Football: Jimmy stars as Blues cruise

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jan 12, 2003 | by JAMES ATKINSON

"So I've no complaints about the result because I felt they deserved it. There's a steely determination about Chelsea this season.

"They are now starting to beat the so-called lesser sides in the Premiership and if they can carry on doing that then the results against the top sides will come and I think they could finish in the top four."

Hasselbaink's penalty was a perfect tonic for Chelsea and it was no more than they deserved after a blistering start.

While Charlton struggled to get to grips with the conditions, the home side poured forward and it came as no surprise when they doubled their lead on 11 minutes.

A clever through-ball by Danish winger Jesper Gronkjaer should have been dealt with by former England full-back Powell - who had an afternoon he will want to forget.

Instead he allowed it to run through to full-back, Gallas who took a touch before beating Dean Kiely with a comprehensive finish.

Charlton looked shaken and Chelsea went close to extending their lead through Le Saux and Hasselbaink before Terry was forced to hobble off midway through the first half.

A reshuffle saw Emmanuel Petit drop back into defence and Jody Morris come off the bench, but it did nothing to affect Chelsea's rhythm.

They effectively sealed the points just after the half hour when Gronkjaer's clever cross found Gudjohnsen in plenty of space on the edge of the box.

The striker took his time before beating Kiely from 18 yards - partly thanks to a deflection off Charlton defender Luke Young.

To Charlton's credit they battled back and grabbed a lifeline just before the break when Marcel Desailly pulled back Kevin Lisbie and Jason Euell scored from the spot.

But any hopes of a Charlton comeback were soon wiped out when the Blues grabbed their fourth - and it was the normally reliable Republic of Ireland keeper Kiely who was left red-faced early in the second half.

Le Saux's 25-yarder was well-struck but it should have been easy for Kiely - however he allowed the ball to squirm through his grasp and could only watch in agony as it dropped over the line.

Chelsea could even have extended their lead further as Hasselbaink hit a post and Gallas missed a sitter from three yards after more good work from Gronkjaer.

CHELSEA CHARLTON

5 Shots on target 2

10 Shots off target 4

1 Shots blocked 4

8 Corners 5

11 Fouls conceded 14

2 Offsides 7

3 Yellow cards 3

0 Red cards 0

REPRODUCED FROM THE OPTA INDEX

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MAN OF THE MATCH

jesperGRONKJAER

Earlier this week the Danish winger showed refreshing honesty when he admitted he had been left out of recent line-ups due to his own poor form. Yet he caused plenty of problems for former England man Chris Powell in the first half which resulted in the full-back being substituted at the break. It was Gronkjaer's clever pass which sent William Gallas racing clear to score Chelsea's second.

RAISEYOURGAMEVIEWFROM THEDUGOUT

CLAUDIO RANIERI

It was fantastic to find ourselves two up after 10 minutes. Credit to the players because they read the pitch very well. Even when we had the game won at 4-1 we continued to try to score goals.