Times
Ballack double helps calm Chelsea nerves Chelsea 3 Ipswich Town 1
Brian Glanville at Stamford Bridge
AMID all the swirling rumours about Chelsea’s corporate future, the team stuttered, then succeeded against a resolute Ipswich Town. For 25 uncomfortable minutes after the visitors equalised, the Blues seemed to be heading for a miserable sequel to cap their 3-0 thrashing at Old Trafford and the humiliating home draw in the 3rd round of the Cup against Southend.
As it was, without ever achieving full fluency and plainly missing Joe Cole, Chelsea and Michael Ballack recovered to win without excessive pain. The recovery in Ballack’s case was that he had missed an early chance before he twice found the net. The error came after nine minutes when Nicolas Anelka, who moved constantly into different positions throughout the match, crossed from the left. David Wright, the Ipswich left-back, jumped for the ball but couldn’t connect. Ballack, unmarked, had an excellent opportunity to settle the nerves but whacked it wide.
He substantially atoned for that piece of profligacy, though, and this is a competition he is taking a fancy to, after a superb strike at Southend. In that match he came to his team’s rescue when they were behind and he is beginning to make a habit of being a man for a crisis. His first goal here came after 16 minutes when Frank Lampard sent a diagonal pass with great accuracy to Ashley Cole on the left. His cross found Ballack, who scored smartly.
The second goal was somewhat more spectacular. It arrived after 59 minutes when Owen Garvan, the industrious Ipswich midfielder, was punished for a foul on Anelka. Ballack struck his free kick expertly with his right foot and into the top left-hand corner of the Ipswich goal.
Afterwards, assistant manager Ray Wilkins, back at the Bridge where he was once a player, praised the German midfielder. “The Michael Ballack you saw today is what a top-quality footballer is all about. It was very doubtful he would play after he took a nasty kick in the week but he turned up this morning sore, wanted to play and was fantastic.”
Ipswich, much to their credit, had hit back to equalise after 34 minutes, again casting doubt on Chelsea’s ability to defend free kicks effectively.
Garvan crossed from the right and with Chelsea’s central defenders Ricardo Carvalho (later forced off with an injured hamstring) and Alex confusing each other, the ball bounced around the area and ran to the perfectly positioned Alex Bruce, who scored. At that moment you could not help but come to the conclusion that the Bridge was going to suffer another day of anxiety.
In the second half Richard Wright, once an England goalkeeper, was dealing resolutely with a series of shots and Chelsea were beginning to fret. On 57 minutes there were cheers from the crowd when Chelsea sent on Didier Drogba but he wasn’t to be the saviour, just a mere spectator for Ballack’s strike, which arrived just two minutes later.
Chelsea began to play with more freedom once they regained the lead and it was the start of a busy period for the Ipswich goalkeeper. On 64 minutes, Salomon Kalou, filling in on the flank for the absent Joe Cole, served by Lampard, shot at point-blank range, but Wright was commendably fast to dive on the ball. Two minutes later, the keeper blocked a shot he couldn’t hold and then smothered a rebound effort.
By this time Chelsea were dictating the game and when Lampard, increasingly influential, crossed from the right, the ball reached Kalou, ideally placed on the far post, only for him to head a good chance wide. Lampard and Chelsea, however, would have the last word when, on 84 minutes, a memorable right-footed free kick by the midfielder from the best part of 30 yards soared out of Wright’s reach.
Jim Magilton, the Ipswich manager, said: “I think we gave a really good account of ourselves. I thought we had some really good opportunities, scored a good goal from a set piece and, with a little bit of quality on the ball, could have got something more.”
Star man: Michael Ballack (Chelsea)
Yellow cards: Ipswich: Bruce, Garvan, Lisbie
Referee: A Wiley
Attendance: 41,137
CHELSEA: Cech 7, Bosingwa 6, Carvalho 6 (Ivanovic 70min), Alex 6, A Cole 6, Belletti 6, Ballack 7 (Deco 79min), Lampard 7, Malouda 6 (Drogba 58min, 6), Kalou 6, Anelka 7.
IPSWICH: R Wright 7, D Wright 6, McAuley 7, Bruce 6, Garvan 7, Miller 6 (Quinn 81min), Counago 6, Norris 6, Balkestein 7, Haynes 6 (Lisbie 60min), Walters 6 (Stead 71min)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Telegraph:
Chelsea nervous but convincing victors against Ipswich TownChelsea (1) 3 Ipswich Town (1) 1 By Jonathan Wilson at Stamford Bridge
Perhaps in the Cup all that matters is progress, and Chelsea did achieve that, but if they were hoping mid-table Championship opponents would give them an opportunity to rediscover their swagger, they were disappointed. Home is still an uncomfortable place for Chelsea.
Yes, they were much the better team. Yes, they had hatfuls of chances.
Yes, Richard Wright, the Ipswich goalkeeper, made a number of impressive saves. Yes, it would be impossible to argue that this was anything other than a deserved victory. And yet there was an edginess about Stamford Bridge, largely because, for all this was a routine victory, it followed a worryingly familiar pattern.
