Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack both scored for the first time at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea completed a satisfying week with a Premiership victory that intensifies the pressure on Manchester United, their principal title rivals, when they play Liverpool this afternoon.
What result would Jose Mourinho like at Old Trafford? He gave that characteristic shrug and said: “Any one would be good for us,” which roughly translates as “What does it matter?” He was more interested in Petr Cech’s health, which is much improved, and the referee’s decision to book both Chelsea goalscorers for leaving the pitch to celebrate their success with the fans.
Mark Clattenburg also officiated Arsenal’s match at The Valley three weeks ago, when Robin van Persie, who had already been cautioned, escaped further punishment when he leapt on to the perimeter wall after scoring against Charlton Athletic. Mourinho said: “He (Clattenburg) should explain why Van Persie can do it and our players can’t.”
Portsmouth played well, and deserved the goal that Benjani pulled back after 69 minutes, but they needed David James, in the sort of form that could see him restored to the England squad, to keep the score close. Without the 36-year-old goalkeeper’s heroics, Chelsea would have had a hatful.
Arjen Robben’s pace and direct running gave Noe Pamarot a torrid time, and the Dutchman’s profusion of inviting crosses from the left should have produced more than the two goals that, like buses, arrived together just before the hour mark — at a time when Mourinho was starting to think one would never come.
A thoroughly entertaining match, to which Pompey contributed in full measure, left Shevchenko, in particular, in upbeat mood. After his second Premiership goal — his first for two months — that enormous £30m fee seems less of a millstone around his neck.
After the midweek success against Barcelona, Mourinho elected not only to rotate his enviable resources but to change formation, from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3, accommodating Robben from the start and leaving Claude Makelele on the bench until late in the second half. It was a positive move, but it had a negative effect early on, when Portsmouth’s four in midfield gave them the edge.
Consequently, it was Harry Redknapp’s team who dominated the early exchanges, and Kanu might have added to the six goals he has scored already this season, with a far-post header that was too close for Hilario’s comfort, from Gary O’Neil’s right-wing cross. When Chelsea began to work their way into the game, Robben skipped past Pamarot before supplying Didier Drogba, who ought to have done better than volley over from a central position seven yards out.
Back came Portsmouth, and a miscued clearance by Ricardo Carvalho presented Niko Kranjcar with a shooting chance, but the Croatia midfielder fired wildly over the bar. Around the 20-minute mark, Chelsea began to assert themselves, with Robben passing Pamarot much as he pleased, and only James’ heroics keeping Portsmouth in the game. His first save of note kept out a shot by Robben, who had been sent clear by a peach of a pass from Frank Lampard.
From the consequent corner, taken by Robben on the right, Shevchenko headed straight at the keeper. Chelsea had the ball in the net after 26 minutes, with a header from John Terry, but goalkeepers are going to be even more of a protected species after last week’s events at Reading, and the referee penalised Drogba for a foul on James.
Shevchenko would have had that elusive first goal after half an hour but for the save of the match by the former England keeper, who hurled his considerable frame to the left to turn the Ukrainian’s 20-yard shot round the post.
“A magnificent save,” Mourinho called it and Harry Redknapp readily agreed. “He should be England’s No 2,” the Portsmouth manager said, adding: “I’ve never seen a player with more enthusiasm. He throws himself about like an 18-year-old in training. He could play for another five or six years.”
James was soon in action again, denying Robben twice with back-to-back saves. For the second half, Kanu gave way to Sean Davis, Redknapp seeking greater defensive security in a revised 4-5-1 deployment, with Benjani ploughing a lone furrow up front. To the Zimbabwean’s credit, he worked his proverbial socks off in the role, and fully deserved what was later to come.
Chelsea should have scored within four minutes of the resumption, when Lampard wasted a cross from Ashley Cole by heading wide at the near post. After all those goals last season, the England midfielder seems to have developed football’s equivalent of stage fright in the penalty area.
Good fortune is finite, and Portsmouth’s eventually ran out, two quick goals effectively settling the issue by the 57th minute. For the first, yet another cross from Robben was swept in from near the penalty spot by Shevchenko, via Sol Campbell’s foot. The second was also the product of a Robben cross, this one nodded on by Drogba for Ballack to head in at close range.
The Germany captain ran to the crowd to share his joy, and was promptly booked when he turned to rejoin the fray. Hugging supporters is not to be tolerated, of course. The game’s best outfield player, Robben, gave way to Joe Cole midway through the second half — an idiosyncratic substitution if ever there was one. As if to punish Mourinho for being too clever by half, Portsmouth clambered out of the grave almost immediately.
Hilario saved from Andy Cole, but was unable to hold on to the ball, which ran to Benjani on the six-yard line, from where he turned in his third goal of the season.
From coasting towards a routine victory, Chelsea suddenly had cause for concern and, seeking to bolt the door on the three points, Mourinho sent on the jailer, Makelele, in place of Shevchenko. Nerves would have been settled but for another fine save by James, at Ballack’s expense. Chelsea would have had a third late on but for the overhead save with which James tipped over Drogba’s venomous shot from 18 yards.
Star Man: David James (Portsmouth)
Scorers: Chelsea: Shevchenko 55, Ballack 57
Portsmouth: Benjani 69
Player Ratings: Chelsea: Hilario 6, Ferreira 6, Carvalho 7, Terry 7, Ashley Cole 6, Ballack 7 (Boulahrouz 90min, 6), Essien 7, Lampard 7, Shevchenko 7 (Makelele 76min, 6), Drogba 7, Robben 8 (J Cole 66min, 6)
Portsmouth: James 8, Pamarot 4, Primus 6, Campbell 5, Taylor 6, O’Neil 7, Fernandes 6 (Andrew Cole 58min, 6), Mendes 6 (Thompson 83min, 6), Kranjcar 6, Benjani 7, Kanu 6 (Davis h-t, 6)
Referee: M Clattenburg
Attendance: 41,838
