Fulham 0 Chelsea 2: match report

23 August 2009 18:00
Goals from Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka have moved Chelsea into second place in the Premier League as they enjoyed a comfortable win over neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage. Drogba put Chelsea in front when he latched onto an Anelka pass to score in the 38th minute. The Ivory Coast striker then turned provider in the 76th minute as he put Anelka through for Chelsea's second to preserve their 100 per cent start to the season. Fulham immediately took the game to their neighbours and Clint Dempsey should have done better when he wriggled free of the Chelsea defence in the opening minute. However, the American striker, playing in a more forward role in the absence of injured Andrew Johnson, shot high over the bar. Chelsea wasted a chance to punish Fulham in the 12th minute when Drogba was brought down on the edge of the penalty area by Fulham captain Danny Murphy. Michael Ballack elected to try his luck with the free-kick from 25-yards out in a central position but put his effort a yard over the bar. Chelsea continued to press for an opening goal but their final ball was a disappointment on numerous occasions. Captain John Terry was an example of their growing frustration when he tried his luck from 25 yards - but it soared over the bar. Chelsea, though, finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when a fine three-man move left Fulham floored. Frank Lampard slipped the ball through to Anelka, who in turn put Drogba in the clear with a clever pass. The Ivory Coast international made no mistake as he slipped the ball beyond the advancing Mark Schwarzer for his third goal of the season. It was just reward for Chelsea's first-half domination and a perfect example of how to pass the ball through an opposing defence. Drogba managed to get clear of the Fulham defence again moments later but he was ruled marginally offside. Fulham almost fluked an equaliser in the 50th minute when Murphy's deep cross into the penalty area was headed over his own goal by Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho. But Chelsea's domination was soon restored and Drogba almost grabbed a second in the 54th minute when he latched onto a clever lob by Anelka. This time, however, the Ivory Coast striker was denied at the second attempt by Australian keeper Schwarzer. Chelsea went two in front in the 76th minute when Drogba turned supplier for Anelka. The France international rounded Schwarzer and coolly slotted the ball home to give Chelsea all three points.

Source: Telegraph