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Independent:
Mourinho's men bide their time as Wenger hails 'worthy champions' Chelsea 0 Arsenal 0 By Sam Wallace
21 April 2005
Even when Arsene Wenger eventually has to hand over the Premiership title to his cross-town rivals, he can console himself that the legacy he has built at Arsenal does not face imminent destruction. On the night when Chelsea were poised to grind beneath their feet everything that the Arsenal manager has cultivated, his team produced a performance of defiance that will sustain Wenger through the summer.
Despite that, it is still only a case of Premiership title postponed for Chelsea. For all the art and steel in Arsenal's performance, Wenger conceded that the trophy will belong to Jose Mourinho before long. Arsenal have another chance to delay Roman Abramovich's assumption of power in English football on Monday night by beating Tottenham, their oldest enemy of all, at Highbury. But they will not be able to prevent Chelsea's eventual triumph.
If Monday's game is won by the Premiership's second-placed team and how minor seem Arsenal's problems now when compared to those of Manchester United and Chelsea beat Fulham on Saturday, then Mourinho can finally bank his first English title away at Bolton on 30 April. A ground that epitomises northern England's brand of resistance as well as any other, the Reebok will make a fitting stage on which to crown a team whose appetite for victory in that part of the country was famously once questioned by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Last night was about consolidation against rather more local foes. Even though the changes at Stamford Bridge over the last two years have transformed it beyond the recognition of most, the inferiority complex that lingers in regard to Arsenal has still to be completely dispelled.
Against a Wenger side that refused to buckle, a draw, albeit one with far fewer incidents than December's 2-2 tie, was acceptable to a Chelsea team who do not wish anything to spoil their Premiership parade.
Arsenal have the qualities of Gilberto Silva to thank for toughening their centre and yet even the Brazilian was overshadowed by Robert Pires, whose blemishes on an impressive performance were three squandered chances.
The Arsenal manager beamed through his post-match press conference, conceding that Chelsea were "worthy champions" but eulogising the "education" his young players had benefited from this season.
There may have been Thierry Henry, but there was no delay from Arsenal in setting about Chelsea. In only the third minute Patrick Vieira turned away from Frank Lampard in the centre of midfield and directed possession out to Lauren, who crossed from the right. Jose Antonio Reyes outjumped Glen Johnson to present Pires with a clear strike of the ball, but his shot shivered the crossbar. You had to wonder what Henry would have done to a Chelsea defence that held out to the point of exhaustion in that heroic last stand in Munich one week ago.
In the 10th minute, John Terry's weak clearance struck Philippe Senderos and fell once again to Pires, who placed a side-footed shot just wide from the edge of the area.
Mourinho did not trouble the media with his thoughts after the match but in his programme notes he said he feared that his side's 11-point lead would deprive the match of "emotion and spice". It certainly appeared to have that effect on his side, who carved out their best chance just after the half-hour when Claude Makelele found Damien Duff, whose ball through to Didier Drogba presented the striker with a chance to beat Jens Lehmann. He stopped the shot with his legs.
Alone on Arsenal's left flank, Ashley Cole could scarcely have hoped for a quieter night on the occasion that was supposed to see him isolated in between the two clubs that both hope to secure his future. There was the faintest whisper of disapproval from the home fans, but this is a support that is too fixated on their first title in 50 years to let the saga over Cole's future distract them.
Pires' third chance of the night came on 58 minutes when Dennis Bergkamp strong-armed Johnson out of his path down the left and cut the ball back to the Frenchman via Reyes. He set himself to shoot and, as the Shed End braced itself, Lampard materialised by the Arsenal winger's shoulder and flicked the ball away to safety.
At the opposite end, Lampard was careless when Drogba's dummy presented him with a side-foot strike on goal that he swished wide. For the last 20 minutes neither side seemed capable of summoning the strength to deliver a meaningful blow. Reyes was booked for diving, Drogba artlessly blasted a free-kick over.
On the pitch at the end, Mourinho shook hands with each of his assistants in a gesture that, like everything else he does, was intended to come heavy with symbolism. If he was suggesting that the job has been done then few will deny Mourinho that, but he will hope to mark his side's coronation with a performance that is a more accurate reflection of their season of supremacy.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Johnson (Jarosik, 90), Carvalho, Terry, Gallas; Makelele; Cole (Tiago, 79), Lampard, Gudjohnsen, Duff (Kezman, 85); Drogba. Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Huth .
