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The TimesJanuary 31, 2008Chelsea keep pressure on rivals with German bite from BallackMatt HughesAvram Grant may dress like an undertaker, but the manner in which hehas breathed fresh life into Chelsea's title challenge suggests thathe could easily retrain as a paramedic.Grant's team continued their dogged pursuit of Manchester United andArsenal with a ninth successive victory in all competitions thatequals the club record. Michael Ballack's first-half header was allthat separated the teams on the scoresheet, although in terms ofability the gap was wider than the grandest of canyons. Much mysterysurrounds how a relatively unknown man such as Grant has moulded astar-studded squad into a formidable fighting unit that has won 23 ofhis 30 matches in charge, although the answer may be straightforwardafter all.His players are simply playing better. Of last night's starting XI,Alex, Wayne Bridge, Claude Makelele, Ballack, Shaun Wright-Phillipsand Joe Cole are performing at a far higher level than they were underJosé Mourinho at the start of the season, while Petr Cech and RicardoCarvalho have maintained their customary excellence. Nicolas Anelkahas just arrived, so only Paulo Ferreira remains utterly average.While everyone — including the plodding Portugal player — contributed,this win was crafted by the classy midfield triumvirate of Makelele,Ballack and Wright-Phillips, whose impressive performances over thepast few weeks deserve to be rewarded today by a place in FabioCapello's first England squad.Wright-Phillips needs to improve his finishing, as was demonstratedwhen he was twice denied when one-on-one with Marcus Hahnemann, butthe increased confidence with which he is carrying and passing theball suggests that sharper shooting is within his compass. Makelele'senduring quality is less of a surprise, but the France player hasappeared revitalised in recent weeks, particularly in possession,while Ballack's powerful header was a carbon copy of many of the goalshe scored for Bayern Munich, but were conspicuous by their absenceduring his troubled first season at Chelsea.The 31-year-old leapt like a younger man above Stephen Hunt to meetFerreira's cross for his fifth goal of the season, which left Grantpurring, although whether the convalescing Frank Lampard enjoyed theexquisite execution remains to be seen. "I've known Ballack a longtime and didn't think he was as bad last season as everyone said,"Grant said. "He's a very modern player. He gets into the box, scoresgoals and makes assists."I told Makelele at the beginning [of Grant's tenure] that I would notuse him all the time, but only when I need him. I think he becomesyounger every match. Whenever the team need him he's there."With Chelsea unbeaten in 75 home league matches stretching back almostfour years, Reading had travelled in hope rather than expectation andtheir plans were further disrupted shortly before kick-off when DaveKitson was ruled out with a flu bug, an untimely setback given that heis known to feature in Capello's thoughts. Given such problems,Reading did well to start brightly, with Leroy Lita bringing a goodsave from Cech in the second minute, but Chelsea soon assumed control.Makelele continued the imperious form that has resulted in him makingfive successive starts since returning from an ear operation, to givethe home team dominance of midfield that Wright-Phillips and Ballackset about exploiting.Wright-Phillips has been a revelation since being moved to a centralrole, with his pace and energy helping to disguise his erraticdelivery and Hunt and James Harper were unable to keep up with him.The England midfield player won a free kick with an electric run fromwhich Ballack almost scored and played in Anelka before the Germanycaptain finally opened the scoring.Chelsea will need to develop more ruthlessness than they displayed ina lacklustre second half to maintain their challenge, but SteveCoppell, the Reading manager, believes that they could push United andArsenal all the way. "At the moment they're grinding out resultsrather than playing calypso football, but as long as they keep winningthere'll be no complaints," Coppell said. "With the players they'vegot to come back from the African Nations Cup, it's all to play for.Chelsea have a lot to do, but they're capable of doing it. You couldsee them going the rest of the season unbeaten."And to think that when Grant was appointed first-team coach Chelseawere presumed to be dead and buried.Chelsea (4-1-4-1): P Cech – P Ferreira, Alex, R Carvalho, W Bridge – CMakelele – J Cole, S Wright-Phillips (sub: S Sidwell, 86min), MBallack, F Malouda (sub: C Pizarro, 76) – N Anelka. Substitutes notused: C Cudicini, S Sinclair, T Ben Haim.Reading (4-4-2): M Hahnemann – G Murty, I Ingimarsson, K Cissé, NShorey – J Oster (sub: M Matejovsky, 81), S Hunt, J Harper, R Convey(sub: L Rosenior, 86) – L Lita, K Doyle. Substitutes not used: AFederici, U De La Cruz, A Bennett.Referee: M Dean.