sunday papers bolton

Independent:
Mourinho revels in that special feeling Bolton Wanderers 0 - Chelsea 2 By Steve Tongue at the Reebok Stadium 01 May 2005
Just champion, as they say in this part of the world, though only after Chelsea had produced possibly their most feeble 45 minutes' work of the season. A significant improvement in tempo and accuracy after half-time brought two smartly taken goals from Frank Lampard, enabling the west London club to celebrate their title, at last, after 50 years of waiting.
The additional week's waiting after failing to win at home to Arsenal recently will be long forgotten once the record books appear commemorating Jose Mourinho's continuing run of success. But he and his squad cannot afford to dwell on it yet, as they spend the weekend in the North-west before Tuesday's critical Champions' League semi-final at Liverpool.
Bolton, encouraged before the start by Everton, Liverpool and Middlesbrough all dropping important points, were the better side for half an hour or more, but suffered a lack of defensive discipline in conceding the second goal quarter of an hour from time. After lying 14th on New Year's Day, they have still not given up hope of overhauling Everton, their opponents here on the final day, for what we have to assume will be the fourth Champions' League place.
The Bolton manager, Sam Allardyce, has rather audaciously claimed some of the credit for Chelsea's success this season, in that the 2-2 draw his side salvaged at Stamford Bridge in November, after being 2-0 down, showed them the value of direct football and set-pieces.
It certainly proved that Petr Cech, John Terry and company were vulnerable to that most up-and-at-'em British style which Bolton - paradoxically given Allardyce's cosmopolitan recruiting policy - typify. Always have done, in fact; one of Chelsea's 1955 heroes reminded us that in his day "Bolton were the hardest team and nasty with it". Those selected yesterday knew they would again have to face a physical challenge as well as a diet of long throws and longer balls, and so it proved.
Keen as he was to secure the title at last, it was inevitable that even as focused a man and manager as Mourinho would have one eye on Tuesday night at Anfield, which was reflected in his team selection. Glen Johnson, one of only two fit full-backs, was rested and Joe Cole was a substitute, while Arjen Robben, who had insisted he was not fit to start against Liverpool last Wednesday, again had his way and sat the evening out.
That meant Geremi filling in at right-back in his first Premiership start since August, with Jiri Jarosik on the left of a midfield diamond behind Eidur Gudjohnsen and Didier Drogba. As is often the case with that formation, there was a lack of width, which the Chelsea full-backs were in no position to supply, occupied as they were with containing Bolton's wide attackers, Stelios Giannokopoulos and a fired-up El Hadji Diouf.
Consequently, there was no threat whatever to the home goal for the whole of the first half, though Cech at the other end for once had to earn his corn. He made his first save as early as the third minute, from Stelios's close-range jab. It followed one of Jay-Jay Okocha's deep throws, the next of which brought a booking for Claude Makelele, illegally jumping in front of him. Kevin Davies headed wide and missed the best opportunity of the half in the 23rd minute, losing Terry to meet Bruno N'Gotty's free-kick with a header lacking the required degree of power. Terry did better a minute later, getting across to tackle as Diouf escaped down the left. Chelsea improved a little in the second quarter of the game, but much of the passing was untidy and Jarosik's two woefully inaccurate 25 yarders were as close - if that is the word - as they came to a goal.
The gradual improvement continued as a fractious second half progressed, though with Tiago shooting too high, Jussi Jaaskelainen had not made a save of any note before he was beaten by Lampard. The England midfielder received from Drogba, cut too easily inside the right-back Vincent Candela for Bolton's liking and drove in the goal that finally gave the Chelsea hordes something to sing about.
Allardyce immediately sent on Henrik Pedersen and Kevin Nolan for Okocha and Stelios, Mourinho responding by adding a third centre-half in the lanky Robert Huth to repel an anticipated aerial bombardment. It soon materialised, and another long throw from the left almost brought an equaliser. Geremi inadvertently headed towards his own goal and Cech pulled off a fine save before crashing into a post.
Another Bolton corner proved the home side's downfall. Steve Dunn, the referee, either did not see or ignored Terry holding back Fernando Hierro and Geremi, gaining possession midway in his own half, spotted that the home defence had disappeared.
Lampard picked up the pass before rounding the goalkeeper and then celebrating his 17th goal of the season - the one that finally clinched the championship.
Before the finish, the coaches and substitutes stood arm-in-arm on the touchline in a symbolic show of unity. Worthy champions? Of course. If Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger agree about something for once, who are the rest of us to argue?
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Observer: Lampard double seals second success for the Treble hunters
Paul Wilson at the Reebok Stadium Sunday May 1, 2005
The wait is over, Chelsea are champions and if there is any justice in the world Frank Lampard's two-goal contribution will secure him the footballer-of-the-year award as well. Lampard was certainly the player of this match, his class and commitment lifting Chelsea above Bolton's dogged challenge even before his goals ended his club's 50-year wait for a title. He may still lose out to John Terry in the second of the season's individual awards, but there is little argument about Chelsea's right to the title. Losing just once while letting in only 13 goals is astonishing.
Jose Mourinho always said he wanted to win the title in Bolton, picking this fixture from the list six months ago and reaffirming his aggressive intent after last week's victory over Fulham put Chelsea in the comfort zone. Didier Drogba and Eidur Gudjohnsen were both deployed in forward roles, though perhaps ominously for the Champions League tie on Tuesday there was no sign of injured wingers Damien Duff and Arjen Robben.
The only problem with being so flamboyant as to pick your date of destiny in advance is that it tends to motivate your opponents. Bolton were in no mood to be bridesmaids in their own backyard, especially after taking a point from Stamford Bridge in November and with renewed hope of a fourth-place finish after Everton and Liverpool both dropped points.
Within three minutes Petr Cech was diving to save a close-range shot from Stelios Giannakopoulos and the Chelsea goalkeeper continued to be extended throughout the first half. In addition to a couple of unconvincing punches from Bolton crosses, Cech had to deal with a Gary Speed header and a shot from Fernando Hierro that were both on target.
They were also from long range and comfortably saved by a goalkeeper of Cech's class, although Bolton should have done better when they worked an inviting opening on the sixyard line. When Kevin Davies escaped his markers to meet Bruno N'Gotty's well flighted free-kick, you would have put money on the outcome of a free header, but the striker could not summon sufficient power or direction and arelieved Cech made another straightforward save.
In contrast, Chelsea's only threats on the Bolton goal during the first half came from speculative efforts from Jiri Jarosik, both shots so far from hitting the target as to barely register as attempts.
If the plan was to suck Bolton in and hit them with a fast counter it was always going to be hampered by the absence of mercurial midfield links such as Duff, Cole and Robben. Frank Lampard and Tiago found themselves covering too great a distance between a pushed-back defence and two isolated strikers, and Bolton put together the best move of the half when El-Hadji Diouf's turn left Ricardo Carvalho floundering and John Terry had to come across to prevent his low cross reaching Davies.
Terry caught an accidental elbow from Davies shortly afterwards and was having difficulty seeing out of a swollen eye at the interval, but was still first out for the second half. Possibly inspired by their captain's example, Chelsea played with more determination. Bolton were kept at arms length, further down the field, and with Terry and Lampard moving the ball through midfield Chelsea gradually began to impose themselves.
With Drogba more apparently more concerned about a tear in his shorts than terrorising the Bolton defence it began to look likely that the deadlock would be broken by one of Chelsea reliable goalscorers from midfield, although Drogba was responsible for winning a header at the start of the move.
Gudjohnsen fed Lampard, who cut inside Vincent Candela and resisted the fullback's blatant tug in the area to stay on his feet and drill the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Bolton had lost some of their composure by appealing for an earlier foul, but it had been a physical contest throughout and the referee was doing the spectators a favour by not blowing up at every opportunity. Bolton of all teams should realise the importance of playing to the whistle.
If Sam Allardyce was upset about the first goal he would have been incandescent over the second, when Bolton made the cardinal error of sending too many men forward for a corner and paying the price when Chelsea cleared and Claude Makelele steered the ball to Lampard through an empty midfield. Lampard calmly carried the ball forward through a non-existent defence, rounded Jaaskelainen and scored his second of the game and his eighteenth of the season. A fitting individual end to a great team campaign.
Man of the Match: Frank Lampard
Two-goal Frank Lampard,of course - quite possibly man of the season, too.Has made a habit of getting forward and scoring goals all season,and he now has two extremely memorable ones to treasure. Leaving aside their significance,the composure he showed in finishing both was commendable for a midfielder.
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Telegraph : Lampard lives his title dream By Roy Collins at the Reebok Stadium (Filed: 01/05/2005)
Bolton (0) 0 Chelsea (0) 2
And so, as Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had predicted months ago, the Premier League title was delivered at the Reebok Stadium. And in a manner that summed up many of Chelsea's away performances this season, all but donning Sou'westers to brave a first half storm blowing across the West Pennines before breaking out to score a couple of stunning goals to win.
Take that: Frank Lampard seals the Premiership title In the manner, in short, of champions. Despite nit-picking quibbles that their football has not been the most exhilarating, champions can wear coats of many different colours and if Jose Mourinho's team do not yet possess the breathtaking qualities of Arsenal in full fl ight, their counter-attacking style could easily have been lifted from the Gunners' wardrobe.
Chelsea are deserved champions and to wrap up the title with 88 points and still three games to go is an astonishing achievement, beyond even the expectations of Mourinho when he first drove into Stamford Bridge.
Pursuers and deposed champions Arsenal have simply had the breath sucked out of them in the slipstream of pacemakers as relentless as Paula Radcliffe and the fact that they could fi nish with 86 points themselves says everything about how high Chelsea have raised the bar in terms of points. But for a bad day at Manchester City in October, where they suffered their only league loss of the season, they might even have stolen Arsenal's Invincibles tag.
Fittingly, given his massive infl uence this season and pending anointment as the Footballer of the Year, both goals came from Frank Lampard, the fi rst bang on 60 minutes. On the hour, the man of the hour and, for many, the man of the season. Picking up the ball in a position that did not, at first, look that promising out on the left, he slalomed past Vincent Candela before burying the ball into the far corner, despite Bolton protests that Fernando Herrero had been fouled.