Arsenal (4-4-2): Lehmann; Lauren, Senderos, Toure, Cole; Fabregas (Aliadiere, 81), Vieira, Gilberto, Pires; Reyes, Bergkamp (Van Persie, 79). Substitutes not used: Almunia (gk), Edu, Campbell.
Referee: S Bennett (Kent).
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Telegraph:
Arsenal defiance looks all in vain By Henry Winter at Stamford Bridge Chelsea (0) 0 Arsenal (0) 0
All draws are equal, but some are more equal than others. As well as Arsenal performed at Stamford Bridge last night, certainly making a point with the quality of their play, Chelsea's supporters understandably celebrated wildly at their 11-point Premiership lead remaining intact.
Locked in battle: Joe Cole and Patrick Vieira at Stamford Bridge
Closer and closer, Jose Mourinho's clever, hard-working side move towards the title. Arsenal have prolonged the agony of surrendering their title yet if Chelsea defeat Fulham on Saturday, Arsene Wenger's side must vanquish Tottenham Hotspur, of all people, on Monday to keep the race going.
They know it is over, though. Yet Arsenal and their fans will take pride and pleasure from showing everyone the class that remains within, that will be launched on Chelsea next season. Goalless but far from soul-less, this was in fact a fine match, brimming with good touches and fine intentions. Played in great spirit, the game encapsulated many of the strengths of both sides. Some of Arsenal's approach work was bewitching, yet the defending of Chelsea players like Ricardo Carvalho was immense.
Mourinho had called on all parties, red and blue, to "show everyone why the Premiership is so special" and the players followed suit, the football was breathtaking. Even without injured talents like Arjen Robben, Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg, there was so much to seize the imagination.
Even the defenders contributed to the entertainment. Carvalho played the Portuguese pickpocket, spiriting the ball away from Arsenal attackers time and again. For the determined visitors, the dynamic Ashley Cole kept raiding down the left, ignoring a flurry of boos from the home fans and relishing his battle royal with Joe Cole and Glen Johnson.
The ball was guided from end to end, back and forth, almost dizzyingly. First Arsenal were dominant, patently unwilling to surrender their title without a fight. Defiance coursed through their fans, men in business suits standing up and launching invective about Chelsea's lack of class, about a comparative lack of history. Those of a blue persuasion responded mockingly, if a few days prematurely: "You're not champions any more".
For a while, though, Pires, Joe Cole and Patrick Vieira conjured up football of such grace and pace that it was like being transported back to last season. Arsenal certainly looked invincible in the early stages. Pires was magnificent, climaxing a quickfire break between Vieira, Lauren and Jose Antonio Reyes with a strike that almost sent the Chelsea groundstaff scrambling to find a new crossbar, such was the force of the missile that clattered into the woodwork.
Back came Chelsea, rising to the challenge, confident in the counter-attacking approach so well-honed by Mourinho. Eidur Gudjohnsen, so influential in his deeper role, went close. Then Frank Lampard, so influential wherever, whenever, saw a shot well held by Jens Lehmann.
The ball was immediately in Arsenal's sway again, soon presenting Pires with a wonderful shooting chance, but he dragged his shot wide. Pires, a ubiquitous figure, roamed productively inside, released by Ashley Cole's hunger to work the whole left flank. The Frenchman even unleashed a low 25-yarder that Petr Cech dropped smartly to tame.
The back-door treble-bolted by Cech, Carvalho and John Terry, and with Claude Makelele patrolling deep-midfield tenaciously, Chelsea had the confidence to advance. Their usual fruitful avenues out wide were clogged up by Lauren hounding Damien Duff and Ashley Cole hustling Joe Cole.
The joy of Chelsea under Mourinho is that they boast a Plan B. Taking a more direct route, they accelerated towards Lehmann's area. First Johnson lifted in a cross that Gudjohnsen headed over. Then Duff, building on possession gained by an immaculate Carvalho interception, released Didier Drogba, whose right-foot shot was well stopped by Lehmann. The Blues were in the mood, now Gudjohnsen bringing a crucial block from Pires, who embodied Arsenal's collective spirit.
Pires was not the only artist making superb clearances. Shortly before the hour mark, Pires himself let fly at goal, only for the athletic, highly aware Lampard to sprint back and hook the danger clear.
