Fulham face mammoth task
17 Mar 2006 - 09:09:55
Chelsea can move even closer to a second straight Premiership title by inflicting a fifth straight league defeat on Chris Coleman's stuttering Fulham side.
The Cottagers looked to have banished fears of a relegation battle with a 6-1 thrashing of West Brom just over a month ago, but since then they have slumped to four consecutive defeats.
More worrying for boss Coleman is that his side have shipped 14 goals in those losses, having been walloped 5-1 at Liverpool in midweek.
However, Coleman saw signs of an improved attitude from his players, following his savaging of their efforts in the 3-1 reverse at Everton last weekend.
He said: "I cannot criticise the players after that.
"I was not happy with the way we played at Everton on Saturday and told them that, but we played some very good stuff in this one.
"We have been smashed by Arsenal and beaten at Everton, but I did not think we deserved to lose by four after the way we played."
Brian McBride came on as a late replacement at Anfield, while Heidar Helguson was an unused substitute, but both strikers may return to face the Blues.
While the Cottagers are nervously looking over their shoulders, Chelsea are out of sight of the rest of the Premiership title pretenders.
Jose Mourinho's side are 15 points clear of second-placed Manchester United and just a handful of wins away from retaining their league crown.
The bad news is that the Blues are already planning ahead for next term and are in pole position to land Bayern Munich ace Michael Ballack in the summer.
Last time out Chelsea needed a last-gasp rocket from William Gallas to see off Tottenham 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, as they recovered from their Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona with a win.
Gallas was also on target on Boxing Day as the Blues edged Fulham 3-2 at the Bridge, Hernan Crespo netting the winner after the visitors had come from two goals down to draw level at 2-2.