John Terry was missing with a back injury and Mikel Jon Obi was suspended, but this was as close as possible to a full-strength Chelsea side. Accordingly, they did what Chelsea always do these days: dominate, and fail to make the most of it.
They even had Didier Drogba, exiled for the last two games, back on the bench to come on with half an hour remaining and trot about ineffectively. Still, they looked comfortable when Michael Ballack, having already missed one very presentable chance, converted an Ashley Cole cross after 16 minutes.
Ballack’s contract expires at the end of the season and, despite a perception that he has underwhelmed this season, the suggestion from Ray Wilkins on Saturday was that there will at least be talks over an extension.
“Michael is what we saw today. It was very doubtful whether he would make it, but the professional in him meant he turned up and there were no problems,” Chelsea’s assistant manager said.
“Even when he’s not performing at to top quality, he contributes to the team effort. He covers more acreage than anybody else in the team.”
Once again, Chelsea were almost undone by their phobia of the dead-ball. Ricardo Carvalho perhaps could not be criticised for his startled reaction as Owen Garvan’s free-kick was flicked into his chest at close range, but Alex Bruce was unmarked as the ball dropped to him inside the six-yard box, and he calmly scooped the ball over Petr Cech.
Was it zonal marking? Was it man-to-man? Whichever, it was desperately slipshod. Carvalho later went off with a sore hamstring, but it is not thought to be serious.
“We gave a really good account of ourselves,” said the Ipswich manager Jim Magilton. “With a little more quality on the ball we may have had something more.”
There was, though, always the sense that Chelsea, for all their anxiety, would prevail. Two free-kicks — both “exquisite” to use Wilkins’s term – confirmed the win, Ballack bending in from 25 yards, before Frank Lampard crashed in a third from 10 yards further out.
A comfortable win in the end, but not necessarily a convincing one.
Match details
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho (Ivanovic 70), Alex, Ashley Cole, Belletti, Ballack (Deco 79), Lampard, Malouda (Drogba 58), Kalou, Anelka.Subs: Cudicini, Ferreira, Mancienne, Stoch.Goals: Ballack 16, 59, Lampard 85.
Ipswich: Richard Wright, David Wright, McAuley, Bruce, Garvan, Miller (Quinn 81), Counago, Norris, Balkestein, Haynes (Lisbie 60), Walters (Stead 71).Subs: Supple, Bowditch, Shumulikoski, Thatcher.Booked: Bruce, Garvan, Lisbie. Goals: Bruce 34.
Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).
--------------------------------------------------------------
Mail:
Chelsea 3 Ipswich 1: Lampard and Ballack spoil Town dreamBy IAN RIDLEY
Ipswich had been working with a hypnotist before this tie. For a while, their fans must have thought they were the ones in a trance as their side threatened the sort of upset to which Chelsea have looked vulnerable this season.Michael Ballack gave Chelsea a lead but Alex Bruce, son of Wigan manager Steve, emulated his dad's goalscoring prowess when patrolling Manchester United's defence. Ipswich even fashioned a chance to go ahead. Had that hypnotist convinced them they were all Pele?
Perhaps the manager didn't trust himself to address the press and sent his assistant, Ray Wilkins, instead. 'He's come in for stick but unnecessarily so,' said Wilkins. 'He's enjoying his job and feeling under no pressure.'Wilkins, among the most supportive of coaches, also defended Ballack, whose two goals were his first at Stamford Bridge this season.
The German, out of contract in the summer and criticised for his fitful contributions, had played though nursing an injury, and Wilkins said: 'His quality is what he gives you when he is not at the top of what he can produce. He probably covers more acreage than any other Chelsea player.'
The view from the outside might have been that Chelsea have been in turmoil this season, with their home form patchy and Didier Drogba, who started on the bench yesterday, a distraction.Championship side Burnley had prevailed here in the Carling Cup, and Southend pinched a late draw in the last round before Chelsea won through in a replay. It could just be, however, that Chelsea are getting stronger at the right stage of the season, though another hamstring injury to Ricardo Carvalho is a concern.Ipswich have now lost their last 10 games against Premier League sides. 'This should be more motivation to get promoted,' said their manager, Jim Magilton. Ballack made quick amends after shooting wide from close range. Lampard picked out Ashley Cole on the left with a neat floated ball that the left-back turned back across goal for Ballack to slide home. But Ipswich struck back.Carvalho fouled Pablo Counago 35 yards out and, from Owen Garvan's free-kick, the ball bounced off Carvalho on to Gareth McAuley before falling to Bruce, who drilled it in from close range.Scolari was furious, first at the free-kick, then with a defence who seemed unsure again whether to mark zonally or man-for-man. His mood darkened when Ipswich almost took the lead just before the break, Danny Haynes wastefully scooping over from Jon Walters's low cross.
