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Didier Drogba believes Chelsea's win over Liverpool has proved they have learned from the mistakes of last season and are now on track to take the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's 2-0 victory yesterday saw Carlo Ancelotti's team move two points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table and put them six points ahead of Rafael Benitez's Reds, who now look like title outsiders.
Last season the Blues picked up just four points from a possible 18 against United, Liverpool and Arsenal, and were beaten at home by the latter two, but after passing their biggest test of the campaign so far, Drogba believes Chelsea will go from strength to strength.
“We have learned that a big part of our losing the title last year was our results against the big teams,” said Drogba (pictured celebrating with Michael Ballack after Florent Malouda made it 2-0).
“We drew at home against Manchester United, and we lost here against Liverpool and Arsenal, so we wanted to change that trend this season. We want to be the team who wins these games against the big teams, and be at the top of the league.
“It's only the first game against a top-four team, but it was important to win it to show that we really want to be champions. We will be there. If the other teams want to win the title this season, they will have to fight us hard.”
This triumph put Chelsea back on track after a tricky patch which saw them suffer a shock 3-1 defeat at Wigan last weekend and gain an unconvincing 1-0 away win against Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League. Had they lost yesterday, comparisons would have been drawn with the regime of Luiz Felipe Scolari, which tailed off spectacularly after Liverpool won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in October last year. But although the defeat at Wigan still rankles, Drogba is confident that it could prove a blessing in disguise, as it gave the Blues the wake-up call they needed after six straight victories in the League.
He said: “Wigan was a disappointment, because if you want to win the league, you can't afford to lose many games like this. The good thing is that we reacted. The main thing was a change in the attitude, which was much better against Liverpool.”
Reader views (9)
Keith, in Torres and Gerard, Liverpool have two of the worst cheats in the Premier League, why pick on Drogba?"
You know very well I wasn't . I just watched MOTD and came to the very same conclusion as all the professional pundits did. You just dont liike the fact your player cheated so as to win a crucial game
- Keith Price, Luton England, 05/10/2009 16:47
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Lucas, gerrard and Mascherano were at it all afternoon, vile cheats. Chelsea played 'Pool off the park, and showed up benitez for what he is, a second rate tactician. And Keith in Luton, you are usually quite objective and reasonable in your views, obviously, like all the other scally lovers, you are blind to any failings the scousers have, like being second rate.
- Kerry, Purley, 05/10/2009 16:39
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Wigan didnt have to fight hard.
- Vic Gibbons, Brussels, Belgium, 05/10/2009 14:42
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Chelsea played extremely well and deserved the win even though Liverpool dominated at times. I hope they stop depending too much on Torres and Gerrad. Benitez also needs to start Ryan Babel more often. He can make a lot of change in their games.
- Akwasi Nsiah, Tadi, Ghana, 05/10/2009 14:25
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Drogba's antics are pathetic to watch and seriously undermine his footballing talent.
- George, Cambridge UK, 05/10/2009 14:03
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Keith, in Torres and Gerard, Liverpool have two of the worst cheats in the Premier League, why pick on Drogba? In addition, how will running the opposition defence ragged and setting up winning goals with skilful and deft football going to cost Chelsea the title? A tad of bitterness there per chance?
- Beebo, London, UK, 05/10/2009 13:38
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Sorry Keith, but it was pretty obvious from the first showing that Skrtel kicked his own heels and went down all on his own. All the Liverpool players were ding it all day. Masherano, Lucas, Torres and Gerrard too. It was embarassing. At least Drogba is actually fouled every time he goes down.
- Harry, Birmingham, 05/10/2009 13:08
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Drogba shpuld have received a red card and a penalty against his team for the blatant foul in the box. he will cost his team the title with this arrogant attitude
- Keith Price, Luton England, 05/10/2009 10:24
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The truth of the matter is that Liverpool do not have enough good players and they don't have a good manager.
Their total reliance on Gerrard and Torres makes iteasy for any decent club to shut them down. As for Benitez's love child Lucas - well words fail me.
For all their huff and puff they were well beaten by a Chelsea side that really didn't have to get into top gear.
- Barry, Welwyn England, 05/10/2009 09:01
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