Back came Chelsea. They thought they had scored when William Gallas's cross was dummied by Drogba, presenting the ball to Lampard 20 yards out, in territory that has proved so fertile for him. This time, though, Lampard's trusty right foot placed the ball just wide.
The game could have done without a shameless dive by Reyes late on, completely out of keeping with a good-tempered contest. Mourinho continued to eat up a few seconds, sending on more subs, yet Chelsea still found time to whip in a free kick from Drogba that briefly startled Lehmann. Honours even, then, but the point for Chelsea felt like three.
Match details
Chelsea (4-1-2-2-1): Cech; Johnson, Carvalho, Terry, Gallas; Makelele; Gudjohnsen (Jarosik 90), Lampard; J Cole (Tiago,78), Duff (Kezman 85); Drogba. Subs: Cudicini (g), Huth. Booked: J Cole. Arsenal (4-4-2): Lehmann; Lauren, Toure, Senderos, Cole; Fabregas (Aliadiere 81), Vieira, Gilberto, Pires; Bergkamp (Van Persie 78), Reyes. Subs: Almunia (g), Edu, Campbell. Booked: Vieira, Reyes. Referee: S Bennett (Orpington).
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Times:
Waiting game almost over for Mourinho By Matt Dickinson, Chief Football Correspondent Chelsea 0 Arsenal 0 THEY have waited 50 years for the title, so another few days should not prove too upsetting for Chelsea. They may not cross the finish line at Stamford Bridge after last night's draw against the resolute defending champions, but during such a momentous season, that will barely register as a disappointment.
Assuming a home victory over Fulham on Saturday, the crown could be theirs as early as Monday, if Arsenal fail to beat Tottenham Hotspur. Champagne will be banned, though, given that Jose Mourinho's men face Liverpool in their European Cup semi-final first leg 48 hours later.
Wherever their title is clinched, and even Arsene Wenger conceded that the race is over, it will not be in nervous circumstances. They played out an unusually good-natured derby last night in a match notable for its good football and an almost total absence of controversy. Mourinho had predicted that this match would "lack a little bit of emotion and spice" and although it was pleasing on the eye, no nails were bitten to the quick on either side.
Arsenal will surrender their crown soon enough, but they left with their pride, and Wenger's record of never having lost to Chelsea in 17 Premiership matches intact. Chelsea played well enough to maintain their momentum, but with energy to conserve for the battles against Liverpool, they will be happy to draw their way to the title.
In Ricardo Carvalho, they had the game's outstanding player, although Robert Pires was not far behind. For most of a long winter, the Frenchman had reverted to the effete, peripheral winger who arrived from Marseilles five years ago and he has been reinvigorated just as the season enters its concluding phase. Typical, one might say, of Arsenal in general, although Wenger believes that there are many positives to be taken from the campaign, despite the failure to defend their crown.
"After the (unbeaten) season we had last year, we knew it couldn't get better," he said, "but we still have 71 points. Chelsea have been exceptional, but this team is ready again to challenge next season. It took us a while to recover the spirit, the motivation, the belief and the stability after losing at Manchester United (in October), but the young players like Van Persie, Fabregas and Clichy have learnt a lot."
They might have given Chelsea a fright if they had taken an early lead. Pires hit the bar with a thunderous volley, then pulled a shot across goal. "That was the turning point," Wenger said. "If we had scored the first goal, Chelsea would have had to come out."
To be fair to Mourinho's players, they did respond after sluggish beginnings. Sloppiest of all was Didier Drogba, but the big forward started to bully Philippe Senderos. The young Switzerland centre half could have looked at the other end for a masterclass in his art.
John Terry has been Chelsea's dominant defender this season so much so that he will be named the PFA's Player of the Year on Sunday evening but Carvalho was superb, intercepting, tackling cleanly and using his pace to shepherd opponents away from goal. Even if Thierry Henry had been fit, Carvalho would have fancied his chances.
If Arsenal were missing anyone, it was Sol Campbell. He might have countered Drogba's growing influence, with the man from the Ivory Coast blocked by Jens Lehmann in the first half and shooting wide shortly after the interval.
Wenger and Steve Clarke, Mourinho's assistant, disagreed over which team had created the best chances, but this was a night when everyone finished shaking hands. "You have seen a good football game," both coaches said and it was even a relatively peaceful occasion for Ashley Cole, who responded to some jeers by enjoying the better of his tussle with Joe Cole.