The hour-mark approaching and Chelsea struggling again to unpick a tight defence, Scolari turned to Drogba, and within two minutes Chelsea were ahead.Nicolas Anelka set off on a determined run that Garvan halted only with a late tackle some 25 yards out. Cue Ballack. Chelsea sealed the game with an equally exciting goal by Lampard after David Norris had fouled Drogba.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Independent:
Wright stuff is not enough to thwart brilliant Ballack
Chelsea 3 Ipswich Town 1
By Chris McGrath at Stamford Bridge
In what was presumably intended as an introduction to metropolitan wit, the stadium announcer declared that the 6,000 Ipswich fans had "probably come here by tractor". Not that they minded. One of their banners pronounced them to be "anti-modern football". And you could see their point, after their team – winners of this competition under Bobby Robson in 1978 – succumbed to three goals from two of the sport's most expensive midfielders, Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard. On the other hand, anyone could see that their respective strikes from free-kicks reflected only glory on the contemporary game.
Ipswich had apparently been assisted in their preparations by an Australian hypnotist, but began in a condition dangerously resembling somnambulism. They watched timidly as their lordly opponents, suave and energetic, created a series of early openings. It required barely a minute for Florent Malouda to force Richard Wright into the first of many saves, while Ballack, deftly picked out in the box by Nicolas Anelka, flashed wide in total isolation. Juliano Belletti, replacing the suspended Jon Obi Mikel in front of the defence, brought immediate assurance to the role, and within a quarter of an hour the dam had crumbled. Lampard chipped high into the box where a sliding prod from Ashley Cole was met, with another timely skid, by Ballack. Whether or not complacency infected their hosts, it is to Ipswich's credit that they now grew conviction, rather than otherwise. Petr Cech was relieved to see Tommy Miller's free-kick curl over the bar after Alex's clumsy hack on David Norris, but the next transgression, a difference of Iberian opinions between Ricardo Carvalho and Pablo Counago on the right, had rather graver consequences. Carvalho compounded matters by failing to deal with Owen Garvan's free-kick, which ricocheted on to Alex and into the path of Alex Bruce, who from six yards probably found his incredulity harder to conquer than the helpless Cech. Perhaps Ipswich had sensed that they were in danger of betraying their own, refined football pedigree. Jim Magilton, their manager, wants his players to be worthy of the knightly legacy of Alf Ramsey and Robson.
Chelsea's recent cup embarrassments here, at the hands of Burnley and Southend United, ensured that the home fans never relaxed. There were relieved cheers when Didier Drogba, banished for the two previous games, emerged from the bench as the hour approached. And within two minutes, Chelsea were ahead.
Luiz Felipe Scolari apparently views Drogba and Anelka as too dysfunctional a pairing, but disclosed his anxiety about the scoreline by instead replacing Malouda. Sure enough, it was Anelka who promptly won a free-kick 25 yards out, tripped by Garvan as he skipped through the middle. Wright was excellent all afternoon, but never had a prayer with Ballack's masterpiece.
And even that was surpassed, five minutes from time, when Lampard produced a still finer confection. To Ray Wilkins, Scolari's assistant, it was just icing on the cake. "Did you notice, at 3-1, the way he sprinted back 75 yards to make a tackle over the halfway line?" he asked. "And Michael covers probably more acreage than anyone else in the side – the work he puts in for the team is untouchable."
Ipswich, meanwhile, were sent back to the Championship knowing that things just ain't what they used to be. "I thought we gave a good account of ourselves, and had some really good opportunities," Magilton said. "I hope the experience of coming here should make the players even more motivated to get back in the Premier League. We want to come to places like this every week."
Attendance: 41,137
Referee: Alan Wiley
Man of the match: Ballack
Match rating: 7/10
---------------------------------------------------------------
Observer:
Ballack double helps Chelsea plaster over deficiencies
Chelsea 3 Ballack 16, Ballack 59, Lampard 85 Ipswich Town 1 Bruce 34
Duncan Castles at Stamford Bridge
This ain't the job Luiz Felipe Scolari signed up for one sunny summer's day in Switzerland. Back then the Brazilian detected a squad of world-class players in search of a leader and expected the riches of Roman Abramovich to remain on tap for a little considered remedial work. What he did not envisage was the cascade of problems that has ensued.
Money for just one transfer of his choosing. None for a January when his squad are in obvious need of attacking reinforcement. A swathe of cutbacks on club expenditure that has irritated his players. Two ruptured cruciate ligaments plus a series of intermittent injuries that have affected almost every one of Chelsea's stellar names. And a group of players who compare his managerial moves with a trophy-winning predecessor.
There are difficulties in every game, set-piece goals conceded aplenty plus a worrying inability to brush aside lower-league opposition. Burnley have won here, Southend United drawn here and yesterday Ipswich Town came back from a goal down to fray Chelsea nerves once more. If two second-half free-kicks of unquestionable quality saw Scolari's team into the FA Cup's fifth round, they did not appear a team set fair to win that trophy.
"I thought we gave a right good account of ourselves," said Ipswich manager Jim Magilton correctly. "Scored a good set-piece goal and with one or two moments where with more care on the ball could have had even more."
Nought of any genuine concern, argued Ray Wilkins, after assuring us that Scolari "doesn't feel under pressure at all". "They did have a good spell, but we weren't too worried," said the Brazilian's assistant. "We've had similar circumstances with Burnley this year, Southend made it very tough for us, and this was always going to be exactly the same. But you're not too worried when you think of the quality we have. There was always going to be a period when we'd take hold of the game and create some chances."
