Coach Ancelotti hails skipper Terry; Drogba brace helps Chelsea beat gunners
Coach Ancelotti hails skipper Terry; Drogba brace helps Chelsea beat gunnersChelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti paid tribute to his "perfect" captain John Terry after two goals from Didier Drogba against Arsenal put the Blues back on top of the Premier League.
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Chelsea striker Didier Drogba celebrates a goal against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London yesterday. Chelsea won 2-1. Pic/AFP |
Terry, stripped of the England captaincy by England boss Fabio Capello on Friday after a week of lurid headlines about his private life, produced a typically inspirational performance that won more plaudits from his club boss.
"John is the perfect captain for Chelsea," said Ancelotti.
"My captain has a fantastic attitude. He is doing very well in every game.
"It is very important for the team to have this leadership. He was always in control of the game. He has a strong mentality.
"He is working for his club and we are happy to have this performance from him in this moment.
"The England captaincy was not my decision and I do not want to judge about this decision. I knew John met Capello but I did not meet with (Terry) afterwards."
Ancelotti refused to rule Arsenal out of the title race even though the Gunners are now nine points behind the leaders after this Stamford Bridge defeat.
"Arsenal still have a possibility because they are a good team," added the Italian.
"It depends on the performances of Manchester United and Chelsea. I am not sure it will be a race with two horses."
The Chelsea coach was equally delighted with the form of Drogba, who has now scored three goals in two games since he returned from the African Nations Cup. Drogba's brace took his tally for the season to 22 and 12 in 12 against the Gunners. "We scored an unbelievable second goal," said Ancelotti.
"It was fantastic movement, fantastic passing and a fantastic shot from Didier. This is football.
"Didier did very well and he is in a good moment. He came back from the African Nations Cup with fantastic motivation and continues to have very good performances."
Although Arsenal had more of the possession than Chelsea, Drogba's eighth minute opener settled Chelsea's nerves and his second in the 22nd minute sealed victory.
"We did some fantastic defensive work," added Ancelotti.
"We tried to score more but we worked together for 90 minutes. Sometimes you have to defend.
"We were winning 2-0 and it was important to defend. The defenders, midfielders and strikers did a great job."
