Chelsea 4-1 Spartak Moscow
_______________________
Chelsea were never in trouble against Spartak Moscow at Stamford Bridge, but it is rare for them not to score in the first half, especially against a side they beat 2-0 away in Moscow.
They rested captain Terry and midfielder Essien and included several youngsters on the bench.
To Spartak’s credit, they came to Stamford Bridge and attacked and went close to scoring a couple of times in the opening half, although their coach, Valerie Karpin, cutting a stunning classical Russian figure in the technical area, rarely looked relaxed.
Three goals in 17 minutes in the second half put Chelsea well on top, while Spartak’s consolation goal looked off-side.
Ivanovic’s second goal of the match - his third goal in two outings - came deep into stoppage time and underlined the home side’s dominance.
Anelka opened the scoring in the 49th minute, running onto Kalou’s reverse pass to the right and lashing the ball across keeper Dykan and into the far corner of the net from an acute angle. It was Anelka’s 5th goal in four games in this season’s Champions League.
Makeev brought down Drogba in the 62nd minute to concede a penalty and Drogba despatched it himself with aplomb, although Dykan dived the correct way and just failed to reach the ball.
Four minutes later, Ivanovic headed home Drogba’s free-kick from the right to seal the match.
Substitute Bazhenov slid the ball home after looking off-side in the 86th minute to reduce the arrears, but Ivanovic smashed home a loose ball in the 2nd minute of stoppage time to make it 4-1.
The Scotsman McGeady looked good in patches for Spartak, as did Alex, the captain, but they were powerless to stop a Chelsea side that looks physically impressive. They must surely be one of the most athletic looking sides in world football and they just ooze confidence.
The win gives Chelsea a 100 per cent record in group F and they have now qualified for the final 16 of the European Champions League.
_________________________
Chelsea: Cech - Ferreira, Ivanovic, Alex, Cole - Mikel (McEachran 68), Ramires, Zhirkov - Kalou, Drogba (Sturridge 76), Anelka (Kakuta 76) [Substitutes not used: Turnbull, Terry, Van Aanholt, Bruma]
Booked: Mikel 38
Goals: Anelka 49, Drogba 62 pen, Ivanovic 66, 90+2
Spartak Moscow: Dykan - Ivanov, Pareja, Suchy, Makeev - Ibson, Shyeshukov (Drincic 67) - McGeady (Bazhenov 79), Alex (Kozlov 68), Kombarov - Welliton [Substitutes not used: Belanov, Sabitov, Khodyrev, Ananidze]
Booked: Kombarov 43, Ivanov 67
Goals: Bazhenov 86
Att: 40,477
Ref: C Cakir (Turkey)
12 comments:
Chelsea resting a few stars and playing a few young guns. Very good 2nd half.
Good wrap for the game. I didn't see it but learnt a bit about the match.
Kleberson
It seems to be an embarrassment of riches to leave Terry and Essien on the bench for a big match like this. Then to win easily as well is just too much!
Alf Ramsey
This was in no way a big match. Chelsea were always going to win.
a) it wasn't a must win game
b) It was at stamford bridge
c) Chelsea should be able to leave out a couple of stars in this situation and still win.
Beleive it or not Chelsea don't have alot of quality depth at the moment therefore need to rest star players in 'lower level games.'
I would have thought any game with the potential for a last 16 berth in the Champions League is a 'big game', regardless of the opposition.
Alf Ramsey
Chelsea have as good as depth as anyone in the league. You probably just haven't seen them play much.
"Chelsea have as good as depth as anyone in the league. You probably just haven't seen them play much."
I've been a Chelsea supporer for 12 years and watch each of their games. They don't have alot of quality depth no.
Qualification was inevitable win lose or draw in this game. The same cannot be said for the premier league.
They had out from there starting 11 Essien, Terry , Malouda, Boswinga, lampard.
Seem to be doing ok without them.
Benayoun was bought for some extra depth but is inj for the season.
Arsenal fans love talking about their depth and how they play all young kids in the carling cup and fa cup but they have won nothing for years.
Anon: 6:17 PM - That comment was incredibly out of context, unless I am blind Arsenal has not been mentioned in the nine previous comments before yours.
To all those who say that chelsea don't have a lot of depth at the moment Chelsea have an amazing crop of youngsters coming through, players such as Gael Kakuta, player of the recent UEFA Under 19 championship, Jeffery Bruma, who already has a full international cap for Holland at 18, Patrick Van Aaholt, an Ashley Cole clone, Fabio Borini, who recently scored ALL FIVE GOALS in the reserves 5-4 win, Daniel Sturridge, who had already broken into the first team at Man City and Josh McEachran, who at 17 is coming off the bench for Chelsea in pressure games such as the ones against Man City and Aston Villa.
I know they may seem a bit raw but them, with players such as Paulo Ferriera, Zhirkov, Ramires, Kalou and Benayoun, the bench of Chelsea has the right amount of youth and experience for Chelsea to go far in the competition.
Post a Comment