Chelsea toast Drogba double
Sunday, August 7, 2005
Article summary
Didier Drogba scored twice as Chelsea FC defeated Arsenal FC in the FA Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday.
Article body
Drogba double
Didier Drogba struck either side of half-time to give José Mourinho's side a two-goal lead, but Arsenal could only reply with a solitary strike from Cesc Fabregas. Drogba opened the scoring after only eight minutes when he used his chest to control a long ball over the Arsenal defence before volleying into the opposite corner of Jens Lehmann's goal.
Chelsea restricted
That opportunity proved Chelsea's only chance of the first half as Arsenal enjoyed the majority of possession. Arsène Wenger altered his side at the break, with Gilberto, Robin van Persie and new signing Aliaksandr Hleb entering the fray, but within 12 minutes of the restart Drogba had scored again.
Lead doubled
The Ivory Coast striker looked to have squandered the opportunity when he appeared to fall over his own feet after beating Philippe Senderos to burst through on goal, only to recover and blast the ball past a crowd of Arsenal players and into the net.
Fabregas consolation
Arsenal gave themselves hope when Fabregas tapped in Fredrik Ljungberg's low cross from close range with 26 minutes remaining, but Chelsea held firm to claim victory in the traditional curtain-raiser to the English season.
Champions League
Chelsea and Arsenal have both qualified for this season's UEFA Champions League group stage and will learn their opponents in Monaco when the draw takes place on Thursday 25 August.
