Drogba double fires Chelsea clear at the top

Didier Drogba enabled Chelsea to build a four-point lead over Manchester United in the Premier League title race as the Ivory Coast striker’s double earned a 2-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.

Drogba has been in fine fettle since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola this month and made it six goals in five matches to help Chelsea put an end to their recent poor away form and capitalise on United’s slip against Everton earlier in the day.

Chelsea had only managed six points from their previous six away games, a sequence that was threatening to hand the title initiative to Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, but Drogba wrestled that back in impressive fashion.

Drogba is in the form of his life and finding their feet on their travels again could not have been more timely for Carlo Ancelotti and his squad as they prepare for a midweek showdown with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.

Drogba is giving United star Wayne Rooney the biggest run for his money to win the Player of the Year award and he was the crucial difference here as Wolves were handed another harsh lesson at this level.

Chelsea rarely found peak form, but still managed to collect maximum points and deliver the perfect response to Ancelotti’s reading of the riot act in midweek.

Chelsea have not lost to a side joining the top flight that season since a defeat to Charlton in April 2001 – a sequence stretching 54 games – and, while their image off the pitch has taken a battering with lurid revelations and allegations about captain John Terry and England international Ashley Cole, they appear to be powering relentlessly towards the title on the field.

Yet Wolves can consider themselves hugely unfortunate not to have at least been level at the interval, after creating the better chances for Kevin Doyle.

Chelsea had been well below par up until the 40th minute when Drogba struck.

In one rare move of quality, Yury Zhirkov exchanged passes with Michael Ballack and the Russian’s cross to the far post was slid over the line by Drogba.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said earlier in the week that there was no fear factor about the top four and they are not “invincible” anymore.

You could see the reason for his argument as Chelsea struggled to put together any kind of fluency on a poor surface, but for all their struggles, Wolves could not take advantage, mostly because of the excellent form of Petr Cech.

Cech wants to remain at Stamford Bridge for another ten years and on this form he has a chance of getting his wish.

The point blank save he pulled off to deny Kevin Foley from ten yards was exceptional. Even then Chelsea had their slice of luck as Karl Henry slipped as he tried to force home the rebound.

Cech made another excellent save at point blank to deny Adlene Guedioura and that proved to be the difference as Wolves were hit by a sucker punch on the counter attack that ensured Chelsea will go to the San Siro on bouyant mood.

Cech’s long punt down the field set up the chance as Christophe Berra totally mis-judged the bounce and Drogba pounced to round Marcus Hahnemann and roll in his 25th goal of the season.