15/03/05
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Categories: Chelsea Win Again
Chelsea's 1-0 win over West Brom puts them 11 points ahead of second place Manchester United with only 9 games left to play. Didier Drogba scored the only goal in the 26th minute, tapping in a perfect cross from Damien Duff. Frank Lampard started the play with a great long pass from the center circle that found Duff streaking down the right flank. The Irish winger raced past the defense and saw his cross land right in the path of Drogba who finished well. It was the only time the Ivory Coast striker finished well. Twice he shot wide with only the keeper to beat, and he missed a headed shot from point blank range.
Despite the misses, Drogba's lone goal held up as the Chelsea defense once again proved to be the best in the Premier League. The strength and courage of the Blues defenders was epitomized by Robert Huth, a backup central defender who was filling in for Ricardo Carvalho. West Brom's Kanu fired a shot that appeared to be heading past the keeper and into the goal. But Huth jumped into the ball's path and blocked the hard shot with his face. Chelsea keeper Petr Cech may have been able to save the blast, but thanks to Huth's heroics, he didn't have to. Huth was promptly congratulated by Chelsea captain John Terry for his efforts.
The win was Chelsea's 23rd in 29 league matches, with five draws and only one defeat. They have outscored their opponents 54 to 9 league games, and appear set to break Liverpools record of 16 goals allowed in a top flight campaign. And unlike Arsenal who rely on Thierry Henry's goals, Chelsea have a variety of goal scoring threats.
Here's a link to the BBC's Premier League Table:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/table/default.stm
Didier Drogba's goal against West Brom was his 13th of the season, but three other players have also reached double figures in goals: Eidur Gudjohnsen with 12, and Frank Lampard and Damien Duff with 10 each. Despite missing time due to injury, Dutch winger Arjen Robben has scored 9 goals, and defender John Terry has added 8, four of which were scored in Champions League games, the most of any Chelsea player in the European competition. Although not regular starters, Joe Cole and Mateja Kezman have each scored five goals as well. The bottom line is that Chelsea's depth of talent is unmatched in the Premier League.
Because it is such a rare accomplishment, here are the eight players who have scored against Chelsea in this season's Premier League:
James Beattie, Southampton
Nicloas Anelka, Manchester City (penalty)
Zoltan Gera, West Brom
Papa Bouba Diop, Fulham
Kevin Davies, Bolton
Radhi Jaidi, Bolton
Thierry Henry (2), Arsenal
Leon McKenzie, Norwich
