Source: Daily_Mail
Michael Essien hails David Luiz as Chelsea beat Manchester City
Michael Essien praised the influence of defender David Luiz after he scored Chelsea's opener in a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]January signing Luiz broke the deadlock in a cagey affair after 78 minutes when he headed home Didier Drogba's free-kick at the near post.[LNB]It was the Brazilian's second goal since moving to west London and was followed by a second from his countryman Ramires to seal a win that moved the Blues ahead of City and into third.[LNB] Leading light: Luiz celebrates after heading Chelsea in front[LNB]'As you can see he's been fantastic for us since he came here,' Essien told Sky Sports.[LNB]'We need his types of player at Chelsea. He's done a great job for us.'[LNB]The win keeps Chelsea's faint title aspirations alive.They are now nine points behind leaders Manchester United, with a game in hand.[LNB]Essien was, however, coy about his side's chances of retaining their crown.[LNB]'We take every game as it comes, we'll work hard in every game and see what happens,' he said.[LNB]'We'll see. We'll have to keep believing that we can do it. There's a long way to go. We have to fight for every point.'[LNB]He added: 'But it was a very important win for us. It was a difficult game for us - we gave everything to get the three points. It was a very tight game.'[LNB]Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was satisfied with his side's display and admitted they may have been aided by City having played only three days ago against Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League.[LNB] Firing blanks: Ancelotti replaced Fernando Torres after the striker failed to score again[LNB]'It was a very difficult game. We played a good game - we had focus, spirit and a good attitude,' he said.[LNB]'First half we had to be quicker in front to get the right solution. Defensively we were good.[LNB]'Man City lost a bit of power because they played on Thursday.'[LNB]Ancelotti also confirmed John Terry would be fit to skipper England against Wales in next weekend's Euro 2014 qualifier despite picking up a knee injury in the second half.[LNB]'He doesn't have a problem to play for England,' he added.[LNB]City boss Roberto Mancini thought his side's clash with Dynamo, which saw them crash out of Europe despite winning 1-0 at Eastlands, had caught up with his side late in the game.[LNB]'We played a good game. But we played three days ago against Kiev,' he said. In the last 20-25 minutes we were so tired.'[LNB]City were also without skipper Carlos Tevez who succumbed to an injury, and without him summer signing Edin Dzeko again failed to find the net for his new club.[LNB]'Carlos is a good player, but Dzeko and (Mario) Balotelli are good players,' he added.[LNB]'After 70 minutes it was normal that Chelsea had more possession. After that we conceded a goal and it changed.'[LNB] Chelsea 2 Manchester City 0: Head boy Luiz keeps buoyant Blues in title hunt LIVE: Liverpool win controversial clash with Sunderland and Chelsea cruise past City - as it happenedKenny Dalglish: If Terry was wrong man a year ago, why is he right now? All the latest Chelsea news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Edin Dzeko, John Terry, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Carlos Tevez, Roberto Mancini, Carlo Ancelotti Places: London, United Kingdom, Wales, Europe