Lampard ran off sucking the face off the club badge on his shirt as he went to celebrate with Chelsea's delirious travelling army, the majority of whom were not around when their club won their only other title in 1955. But they have suffered enough near misses of their own in recent years to savour the sweetness of the moment.
Lampard's second, 14 minutes from time, was one with which to celebrate a title. Running on to a long ball from Claude Makelele, he sweetly took the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen before rolling it into an empty net. How long had he dreamed of ending the title race like that?
The only question now is whether, having conquered England, this Chelsea team can scale the highest peak in Europe next month by adding the Champions League crown to the Premiership and the now almost forgotten Carling Cup. We will know more after what promises to be an epic semi-final second leg against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday.
Mourinho, knowing that he needs clear heads for that one, did not overdo the celebrations as the goals went in. But he linked arms with all the substitutes and coaching staff during the fi nal minutes to glory before running on for the victory dance just outside the centre circle. The players ended it by showering their fans from their water bottles, which would have tasted like vintage champagne.
Afterwards, Mourinho's victory speech was simple: "This group is special. My players are special."
From the scoreline, you would have imagined that their keeper Petr Cech might have strung a hammock between the posts and wiled away the 90 minutes reading War and Peace or the Life and Times of Roman Abramovich. But four times in the opening 20 minutes, he was required to throw himself around his goalmouth like a puppet, making low saves from Stelios, Kevin Davies and Herrero, while comfortably catching a header from Gary Speed.
A mistake by Ricardo Carvalho might have left him more terminally exposed if El-Hadji Diouf had picked out Stelios in the centre but instead, a law unto himself as usual, he tried to pick out an eye-of-a-needle shot and hit Terry, hardly a presence you could miss.
Mourinho rested Glen Johnson and, mischievously, Arjen Robben after rumours that he had refused to start against Liverpool on Wednesday, although it would be astonishing if he does not play in the second leg, particularly with Damien Duff still struggling to be fit. Joe Cole was also left on the bench but for once did not complain as on this occasion, it was a badge of honour, an acknowledgment of how important he has become to the team.
Bolton's first-half onslaught, which deserved better, was just the sort of thing that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was referring to when he hinted that Chelsea might have trouble in the north. But, in Premiership terms, it arrived far too late to have any bearing. It is the journey 45 miles west of here on Tuesday that could prove the one that validates Fergie's claim, though it would take a brave man to bet on it.
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Times;
Bolton 0 Chelsea 2: Match report Joe Lovejoy at Reebok Stadium THEY made tediously hard work of it and were second- best for an hour, but Chelsea finally docked in Nirvana last night when two goals by Frank Lampard took the title to Stamford Bridge for the first time in 50 years. Bolton were the better side for most of the match, but the team that Roman's riches bought rewarded his largesse in the second half. It was not one of Chelsea's better performances, but they can be forgiven any distraction, just three days before their Champions League semi-final second leg, and nobody should quibble with the outcome of a race that turned into a procession.
They have won the League with three games to spare, and there can be no gainsaying their pre-eminence in this, their centenary year. They huddled, then cavorted at the final whistle and, for all the talk of their financial advantages, it is only the curmudgeons who will begrudge them.
Jose Mourinho led the celebrations, taking his players to receive the acclaim of the blue-clad legions who had made the trip. To their credit, the home crowd joined in the applause, showing warm appreciation for the best team in the country. It was fitting that Lampard should be the hero of the hour after a marvellous personal contribution this season, highlighted by his 18 goals from midfield.
There may be more difficult places than the Reebok for champions-elect to visit in need of a win, but none springs readily to mind. Nevertheless, Chelsea's followers had turned out in force. The official figure for the away contingent was given as 2,800, but it sounded like a lot more. They were in good voice at the end, although for what must have seemed like an eternity they had precious little to cheer.
Bolton have aspirations of their own, fuelled by the results returned by Liverpool and Everton earlier in the day, and it would be interesting to see what Europe made of them. Sam Allardyce has done remarkably well on a shoestring budget, but his style of play will never please the purist.
Fair's fair, however, and Bolton were the better team on the day. The first news of note came well before the kick-off, when the teamsheet handed in by Mourinho suggested he had one eye, at least, on Tuesday's decisive date with Liverpool. There was no place in the 16 for Arjen Robben and Damien Duff, neither of whom is 100% fit. Glen Johnson was also rested, and Joe Cole started on the bench. To the surprise of nobody, John Terry and Lampard would not hear of standing down.
Without their two wingers and Cole, Chelsea lacked width and pace, and therefore penetration, and struggled to get out of their own half in the first period. There was nobody to inconvenience a Bolton back four who were screened by a "front sweeper" in Fernando Hierro.
Chelsea had a scare in the first minute when Lampard set his sights with a shot from distance. It was easily saved, but he pulled up, temporarily lame. To the considerable relief of Mourinho and his men, the England midfielder was able to "run off" the problem. A more serious concern came later, when Terry sustained a cut eye in a clash of heads with Kevin Davies.
As is their wont, Bolton made an assertive start, and had the first proper chance, in the third minute, when a shot from Stelios Giannakopoulos, at close range, had Petr Cech stretching. As ever, they were dangerous at set-pieces, and the best goalkeeper in the country was called upon to prove his worth, particularly at corners.
When it came to open play, Gary Speed tested the Czech with a header and Hierro did likewise from improbable range. Bolton dominated the first half, and Terry was called on to make a last-ditch tackle to keep out El-Hadji Diouf.
It was the second half before Chelsea were able to fashion their first worthwhile goal attempt. With one eye closed, there was a doubt whether Terry would reappear for the second half. A doubt, that is, in everybody's mind but his own. Needless to say Captain Courageous was there again, leading by inspirational example. The breakthrough came when Didier Drogba flick-headed the ball to Lampard, who stepped inside Vincent Candela before beating Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Bolton were close to equalising when Geremi demanded the save of the afternoon from his own goalkeeper. Chelsea were not finished, however, and from a Bolton corner they broke away for Lampard to wrap it up in the 76th minute. And so to Anfield. The title in the bag, Chelsea can focus on the European Cup. Only a Scouser would bet against them.
STAR MAN: Frank Lampard (Chelsea) Player ratings. Bolton: Jaaskelainen 6, Candela 6 (Jaidi 78min,5), N'Gotty 7, Ben Haim 5, Gardner 6 (Nolan 63min,5), Hierro 7, Giannakopoulos 6 (Pedersen 63min,5), Okocha 6, Speed 6, Diouf 5, Davies 6 Chelsea: Cech 7, Geremi 6, Terry 7, Carvalho 6, Gallas 6, Tiago 5, Makelele 7 (Smertin 90min,5), Lampard 8, Jarosik 5, Gudjohnsen 6 (Cole 86min,5), Drogba 5 (Huth 66min,5)
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NOTW:
Frank's magic double seals the Championship for Chelsea
Genie of the Lamp
From Martin Samuel at Reebok Stadium
AT the end, drenched in champagne, exhausted but happy, two men stood.
Frank Lampard and John Terry raised their arms to the Chelsea faithful and sang their hearts out.
It was a strangely appropriate image for a triumph financed by Russian oil and masterminded by a Portuguese schoolteacher.
For all its exotic beginnings, on the night this was a very English coup.
A captain hewn from the rock of ages will next week lift the Premiership trophy, having played the last weeks of the season breasting the pain barrier.
The winning goals came from Lamps a truly inspirational midfield player, whose influence on the title race will surely make him Footballer of the Year before the month is out.
Lampard and Terry. Terry and Lampard. Forever they will be synonymous with this victory, the first of its kind for Chelsea in half a century.
The cynics, the envious will say money alone gave Chelsea success. But they will be wrong. Manchester United have money, too, but no title. Arsenal have World Cup-winners, yet surrendered long ago.
Chelsea had money last year, yet former coach Claudio Ranieri departed without a trophy.
What the club lacked was a central figure to make sense of Roman Abramovich's investment and to bring the best out of players who are now reaching a professional peak. They found it in Jose Mourinho.
Yesterday, with the title in the bag, he told his players to escort Abramovich on a lap of honour and then, when the last one was out of sight, slipped into a car and into the night. His job was done.
Nudge
The 90 minutes that brought the title to Stamford Bridge were his most eloquent comment, anyway.
This was a win that epitomised the efficiency and resilience he has brought to Chelsea. One mistake. One tiny error, one little nudge. That is all it needed and his team became champions.
When Bolton guardsman Fernando Hierro was eased out of the way by Eidur Gudjohnsen, when Vincent Candela failed to eliminate Lampard on the far side of the penalty area, Chelsea were home free.
Mourinho's men are all about the small details. They soak up pressure, waiting for that one opening. They wear the opposition down and render them unconscious with a swift uppercut. And that is what they did to Bolton here.
Lampard was untroubled at the far post. What he did with the ball once it had landed at his feet now that was something else.
The way he stepped inside Candela and shot past Jussi Jaaskelainen as if this was a Monday morning practice session, that demonstrated why Chelsea are worthy champions.
In men like Lampard and captain Terry they have great English players, men who could stand shoulder to shoulder with title winners from any era. So could keeper Petr Cech.
Bolton take very little lying down, certainly not home defeat. So when they went behind it was time to throw the kitchen sink at the champions-elect. A period of sustained pressure produced a shudder of panic in the Chelsea defence, during which Ricardo Carvalho almost diverted the ball into his net.
That mistake could have taken the race to next Saturday. That it did not is down to Cech, his mighty hands and his bravery in diverting the ball round the post.
Lampard then sped on for his second of the night, the one that sealed Chelsea's league triumph.
The stiff upper lip only quivered when the enormity of the achievement hit home and his unbridled joy spilled over in front of the travelling fans.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce accused ref Steve Dunn of missing a foul on Hierro for the Blues' opener.
Failed
He said: "The referee has won them this game. He failed on a major decision, with Jiri Jarosik's foul on Hierro. There was nothing more blatant than that you can see in the game."
What he should have said was that Lampard's second goal summed up the season.
Very cool. Very Chelsea. This year, they have truly been the Special Ones.

