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Drogba rescues Chelsea
23/03/2008 20:28 - (SA)
Steve Griffiths
London - Didier Drogba kept alive Chelsea's Premier League title challenge as his double strike clinched a 2-1 win against Arsenal on Sunday.
Avram Grant's side were in danger of being cast adrift in the title race when Bacary Sagna headed Arsenal into a second-half lead at Stamford Bridge.
But Drogba equalised with a superb strike before snatching the winner nine minutes from full-time to move the Blues above Arsenal into second place.
It was a much-needed victory for Grant, who finally savoured the taste of success in a genuinely big match. But while Chelsea were celebrating a result that left them five points behind Manchester United, it was Alex Ferguson's leaders who were the real winners.
With Arsenal now six points adrift of United, the reigning champions are in pole position to retain their title. United still have to host Arsenal and visit the Bridge in April and Ferguson will have been rubbing his hands in glee at Arsenal's demise.
Look to have lost their nerve
Drogba's brace condemned the Gunners to their second league defeat this season and Arsene Wenger's team, who have gone five matches without a win, look to have lost their nerve with the finishing post in sight.
United's crushing win over Liverpool earlier on Sunday left neither side with any margin for error.
Wenger's side were the last visiting team to leave the Bridge celebrating three points in the league. But the Blues had gone an English record 77 matches unbeaten since that defeat way back in February 2004.
Chelsea had made the more promising start. Michael Ballack brought Manuel Almunia into action for the first time with a free-kick.
Arsenal were tentative in the early stages. Robin van Persie found his range midway through the half but Carlo Cudicini was equal to the Dutch striker's low shot on the turn.
Drogba had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock moments later when he beat the offside trap and raced onto John Terry's pass. A cool first touch would have allowed the striker to pull the trigger, instead he deflected the ball tamely off his knee to Almunia.
A surprisingly tepid first half briefly turned nasty when Wenger sprang to his feet to berate Ballack. The German, who had tumbled under Cesc Fabregas's challenge, responded with a volley of abuse towards the Gunners manager.
William Gallas somehow managed to hit the post from just a yard out, although a linesman's flag for offside spared his blushes.
Tried to up their tempo
Grant's side finished the half on top and Ballack's first-time shot drew a smart stop from Almunia at his near post.
With United disappearing out of sight, Arsenal couldn't carry on being so cautious after the break. Mathieu Flamini's powerful effort from a tight angle was well blocked by Cudicini as the Gunners tried to up their tempo.
Wenger's team were hardly dominating but they snatched the lead in the 59th minute.
Fabregas whipped in a corner towards Sagna, who escaped Kalou's attentions to direct a glancing header past Cudicini at his unguarded near post. It was a clever finish by the French right-back but Cudicini will be unhappy with his positioning.
Chelsea hit back immediately and, after Sagna limped off injured, Ashley Cole headed wastefully over before Ballack's half-volley was held by Almunia.
When Grant sent on Juliano Belletti for Ballack moments later, the Chelsea faithful responded in anger by chanting Jose Mourinho's name.
But they were celebrating in the 73rd minute. Gallas misjudged Belletti's long ball to Drogba, who may have been just offside before heading on to Lampard. The England midfielder's pass found Drogba and his ferocious finish gave Almunia no chance.
Drogba wasn't finished yet as Arsenal's poor defending was punished again in the 81st minute. Belletti's cross was flicked on by Nicolas Anelka to Drogba and he slammed home from close range.
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