|
AND so it goes to the final day.
Without excelling, Chelsea extended the title race to the last match of the English Premier League season by beating Newcastle United 2-0 yesterday.
Michael Ballack, their match-winner against Manchester United, scored the crucial goal against Newcastle as Chelsea, the masters of the away win, displayed just why they prosper on their travels.
The German's ninth goal of the season set Chelsea on their way and he was involved, too, before Frank Lampard set up Florent Malouda in the 82nd minute for the second goal to end Newcastle's seven-match unbeaten run.
More importantly, it brought Chelsea back level on points (84) with Manchester United, albeit with a vastly inferior goal difference.
So they concluded a long weekend that has encapsulated the two title contenders' seasons.
Manchester United starred, Chelsea merely won.
But the outcome is the same - three points apiece and an exciting ending to the campaign on Sunday.
Chelsea still require a favour from Wigan, who face United, but a home game against Bolton should hold few fears for Avram Grant's men.
The result, like many recently, vindicated the Chelsea manager.
A succession of major calls have been justified, and Grant's selection was both bold and negative.
In omitting five of the players who had overcome Liverpool, he risked criticism.
In opting for a team that prioritised physical power over creativity and imagination, he opted for a side that barely fashioned a chance in the first 45 minutes.
But a half-time reshuffle - including moving Nicolas Anelka from the right flank to partner Didier Drogba in attack - and sudden sense of urgency brought a vastly improved display thereafter.
John Terry had already struck the bar with a forceful header when Drogba flighted in a free kick and Ballack eluded the Newcastle substitute Alan Smith to head home in the 61st minute.
The German arrived in England two summers ago with the reputation of being a big-game player. Belatedly, he is showing why.
And, much like his team, his was an efficient performance.
No team are better equipped than Chelsea to hold on to a narrow lead, because none specialise at the scrappy win quite the way they do.
Not for the first time, their most impressive performers were often found in their own half.
Another assured display showed why Ricardo Carvalho is their outstanding defender.
In front of him, Michael Essien covered vast amounts of ground.
Chelsea did not, however, find the form they had displayed in their previous two games.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech had become the latest to claim that, under Grant, Chelsea play better football than they did in Jose Mourinho's tenure.
There was precious little evidence of it at St James' Park, but results provide an explanation of their methods.
Nevertheless, for 45 minutes, Newcastle were the better side and created the superior chances.
Chelsea, as is their wont, nonetheless survived.
But their concentration wavered as early as the sixth minute.
As Nicky Butt lifted the ball over their defence, Terry allowed Michael Owen to elude him.
It was an excellent chance for a seventh goal in eight games, but Owen volleyed over.
The Chelsea skipper gained his revenge on his Newcastle counterpart some 20 minutes later when Owen, following up after Cech had blocked Mark Viduka's shot, beat the grounded goalkeeper but not the defender, lurking on his own line.
Chelsea's struggle for fluency was apparent when they finally carved out a clear-cut chance.
Essien slid Ballack in on goal but the German's first touch was poor and his second - a shot that was both high and wide - was worse.
But, when it mattered most, Ballack's finishing was far better.
And, when the pressure on them was mounting, Chelsea's response was precisely what they required.
stsports@sph.com.sg
|
