Ballack keeps Chelsea on track

2008-01-31 07:31

London - Michael Ballack scored the only goal of the game at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday as Chelsea maintained their English Premiership title chase with victory over visitors Reading.

The Germany captain headed in Paulo Ferreira's cross in the 32nd minute to keep the pressure up on the championship front-runners Manchester United and Arsenal.

And the League Cup finalists, boosted in their pre-match build-up by Argentina legend Diego Maradona's training ground visit, equalled the club record of nine wins in a row set in 2005.

Reading showed some resolute defending but Chelsea's class ultimately told.

The Blues remain third in the Premiership table, four points behind the leaders Manchester United.

The Royals are 16th, two points above the relegation zone, having gone eight games without victory, winning just two of their last 15.

Chelsea boss Avram Grant brought in Ballack and Ferreira for Steve Sidwell and Juliano Belletti in changes to the team that won 2-1 at Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

France striker Nicolas Anelka, signed from Bolton for 15 million pounds, made his first start for the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

Royals manager Steve Coppell replaced flu victim Dave Kitson with John Oster in the only change from the 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on January 19.

Reading won two corners in the first two minutes but Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech was not troubled by Leroy Lita's header.

Chelsea then laid siege to the Shed End and only some fine goalkeeping by Marcus Hahnemann kept the Blues at bay.

The USA goalkeeper stopped two early Ballack efforts, comfortably gathering an early low shot and keeping out a curling free kick.

Hahnemann pulled off an excellent save in the 20th minute when winger Joe Cole cut in from the left and blasted a shot towards the top left hand corner of his goal.

Three minutes later, Reading had the American to thank again as he charged off his line to smother a shot from Shaun Wright-Phillips, who had split the Royals' defence.

However, no matter how good Hahnemann was, he could not hold out forever and Chelsea scored in the 32nd minute.

Cole sent Ferreira clear down the right and the Portugal right-back sent a curling cross from the goal-line into the penalty area. Central midfielder Ballack shrugged off marker Stephen Hunt to plant a powerful header beyond Hahnemann's dive.

Immediately after the interval, Cole carried on where Chelsea left off, surging down the right and blasting a shot just across the face of goal.

England's Wright-Phillips, playing a more central midfield role, should have done better with a close-range shot five minutes later.

Anelka should have made it 2-0 in the 65th minute when a Wayne Bridge cross found him unmarked in the penalty box but Hahnemann deflected his header wide.

James Harper threatened Chelsea with a sucker punch but he got his feet in a tangle and wasted a great chance in front of goal when played in by Lita.

Both managers made substitutions in the hope of finding a goal but despite an up-tempo finish, neither side could score.

Reading can take heart from the way they kept Chelsea at bay, something which should stand them in good stead against lesser teams in their relegation battle.

But Chelsea keep their chase for four major trophies and Grant is coolly ensuring that his predecessor Jose Mourinho barely gets a mention these days at Stamford Bridge.

- AFP