For all Scolari's efforts to preach spirit over style, there was an early inertia to his team. Passes drifted astray Рnotably when Jos̩ Bosingwa initiated an Ipswich attack that culminated in a free header for Danny Haynes Рand the attack operated as individuals, not a unit. In their favour was the visitors' unadulterated ambition; Jim Magilton taking 4-4-2 Championship shape to the Bridge and opening the midfield to Chelsea.
On the quarter-hour, space was converted into advantage as Frank Lampard passed perceptively beyond Ipswich's right-back and Ashley Cole squared first time for a sliding Michael Ballack to score. The comfort of the finish, unfortunately, spread to his team.
Chelsea decelerated, content to hold possession and pick their shots from outside the area. Loose passes proliferated and ill-considered tackles ceded free-kicks. From one, David Wright curled the ball into a phalanx of static markers, its ricochet falling for Alex Bruce to shoot past Cech. Though Florent Malouda almost found an immediate reply, Chelsea remained susceptible. Sprinting away from a home attack, Owen Garvan and Jon Walters teed up Haynes for a strike the winger should have kept under the crossbar. Chelsea responded with more long-range shots.
Their predictability was broken by the return of Didier Drogba from two matches of first-team exclusion. The striker's mood improved by the knowledge that Manchester City valued him enough to offer to double his £91,000-a-week wages, his first touches worked Nicolas Anelka towards the Ipswich penalty area, where the Frenchman was halted by Garvan. Ballack assessed the distance and lifted the free-kick over wall and into top corner.
A couple of strong Ipswich chances and a tweaked Ricardo Carvalho hamstring later, Drogba won a set piece himself – Lampard converting from 35 yards with an audacity to match Ballack's elegance. The relief, you fear, may be temporary.
--------------------------------------------------------------
NOTW:
CHELSEA 3, IPSWICH 1 Lampard thunderbolt lights up Stamford Bridge t From ROB SHEPHERD at Stamford Bridge, 24/01/2009
EVEN when Michael Ballack turns in an imperious match-winning display Frank Lampard comes along and steals the German’s thunder.
Having given Chelsea an early lead, Ballack then put his side back in control following an Alex Bruce equaliser.
Just when it seemed Ipswich might force a replay or even pull off a shock and win the game, Ballack produced a stunning 59th-minute free-kick that would have been the highlight of most games.
Ballack, who hadn’t exactly pulled all the strings but was Chelsea’s most influential player, soon took his bow.
Until then Lampard had been very low key by his standards.
His shooting had been wayward and quite frankly after his emotionally-charged match-saving display against Stoke the previous week, the adrenalin wasn’t pumping.
But in the 85th minute Didier Drogba, who had come in from the cold and off the bench, won a free-kick more than 35 yards out and right of centre.
It was so far out that Ipswich didn’t feel the need for a full wall. Surely, Lampard would send over a cross. But no. He strode up and unleashed a savage thunderbolt.
The shot was so hard and true that even the tiniest of deflections barely altered the trajectory as it flashed way beyond the reach of Richard Wright and into the far corner.
Ballack’s dead-ball effort had oozed class but Lampard’s simply had the greater wow factor.
Free
When Ballack arrived on a free transfer from Bayern Munich three years ago earning £130,000 a week, many suggested Lampard would be left in the shadows — or even forced out.
Lampard responded not only by becoming Chelsea’s talisman but also their top earner, with Ballack playing second fiddle.
And with the German’s contract up at the end of the season, he may have to face the prospect of taking a pay cut or moving on.
Certainly, on the face of it, Ballack has done little so far this season to make a case that Chelsea would be foolish to let him go on a free. He has yet to score in the Premier League, his only strike before yesterday having come in the 4-1 replay win at Southend in the previous round.
Assistant coach Ray Wilkins admitted: “Yes, that’s surprising but a lot of people don’t always see the contribution Michael makes.
“He covers more acres than anyone, in that regard he is untouchable.”
Untouchable? Maybe for Germany but not for Chelsea. Yesterday, though, he made his most significant contribution this season.
Phil Scolari had put out a strong side and it appeared as though it would be a cakewalk when Ballack slid home a low Ashley Cole cross in the 16th minute.
But while Ballack looked up for more, the rest around him — Lampard included — took their foot off the gas.
Gradually, Ipswich worked their way back and in the 34th minute punished Chelsea, not for the first time this season, for lax defending at a set-piece.
An Owen Garvan free-kick bounced off Ricardo Carvalho, who later suffered a hamstring injury, to Steve Bruce’s son Alex and he lashed the ball home from close range.
Either side of half-time Ipswich showed flashes they might pose Chelsea problems with striker Pablo Counago producing some deft and threatening touches.
But just before the hour Ballack curled home a glorious free-kick from 22 yards.
After Jon Stead then Kevin Lisbie went agonisingly close to nicking a replay, Lampard made sure he retained the free-kick bragging rights with that stunning late strike.
It was bliss for him and the Chelsea punters but, er, a kick in the Ballacks for their German midfielder.
