Angry Drogba laments lack of fight at Chelsea look to limit damage

Simon Johnson
28 Sep 2009

Didier Drogba today described Chelsea's performance in the 3-1 defeat at Wigan as the worst in his five years at the club and told his team-mates they must improve if they are to win the title.

It was Chelsea's first loss of the season and ended an unbeaten run stretching 23 games.

It also allowed rivals Manchester United to take over top spot on goal difference after they won at Stoke.

Drogba scored his 100th goal for Chelsea at the DW Stadium but it was not enough as they fell apart minutes later when goalkeeper Petr Cech was sent off and Hugo Rodallega scored from the penalty spot.

Cech complained bitterly after the match that it wasn't a penalty and that he shouldn't have been shown the red card, yet Drogba insisted the incident was not to blame for the defeat.

He said: "We didn't play very well. We lost all the battles, all the duels. We didn't win anything. We were poor.

"This is the worst game I have played in since I have been at Chelsea. We need to think about it, correct what was wrong and try to go again.

"We equalised just after half-time and we were trying to improve our game, but then there was the penalty and a red card, which I think was a bit harsh.

"Still with 10 players we had the chance to make it 2-2, but we didn't do it.

"There was a lot of space and they used the pitch very well, they deserved to win."

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti tried to give a more measured approach to his first defeat at the club and insisted his players will bounce back in the Champions League against Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus on Wednesday and Liverpool next Sunday.

Ancelotti said: "Now it is important we don't do drama. We lost one game, but we did very well until now.

"We have to continue. It's important we have a good reaction against Apoel and also Liverpool."

Chelsea have yet to confirm whether they will appeal against referee Phil Dowd's dismissal of Cech, while the Football Association will wait for the official match report to see if Dowd has complained over the length of time it took for the keeper to leave the field.

If he does, the Czech may face a longer ban.

As it stands, he will be suspended for the huge match at home to Liverpool, but Chelsea are more optimistic that Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel could be fit to face them.

Ballack missed the game at Wigan due to a calf problem, while Mikel and Cole limped off with ankle and knee injuries respectively.

Early scans have revealed that neither Mikel nor Cole suffered serious damage and a decision will be made today whether they will fly to Cyprus.

It is likely Cole and Mikel will be rested with Sunday in mind, but Ballack will probably travel.

So will Joe Cole, who is available after being left out at Wigan because of a cold.