Selfish Drog costs Chelsea
December 12th 2010 21:19
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
After an entertaining, and pulsating 90 minutes at White Hart Lane this afternoon, there was one moment in the 91st minute, which could well have defined Chelsea's season. Fifteen minutes after regular, and reliable, penalty taker Frank Lampard had made his long awaited return from injury, the Champions were awarded a spot kick to win the match. But instead of Frank, Didier Drogba stepped up, and missed, meaning it finished 1-1.
Tottenham started very well, and took a deserved lead in the 15th minute through Roman Pavlyuchencko. There were suspicions of offside as Jermain Defoe collected the ball, but the English striker did brilliantly to find his Russian team mate just outside the box. Pavlyuchencko then passed two Chelsea defenders with his first touch, before beating Petr Cech at his front post.
Spurs went onto to dominate much of the first half, ending the first 45 minutes 1-0 up. But the half time introduction of Drogba, replacing Mikel, opened the game up. The second half was a joy to watch, with both teams attacking, and with end to end action. Gomez was at fault as he failed to stop Drogba's tame effort finding the net, to equalise for Chelsea with twenty minutes to go.
It was great to see with the scores level, both sides making attacking substitutions, and really going for the win. And it appeared it was the away side who's gamble had paid off. Drogba's flick on saw Ramires pulled down in the box by goalkeeper Gomez. The Spurs keeper had already made a mistake for Chelsea's goal, now he had given away a penalty, could he redeem himself?
With Lampard watching on, Drogba's tame penalty was saved by the Brazilian goalkeeper, and the game ended 1-1. Chelsea have now won just one of their last eight matches, and this was a massive two points dropped given that injury time miss. They now sit fourth in the Premier League, with Arsenal and Manchester United ahead of them, despite having played less matches. Things don't get any easier next week, as they face Manchester United.
As for Spurs, they remain the dark horses for the title, five points off top in 5th. But with just one point separating the top four, this season still promises to be the closest title race ever, and Tottenham may well fancy their chances yet.
The other results from Sunday were;
Bolton Wanderers 2 Blackburn Rovers 1
Wolves 1 Birmingham City 0
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