By Todd Grainger
January 1 2006

The Champions elite [Chelsea] keep there 100% record as they beat Birmingham City 2-0 which probably should and could of been more. First-half goals from Hernan Crespo (25 minutes) and Arjen Robben (43 Minutes) gave Chelsea the win over a lacklustre Birmingham City side who didn`t look like they just drew against the 3rd placed team mid-week.

Birmingham had the best early chance with Stephen Clemence having a shot cleared off the line.

But when Hernan Crespo tapped in from close range after a well co-ordinated team move, that gave cheslski complete dominance and you could tell on 43 minutes when Robben was un-marked at the edge of the area when he calmly slotted home for 2-0. it could of been alot more if the Cockyness of the arrogant managers team worked, and if maik taylor wasn`t on form.

Match Ratings:

Maik Taylor (8) * Brummies MOM
Cunningham (7) Martin Taylor (6) Upson (6) (Tebily 12)(7), Gray (7)
Johnson (7), Butt (6 1/2), Clemence (6) (Kilkenny 60) (6 1/2), Pennant(7)
Heskey (7) (Birley 65) (6 1/2), Pandiani. (7)


The gaffers view :-

"To give yourself any chance here you have to take your chances but we didn't. Once they scored and then got a second it was very difficult for us.
"Losing Matthew Upson, who I think will be missing for at least a month with a badly twisted ankle, summed us up.

"Matthew has been a very good player for us but he is now the eighth one to get injured. We were without seven before we started and that's been our season so far. We hope we can get some of them fit."