morning papers liverpool europe

Independent:

Benitez summons up European spirit with tactical master class
Chelsea 0 - Liverpool 0
By Sam Wallace at Stamford Bridge
28 April 2005

Chelsea's greatest accomplishment in the Premiership this season has been their merciless extinguishing of hope in the hearts of all their title rivals. But when they travel to Anfield on Tuesday for this semi-final second leg they will encounter a stadium that crackles with anticipation and a football club that can at last dare to believe that they can turn the brash new order of English football on its head.

No goals at Stamford Bridge, but it was clear that some of the favourite's status Jose Mourinho's team enjoyed before the tie has lurched away from them after they were dealt a tactical master class by Rafael Benitez.

The surroundings may have given the night a domestic aspect yet still Liverpool managed to summon the version of themselves that has disposed of Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus this season rather than the often wretched side who have contested the Premiership.

Tuesday will bring the arrivistes of European football together with a tradition that has the weight of four European Cups behind it. Anfield has sustained its team through nights like these before. There will be, Mourinho said, a "beautiful atmosphere" and yet it represents the most challenging environment that his team have faced. The prospect of this brilliant young coach leading his team into one of English football's proudest old cathedrals will not require any of Mourinho's grandstanding to lend the night its dramatic edge.

But Mourinho offered some anyway. The Chelsea coach was insistent that a goalless draw represented a "good result" for his side and predicted that, now "99.9 per cent" of Liverpool's fans would expect to win, the pressure would switch to Benitez's side. It was a brave attempt to force the burden of expectation back on to Liverpool, but this time Mourinho really was stretching the credulity of his audience. His side remain favourites, but it will be the upset scented by Anfield that gives the match its flavour.

Unlike his opposite number, Benitez spent much of last night's encounter on his feet, ushering his flawlessly organised team into two lines of defensive cohesion. If there was a touch of disappointment about the night for him then it was a booking for Xabi Alonso that rules the Spanish midfielder out of the return tie.

But Chelsea did not escape unscathed. Their inspirational captain John Terry took a blow to his foot in the early stages and, although he soldiered on, left Stamford Bridge limping heavily.

That other key member of Benitez's cast, Steven Gerrard, was not the rampaging, driving force that the most demanding Liverpool fans expect in every match, but his contribution was shaped by a different role, just behind the lone striker Milan Baros. It meant that the two strong men of England's midfield, Gerrard and Frank Lampard, were never properly aligned to engage in the great battle the nation expected. Lampard will remember the match for his miss on 22 minutes, the game's best chance.

There was no Damien Duff, who will be fit for the second leg, and in his place Mourinho opted for the more defensively minded Tiago. It was Chelsea's right flank, however, that interested Benitez. When Gerrard clipped, with barely a glance up, two long, dipping passes out to John Arne Riise within the space of three minutes it was evident that Liverpool had identified Glen Johnson as the most vulnerable in Chelsea's back four.

On 14 minutes, Joe Cole, a menace on the right, crossed for Didier Drogba, who did well to escape the attention of Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan before the stage fright that has afflicted him of late took its grip. The Chelsea striker dragged his shot badly wide. Riise had seen a well-struck shot stopped by Petr Cech when he slipped away from Ricardo Carvalho and Terry in the area.

Liverpool's best chance came on 39 minutes when Gerrard drifted out to the right and clipped a cross on to Baros' head that Cech did well to palm out. But it was Chelsea, and Lampard, who had the greatest cause for regret. On 22 minutes Cole headed down William Gallas' cross for the England midfielder who snatched at his volley and sent it sailing over the bar from close range.

Chelsea exerted an element of control in the closing stages of the first half and Cole found himself alone on the right with the ball at his feet, but could only strike his shot at Jerzy Dudek. When the rebound fell to Terry, still in the area from the preceding corner, he pulled his shot wide.

As his side struggled to pierce the organisation of Benitez's back four, Mourinho sent on Arjen Robben and then Mateja Kezman, a hint that he was not, perhaps, as happy as he claimed with a goalless draw. Igor Biscan and Alonso provided a barrier that spared Benitez's defence the pummelling that was dished out to Bayern Munich when they came to Stamford Bridge in the previous round. As an attacking force, Drogba's contribution was severely limited.

The away side carved out one chance, an exchange between Gerrard and Biscan that allowed Djibril Cisse, on as a substitute, a shot on goal on 68 minutes. It would be unfair to Liverpool to say that they were left hanging on at the end but by then they had reached a stage that they had not managed all season. Three defeats to Chelsea have preceded this draw but a win for Liverpool on Tuesday would feel like equality.

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Johnson, Terry, Carvalho, Gallas; Makelele; Cole (Kezman, 78), Lampard, Tiago (Robben, 59), Gudjohnsen; Drogba. Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Smertin, Geremi, Forssell, Huth.

Liverpool (4-5-1): Dudek; Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore; Garcia (Smicer, 90), Biscan (Kewell, 87), Gerrard, Alonso, Riise; Baros (Cisse, 65). Substitutes not used: Carson (gk), Le Tallec, Nunez, Warnock.

Referee: A Sars (France).

