Match report Chelsea vs Newcastle: Chelsea Take Title Race To The Last Day (05.05.08)

Chelsea vs Newcastle 2-0
05.05.08
Chelsea Take Title Race To The Last Day

The London side headed north in their attempt to keep pace on league leaders Manchester United, and weathered a few scares to do so. Second half strikes from Ballack and Malouda gave them all three points against the Magpies, who lacked that touch of class...

An engaging first half at St James’ Park began slowly with chances at a premium for both sides. Whilst Chelsea had the better of the possession they were unable to carve out any clear openings and were reduced to shooting from range. All of which failed to trouble Newcastle keeper Steve Harper who didn’t have a save to make in the first half.

Newcastle by contrast were playing well in patches but unable to sustain any pressure despite looking the more likely side to score. Whilst the best chances fell to Michael Owen, it was Martins who was looking lively, his pace and trickery on the ball posing problems, even if like Chelsea his shooting wasn’t.

After only five minutes Nicky Butt dinked a lovely ball over the Chelsea defence to Michael Owen but the England striker could only manage to flick it over the bar.
However Owen was to have an even better chance just before the half hour mark. A good move from Newcastle down the left saw the ball played through to Martins in the box. Although neither the Nigerian nor Mark Viduka could convert the chance the ball broke loose to Owen on the edge of the box. With Cech stranded, he hit a well struck shot which was destined for the back of the net until John Terry arrived to clear it off the line and save his side going behind.

A more determined Chelsea side emerged for the second half as if Avram Grant had reminded his players that this was a must win match. The visitors laid seige to the Newcastle goal with John Terry coming the closest from a corner with a thumping header that smashed against the Newcastle bar.

The pressure finally told just on the hour mark when the visitors finally made their dominance count. After Malouda was fouled on the edge of the box by Faye, the referee awarded Chelsea a free kick. Drogba floated the ball into the area and Ballack was on hand to head home and open the scoring for the visitors.

Rather than inspire the visitors the goal sprang Newcastle into life and after having being completely dominated for the first twenty minutes of the second half they began to create their own chances.

Martins flashed a shot just wide after a great through ball from Butt and then seconds later Michael Owen was almost on hand for a tap in after Butt’s shot had been deflected but he just couldn’t reach. Suddenly Chelsea were looking ragged as they realised how slender their lead was.

However with ten minutes to go the visitors scored again to release any nerves and make the game safe. A lovely ball from substitute Lampard put Malouda through and he finished calmly to make it two nil and effectively end the contest.

The win takes Chelsea back level on points with leaders Manchester United with just one game to go. Whilst Chelsea head back to London to play Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge, United are away to Wigan Athletic. It promises to be a thrilling end to the season.

GOALS
2-0 Chelsea (Malouda, 81)
1-0 Chelsea (Ballack, 60)

Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Taylor, Faye, Jose Enrique (N'Zogbia, 78), Geremi (Duff, 70), Butt, Barton, Viduka (Smith, 46), Owen, Martins.Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho (Alex, 78), Bridge, Essien, Mikel, Ballack, Anelka (Lampard, 65), Drogba (Shevchenko, 86), Malouda.Referee: Steve Bennett
Gill Clark

Source:
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=684699