------------------------------------------------------------
Ballack double helps calm Chelsea nerves Chelsea 3 Ipswich Town 1
Brian Glanville at Stamford Bridge
AMID all the swirling rumours about Chelsea’s corporate future, the team stuttered, then succeeded against a resolute Ipswich Town. For 25 uncomfortable minutes after the visitors equalised, the Blues seemed to be heading for a miserable sequel to cap their 3-0 thrashing at Old Trafford and the humiliating home draw in the 3rd round of the Cup against Southend.
As it was, without ever achieving full fluency and plainly missing Joe Cole, Chelsea and Michael Ballack recovered to win without excessive pain. The recovery in Ballack’s case was that he had missed an early chance before he twice found the net. The error came after nine minutes when Nicolas Anelka, who moved constantly into different positions throughout the match, crossed from the left. David Wright, the Ipswich left-back, jumped for the ball but couldn’t connect. Ballack, unmarked, had an excellent opportunity to settle the nerves but whacked it wide.
He substantially atoned for that piece of profligacy, though, and this is a competition he is taking a fancy to, after a superb strike at Southend. In that match he came to his team’s rescue when they were behind and he is beginning to make a habit of being a man for a crisis. His first goal here came after 16 minutes when Frank Lampard sent a diagonal pass with great accuracy to Ashley Cole on the left. His cross found Ballack, who scored smartly.
The second goal was somewhat more spectacular. It arrived after 59 minutes when Owen Garvan, the industrious Ipswich midfielder, was punished for a foul on Anelka. Ballack struck his free kick expertly with his right foot and into the top left-hand corner of the Ipswich goal.
Afterwards, assistant manager Ray Wilkins, back at the Bridge where he was once a player, praised the German midfielder. “The Michael Ballack you saw today is what a top-quality footballer is all about. It was very doubtful he would play after he took a nasty kick in the week but he turned up this morning sore, wanted to play and was fantastic.”
Ipswich, much to their credit, had hit back to equalise after 34 minutes, again casting doubt on Chelsea’s ability to defend free kicks effectively.
Garvan crossed from the right and with Chelsea’s central defenders Ricardo Carvalho (later forced off with an injured hamstring) and Alex confusing each other, the ball bounced around the area and ran to the perfectly positioned Alex Bruce, who scored. At that moment you could not help but come to the conclusion that the Bridge was going to suffer another day of anxiety.
In the second half Richard Wright, once an England goalkeeper, was dealing resolutely with a series of shots and Chelsea were beginning to fret. On 57 minutes there were cheers from the crowd when Chelsea sent on Didier Drogba but he wasn’t to be the saviour, just a mere spectator for Ballack’s strike, which arrived just two minutes later.
Chelsea began to play with more freedom once they regained the lead and it was the start of a busy period for the Ipswich goalkeeper. On 64 minutes, Salomon Kalou, filling in on the flank for the absent Joe Cole, served by Lampard, shot at point-blank range, but Wright was commendably fast to dive on the ball. Two minutes later, the keeper blocked a shot he couldn’t hold and then smothered a rebound effort.
By this time Chelsea were dictating the game and when Lampard, increasingly influential, crossed from the right, the ball reached Kalou, ideally placed on the far post, only for him to head a good chance wide. Lampard and Chelsea, however, would have the last word when, on 84 minutes, a memorable right-footed free kick by the midfielder from the best part of 30 yards soared out of Wright’s reach.
Jim Magilton, the Ipswich manager, said: “I think we gave a really good account of ourselves. I thought we had some really good opportunities, scored a good goal from a set piece and, with a little bit of quality on the ball, could have got something more.”
Star man: Michael Ballack (Chelsea)
Yellow cards: Ipswich: Bruce, Garvan, Lisbie
Referee: A Wiley
Attendance: 41,137
CHELSEA: Cech 7, Bosingwa 6, Carvalho 6 (Ivanovic 70min), Alex 6, A Cole 6, Belletti 6, Ballack 7 (Deco 79min), Lampard 7, Malouda 6 (Drogba 58min, 6), Kalou 6, Anelka 7.
IPSWICH: R Wright 7, D Wright 6, McAuley 7, Bruce 6, Garvan 7, Miller 6 (Quinn 81min), Counago 6, Norris 6, Balkestein 7, Haynes 6 (Lisbie 60min), Walters 6 (Stead 71min)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Telegraph:
Chelsea nervous but convincing victors against Ipswich TownChelsea (1) 3 Ipswich Town (1) 1 By Jonathan Wilson at Stamford Bridge
Perhaps in the Cup all that matters is progress, and Chelsea did achieve that, but if they were hoping mid-table Championship opponents would give them an opportunity to rediscover their swagger, they were disappointed. Home is still an uncomfortable place for Chelsea.
Yes, they were much the better team. Yes, they had hatfuls of chances.
Yes, Richard Wright, the Ipswich goalkeeper, made a number of impressive saves. Yes, it would be impossible to argue that this was anything other than a deserved victory. And yet there was an edginess about Stamford Bridge, largely because, for all this was a routine victory, it followed a worryingly familiar pattern.