Man for Man

Chelsea

* PETR CECH

Two excellent first-half saves confirmed his supreme status. Gave a commanding performance. 8/10

* GLEN JOHNSON

Confidence gone. Targeted by Liverpool but, nevertheless, steadied himself. Good challenge on Garcia. 6

* JOHN TERRY

Assured, willing to attack. Rarely troubled although, also, was rarely put under pressure. 8

* RICARDO CARVALHO

Too easily beaten by Riise early on. Recovered and not punished for sly challenge on Carragher. 7

* WILLIAM GALLAS

Occupied by Garcia. Used his speed well but, again, did not get forward to any purpose. 6

* CLAUDE MAKELELE

At heart of midfield battle, won challenge after challenge. Dealt with Gerrard well. 8

* FRANK LAMPARD

Threat increased - tireless in defence and attack - should have scored with half-volley over the bar. But not at his best. 7

* TIAGO

More of a forward presence that usual. Used the ball well but lacks pace and conviction. 7

* JOE COLE

Pick of Chelsea's attack. Creative and direct he also remained disciplined throughout. 8

* DIDIER DROGBA

An aerial, physical handful. Good contest with Liverpool's defenders. But he still misses too many changes. 7

* EIDUR GUDJOHNSEN

Back in forward line until after the hour. Held position well. Disciplined if unspectacular. 7

SUBSTITUTES

* ARJEN ROBBEN (for Tiago, 59)

Added more pace and directness but still not fully fit. 7

Liverpool

* JERZY DUDEK

Had to be vigilant but, despite threat, was rarely called into action. 6/10

* STEVE FINNAN

Alert clearance from Cole early on. Tidy in distribution and disciplined. 7

* SAMI HYYPIA

Troubled by speed of Cole, aerial power of Drogba. Did not appear wholly comfortable but improved. 7

* JAMIE CARRAGHER

Strong, aggressive - but with his hands full. Could have earned first-half penalty, however. 8

* DJIMI TRAORE

Under pressure from Cole but stood up to the challenge although did look exposed. 6

* LUIS GARCIA

Threatened more than he delivered. Clever on the ball - but dived when he was challenged by Johnson in area. 6

* XABI ALONSO

Deep lying role he was smooth enough in possession without the usual killer pass. 8

* IGOR BISCAN

Defensively occupied. Struggled when going forward. Eclipsed at times. Deserved booking. 6

* JON ARNE RIISE

Carved out a brilliant first-half chance but should have attacked Johnson more. 7

* STEVEN GERRARD

Great ball for Baros header, but not the usual influence especially in his passing. Energetic. 7

* MILAN BAROS

Unlucky with his first-half header. He worked the Chelsea defence to begin with but faded before being substituted. 7

SUBSTITUTES

* DJIBRIL CISSE (for Baros, 65)

Great early turn but shot over. Added extra pace. 7.

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Guardian:

Red resistance tips the balance

Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge
Thursday April 28, 2005
The Guardian

There may be only a single frenetic evening to be traversed at Anfield but the Champions League final is a speck in the distance. More nerve-ridden endeavour is certain next Tuesday and finesse will have to be introduced before one of these trenchant teams gets past the other.
This semi-final is yet to begin in earnest. A mediocre match almost tipped the balance towards Liverpool by one degree from the horizontal but Xabi Alonso's late booking for a foul on Eidur Gudjohnsen means the scales have not budged in the least. The playmaker will now be suspended.

Jose Mourinho is one of the few people who can be inspired to a bout of nostalgia by a goalless draw at home. Chelsea put Manchester United out of the League Cup after such a result this season and his Champions League-winning Porto came through the semi-final with Deportivo la Corua last year in the same manner.
His is a personal satisfaction and enjoyment was severely rationed for others. Liverpool, however, carried off some interesting nuggets of evidence. Jerzy Dudek made no noteworthy saves but Petr Cech had to pull off two for Chelsea. Mourinho had better not take for granted his team's security on Merseyside.

Placed in the context of Chelsea's meetings with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, this was a glaringly deficient game. From the Stamford Bridge perspective it was easy to identify what and whom it lacked. At 5pm Damien Duff failed a fitness test on his hamstring so comprehensively that the club must quake over his prospects of recovering for the return. Arjen Robben is in better condition but an ankle problem is causing him pain and he came on for only the last half-hour.

Liverpool for much of the season were the club undermined by injuries. A role reversal may be in process. Rafael Bentez has no cause to abandon the belief that his team will snatch the place in the final that hitherto seemed earmarked for Chelsea.

Liverpool are difficult to breach in European competition and from the outset there were sufficient overtones of the 0-0 draw with Juventus to suggest that the Stadio delle Alpi performance would be restaged here.

Mourinho's Chelsea, though, could never plod through a contest as the Serie A side had done. Though their attacks were not as deftly articulated as usual, Joe Cole realised he would have to provide the bulk of the team's runs from his flank because Gudjohnsen, on the left, always moves inside to link with the midfield.

The Icelander did release Cole with a pass that sprang the offside trap after 14 minutes but, although Didier Drogba got the break of the ball from the ensuing cross, he screwed his finish well wide.

Within five minutes a better opportunity was made on the left. When Drogba laid play out to William Gallas he worked the ball on to his right foot and flighted a deep delivery. Cole, outjumping Djimi Traore, headed down but Frank Lampard, often the midfield marksman, fired high.

Liverpool were not breathing heavily, though, and in a game of a jerky quality there were menacing lurches into Chelsea's area where Ricardo Carvalho for once did not hold sway. Gathering a pass from Alonso in the 19th minute, John Arne Riise came across the Portugal defender but, having put the ball on to his unfavoured right foot, could do no more than steer a finish which Cech dealt with. Six minutes before half-time the goalkeeper made a better save to tip away a Milan Baros header from Steven Gerrard's cross.

Liverpool are at last ready to be measured by the Chelsea standard. On this ground in November the only ambitions they had were for damage limitation before Cole's goal beat them in the Premiership fixture. In the League Cup final two months ago an immediate opener for Liverpool threw them into such confusion that they passed the ball miserably before succumbing to Chelsea.

They were more enterprising and mature here. By half-time there were valid complaints about the patchiness of the match but that met with Bentez's appreciation in a first leg that was deaf to Chelsea's demands. Robben, sore ankle or not, could not be left to convalesce in the dug-out. With defenders taking up too much of the credit, the match was in need of whatever flair his half-fit body could offer.

There was, of course, dutiful appreciation for the steadfastness of men such as Sami Hyypia. Even when he made the mistake that invited Cole to round Traore, he recovered to terminate Cole's run inside the penalty area.

Perhaps each manager was too adept at laying his plans. Lampard and Gerrard both used the ball well enough but had no scope to be overwhelming. That snuffer-out-in-chief Claude Makelele was the true lord of the midfield.

The game at Anfield must belong to whoever can ignite the evening.

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Times:
Resolute Liverpool keep Mourinho's men at bay
By Matt Dickinson, Chief Football Correspondent
Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0



CHELSEA learnt just how tough it will be to overcome Rafael Bentez's organised, committed team on a tense night in West London and they will be reminded again when the Anfield roar greets them at kick-off next Tuesday. The Kop has witnessed some famous European nights and this one promises to be one of the best.
The Liverpool fans were exultant as they left Stamford Bridge last night, but Jose Mourinho will be confident that they were celebrating prematurely. The Portuguese had prepared the Chelsea supporters for a goalless draw and so, like most of his predictions, it duly followed in last night's European Cup semi-final first leg.

A 0-0 draw at home is never a bad result in the circumstances (no away goals conceded) and so, while the Liverpool fans could celebrate a draw after three defeats by Chelsea this season, Mourinho knows that his players can thrive on the counter-attack, particularly if Arjen Robben and Damien Duff are fit to start. The absence of Xabi Alonso, who will be suspended after a late caution last night, is a huge blow for Bentez. The manager will know that the job is only half-done and the toughest part is to follow next week.

On a night when both esteemed coaches were required to choose tactics specifically for the occasion Mourinho to overcome the absence of Robben, who began on the bench, and Duff, and Bentez to negate Chelsea's expected dominance of possession Steven Gerrard was the best barometer of the constantly fluctuating fortunes.

When Liverpool were doing well, as they did in a positive opening ten minutes and shortly before half-time, the captain was heavily involved high up the pitch, almost as a striker. When they were under pressure, which was for longer periods, Gerrard was forced to drop back and help out his midfield. That was certainly the case for a 20-minute spell in the first half, when, after shaking off their early nerves, Chelsea missed a couple of wonderful chances to take the lead.

Perhaps it was the mantle of favourites that inhibited Mourinho's men at kick-off. Or maybe it was the knowledge that, with Duff injured and Robben held back until the second half, this was the first time in seven months, FA Cup ties apart, that they had gone into a game without either of their most penetrative players.