"My dream was that this game could be like a final, the decider of the championship," Mourinho had said before kick-off. With no prize at stake, it was all untypically calm.
CHELSEA (4-1-4-1): P Cech G Johnson, R Carvalho, J Terry, W Gallas C Makelele J Cole (sub: Tiago, 79min), E Gudjohnsen (sub: J Jarosik, 90), F Lampard, D Duff (sub: M Kezman, 85) D Drogba. Substitutes not used: C Cudicini, R Huth. Booked: Cole.
ARSENAL (4-4-2): J Lehmann Lauren, K Toure, P Senderos, A Cole F Fabregas (sub: J Aliadiere, 81) , Gilberto Silva, P Vieira, R Pires J A Reyes, D Bergkamp (sub: R van Persie, 79). Substitutes not used: M Almunia, Edu, S Campbell. Booked: Vieira, Reyes, Pires.
Referee: S Bennett. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guardian;
Chelsea withstand Arsenal advances and inch towards title
Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge Thursday April 21, 2005 The Guardian
There was a small step towards the title and a long look into next season. Though Chelsea know now that they need a maximum of five more points to be champions, they will respect the worth of a re-emerging Arsenal. Arsene Wenger is evidently making progress in his development of the Highbury squad. The rival managers and the spectators should also have enjoyed this occasion for its own sake. There will be neither howling recriminations nor the intrusion of the FA's disciplinary department When Chelsea pause to check their whereabouts they will realise that the title is still close. A victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge will suffice if Arsenal do not win the derby with Spurs two days later. Failing that, Chelsea could take the trophy by defeating Bolton Wanderers on April 30. Such an outcome would stretch even Jose Mourinho's capacity for self-satisfaction. He predicted many months ago that the Premiership would be clinched at the Reebok. His bombastic traits were suppressed here, though, when Arsenal were giving a vivid account of themselves and dominating the opening 20 minutes. Chelsea rallied to enjoy the clearer opportunities, which were often made and missed by the barnstorming Didier Drogba, but this outcome was just. There might be the merest tremor of concern over fading energy since the team also shared the points in their last home fixture, with Birmingham City.
Such stutters are offset by the sleek manoeuvres they produced intermittently against Arsenal. There is comfort as well in a first clean sheet for Chelsea in six months and Ricardo Carvalho's magisterial judgment of defensive issues augurs well for the Champions League.
The back four has received increased attention on the training ground lately and needed the schooling. Arsenal are a doubly vengeful club. They are hurt by the inevitable loss of their title and stung as much by the assumption that they are no longer to be ranked alongside Mourinho's men. Until the comparatively recent Champions League quarter-final last year this squad had, after all, beaten Chelsea whenever necessary.
Arsenal started the match as if it were a formality to turn back time. Once more they were quick of pass and thought. The confident enterprise was visible when Robert Pires hit the bar after three minutes. Lauren crossed from the right and Jose Antonio Reyes's challenge was enough to invite the Frenchman to lash the drive that came back off the woodwork. Mourinho might have blessed his luck, but was more probably cursing the ill fortune that brought injury to Paulo Ferreira, a defender who is starting to seem irreplaceable.
After being omitted for the Champions League tie in Munich, Glen Johnson received another opportunity to prove himself a worthy alternative at right-back. He was, none the less, beaten in the air by, of all people, Reyes, who delivered the knock-down for that Pires effort. Johnson gave an acceptable display overall, but Chelsea had gone through one or two perturbing experiences.
Pires had a further opening in the 10th minute when a John Terry clearance took a ricochet and fell to him on the right, but his finish flew wide of the far post. Mourinho's side, all the same, are always prepared to build a performance slowly.
Chelsea were to bring growing powers steadily to bear. Ashley Cole, accused of taking part in unauthorised talks about a move to Stamford Bridge, must have felt much too well acquainted with Chelsea as Drogba, in particular, came pounding into the left-back's territory.
There was every indication, too, that the forward could put Chelsea in command. In the 31st minute, Claude Makelele struck a diagonal pass to Damien Duff on the left and he ferried the ball across to the right, where Drogba broke through to fire against the legs of Jens Lehmann.
The Ivory Coast striker relished a more adroit manoeuvre three minutes later when he was set up for a run that carried him across Philippe Senderos to play a cut-back. Joe Cole was unable to connect with it properly. A minute from the interval, Drogba showed another aspect of his play by operating as a target man. With his back to goal, he laid a pass into the path of Cole, who fired high.