John Terry was missing with a back injury and Mikel Jon Obi was suspended, but this was as close as possible to a full-strength Chelsea side. Accordingly, they did what Chelsea always do these days: dominate, and fail to make the most of it.
They even had Didier Drogba, exiled for the last two games, back on the bench to come on with half an hour remaining and trot about ineffectively. Still, they looked comfortable when Michael Ballack, having already missed one very presentable chance, converted an Ashley Cole cross after 16 minutes.
Ballack’s contract expires at the end of the season and, despite a perception that he has underwhelmed this season, the suggestion from Ray Wilkins on Saturday was that there will at least be talks over an extension.
“Michael is what we saw today. It was very doubtful whether he would make it, but the professional in him meant he turned up and there were no problems,” Chelsea’s assistant manager said.
“Even when he’s not performing at to top quality, he contributes to the team effort. He covers more acreage than anybody else in the team.”
Once again, Chelsea were almost undone by their phobia of the dead-ball. Ricardo Carvalho perhaps could not be criticised for his startled reaction as Owen Garvan’s free-kick was flicked into his chest at close range, but Alex Bruce was unmarked as the ball dropped to him inside the six-yard box, and he calmly scooped the ball over Petr Cech.
Was it zonal marking? Was it man-to-man? Whichever, it was desperately slipshod. Carvalho later went off with a sore hamstring, but it is not thought to be serious.
“We gave a really good account of ourselves,” said the Ipswich manager Jim Magilton. “With a little more quality on the ball we may have had something more.”
There was, though, always the sense that Chelsea, for all their anxiety, would prevail. Two free-kicks — both “exquisite” to use Wilkins’s term – confirmed the win, Ballack bending in from 25 yards, before Frank Lampard crashed in a third from 10 yards further out.
A comfortable win in the end, but not necessarily a convincing one.
Match details
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho (Ivanovic 70), Alex, Ashley Cole, Belletti, Ballack (Deco 79), Lampard, Malouda (Drogba 58), Kalou, Anelka.Subs: Cudicini, Ferreira, Mancienne, Stoch.Goals: Ballack 16, 59, Lampard 85.
Ipswich: Richard Wright, David Wright, McAuley, Bruce, Garvan, Miller (Quinn 81), Counago, Norris, Balkestein, Haynes (Lisbie 60), Walters (Stead 71).Subs: Supple, Bowditch, Shumulikoski, Thatcher.Booked: Bruce, Garvan, Lisbie. Goals: Bruce 34.
Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).
--------------------------------------------------------------
Mail:
Chelsea 3 Ipswich 1: Lampard and Ballack spoil Town dreamBy IAN RIDLEY
Ipswich had been working with a hypnotist before this tie. For a while, their fans must have thought they were the ones in a trance as their side threatened the sort of upset to which Chelsea have looked vulnerable this season.Michael Ballack gave Chelsea a lead but Alex Bruce, son of Wigan manager Steve, emulated his dad's goalscoring prowess when patrolling Manchester United's defence. Ipswich even fashioned a chance to go ahead. Had that hypnotist convinced them they were all Pele?
Perhaps the manager didn't trust himself to address the press and sent his assistant, Ray Wilkins, instead. 'He's come in for stick but unnecessarily so,' said Wilkins. 'He's enjoying his job and feeling under no pressure.'Wilkins, among the most supportive of coaches, also defended Ballack, whose two goals were his first at Stamford Bridge this season.
The German, out of contract in the summer and criticised for his fitful contributions, had played though nursing an injury, and Wilkins said: 'His quality is what he gives you when he is not at the top of what he can produce. He probably covers more acreage than any other Chelsea player.'
The view from the outside might have been that Chelsea have been in turmoil this season, with their home form patchy and Didier Drogba, who started on the bench yesterday, a distraction.Championship side Burnley had prevailed here in the Carling Cup, and Southend pinched a late draw in the last round before Chelsea won through in a replay. It could just be, however, that Chelsea are getting stronger at the right stage of the season, though another hamstring injury to Ricardo Carvalho is a concern.Ipswich have now lost their last 10 games against Premier League sides. 'This should be more motivation to get promoted,' said their manager, Jim Magilton. Ballack made quick amends after shooting wide from close range. Lampard picked out Ashley Cole on the left with a neat floated ball that the left-back turned back across goal for Ballack to slide home. But Ipswich struck back.Carvalho fouled Pablo Counago 35 yards out and, from Owen Garvan's free-kick, the ball bounced off Carvalho on to Gareth McAuley before falling to Bruce, who drilled it in from close range.Scolari was furious, first at the free-kick, then with a defence who seemed unsure again whether to mark zonally or man-for-man. His mood darkened when Ipswich almost took the lead just before the break, Danny Haynes wastefully scooping over from Jon Walters's low cross.
