Chelsea Silence the Pompey Chimes

For the most part of the first half it was Portsmouth who took the game to the league leaders. Apart from an early Drogba shot and a Lampard effort, it was Portsmouth who created the opportunities to go into half time with a 1-0 lead, or even perhaps 2-0.

Only a stunning one handed save from a Quashie shot from about thirty-five yards kept Chelsea on level terms. The save was made more spectacular by the fact that due to the swerve on the ball, Cech had to change direction in mid-air.

The second half was a different story. Portsmouth continued to harry, parry and man mark their opponents, but the quality of Chelsea started to shine through. Johnson had a header cleared off the line, Drogba had a shot saved by Hislop. Duff and Robben finally started to look menacing on the flanks. Drogba was replaced by Gudjohnsen, purely because Drogba's link up play is not up to the quality of Eider's. It maybe that Drogba still needs time to get over his injury, or is it maybe that Drogba is not a player that can hold the ball up. Who knows? Once Eider became involved the complexion of Chelsea's play changed. He was involved in the build up to Chelsea's first goal, scored by the electrifying Robben with a shot that took a deflection past Hislop by the hapless Taylor on 79 minutes. It always appeared that one goal was sufficient enough to win this game.

Whereas Arsenal had to settle for one. Chelsea went one further. Joe Cole who has been unlucky not to feature more this season, came on as a late substitute and right on full time scored to end any hopes of a Portsmouth comeback.

With Everton losing and Arsenal not playing until Wednesday night, Chelsea moved eight points clear of the Gunners and now are nine points clear of Everton.

Two sour notes to mention. Both Robben and Lampard were booked. Robben for removing hsi shirt during his goal celebrations, and Lampard was booked for kicking the ball away. Both players now are on four yellow cards for the season. One more and each will face a suspension.

Part two of the 'Squeaky Bum Mini-Season' completed. Six points from two games.

Next up Liverpool.