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Ancelotti relieved as Chelsea escapes with a derby point
Source: Agencies |
December 22, 2009, Tuesday
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CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti was relieved his Premier League leaders escaped with a 1-1 draw at West Ham United on Sunday, viewing it as a point gained rather than two dropped.
Chelsea had the opportunity to go six points clear of second-placed Manchester United, which lost 0-3 at Fulham on Saturday, against a struggling West Ham side scrapping for its lives near the foot of the table.
"One more point is four points ahead which is good because we didn't play a good match," the Italian said after the London derby.
Chelsea has suffered a dip in form this month, notching five points from a possible 12 although champion United has also been inconsistent, losing two of its last three games.
"For every team ... it is not the best period. There are a lot of games and if you play every three days it's not easy," said Ancelotti after Frank Lampard's thrice-taken penalty in the second half cancelled out Alessandro Diamanti's 45th-minute spot kick.
Chelsea faces a busy festive program, visiting Birmingham City on December 26 before hosting west London rival Fulham two days later. Title rival United has fixtures on December 27 and 30.
West Ham manager and former Chelsea favorite Gianfranco Zola said the league leader was capable of lifting the trophy in May.
"I don't think Chelsea is in the best moment but they are not the only ones. They have what it takes to win the title," said the Italian.
England midfielder Lampard showed nerves of steel when he was twice asked by the referee to retake his penalty against his international colleague, West Ham keeper Robert Green, because of encroachment into the area by players from both teams.
Wolves move up
Elsewhere, Wolverhampton Wanderers moved up to 12th spot by beating 14th-placed Burnley 2-0 and Everton drew 1-1 at home to Birmingham City. The result took Birmingham up to seventh on 28 points while Everton lies 15th.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made nine changes to the controversial line-up that lost 0-3 at Manchester United on Tuesday and was rewarded with goals from Nenad Milijas and Kevin Doyle against Burnley. McCarthy had been widely criticized for resting players in midweek, making 10 changes at United to the team that beat Tottenham Hotspur the previous Saturday. The Premier League has also asked for an explanation for his actions.
"I have to say there have been one or two dubious characters who have been giving me a bit of stick," said McCarthy. "They have questioned my honesty and integrity when I think I stand up for those things.
"I've never cheated in my life so that does bother me. I'm not looking for vindication by it, I'm looking for points."
At Goodison Park, Everton took an early lead against Birmingham when Diniyar Bilyaletdinov gathered a Louis Saha flick on five minutes and slammed the ball into the net.
However, Birmingham stretched its unbeaten league run to nine matches when Sebastian Larsson finished off a slick passing move in the 22nd minute.
Wigan Athletic's fixture against Bolton Wanderers yesterday was called off due to icy conditions around the stadium.
Chelsea had the opportunity to go six points clear of second-placed Manchester United, which lost 0-3 at Fulham on Saturday, against a struggling West Ham side scrapping for its lives near the foot of the table.
"One more point is four points ahead which is good because we didn't play a good match," the Italian said after the London derby.
Chelsea has suffered a dip in form this month, notching five points from a possible 12 although champion United has also been inconsistent, losing two of its last three games.
"For every team ... it is not the best period. There are a lot of games and if you play every three days it's not easy," said Ancelotti after Frank Lampard's thrice-taken penalty in the second half cancelled out Alessandro Diamanti's 45th-minute spot kick.
Chelsea faces a busy festive program, visiting Birmingham City on December 26 before hosting west London rival Fulham two days later. Title rival United has fixtures on December 27 and 30.
West Ham manager and former Chelsea favorite Gianfranco Zola said the league leader was capable of lifting the trophy in May.
"I don't think Chelsea is in the best moment but they are not the only ones. They have what it takes to win the title," said the Italian.
England midfielder Lampard showed nerves of steel when he was twice asked by the referee to retake his penalty against his international colleague, West Ham keeper Robert Green, because of encroachment into the area by players from both teams.
Wolves move up
Elsewhere, Wolverhampton Wanderers moved up to 12th spot by beating 14th-placed Burnley 2-0 and Everton drew 1-1 at home to Birmingham City. The result took Birmingham up to seventh on 28 points while Everton lies 15th.
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy made nine changes to the controversial line-up that lost 0-3 at Manchester United on Tuesday and was rewarded with goals from Nenad Milijas and Kevin Doyle against Burnley. McCarthy had been widely criticized for resting players in midweek, making 10 changes at United to the team that beat Tottenham Hotspur the previous Saturday. The Premier League has also asked for an explanation for his actions.
"I have to say there have been one or two dubious characters who have been giving me a bit of stick," said McCarthy. "They have questioned my honesty and integrity when I think I stand up for those things.
"I've never cheated in my life so that does bother me. I'm not looking for vindication by it, I'm looking for points."
At Goodison Park, Everton took an early lead against Birmingham when Diniyar Bilyaletdinov gathered a Louis Saha flick on five minutes and slammed the ball into the net.
However, Birmingham stretched its unbeaten league run to nine matches when Sebastian Larsson finished off a slick passing move in the 22nd minute.
Wigan Athletic's fixture against Bolton Wanderers yesterday was called off due to icy conditions around the stadium.
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