Eidur Gudjohnsen was the man to suffer in Mourinho's reshuffle, surrendering his position on the right of midfield to Tiago and moving out to a less familiar role on the left. Joe Cole was on the opposite flank and it was the England player who led Chelsea out of the jitters, creating a good chance for himself in the eleventh minute only to snatch at the shot, and then, soon after, crossing to Didier Drogba. Another ungainly effort followed.

Bentez must have started to become a little fearful, although just as the pressure mounted, Alonso chipped a superb pass to John Arne Riise. The midfield player turned inside past Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry, but Petr Cech, magnificent yet again, was equal to the Norwegian's right-foot shot from ten yards.

Back came Chelsea and, when Cole's header set up Frank Lampard for a free swing at goal from six yards out, a goal seemed inevitable. As Jerzy Dudek spread himself, expecting to be beaten, Lampard skied his shot over the bar. A full house could hardly believe their eyes and, when the giant screen showed a replay, the crowd audibly gasped.

They did so again shortly before the interval, when Gerrard arrowed a wonderful cross on to the head of Milan Baros. The striker's glance was perfect, testing the Chelsea goalkeeper to the limit, but again Cech was equal to the task to confirm that he is already the Premiership's best goalkeeper after one season.

It was a decent chance for Liverpool but, with Claude Makelele gaining the upper hand in his duel with Gerrard, they were harder to come by. Chelsea were turning the screw, pressing the visiting team deeper into their own half, although they were still snatching at their own opportunities. Cole infuriated his team-mates when, having evaded a couple of tackles with a lovely piece of skill, he shot for goal when there was an obvious pass.

Mourinho sent on Robben for Tiago and Mateja Kezman for the tiring Cole to increase Liverpool's defensive workload, but the back line that had performed so heroically in Turin in the quarter-final second leg was still standing firm for Bentez. Despite their shooting chances, none better than Lampard's in the first half, Dudek had not been forced to make a save in the Liverpool goal, which was probably just as well.

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Sun:
Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0

By SUN ONLINE REPORTER

AFTER all the fanfare and promises, we were robbed.

The Premi-final blockbuster failed to live up to its star billing as the Champions League turned into the Chumps League.

Where were semi-final headliners Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard?

Even the young gunslinger Jose Mourinho refused to gamble by playing Arjen Robben after Damien Duff failed a fitness test.

So it will now be winner takes all in next week's second leg for a place in the final.

We can only hope the second match will be worthy of a game of this magnitude.

Mourinho knows that his side could make away goals count double at Anfield.

But Reds boss Rafa Benitez will be happy with this draw and knows he edged the tactical battle at Stamford Bridge.

Joe Cole tried his best to influence proceedings in the first half but again he could not quite find the finishing touch to match his mesmerising approach play.

The England midfielder was involved in the first decent passage of play after eight minutes as his burst and cross down the right tried to find Eidur Gudjohnsen. But Steve Finnan headed to safety.

Cole then had the first shot on target as he ran on to Lampard's searching pass and took advantage of a slip by Sami Hyypia.

But the left-footed effort was weak and straight at Jerzy Dudek.

Soon after, Didier Drogba went down theatrically in the box under pressure from Hyypia. But referee Alain Sars was having none of it.

Cole was involved again as Drogba missed a sitter. The Ivory Coast hitman spun away from Finnan after Cole's centre, but with only Dudek to beat, he pulled his shot horribly wide with Gudjohnsen unable to convert as he stretched in the six-yard box.

At the other end, John Arne Riise fashioned Liverpool's first opening with a lovely touch to beat Ricardo Carvalho. But he was forced on to his weaker right foot and Petr Cech saved easily.

Lampard should have put Chelsea ahead on 22 minutes. William Gallas broke down the left and Cole nodded down his centre for Lampard six yards out, but he blazed his volley over.

Chelsea were building the pressure and Lampard had a shot and free-kick both deflected for corners.

Djimi Traore had time to settle the Reds down but he went for goal and his shot ended up as a throw-in.

Luis Garcia then skipped past Carvalho on the edge of the box before Glen Johnson got in a crucial touch as the Spaniard tumbled over his leg.

Garcia tried his luck from 30 yards out but again it was a waste before Gerrard played his one meaningful ball of the night.

He swung in a wicked cross from the right and Milan Baros headed towards the far corner only for Cech to earn his money with a superb one-handed save.

Two minutes before the break, Lampard found Tiago on the right corner of the Liverpool penalty area.

His shot was blocked by Traore and fell to John Terry, who did not get enough on the ball and it bobbled wide.

Cole started off well again in the second half and he beat Hyypia down the right wing. But as he skipped past Traore, Hyypia made a well-timed recovery tackle to snuff out the danger.

Cole was first in the book for losing a 50-50 challenge to Traore, before Arjen Robben was introduced for Tiago.

And Dutchman Robben was immediately in the action with a corner which found Terry's head although it drifted well wide.

Benitez made his own change as Djibril Cisse replaced Baros and his first effort after a flowing move was high and wide.

Dudek had a scary moment on 76 minutes when Cole's throughball rolled to the Polish stopper and he slipped before getting up to recover.

Mateja Kezman replaced Cole and straight away he was yellow-carded for a tackle from behind on Traore.

Xabi Alonso suffered agony when he hauled down Gudjohnsen on the break to earn a caution and he now misses the return leg.

Harry Kewell and Vladimir Smicer came on for Liverpool to run the clock down.

Gerrard eyed glory a minute from time as he ran on to a quick free-kick but his effort sailed miles wide to sum up a frustrating evening for the Reds skipper.

Carvalho had to concede a corner in injury-time as Cisse bore down on goal. But it came no nothing as the teams settled for a draw.

DREAM TEAM STAR MAN

JAMIE CARRAGHER (Liverpool)

Chelsea: Cech 8, Johnson 7, Terry 7, Carvalho 6, Gallas 6, Tiago 7 (Robben 6), Lampard 7, Makelele 6, Cole 7 (Kezman 5), Drogba 5, Gudjohnsen 5. Subs: Smertin, Geremi, Cudicini, Forssell, Huth. Booked: Kezman, Cole.

Liverpool: Dudek 6, Finnan 6, Carragher 8, Hyypia 7, Traore 6, Riise 7, Alonso 6, Gerrard 7, Biscan 7 (Kewell 5), Garcia 7 (Smicer 5), Baros 6 (Cisse 6). Subs: Le Tallec, Nunez, Carson, Warnock. Booked: Biscan, Alonso.

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Telegraph :
Liverpool keep Chelsea in check
By Henry Winter
(Filed: 28/04/2005)

Match details

In pictures: Champions League action
In pictures: Route to the semis

Chelsea (0) 0 Liverpool (0) 0

Liverpool left Stamford Bridge last night delighting in this draw, their fans chanting "Rocking all over the World", yet with Rafael Benitez and his players mindful of Chelsea's ability to score an away goal.

Aerial battle: Didier Drogba and Jamie Carragher at Stamford Bridge
Anfield has witnessed some memorable European evenings, from the visits of St-Etienne to Olympiakos, and next Tuesday promises to be another epic.

Benitez's side performed impressively here, sticking rigidly to his canny strategy of containment and counter-attack. Liverpool will need to open up more at Anfield and Chelsea will believe that they can score, particularly with Arjen Robben gaining in sharpness.

The one real frustration of the night for Liverpool was an unfortunate caution for the superb Xabi Alonso for a challenge on Eidur Gudjohnsen. The booking precludes the involvement of this deft, play-making Spaniard from the Anfield drama next week.

It was the one mistake made by Alain Sars, the French referee, who allowed a keenly fought, commendably clean game to flow, a match that saw the best contributions from those in red, like Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

No feelings of inferiority had inhibited Liverpool, no alarm at the unflattering odds offered by bookmakers. Benitez has instilled a quiet belief in his players, who have responded to his clever tactical approach in Europe, a floodedmidfield policy that had drowned Juventus in the quarter-finals.

With Xabi Alonso and Igor Biscan sitting deep in front of a back four given such steely inspiration by Carragher, and Gerrard raiding to good effect, Liverpool's 4-2-3-1 approach sent shivers of concern through Chelsea in a scoreless, but absorbing first half. Frustrated by Liverpool's obduracy, Mourinho unleashed Robben and then Mateja Kezman in the second half.

Liverpool had given their fans plenty to sing about, other than the usual "You've got no history" invective towards Chelsea.

Only the remarkable reflexes of Petr Cech, who extends that huge frame so athletically and quickly, denied Liverpool a goal just before the break. Inevitably, Alonso and Gerrard were involved, the tempo-setting twosome combining out on the right, yards from their hugely vocal supporters. Alonso laid the ball off to Gerrard, who drilled over a cross towards the penalty spot.

