Chelsea coach Ancelotti believes yesterday's 2-0 win over Liverpool proves that last week's hiccups will not be repeated
Chelsea coach Ancelotti believes yesterday's 2-0 win over Liverpool proves that last week's hiccups will not be repeated
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Frenchmen Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda scored as Chelsea defeated Liverpool 2-0 Stamford Bridge yesterday.
Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 59th minute through an Anelka strike from close range.
As the game drew to a close Chelsea scored a second to end any hopes of a Liverpool comeback. Didier Drogba collected a long-ball in the right of the penalty area and muscled past two Liverpool players to the byline. The Ivorian cut the ball back to substitute Malouda who tapped the ball home to seal the contest.
Although Drogba didn't get on the scoresheet, it was his powerful display that laid the foundations for the victory.
His potent combination of strength and poise was too much for Liverpool's defenders and allowed him to set up both goals with perfect crosses.
Drogba claimed the victory was essential to send a message to Manchester United, Arsenal and most significantly Liverpool, who are now six points behind the leaders.
"It was important for us to beat Liverpool as they are a direct opponent for the title," Drogba said.
Difficult game
"It was a difficult game as always but a good one for us. You have to win at home and it is great to get the three points. We are really delighted," AFP reported him as saying.
Chelsea's win was the perfect response to their 3-1 defeat at Wigan last week and an insipid 1-0 victory over Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League in midweek.
But Ancelotti denied he had been feeling the pressure ahead of their victory, PA Sport reported.
What pressure?
"In Italy we usually say, 'It's the same the world over'," said Ancelotti. "It was not pressure. We lost one game and played badly for a second match but we worked hard to find the problem and solve it.
"After this match, we've shown we've resolved our problem. It was not a big problem.
"It was an important win. It's normal that it was difficult because we played a strong team. Above all, the match was difficult.
"We scored the first goal and had an opportunity to counter-attack. They put a lot of pressure on our midfield and wanted to draw but I think we deserved to win because we did a very good job during the 90 minutes.
"We did what we prepared before the game and, for this, I'm happy. We wanted to avoid free passes for Steven Gerrard because he's a very dangerous player. Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard did that job fantastically. They used the right side to attack but, on the left, we did a good job."
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