Drogba rescues three points for Chelsea

Dec 14, 2006, 0:23 GMT

London, England - Didier Drogba secured three crucial points for Chelsea on Wednesday as he came on as a second-half substitute and scored the lone goal in Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

After an evenly played first half, Jose Mourinho brought on Drogba at halftime, and the move paid off in the 74th minute as Drogba's tally allowed Chelsea to move to within five points of table setters Manchester United.

The loss snaps Newcastle's season-high three-game win streak in league play, and drops the Magpies to 0-10-4 at Stamford Bridge.

The home side came out strong in the opening five minutes, pressing forward in search of an early lead. Shaun Wright-Phillips had a chance to open the scoring three minutes in. Salomon Kalou flicked a throw-in towards goal and Wright-Phillips ran onto the ball just four-yards from goal. The English midfielder failed to put the ball on goal, however, as he managed to get the slightest touch on the ball and leave it for Newcastle keeper Shea Given to safely scoop off the ground.

Kalou and Frank Lampard both had chances to put the hosts ahead inside of 15 minutes, but failed to hit the net.

The visitors nearly took advantage in the 16th minute off of a corner kick opportunity. James Milner swung the ball into the box and Antoine Sibierski was able to slip inside of keeper Hilario six-yards from goal. With the netminder out of position, Sibierski sent a glancing header towards the gaping net, but the ball struck the cross bar and stayed out.

Things settled down from there for the rest of the half, and Newcastle had to be pleased with the 0-0 score at the break.

Drogba was brought on after halfime to replace Wright-Phillips and give Chelsea a much-needed boost. The Ivory Coast international nearly made an immediate impact as Arjen Robben found Drogba 10-yards from goal with a cross from the left wing. Drogba's header went just wide of the far post but served notice that he would be a handful for the Newcastle back line.

The visitors showed some signs of life in the 73rd minute as they went searching for the opening goal. Obafemi Martins crossed from the left wing into the box, and Sibierski steered a header on net. The ball had some pace behind it but went right to Hilario.

One minute later, the Blues found their way onto the scoreboard with a stroke of luck.

Robben worked the ball down the left wing and played it to Andriy Shevchenko, who also came on as a second-half substitute. The Ukrainian tried to strike the ball first-time, but was badly off-target with the shot. Luckily for Chelsea, Drogba was making a run towards the goal and took possession of the ball before firing it inside the near post and past Shea Given for a 1-0 lead.

Robben nearly put the game out of reach for Chelsea in the 88th minute. After taking possession on the right wing, the Dutchman cut hard into the box and sliced a shot around Given that struck the far post and stayed.

Newcastle never looked like equalizing and Chelsea held on for three vital points.

In Wednesday's other EPL contest, Emmanuel Adebayor tallied in the 88th minute to propel Arsenal to a 1-0 win over Wigan at The JJB Stadium.

© 2006 The Sports Network