Chelsea optimistic over Petr Cech's fitness following clash

22 September 2011 07:57
Andre Villas-Boas was confident Chelsea had avoided a goalkeeping crisis, despite Petr Cech needing hospital treatment after Wednesday night's dramatic Carling Cup victory over Fulham.[LNB]Cech was forced off at half-time of the third-round tie at Stamford Bridge  after suffering a head injury in a collision with Orlando Sa.[LNB]Chelsea were already without understudy Hilario, meaning losing Cech left them with Ross Turnbull as their only recognised first-team goalkeeper.[LNB] No risks: Chelsea sent Petr Cech to hospital following the clash just before half time[LNB]But after Turnbull helped his side to Wednesday night's controversial 4-3 penalty shootout win, Blues boss Villas-Boas revealed Cech had been given the all clear.[LNB]'Petr went for a scan in the hospital and he's okay,' he said.[LNB]'He felt a little bit dizzy from the early concussion at half-time.[LNB] Going for the ball: Cech and Fulham striker Orlando Sa collided at the end of the first half[LNB]'We decided, and he decided as well, it was better not to take risks.'[LNB]Cech could be forgiven for playing it safe.[LNB]The 29-year-old became the first high-profile goalkeeper to wear protective headgear in all matches after suffering a fractured skull in a sickening collision with Stephen Hunt at Reading five years ago.[LNB]He also watched team-mate Didier Drogba knocked clean out by Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy almost four weeks ago, with the striker only fit enough last night for a place on the bench.[LNB] Not fit to start: Didier Drogba was on the bench for Chelsea, but did not come on[LNB]Villas-Boas had planned to bring Drogba on but was forced to think again, with Cech's injury part of a triple blow for Chelsea either side of half-time.[LNB]The first befell Daniel Sturridge, who hurt himself netting a disallowed goal shortly before the break.[LNB]Revealing the striker had a knee problem, Villas-Boas added: 'The ligaments are okay.[LNB]'If he misses one (game), it won't be more than that.'[LNB] Penalty woe: Fulham's Pajtim Kasami sees his second half penalty come back off the bar[LNB]The final calamity occurred less than two minutes after the break, with Alex sent off for bringing down Kerim Frei.[LNB]It meant Chelsea ended up playing more than 70 minutes with 10 men.[LNB]Villas-Boas said: 'We thought by that time that, as the game was going on, if we really had to go into extra-time, we could be struggling physically.[LNB]'These players who played, a couple of them don't have enough minutes.[LNB] Luck on their side: Ross Turnbull watches Bryan Ruiz's penalty hit the cross bar and bounce out to put Chelsea through[LNB] [LNB] Key miss: Ruiz's reflects on his penalty miss[LNB]'Straight away, you're going into a 120-minutes situation, which is a lot for the body.[LNB]'That's why the win is special, because they were able to cope with it.'[LNB]Chelsea's victory was all the more remarkable considering Fulham also missed a penalty in normal time and they arguably were denied another spot-kick before the most dramatic of shootouts.[LNB]Frank Lampard and Mousa Dembele both had efforts saved before Bryan Ruiz stepped up for Fulham's fifth, which he crashed against the crossbar and possible down over the line.[LNB]It was not given and replays were inconclusive as to whether or not the ball was in.[LNB]Fulham boss Martin Jol said: 'To be fair, I haven't seen it.[LNB]'Somebody was standing in front of me.'[LNB] Blue day: Chelsea's goalkeeper Ross Turnbull celebrates winning the match with Ryan Bertrand and John Terry [LNB]Villas-Boas, who began the week by complaining to referees' chief Mike Riley about the officials' performance in Chelsea's defeat at Manchester United on Sunday added: 'Everybody was looking at each other wondering if it was celebration time.[LNB]'The linesman was there so maybe, this time, the decision is good.' [LNB] Chelsea 0 Fulham 0 (AET, 4-3 on pens): 10-man Blues through after ending penalty hoodooGive Torres a break, says Fulham boss Jol ahead of Carling Cup derby Anelka ponders Blues future, admitting he may have to leave next summerAll the latest Chelsea news, features and opinion[LNB]

Source: Daily_Mail