Newspaper reports
The Guardian, Dominic Fifield: “Chelsea may have felt the fates had conspired against them in recent weeks, though it is Portsmouth who have truly monopolised the hard luck story this season. While the visitors hoisted themselves from their untimely lull and back to within a point of the summit with comfortable victory here, the locals were left to reflect upon the wreckage of a drubbing.”
Daily Telegraph, Jason Burt: “Chelsea feel fortune has deserted them of late but, on Wednesday night, it ridiculed David James instead. The Portsmouth and England goalkeeper committed the sort of error that was not only freakish but will be replayed time and again, completely missing the ball as he attempted to clear, gifting the crucial opening goal. A Paul Robinson moment.”
The Times, Nick Szczepanik: “The result, however achieved, quells talk of a crisis at Stamford Bridge and means that, with a visit to Old Trafford on Saturday week, Chelsea remain in control of their destiny in the title race.”
The Independent, Mark Fleming: “Chelsea took no prisoners as they moved to within a point of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League with a bruising victory. They left two Portsmouth players nursing nasty facial injuries and Daniel Sturridge was fortunate not to be sent off as their mean streak came to the fore.”
Official Chelsea FC Website: “Chelsea romped to an emphatic win at Fratton Park tonight as Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba scored a brace each.”
The goals
32′ Drogba 0-1
50′ Malouda 0-2
60′ Malouda 0-3
77′ Drogba 0-4
90′ Lampard 0-5
Manager’s reaction
Carlo Ancelotti: “We needed to have this performance. We needed to win, we did this and I hope the bad moment is finished. We have to wait until Saturday because that is a very important test for us. If this test can be passed, this moment is finished.
“We were lucky for the first goal, but before that we had some opportunities to score.
“It was unlucky for James, the bounce of the ball was not good but after that we played well. We maintained the tempo of the game for 90 minutes. This is good for us now, to improve our confidence, because in the last few weeks we have lost confidence in our play and we came back to play good football.”