Drogba breaks Newcastle hearts
Wednesday, 13 Dec 2006 22:53
Drogba was the Chelsea hero once more as his goal was enough to beat Newcastle
Chelsea beat Newcastle United 1-0 to maintain the pressure on Premiership leaders Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho opted to start the game in a 4-3-3 formation and left Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko on the bench, but the Ivorian came on at half-time and got the winner to break Newcastle's hearts.
Chelsea eventually made their class show against a depleted and inexperienced Newcastle side, who were more than a match for the champions for most of the game until Drogba broke the deadlock in the 74th minute.
Shevchenko set up the 28-year-old after good work on the left side and found super sub Drogba, who had ghosted into the six yard box, to tap home his 15th goal of the season.
A goalless first half saw the best chance fall to the visitors after 17 minutes when Antoine Sibierski headed James Milner's corner onto the Chelsea crossbar.
Charles N'Zogbia added to the Magpies injury worries when he was stretchered off just before half-time.
Shay Given made a point blank save from Frank Lampard, who met Arjen Robben's corner just before the hour mark, as the home side began to put the visitors under the cosh with a series of set pieces.
Newcastle were beginning to look tired and their young side could not get back into the game once the Blues had taken the lead. Shay Given denied Robben with another save at full stretch five minutes from time to keep the score at 1-0.
The Magpies probably deserved something from the game after their heroic efforts but Chelsea proved too strong in the end and cut the gap to Manchester United at the top of the Premiership to five points.