Manager Carlo Ancelotti endured more frustration as Chelsea drew 0-0 at Birmingham City on Saturday but the news that top scorer Didier Drogba can play in today’s home game with Fulham provided some festive cheer.
Drogba and fellow Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou have been given clearance to delay their departure for next month’s African Nations Cup until after the London derby — a fixture that Chelsea need to win after a stuttering Premier League run.
“We asked the national team and the coach [Vahid Halilhodzic] agreed with us,” Ancelotti told the club’s Web site.
PHOTO: AFP
The Stamford Bridge team are facing an exodus of several African players for the tournament in Angola and are also without striker Nicolas Anelka because of injury.
Ancelotti praised Chelsea after they dominated at Birmingham but poor finishing and inspired goalkeeping meant they missed the chance to extend their lead over champions Manchester United.
The stalemate, which Chelsea ended with 10 men after a red card for Florent Malouda, represented the London club’s first failure to score in 34 matches in all competitions and means they have won just once in seven games.
“It’s not a good result for us ... because Chelsea played well, had a lot of chances, had a lot of heart and the ’keeper for Birmingham [Joe Hart] made some fantastic saves,” Ancelotti said.
“We are disappointed with the result but not with the team. We improved after the [most recent] game against West Ham [a 1-1 draw],” he said.
Chelsea have not managed to build a large lead at the top of the table despite the problems of United who are beset with defensive injury woes. Arsenal, who have two games in hand, are now just seven points behind the pacesetters.
“Our aim is to win the title, we are top of the league at this moment and this is good for us,” Ancelotti said.
“It is not possible to win the title in December, you have to win it in May and we have to be ready in May,” he said.
Hart made superb saves to deny Daniel Sturridge and Frank Lampard in the first half and was equal to everything after the break.
When Hart was beaten by a rocket of a free kick from Brazilian defender Alex, the crossbar saved him.
Malouda wasted a glorious chance when he mis-kicked in front of goal before being sent off in the 89th minute for two rash tackles.
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