FULHAM 0-2 CHELSEA

Several more changes in the team selection from Ancelotti, what with him being ‘rotationally’ minded and all that. John Obi Mikel starting whilst Essien was left on the bench perhaps wasn’t a rotation I entirely agreed with but oh well, let’s see what happens.

First fifteen minutes and it was us having most of the ball although not necessarily penetrating the Fulham defence. Murphy sticks a leg out in front of Drogba and with no sign of fisticuffs over who was going to take the free-kick, Michael Ballack duly dispatched it well over the bar. By this time, the home supporters were giving us a lovely rendition of ‘there’s only one Iniesta’ – still, they had to entertain themselves somehow what with their players not getting much of a look in on the pitch and all.

Anelka and Ballack seemed to struggle a bit with their positions in the first half, with the German coming in narrow and the Frenchman drifting out wide. And with us guilty of a fair few over-hit passes at times, Ballack seemed to be the biggest culprit. Fortunately Malouda seemed a lot less confused down the opposite wing, putting in a solid performance and plenty of service into the box.

Time to look sharp again as Mikel decides to test Schwarzer a bit, banging a shot from distance although it swung just wide giving the Australian’s cheek muscles a bit of brief respite. Might’ve been nice if Fulham weren’t restricting us to shots from distance but then, they weren’t giving us anything to worry about either, so not a lot to grumble about really.

And even less to grumble about on 39 minutes when Didier Drogba picks up an Anelka pass and throws his body forward – just enough to be questionably offside – to slot it low past Schwarzer. Ok, so I’m sure there was the odd grumble from the home crowd but it was quickly drowned out amid the celebrations of a nice finish from the Ivorian. Then just before the break we were treated to a lovely bit of vision from Frank Lampard who’d received the ball, playing an inch perfect pass through to Drogba on goal without even looking up. Unfortunately the sun must’ve moved just a touch though because this time the flag went up and we went in at half time just the one goal to the good – which was confusing enough for Ancelotti as it was judging by his expression.

No substitutions from either side at half-time so it was pretty much as you were after the break. Anelka started the half looking pretty lively although couldn’t quite make his way through the packed Fulham defence. Bit of an ‘Oh shit’ moment as Cech flapped at a high ball into the box with Zamora in pursuit although Ricardo Carvalho again reinforced why I’m glad we didn’t let him sod off to Inter and dealt with it well.

Fulham gave us a bit of a game briefly which gave Drogba the opportunity to show us he’s as prepared to defend as attack again these days – amazing what a difference a summer makes. Not that we had any real drama though because whilst our opponents looked a little livelier they were never really testing us. Couple of substitutions from Fulham, and they were letting us know they were still just about in the game but it was all fairly comfortable from a Chelsea point of view.

Terry seemed to catch that affliction of the heavy boot, whilst Frank Lampard (who’s previously found Craven Cottage a bit of a happy hunting ground) showed us why he’s more effective with his right. And then on 76 minutes, Drogba turns provider, putting Anelka through on goal. The Frenchman eases past the defender and slots it home past a stranded Schwarzer – too late for cheek clenching now because clearly at 2-0, that was pretty much that. Ok, so we made a couple of late substitutions, bringing Deco on for Lampard and young Sam Hutchinson on for Bosingwa but the fat lady was definitely past the throat-clearing stage.

Overall, you’d have to say Fulham worked hard, they were well organised defensively without ever really troubling us in return. Strong performance from us and probably more comfortable than we’d have expected for a derby, no goals conceded and no coming from behind – wahey.

TEAMS

FULHAM

Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky,Gera (Kamara, 63), Murphy (Baird, 70), Etuhu, Duff Dempsey, Zamora (Nevland, 70).

Unused Subs: Zu’buhler, Kelly, Seol, Riise.

CHELSEA

Cech, Bosingwa (Hutchinson, 86), Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Mikel, Ballack, Malouda, Lampard (Deco, 81), Drogba, Anelka

Unused Subs: Ivanovic, Essien, Kalou, Turnbull, Sturridge.

GOALS

Drogba 39, Anelka 76.

Filed under: Match Day, Match report