Chelsea 1 Reading 0Chelsea's pursuit of Manchester United and Arsenal in the race for the title has been characterised by prosaic qualities. As injuries have bitten and the African Cup of Nations has made its demands, they have ground out results. Last night, they finally quickened the pulses.
The win was their sixth in seven league matches and it featured examples of the free-flowing football that is craved by Roman Abramovich, the owner. The three points were the bottom line but Shaun Wright-Phillips's and Joe Cole's artistry in particular provided cheer and the gloss.
This was a scoreline that deceived. Chelsea ought to have won by a handful.
They had only drawn with Reading in the corresponding fixture last season - a result felt keenly in the final reckoning - and they are aware that they have no margin for error this time. The tightness of the race promises a thrilling run-in. Chelsea are determined not to blink first.
Michael Ballack had missed Chelsea's previous two fixtures with a calf problem but his return helped to energise the team. He was involved in most of their best moments and it was fitting that his towering header proved the match winner. Cole, another impressive performer, released Paulo Ferreira and he stood up an inviting cross from the byline.
Ballack ghosted in behind Ivar Ingimarsson and got up above Stephen Hunt to thump in his fifth goal of the season.
Ballack's goal had been coming as Chelsea fashioned a series of chances. Nicolas Anelka, from the German's pass, was denied by Graeme Murty's block, Cole drew a diving save from Marcus Hahnemann with a 20-yard drive and Wright-Phillips, keeping his balance beautifully after Murty's challenge, found the Reading goalkeeper too big when one on one.
The game should have been over early in the second half and but for Hahnemann it would have been. Once again he was confronted by Wright-Phillips after the midfielder had drifted on to Claude Makelele's through-ball and again he left his line smartly to block. Wright-Phillips will rue placing his shot too straight.
Chelsea could not relax and they had a moment of alarm when Lita barrelled clear down the left and crossed for James Harper. He miskicked his volley horribly, though. Chelsea eased home and it is now 76 league games unbeaten at home. They refuse to give an inch.
CHELSEA: Cech, Ferreira, Alex, Carvalho, Bridge, Wright-Phillips (Sidwell 85), Makelele, Ballack, Joe Cole, Anelka, Malouda (Pizarro 76). Subs not used: Cudicini, Sinclair, Ben-Haim.
READING: Hahnemann, Murty, Cisse, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Oster (Matejovsky 81), Harper, Hunt, Convey (Rosenior 85), Lita, Doyle. Subs not used: Federici, De la Cruz, Bennett.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
