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![Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink](images/1061269.gif) |
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Hasselbaink:
Claimed opener |
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Chelsea |
4-1 |
Charlton |
Hasselbaink (pen) 3
Gallas 11
Gudjohnsen 34
Le Saux 54 |
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Euell 42 (pen) |
Barclaycard Premiership, Jan 11 2003 |
Chelsea got back on the winning trail as they belied
the shocking conditions at The Bridge to bring Charlton's eight match
unbeaten league run to a shuddering halt.
Claudio Ranieri's English may still be faltering but when he
described the pitch during the week as a beach he was spot on - as
any grass was a scarce as a parking spot in the Fulham Road on match
day.
But goals from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, William Gallas, Eidur
Gudjohnsen and Graeme Le Saux had the game wrapped up in under and
hour, while Jason Euell bagged the vistors consolation with the second
dubious penalty of the afternoon but that was the sole crumb of
comfort for Alan Curbishley's men on a sorry afternoon.
Three minutes in a neat flick by Gudjohnsen set up Le Saux to cross
but any contact that Chris Powell then made with Hasselbaink as they
went for the ball together was at best minimal.
Referee Mike Dean nevertheless pointed straight to the spot and
Hasselbaink sanded himself down before sending Dean Kiely the wrong
way.
It was, however, clearly not Powell's day. For he had little time
to recover before playing an unwitting role in Chelsea's second goal
with just 11 minutes gone.
The lively Jesper Gronkjaer's through-ball looked harmless enough
until Powell inadvertently diverted it into the path of and William
Gallas took full advantage as his venemous volley flew across Kiely
into the far corner of the net.
Charlton, meanwhile, with Jason Euell partnering Kevin Lisbie up
front were making little headway as Paul Konchesky scuffed one
free-kick wide, Claus Jensen directed another straight into the
defensive wall.
John Terry was then forced off through injury and Claudio Ranieri
sent on Jody Morris before moved Emmanuel Petit back to central
defence.
In a classic counter-attack, Gronkjaer went past the hapless Powell
on the right flank and crossed towards Eidur Gudjohnsen at the far
post and he dispatched a shot which deflected off Luke Young and
evaded Kiely at his near post.
There was some relief for the visitors five minutes before the
break when they were awarded their own penalty staright out of the
dubious file when Desailly was adjudged to have fouled Lisbie and
Euell tucked away the penalty high to Cudicini's right.
There was still time before the interval for Gudjohnsen to volley
narrowly over the top, before Alan Curbishley threw on Jonantan
Johnasson and Shaun Bartlett for the start of the second period but
the host continued in the ascendancy.
Kiely was equal to Le Saux's long range free-kick but was
hopelessly embarrassed a minute later as the Channel Islander's left
foot thump from the edge of the area went straight through him and
nestled in the bottom corner.
Inevitably with Charlton pushing forward more in hope than
expectation Gallas got flagged for offside when it was four against
one while Hasselbaink lashed a volley high into the upper tier.
Kiely then produced a stunning point blank save to deny Gronkjaer a
second, Desailly glanced a header a foot wide and Zola came on for a
ten minute cameo before Dean put Charlton out of their misery.
MAN-OF-THE MATCH Jepser Gronkjaer (Chelsea)
Tormented Chris Powell in the first half and
made light work of the cabbage patch as he flicked and feinted
with menacing intent all afternoon.
Chelsea: Cudicini, Terry
(Morris 22), Desailly, Gallas, Babayaro, Gronkjaer (Zenden 81),
Lampard, Petit, Le Saux (Zola 78), Hasselbaink, Gudjohnsen.
Subs Not Used: de Goey, Cole.
Booked: Le Saux, Desailly, Gudjohnsen, Petit.
Charlton: Kiely, Young,
Rufus, Fish, Powell (Johansson 45), Kishishev (Bartlett 45), Parker,
Jensen, Konchesky, Lisbie (Fortune 65), Euell.
Subs Not Used: Rachubka, Bart-Williams.
Booked: Powell, Konchesky, Parker.
Att: 37,284
Ref: M Dean (Wirral)
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