The destiny of the fixture appeared to lie with the fortunes of this attacker, who was never quite precise enough. When Duff made a run and cross after 56 minutes the Arsenal defence was lax in letting Drogba peel off to gather it for a shot which flew wide.
With 66 minutes gone, Frank Lampard came close to tipping Arsenal into despair. Drogba stepped over a William Gallas cut-back and the midfielder sent a shot barely past the near post from the edge of the area.
Arsenal, relieved as they might have been then, had shown that, despite the absence of Sol Campbell, they would not collapse defensively on this ground as Barcelona and Bayern Munich had done. Last night's game ended with points and contentment shared by two good teams.
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Sun:
Chelsea 0 Arsenal 0
By SUN ONLINE REPORTER
ARSENAL put a temporary halt to Chelsea's title charge with a well-earned draw at Stamford Bridge.
This goalless stalemate never threatened to live up to its star billing of first versus second.
But the Blues will not mind waiting another week or so to seal their first championship in 50 years.
They had hoped to be lifting the Premiership trophy against rivals Fulham on Saturday.
Instead they must hope Tottenham can avoid defeat to Arsenal on Monday and they win at Bolton on April 30.
Either way, the title baton is clearly being passed on, although Arsenal managed to display the kind of resolve at Stamford Bridge that will be needed to hang on to Ashley Cole, if not the title.
In midfield, Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fabregas tackled voraciously, even if Frank Lampard matched them step for step in an enthralling personal contest.
And while the Gunners patently lacked the cutting edge of Thierry Henry up front, Philippe Senderos and Kolo Toure coped manfully with the physical threat of Didier Drogba.
It was, however, still too little, too late as only victory could have reignited Arsenal's faint hopes of actually retaining their title for the first time under Arsene Wenger.
With just two minutes gone, Jose Antonio Reyes, of all people, won a header against Glen Johnson and Robert Pires thundered a volley against the underside of the bar.
The ball, however, stayed out and Pires wasted an even better chance when he dragged his shot wide of the far post after John Terry's attempted clearance had been blocked.
While Pires' low shot was also saved by Petr Cech, Arsenal found Terry and Ricardo Carvalho in a determined mood.
When they got the chance, the Blues countered with characteristic pace. Indeed, with 31 minutes gone, they broke as Claude Makelele fired a swift pass through to Damien Duff, who scampered into space before slipping the ball to Drogba.
His shot was nevertheless saved by Jens Lehmann with his legs, while Joe Cole could not quite reach the Chelsea striker's cross soon afterwards.
William Gallas needed to cover across to block Gilberto Silva's path to goal, but otherwise the home side were growing in stature as the interval approached.
It was left to Lampard to rally Chelsea as he took the ball off Pires' foot just as the Frenchman was taking aim in front of goal.
He was also there at the other end, firing just inches wide after Drogba's clever dummy, while the Ivory Coast international also came agonisingly close from Duff's cutback.
Indeed, now it was Chelsea imposing themselves on the game, with Lampard flashing a free-kick just wide. Still the deadlock remained though.
Both sides made changes, with the arrivals of Robin van Persie and Jeremie Aliadiere proving Arsenal's need for victory, while the combative Tiago showed Chelsea's resolve as he came on for Joe Cole.
And while Mateja Kezman also came on for Duff, whose volley had just been blocked, and Drogba fired just over the bar, there was no late drama, even if Wenger became rather rattled on the sidelines.
The champagne, meanwhile, remains on ice - but surely only for a week or two longer.
DREAM TEAM STAR MAN
SUN RATINGS
RICARDO CARVALHO (Chelsea). So cool in defence.
CHELSEA: Cech 6, Johnson 6, Carvalho 9, Terry 8, Gallas 6, Makelele 6, Gudjohnsen 6 (Jarosik 5), Lampard 7, Cole 7 (Tiago 5), Duff 6 (Kezman 5), Drogba 6. Subs not used: Cudicini, Huth. Booked: Cole.
ARSENAL: Lehmann 7, Lauren 7, Toure 7, Senderos 8, Cole 6, Fabregas 7 (Aliadiere 5), Vieira 8, Silva 7, Pires 7, Bergkamp 6 (Van Persie 5), Reyes 6. Subs not used: Almunia, Edu, Campbell. Booked: Vieira, Pires, Reyes.