Fallible James Kickstarts Chelsea's Year (Sky Sports)
Joe Bernstein reporting
Aston Villa fans suffered the best and worst of David James as Claudio
Ranieris gamble of dropping Gianfranco Zola, Dennis Wise and Ed de Goey paid
dividends for Chelsea.
James, who recently put in and then withdrew a transfer request to leave
Villa Park, was faultless apart from one horror moment on the stroke of
half-time that cost his side the points.
The England goalkeeper sliced an attempted clearance straight to Jimmy Floyd
Hasselbaink, who profitted for his 13th goal of the season. The Dutchmans
stab towards an empty goal was hacked away by Gareth Southgate but referee Paul
Durkin with the help of his assistant judged the shot to have crossed the line.
Gleeful Chelsea fans chanted dodgy keeper at James remembering
the keepers mistake in last seasons FA Cup Final when he dropped a
cross at the feet of Roberto Di Matteo for Chelseas winner.
Apart from the kicking howler, James showed why he is so highly-rated by
manager John Gregory. He was positive and brave in rushing out of his area to
head away from the marauding Hasselbaink early on. And agile and athletic in
turning away a forceful Gus Poyet header at point-blank range.
Ranieris youthful Chelsea without the suspended Marcel Desailly and trio
of famous substitutes dominated most of the game at the Bridge.
In-form Eidur Gudjohnsen whacked a John Harley cross wide from eight yards
and Hasselbaink rattled the Villa crossbar with a strike of awesome power after
cutting inside Gareth Southgate. The impressive Sam Dalla Bonna failed to keep
the rebound down..
Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini only saw action sparingly. But when Gilles
de Bilde broke away early in the second half, the Italian narrowed the angle
well and blocked the Villa strikers shot with his legs.
While Ian Taylor failed to make the most with a header from six yards only 30
seconds after Hasselbainks winner.
Zola was brought on for Hasselbaink with 15 minutes left and Dennis Wise and
Albert Ferrer were also introduced as Ranieri shut up shop. Villa gave a debut
to late substitute John McGrath.
James tried to make amends for his earlier error by joining the attack for a
last-minute corner. He managed to get his dyed-blond head onto Paul Mersons
free-kick but failed to land it on target.
Teams Aston Villa: James, Delaney, Wright, Southgate, Staunton, Boateng,
Merson, Stone, Taylor, Dublin (Vassell 76), De Bilde Att: 33,159
Chelsea
1-0 Aston Villa
Hasselbaink 45
FA Carling Premiership
Chelsea: Cudicini, Leboeuf, Terry, Melchiot, Harley (Wise 89), Poyet,
Jokanovic, Morris, Dalla Bona, Gudjohnsen (Ferrer 87), Hasselbaink (Zola 79)
Subs Not Used: de Goey, Lambourde.
Goal: Hasselbaink 45
Subs Not Used: McGrath, Standing, Samuel, Enckelman
Booked: Taylor
Ref: P Durkin (Dorset)