Chelsea v Fulham Preview: Carlo Ancelotti Looking for an Instant Reaction

Posted Wednesday, November 10, 2010 by sportinglife.aol.co.uk

PREMIER LEAGUE: STAMFORD BRIDGE, WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 10, 2010. KICK-OFF 1945 GMT

Defeat against a resurgent Liverpool may be difficult enough to take for Chelsea, but if they come up short against Fulham on, it will give the likes of Manchester United even more hope that the title is not a foregone conclusion.

Two weeks ago Chelsea were five points clear at the top of the Premier League, with United down in sixth. Now, after their second defeat of the Premier League campaign, Carlo Ancelotti's men are just two points ahead of the Old Trafford outfit, who are in second.

Ancelotti will look for an immediate reaction to Sunday's defeat when they face Fulham, who regard their west London neighbours as their biggest rivals – even if the feeling is not mutual – will head to Stamford Bridge looking to kick their opponents when they are down.

Sadly for Mark Hughes's men, the omens do not look good. Apart from the worrying statistic that Fulham have not won away since the opening day of last season, they last beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 1979, when both sides were in the second tier of English football.

In fact they have only beaten Chelsea once since then, when Luis Boa Morte's goal was enough to beat Jose Mourinho's reigning champions at Craven Cottage.

But Hughes, a former Chelsea player, is slowly making his mark on Fulham and has instilled a sense of organisation and communication between his midfield and his forward line.

If they can keep possession and stay organised, they have a chance of getting something out of the trip to the Bridge.

Key Match-up: Michael Essien v Clint Dempsey. Chelsea midfielder Essien has been doing what he does best since returning from injury; breaking up opposing team's attacks and quietly distributing the ball to the Blues' formidable attack.
Dempsey operates as a forward in Hughes's team due to the absence of Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson's gradual return to the first XI, but he is adept at getting his hands dirty in the midfield area, where he usually plays. Both players are skilled at pushing the boundaries without drawing the attention of the referee's whistle.

Form Guide: Until Sunday's defeat at Anfield, Chelsea were on a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions. They are yet to concede at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this year. Fulham, however, travel to Stamford Bridge with a mediocre away record, having drawn four and lost one of their league fixtures on the road this season – and last won on their travels on August 15 2009.

Odds: Chelsea 1/5, Fulham 14/1, Draw 11/2

CHELSEA:
Ancelotti believes Chelsea's ability to stay top of the table despite Didier Drogba's and Frank Lampard's problems is an indication that his squad is more than capable of hanging on to the Premier League title.

Drogba has been suffering from malaria for the past month, while Lampard is still sidelined with the groin problem he has had since the beginning of the season.

And after last Sunday's loss to Liverpool, the question over whether Ancelotti's squad has the staying power to last the season has been raised.

But the Chelsea manager said: "We are still at the top of the table and we know this gap can improve, or go down, but it's important to stay at the top of the table.

"It's difficult to say whether we have missed Lampard. I don't want to say we missed him. We didn't play well in the first half [against Liverpool]. We did in the second half.

"Now we have to look forward. We can improve our position in these two games, and we hope to do our best in these matches and move on from the defeat against Liverpool."

Ancelotti added Drogba is ready to start against Fulham and said: "Didier was, for this month, having difficulty to train. He didn't feel good. He didn't have power to train or ability to train.

"I think he lost some condition. He was unselfish to play and, also, when he was not at 100 per cent. Now he has the possibility to improve his condition without a problem."

Strategy: Despite the setback against Liverpool, it is as you were for Chelsea, who will employ a three-man strikeforce backed up by midfield trio Jon Obi Mikel, Essien and Yuri Zhirkov.

Injury Update: Central defender Alex faces a late fitness test, as does striker Nicolas Anelka. Lampard is pencilled in for a return against Sunderland this weekend. Drogba will start.

FULHAM:
Fulham manager Hughes may have enjoyed three successful years at Chelsea but it will not stop him going all-out for a first victory for the Craven Cottage side in more than 30 years.

Hughes, who said the success he and his Chelsea team mates enjoyed laid the foundations for the current era, knows it will be difficult - particularly as their opponents are hading into the game off the back of a loss - but he is confident in his players.

He said: "I went there at a time when the club had started to move in the right direction so possibly played a small part in where they are today.

"I'm proud of that but my focus is on Fulham and nothing would give me more pleasure than getting a positive result at Stamford Bridge for Fulham."

Hughes added: "They are going to be hurting somewhat because of the weekend and I'm sure will be very positive to get back on track.

"That is another thing we are up against - their attitude - but that's not going to faze us. It's about our performance level and whether we can ask enough questions and take our chances when they come."

Strategy: Fulham will attempt a smash-and-grab raid at their neighbours' stadium. They know they will have to soak up pressure and look to break with pace when they win the ball.

Injury Update: Full-backs Carlos Salcido (ankle) and Chris Baird (thigh) are out so Hughes will have to shuffle his defence. Johnson (knee) is on his way back after three substitute appearances which makes up for the loss of Zamora.