Milan Baros, leaping well, kept the pace on the ball, but redirected it goalwards, seemingly out of the reach of even the tall Cech. Yet the Czech international thwarted his compatriot by stretching out a paw and fingertipping the ball around the post. Cech also saved well from John Arne Riise, Liverpool's hard-working left sided-midfielder who juggled the ball past Ricardo Carvalho to fashion a glimpse of goal instantly blocked by Chelsea's indomitable keeper.

Liverpool were impressing, playing without fear, allowing no Chelsea player a second of untroubled possession and clearly targeting Glen Johnson, Chelsea's defensive weak link. Gerrard was relishing the fray, thoroughly eclipsing Lampard in the opening half. Liverpool's captain adores the Champions League, spends his midweek evenings when not playing surfing the channels to catch all the early-season action from Moscow to Madrid.

As he walked down the tunnel before kick-off, this proud Merseysider looked down at the red carpet and noted the words that read "The Road to Istanbul, 2005". Some Liverpool fans even wore fezzes in anticipation. Yet John Terry, Chelsea's leader, was similarly inspired by the thought of a season's climax in Turkey. Withstanding a bruising early challenge from Baros, Terry sought to galvanise the champions elect.

So much class suffuses this team of Mourinho's. Not just Terry, the newly installed Player of the Year, but others such as Frank Lampard. Surprisingly, Chelsea seemed riven with nerves in the opening stages. Lampard, amazingly for someone so deadly this season, missed a marvellous chance from five yards after Joe Cole had brilliantly headed down William Gallas's cross. As the Shed End stood in anticipation of the usual Lampard coup de grce, the England midfielder skied the ball into the stand. Chelsea fans rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

Lampard was not the only man in blue misfiring; Drogba miscued one shot horribly wide and then a great dribble by Cole was ended by the assured Sami Hyypia as the second half unfolded.

Mourinho sought to set Liverpool a new challenge on the hour, introducing Robben for Tiago, who had stepped in when Damien Duff failed a late fitness test on his injured hamstring. Robben's arrival allowed Gudjohnsen, hitherto subdued, to move into the more central role he has excelled in recently.

Robben was soon involved, releasing Drogba down the inside-left channel, but fortunately for Liverpool, Carragher had read the Ivory Coast striker's intentions and dispossessed him with a fine tackle.

Carragher was enjoying an outstanding evening, showing all the improved positional qualities and composure to his game. Twice Kezman came arrowing into Liverpool's box, danger doubling with every stride until Carragher intervened, clearing each time.

Still the Chelsea pressure continued, wave after blue wave rolling towards to Carragher and company. When Robben whipped over a free kick, Jerzy Dudek muscled his way confidently through a crowd of players to clutch the ball. On a night of surprises, Harry Kewell joined the action late on. And so to Anfield.

Match details

Chelsea (4-1-2-2-1): Cech; Johnson, Carvalho, Terry, Gallas; Makelele; Tiago (Robben 58), Lampard; J Cole (Kezman 77), Gudjohnsen; Drogba.
Subs: Cudicini (g), Smertin, Geremi, Forssell, Huth.
Booked: Cole, Kezman.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Dudek; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore; Alonso, Biscan (Kewell 86); Garcia (Smicer 90), Gerrard, Riise; Baros (Cisse 64).
Subs: Carson (g), Le Tallec, Nunez, Warnock.
Booked: Biscan, Alonso.
Referee: A Sars (France).

