Chelsea 2 Reading 2

Guest · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 2:06 am Post subject: Chelsea 2 Reading 2

December 26, 2006

CHELSEA'S title hopes were dealt a blow when they were held to a home draw by Reading.

Leroy Lita strike and an own goal from Michael Essien cancelled out Didier Drogba's double to keep Manchester United at the top of the Premiership.

The home side created their first chance in the opening minute on the clock. Geremi and Drogba combined to set up Frank Lampard, who fended off Ibrahima Sonko before dragging his shot just wide of the left post.

Salomon Kalou blazed a fine chance high after doing all the hard work in beating two defenders.

Substitute Stephen Hunt was booed as he warmed up on the sidelines and a team of stewards moved down to the edge of the pitch as a precautionary measure. But Chelsea's priorities lay on the pitch.

A long free-kick from Lampard was met by Drogba but the Ivory Coast striker directed his header straight at Marcus Hahnemann.

Drogba almost scored in the 37th minute when he struck the left post after evading Sonko and Glenn Little, but he could not be denied a
minute later.

The striker jumped to meet Lampard’s corner and headed the ball so hard that Nicky Shorey - defending on the line - was knocked over from the force of the effort, with the ball falling into the net.

Reading enjoyed a purple patch seven minutes into the second half with Ricardo Carvalho nearly deflecting a Brynjar Gunnarsson cross into his own net.

Leroy Lita blazed over and Steve Sidwell forced a fine save from Hilario as Chelsea’s goal came under pressure.

Disaster struck for Chelsea in the 67th minute when Reading produced the equaliser, Little escaping Essien down the right before picking out Lita who nodded home with a diving header.

But Drogba struck again just five minutes later when he headed home Shaun Wright-Phillips' cross after a waltzing run by the England winger.

Yet, even that wasn't enough for victory. With just five minutes left Kevin Doyle's cross posed little threat but Ashley Cole crashed the ball against Essien and the ball deflected past keeper Hilario.