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Telegraph:Michael Ballack is beginning to look the bossBy Oliver BrownChelsea (1) 1 Reading (0) 0Somebody sometime is going to have to give Avram Grant his due. TheChelsea manager is assuredly no headline-writer's dream, but it hastaken his curiously muted method to produce a winning streak of ninegames, equalling the club record. A ragged Reading restricted his sideto only one goal, but if ever a scoreline lied it was here, as Chelsea- inspired by a revitalised Michael Ballack - delivered the type ofstylish exhibition that looks set to stop Manchester United andArsenal from streaking off into the sunset.It was, predictably, the conspicuous omission of Ashley Cole thatstirred the most murmurs, as Grant chose to keep him out of sightwhile salacious rumours about the left-back's private life blew over.A pity, really, because in Cole's absence - and indeed, in that ofsuch talismen as Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, both indisposed atthe Africa Cup of Nations - Chelsea found their range, cultivating acute passing game that aesthetically eclipsed the dour defensive artsbeloved by Jose Mourinho.Grant, with the cerebral support of first-team coach Henk Ten Cate,has introduced a rare intricacy to Chelsea's play; evident in thevision of Florent Malouda, the fearsome pace of Joe Cole, and theenduring doggedness of Claude Makelele. But most of all the Israeli'sbeautiful blueprint was reflected in the resurgent confidence ofBallack, as dominant in defence as he was accomplished in attack. Afirst-half header that exemplified the German's physical threat wasthe least he deserved.Where Nicolas Anelka was contained all evening, Ballack made anemphatic statement of intent. Shaun Wright-Phillips had already beendenied at point-blank range by Marcus Hahnemann before Ballack,profiting from Cole's irresistible surge on the right, contrived abreakthrough in the 33rd minute. The England winger picked out theoverlapping Paulo Ferreira, a delicious cross ensued, Ballack stoodtall, Stephen Hunt dropped off, and the ball was in the back of theReading's net with an ease that even caused Grant to smile.To be fair, the Chelsea manager, in his familiar black match-day garb,cannot help looking so sinister sometimes. He was also on unusuallyanimated form here, as his team's vast superiority continued to befrustrated. The second half was just 15 seconds old when Cole stolethe ball off Nicky Shorey and unleashed a raking drive that onlyfractionally evaded the far post. Kevin Doyle, creating an opening forLeroy Lita, signalled the briefest of ripostes, before Anelka ruffledReading once more with a header from Wayne Bridge's looping pass.Perhaps the one Chelsea talent not so sucessfully translated fromMourinho to Grant is the ability to kill a game off, and there was anedgy moment 10 minutes from time when John Oster's arrowing free-kicksailed beyond Petr Cech's flailing arm. But the ability to hold firmeven at times of doubt and strain is a similarly enviable gift. Thusdid Chelsea prevail - any other outcome, for all Reading's resilience,would have been frankly perverse.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Indy:Chelsea 1 Reading 0: Ballack maintains Chelsea's pursuitBy Jason BurtThursday, 31 January 2008A first home league win for Chelsea against Reading since 1929 which,given they have played each other only a couple of times in theintervening years, is not as startling a statistic as it sounds. No,the real impression last night was left by Avram Grant's side on thepitch with a performance rich in creativity – through a midfieldtriumvirate brilliantly marshalled by the indefatigable ClaudeMakelele – and intent.There was an impressive statistic, however. The result earned a ninthsuccessive victory – which, interestingly, equalled the club recordset only two years ago by a certain Jose Mourinho. And still thesupporters do not chant for Grant, even if he has achieved the featwithout many of the "untouchables" anointed by the Special One. One ofthem did score, however, Michael Ballack's powerful first-half headersettling the contest.It was not, according to Steve Coppell, "calypso football". But therewas certainly enough rhythm to dispose of the Reading manager's teammore convincingly than the score-line suggests, even if they almostpaid a heavy price when James Harper was presented with a clear sightof goal by Leroy Lita only to make a hash of his volley.Still, Coppell was impressed enough to add that the title was now a"three-horse race". And he went on: "Chelsea will have to keep winningbut you could see them going through the rest of the season unbeaten."Grant was unsure about that, of course, but said his immediate aim wasto remain in touch until his reinforcements arrive from the AfricanNations Cup and the treatment table – and Ashley Cole, perhaps, putshis personal problems behind him."We should have scored more goals," Grant lamented. "Their goalkeeperwas great but it was more that we missed." Shaun Wright-Phillips,lively and energetic, was particularly culpable, wasting twoone-on-ones after being released by Makelele, who has not only assumedthe captaincy but a previously unheralded ability to pick a decisiveforward pass.It did not help Reading's cause that they lacked Dave Kitson, absentthrough a bout of flu, although Coppell maintained it did not affecthis planning. That planning certainly did not include standing offtheir opponents for the opening 45 minutes as Reading were "passive"and Chelsea quickly piled on waves of attacks through Wright-Phillipsand Joe Cole.Marcus Hahnemann did indeed pull off a series of alert saves, notablypushing away Cole's drive, but flapped at a corner only for John Osterto hook the ball off the