By Chris Kirwan
April 21 2003

Chelsea got their traditional 3 points from today’s encounter at Stamford Bridge. The game ended 4-1 with the Blues’ solitary strike a smart finish from Lee Carsley.

Despite the more convincing scoreline there were a lot more positives to come out of the game than from Saturday’s debacle. The midfield looked far more assured with Li Tie, Gemmill, Carsley and Naysmith all having solid games. But the disappointment came from the individual errors that made it all too easy for Chelsea.

Chelsea’s first came from a slip by Weir which enabled Gudjohnsen to finish neatly. The Blues came into the game more as the half progressed, but Gronkjaer’s pace was always a threat down the Chelsea left flank. Yobo was given a tough afternoon by the Dane, and after Gronkjaer’s good work set up Hasselbaink for his habitual goal against Everton Yobo was replaced by the fit again Hibbert.

Yet it was Hibbert who was at fault for the third. A hopeful long ball was thrown forward by Terry, and Gronkjaer escaped the sleeping Hibbert to put the ball past Wright. Chelsea then took their foot off the pedal and allowed the Blues into the game. Carsley responded for the Blues, with a superb finish from Gemmill’s pass.

Carsley again went close from Gravesen’s clever flicked pass, but Chelsea were always in command. And just seconds before the final whistle Gianfranco Zola scored a sublime chip over the helpless Wright. It summed up the difference in class between the two sides when Ranieri could throw on Zola, while Moyes was limited to Ferguson.

But Moyes will be pleased by several good performances. Gemmill and Tie gave the midfield a more solid look, and Naysmith looked handy when moved to left back. It’s just a shame that Naysmith will be suspended for the run-in. The Blues will be pleased that Blackburn only picked up one point today, but they must get maximum points against Villa.

Moyes stated:

"We have three games to go and we are three point ahead of Blackburn and we know we have to stay in front if we want that Uefa Cup place."

"It wasn’t a good game for us today. We lost poor goals but the players have been smashing this season, got themselves in a high position and we are going to aim to stay there."

Hopefully Radzinski will be fit, as they severely miss his willing runs into the flanks. Coming up are two crucial games, the Blues cannot afford to be relying on getting points from United on the last day of the season.