Sports

Sunday October 25, 2009

Five-star Chelsea

LONDON: Frank Lampard scored twice as Chelsea leapfrogged champions Manchester United into top spot in the English Premier League with a 5-0 rout of Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

An own goal in the 20th minute from French defender Gael Givet, who turned Nicolas Anelka’s cross past goalkeeper Paul Robinson under pressure from Didier Drogba, put the Blues ahead.

England midfielder Lampard scored his first Premier League goal since April when he fired home from Drogba’s pull back before Michael Essien wrapped up the points in the 52nd minute when he beat Robinson with a curving shot from fully 35 yards out.

Lampard scored his second, and Chelsea’s fourth, from the penalty spot after Drogba was brought down seven minutes later by Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen, the New Zealand defender.

The impressive Drogba then added a fifth in the 64th minute.

Earlier, Tottenham Hotspur missed the chance to go level on points with United after losing 1-0 late on at home to Stoke City.

The match was goalless until four minutes from time when Glenn Whelan, played in by Ricardo Fuller, struck against a home team a man down with England winger Aaron Lennon off the field after the north Londoners had used all three of their substitutions.

Lennon took himself off and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said: “I was hoping he could stay on but he couldn’t and suddenly we were down to 10 men.

“We’re not sure what the problem is. He just said he couldn’t carry on and that was that.”

Stoke boss Tony Pulis, once Redknapp’s assistant at Bournemouth, said: “Ricardo’s pulled a genie out of the bottle again. That was terrific and Glenn finished it with aplomb.”

At the bottom of the table, basement club Portsmouth were held to a goalless draw by fellow strugglers Hull.

Meanwhile Birmingham beat their former manager Steve Bruce’s Sunderland side 2-1 and Colombia’s Hugo Rodallega scored twice as Wigan came from behind to end Burnley’s 100% home record this term in a 3-1 win.

Elsewhere, Wolves drew 1-1 with Midlands rivals Aston Villa.

“I am pleased for the owners,” said manager Alex McLeish of Birmingham’s first home win since Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung took over the club.

“They are absolutely ecstatic, and so they should be because it was a great home start for them in what was a thoroughly deserved victory.”

Manchester United will definitely end the weekend on top if they win away to arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield today.

In today’s other top-flight matches, Arsenal travel to West Ham for an all-London clash, Manchester City face Fulham and Everton make the short journey to Bolton Wanderers. — AFP

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