goal-line. Again Reading failed to clear andPaulo Ferreira broke on the right and crossed deep for Ballack,returning from a calf injury, to arrive late in the penalty area, leapand thump a header into the net.Coppell said his team "had a go" in the second half and he was right.But just a dozen seconds after the restart they should have fallenfurther behind as Cole dispossessed Nicky Shorey only to drag his shotnarrowly past the far post as Nicolas Anelka lunged to meet the ball.Anelka then pulled away to be picked out by Wayne Bridge. His headerthudded into the turf and sped goalwards only for Hahnemann to push itaround the post.Suddenly, however, the opportunities dried up and the confidence ofReading, now eight games without a win but surely too good to besucked into a relegation scrap, grew. Chelsea's lack of comfortbetrayed the way they had, earlier, dominated. That was a concern forGrant but he was right in his summary. He was charged with providingmore "style" and, slowly, Chelsea are getting there.Goal: Ballack (32) 1-0Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech; Ferreira, Alex, Carvalho, Bridge;Wright-Phillips (Sidwell, 86), Makelele, Ballack, J Cole; Anelka,Malouda (Pizarro, 76). Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Sinclair,Ben-Haim.Reading (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Murty, Cissé, Ingimarsson, Shorey; Oster(Matejovsky, 81), Harper, Hunt, Convey (Rosenior, 85); Lita, Doyle.Substitutes not used: Federici (gk), De la Cruz, Bennett.Referee: M Dean (The Wirral).Man of the match: Makelele.Attendance: 41,171.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ballack quickens Chelsea pulses but still no one mentions the titleDavid Hytner at Stamford BridgeThursday January 31, 2008The GuardianChelsea's pursuit of Manchester United and Arsenal in the race for thetitle has been characterised by prosaic qualities. As injuries havebitten and the African Cup of Nations has made its demands, they haveground out results. Last night, they finally quickened the pulses.Victory was their sixth in seven Premier League matches and a ninth insuccession in all competitions, equalling the club record. It alsofeatured patches of the free-flowing football that is craved by RomanAbramovich, the billionaire owner. The points were the bottom line butShaun Wright-Phillips' and Joe Cole's artistry, in particular, provedcheer and the gloss.This was a scoreline that deceived. Chelsea ought to have won by ahandful, and not only by Michael Ballack's fifth goal of the season."We should have scored more goals, the [Reading] goalkeeper was greatbut it was more us missing," said Avram Grant, the manager. "I hopethat every game we play like this and create chances."Chelsea had drawn with Reading in the corresponding fixture lastseason, on Boxing Day - a result that they felt keenly in the finalreckoning - and are keenly aware that they have no margin for errorthis time out. The tightness of the race promises a thrilling run-in.Chelsea are determined not to blink first. "They have a lot to do butthey are capable of doing it," said Steve Coppell, the Readingmanager. "It's a three-horse race but you can easily see Chelsea goingthrough the season without losing a game."Ballack had missed their previous two fixtures with a calf problem buthis return helped to energise the team. He was involved in many oftheir best moments and it was fitting that his towering header was thedifference. Cole released Paulo Ferreira, he got past Nicky Shorey andstood up an inviting cross from the by-line. Ballack ghosted in behindIvar Ingimarsson and got above Stephen Hunt to thump the ball pastMarcus Hahnemann. "Ballack is a modern player because he can doeverything," said Grant. "One of his qualities is to come late intothe box and score or provide assists." Coppell lamented his team beingtoo "passive" in the first-half, only "running alongside Chelsea", andfor him, the half-time whistle could not come too soon.Nicolas Anelka, from Ballack's pass, was denied by Graeme Murty'sblock, Joe Cole drew a diving save from Hahnemann with a 20-yard driveand Wright-Phillips, keeping his balance beautifully after ClaudeMakelele's pass and Murty's challenge, found the Reading goalkeepertoo good when one on one.There was no sign of Ashley Cole, the Chelsea England left-back who isfighting to save his marriage, while Reading missed their striker DaveKitson because of a knee injury and a dose of the flu. Reading showednothing more than flickers - Petr Cech did not have a save to make -and it was Chelsea,who were in charge. Reading have now lost fivesuccessive games in the Premier League.Chelsea had an easy rhythm about them and with runners breakingforward en masse, the game should have been over early in the secondhalf. But for Hahnemann and some loose finishing, it would have been.Once again, the American goalkeeper was confronted by Wright-Phillips,one on one, after the England midfielder had drifted on to anotherprecise Makelele through ball and once again he left his line smartlyto block.Cole had earlier flashed a shot inches past the far post and justahead of the onrushing Nicolas Anelka while Wright-Phillips slashedthe ball over the bar after good work from Florent Malouda and Anelka.At least Hahnemann enjoyed himself. When Anelka converged unmarked onto Wayne Bridge's cross, the goalkeeper smuggled his downward headerto safety.While only Ballack's goal separated the teams Chelsea could not relax,and they had a moment of grave alarm when Leroy Lita barrelled downthe left and crossed for James Harper, but he miskicked his volleyhorribly. Chelsea eased home and it is now 76 Premier League gameswithout defeat at Stamford Bridge. "[Manchester] United look at us andthink, 'Why are Chelsea winning so much," smiled Grant. "I knowbecause I have spoken to Alex [Ferguson] about this. I wanted to stayin this position [third] and then we will see what happens."