The hour-mark approaching and Chelsea struggling again to unpick a tight defence, Scolari turned to Drogba, and within two minutes Chelsea were ahead.Nicolas Anelka set off on a determined run that Garvan halted only with a late tackle some 25 yards out. Cue Ballack. Chelsea sealed the game with an equally exciting goal by Lampard after David Norris had fouled Drogba.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Independent:
Wright stuff is not enough to thwart brilliant Ballack
Chelsea 3 Ipswich Town 1
By Chris McGrath at Stamford Bridge
In what was presumably intended as an introduction to metropolitan wit, the stadium announcer declared that the 6,000 Ipswich fans had "probably come here by tractor". Not that they minded. One of their banners pronounced them to be "anti-modern football". And you could see their point, after their team – winners of this competition under Bobby Robson in 1978 – succumbed to three goals from two of the sport's most expensive midfielders, Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard. On the other hand, anyone could see that their respective strikes from free-kicks reflected only glory on the contemporary game.
Ipswich had apparently been assisted in their preparations by an Australian hypnotist, but began in a condition dangerously resembling somnambulism. They watched timidly as their lordly opponents, suave and energetic, created a series of early openings. It required barely a minute for Florent Malouda to force Richard Wright into the first of many saves, while Ballack, deftly picked out in the box by Nicolas Anelka, flashed wide in total isolation. Juliano Belletti, replacing the suspended Jon Obi Mikel in front of the defence, brought immediate assurance to the role, and within a quarter of an hour the dam had crumbled. Lampard chipped high into the box where a sliding prod from Ashley Cole was met, with another timely skid, by Ballack. Whether or not complacency infected their hosts, it is to Ipswich's credit that they now grew conviction, rather than otherwise. Petr Cech was relieved to see Tommy Miller's free-kick curl over the bar after Alex's clumsy hack on David Norris, but the next transgression, a difference of Iberian opinions between Ricardo Carvalho and Pablo Counago on the right, had rather graver consequences. Carvalho compounded matters by failing to deal with Owen Garvan's free-kick, which ricocheted on to Alex and into the path of Alex Bruce, who from six yards probably found his incredulity harder to conquer than the helpless Cech. Perhaps Ipswich had sensed that they were in danger of betraying their own, refined football pedigree. Jim Magilton, their manager, wants his players to be worthy of the knightly legacy of Alf Ramsey and Robson.
Chelsea's recent cup embarrassments here, at the hands of Burnley and Southend United, ensured that the home fans never relaxed. There were relieved cheers when Didier Drogba, banished for the two previous games, emerged from the bench as the hour approached. And within two minutes, Chelsea were ahead.
Luiz Felipe Scolari apparently views Drogba and Anelka as too dysfunctional a pairing, but disclosed his anxiety about the scoreline by instead replacing Malouda. Sure enough, it was Anelka who promptly won a free-kick 25 yards out, tripped by Garvan as he skipped through the middle. Wright was excellent all afternoon, but never had a prayer with Ballack's masterpiece.
And even that was surpassed, five minutes from time, when Lampard produced a still finer confection. To Ray Wilkins, Scolari's assistant, it was just icing on the cake. "Did you notice, at 3-1, the way he sprinted back 75 yards to make a tackle over the halfway line?" he asked. "And Michael covers probably more acreage than anyone else in the side – the work he puts in for the team is untouchable."
Ipswich, meanwhile, were sent back to the Championship knowing that things just ain't what they used to be. "I thought we gave a good account of ourselves, and had some really good opportunities," Magilton said. "I hope the experience of coming here should make the players even more motivated to get back in the Premier League. We want to come to places like this every week."
Attendance: 41,137
Referee: Alan Wiley
Man of the match: Ballack
Match rating: 7/10
---------------------------------------------------------------
Observer:
Ballack double helps Chelsea plaster over deficiencies
Chelsea 3 Ballack 16, Ballack 59, Lampard 85 Ipswich Town 1 Bruce 34
Duncan Castles at Stamford Bridge
This ain't the job Luiz Felipe Scolari signed up for one sunny summer's day in Switzerland. Back then the Brazilian detected a squad of world-class players in search of a leader and expected the riches of Roman Abramovich to remain on tap for a little considered remedial work. What he did not envisage was the cascade of problems that has ensued.
Money for just one transfer of his choosing. None for a January when his squad are in obvious need of attacking reinforcement. A swathe of cutbacks on club expenditure that has irritated his players. Two ruptured cruciate ligaments plus a series of intermittent injuries that have affected almost every one of Chelsea's stellar names. And a group of players who compare his managerial moves with a trophy-winning predecessor.
There are difficulties in every game, set-piece goals conceded aplenty plus a worrying inability to brush aside lower-league opposition. Burnley have won here, Southend United drawn here and yesterday Ipswich Town came back from a goal down to fray Chelsea nerves once more. If two second-half free-kicks of unquestionable quality saw Scolari's team into the FA Cup's fifth round, they did not appear a team set fair to win that trophy.
"I thought we gave a right good account of ourselves," said Ipswich manager Jim Magilton correctly. "Scored a good set-piece goal and with one or two moments where with more care on the ball could have had even more."
Nought of any genuine concern, argued Ray Wilkins, after assuring us that Scolari "doesn't feel under pressure at all". "They did have a good spell, but we weren't too worried," said the Brazilian's assistant. "We've had similar circumstances with Burnley this year, Southend made it very tough for us, and this was always going to be exactly the same. But you're not too worried when you think of the quality we have. There was always going to be a period when we'd take hold of the game and create some chances."
