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Barclays Premiership - Match 37 |
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Season 2007-2008 |
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NEWCASTLE UNITED |
0 v 2 |
CHELSEA |
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Michael Ballack 61
Florent Malouda 82 |
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Date: |
Monday 5th May 2008 |
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Venue: |
St James' Park |
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Kick Off: |
4:00pm (BST) |
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Australian
Live TV:
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Foxsports 2 |
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Attendance: |
52,305 |
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Referee: |
Steve Bennett
(Kent) |
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Read Match Preview |
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Newcastle:
Harper, Beye, Taylor,
Faye, Jose Enrique (N'Zogbia 77), Geremi (Duff 71), Butt, Barton, Viduka
(Smith 46), Owen, Martins
Subs Not Used:
Forster, Cacapa |
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Booked:
Faye,
Jose Enrique |
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Chelsea:
Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho (Alex 79), Bridge, Essien, Obi, Ballack,
Anelka (Lampard 66), Drogba (Shevchenko 86), Malouda
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Joe Cole |
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Booked:
Terry,
Malouda |
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Post
Match Comments:
Newcastle
manager Kevin Keegan said:
"I
like Avram Grant very much and think this Chelsea side is exceptional.
In any other season they would have been worthy champions but I can't
see Manchester United slipping up at Wigan - even on that pitch, which
isn't very good.
I think we gave Chelsea a hell of a game in the first half today but
their class shone through. But they are both quality sides with great
players, who will be worthy champions."
Watch the entire post match interview with Kevin Keegan
Watch the entire post match interview with Avram Grant |
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Match Report: |
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Second half goals from Michael Ballack and
Florent Malouda were good enough for Chelsea to beat Newcastle
0-2 at St James’ Park, meaning the Premiership title race goes
down to the last weekend of the season.
The fact that Newcastle will feel slightly disappointed with
that result proves how much their confidence and expectation has
grown under Kevin Keegan in recent months.
All the early running in the first half came from the home side,
as Chelsea appeared heavy legged from their midweek Champions
League triumph. |
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With Newcastle retaining decent possession and Obefemi Martins looking a
major threat down the left flank, there was not much for Chelsea manager
Avrarm Grant to smile about.
On 5 minutes good work from Nicky Butt saw the midfielder lob a
through-ball into the box that Michael Owen latched onto, but the
striker’s first time volley went over the bar. Shortly afterwards Habib
Beye did well to get to the by-line past Wayne Bridge, only to produce
an over hit cross from a good position.
In the 28th minute, another decent chance went begging as
the Newcastle failed to capitalise on their dominance.
Neat work from Martins meant he forced his way into the box and the ball
broke to Mark Viduka, whose first time shot was saved by Petr Cech, the
rebound finding itself at the feet of Owen, but his shot was cleared off
the line by the well positioned John Terry.
This appeared to spark Chelsea into life somewhat. A flurry of
long-range attempts did not threaten, before Michael Essien broke from
midfield and slipped Ballack through on goal, however the German
internationals first touch was poor and he subsequently sliced his shot
wide of the right hand post.
The interval brought about the end of the season for Australian Viduka.
His achilles
injury
that has been troubling him recently, causing too much pain to continue,
and Alan Smith was sent on to replace him. After the match, manager
Kevin Keegan confirmed Viduka would have an injection and would not play
in the last game away to Everton.
Knowing that anything but a win would not be good enough, in their
pursuit of Manchester United, Chelsea took control of the game in the
second half, as they piled on the pressure straight from the kick off.
In the 52nd minute, Didier Drogba flicked Mikel's pass into the path of
Ballack and only Steven Taylor's last-ditch challenge prevented the
German a clear sight of goal.
From the resulting corner Chelsea captain John Terry rose above everyone
and smashed a powerful header off the Newcastle crossbar.
In stark contrast to the first half, mistakes crept into Newcastle’s
game as the superior class of Chelsea took its tole. Several players,
noticeably Geremi and Jose Enrique, constantly failed to make the simple
pass under pressure.
On the hour mark, Abdoulaye Faye committed a clumsy foul
on Malouda as he ran towards the side of the box. Drogba's free-kick
from the right was met by Ballack who comfortably headed home unmarked,
following what looked like a miscommunication between Faye and Alan
Smith.
United did not give up and fought back going close twice more.
Martins struck a powerful shot on the edge of the box that was deflected
narrowly wide. Then a miscued Butt shot saw the ball flash past the
outstretched Owen, when seemingly any connect with the ball would have
diverted it past the stranded Cech.
Chelsea’s class showed as they punished Newcastle with the finest move
of the game. A neat exchange of passes between Ballack and Essien
allowed Frank Lampard to release Malouda, whose precise finish killed
the game and kept Chelsea in the Premiership race. |
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AUSSIE MAGS
By
Row 'S' Army |
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