Carlo Ancelotti’s side have made a flying start to the season, romping to successive 6-0 wins over West Brom and Wigan Athletic, and Stoke were unable to halt their momentum at Stamford Bridge. Florent Malouda struck in the first half and unlike Chelsea’s previous two opponents, Stoke refused to cave in, giving Chelsea a tough play.
But Ivory Coast striker Drogba drove home a 77th minute spot-kick after Sorensen fouled Nicolas Anelka.
Arsenal remain victorious
Arsene Wenger saluted Arsenal’s character after his side dug in to claim a 2-1 win over Blackburn. Rovers once again sought to use aggression to their advantage against the Gunners, but Wenger was impressed with the way his players overcame Blackburn’s physical tactics by sticking to their own purist principles.
Spurs crash to defeat
Tottenham crashed back down to earth after their European exploits as Hugo Rodallega gave Wigan Athletic a shock 1-0 win at White Hart Lane.
Harry Redknapp’s team had qualified for the main draw of the Champions League for the first time in nearly 50 years thanks to their midweek win over Young Boys. But they seemed to be suffering a hangover from that result as Rodallega fired home a deflected effort from Hendry Thomas’s pass in the 80th minute to seal the points. It was Wigan’s first goal of the season after two successive heavy defeats.
Newcastle, Fulham score draws
Andy Carroll underlined his growing reputation with Newcastle’s equaliser in their 1-1 draw against the Wolverhampton Wanderers. Meanwhile, Fulham rescued a 2-2 draw against Blackpool as Dickson Etuhu’s late equaliser denied the hosts a win in their first top-flight game at Bloomfield Road for 39 years.
Moussa Dembele provided Fulham’s opener and Blackpool levelled in the 71st minute when a shot from Luke Varney was diverted into his own net by Fulham defender John Pantsil.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2010.
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