--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mail:Ballack is on high as Blues eye summitChelsea 1 Reading 0By MATT BARLOWMichael Ballack knows the value of timing. Slowly and without fuss, hehas returned to the Chelsea team to fill the void created by theabsence of so many influential first-teamers.Last night, Ballack stepped up again with a majestic first-half headerto settle the nerves as Avram Grant's team dominated Reading butfailed to compile the goals their superiority deserved.During the extended absence of John Terry, Frank Lampard and DidierDrogba, Ballack has established himself as the heartbeat of this team.Chelsea ticked to his unhurried rhythm last night. They refused topanic when the visitors started at a high tempo and steadily imposedthemselves on the game.The Blues were not fluent and they did not run away with the pointsbut they played with the efficiency of Ballack's Germany to equal aclub record with a ninth successive win.Very little has changed at Chelsea in four months under Grant, withthe Israeli losing just two of his first 29 games at the helm, arecord which equals Jose Mourinho's start at the club.Just as under Mourinho, a trip to Stamford Bridge remains the mostdaunting of prospects, especially for Reading who arrived without anaway win all season at a venue where the Blues had not been beaten inthe Barclays Premier League for almost four years.Grant's team came surfing into the game on a wave of confidence butSteve Coppell stuck with a decision to play two up front, despitelosing top-scorer Dave Kitson with flu, ahead of the game.Reading took a point from the same fixture last season and forced astring of early corners. The first glimpse of goal on the night fellto former Chelsea schoolboy Leroy Lita but his header was easilygathered by Petr Cech.Stephen Hunt was enthusiastically booed by home supporters on hisfirst appearance at the Bridge since the collision 16 months ago,which left Cech with a depressed skull fracture.Shaggy-haired Hunt has been a hate figure among Blues fans ever since,and this was the first chance they had to properly vent their angerbecause he was an unused sub when Reading visited Chelsea last season.There was no sign of Ashley Cole in the Chelsea 16. The England leftback was given the night off to cope with the marital problems whichhave made front page news in the recent days.With Wayne Bridge in such strong form, Cole has only started twoPremier League games this year and last night's omission must castdoubt over his hopes of starting for England in Fabio Capello's firstgame, against Switzerland next week.Chelsea had gradually taken command of possession by midway throughthe first half.Reading's initial flurry burned itself out and cracks were beginningto open up at the back to expose Marcus Hahnemann.Ballack swerved a free kick over before Hahnemann took off to his leftto push clear a drive from Joe Cole, which seemed destined to riseinto the top corner.Shaun Wright-Phillips , relishing his new role in central midfield,wriggled into the penalty area but again Hahnemann exploded from hisline to smother a shot.Nicolas Anelka dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box as thepressure increased and Reading's goalkeeper denied Florent Maloudawith the help of Hunt.John Oster then came to the rescue, hooking clear from his owngoalline when Hahnemann fumbled a corner, but the resistance wasbroken by Ballack's header in the 32nd minute.Paulo Ferreira raced to the byline on the right and delivered abeautiful cross which invited Ballack to arrive with his usual senseof precision timing.The German midfielder is majestic in the air in front of goal but thistime he did not require his full leap to beat the diminutive Hunt andplant the ball beyond Hahnemann for his third of the season.Ballack's aerial prowess was causing further problems for the visitorsmoments later. This time he glanced the ball to Alex but the bigBrazilian's shot was wildly off target.Ten seconds after the restart and Cole ought to have polished Readingoff. Nicky Shorey was nowhere as Cole cut in from the right and ate upthe ground towards Hahnemann's goal.His low shot beat the keeper but faded inches wide of the far post andjust out of reach of Anelka, who came sliding in. Wright-Phillipsdarted clear again to collect a long pass with an excellent firsttouch but his finishing let him down as he poked a shot intoHahnemann's legs.Grant's team should have been coasting but their failure to find thesecond goal left them vulnerable to the counter attack.Cech save bravely at Lita's feet and Kevin Doyle headed a cross fromMurty back into the goalmouth but there was no one there to apply afinish. Hahnemann saved again. This time to keep out a close-rangeheader from Anelka, but when James Harper missed a chance, nervesjangled among home supporters