Chelsea stays hot on Machester United's heels
Published 2/10/2007 8:16:38 PM by AFP from London
LONDON (AFP) - Didier Drogba´s double-strike kept Chelsea in touch with Manchester United at the top of the Premiership as they defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba has now hit 25 goals in all competitions this season and his side remain six points behind leaders United after recording a clinical victory. Manager Jose Mourinho had some worrying injury problems leading up to the match but Wayne Bridge was passed fit despite limping out of an England training session with a thigh injury earlier in the week.
Michael Ballack was ruled out with a similar injury which saw him withdrawn early in Germany´s midweek win over Switzerland.
Midfielder Jon Obi Mikel was omitted from the squad altogether, perhaps in response to his controversial decision to play a full 90 minutes for Nigeria in Wednesday´s friendly with Ghana.
Middlesbrough competed well in the first half, which was notable only for two missed chances by the home side, and a touchline spat between Mourinho and Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate.
The former England defender was incensed at a foul by Drogba on his Austrian defender Emanual Pogatetz, but his protests were met with an angry reaction by Mourinho and the pair exchanged words and had to be separated.
Middlesbrough´s growing confidence was dented, however, when their midfielder George Boateng fouled Lassana Diarra just outside the penalty area and Drogba stepped up to drill in the free-kick opener just seconds before half-time.
In the second half, Chelsea pinned Middlesbrough back in their own half, and only once did the north-east side break away, as Yakubu found space before bending his shot a yard over Petr Cech´s crossbar.
Mourinho elected to up the ante by introducing Arjen Robben in the 65th minute in an effort to push for a second and seal another three points.
The Portuguese was rewarded for his boldness with a second goal, created by Robben just 60 seconds after he entered the play.
His exchange of passes with Claude Makelele in the penalty area allowed him to shoot low across goal. His shot was diverted into the net by Middlesbrough´s Abel Xavier, giving Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer no chance.
Drogba was denied for his second goal by a smart save at the near post by Schwarzer, but seven minutes later the Ivory Coast star rounded off another victory by sending another trademark free-kick through the Middlesbrough wall and into the bottom corner.
United's win over Charlton at Old Trafford means the result does little for Chelsea except keep them within touching distance of their north-west rivals.
They now turn their attention to Champions League and FA Cup duties, as well as a League Cup final against Arsenal, before returning to league action in three weeks´ time against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
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