Chelsea held by battling Hull
Source: Agencies |
February 4, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PREMIER League leader Chelsea could only draw 1-1 at relegation-threatened Hull City on Tuesday as it squandered the chance to move four points clear of Manchester United in the title race.
Didier Drogba's free-kick shortly before halftime cancelled out Hull's opener scored by Steven Mouyokolo but Chelsea could not force the winner after the break despite late pressure.
Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea have 55 points from 24 games with champion United on 53. Third-placed Arsenal, which plays at Chelsea at the weekend, is on 49 points.
Hull, one of four sides on 21 points near the foot of the table, remains in the relegation zone on goal difference.
While Chelsea's form at Stamford Bridge has been immaculate with just two league points dropped all season, it has been far less impressive away from home and it was not at its best again on Tuesday.
Chelsea began well with Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack both forcing Hull keeper Boaz Myhill into early action but it lost its way as the first half wore on and fell behind to the kind of set piece that has troubled them all season.
Stephen Hunt swung in a corner and Mouyokolo found himself unmarked to head past Petr Cech from close range.
The goal stung Chelsea into action and Hull's joy was cut short three minutes before halftime when Drogba curled in a free-kick for his first goal since returning from African Nations Cup duty with Ivory Coast.
Anthony Gardner missed a great chance to put Hull back into the lead while Daniel Sturridge nearly grabbed a vital win for Chelsea with a late effort saved by Myhill.
Chelsea skipper John Terry, who is mired in controversy after newspaper allegations about his private life, had a quiet night although he was subject to abuse by Hull fans.
Terry's future as England captain could be decided this week by coach Fabio Capello.
Also on Tuesday, Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wigan were knocked out of the FA Cup after losing fourth-round replays to lower-league sides.
Crystal Palace defender Danny Butterfield scored a hat-trick in seven second-half minutes to give the League Championship side a 3-1 win over Wolves, while Wigan was humiliated 0-2 by visiting Notts County of the fourth tier.
In Scotland, Celtic lost more ground on Scottish Premier League leader Rangers in a 0-1 loss at struggling Kilmarnock.
Celtic gave a debut to striker Robbie Keane just a day after the Ireland captain joined on loan from English club Tottenham but Kilmarnock secured just its fourth win of the season when Chris Maguire marked his own debut with a 53rd-minute goal.
While Keane missed chances in each half, Maguire scored with a low shot from inside the area following an exchange of passes between Mehdi Taouil and Tim Clancy.
Didier Drogba's free-kick shortly before halftime cancelled out Hull's opener scored by Steven Mouyokolo but Chelsea could not force the winner after the break despite late pressure.
Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea have 55 points from 24 games with champion United on 53. Third-placed Arsenal, which plays at Chelsea at the weekend, is on 49 points.
Hull, one of four sides on 21 points near the foot of the table, remains in the relegation zone on goal difference.
While Chelsea's form at Stamford Bridge has been immaculate with just two league points dropped all season, it has been far less impressive away from home and it was not at its best again on Tuesday.
Chelsea began well with Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack both forcing Hull keeper Boaz Myhill into early action but it lost its way as the first half wore on and fell behind to the kind of set piece that has troubled them all season.
Stephen Hunt swung in a corner and Mouyokolo found himself unmarked to head past Petr Cech from close range.
The goal stung Chelsea into action and Hull's joy was cut short three minutes before halftime when Drogba curled in a free-kick for his first goal since returning from African Nations Cup duty with Ivory Coast.
Anthony Gardner missed a great chance to put Hull back into the lead while Daniel Sturridge nearly grabbed a vital win for Chelsea with a late effort saved by Myhill.
Chelsea skipper John Terry, who is mired in controversy after newspaper allegations about his private life, had a quiet night although he was subject to abuse by Hull fans.
Terry's future as England captain could be decided this week by coach Fabio Capello.
Also on Tuesday, Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers and Wigan were knocked out of the FA Cup after losing fourth-round replays to lower-league sides.
Crystal Palace defender Danny Butterfield scored a hat-trick in seven second-half minutes to give the League Championship side a 3-1 win over Wolves, while Wigan was humiliated 0-2 by visiting Notts County of the fourth tier.
In Scotland, Celtic lost more ground on Scottish Premier League leader Rangers in a 0-1 loss at struggling Kilmarnock.
Celtic gave a debut to striker Robbie Keane just a day after the Ireland captain joined on loan from English club Tottenham but Kilmarnock secured just its fourth win of the season when Chris Maguire marked his own debut with a 53rd-minute goal.
While Keane missed chances in each half, Maguire scored with a low shot from inside the area following an exchange of passes between Mehdi Taouil and Tim Clancy.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