sunday papers fulham

Observer:
Lampard leads lap of honour as Blues close in on crowning glory
Ian Ridley at Stamford Bridge Sunday April 24, 2005The Observer
At first, on the fiftieth anniversary of Chelsea last becoming champions of England, Stamford Bridge seemed unsure how to behave or what to believe. José Mourinho could have sent out 11 chickens and only the referee would have counted them. At the final whistle, bets were off. All stood for the champions elect; they did think it was all over. After a weary, hard-fought victory over their west London neighbours in an absorbing game to which Fulham contributed much, it will indeed be done tomorrow night, should Arsenal fail to defeat Tottenham across town at Highbury. Otherwise, one more win from four matches will do for Chelsea, the first chance being away to Bolton on Saturday.
'I am with Arsenal. I don't want to win it on Monday,' said Mourinho, ever perverse, ever eyebrow-raising. 'Maybe then we lose at Bolton and I don't want to lose at Bolton.' Neither would he want his players suffering from premature elation, with Liverpool to face in a Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. As Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has graciously conceded, Chelsea will be worthy champions when formalities are complete. From the towering influence of Petr Cech in goal, through their English-born spine of John Terry and Frank Lampard - who led afterwards what amounted virtually to a lap of honour - to the inventive Damien Duff wide on the left, they have been mean in defence, a mixture of moody and magnificent farther forward.
Yesterday, they exhibited another hallmark of champions - the ability to eke out a result when fatigued, when attitude, as much as ability, is needed. Mourinho was unhappy with a lunchtime kick-off after the epic struggle against Arsenal in midweek, but such are the hurdles, when overcome, that render the achievement the more admirable. 'We won this game just because of character,' said Mourinho. 'Because we had not the physical condition to do it.'
Initially, the game plan seemed to be to kill off Fulham early, then perhaps take their ease and but for Didier Drogba's wastefulness they might have done. First he headed over, then he shot narrowly wide on the turn. But Joe Cole was giving Liam Rosenoir a torrid time and duly opened the scoring. Maurice Volz could only knock down Glen Johnson's crossfield pass to Drogba, who fed Cole for a splendid shot home on the turn from 20 yards.
Gradually a well-organised Fulham gained a grip on midfield and thus a foothold in the game. Even Claude Makelele's quietly authoritative ability to break up attacks was not quite enough now. Brian McBride clipped Rosenoir's low cross just over the bar as a warning and the equaliser came when Luis Boa Morte slid a perceptive pass between Johnson and Ricardo Carvalho to Collins John, who tucked the ball neatly past Cech.
'I do not lie to my players. I always want them to face the reality,' said Mourinho. 'At half-time I told them they were in a difficult position. Fulham are fresher and faster than us. This is just about today. One win.' Outside the dressing room could be seen the legendary status that was on offer as reward as Roy Bentley, captain of the 1955 team, was basking in the crowd's applause.
Duff moved to left-back to replace the fish-out-of-water Robert Huth, on came Arjen Robben for his first meaningful contribution since breaking his foot at the beginning of February in place of the ailing Cole. The next goal in the game was all important. 'If they had scored it, we were in no condition to react,' said Mourinho.
It came via Robben, his new injection of pace decisive. Terry broke up a Fulham attack and fed Duff for a pass wide to the Dutchman, who was quickly past Volz before cutting the ball back for Lampard to sidefoot home his tenth Premiership goal of the season, his sixteenth in total - a remarkable return for a midfield player.
Now Mourinho tightened up by taking off Drogba and sending on Tiago. Cech kept Chelsea ahead by tipping over Tomasz Radzinski's shot and finally Eidur Gudjohnsen sealed it. Tiago robbed Steed Malbranque and sent the Icelander racing clear, his shot steered clinically past Edwin Van der Sar.
Cech saved brilliantly John's free-kick in added time, but the deed was done. Or almost. 'We have been dreaming of the title since the first day,' said Mourinho before the match. The last day nears.
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NotW :
Chelsea suffer a'Paula moment' but race is won
Pooh, what a scorcher
From Martin Samuel at Stamford Bridge
THIS was Chelsea's Paula Radcliffe moment — an unscheduled and highly embarrassing pit-stop before charging away from the field and on to the finishing line.
For Paula's toilet break in last Sunday's London Marathon, read Fulham's equaliser just before half-time.
They both had the same shock value, leaving the punters mystified but, ultimately, of no significance.
Indeed, Chelsea may end up echoing Paula's exchange with the BBC's Sue Barker. The runner asked: "Who came second?"
Ms Barker replied: "I don't know, they haven't finished running yet."
Chelsea's domestic season could be over by tomorrow night if Arsenal fail to beat Tottenham.
Even if the Gunners win, victory for Chelsea at Bolton next Saturday will seal it.
The maximum requirement for Jose Mourinho's side is two points from four matches — and as one of them is at home to Charlton, who appear to declare their season over at the first ray of spring sunshine, nobody is expecting the unexpected.
Impossible
Fifty years ago yesterday Chelsea last lifted the title — April 23, 1955 — and captain Roy Bentley, now 81, returned to mark the occasion.
So much has changed of late that it is almost impossible to compare Chelsea through the last 12 months let alone across half a century.
But some things have never altered, like results against Fulham when they meet at Stamford Bridge — 26 games producing only two wins for the away team, and the last in 1979.
Chris Coleman's side could not have played better yesterday, yet there was inevitability about Chelsea's second-half resurgence once Arjen Robben had been introduced.
The Dutchman destroyed Fulham in the game at Craven Cottage earlier in the season — and while his first appearance since becoming collateral damage at Blackburn on February 2 was not as mesmerising, it was certainly match winning.
Robben created Chelsea's vital second goal — scored by Frank Lampard, who else? — and put Fulham on the back-foot at a time when an equaliser from Collins John had placed them in the ascendancy.
Chelsea were labouring until Robben arrived, replacing the slightly injured Joe Cole while Damien Duff moved to left-back for Robert Huth.
This change proved the difference. They went on the offensive, Robben on the rampage down the left flank, and Fulham surrendered.
Mourinho said the visitors deserved more and they certainly showed there are better ways for a small club to perform than by kicking the big boys off the park — like playing them at football.
Petr Cech needed to make a stunning save to prevent a second equaliser, when a Tomasz Radzinski shot was tipped over, while Brian McBride and striking partner John sent opportunities narrowly wide.
Fulham's goal on 41 minutes was evidence of their success in rattling what could well prove the best defence the Premiership has seen — one more clean sheet will beat Arsenal's record of 23.
Luis Boa Morte played the ball to John and Ricardo Carvalho attempted to shepherd him away.
The result? Carvalho on the floor, John through and the ball tucked past a stranded Cech. Having taken the lead through a Joe Cole shot when Moritz Volz dealt poorly with a Lampard pass on 17 minutes, this was clearly not in Chelsea's script.
For a while, they appeared to lose their way — before Robben trumped Fulham with 26 minutes remaining.
Fed by Duff, now employed dutifully as a defender, he skipped inside the hapless Volz and pulled back the perfect pass, met by Lampard with a shot so precise Edwin van der Sar did not get a chance.
When the third went in, it put distance between the teams that did not reflect Fulham's contribution.
Faith
The goal was worth it for the pass, though. A grandstand through-ball from Tiago that caught Fulham unaware, leaving Gudjohnsen racing clear before beating Van der Sar.
And so to Highbury on Monday.
Chelsea's half-lap of honour at the end suggests greater faith in Spurs than many have. But more probably, it is what they know about themselves that breeds such confidence.
Look at the league table. Look at what they are up against. Like Paula Radcliffe, they've pee'd it.
GAMES TO GO: Chelsea: Wed v Liverpool (h) Champions League; Sat v Bolton (a); May 3 v Liverpool (a) Champions League; May 7 Charlton (h); May 15 v Newcastle (a). Fulham: Sat v Everton (h); May 4 v Newcastle (h); May 7 v Blackburn (a); May 15 v Norwich (h). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telegraph :
Chelsea get carried away as Mourinho continues carpingBy Roy Collins at Stamford Bridge (Filed: 24/04/2005)
Chelsea (1) 3 Fulham (1) 1
Chelsea's players celebrated like champions at the end, taking curtain calls at each corner of the ground and exchanging high fives not just with one another but with any member of the back-room staff who happened to wander out on to the touchline to share the glory. For a second, one even feared that the players would run into the crowd to drag out their children for one of those ghastly creche moments, reminiscent of when Chelsea won the FA Cup five years ago.Manager Jose Mourinho had instructed players and supporters alike to savour the title-winning moment but Chelsea, technically, still need two more points to wrap up the Premiership crown.
Fifty years after their only other triumph, their champagne moment was a bit premature. They may, of course, have already done enough, which will be the case if Arsenal fail to beat Tottenham at Highbury tomorrow night.
Mourinho is the only man at Stamford Bridge who will not become a Tottenham fan for a day, insisting that he wants Arsenal to win so that his players can concentrate on their Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool here on Wednesday before trying to clinch the title at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. He was also the only person to ignore his own advice about savouring the moment, ludicrously complaining that it was impossible for his side to play at lunchtime three days after playing a night match against Arsenal.
It is clearly being so cheerful that keeps him going as he complained: "I told the players at half time that they were dead. Having played a big game against Arsenal on Wednesday, we needed supermen to win today and that's what we had. It was all down to our character."
If Chelsea's players never lost the faith, their fans were so nervous and quiet after Collins John's fine goal just before half-time brought the scores level that if Roman Abramovich had been more demonstrative he might have gone on to the pitch to demand: "Let's be 'aving you."
Instead, that demand was made to the players by Mourinho, who had to play Damien Duff at left-back after the break in place of the injured Robert Huth, though the good news was that Duff's spot on the wing went to Arjen Robben, fit again after breaking a foot against Blackburn on Feb 2.
His first touch, after falling on his backside and clambering up again, found Eidur Gudjohnsen, who slipped the ball into the net, only to be flagged offside.
That did nothing to lessen the finger-chewing of the Chelsea fans, who have seen their side throw away so many chances over the years that, even with the Holy Grail within touching distance, they still seem unable to believe that the Premiership trophy will be theirs. In cricketing terms, for the past few weeks Chelsea have been like a batsman in the nervous nineties looking for a couple of streaky tickles to third man to bring up the century.
The footballing equivalent is a far-post tap in, something Frank Lampard would not bother dirtying his boots for. Instead, when the talismanic Robben pulled back a ball from the left, Lampard lashed a trademark right-footer into the corner.
Mourinho and his famous coat took another leap into the air, starting his victory celebrations even earlier than his players. Fulham still looked capable of scoring a second equaliser but, three minutes from time, Gudjohnsen ran on to substitute Tiago's through ball to tuck away the ball and the points.
Apart from an early mistake by full-back Moritz Volz that allowed Didier Drogba to set up a goal for Joe Cole, Fulham manager Chris Coleman could be proud of his team. He was also full of praise for Chelsea. "They are worthy champions," he said. "They've got the best players and a great sense of togetherness. They all play for each other and there is nothing to stop them winning the Champions League as well."
