toptop

Michael Ballack scored with a thumping first-half header to ensure Chelsea beat Reading and kept pace at the top of the table.

The German's header was scant reward for a first half which saw the Blues completely dominate their visitors with Marcus Hahnemann a busy man in the Reading goal.

However, Steve Coppell's men were a different animal after the break and, while failing to truly test Petr Cech, caused one or two nervy moments for the Blues rearguard.

Nicolas Anelka spurned an excellent headed chance to mark his full home debut with a goal, but ultimately it mattered not as Chelsea saw out the game to extend their winning run to nine in all competitions.

Given Reading's poor run of form, Chelsea were expected to overcome the Royals with ease and their incisive approach play caught the visitors on the hop in the sixth minute when Kalifa Cisse was forced to bring down the marauding Shaun Wright-Phillips on the edge of the penalty area.

Blushes spared

Ballack's free-kick brought a diving save from Hahnemann and in the 18th minute the Reading keeper did well to save a rising drive from Joe Cole.

Hahnemann had to be at his best again moments later to deny Wright-Phillips after Claude Makelele had put him clear with a slide-rule pass.

In the 26th minute a mistake by Hahnemann almost led to Chelsea's opener.

The Reading keeper attempted to punch the ball clear but only succeeded in sending it towards his own net where John Oster cleared off the line to spare his blushes.

Chelsea finally broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when a fabulous cross from Paulo Ferreira was headed into the net by Ballack from six yards.

Stephen Hunt, who left Chelsea keeper Cech with a fractured skull in the fixture at Reading last season, was thwarted from gaining a clear run on goal by the legs of Florent Malouda.

But it was the beginning of Reading's best spell and they won two corners in quick succession - the latter punched to safety by Cech.

But Reading's endeavours were short-lived and Chelsea soon regained control in midfield.

Malouda tried his luck from 30 yards but he failed to hit the target as the home side continued to press for a second goal.

The Frenchman tried to bend the ball into the top corner but found his accuracy somewhat lacking as Hahnemann watched the ball float harmlessly beyond his right post.

In the 50th minute Chelsea should have been two in front when the impressive Makelele put Wright-Phillips in the clear for the second time in the game only for Hahnemann to deny the winger once more.

Reading found it difficult to conjure up any real threat of note but they were given a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area in the 61st minute.

Free-flowing

However, Hunt sent his effort straight into the arms of Cech and the goalkeeper's clearance then set up another Chelsea attack that ended with a shot from Anelka going just wide.

Moments later a free-flowing Chelsea move should have brought a second goal. Malouda and Bridge combined on the left before the latter's cross found the head of the unmarked Anelka.

The home fans were expecting the ball to hit the net but the former Bolton striker's downward header cannoned off Hahnemann and out for a corner instead.

Reading's final ball was less than impressive and it allowed Chelsea's rearguard to snuff out the threat of Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle with ease.

In the 74th minute Reading had their best chance when James Harper got on the end of a cross from Lita but the ball somehow got wedged under his feet and Chelsea's defence cleared the danger.

Ballack almost grabbed his second of the night when he got his head onto another cross from Ferreira but this time his effort was just too high.

Teams

Chelsea Cech, Alex, Bridge, Carvalho, Ferreira, Ballack, J. Cole, Makelele, Malouda (Pizarro 76), Wright-Phillips (Sidwell 85), Anelka
Subs Not Used Cudicini, Ben-Haim, Sinclair
Booked
Goals Ballack 32

Reading Hahnemann, Ingimarsson, Murty, Shorey, Cisse, Convey (Rosenior 85), Harper, Hunt, Oster (Matejovsky 81), Doyle, Lita
Subs Not Used Federici, Bennett, De la Cruz
Booked
Goals 

Attendance 41,171

Referee  M. Dean