For all Scolari's efforts to preach spirit over style, there was an early inertia to his team. Passes drifted astray Рnotably when Jos̩ Bosingwa initiated an Ipswich attack that culminated in a free header for Danny Haynes Рand the attack operated as individuals, not a unit. In their favour was the visitors' unadulterated ambition; Jim Magilton taking 4-4-2 Championship shape to the Bridge and opening the midfield to Chelsea.
On the quarter-hour, space was converted into advantage as Frank Lampard passed perceptively beyond Ipswich's right-back and Ashley Cole squared first time for a sliding Michael Ballack to score. The comfort of the finish, unfortunately, spread to his team.
Chelsea decelerated, content to hold possession and pick their shots from outside the area. Loose passes proliferated and ill-considered tackles ceded free-kicks. From one, David Wright curled the ball into a phalanx of static markers, its ricochet falling for Alex Bruce to shoot past Cech. Though Florent Malouda almost found an immediate reply, Chelsea remained susceptible. Sprinting away from a home attack, Owen Garvan and Jon Walters teed up Haynes for a strike the winger should have kept under the crossbar. Chelsea responded with more long-range shots.
Their predictability was broken by the return of Didier Drogba from two matches of first-team exclusion. The striker's mood improved by the knowledge that Manchester City valued him enough to offer to double his £91,000-a-week wages, his first touches worked Nicolas Anelka towards the Ipswich penalty area, where the Frenchman was halted by Garvan. Ballack assessed the distance and lifted the free-kick over wall and into top corner.
A couple of strong Ipswich chances and a tweaked Ricardo Carvalho hamstring later, Drogba won a set piece himself – Lampard converting from 35 yards with an audacity to match Ballack's elegance. The relief, you fear, may be temporary.
--------------------------------------------------------------
NOTW:
CHELSEA 3, IPSWICH 1 Lampard thunderbolt lights up Stamford Bridge t From ROB SHEPHERD at Stamford Bridge, 24/01/2009
EVEN when Michael Ballack turns in an imperious match-winning display Frank Lampard comes along and steals the German’s thunder.
Having given Chelsea an early lead, Ballack then put his side back in control following an Alex Bruce equaliser.
Just when it seemed Ipswich might force a replay or even pull off a shock and win the game, Ballack produced a stunning 59th-minute free-kick that would have been the highlight of most games.
Ballack, who hadn’t exactly pulled all the strings but was Chelsea’s most influential player, soon took his bow.
Until then Lampard had been very low key by his standards.
His shooting had been wayward and quite frankly after his emotionally-charged match-saving display against Stoke the previous week, the adrenalin wasn’t pumping.
But in the 85th minute Didier Drogba, who had come in from the cold and off the bench, won a free-kick more than 35 yards out and right of centre.
It was so far out that Ipswich didn’t feel the need for a full wall. Surely, Lampard would send over a cross. But no. He strode up and unleashed a savage thunderbolt.
The shot was so hard and true that even the tiniest of deflections barely altered the trajectory as it flashed way beyond the reach of Richard Wright and into the far corner.
Ballack’s dead-ball effort had oozed class but Lampard’s simply had the greater wow factor.
Free
When Ballack arrived on a free transfer from Bayern Munich three years ago earning £130,000 a week, many suggested Lampard would be left in the shadows — or even forced out.
Lampard responded not only by becoming Chelsea’s talisman but also their top earner, with Ballack playing second fiddle.
And with the German’s contract up at the end of the season, he may have to face the prospect of taking a pay cut or moving on.
Certainly, on the face of it, Ballack has done little so far this season to make a case that Chelsea would be foolish to let him go on a free. He has yet to score in the Premier League, his only strike before yesterday having come in the 4-1 replay win at Southend in the previous round.
Assistant coach Ray Wilkins admitted: “Yes, that’s surprising but a lot of people don’t always see the contribution Michael makes.
“He covers more acres than anyone, in that regard he is untouchable.”
Untouchable? Maybe for Germany but not for Chelsea. Yesterday, though, he made his most significant contribution this season.
Phil Scolari had put out a strong side and it appeared as though it would be a cakewalk when Ballack slid home a low Ashley Cole cross in the 16th minute.
But while Ballack looked up for more, the rest around him — Lampard included — took their foot off the gas.
Gradually, Ipswich worked their way back and in the 34th minute punished Chelsea, not for the first time this season, for lax defending at a set-piece.
An Owen Garvan free-kick bounced off Ricardo Carvalho, who later suffered a hamstring injury, to Steve Bruce’s son Alex and he lashed the ball home from close range.
Either side of half-time Ipswich showed flashes they might pose Chelsea problems with striker Pablo Counago producing some deft and threatening touches.
But just before the hour Ballack curled home a glorious free-kick from 22 yards.
After Jon Stead then Kevin Lisbie went agonisingly close to nicking a replay, Lampard made sure he retained the free-kick bragging rights with that stunning late strike.
It was bliss for him and the Chelsea punters but, er, a kick in the Ballacks for their German midfielder.
------------------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment