. Ballack and Frank Lampard drifted effortlessly in and out of the game, picking off their opponents to score the goals that won a trip to Watford in the fifth round. Ipswich briefly flickered, dominating a 10-minute spell before Alex Bruce scored the equaliser, taking advantage of yet another Chelsea lapse in concentration at a set-piece. Ballack said: 'We are right to be questioned about set-pieces because it is a little bit of a weakness. Against Stoke, who are one of the strong teams on set pieces, we didn't concede, but it is becoming a difficult period. We have to be focused on set-pieces and defend them. We have to improve, otherwise we are going to kill our good game.' Bonus ball: Alex Bruce beats Petr Cech to provide plucky Ipswich a consolation Chelsea improved after the break, with Ballack putting them ahead with a sweetly taken free-kick in the 59th minute before he was outdone by Lampard's angled drive five minutes from time. Lampard's strike confirmed Chelsea's place in the next round, easing their way past a mid-table Championship side with their eyes on another prize. Feeling blue: Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari looks on as striker Didier Drogba makes his return Jim Magilton's team have been schooled in the Ipswich way, playing a passing game that has been their hallmark since Bobby Robson's day at Portman Road as they plot the path to promotion. 'Let's see how we respond at Barnsley on Tuesday night,' was Magilton's analysis of his team's hard-working performance, demanding a similar attitude and work-rate at 'a wet and windy Oakwell'. He was proud of his team's performance, encouraging the players to puff out their chests, but ultimately they were undone by sheer class. 'For a little bit we had them wobbling and we looked really threatening,' claimed Magilton. 'We were not scared about having a go and we would rather go out that way, but if you give world-class players opportunities around the box they will punish us. We know Ballack has that sort of ability.' He is right, but after three years, he really should be showing it more often. MATCH STATS CHELSEA: Cech 6; Bosingwa 6, Alex 6, Carvalho 6 (Ivanovic 70min, 6), A Cole 7; Belletti 6, Lampard 7, Ballack 8 (Deco 79); Kalou 5, Anelka 6, Malouda 5 (Drogba 58, 6). IPSWICH TOWN: R Wright 4; Bruce 7, McAuley 6, Balkestein 6, D Wright 6: Haynes 6 (Lisbie 59, 5), Miller 7 (Quinn 81), Garvan 6, Norris 7; Counago 7, Walters 7 (Stead 71, 5). Booked: Bruce, Garvan. Man of the match: Michael Ballack. Referee: Alan Wiley.   More... Chelsea 3 Ipswich 1: How the action unfolded FA Cup fifth round draw: Chelsea set for Watford away test CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB  

Source: Daily_Mail