With the title all but won, Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was keen to douse talk that it is a chequebook championship, saying: "I think it would be unjust to Jose and the players to say we've won this on the back of money because we took some real pain and grief in reducing the squad size this season and this has been about a group of players who have come together and whatever we end up with is not about money, it's about a lot of players who have improved.
"The players are better than they were 12 months ago and that is about their personal development."
Cole, who went off with a half-time injury but should be fit to face Liverpool, said: "I've had more ups and down than most players in my career, but now I feel that I am playing where I belong, at the highest level. It was a fantastic feeling to win the Carling Cup but now we can add the title and Champions League. It is what dreams are made of."
Bolton next Saturday night are what nightmares are made of. But Chelsea have come too far to blow it now and yesterday's post-match antics are nothing to what we can expect in their final home game in a fortnight's time, when we can expect more baby-kissing than on the hustings.
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Independent:
Lap of honour in paradise postponedChelsea 3 - Fulham 1Steve Tongue at Stamford Bridge24 April 2005
St George's Day goals by two Englishmen propelled Chelsea closer towards the title yesterday, before Eidur Gudjohnsen wrapped up three more points and prompted the first chants of the day for San Jose. Mourinho knows the way to win trophies and his substitutions, a typical mixture of the shrewd and quirky, had significant influence here.
With Wednesday's Champions' League semi-final at home to Liverpool in mind, the most important of them was the arrival at half-time of Arjen Robben, whose pace added a new dimension as the replacement for Joe Cole. His freshness contrasted with the weariness of many team-mates, which Mourinho believed was responsible for the comparatively modest quality of his team's performance. They were sluggish until Cole scored with a beautifully struck shot in the 17th minute, and even then Ricardo Carvalho allowed Collins John in to equalise. Midway through the second half, Robben set up Frank Lampard for the second goal and Tiago, another substitute, eventually sent Gudjohnsen through for the third.
Fulham, with Tomasz Radzinski and Luis Boa Morte wide, might have been outnumbered in the middle of the pitch, but Mark Pembridge and Lee Clark kept them competitive, even in the absence of Papa Bouba Diop's physical strength, and Boa Morte's trickery was always a threat. Mourinho admitted that the visitors were unfortunate to lose on the day, claiming they were fresher after having an extra day's rest since their midweek match. He will not be able to apply the same excuse against Liverpool.
At least there are no fresh injuries, and William Gallas, rested here, will be ready to return on Wednesday. If there are any weaknesses to be exploited, full-back would be an area Rafael Benitez and his coaches should concentrate on, for Glen Johnson was again shaky, which encouraged Fulham to feed Boa Morte down his flank.
The perfect scenario for Chelsea, of course, would have been to have beaten Arsenal in midweek and then win yesterday, sewing things up 50 years to the day after the club's only previous title. Watched by Roy Bentley, the captain of the 1955 team, they seemed to be suffering not so much a hangover from Wednesday's exertions as the sort of torpor that often seems to surround these lunchtime kick-offs. Damien Duff's mastery of Moritz Volz down the Chelsea left was the most encouraging feature early on, Didier Drogba heading one peach of a cross over the bar.
The unfortunate Volz was at fault for the opening goal, allowing the ball to bounce off him to Drogba, who laid it square for Cole to bend past Edwin van der Sar from 20 yards. Racing to the dug-out to receive congratulations, Cole was told to swap wings with Duff, who immediately set up Drogba for a swivel and left-footed shot past a post. Careless defending then allowed Cole to break on to John Terry's long header before missing his kick, and Lampard was not picked up as he took Cole's pass and fed Drogba, whose control betrayed him.
Only after almost half an hour, did the pattern begin to change and Fulham come into the game. Liam Rosenior forced his way to the byline and cut a cross back to Brian McBride, who hooked it too high from the edge of the six-yard box. Pembridge then dispossessed Lampard and set off to shoot wide from 25 yards, and Robert Huth, standing in at left-back, did well to beat Zat Knight at the far post.
The equaliser four minutes before the interval was nevertheless unexpected, not least because of the identity of the Chelsea defender at fault. Carvalho seemed to be well placed to see off John as he received from Boa Morte, but a badly mistimed tackle that might in any case have led to a penalty allowed the Dutchman to steer the ball smartly past Petr Cech into the far corner of the net. Terry's yellow card for a late tackle and John's drive wide as the ball sat up nicely from Radzinski's cross illustrated that the champions-elect were stalling.
Mourinho reacted as decisively as ever. Having told his charges at the interval that they would need all their character to see them through, he added Robben and Jiri Jarosik to the mix, removing Cole and Huth while dropping Duff back to an unfamiliar full-back role. As his substitutions do, it worked rather well. Instead of Radzinski taking advantage of Duff's defensive inexperience, Fulham found themselves being pushed towards their own goal.
Robben, who has not started a match since a crude tackle at Blackburn crocked him two months ago, looked like a man desperate to make up for lost time. With almost his first touch he crossed for Gudjohnsen to beat Van der Sar, only to be denied by a linesman's flag. In the 64th minute, however, Duff advanced to a more natural position and found Robben, who in turn supplied Lampard for a smart finish. It was the supposedly conservative Chelsea's 100th goal of the season.
Another one eventually followed, Tiago sending Gudjohnsen clear with Alain Goma caught badly out of position, though Cech was required to make excellent saves on either side of that, from first Radzinski, cutting inside, and then John's deflected free-kick.
"It was a very good performance," said Fulham's manager Chris Coleman, who blames inconsistency and great expectations for a disappointing season after finishing ninth last time. "We had a go at the best team in the League and troubled them, so there are a lot of positives. Chelsea have the best players and are well organised, with a great sense of togetherness." It was that quality that pleased Mourinho as much as anything.
"The group is fantastic," he said. "The reason why we won was character. If Fulham had scored the second goal, they would have won the game. But I don't want to win the title on Monday and then lose at Bolton." The perfectionist, as ever. He will demand greater quality, nevertheless, when Liverpool come to town in three days' time.
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Times:
Chelsea 3 Fulham 1: Chelsea two points from titleJoe Lovejoy at Stamford Bridge FIFTY years to the day since they last won the title, Chelsea advanced to within one result of repeating the feat yesterday with their 26th win in 34 League games. They will be crowned as deserved, runaway champions tomorrow night if second-placed Arsenal fail to beat Tottenham at home. The celebrations at Stamford Bridge, which included a lap of honour by the players, smacked of counting chickens, but with a 14-point lead the ifs and buts are of the notional variety only, and if Spurs cannot do them a favour, they will be confident of finishing the job at Bolton next Saturday.
Before that, of course, they play the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, at home to Liverpool on Wednesday, and the manager, Jose Mourinho, said he would have preferred to have the title sewn up before then. The requirement to win next weekend would be a distraction at a time when Chelsea needed to focus their full attention on European matters.
The failure to beat Arsenal in midweek meant the championship could not be settled here, which spoiled the historical symmetry of the occasion. It was on April 23, 1955, that Chelsea last won it, beating Sheffield Wednesday at home, and the captain that day, Roy Bentley, was guest of honour and took a bow on the pitch at half-time yesterday. His latest heir, John Terry, will not collect the trophy at the Reebok stadium on Saturday, regardless of results in the interim. The presentation is always made at a home fixture, which presumably means Charlton’s visit on May 7.
Mourinho leapt upon a familiar hobby horse last night when he complained at length about the demands of television schedules, which required Chelsea to kick-off at 12.45 yesterday. His players were tired after their exertions in midweek, and somebody else should have played at lunchtime, he said. Why were Arsenal allowed an extra day to recover? It was a strange red herring on a day when there was no need for one, the man of the moment conveniently overlooking the fact that Sky television pay a Russian’s ransom for the right to show the best team in the country, and that Chelsea’s cast of thousands should be big enough to cope. Knackered or not, Chelsea won by a convincing margin, which might have been even wider and could afford to rest William Gallas and leave Arjen Robben on the bench for half the game. Fulham huffed and puffed, but were never good enough to exploit their neighbours’ alleged fatigue.
Their manager, Chris Coleman, says he cannot wait for the season to end, and admits the remote threat of relegation is giving him sleepless nights, but they should be all right. Their home form is good, and three of their last four matches are at Craven Cottage. Chelsea were well below their best in the first half, giving some credence to managerial talk of exhaustion, but such is their strength in depth that they were able to field new personnel, in a new formation after the interval, when Robben made an invigorating comeback.
Jaded or not, the champions-elect took the lead in the 17th minute with a smartly-taken goal. The ever-improving Joe Cole was the scorer, beating Edwin van der Sar from the edge of the D after Moritz Volz had carelessly conceded possession to Didier Drogba. Cole, the player most obviously threatened by Robben’s recovery, was delighted to have improved his prospects of continued selection with his seventh goal in 24 Premiership games.
Drogba was a useful provider on this occasion, but not for the first time the £24m man from Marseille was found wanting when it came to the job he was bought to do — score goals. He failed to make the best of an inviting cross from Damien Duff, hooked another chance wide and was muscled out of it too easily by Volz as they went for another cross, from Frank Lampard.
Reprieved, Fulham hit back, and Brian McBride might have equalised before Collins John did so, after 41 minutes. Luis Boa Morte’s through pass should have been cut out by Ricardo Carvalho, but the defender was shouldered out of it and went to ground, leaving John to steer the ball in. At half-time, Mourinho was worried. “We had to face reality,” he said. “I told the players we were in a difficult situation. Their team was fresher than ours, but we had to win. I told them I didn’t know how, but we had to do it.” He knew all right. He gambled on all-out attack, moving Duff to left-back in place of Robert Huth and introducing Robben on the left wing.
One could only pity Volz with these two running at him, and in the 64th minute they combined to spread-eagle the Fulham defence. Duff supplied the Dutchman, who nutmegged poor Volz before setting up Lampard for his 16th goal of the season from 16 yards. Another substitution by Mourinho produced Chelsea’s third. Drogba was hauled off to be replaced by Tiago, and with three minutes of normal time left Eidur Gudjohnsen raced on to the midfielder’s bisecting through-pass and beat Van der Sar with a composed finish from near the penalty spot.
Asked about his players’ celebrations at the final whistle, Mourinho said: “They were magnificent, and at the end they felt they deserved to be champions.” They will be.
STAR MAN: Arjen Robben (Chelsea)
Player ratings. Chelsea: Cech 7, Johnson 5, Carvalho 6, Terry 7, Huth 5 (Jarosik h-t 6), Makelele 7, Lampard 7, Cole 7 (Robben h-t 8), Duff 7, Drogba 5 (Tiago 74min,6), Gudjohnsen 7
Fulham: Van der Sar 7, Volz 5, Knight 6, Goma 6, Rosenior 7, Boa Morte 7, Pembridge 7 (Malbranque 84min,6), Clark 7, Radzinski 7, McBride 6, John 7
Scorers: Chelsea: Cole 17, Lampard 64, Gudjohnsen 87
Fulham: John 41
Referee: A Wiley
Attendance: 42,081 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

morning papers arsenal

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.